yeah. so i'm starting to write an InuYasha fic again. I haven't written one in soooo long. now i've returned. YAY ME!
Bittersweet
Chapter One
by: InuLvr7
"What are we going to do, Sango? We can't just let Kagome go back to her own time. We've still got to get the rest of the jewel shards form Naraku!"
"I know, Shippo, but we can't get in the middle of InuYasha and Kagome's quarells. It's bad for our health," Miroku replied, gingerly rubbing the spot on his jaw where Kagome had hit him.
"Well, that's what you get for taking his side," Sango said, referring to his bruised jaw and ego. Miroku sighed.
"I know. I can't help but to feel that this time InuYasha wasn't lying about just talking to Kikyo," Miroku looked off into the direction of the distant InuYasha. He was sitting down in the grass in his usual position. Miroku followed InuYasha's gaze and saw that it was in the direction of the Bone Eater's Well.
"Do you think we should interecede?"
"No. It would be best to let them work this out themselves. I can't explain it, but I have this feeling that something has been set into motion. Something that's going to change us forever," Miroku said.
"Yes. I hate to admit it, but I feel it too, Miroku. I feel it, too," Sango said.
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"Stupid InuYasha. Why does he have to be such a- such a-" Kagome panted as she heaved her backpack out of the well. "Such a jerk!" She jumped over the lip of it and picked up her backpack. "All I asked for is honesty. All he does is lie and be a jerk. Stupid, stupid, stupid InuYasha!" Souta passed by the door of the well.
"Kagome! You're home early. What happened with InuYasha, " Souta asked, stopping outside of the door. Kagome stomped by him.
"Because InuYasha's a jerk!"
"Why do I have a feeling that she's madder than usual?" Souta thought aloud as he watched his fuming sister stomp angrily into the house.
Kagome resisted the urge to slam the door as she ran up the stairs. She suddenly had an overwhelming feeling of frustration that threatened to release himself in the form of a torrent of tears. Kagome's mother called something up the stairs to her, but she couldn't hear. She had dumped the backpack onto her floor by the desk and thrown herself onto her bed. She let the soft fabric of her pillow sham absorb her salty, wet tears. Her hands tightened their grip on the pillow, and she shoved her face further into the pillow.
"Kagome?"
Kagome turned her head to face the direction her mother's soft voice had called from. She stood by the door, one hand on the frame, as she looked at the face of her crying daughter. "Oh, mom!" Kagome rushed forward to her mother's welcoming arms. "Mom, it hurts so much," she whispered through racking sobs. Her mother's hand stroked her hair with the gentlene comfort that only a mother could give.
"Kagome, what happened?" she asked when Kagome's sobs had died down into whimpers.
"InuYasha is just such a jerk!" she sobbed. More crying followed, and it seemed that her tears had received a seond wind. Finally, though, she leaned back and sat on her bed as her mother sat down on her desk chair.
"Do you think you can tell me what happened, now?"
Kagome nodded dumbly in reply. "Yes. InuYasha went off to see Kikyo again. I thought that- I thought that things had changed between us, that he could at least tell me that he was going to see her. Instead, he snuck off again!" Kagome felt herself getting worked up again. "Mom, I just want to sleep, and have a normal life for a little bit. If InuYasha comes for me, please, please, don't let him follow after me to school," Kagome begged her mother. She simply nodded and left the room. Kagome had a feeling she wouldn't do what she asked, but she was too tired to fight it. All she wanted to do right then was sleep. A nice, long ass sleep. And that's just what she did.
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"Kagome! Breakfast is ready!"
Kagome awoke groggily. "Why didn't my alarm go off?" she thought. "Oh, right. I didn't set it. I can't believe I slept so long!" she mentally berated herself. Kagome tripped as she tried to brush her hair and put on her uniform at the same time. "Great. I must be the biggest klutz ever."
"Come on, Kagome! You're gonna be late!" shouted Souta. Kagome rolled her eyes.
"I'm coming, Souta!" she shouted back. Kagome finished up and ran down the stairs to the fully set breakfast table. "Everything looks great, mom!" She exclaimed as she set her back pack next to the wall and sat down.
