Author's notes: I obviously don't own any of Rumiko Takahashi's characters. I just want to use them to create more inspirations for other amateur writers out there. It's all for fun! And hope you all enjoy~ :)
Chapter One: I Need to Know
Ayumi knew that Kagome was lying, it doesn't require someone to be a class genius to know what's really going on. Her best friend came down with a cold, again. And this time, Kagome didn't bother to go to class anymore. Her sickness usually ranged from chickenpox to the flu; Ayumi understood that those were serious concerns. But the common cold? Not likely at all.
Kagome was hiding something, and she wanted to know just exactly what it was. That distraction had been preventing Kagome from studying and she would soon be repeating another year in junior high. Ayumi was adamant against that idea; she was going to pull Kagome's airy head from her fantasies even if it meant confronting her in her own home today.
Ayumi knew that Kagome and Inuyasha were an item (and they are rather cute), but it didn't excuse Kagome's continuous absences in class.
"Humph!" Ayumi breathed heavily under everyone's notice. Today after school, she will go to Kagome Higurashi's place and figure out all this nonsense (and her boyfriend) once and for all. No more secrets.
She was about to head towards the lawn clearings toward her destination when she heard giggles behind her. She recognized Yuka and Eri's voice in split seconds. Sighing a breath of relief, she turned around with a big smile.
"What's up, guys?" She approached them and they wrapped their arms around her in a group hug.
Yuka smirked. "We heard Kagome's "sick" again. That makes it the fifth time this month, no offence. Her tricks are getting old."
Eri sighed sadly, "Poor Kagome, her immune system seems to have bumped into some terrible virus." The other girl shook her head languidly. Ayumi closed her mouth as soon as she felt the urge to spill the tea. She needed a one-on-one discussion with Kagome first. It wasn't that she didn't want to share the problem with Eri and Yuka, but their persistent arguments on how Kagome should just dump Inuyasha for good just wouldn't be the best method to get Kagome to warm up to them and spill the truth.
Ayumi closed her eyes and inhaled."Yeah, I'm worried, too. I was thinking about checking up on her within a few days."
Yuka scoffed. "Yeah, maybe we should check up on both her and her "boyfriend". I bet he's the one instigating all her absences." Now usually, Yuka's stance against Inuyasha would pique a feeling of annoyance from Ayumi and she would come to Kagome's defence. However, her suspicions were powerful today, and she hadn't the heart to argue.
"You guys shouldn't come." Ayumi stated firmly. "We need to calm Kagome down before leading her back to school. Your spouts against Inuyasha may only upset her more. I need a simple talk with her before you guys dump your "Hojo is the best" mantra on her."
She was serious, as much as she adored Yuka, she knew that her vehemence against Kagome's relationship would only cause the crack between the friends to widden. If they wanted Kagome to come back, they had to appease her first.
Eri hummed thoughtfully, "Yeah, maybe we should lay back a little bit on that." Yuka huffed, and Ayumi shot her a glance.
The shorter-haired girl reluctantly relented. "Fine, we'll let Ayumi talk to Kagome first. After that, we should have enough grip on her to pull her back from that Inuyasha."
Ayumi rolled her eyes, at least Yuka wasn't going to attack Kagome at the moment. She needed to a find a better way to bridge the difference that was increasing between them, she had to.
"Take it easy, Ayumi." Eri pipped in. "Relax and go slow. Kagome's our best friend, she'll come around for sure."
I hope she does. Ayumi's rarely visible pessimistic side was coming through; no matter what she told herself about Kagome, there was something that was going on in her life that was sucking her from civilization. And if this continued on, Kagome could really lose touch with everything, including them.
It was almost dark when Ayumi approached the Higurashi Household. The lights were on in Kagome's room and she shuddered nervously. She tried to come up with a passive excuse for confronting her at the middle of night. "Why aren't you coming to school" seemed to aggressive as an approach. But she still couldn't figure it out how to broach the subject of absences and Inuyasha without feeling too nosy and pathetic.
"Just breath and relax." Ayumi stepped onto their porch and rang the doorbell. Maybe just coming clean with everything will make things swift. But what if Kagome got even more defensive. The girl shook her head; she had to try, though.
The door opened up to reveal Mrs. Higurashi's kind face. The woman took one look at Ayumi and beamed even brighter.
"Why hello, Ayumi!" The older woman exclaimed as she invited her in. "Are you visiting Kagome? How have you been? Are you hungry?"
The hoard of questions momentarily stunned Ayumi before she was able to resurface from the assault. Mama Higurashi was Mama Higurashi for a reason; the kind woman loved to spoil guests, and well, children.
Ayumi smiled, glad to be welcomed at such time of the day. "Yes, Mrs. Higurashi. I just wanted to see how Kagome was doing. Eri, Yuka, and I are very worried about her, since this was her fifth time getting ill this past month." She looked up to the older woman, who was already in the kitchen preparing what seems to be dinner.
"Oh how very thoughtful of you, Ayumi!" Her cheery voice rang from the kitchen. "How about you just stay over for the night, hun? It's very dark outside already and you do live rather far away from here."
She was startled at the sudden invitation. Ayumi winced, she didn't want to intrude on Kagome's personal issues when living with the family. She didn't want to come off as rude when all she wanted was her friend back. But still, Mrs. Higurashi's warm smile made saying 'no' unacceptable.
Ayumi relented and beamed back. "Alright! So...where's Kagome?" She hoped her awkwardness didn't relay into her speech, but the older woman only shrugged and nodded to the upstairs.
"She's in her room, as always. Have fun, girls!" She winked and went right back to preparing the meal. Not being able to bear her own awkward silence any longer, Ayumi bolted for Kagome's room.
