Impact by ame_to_ai

The Cessation

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters created by Rumiko Takahashi

Again and again Kagome sighed staring endless seemingly staircase from the car window, a big warm hands caressing her right cheek. When Kagome turned her head warm lips gently kissed her cheek slightly touched the corner of her lips, make all the problems and worries fade away but replaced by a red hue on her cheeks and her heartbeat is getting faster. Sesshoumaru's golden eyes staring Kagome's blue eyes like warmth of the sunset collide with the deep blue sea create the feeling tickled inside her.

What was that? He kiss me? Almost! Did he intends? He’s almost kiss my lips, oh God my face must be as red as tomato right now. Okay Kagome just relax, stay cool! Could you calm down a little bit? Don’t you remember he had a super hearing? He’s gotta be heard your heart pounding and that would be embarrassing, she cursed herself.

Her eyebrows lifted up for a second, her gaze still attached to Sesshoumaru. “Mm, thanks for the ride” her face burned by his gaze, she smiled awkwardly. She sifted her gaze, sigh slip out from her mouth as she realized what awaited her. "Everything is going to be okay" Kagome whispered to convince herself.

"Do not worry about such things" he said with a soft tone.

"Thanks" Kagome smiled for one last time then she stepped out, she’s standing on the curb waiting till the black car disappeared from her view before she stepping forward to her house. This time he couldn’t stopped by because there are important matters that he has to talk to his father a respected Dai Youkai in the western region.

Only dai youkai who exist in this world, Taisho family’s one of them. They’re not covering their mark to be like human, they are too prideful to cover their mark. She often thought that sometimes they’re just like intimidate people so much, Sesshoumaru for example. Sesshoumaru and Kagome now in the same university he help her a lot she had known him since high school as she often visited to see Inuyasha at his house because they’re best friend. When they first met he was simply given a sharp piercing gaze, a gaze that does not make you comfortable and eager to be away. At first she thought his attitude like that just because she was a friend of his half-brother who he doesn't like, but it turns out that indeed is his nature. Her thoughts turned to her friendship with Inuyasha, she's absolutely not communicating with him since that incident.

A memory keeps spinning in her head just like watching a gloomy movie that she hates so much.

"Inuyasha!" Kikyo screaming and then highlight her eyes full of hatred turned to Kagome. Kikyo pointed her from the doorway while Kagome could only be glued in place. Kikyo approached Kagome with narrowed eyes, she clenched her hand and stopped right in front of Kagome's face then shouting "It turns out my sister is a loser who likes to offer herself to my boyfriend! I really hate you, and I hope you were never born!"

One by one the steps took her deeper into her memories, now she's back into her childhood memories. The stairs, everyday she came home from school she always calculates the stairs. She's the most clever student for counting in her kindergarten because of her training with the stairs every day. A gentle breeze is playing with her beautiful raven black hair, before her lies a vast shrine page where she always played with her sister and his little brother a long time ago.

All the fond memories of childhood filled her mind, making her involuntarily smile. All of a sudden she missed her childhood because there were no complicated thing in her life in that time and she has an older sister who protect and favored her, her muse has stopped in the doorway a moment she ring the bell her mother opens the door with a cheery smile that always plastered on her beautiful face.

"I’m home" Kagome said cheerfully.

"Welcome home Kagome" she stormed to her mother embrace, it's been a few months since the last time they met.

"Mom" a big smile graced her face while looking at her mother's face.

"You must be tired Kagome, i already prepare hot water for you"

"Thanks mom" they walk to the living room where Sota had waiting her to give her a big hug and eagerly tells how empty the house was without her.

"Kagome, did you bring something for me?" his grandfather appeared from behind Kagome brings a box which is still covered in dust, as usual the sacred relics of an object must have been their ancestor.

"Thank you for worrying about me gramps, i'm fine there, and i miss you too. I really do and i'm glad you also perfectly fine, though it looks like you didn't miss me at all" Kagome chuckle while giving his grandfather paper bag containing a pack of his favorite rice cakes.

"You're here" women's voice sounded from the doorstep, without looking she knew that's her elder sister voice. She smiled then giving Kagome a hug "now our family is complete" she said flat.

Without realizing Kagome narrowed her eyes, She couldn't believe what had just shown by her, oookay lets play 'we're perfectly fine' she thoughts.

"Yeah" and then she followed her mother to her room.

She's soaking in warm water with an assortment of thoughts filled her head, everything rolling is not as she expected. She's been preparing for the cold war which wills she face with her sister but what happens to the contrary, her sister was friendly to her just like her old self. Does she have forgotten their last meeting? Their great quarrel? Kikyo with friendly words are not matching the word cold is more suitable for her after what happens.

She is the cause of Kagome reluctantly spends vacation time at home, she'll never forget Kikyo's words that hurt her so much. It took a long time for her to rebuild her confidence, she’s not shallow as what Kikyo accuse and she didn't try to approach Inuyasha. She never was throwing herself to her sister's boyfriend! Although she loved Inuyasha far before Kikyo knew him, but she would never do anything like that, just look at Inuyasha and Kikyo together was painful for her.

