I feel so guilty! I haven't written for about a week, and now it's almost the end of the (March) break! Oh woe is me! And actually, this will be the first time (in this story) that I'll be writing in third person! W00T!
I also have an EXTREMELY good feeling about this chapter. Also, I haven't written for a long time. Sorry. I bet a lot of people haven't even read this story, but I'm gonna start writing again. I'm only writing THIS story though.
Cold Snap
Chapter 3
First Job
Inuyasha was becoming increasingly aware of a certain teenager suddenly staring from across the room as the teacher droned on meaninglessly.
A girl and her friend had been talking animatedly about various topics, when he suddenly noticed a change in the raven haired girl with the baggies under her eyes, her composure had straightened and she glanced at him before continuing on wearing a serious expression to her friend. Apparently, the conversation was about him, as the two would every now and then take short glances at him. He decided to feign ignorance for the time being, though he would find out what this was about. Could it be the fact he was a half-demon? Or something else. . . Or about Kikyo? She does kinda look like her, thought he. Wonder if they're related?
"I think the one on the right likes me," mused Miroku, looking up from his lengthy notes, now taking notice of Inuyasha's attractions. "See? With the brown hair?"
Inuyasha peeked at Miroku's face before returning to the girls as Sango looked away, blushing. "Maybe. But if she ever gets to know you, she'd be outta there faster than a demon on uppers. Besides," Inuyasha started, "She was lookin' at me."
"No chance Inuyasha! I have the class and manners of a gentleman," Miroku defended. "And just what have you got?"
Inuyasha pondered for a moment, "Maybe you're right." I shouldn't even be doing this in the first place. Not with my relationship being in limbo. "But I've the ears going for me. You wouldn't believe the human girls, man. You only wish you were me."
Last class finally ended at three. "What a day," Inuyasha commented to Miroku, stretching and yawning out of his seat, having just woken up, Miroku packing up his newest notes for the umpteenth time that day. They waltzed calmly out of the classroom in the crowded hallway for the final time that day. "I hate school."
"I agree totally, but if we're getting anywhere in this lifetime, it's got to be done."
"Hey, I don't got to go anywhere," Inuyasha remarked. "I'm fine where I am."
"Well, to each his own."
"Hey, Inuyasha!"
Turning, the two came face to face with a three young men whose names happened to be Koga, Ginta and Hakkaku. To the untrained eye, they looked to be fairly scruffy wolf demons, but were really well trained track stars.
Koga was a long distance track runner and long jumper, Ginta and Hakkaku high jumpers. Demons, of course only competed against other similar demons.
In appearance, of course, they wore the school uniforms, Ginta wore his hair in a dyed white fawk-hawk, Hakkaku had black hair and Koga a short black rat-tail. Individually, Koga looked the toughest; he had a few scars across various body parts such as his knuckles, neck and probably even in places nobody would want to think about. The other two were slightly more clean and up-kept.
"Hey guys! What's up?" asked Inuyasha, beckoning his friends in their own way of high fives.
"I'd like you guys to meet a newer friend of mine," he said, stepping aside to reveal Miroku. "This is Miroku, Miroku," he said, "This is Koga, Ginta and Hakkaku," Inuyasha finished.
"My pleasure," Miroku said. He really liked to make new friends, demon or not. His lineage led back to the Sengoka era, where he had relations with a monk who had apparently been led astray. "And mine to meet cha too," Koga said, shaking his hand, while Ginta and Hakkaku followed suit.
"So Miroku, you want to come to the arcade? We just about to ask Inuyasha about it we he introduced ya," Koga asked, being friendly.
"No thanks Koga," Miroku sighed. "Sadly, I'm broke," he concluded, wearing a bummed expression across his features. "Maybe once I get bit of an allowance from my parents, unfortunately."
"Bummer," Ginta said. "Yeah," added Hakkaku. "So, how 'bout you Inuyasha?"
"Na, I've got a job interview," he said quietly.
The three wolves' heads jerked toward Inuyasha and Miroku looked mildly surprised.
"A JOB?" they burst out.
"Yeah, go figure," said Inuyasha, an ironic tone about him, "Sesshomaru's refused to give me any more yen so I have to find a job." The wolves seemed unsatisfied. "What, it's only part-time!"
"Inuyasha, in the whole time I've known you, say three years," spewed Koga, "You've never done any work to speak of, you don't participate in sports and have the reputation to match as the kid who doesn't work, man, and NOW you decide to get a job?"
"Yeah we've known you for a while too Inuyasha," started Ginta, "And you've been a slacker from the beginning," finished Hakkaku. "No offence."
"None taken," remarked Inuyasha, "But what can I say, money does strange things to a man."
The sun seemed to shine right on through the buildings as if they weren't there. The air seemed to be boiling over AND on the first day of school no doubt; this was just ridiculous. Damn Global Warming straight to hell. The sun burned the back of my neck like I was in an oven.
