Inuyasha woke in the predawn hours, unsure what had disturbed his slumber.  The girl beside him snored softly and he snuggled against her, feeling content and lethargic.  Who was she and why did he feel so relaxed around her?

With a sigh, he rolled over onto his back.  Her body unconsciously moved to press against his in the new position.  “Kagome…” A smile crossed his face and his hand gently stroked her hair. 

Kagome woke a bit and embraced him, her hand reaching down to fondle the contents of his pants. 

A sharp hiss of breath came from the boy.  Her movements were rough and a bit painful in her half awakened state.  His hand caught hers, placing it on his stomach where she couldn’t do any damage.  His thoughts drifted and once again he was asleep.

“Kikyou?”

The girl looked back at him, joy on her face.  “I… we did it, Inuyasha.  It was… wonderful.  He was wonderful.  I didn’t know it could be like that.”

Inuyasha’s eyes fell to the cement.  “Kikyou… I…”

“You’ve always been there, watching out for me…”  With a quick hug she moved away.  “It will be fine… you’ll see.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, bitch.  That’s not MY baby!”  Naraku scowled at them.

Inuyasha looked up.  The scene had changed.  Kikyou stood next to him in near tears.  “Naraku… you know that’s not true.  You and I… we…”

Naraku shook his head, glancing at the popular kids he hung out with.  “She obviously has delusions.  I bet her artist boyfriend knocked her up and she was imagining me the whole time.”

Inuyasha frowned, glaring at Naraku.  “LIAR!”

Naraku slid down from his high perch on the popular student bench, reserved for senior athletes and cheerleaders.  “You’re calling me a liar, you freak?  I know what happened.  It was at that party… you took that bitch when she was drunk.  You forced her to fuck you.  We were all there.”

Inuyasha shook his head.  “That’s not what…”

Kikyou gave Inuyasha an odd look.  “It was you… you who…?”

Inuyasha’s wounded eyes fell on her.  “I didn’t, Kikyou.  I wasn’t even at that party.  I mean… I WAS but that was because… you needed a ride home.  I didn’t get there until afterwards…”

“We all saw you, Inuyasha.  You laid her out on the table and…” Naraku let off with a chuckle.  “It was entertaining to watch.”

The groupies behind Naraku nodded and smiled. 

“You sick bastard.”  Inuyasha seethed, glaring hard at Naraku.

“Careful… I have friends to back me up.  What do YOU have, freak?”

Kikyou took the opportunity to run.  Inuyasha turned, wanting to stop her, knowing what would happened next.  Kikyou would get home and… and watching her run was the last time he saw her alive.  Instead he played out what had happened that day.  “You are a complete bastard, you know that, Naraku?  I KNOW what you did to her.  She thought you loved her, instead you were just using her.” 

Naraku grin softened as his eyes hardened on Inuyasha.  “Take him down.”

The groupies moved as one, dragging Inuyasha away and off of school grounds.  Inuyasha struggled the whole way, but there were just too many of them.  Finally he was thrown to the ground and various fists and feet kicked and punched at him.  They came from all directions and it was all he could do to cover his head.  Someone kicked him in the jaw… another in his genitals.  Inuyasha was surrounded and yet alone… alone and bleeding… his heart was dying. 

One look at her in her casket and he knew he was dying.  The scene shifted to her funeral.  His body was stiff and covered with bandages.  His eyes stared dully at her inanimate body, but tears refused to come. 

^.~

Kagome gently touched the crying boy beneath her.  “Inuyasha… are you…?  Inuyasha…”

Inuyasha opened his eyes and hugged the girl to him.  “I’m sorry Kikyou… I’m so sorry.”

Inuyasha sat on the chair next to Kagome’s desk, staring dully at the books.  “It’s never affected me like this before.” 

“What do you think… triggered it?” 

The boy shrugged.  “Maybe that bastard Kouga…”

“And it was… the circumstances around Kikyou’s suicide?”

Inuyasha nodded and shivered.  “Her telling me how much she enjoyed having that bastard give her attention… his denial of the whole thing… and her funeral.”

“Inuyasha… I’m not going to die.”