"Thanks, honey," her mom smiled as Kagome downed her glass of milk. "I packed your lunch for you, too, so you can go just go to school without worrying, Kagome." The miko nodded and quickly got up.
"Oh! What disease did I have this time?" Kagome asked in her fake happy tone.
"A mild case of schizophrenia," replied her grandpa.
"We're onto mental illnesses, now?" asked Kagome. He nodded, and Kagome left to meet up with her friends on the way to school.
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"Hey, Kagome!" choursed Kagome's three friends.
"Hey, Ayumi! Yuka! Eri!" greeted Kagome, her fake smile that they had seen times before was once again on her face.
"Are you okay, Kagome?"
"Yeah. You don't look so good," Yuka added to Eri's question.
"I'm fine. Really. Just getting over..." Kagome paused for a second as she searched for her disease," a mild case of schizophrenia."
"Yeah. We heard," said Eri
"Did you really have hallucinations about three headed naked guys riding a donkey in yellow pajamas?" asked Yuka. Kagome just stared at her.
"I think Gramps was going a bit overboard with that one," she thought. "Yeah. Could we please not discuss that one at school?"
"Yeah. Of course, Kagome," replied Yuka and Eri. The four started their walk to school, and Ayumi fell back with Kagome.
"Are you sure you're okay, Kagome?" she asked. Kagome was about to nod and protest her happiness, but Ayumi jumped her to it. "Before you can say a word, I want you to know that I know it has something to do with InuYasha."
"How'd you know?"
Aymu smiled. "Souta im'd me. He said you were really depressed over this guy. What I don't get, Kagome, is how you, you who could turn down the nicest guy in school, Hojo, repeatedly, would fall so hard for this guy that you would cry yourself to sleep over him," Ayumi said. Ayumi really did consider Kagome her best friend. She loved Yuka and Eri dearly, but the two never knew how to keep their mouths shut.
"You're right, Ayumi," said Kagome slowly. "I've been so wrapped up in this one jerk that I couldn't see any of the other possibilities before me. Not Hojo. Not Kouga. Not anyone else."
"I think you should try to go out with some other guys, Kagome. Not out of spite for InuYasha, but for yourself. It would be good for you," replied Ayumi. Kagome didn't reply but walked on in silence.
"Hey," Yuka said as they reached school. "If you need help studying for the geometry test, Kagome, I'll help you after school."
Kagome's head snapped up. "Oh. Yeah. Sorry, lost in thought. No. I don't think I'll need help. Thanks, though," Kagome smiled.
"Okay. Well, I've gotta run to history class! There's this new hot teacher from the United States that I've been dying to meet," gushed Yuka.
"Yeah. I caught a glimpse of him, and he's so hot!" agreed Eri. The two hugged Kagome bye and ran off.
"Well, that was weird," Kagome commented. "What's the new teacher's name?"
"William Smith. But everyone just calls him Mr. S," replied Ayumi. The bell then rang. "Let's go, Kagome. We don't wanna be late on your first day back."
"Yeah, right!" Kagome nodded before taking off down the hall with Ayumi to first period. The day was going to be a long one.
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"InuYasha. Feel my body," Kikyo commanded. InuYasha reluctantly complied. "It's cold, is it not?"
"Yeah," answered InuYasha dumbly as he felt the icy cold of her clay- made skin on her collarbone.
"I am made from clay and to clay this body will return. Naraku's demise is coming swiftly. I want to know if you still intend to come to hell with me," Kikyo replied.
"I-" InuYasha's ears twitched. "You know what I promised." He moved to turn his head. Kikyo pulled him to her, and InuYasha's hand slipped down the slope of her breast.
"InuYasha," Kagome gasped. "I thought-" Kagome's eyes widened. "Oh."
"Kagome," InuYasha shouted as he recoiled from Kikyo's flesh. He turned to watch the schoolgirl's heels fly up as she ran through the woods.
"You promised me, InuYasha. I haven't forgotten," Kikyo said. InuYasha turned back to face her, but she was gone.
"But I promised her, too," InuYasha whispered aloud.
InuYasha couldn't stop the scene from replaying over and over again in his mind as he sat with his legs crossed beneath him. Why was he so obsessed with it? He wanted to be with Kagome; he really wanted to. He couldn't. He just couldn't. He had made a promise to both. He promised Kikyo that he would join her. She died for him. Dying for her was the only way to repay the deed. Wasn't it?
