Define Love. by Victoria

The Fall

"You're not talking anymore."

"So it seems."

"I've missed you."

"Have you really?"

"Do you doubt that?"

"You've given me a lot of reasons to."

They were sitting at the table facing each other untouched tea by there sides. She hadn't seem him in almost a month and his surprised visit made her feel pain as well as hope.

"I know..."

"Look I-"

"No words."

"But-"

"None."

A deep sigh. "I don't remember you ever acting like this."

"Thing's change."

"I don't want them to change."

"And yet you marked her in a way you never did me."

Silence.

"I've hurt you."

"I wont deny it."

"Gods above, I'm such a bastard."

"You're not."

"I am, I really am, I can't believe I've done this to you. I'm so sorry."

"Nothing to apologize for."

"There is, don't tell me there's not!"

"Really, there isn't."

"I feel like I've led you on, gave you false pretenses on what was really happening."

"You didn't."

"How can you be so calm about this?"

"You didn't lie to me, nor did you lead me on. As time goes on, things change. And so they have."

"But I told you I loved you and now...."

"You did love me, at that time, but now you love another. How can I fault you for realizing that I am not your true soul mate? I would feel horrible if you did not allow yourself true love on account of me and my feelings."

"I will never forgive myself for this."

"You will, because I have forgiven you."

Grabbing her hand in his he bowed his head.

"You are too good for me."

"Apparently I'm not good enough for you." he says, trying to lighten the mood. A phone rings, and from the look on his face she knew who it was.

"Aren't you going to answer it?"

"I..."

"She doesn't know you're here." it was a statement, not a question.

"I didn't think it was appropriate."
 
"You should answer." hesitantly he looks into her eyes and slowly put the phone to his ear.

"Hello?"

"I'm...meeting with someone."

"No, nothing important."

"Yes, I'll leave right away, see you soon."

"Love you too."

Hanging up, he refused to look at her, instead resting his gaze on the floor. After a few moments, she speaks.

"You should go, she's waiting on you."

"I'm so sorry."

"Didn't I tell you not to say that? Come, I'll walk you to the door."

Both stood, her in the lead, he behind her walking sluggishly. At the door, she turned, taking in his appearance one last time, he doing the same. In a sudden movement she was crushed into his chest, his mouth to her ear, crooning soft apologizes, belittling himself, saying he would miss her, she would never be forgotten. And then it was over, the door was open, and one foot was already out.

"Goodbye Kagome." he said softly. She knew that this was the final farewell, and it was not likely she would ever speak to him again.

"Goodbye Inuyasha."

An she waited until she could no longer her his footsteps on the stairs to close the door and sink down to the floor and let spill the tears that she had been trying to valiantly hold in. he had been a fool, trying to make this last encounter easier for him, saying the right words to assuage his guilt, never once thinking to protect herself from the despair she felt. She slipped lower, curling into a ball and let her agonized sobs echo around her small apartment.