“I don’t believe it…”  Sango breathed, wrapping her arms around the other girl.

“I saw it.  He said he loved her.  And she touched him.  And he didn’t pull away.  And they kissed!”  Kagome sobbed, leaning heavily against Sango. 

“Who knew he had such lack of manners?”  Miroku intoned from his place on the chair nearby.  The three of them sat in Sango’s dorm room, commiserating.  “If an old lover showed up on my doorstep… I wouldn’t keep her around to hurt my current lover.”

Sango frowned and cast her boyfriend a nasty look.  “How many old lovers do you have?”

With a gulp, Miroku covered his face.  “None… Sango, Dear.”

If Sango was going to reply, the tentative knock at the door interrupted it.  Miroku sighed and went to the door.  “Inuyasha!  What are you doing…?”  Casting a quick look back at the two girls, he left the room to speak to the one who caused all the trouble.

Kagome gave Sango a worried look.  “What if… he came to break up with me?  Where will I go?” 

Lightly smoothing back the other girl’s bangs, Sango gave her a reassuring smile.  “Don’t worry.  We’ll take care of you.” 

“I can’t ask you to do that.”  Kagome whispered.

^.~

“Of all the stupid, pig headed things you could have done…”  Miroku seethed, glaring at his old roommate.

“It wasn’t what it looked like.”  Inuyasha raised his hands in defense.  “She may have jumped to conclusions.”

“Jumped to conclusions?  What makes you think that with Kikyou’s hands all over you?” 

Inuyasha blushed and looked away.  “It wasn’t like that.  She tried to, but I made her stop.”

“All I know is… a really sweet girl who loves you completely is crying her eyes out next door because you were less than faithful to her.”

“You don’t even know what happened!”  Inuyasha snapped. 

“You can’t have both.  You’re going to break one of their hearts.”  Miroku advised. 

“Not necessarily.”

“Wake up and smell the incense!  You have two women living with you… both in love with you.  How will one NOT get hurt?”

Inuyasha made a face and stood to leave.  “You don’t know…”

“Yeah?  I may not… But I hope YOU figure it out before someone really get hurt.”  Miroku called after his former roommate.

Inuyasha slammed the door and stomped away.

Inuyasha sat in his room, staring at the portrait he had done of Kagome.  Her face filled his sketchpad.  His eyes found the incomplete portrait from the night Kikyou came back… the night he had finally decided to share his body with Kagome.  The portrait had been an excuse to get her naked… not that he ever needed to prompt her to sleep in the nude.  But this time would have been special.  After a few more minutes of pretending to sketch he would have taken off his clothes and joined her.  Lightly he touched her image, caressing the line of her cheek.  Tears ran down his cheeks.  “I’m sorry.  I messed things up, haven’t I?  I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

“Make it up to whom?”  Kikyou asked, looking into the room on her way out of the shower.  Her wet towel clung to her as she entered the bedroom and sat beside him.  Her eyes settled on the various portraits.  “That’s…”

“Kagome.”  Inuyasha nodded.

“You drew her naked.”

The artist was silent.

“Will you draw me naked?”  Kikyou stood.  Her towel fell down around her feet as she stared expectantly at him.

Inuyasha gave her a sad look and stood, leaving the room. 

^.~ 

Inuyasha sat in the college library, studying.  His apartment ceased to hold any peace for him.  Kikyou demanded his attention night and day and there was very little privacy.  At night he took to locking the bedroom door.  Most nights he stayed away at the library for as long as he could… and yet the guilt made him leave before closing time.  Kikyou’s state of living was his fault.  The whole affair with the bastard, Naraku had been his fault.  If he had put his foot down at the beginning, Kikyou wouldn’t have consummated her crush… and then she wouldn’t have dishonored his family to cause her faked death.  And yet… he never would have gone to this school… or met Kagome and the others.  His life would have been far different.  Did he even want to go back now that he tasted this life?

A female voice tickled his ears and he looked up to see Kagome and Sango walking down the aisle together.  Hastily Inuyasha repacked and followed them.  Kagome had been ignoring him in classes, pretending she couldn’t see or hear him.  The charade was driving him nuts.  Hiding behind book stacks, he shadowed them to the elevators.

“Oh darn!  I forgot my book.”  Sango growled.  “Wait for me in downstairs?”

Kagome agreed and pressed the button as her companion left.

Inuyasha waited for the elevator to almost close before he slid on.  “Hello.”

The car was empty and Kagome had nowhere to go.  Crossing her arms, she looked away.

Inuyasha frowned and hit the emergency stop button, bringing the elevator car to a halt.  “Listen to me, will you?”

“Why should I?”  Her hand reached for the resume button, but he batted it away.

“You’re staying here until we talk things out.”

“Sango is waiting for me.”

“You didn’t see what you thought you saw.”