He wasn't sure anymore. He had promised two people the same thing, and he knew that a final decision would have to be made. He would have to decide who he had to protect, who he loved. He couldn't protect both. He couldn't love both. It wasn't fair to either of them.
"InuYasha?"
"What do you want, Shippo?" InuYasha growled.
"Kaede told me to tell you lunch's ready. Actually, we drew straws, and I got the shortest one," Shippo replied.
"Shut up, Shippo," said InuYasha as he got up. Shippo hopped onto his shoulder, and they walked to the hut in silence.
"So, InuYasha, have you reached a decision?" asked Miroku as InuYasha entered the hut.
"Yeah." Everyone looked at him expextantly as he sat down.
"Well?" asked Sango.
"What?" snapped InuYasha as Shippo hopped off his shoulder.
"What's your decision?" replied an annoyed Shippo. InuYasha downed his entire bowl of rice before answering.
"I'm going to-" InuYasha gulped. He knew what he had to do, but he wasn't ready to admit it to himself. He wasn't ready to break the bonds he had become so familiar with.
"InuYasha," Miroku insisted.
"I'M GOING TO GET KAGOME!" he shouted. "Can I eat in peace now?" he huffed. Miroku leaned back.
"I must say, InuYasha, I'm surprised at your deicision," replied Miroku.
"Yeah. We all thought you were going to choose Kikyo again," Sango added.
"Yeah. And be a two timer again," Shippo chirped.
"I hate all of you," InuYasha glared and walked out. He looked at the noon sun with a feeling of purpose. He would get Kagome back, but he would give her a week or so. She missed home; he knew she did. It would be his gift to her.
"Kagome, I think I love you."
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"So you'll pick me up at six, Hojo?"
"Yeah, Kagome. Are you sure you're feeling up to go to the movies?" replied the ever blissfully ignorant boy.
"Yeah. I actually feel better than ever," Kagome smiled. "What movie are we going to see, though?"
"I was actually thinking of The Prestige. What do you want to see?"
"Actually, that sounds good. But I have to get home, now," Kagome said, looking off in the direction of her house.
"Right. Make up work!" smiled Hojo. "If you need any help, let me know!" Hojo waved bye, and Kagome took off on her bike.
"He's not so bad. Not amazing, but he's still a good friend," Kagome thought as she rode home. "Oh. Shit." Hojo was right. She did have a LOT of make up work to do.
The next two days progressed in much the same way. By Friday, Kagome had finished all of her make up work and felt more tired than a sleep- deprived lab rat testing caffeine pills. She sat in front of her vanity and glared at the dark circles beneath her eyes with loathing. It was ten minutes until Hojo picked her up, and she looked like someone from the psyche ward. "It's official. I'm actually going to wear make up." Kagome powdered on foundation. "Might as well go all out," she thought before also applying a shimmery, brown eye shadow, black mascara, and a light pink lip gloss. "There!" Kagome gave herself a once over before standing up and grabbing her purse.
"Sis! Hojo's here!" Souta's voice resounded up the stairs.
"Coming!" Kagome called as she ran down the stairs. In the doorway, Hojo stood in a pair of dark blue jeans and an untucked, cerulean collared shirt. His hair was in its usual part, and his face broke into a smile when he saw Kagome come down the stairs.
"Hey, Kagome!" greeted Hojo enthusiastically.
"Hey, Hojo," Kagome replied, not nearly matching him in enthusiasm.
"I got these for you," he said as he extended a bouquet of sweet- scented, purple flowers to her. Kagome briefly amused the idea that they were to help her so- called case of mild schizophrenia.
"Thanks, Hojo. What are they supposed to help with?" Kagome asked politely.
"I'm pretty sure they're just for aesthetics," replied Hojo as Kagome took the flowers. Kagome mentally hit herself for being so stupid.
"They're really sweet. Thank you," she handed them to Souta. "Put these in a vase with water. Oh! Tell Mom that I'll be back by eleven, kay?"
"No problem, sis," said Souta as he took the bouquet. "Have fun!"
Kagome nodded as she stepped outside with Hojo. "You look really nice, Kagome," Hojo complimented. Kagome felt herself blush at his compliment. "Really, you do."
