An Education by UnknownRandomness
Comparisons of Wrongdoings
A/N: I quite like how this chapter turned out; what do you fine fellows think?
Prompt: Valetudinarian - Someone with a weak or sickly constitution; especially one whose chief concern is their health.
Word Count: 555
"Hey, Kagome! How come when you go home those noisy girls always ask if you're better?"
The miko in question shut her eyes in agitation as Inuyasha asked her yet another question about the future, or rather, what the people in the future said about her.
"Because my extended absences are very odd, I need a reason to be out of school- thus Gramps tells them that I have various illnesses to explain it, and get medicines for his own problems in the process." She mumbled that last part under her breath. Kagome couldn't begrudge her grandfather from only doing what was best for her, and hey; if he got free treatment in the process, it was just an added bonus! Although it was rather annoying that her biology teacher had started referring to her as 'The Valetudinarian'.
Inuyasha seemed to think this was hilarious, chuckling gruffly before choking out, "You're all liars! Hah, conning everyone just 'cause you can't say what you're really doing!"
The accurate yet painfully inaccurate accusation struck a nerve within the young woman, who had already been irritated by his previous line of senseless questioning.
"Look Yasha, you just need to shut up okay? If not for those lies, I wouldn't be here to help you on this stupid quest- I could be in my own time having fun in my own life with all the friends I never get to see anymore!"
The hanyou's eyes darkened as his own anger flared in response to hers.
"Yeah, and if it wasn't for you and your clumsiness, none of us would be on this stupid quest! I would be a full demon by now and mated!"
Kagome flinched, once again reminded of her inadequacies that had led to the shattering of the Shikon Jewel and her companion's love for Kikyo. She tried to ignore it, but the sharp ache his words caused her had her flinging the first words that raced through her mind at him.
"Yeah, you and Kikyo would be really happy right about now, wouldn't you? Not that you were happy even before I came along, what with her pinning you to a tree for eternity and all. And yet, here you are, giving me shit 'cause I lie about being sick for the good of everyone, whilst your long dead girlfriend actually steals the souls of others to keep her own decaying body from falling to pieces. Now which one of us do you think is worse, huh? A few fake diseases for a good purpose or an evil moralless valetudinarian who has betrayed both of us numerous times?"
She gasped as her brain finally processed the cruel words she had just snarled at Inuyasha. His eyes had widened in shock and his ears were flat against his skull, his usually tan face turning a deathly pallor. Kagome stuttered an apology from out behind her fingers, but when she took a step towards him, her friend stumbled away from her, pained hatred glowing in his eyes, before he turned and fled from their small camp.
Jaded, the young woman sat on the forest floor, trying to comprehend the irrevocability of her harsh truths. Wrapping trembling arms about her knees, Kagome stared morosely at the sky. She wouldn't be surprised if he didn't return.
What had she done?