On the Outside by SunsetMiko

An Olive Branch

Chapter 28 - An Olive Branch

*Pathos* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Kagome sat beside Inuyasha, watching Sesshoumaru eating his lunch alone a few tables away. Every now and then someone would make a rude comment as they passed, the taiyoukai ignoring them completely. They hadn't tried to physically attack him again since the first time, but the hostility aimed in his direction was tangible in the air.

The miko felt badly for him. At least when he was hanging out with Inuyasha, he wasn't alone. Now he looked so very small. Even his aura was pulled in tightly to his body, as if he were trying to make himself smaller. He was just as socially isolated as Inuyasha had been when he first transferred to their high school and she knew it wasn't fair. If things were different, she would have immediately tried to befriend the taiyoukai, just as she had his hanyou half-brother, but because of her, he had no one.

"Inuyasha, why don't you go sit with Sesshoumaru?" the miko asked.

"Why?" the hanyou inquired, curious as to her reasons.

"Because he's all alone and he looks miserable. I can go sit with the girls, even if they don't appreciate our association much. They won't turn me away."

"You mean you care how he feels?"

Kagome shot the hanyou a glare. "Of course I care. Just because I'm angry with him and don't trust him doesn't mean I don't have compassion."

"I thought you weren't angry anymore."

"It comes and goes," she replied honestly.

*Jet Black* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

"Nope," Inuyasha said. "I'm already sitting here. I don't wanna move."

"Now who's being a jerk?" she asked him.

"I'm not the reason he's sitting alone. He's doing that for you."

"And I appreciate the distance, but that doesn't mean you can't sit with him."

"Maybe tomorrow," the hanyou said with a shrug of his shoulders. He knew that Sesshoumaru was fine on his own and he also knew Kagome wouldn't be able to stand it for long. She seemed to be physically affected by the suffering of others. Sooner or later, she would cave, and he was betting on sooner.

With a sharp flick of her jet black hair, Kagome rose, taking her tray with her. She walked through the cafeteria until she reached Sesshoumaru's table, and set it down with a loud smack. She leaned over the table and stared him down.

*Mayfly* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Sesshoumaru looked over at her in surprise. He'd been hoping she would care about his isolation, but he hadn't been holding his breath. It was obvious she was very hesitant to accept the changes he'd made as true and he didn't want to push her anymore. Forcing her to be in his presence had been painful for them both, so what was she doing there now, just when he'd decided to leave her alone?

"Okay, look. Here's how it's going to be. You don't have to avoid me. You can sit with us if you want to. I'm going to give you a chance, one chance, to be my friend again. Don't screw it up or this new friendship will be extremely short-lived."

"Are you certain? I do not want your compassion to force you into something you are uncomfortable with."

"Seriously? I'm offering friendship and you question it?"

"I do not wish to cause you further pain, Kagome. You made it very clear that you did not want to be in my presence just days ago. Why have you changed your mind?"

"You can thank your brother for that. Now, promise me that you won't push for anything more than friendship."

Though it made his heart ache to say it, Sesshoumaru did anyway. "I promise I will not push for anything beyond friendship. I just wish for things to go back to the way they were. I miss you."

Kagome smiled softly, tears welling up in her eyes. She willed them away and sat down, making herself comfortable. "Yeah, I've missed you too."