Kagome frowned.  “What do you think I saw?”  Her words came out coyly.

“I think you saw Kikyou touch me.  I didn’t ask her to… in fact, I pushed her away.”

“You seemed to like it enough when it was outside of your pants.”

“I was surprised!”

“Sure you were.”  Her hand again went for the resume button.

“Kagome, stop it.  I want you to come home.”

The girl shook her head.  “I have no home.”

Inuyasha winced, not catching her hand as she finally succeeded in hitting the resume button.  The elevator reached the lobby and Kagome ran past him to Sango who had taken the other elevator down.  The boy watched them go, batting at the doors to get out before they closed again.  “Kagome!”

“Leave me alone, Inuyasha.”  Kagome called over her shoulder.

“Are you at least going to get your stuff?”  Inuyasha shot back.

“Miroku will go get it…”

“I’m not giving it to Miroku… if you send him I won’t even let him in the door.”  Inuyasha trembled, watching her walk away without any reaction.

“Fine, then.”

Inuyasha jogged past them.  “You forgot your key.  If you come tomorrow, I’ll make sure Kikyou won’t be there.” 

Inuyasha glanced around the room, making sure nothing was out of place.  At his insistence, Kikyou had gone to pay a visit to his mother.  Over the phone he begged his mother to keep Kikyou occupied for at least twenty-four hours, explaining he needed to study and she was a distraction.  It was true enough.  Playing with his hands, Inuyasha waited in the living room, staring dully at the wall across from the couch until he heard the doorbell ring.  Nervously he stood and opened it slowly.  Sango and Kagome stood, staring up at him.  “What a… nice surprise.”

“Let’s get this over with.”  Sango grumbled.  “Where are Kagome’s things?”

“Where she left them.”  Inuyasha answered.

Kagome rolled her eyes and went to the bedroom.  Sango moved to follow her but was held back by Inuyasha.  “What are you…?”

“Go home.”  Inuyasha bit out between clenched teeth.

Sango gave him an odd look.  “I told Kagome I would…”

“Go back to the dorm… don’t worry about Kagome.”

“She’s my friend.”

“And I’m her boyfriend.”

“So act like it.”

“I will if you go away and leave her to me.”

“You’re such a jerk!”  Sango growled, trying to pull her arm free.  “Two faced… pig headed JERK!”

“I promise I won’t hurt her… so go!”

“No!”

Inuyasha frowned and drew close to Sango.  “Listen… I want to talk to her.  I can’t do that if she’s hiding from me.”

“You should have thought about that before you started proclaiming your love for your old girlfriend.”

“She’s my friend!”  Inuyasha snarled.  “She’d been through a lot of shit thanks to my family.  I have to make amends.”

“So you’ll sacrifice your relationship with Kagome?”

Inuyasha shook his head and released her arm.  “Look… I don’t expect you to understand.  But I care about Kagome.  Someday I’ll marry her.  But right now… I have to sort through this mess.  I have to try and explain that to her.”

Sango stared at the man before her and the doorway Kagome had gone through.  “If you hurt her… I’ll find out about it and I’ll make sure you have nothing for anyone to fondle.  Got that?”

Inuyasha nodded silently. 

With a sigh Sango turned back to the door.  “I mean it, Inuyasha.” 

Inuyasha silently watched her go before talking a deep breath and heading towards the bedroom.

“Where’s Sango?”  Kagome asked, filling a box.

“She left.”  Inuyasha answered, sitting on the bed, watching the girl pack.

Kagome stood and went for the door, but was held back by Inuyasha.  “Let me go.”

“No!  I asked her to have time alone to talk to you.”

“I don’t believe…”

“Damnit, woman!”  Inuyasha seethed, pulling her beside him on the bed.  “I don’t want you to go.”

Kagome rolled her eyes and looked away.

“I’m sorry I hurt you.  That’s the last thing I wanted.”

“You should have thought of that before you…”

“I didn’t DO anything!” 

“She told me that you loved her… that you would pick her… and I didn’t believe her.  So she had me watch… and you…”  Kagome sniffled and wiped her tears away with her free hand.

“Kagome, I don’t know what to do or say right now to make you feel better… But I want you to stay.  I’ll find Kikyou her own apartment.”

“So you can go there to be with her?”

“Why would I do that?”  Inuyasha made a face. 

“Because you love her!”  Kagome growled.

“I don’t want her to stay here.”

“Why not?  You’ll take care of her, right?”

“Actually… Ever since she saw the nudes I did of you… she’s been trying to get me to draw her.  It’s making me nervous.” 

“She saw those?”

Inuyasha reached out and showed her the sketch he had been working on the night Kikyou came. 

Kagome stared at it.  “Why didn’t you finish it?  Wasn’t it due for a grade?”

“I was building up my courage.”

