T-E-A-M W-O-R-K
When sent on a school-camp, Inuyasha was the last person on her mind. How will a hike turned disaster bring these two closer together? AU
AN: Legit tho, this fanfiction is dedicated to all the IY shitfics I've spent countless time reading, and screaming over. Thank you for your motivation- and you're welcome.
A Whole Year?
As the abundance of newly blossomed flowers scatter their petals in the refreshing April breeze, the rose-tinted lenses of all cheery-eyed students tune into the start of the school year. For some, these glasses of opportunity still provide a beaming vision- however others have faded into the reality of what the new school term brings. For Higurashi Kagome, a student in her final year of High School, her case ventured into another territory.
"Good morning, Higurashi!"
Yes, another school year. Perhaps the final one- that is if she succeeded in being accepted into a well-rounded university, or whatever other perusals almost-eighteen year old's face at this time in their lives. The point was this was possibly the last year of her free life.
"Higurashi?"
Free, what a concept. In which way did passing one university entrance exam condemn an individual a life sentence of responsibility? All these year's she had spent living in an aware world, not realising until the last year just how free she was from any such. Instead of learning how to make friends and good manners, maybe the education system should've spent their time warning these becoming-adults that their free lives would soon come to a halt.
"Hello?"
Kagome swung around; having the slightest feeling someone had been trying to reach her while she was in deep thought. An abrupt "—Hi!" accompanied with an awkward smile continued the one sided conversation she had somehow walked into.
"It is Higurashi, right?"
She nodded, unsure why the figure in front of her would be so unsure. This person was Houjou, whom she had been going to the same schools since she could remember. He reminded her of a familiar presence she could never quite put her finger on. She couldn't explain it, but any time Kagome heard about the Sengoku Jidai, he always sprung to mind. Regardless, Houjou was a decent guy.
"Seems like we're destined to be together, huh?" He joshed a playful nudge at her side.
"You think?" Kagome replied, the inner-awkwardness carrying onward. He looked off into the apparent nowhere, a whimsical expression similar to a rosey-eyed junior school-girl in any given shoujou manga.
It came to her, (either Houjou's various ramblings of his recent overseas exchange or by pure memory… memory for sure) Houjou had been away an entire year, and only today had she finally noticed. Looking up to meet with the bright face of her student in company, she couldn't help but feign guilt.
"And that's why you'd never order for someone like that, ever!" Flailing his arms into the air, Houjou signalled a finish to his year-long spiel. "I would have never thought, especially in a place like that." Kagome replied. Houjou closed his eyes and nodded vicariously, as though to confirm her understanding "It's true, it's true."
"What's true?"
Eyes darted on a pleasant face, "Sango-chan!" Kagome squealed. Her spot next to Houjou vacant with air- not that he would come to notice for some time.
The gentle smile of a well-known friend bore a hug with open arms, embracing this awkward-free atmosphere, Kagome was relieved. They both gave a laugh, and continued their walk to the grounds of their destination.
"Lucky break?" Sango asked, amused by her friend's newly sought freedom.
"Very lucky- Lady Luck herself in fact." She gave a complimentary wink alongside the somewhat flirtatious remark, sparking a giggle from Sango. "It's good to hear you still respect me."
"Respect you?" Kagome exclaimed, almost offensively to their casual banter.
"I am your senpai after all." Sango brought her right hand to her forehead, bracing two fingers in a salute. A poke of her tongue signalled the younger to come chasing after her.
"Senpai my ass! Just because you graduated last year, doesn't mean anything's changed!"
"I've always been your senpai! Upperclassman Sango~" The title sounded even better sung, she thought, dodging incoming waves of middle schoolers and frequent chains of kindergarten-folk in the path.
"When has anyone ever referred to you as 'Upperclassman Sango'?" Kagome screamed, rushing over to block her attempted escape. With Kagome's arms folded and an adorably serious expression painted on her face, Sango couldn't help but laugh at the situation.
She curtsied, stretching an arm out toward Kagome and landing a poke on her forehead. On returning to her sailor-salute, she hummed with a devious look "Why you did, just then Kagome-chan."
With doe-eyes swollen in rage; Kagome stood clenching a fist to prevent an outburst of frustration. Their eyes spoke to each other as if a telepathic connection had been made. Various eyebrow lifts, combined with exaggerated squinting, confirmed and denied possible outcomes for future actions. She noted Sango's ready stance, and grabbed the hair tie from around her wrist- quickly tying her locks in a high ponytail before chasing after her friend's intended escape.
"At least for today, the title is bound!" Sango shouted from ahead, factual evidence inside Kagome's rucksack to back up the remark. Kagome dishevelled a sigh, slowing down her pacing till she reached a comfortable halt. One year ahead of me and she gets gig as a camp counsellor, she thought. Sango followed suit, walking her way back to Kagome.
As if on cue, the spiritual presence of a holy entity came forth to remove conflicting energy between the two. Not quite Buddha's methods, but a grab to Sango's thigh did the trick.
A divine slap beat down upon the most recent in line of ancient monks- Miroku. Although not of divine-status himself, his family's heritage was familiar on his tongue- and hands. "What a pleasant, and not at all planned out, surprise to walk upon yourself and Kagome this April morning, Sango! And on a route I too take during this time… Yes!"
The girls looked at him with similar expressions; Sango's more of anger than a warranted disgust. All with good reason- sexual harassment isn't a confident ploy by any respected individual in this age.
"I suppose you know where we're going, then?" Kagome asked with a cocked brow.