"Thank you. So do you," she answered back, giving him an approving smile. As they walked atop the stairs, she looked at the street below them. "Is that your car!" Her jaw fell.
"Yeah! I just hit sixteen last week. I invited you, but your grandpa said that you had schizophrenia or something," Hojo replied happily. "It was a sixteenth birthday present."
"Duh," Kagome thought. "It's really nice," Kagome complimented. Hojo opened the door to his crimson red, convertible pontiac firebird, and Kagome smiled as she sat down in the low seat. Hojo shut the door and rounded around the car and into the driver's seat.
"I thought we'd just go see a movie and get maybe a milkshake afterwards," Hojo said, sticking the key in the ignition and starting up the car.
"A milkshake. Leave it to Hojo to think of something from the fifties," thought Kagome. "That sounds great! But I don't know what movies are out now. I haven't really been keeping up to date," Kagome blushed.
"Oh. Well, there's School for Scoundrels, Gridiron Gang-"
"That sounds interesting," Kagome interrupted.
"Okay. I heard it was a really good movie. My sister already saw it so-"
"You have a sister?" Kagome questioned as she arched an eyebrow. Apparently there was a lot she didn't know about Hojo.
"Yeah. Two actually. Well one, but the other's on the way!" smiled Hojo as they pulled out of the drive and onto the street.
"Your mom's pregnant? That's great!" Kagome smiled. "Oh- since I chose the movie, you can choose where we eat."
"Actually, there is this one place I wanted to try," replied Hojo as they zipped down Main Avenue. "It's this new, health food restauraunt called Crispers."
"Ick. Health food," mentally whimpered Kagome. "That sounds great, Hojo!" happily chirped a none- too- happy Kagome. "Why do I feel like this night is going to be awful?"
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"Mom! It was awesome! The food was good. I like healthy things, but Hojo usually picks out the weirdest healthfood. This was so good. Did you know Hojo has siblings? I didn't know," rambled Kagome as she sat happily on the floor by the television. "He also has this awesome car and-"
"Kagome," her mom interrupted with sunshine, "It's late. You should go to bed."
"You're right. I guess I'm just really excited. It was a really fun night, and I haven't had normal fun in so long," Kagome replied as she got up. "Night, Mom." Kagome pecked her mom on the cheek and ran upstairs. She got ready for bed and before she fell asleep she thoguht, "It wasn't awful at all. Hojo was actually sweet."
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"Kagome."
Her vision swam in front of her. "Hm?"
Kagome's American teacher, who had the most gorgeous, chiseled features and an illuminating smile of pearly white, repeated his statement. "What started the crusades?" He leaned back against his desk; on the table, his two hands rested on either side of his lean, musclular figure.
"The political, social, and pecunial matters of the Holy Roman Empire and the church. They wanted the wealth, and the church promised eternal salvation to those who fought in the crusades," Kagome replied, wondering where the hell she got the answer from. She was so behind in the actual class learning that she felt as though she would fail. She had been back for a full seven days since her date with Hojo. Her guidance counselor had taken the almost guarantee of a germ free Kagome to have a talk with her about picking up her grades for college. She hadn't thought about college. "Where the hell am I going to go to college?"
"That's correct, Kagome. Glad to see that you're catching up," he smiled at her. Half the girls in the room swooned and sighed at the action while Ayumi and Kagome simply rolled their eyes. He was dreamy; with those emerald green eyes and sun bleached, blonde hair, who wouldn't think so? But he was a teacher, and that meant off- limits to students. Still, plenty of girls couldn't help but flirt. Kagome snapped out of her thoughts as the bell rang, dismissing them from the prison known as high school. "That's all class. Make sure you vote online for your Homecoming Court and that you read through the chapter. We're doing an in- depth look at the effects of the crusades on Muslim lands," Mr. Smith called out. Kagome packed up her stuff and was about to leave when Mr. Smith stopped her. "Can I speak to you for a minute, Kagome?"
Kagome looked to where Ayumi was standing in the door. Her friend nodded, and Kagome faced the teacher. "Sure. What do you want to talk to me about?" Kagome's heart was thumping. "He can't know about all my abscences, can he? Oh, no! What if InuYasha came, and he saw him? What if he heard what the other girls were saying about me having an abusive boyfriend?"