Their dinner quietly, too quiet, not like usually.

"How is your friends there, Kagome?" her mom broke the silence.

"They're wonderful mom" her mother smiled "I’m very lucky to have friends like them, they're always there for me, everything is perfect" she replied cheerfully, then atmosphere back in an awkward silence

"Mom, there seems to be something important that i forget this month" yet her mother answered

"Mom my presentation that i told you on the phone yesterday got the praise from the most perfectionist lecturers in my college" sound with made-up cheerfully Kikyo demanded attention.

And then all the attention backs to Kikyo the perfect girl who passes with perfect scores and she has the perfect beauty, just like that's supposed to be. Yeah right! It does gonna be a long damn holiday, she's rolling her eyes and then kept herself busy with her food.

How much she missed her room, Kagome lay face-down on a bed much thought that resides in her head. Her connection with her sister is very uncomfortable, does she have to talk about it again with Kikyo? Or she let it be? Stiff, cold, and uncomfortable. If only there was a way that they can be as they were. Should i start to talk to her first? Hell no! She's the only person who should apologize. But i don't want to see moms sad, if only mom knows i would love to ask her advice. But if she hasn't figured it out? She will be sad because know and i don't want it to happen.

That morning very bright for spent just lounging in bed, the sun began to peek at the horizon but Kagome was already in the kitchen. Kagome was preparing tea when Kikyo appears behind her.

"What did you make for breakfast Kagome?" Kagome jumped startled because the presence of Kikyo who is already behind her, she was already neatly with jeans and a white sweater.

"Can i help you” both her eyebrows raised waiting for an answer, while Kagome just stared at her.

"Thank you, but no thank you" i just made  tamagoyaki, she give her a small smiled.

"Okay, then" Kikyo said as she stepped away.

Looks like she already considers the incident never happened, but whether she still felt angry with me? How about Inuyasha? And the most important thing is, am i still angry with her? Yeah i guess i am, but now i am not the same person at that time. I would oppose if i didn't do anything wrong this time! But now it looks like she's turning back to be the old Kikyo. I guess i can forgive her and pretend that fight never happened, i hope i can. Because after all, i didn't want mom know what happened.

"Kagome" her mother's voice who was shocked by what she saw, breakfast is almost ready. "That looks delicious Kagome" she helped her prepare the dishes "thank you for helping me Kagome" a sweet smiled on her face. In a matter of minutes breakfast is served at the dinner table.

Now you sit and drink your tea "her mother holding her shoulders, leading her to sit in the chair then she sat in front of Kagome.

"He is very lucky to have you" a big smile spread across her soft face. Kagome cough and then she sipping her tea to hiding her face flushed. Her mother apparently like Sesshoumaru, since his first visited several weeks ago.

"Mom!" Kagome half screaming "Yes i am lucky to be his best friend, he often helps in my lesson" her face couldn't be reddened more than now. I wish mom don't ask about what kind of lesson did i learn from him.

"I hope he can come here, because it's been a long time since the last time i saw him" her mother stared at Kagome gently.

"It was just a few weeks ago mama" Kagome stifle her laugh.

"I just want to know him better, because he is so hard for me to read" her eyebrows furrowed.

"Mom he's pretty kind to me, and he's not that hard for me to read although he’s always wearing his stoic expression but his eyes very contrary..." Kagome sipping her tea before continuing "his eyes are very expressive" do i have to mention that his eyes are so damn sexy? Angle of both her lips involuntarily raised "the way he talked, the way he acts" her eyes move to the left corner indicated that her brain trying to remember what she has seen, what she has heard, and what she has felt "He is so calm, very mature" and i always feel secured when i'm with him.

Staring at Kagome, her mother smiled "you do love him, don't you?" her mother's words were more like statement than question. Without any words she knows her mother knew the answer, her face burned Kagome decided to ignore her question. Kagome took another sip of her teal.

"So? When is the wedding?" her tone is full of jokes.

"Mom!" Kagome almost choked, her face flushed. "Mama he is the eldest son of Inu taisho, whoever demoness will be his mate must be as perfect as him" she was surprised at what she had just said yeah that's true demoness. "And I am lucky to be his friend mom" gloomy hanging in her voice.

"There is always possibility Kagome, you're so easy to be loved by anyone" she genuinely smiled, making Kagome could not speak.

"I hope Kikyo is happy like you" her mother heaved a sigh, then an awkward silent.

"I will call grandpa, Sota and your sister so that we can eat together" she said as she rose up from chair.

Kikyo aren't happy? Why? Are they broke up? All i knew is Inuyasha love her so much, he would do anything for her even if she asked him to cut his cute dog ears i bet he would do it. Well maybe he is a jerk most of time with me, but when he is with Kikyo he turn into different person. He is gentle, care, protect, and mature. I never saw him barking out loud to Kikyo like he always did when we had an argument even on small things.