Kagome stared at the unfinished portrait.  “I’m sure… She wants you too.”

Inuyasha gave her an odd look.  “Pose for me?  I want to complete this.” 

“Is that why you asked me back… to complete your drawing?  She seems willing to pose for you.”

The artist shrugged and pulled out his easel.  “Please?”

Kagome sighed and stood, shedding her clothing.  Carefully she wrapped the sheet the way it had been and lay down, staring off into the distance.

Inuyasha winced and let his pencil fly, taking in every curve and detail, capturing the sadness and the futility of the moment.  It was his wish to hold her for this one brief second before she slipped away forever.  With one last smudge it was done.  Silently he made his way to the bed and sat down beside her.  His silver fingertips lightly caressed her cheek as his lips touched hers.

For a moment she was still, uncertain how to respond.  His fingers left smudges on her skin as his hands caressed her.  “What are you…?”

“Shh…”  His lips reclaimed hers as his cleaner hand moved down between her thighs.

A small cry escaped her lips as her body writhed to meet his fingers.  “But you…”

Inuyasha pulled back, hastily undressing.  His clothes made an untidy pile on the ground.  Gracefully he climbed back onto the bed, staring down at her hungrily.

“What about Kikyou?” Kagome whispered.

The artist shook his head and crawled on top of her, careful to keep his weight on his arms and knees.  “Shut up.”  Came his mumbled reply.  His fingers stroked her for another few moments, in and out before he stopped and stared into her eyes.  “My oath… cannot be broken.”  His lips touched hers again.  “If you wish to leave me… now is the time…”  His body pulled off of hers.

Her eyes stared up into his. 

Silently he lay back down, gently opening her thighs wider and stroking himself.  His tip was pushed into place and he lay down completely with a long sigh. 

Kagome winced and clenched her muscles at his intrusion.  Slowly she relaxed, feeling him lightly work his way into her until she was completely filled by him.  It was a tight fit, but it felt good.

“You feel… good.”  His hips slowly started a rhythm as his arms wrapped around her. 

“So do you.”  Kagome managed, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

For a long time they lay, writhing against each other, taking in the other’s grunts and moans.  A thin layer of sweat enveloped them as lower bodies ground together.  All at once Inuyasha moaned as he picked up speed. 

“What is it?”

Silently he shook his head and kissed her lips, breathing heavily.  His hands clutched at her, trying to bring her hips closer.  The sensations that came with his need made her feel it too.  She pushed against him, feeling blissful pleasure wash over her. 

Inuyasha gasped for air against her shoulder, silently moving a bit more.  “I was… close.”

Kagome sighed, relaxing under him.  “Why did you do that?”

“I planned on doing this… the night Kikyou came.  I had finally decided to… take you.”

Kagome wrapped her arms around him gently.  “Take me?”

“Yes… that was the night I would have… sworn my engagement.”

Sunlight filtered through the curtains, touching the lovers’ faces.  With a soft sigh the male curled up into a tighter protective ball around the female.  The female stirred and clutched at his naked arm, mumbling in her sleep. 

Somewhere a door opened and footsteps echoed in the small apartment.  A doorknob was turned and someone gasped in shock.

Inuyasha opened his eyes at the sound, blinking at the light.  Lethargically he hugged the girl in his arms and rolled over to look at the other girl in the doorway.  “Kikyou?”

Kikyou glared at the naked man holding the other woman.  From the tangle of sheets it was clear what they had engaged in.  “How… could you?” 

Silently beside him, Kagome rubbed her eyes and sat up, staring at the other girl.  Self-consciously she covered her body. 

“You… bastard!”  Kikyou managed and left the room, slamming the door behind her.

Inuyasha glanced at Kagome.  With a reassuring kiss he slid out of bed and pulled on some clothes.  Kagome followed suit and soon they both left the protection of the room.  Inuyasha led the way down the short hallway to the living room.  “Kikyou?”  Something shot by like an arrow and he ducked.  “Kikyou!”

“Stay away from me.”  Kikyou cried from the corner of the room, her hands filled objects to throw. 

Carefully Inuyasha placed himself between the thrown objects and Kagome.  “Kikyou… please…”

“Is this what you wanted, you bastard?”  Kikyou demanded.  “Do you even remember the promise you made to me?  When we were young?”

“I promised I would protect you.”

“You haven’t done a very good job with THAT promise.  What about the other one?  Think back.  What is it you promised me?”

Inuyasha closed his eyes and stepped back a little bit, pushing against Kagome.  “That I would be with you… forever… even if others came between us.”

“And isn’t that what your little bed warmer is?  Someone to come between us?”

Inuyasha opened his eyes.  “Kagome is my fiancée.”