"I just wanted to make sure you were catching up okay. You were out for awhile, and it's extremely important that you know your material for the midterms. Not to mention the exams," Mr. Smith said seriously. "Are you sure you don't need any extra help?" He placed his hand on her shoulder.
Kagome looked out the door and saw several females passing by shoot her dirty looks. "I'm fine. Really. Ayumi can always help me, anyway," Kagome smiled, looking back at her gorgeous teacher. She didn't even realize that his hand was on her shoulder until she stood up.
"I'm here if you need me," he called out as she left.
"What was that all about?" asked Ayumi, who had been waiting for Kagome just outside the door. They started walking to their lockers.
"Just making sure I was catching up okay. Actually, I could do with some help in the class, but these girls passed by and have me such dirty looks-"
"Wait. Why were they giving you dirty looks?" asked Ayumi.
"Because Mr. Smith had his hand on my shoulder, but I don't see any reason to-"
"He had his hand on you SHOULDER?" Ayumi nearly shouted. Kagome blinked. "First Hojo, then the two- timer. Now a teacher? I gotta hand it to you, Kagome. You sure know how to pick him."
"What?" Kagome nearly stopped. "No. It's not like that it was just-"
"Hey, guys. What's going on?" Yuka and Eri joined them.
"Nothing," Ayumi replied before Kagome could say anything. "Just that Mr. Smith is crushing on Kagome."
"What?" Yuka exclaimed.
"I'm so jealous!" gushed Eri.
"Me, too!" Yuka agreed.
"NOOOOO!" Kagome shouted. All three friends looked at her. "Mr. Smith is not crushing on me; there is nothing between us. He wasn't really a two- timer, and we're not together anymore!" Kagome yelled more. People in the surrounding hall edged away from the shouting, crazy girl.
"Whatever you say, Kagome," Yuka sighed.
"Yeah. If you want to be in denial, go ahead," Eri added.
"It's not like that!" she protested feebly.
"Oh. Let's just go," Ayumi sighed. "We've got homework and voting for Homecoming Court to do."
"Oh yeah. Who are you voting for that anyway?" asked Eri as they reached Kagome's and Ayumi's lockers. The four had managed to get lockers right next to at least one of their own. Kagome began to twist the numbers on her lock/
"I think we should vote for Kagome and Hojo," chirped Yuka. Ayumi could've sworn a cold wind passed by as Kagome momentarily froze before pulling the lock and locker open.
"I don't think we should," Kagome said slowly as she pulled out her geometry book placed it into her locker. Her voice was like the debiliitizing cold that permeated one's body when in contact with hypothermia. Or at least, that's what Ayumi felt.
"But you two would be soooo cute!" gushed Eri. "But-" she paused for dramatic effect, "if you want us to vote some random person, not you, then we will."
"We will?" Yuka raised an eyebrow at Eri, who answered with a determined nod and "uh huh!" Kagome shoved the remaining books that she needed in her locker into her backpack. She carefully placed its full- to- bursting pack onto her back with practiced proficiency.
"For being sick all the time, you sure are strong, Kagome," Eri let out a low whistle.
"Yeah. I've had trouble walking under loads smaller than that, and you pick it up like a lunch box," Yuka nodded. Kagome picked up the latter mentioned object and turned on her heel.
"I'm going home. If InuYasha thinks that he can just do what he did to me, he's got another thing coming. I'm going to seal the well," she said determinedly, oblivious to those around her. Her thoughts had been straying to him, and before she knew it, she was declaring herself mad at him.
"I think Kagome's schizophrenia is kicking in again," Yuka whispered to Eri behind a cupped hand. The latter female nodded in agreement.
"Bye, guys," Kagome said, ignoring their loud whispers. She walked out of the hall, Ayumi in tow.
"Ah!" Eri gasped.
"What?" questioned Yuka.
"We forgot to ask her about her date with Hojo!" she exclaimed. Yuka gasped, too.
"Ah! You're right!" She nodded fervently. "Maybe we're losing our touch?!" Her face turned into a slate of shock.
"No, no, no," reassured Eri. "We were just caught up in her schizophrenia."