For a moment his eyes focused on her.  “I think… it was my fault.”

“What do you mean?”

“The bastard told Kikyou… it was me who… If I hadn’t have denied it…”  Hopelessly he shook his head.

“But you didn’t do it.  Why should you take responsibility for something he did?”

“Because she was MY friend.  Maybe she wouldn’t have run away if… I had agreed.  If I had said yes…”

Kagome slipped off of her bed and knelt before him.  “Inuyasha…”  Her hands took his and her head rested against his thigh.  “I don’t think I can say anything… but if it had been me… I would have rather have known the truth than have you lie to me.”

One of his hands freed themselves and lightly touched her hair.  “I know.”

Her arms wrapped around his waist, resting her head against his belly.  “It’s still early… should we go back to sleep?”

“I don’t really feel like sleep.”

“Sango and Miroku probably aren’t done with your room.”

“I can just sit here…”

“Then I’ll sit here too.”

A chuckle escaped his nose.  “Don’t be stupid… You’re tired.  Go back to bed.”

“I want to comfort you… like you comfort me.”

“Go to bed, Kagome.”

“No…”  Her head rolled so her face was against his hips.

Inuyasha’s cheeks burned, staring down at her in this position.  His hands reached down to clasp her under her armpits, dragging her up against him on the chair.  With help from the desk he managed to stand and stumble towards the bed, laying her down.  “I’ll be fine… go to sleep.”

Groggily, her eyes stared up into his.  “Keep me warm?”

With a sigh he crawled in beside her. 

“So… what did you two do last night?”

Inuyasha glared at his roommate.  “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”

“You were comforting her, right?  Did you COMFORT her?”

“You are one sick pervert.”

“What’s so sick about doing it with your girlfriend?” Miroku frowned.

“Nothing!” Inuyasha replied, giving Miroku a death glare.

“Sango and I do it all the time.”

“Yes, I know.”

“How do you know?”

“Hello?  The walls are paper thin!  You think we don’t hear ‘bang bang bang?’”

“What can I say?  She likes it rough.”

“You’re sick.”

“Yes… I know.”  Miroku frowned and picked up his guitar.  “But I don’t want to die alone.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” 

Miroku shook his head and let the music wash over him. 

Inuyasha and Kagome walked side by side from their math class, back to the dormitory.  Before the building stood a tall, lean man in a business suit with long black hair and a scowl on his face.  Inuyasha made an odd noise in his throat.  “Kagome… I’ll catch up with you later…”

“Who is that?”  The girl replied, staring at the man who was staring back at them both with disdain in his eyes. 

“That’s my brother, Sesshoumaru.  Go inside and wait for me.”

Kagome stared at Inuyasha’s brother. 

“What are you looking at, wench?”  Sesshoumaru glared hard at her before turning to address his brother.  “That’s the bitch you’re sleeping with?”

Inuyasha scowled at his brother, waving Kagome off.  “Who are you to judge my tastes?  What do you want, Sesshoumaru?”

Sesshoumaru’s eyes fell again on Kagome, who made no move to enter the building.  “Not very obedient, is she?” 

Inuyasha pushed himself between his brother’s critical gaze and his girlfriend, trying to get her to move.  “I didn’t ask your opinion on her.”

“Well you SHOULD.  I am your father’s eldest son.  My opinions rule you, boy.  May I remind you the only reason you are in college is because of a trust fund set up by my father for you?  I am his legal representation.  One word from me and you’ll be cut off without a penny more.”

“Go to hell!”  Inuyasha snorted, pushing back against Kagome.  The door was only a few feet away.  If he could just get her there…

Sesshoumaru crossed the distance between them, staring hard over Inuyasha’s shoulder at the girl behind him.  “Are you searching for gold, bitch?  You should know… this bastard has no real worth.”

Kagome blinked up at the man who scowled at her.  “What?”

“You’re not getting any money for sleeping with him.  He’s nothing but a worthless bastard.”  Sesshoumaru announced as if he was spelling it out for her.

“I… don’t care.  I don’t want money.”

“Leave us alone!” Inuyasha growled, shoving Sesshoumaru away.  In an instant he turned and hurried Kagome along to the door.  “I told you to go.”

