On the Outside by SunsetMiko

Progress

Chapter 27 - Progress

*Desert and Wind* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

"So, where's your little buddy?" Kagome asked as the wind whipped through her hair. "I thought for sure he'd be here."

"He didn't want to come," Inuyasha lied. Sesshoumaru would have loved to be there with them, waiting outside a bookstore for a book signing by one of the miko's favorite authors. He would love to be anywhere Kagome was, especially when it was something she was so excited about, but he'd made a decision and he was sticking to it.

"Deserted you already?" she asked snidely.

"More like he's decided to leave you alone. He realized being in his presence was hurting you so he said he won't force you to be near him anymore.

"Bull," Kagome replied darkly. "He's just tired of being the loser. I bet he's back with his old friends right now."

Inuyasha's phone chirped and he checked it before smirking at the miko. "Actually, he's at home right now." He showed her the screen, where Sesshoumaru had texted, asking how long the line was. The taiyoukai was bored out of his mind now that he couldn't even hang out with his brother. Kagome watched as Inuyasha texted back, rolling her eyes.

"This is just another of his plans. He wants me to feel bad for him."

"Look, Kagome, I'm starting to get tired of your attitude. Sure, he was an asshole. He did horrible things, but he's really trying to change. I actually consider him a friend now, and if I had to choose between spending time with him or you... The way you've been acting, I'd rather pick him."

"Really?" she asked, her attitude still present. She couldn't believe that the boy she'd given up everything for would turn his back on her because she couldn't trust the guy that tormented him for his whole life. "You would pick him, the jerk who used to beat the living hell out of you, over me, the only person to ever willingly befriend you? Nice. If that's what you want, fine, but if you think I'm going to suddenly accept everything Sesshoumaru has done as honest and true, it's not going to happen. Don't you get it? I can't trust him! If I do..." Kagome trailed off, unable to complete her thought.

*Fleeting Strength* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

"If you do, what?" the hanyou prompted. When she didn't respond, the hanyou wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. "You're afraid to get hurt. I get it. You don't have to jump into a relationship with him. All I'm asking is you give him a chance to be your friend again."

"I... I'm not sure if I can," the miko replied with tears in her eyes. "I... I'm so stupid. I still love him. How can I go back to being friends with him if he knows how I feel and he feels the same way? He's just going to keep pushing until I agree to go out with him and I can't do that. I just can't."

"I promise you, he won't push. He just wants to be a part of your life again. He feels so alone without you. Is that too much to ask? Just a chance?"

"Just looking at him hurts and I'm running out of the strength to fight. I want to be with him, Inu. I do, but I can't."

"And you don't have to. Just let him in a little. Remember how things used to be. Wouldn't it be nice to have that back?"

Kagome was silent for a long moment before a small smile lit her face. "Yeah, it would."