"Yeah," Yuka said. "That's it."
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"So, Kagome. When's your next date with Hojo?" asked Ayumi as she walked back home with her friend.
"Tonight, actually," smiled Kagome.
"Two Friday nights in a row? Nice," Ayumi nodded her approval. Her voice dropped into a low, secretive whisper. "Does he know about the," she glanced around, "other man?" Kagome closed her eyes and breathed.
"No," she said, opening her eyes. "He doesn't."
"Does Mr. Smith know about him?" she asked playfully, still in that low, secretive whisper. Kagome gave her a friendly shove. Ayumi stumbled, but she quickly regained her footing.
"Shut up," she said, attempting to stifle her laughter. It didn't work, and both ended up in giggles. They walked along in silence, watching the cars rush by on the busy Tokyo street. Kagome finally spoke up when they reached the stairs of her family's shrine. "Do you-" she gulped. "What am I thinking? I can't tell her. She'd think I was off my meds or something. Wait, I'm not on meds. Great. I'm getting way too into this play-sick charade."
"Do I what, Kagome?" Ayumi asked, her eyes now attentively on Kagome's face. Kagome forced herself not to fidget and looked right into Ayumi's eyes, ready to come up with some lame question. Something in Ayumi's eyes made the truth rear up, gnashing its ugly teeth in Kagome's mind. What was it?
"Damn." It was trust, concern, and that special, platonic love that only exists between the closest of friends. They were at the top of the stairs now. "InuYasha is- he's not from here."
"That much was obvious," Ayumi snorted.
"That's not what I mean," Kagome stressed. "He's from the Feudal Era of Japan." The words sounded so strange in Kagome's mouth. She'd never told someone outside of her family. "I mean, he's really from back in time. My family well's a time portal and-"
"Hold on, Kagome," Ayumi interrupted. "I think I need the whole story from the beginning. And a seat. I need to sit down," she said.
"Yeah, of course," Kagome nodded. Ayumi followed Kagome to the kitchen and sat down at the table. "Okay," Kagome said, setting down her backpack next to Ayumi's on the table. "It all started on my fifteenth birthday."
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"Are you going to get Kagome today, InuYasha?"
"Huh?" InuYasha looked down from the tree he was sitting cross legged in. The small fox demon stood beneath his branch, craning his neck to look up at the half demon.
"I asked you if you were going to get Kagome today," Shippo reiterated.
"Yeah. It's Friday, right?" he asked, looking wistfully in the direction of the well. He had made up his mind. He would get Kagome and tell her how he felt.
"Yeah." Shippo nodded. InuYasha jumped down. He would never admit it, but he was scared. Demons hundreds of times his size could hit him with everything they had, and he wouldn't even flinch. But apologizing to Kagome, telling her that he had feelings, strong feelings, for her, asking her to take him back, that scared him more than anything. "You okay, InuYasha?"
"I'm fine, Shippo," he said gruffly, ignoring the little tyke.
"Whatever you say," he said, running before InuYasha to the hut. InuYasha entered, and both Sango and Miroku were eating lunch. Shippo sat on Miroku's shoulder, eating his own bowl.
"So, InuYasha, are you going to get Kagome now or later?" Miroku asked, not even looking up at him.
"What?" InuYasha glared at Shippo.
"Shippo told us you were going to get Kagome today. We want to know when," Sango said as she set aside her bowl, chop sticks set inside it.
"Tonight. I'm going to get her tonight," InuYasha replied, still glaring at Shippo.
"Thank goodness. This was getting stupid," Shippo said, oblivious to InuYasha's death glare. He didn't even see InuYasha's fist whacking him atop the head.
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"What?" Kagome looked up at the intercom in her history class. It paid no heed to her; the voice went on to congratulate the other winners of Homecoming Court. Kagome stared at it, now; disbelief was clearly written on her face. She turned to glare at Ayumi. The girl simply raised her hands up in front of her and shrugged.
"Hey, I didn't vote for you two," she replied. The glint in her eyes said otherwise, and it didn't go unnoticed by Kagome.
"Sure," she said, narrowing her eyes.
"Girls," warned Mr. Smith's stern voice. He would not have any talking during end of the day announcements.