“Do you really want to have your mother thrown out on the street just because her thoughtless bastard went against his oath?”  Sesshoumaru questioned, lightly dusting off the place on his suit where Inuyasha had touched for the shove.

“What oath?” Kagome whispered, staring up at Inuyasha.

“That I wouldn’t disgrace the family name.” Inuyasha replied, easing his hold on Kagome.

“That’s right, little bastard.  Your existence is already an embarrassment to my family… then there was that incident with your model… Can’t even control your own damn mistress… she was found floating in the pool with a child in her gut.  Now you think you can take another one?” Sesshoumaru smirked.

“Stay out of my life.”  Inuyasha growled back.

“I own your life.  You damage my family’s honor… I destroy your life.”

“Leave him alone, you big bully!  He isn’t hurting anyone!  You should just mind your own business!” Kagome called from behind Inuyasha’s shoulder.

Inuyasha turned to stare at her in a way that seemed to say, “I can’t believe you just said that.”

Sesshoumaru smirked.  “She’s got spunk.  No wonder she serves your bed.  Perhaps I’ll have to… sample her.”

“Touch her and I’ll make sure your precious family name is tarnished forever.”

“Such strong words for a bastard.”  Sesshoumaru gave him a smile and patted his cheek before walking away. 

“I mean it, Sesshoumaru!  And leave my mother out of this!”

The man in the business suit didn’t seem to hear as he got into the waiting limo and was whisked away. 

“What’s that?”  Kagome asked, noticing the old parchment envelope Inuyasha held after going through his mail. 

“This is… from my mother.”  Hastily the paper was unsealed and Inuyasha scanned the letter.  “It’s a… a…”  A frown crossed his face and he sat down heavily on his bed.

Kagome sat beside him, trying to get a better look at the envelope he had cast aside.  The script was beautiful. 

“Mother wants me to come home during break… and she wants me to bring you.”

“Me?”  Kagome’s eyes flashed surprise.  “She knows about me?”

Inuyasha nodded slowly, his eyes still glued to the letter.  “She wants you to come stay with her for the whole week, so she can get to know you… see if you can handle being my…”  His cheeks flushed as he crumbled the letter, stuffing it into his pocket.

“Your what?”

“Never mind… Can you help me with our math homework?  I’m not sure I understand the concept.”  The boy made a wild snatch for a book on his desk.  Carelessly it was opened to show various paintings. 

“Sure, but… that’s you’re art history book.”

Inuyasha turned a deeper shade of red and put the book back, searching his desk for the correct book.

Kagome stood, nervously shifting her weight from foot to foot as she studied her surroundings.  Her house, even though it was built on shrine grounds, was modern in appearance.  This house was old… and traditional.  Bare feet padded back down the hallway towards her. 

“Mother is waiting.  Leave your stuff here and come inside.”  Inuyasha urged, pulling on her arm. 

Kagome set down her things and followed her host in slippers too big for her feet.  When he stopped suddenly before a door, she nearly collided with him.  The door was opened and she stepped inside, making her way to the guest spot without looking up from the floor, bowing profusely. 

Inuyasha sat beside her.  “Mother, this is Higurashi Kagome.”

The sound of silk rustled in her ears as the lady of the house moved to return the bow with a nod.  “Look up, please.”

Kagome blinked up at the matronly looking woman who sat before her dressed in traditional kimono.  The girl felt underdressed even though Inuyasha had assured her that she looked fine. 

“She seems well behaved.”

Inuyasha made no answer but sat sullenly, staring at the floor.

“So… this is the girl that got your brother in an uproar.”

“She was only…”

“She has conviction… like your other model.”

Inuyasha blushed and stared down at his hands.  “She isn’t my model.”

“Neither was Kikyou.”

Kagome was silent during this exchange, unsure how to respond. 

Inuyasha’s mother turned to regard Kagome.  “Tell me about your family.  Where do they live?  What do they do?  What do they think of my son?”

Kagome blinked a few times, unprepared for the questioning.  “My family takes care of a shrine in Tokyo.  I’m next in line as the keeper of that shrine.  I live with my grandfather, mother and little brother… they briefly met Inuyasha on Parent Weekend.  They seemed to like him.”