Her nervousness took over her so much that she barely even knocked before barging into her room to make sure she was ok. Ayumi fumed for making such a fool at herself and was stuttering an apology before she locked eyes with her very best friend. She dropped the care package that was in her arms.
Not only was Kagome ok, but she was in the arms of that very man that Yuka despised so much. Ayumi had to steady herself after gawking at the pair before clearing her throat . So Inuyasha did have something to do with Kagome's absences?
"Hi, 'Yumi-chan!" Kagome jumped off her bead and gathered her in a hug. Despite the previous awkwardness that enveloped her, Ayumi felt all other thoughts evaporate as she felt the kind embrace of the latter girl. She almost missed her hugs. Almost.
Ayumi coughed uncomfortably, almost losing air from Kagome's sudden bear hug. "Kagome, I love ya, too. But you're suffocating me!"
Realizing her exasperated state, her friend jumped right back with a sheepish grin. "Haha, sorry about that. I was just excited to see you!"
"I know right." Ayumi tried to be sarcastic to lighten the mood. It only came off stiff and weird, however. "I..uh, brought you some snacks and drinks to make you feel better…?" She picked up the dropped package and handed it over.
Kagome's eyes sparkled at the treat and squealed. "Oh my god, really? Oh, Ayumi, thank you!" But before she could open the box, Inuyasha stepped in and snatched it away.
Now here came the weird part, Ayumi watched as he sniffed the container left and right thoroughly before tossing it back to his "girlfriend".
He flopped back onto the bed and declared: "The box is safe, Kagome. She isn't an imposter or anything."
Dazed, Ayumi just gaped at him. Did he just imply that he thought she was going to hurt Kagome? In an instant, Ayumi could feel her temper rising at the strange, silver-haired boy. Where in the world did he get the idea that she was going to spike Kagome's food. How dare her, a simple boy who barely knew Kagome, just walk into their friendship like it was nothing?
For a split second, the curly-haired girl wanted to believe that Yuka was right; Inuyasha was truly a delinquent.
"Um, excuse me-?" Her snapping was cut short as kagome whacked Inuyasha on the head two times.
The glaring Kagome seethed as the latter hid behind the covers for his dear life. "Stop being so rude to everyone, Inuyasha! Ayumi-chan is almost like family. How could she do something like that?"
As if poked with a needle, the boy shot up from his hideout and glared daggers at her. He pointed an accusing finger at Kagome and snarled.
"You never know she's a demon under the disguise of Ayumi, Kagome! Look what Renkotsu did to us back there!" It took a few seconds for him to come in full circle with what he said and he quickly clamped his mouth shut. Ayumi, stunned beyond words, turned to Kagome for an explanation.
A demon? Just what world were they living in?
Ayumi didn't stutter this time. "Uh, what?" Her usually understanding tone gave away to incredulity.
Her friend's next sentence came out faster than particles shooting in the speed of light. "It's just a joke, 'Yumi-chan. Come on, we're just rehearsing for the possible next school play. Right, Inuyasha?"
Kagome laughed hysterically before patting Ayumi on the shoulder. Ayumi quirked a brow, cringing at Kagome's robotic behavior.
"There's no more school plays this year, Kagome…" Her statement seemed to slap her friend across the face because she immediately stumbled and jittered her speech. Kagome fumbled with her fingers before putting on a bright (maybe too bright) smile.
She cleared her throat and stood up straighter. "We are just rehearsing for a possible play, 'Yumi-chan. I was thinking of proposing the idea to the Theater director in a while."
"I see." Ayumi decided against arguing further and dropped the subject. "Anyways, how have you been? Feeling better?" She walked over to Kagome and held a hand to her forehead. It was definitely warmer than usual. Ayumi frowned: poor Kagome, something must've been happening to her lately to result in such a weak immune system.
Kagome smiled wryly. "It could be better. But I've been improving."
Hearing a positive note, Ayumi quickly added the big question of the day. "So are you coming back soon? I can help you with the classwork and other stuff that you missed if you want."
She wanted to slap herself as soon as the words left her mouth, because Kagome looked as if someone had burned her house down.
"Um, maybe." Kagome's reply was shaky. "But I don't know. You know, I have been getting sick a lot recently. Don't wanna get others ill, too. Aha."
She evaded the question entirely. Something was definitely wrong now, Ayumi had never seen Kagome so nervous when asked such simple question. She felt worried all over again. She put an arm around her.
Ayumi sputtered. "Uh, I-I guess. But please tell me if anything goes wrong, Kagome. We are so worried about you. And we barely saw you for the past few months." She had to cover up her disappointment. Her frustration that was building had to be squashed before she had a mental breakdown in front of everyone.
"It's alright, 'Yumi-chan." Kagome chirped happily. "I really appreciate your efforts." She held Ayumi's hand in hers and smiled warmly.
As if remembering something, she gasped, looked quizzically Ayumi and asked, "Have you had any yummy food to eat yet?"
"Oh," Ayumi was caught off guard again. "I'm alright. Apparently, I gonna stay overnight with you guys for today since your mom thinks it's too dangerous for me to go back home at this time of the day. I'll be having supper here."
Kagome beamed. "That's awesome! We can gossip some now that you're here. Inuyasha can go read some manga I have here, let's go hang out."
Ayumi looked over to the bed where the strange boy was flipping through books and frowned. She had wanted to know more about him. What if he was the reason behind Kagome's constant disappearances.
She opened her mouth to protest but was pulled out of the room before she knew it. She sighed in exasperation; maybe this was for the better, though. If Kagome was really adamant on not saying anything to her, then she wasn't going to force an answer.
But at the back of her head, curiosity gnawed at her brain like a parasite. Maybe she would find out, eventually.