"Sorry, Mr. Smith," Kagome apologized, smiling at him. Ayumi batted her eyes at Kagome and made mock giggling sounds. The miko simply rolled her eyes.
"And remember, Homecoming is only a week away. Buy your tickets now!" the intercom finished. "School is dismissed." The bell rang, and Kagome suppressed a squeal of excitement. Ayumi showed no such restraint and threw her hands up with a laugh.
"Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty! I'm free at last!" she giggled, quoting a famous African- American. Kagome rolled her eyes again.
"Come on, Ayumi. You have to do my hair, and you know how stubborn it can be," Kagome said, standing up with her backpack already on.
"Yes, your Homecoming Highness," Ayumi said as she courtseyed mockingly, her messenger bag hanging off her right shoulder and next to her left hip.
"Don't! When I find out who voted me..." she let the thought trail. Kagome shook her head. "Let's just go."
"Okay, okay," she relented. "I'm doing your hair tonight," she added as the got up.
"Fine," Kagome replied. "It's been a week, and InuYasha hasn't come to get me..." Kagome felt her lips purse in anger. "The jerk..."
"Kagome?" The miko's head spun in the direction of her teacher. "I was wondering if I could ask a favor of you..."
"Yeah. Sure," she responded, not exactly sure where the conversation was going.
"I know you're slightly prone to illness, so I was wondering if I could just give you the work for the rest of the semester..."
If Kagome could've jumped for joy, she would have. None of the other teachers were bright enough to figure out that it would be so much easier to give her what Mr. Smith was offering, and she was too lazy to ask. "Thank you, Mr. Smith. That's very kind," she said.
"Here, I included the notes, too," he said, handing her a pile of about one hundred stapled papers. Kagome took it with a smile.
"Thanks, well, I gotta go!" she said, following a snickering Ayumi out of the room. As soon as they were in the hall Ayumi burst out laughing.
"He sooo wants you!"
"You're as bad as Eri and Yuka," Kagome said as she rolled her eyes. "Come on. Let's just go."
"Well, go on!" Ayumi gave Kagome a push out of her room. Kagome took a second to glare at her friend before looking down the stairs at an awestruck Hojo. Kagome smiled as she saw the boquet of a dozen pink roses in his left hand.
"Oh, Hojo. You shouldn't have," she said as she descended the stairs. Hojo stared at Kagome. Her hair was piled atop her head in an intricate weaving of loops and curls. Two ringlets of ink black hair hung to her chin, framing her face. Light sparkly pink eyeshadow was complimented with black eyeliner that brought out the dark brown of her eyes, and it was complete with pale pink gloss. Hojo offered an arm to the beauty who stood before him in a black cocktail dress that clung to her body most becomingly. The slit the ran up from knee high dress to her upper thigh flashed a good amount of leg that made Hojo gulp.
"Beautiful flowers for a beautiful girl," he said, smiling.
"Beautiful woman!" Ayumi corrected loudly from the top of the stairs. "OW! Don't pinch me, Souta!" Kagome rolled her eyes.
"Let's go, Hojo," she said smiling as he walked her out of the house.
Kagome's mother watched her daughter with tear- filled eyes. "My little girl's growing up so fast," she whispered.
"Hey!" Mrs. Higurashi spun around to face a bored looking hanyou. "Where's Kagome?" Mrs. Higurashi pointed out the window to Kagome, who was being helped into a limo by Hojo. InuYasha followed her finger to Kagome. "Who the heck is that?"
"That's Kagome," she said proudly. His jaw dropped.
"What?"
"She's going out on a date, and you're not taking her anywhere just yet," she said in a firm voice that InuYasha had never heard the sweet woman use before. "We need to have a talk, InuYasha. A very long talk." She sat down at the kitchen table with coffee in hand. InuYasha sat down across from her.
"About what?"
"Kagome's future."
Okay. So this probably won't be more than 10 chapters. (Watch, I'll probably make it about 20. How I'd do that, though, is beyond me.) So anyway- Tainted won't be updated until tonight or tomorrow. I'm working on Tainted, Bittersweet, and an untitled Labyrinth fic. Sooo...yeah. Updates will be sporadic as I'm visiting relatives in SoCal. Knotts Berry Farm: fun