I walked down the street to where, supposedly, there was this shrine I had found in the paper's classifieds. "Shit," I mumbled to myself in disbelief, "I bet I passed the place fifteen minutes ago, where the hell is it?" Something must've heard me, cause the stairs seemed to just pop out from a stack of hedges I was walking past. It was about a thirty stair set. I saw a small post with the address painted on. This is the place, I thought to myself beginning the walk up to the holy grounds of their shrine.
I saw a tree peaking out from over the top ridge of the stairs. Strangely, the tree seemed to be rustling even though there was no wind to speak of. I continued, contemplating this development. I could only wonder but ultimately, the only way to find out was to keep walking. I could hear giggling with my half demon hearing, even though I was still far from the crest.
One step at a time, the sounds got louder, my curiosity seeming to grow with every step. Ten steps from the crest I had recognized the excited chuckles of two teenage girls. Peeking over, I found an unfamiliar sight. The two girls from earlier that day seemed to be climbing up the branches. Wondering how they had gotten there, I searched for anything that could have been used as the lowest branch was only ten feet down. Sure enough, a rope ladder was strewn about the branches of the tree apparently assuring a safe trip up and down and could be withdrawn to keep any unwanted humans away. But not half demons, I smiled at my own lame joke.
Feeling uncomfortable, I decided to venture 'into the unknown' so to speak. "Uh, hello?" I said, catching their attention. The raven haired girl looked down with a curious look. "I'm here about the job?"
"Oh!" she squealed. "I should probably introduce you to your boss, then," she concluded. "Sango pass me the ladder," she asked, as the other kindly complied, beginning to gather rope and wooden panels.
"My boss? So I got the job? Already?"
"Well, no one else has answered the ad yet, so being the only candidate, you should be a shoe in." She accepted the rope from Sango and threw it down, and began her slow descent. To me, it didn't look too safe, not too mention SHE looked rather clumsy.
Sure enough, her hand slipped and she fell backwards; she seemed to move slowly, while without thinking, my body acting of it's own accord, I jumped to the rescue and caught her before she hit the ground. I landed, as gracefully as I could, hoping not to jar her anymore than she already had been by her fall. I could hear her heart pumping, like a horse's gallop, as I gave her her feet back, her eyes slowly returning to their normal size from the saucers they had become during the fall.
"You okay, Kagome?" called the one named Sango down from the ladder, as she climbed down herself.
"I'm fine," she called, her voice crackling, slowly regaining her footing. Her heart slowed quickly, her balance returning just as.
"Thank you," she finally said. "You're Inuyasha right?" her voice definitely back. Had this girl really just fallen from that height? No way. They must've switched somehow. . . But I don't smell anyone else. . .
"Yeah, I'm Inuyasha, and you're?"
"Kagome, Kagome Higurashi. We're in the same first period class."
"I knew I'd seen you somewhere," I said innocently.
"This is Sango," who had just gotten down from the tree.
"Sango Yurigami," she said as she extended her hand to me. I was surprised how firm her grip was. SHE was a strong one anyway.
"Inuyasha."
"So now that the introductions are over with, how's about we meet the chairman," said Kagome, leading the way with Sango to the house opposite the tree. I hadn't really noticed it until now; it was nice and homely. You know, just nice. The cream colour was summer-like, I really, don't know what I mean, but I just have to say summer-like. I'm sure it would be the only safe place if a blizzard were to sweep through this region. Yeah, that's what I mean.
"What is this, some kind of company? I thought this was only a part time job?" I asked, now confused as to what I had gotten myself into.
"Mom! Someone here for a job!" she called, looking into the kitchen.
"Oh!" called a voice. "Well, let's see," I heard some dishes clanking and an older Kagome in a cooking apron ventured out of a doorway. I suddenly realized who it was as I noticed the new scent.
"You must be Mrs. Higurashi?"
"Oh Yes I am!" she said excitedly. "You're the first to come for the job in a week!"
"So. . . I get the job?" I asked hopefully.
"I don't see why not," she finished. "You'll be working with jii-chan; he's probably out in the shed. He's been getting too old to take care of the shrine, so you'll be helping him out a little, just some extra chores."
"Ok, thank you," I said, trying my hand at politeness once again. "So when do I start Mrs. Higurashi?"
"Now, if you want to," said she with a smile. "Well okay," I croaked out, walking out the door to find the old man who would be giving me my assignments.
"Inuyasha, wait!" I turned to see an almost angelic face staring into mine.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Let me walk you out to the shed."
"Uh, ok sure." Now why do I get the feeling this girl is trying to pick me up? She took my arm and began to lead me out. It felt like I had at the tree, my body no longer listened, I obeyed it's will, I did not know where it would take me next. What is this? NO. I've got to remember why I'm really here. I'm trying to forget about Kikyo for a while.
I am starting to write again and hopefully going for the long haul for this story. However long that is. My chapters aren't very long at all.
Anyway, thank you guys for your support,
Sno_man80.