Inuyasha’s mother raised an eyebrow.  “Several years ago we bought a… model for Inuyasha as was provided for in his father’s will along with his college education.  The position is open.”

“Position?”

The lady stood, adjusting her kimono as she moved carefully across the room.  “My son was too young then to understand what we offered him.  We always called her his model.  Perhaps I should speak to your family directly.”

“I don’t understand…”

Inuyasha leaned towards her.  “She means I was supposed to marry Kikyou.  She posed for me… but she was also my… intended.”

The lady turned in a grand sweeping motion.  “As was part of the agreement… my son will marry the first girl he shares his bed with.” 

Kagome’s eyes went wide as she turned to Inuyasha. 

“Mother, Kagome’s not like that… We didn’t…”

“Your brother says you are.  You know the kind of power he holds.”

Inuyasha nodded, looking away from Kagome. 

“But we can worry about this later.  It’s been a long time, my son… Come give your mother a hug.”

Inuyasha stood and obediently embraced his mother. 

Kagome sat in the recreation room, studying for a final.  Miroku and Sango were studying in her room.  Inuyasha was nowhere to be found.  After only a few days at his mother’s house, Inuyasha had announced that they were going back to the dormitory and then vanished once he got there.  Kagome found the whole situation to be curious but didn’t say anything about it. 

Houjou ducked into the room and sat beside her.  “How’s it going, Kagome?”

“I’m fine.”  The girl replied.

“I haven’t seen Inuyasha around.”  The boy remarked, opening his book.

“I know… neither have I.”

“So… what are your plans for our break after finals?  Going home or staying here?”

Kagome shook her head.  “I’m going home to be with my family.”

“Can I… stop by your shrine some time?  I think I know where it is.”

Kagome nodded, blushing softly. 

Shippou entered the room, looking around.  “Well… if it isn’t Kagome and Houjou.  How are your finals going?”

“Well.”  Kagome whispered, staring at the book. 

“Are you both coming to the end of the semester floor party?  It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

“Sure!” Houjou grinned, staring expectantly at Kagome.

Kagome looked up from her studies.  “I’m… going home immediately after my last final.”

Shippou nodded.  “Do me a favor and spread the word.  If I don’t see you again… see you next semester, alright?”

Kagome nodded absently and looked down at her books. 

Shippou left with a regretful glance at Kagome.

Houjou sighed and stretched.  “I should probably go take a shower…” 

Soon Kagome was alone.  Her eyes stayed on the same page for over an hour, not seeing the words. 

Kagome lay on her bed in her old room, holding a small, stuffed dog.  Almost a full month lay between her and the next semester.  Her family had been happy to see her.  Her grandfather had a million things to say about the shrine once she prompted him, but now she felt empty and alone.  Just being in the old house, without the constant presence of her roommate… her boyfriend… Inuyasha… Everything seemed unimportant compared to their lives.

“Kagome… there’s someone here to see you!”  Mrs. Higurashi called up the stairs.

The girl set the dog down, slid off of her bed and slowly made her way downstairs.  To tell the truth, she hadn’t been particularly excited about Houjou’s visits.  But they came with some regularity and took her mind off what she missed.

The door opened and Kagome blinked out at the young man that stood there.  “Inu… Yasha?”

Inuyasha made a grab for her wrist and dragged her across the courtyard of the shrine to the well house.  Once inside he shut the door and leaned against it.  “Kagome…”

“Where have you been?”

His lips covered hers and for a moment they breathlessly kissed.  “I had to see you… had to…”

“Where have you been?” Her voice shook as she asked again. 

Lightly his hand touched her face, tracing her cheekbone with his fingertips.  “I’ve been… cut off from family support.”

“Cut off?  Why?”

“I just have.  It was all I could do to keep my mother in her house.  That bastard, Sesshoumaru…”  Inuyasha frowned, sitting down on the dirt floor.

“Why are we in the dark well house?”

His arms wrapped around her, pulling her against him.  “Sesshoumaru has spies, watching my every move.”

“What are you doing here?  Why didn’t you go to your finals?  What…” Kagome whispered, breathlessly, growing more and more hysterical.