“You promised me…”

Inuyasha took a few steps towards Kikyou with his arms open.  Casually he knelt before her and wrapped her in his embrace.  “I love you, Kikyou.  I’ve loved you since we first met… You taught me a lot about myself.  But I… lost you.  And I had to learn to live on without you.  I’ve changed.  I’m no longer that little boy who chased you around with bugs.  I had to learn to grow up when I knew you weren’t there for me anymore.”

“But I’m here now…”

“My love for you isn’t as it should be for a husband or a lover.  I can’t give you what you need.  I’ll support you… and make sure you’re comfortable… but I can’t give you the one thing you need.”  Silently tears fell down Kikyou’s cheeks as Inuyasha hugged her tighter.  “I wish things could have been better for you.” 

“What will I do now?”  Kikyou breathed.

“We’ll find you a place to live… get you into school…”

“I don’t need your pity.”  Quickly she stood and walked towards the door.  Her steps faltered as stepped closer to Kagome.  “If you don’t take care of him… treat him as you should… I’ll take your place in a heartbeat.”

Kagome stared nervously at the ground and then at Inuyasha.

“Your mother offered me a place to stay.  I think I’ll take her up on it.”  Kikyou added as she neared the door.

Inuyasha watched her go in silence, unable to move or breath.  It felt like a piece of him was walking out the door.  Movement against his chest made him look down, once again drawing air.  Kagome held him tightly.  “Let’s… go back to bed.”  The young man whispered.

Silently the girl followed him back to the room.

1:47 am

Ring… Ring…

“Inuyasha?”

“Mm?  What time is it?”

“Sorry to call you so late.”

“No problem.  What’s up, Kikyou?”

“Are you… happy?”

“What do you mean am I happy?

“You know… happy.”

“I suppose I am.”

“…”

“Why the late call?”

“I just want to know.  Have you found happiness?”

“Yes.  I’m happy… a little tired, but happy.”

“Thank you.” 

Click…

9:07 am

Ring… Ring…

“Hello?”

“Inuyasha… I’m afraid I have some bad news.”

“What is it, mother?”

“Sometime last night… Kikyou killed herself.”

“…”

“Inuyasha?”

“You’re joking, right?”

“No.  I’m perfectly serious.”

“…”

“Will you come to the house?”

“I’ll be there… soon.”

Click…

Kagome sat alone in the old room.  Somewhere in the house her fiancé went about making arrangements to bury his first love… again.  The air was stuffy and heavy.  For a moment she debated running away… but then the sound of silk touched her ears.  “Hello, daughter.”

Kagome looked up at Inuyasha’s mother.  “Auntie…”

“Call me mother.”

“Mother…” 

The woman smiled and offered her hand to the younger woman.  “Have I shown you the garden?”

“Yes, mother, the last time I was here.”

“The garden changes with time.  It becomes even more beautiful as time passes.”

Kagome was led to the simple and yet elegantly traditional garden.  “It is beautiful.”

“I was born to a poor family… in a province far from here.  I was raised and went to school thinking I would be a geisha like my auntie.  One day when I was still rather young… I met a businessman.  He was a powerful man and rather than share me with the other men I did business with… he bought me.  I was to be his mistress.”

“Mother…”

“His wife opposed, of course.  But then she died… and he was alone.  He gave me a child… and for a while, I believe he was truly happy.  He learned to smile again… and laugh.  But then he died too.”

Kagome stared at the pond, watching the fish lazily swim.

“I knew Kikyou was alive.  They told me after the funeral.  I chose not to tell my son.”

The young woman’s eyes shifted to the older woman.  “Why not?”

“I knew he could never be truly happy with her.  He had to find his own way… like his father.”

Kagome looked away to the fishpond.  “But he was sad…”

“Sad, yes… But he needed to be free to choose his own destiny.  That’s why I sent for Kikyou.”

Eyes wide with shock, the younger girl gasped and looked back at the matronly woman.  “You sent for her?”

“Once he tasted his freedom… he had to make a clear choice.  What ifs are terrible things, daughter.  They haunt you for a lifetime.”

“And he chose?”

Inuyasha’s mother smiled.  “He did.”

For a moment Kagome said nothing.  Something nagged at the back of her mind.  “Is Kikyou really… dead?”

A soft sigh escaped the older woman.  “Perhaps.  If I tell you, you’ll have to tell my son… I won’t put that burden on you.”

“What if she comes back?”

“I told you… don’t dwell on those things.  Just keep him happy… and comfort him.”

“Kagome?  Mother?”  Inuyasha’s voice called across the tranquility of the garden.  His footsteps brought him to his mother and fiancée.  “Are you ready?”  Gracefully he offered his elbows to both women. 

His mother smiled and waved off his elbow.  “I think I’ll stay out here a bit longer.”

Inuyasha gave her a soft smile and took Kagome’s hand, leading her away. 

--End
 
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