Kikyo is more warm when she's with Inuyasha she often laugh, overall they are a perfect pairing, filled each other emptiness. They will make a strong bond that couldn't be broken. I was so jealous to Kikyo because i was in love with Inuyasha but he didn't love me back, because he is in love with my sister. If what i feel for him is love, why that feeling faded so quickly? After all maybe that wasn't love at all maybe that was just a crush. I think i'll figure it out when i see him again, is there any feeling that i had still left for him? I can't help myself to thinking that was just a crush that i had for my best friend, and i know now that i will be happy too if they are happy.

After finishing her breakfast Kagome burst into her room, cell phone vibrations surprised her with a rush she picked it up without reading the name of the caller on the phone screen, disappointment filling her heart when she heard the voice of Ayumi and not the one that she hoped the most. She asks Kagome hang out at mall along with Yuka and Eri at 1 o'clock, Kagome quickly said yes. She miss spending time with them and she also need to be free from the tense atmosphere between her and Kikyo although she must prepare for their interrogation, Kagome chuckled imagining she won't make it easy for them this time.

Her mind flowing away leaving her room, took her to the place they first started talking. Under the shade of a leafy tree, in front of the university cafeteria, a rarely used another student.

Flashback.

She was sitting while playing with her apple, move it from one hand to the other hand. Her eyes staring at the tip of her shoes, without realizing Sesshoumaru who has now stood beside her staring at the distance in front of him.

"What are you doing Kagome?" he asked with his flat tone.

"What?" she didn't have a clue what he meant.

"Your sorrow's not necessary" the evident pride radiated from his voice.

'Did he mean my relationship with Kikyo and my feelings for Inuyasha?' she thought.

"You don't know anything about me and don't you ever tell me what i should feel and what i shouldn't feel! Because you don't know what it's like..." her voice trailed off.

"Broken heart?" contempt in his voice when uttering the words.

"Go ahead, laugh out loud!" she raising her voice a little bit 'Geez, i even doubt he could feel something inside his chest in addition besides his arrogance. He is such a cold stone prince, a jerk in a different version from his half-brother' she thought.

"Pathetic!" disgust filled his voice.

"It's not so poor to feel this way!" sadness still lingering in her heart, but her voice challenging.

"You don't know what exactly you feel" he said calmly while looked at her with the corner of his eyes.

"And you know me better than i know myself, don't you?" she couldn't help to start yelling at him.

He tilts his head and their eyes met, amber eyes almost touching her heart, perhaps because his eyes are similar to Inuyasha’s eyes she thought.

"I am" his voice filled with pride "you will feel more sorrow when you losing someone else than my half-brother" somehow she knew that there's another meaning in his voice.

Kagome wanted to laugh out loud in front of his arrogant face denied his statement with her stubbornness. She is very dubious of it, but what is coming out of her mouth was "Then prove it!" she challenged him.

End of flashback

For some reason since then, they more frequently met. And here she is, ended up falling in love with the Ice Prince. Kagome take a shower before she going to meet with Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi. She puts the phone back in place. In addition to personal hygiene, soak in warm water has also become a sort of ritual for Kagome, when there is a problem that she has to face. Her mind became quiet and she can see the issue from different viewpoints without being overshadowed by her emotions. And the best problem solving often appears suddenly in her mind.

She was in the middle of the staircase was just about to turn left up to the next staircase when she see someone emerge from behind the door of her room, that person is Kikyo! Kikyo being downcast noticed her cell phone screen. With spontaneous Kagome turned down two stairs so as not to be visible, after she sure hadn't heard Kikyo footsteps that disappeared into her room right next to her room. When she reach her room she shut the door silently, she paused a moment then she browse the contents of her room not sure what is she looking for.

What was Kikyo doing in my room? What is she looking for? Did she just looking for me? Isn't she just needs poked her head through the door and go when i'm not in the room rather than enter it. And i'm sure even though only a cursory look at it i'm sure she smiled looking at her cell phone while out of my room. Oh, my phone.

Kagome sat at the edge of bed, she's sure that she put her cell phone near the lights but now her cell phone is near the clock it's changed. Kagome fiddling with her cell phone with no sure what exactly she was looking for, she did not put up a pattern key or password on her cell phone because she did not perceive them as an important things and this time she's a bit of regret it. Stop it! What do i thinking? Just think positive okay.

Kikyo's soft voice "Yeah, sounds a bit silly but" she paused for a moment "that would be great, i really appreciate it" Kikyo chuckle "No, she was going shopping with Eri, Ayumi, and Yuka" momentary silence was "okay, thanks for your time" and then silent.

Who is she calling? I hate to have this negativity in my mind, but she's the only one who pulls the trigger. Maybe that's just my thoughts. I have to stop thinking about Kikyo, just wrap it up and discarded those thoughts away!