“Kagome, shut up!”  Inuyasha ordered, kissing her again.  “Listen to me.  I don’t have much time…”

“Time?”

“They found a wife for me.”

Kagome’s eyes went wide and she blinked up at him in shock.  “Wife?”

“Yes… Sesshoumaru insists…”

“You’re married?”

“Not yet.”  Inuyasha replied with an audible gulp.  “But soon.  The date is set… and if I don’t show up… my mother…”

Kagome could feel her throat clamp shut as her eyes began to sting. 

“Kagome…” The boy whispered, touching her shoulder.  “Are you…”

“I’m FINE!”  Kagome hastily wiped away her tears and smiled a fake smile.  “I hope you’ll be happy with your… wife.”

“Then… you want me to marry her?”  Drawing his eyebrows together in a scowl, he stared into her face for confirmation.

“If it’s your duty…”

“It IS my duty.  But…”  His fingertips lightly brushed her cheek again.  “These past few months have been… the best in my life.  And yet… I can’t abandon my mother.”

“Really, I understand.” Kagome whispered, turning away from him. 

His eyes searched hers, begging her to tell him it wasn’t all right… that she wanted him as much as he wanted her.  “Kagome…”

“So you came to tell me…”  The girl stood and touched the door, ready to open it. 

“I came for more than that.”  Inuyasha mumbled, unable to contain his pain.

“What more do you want?  My blessing?”  Kagome snapped.  The tears ran, unchecked from her eyes.

His hand caught hers, pulling her body back down to his embrace.  “Don’t go.  I want to stay here… with you.  Don’t leave me.”

“But you… have someone else now.”

Inuyasha held her tightly, unwilling to let go.  His muscles felt weak and yet he had to hold on.  “Don’t go…” His voice breathed in her ear.  “Keep me warm.”

“What?”

His body pulled back a bit so his face could look into hers.  A soft blush touched his cheeks.  “Nothing…”

“So… what is your fiancée like?”

Inuyasha blinked at her a few times, unsure if she was serious or not.  “ Fiancée?  You mean the girl my family chose for me?  I haven’t met her.  She’s some daughter of some peon working for my brother.  I wouldn’t exactly call her my fiancée.”

“Then what would you call her?”

“Daughter of peon that works for my brother and that my family arranged for me to marry.”

“Sounds like a charming title.”

“Yeah… charming.”  Inuyasha snorted in contempt.

“And what would you call me?” 

“My Kagome.”

Kagome gave him a twisted smile.  “Not much of a title, is it?”

“I suppose not.  But it says who you are and who you belong to.”

“How can I belong to you if you’re going to marry someone else?”

A soft grunt escaped his throat and he pushed her back against the dirt floor, lying down on top of her.  His lips pressed against hers lightly before tasting her more hungrily. 

“What… are you doing?”  Kagome mumbled, between kisses.

“I want… This.  Please… I’m ready.” His fingers danced on her sides, trying to find their way under her clothing.

“Inuyasha…” Her body squirmed to counter his touch.  Her hands pushed his away.

The boy eased off, sat up and lowered his eyes to the ground.  “I had thought… if we…” 

Kagome frowned.   “All this time I’ve been wanting to get close to you and you choose NOW to do it?”

Inuyasha stood and wordlessly went to the door.  “I have a duty… and yet… I want you to be there with me, Kagome.  It may be selfish of me… but that’s what I want.”  The door was opened and he blinked out at the sunlit courtyard of the shrine.

“What will happen now?”

His body turned to look back at her.  “I would like to tell them that I shared my bed with you.  Would you be agreeable to that?”

Kagome opened her mouth to answer, but he stopped her.

“The only thing is… They will then expect you to be my bride.”

“Do you want to marry that other girl?”

Inuyasha shook his head, looking away.

“What about me?”

“I’m yours.” 

Kagome stood and wrapped her arms around him.  “Then… tell them you wish to keep your oath.”

“This may tarnish your reputation.”

“I don’t mind… Because it’s for you.”

His lips touched hers for a moment and then he was gone, hurrying across the courtyard of the shrine.

Part 3
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