Walk into My Parlor
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Summary: (AU) 99.9 KINU, the hottest radio station, is hosting its annual Halloween Haunted House. Inuyasha has snagged tickets for the first walk through. However, at midnight of Halloween, more than just mechanical monsters awaken in the house and the group finds themselves at the mercy of the true spirits of Halloween.
Warning: Mature means mature.
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Chapter Seven Doggie Tonic
Sengoku Jidai High School
Monday Morning
Kagome sat in Trig class waiting for the final bell to ring like she did every morning this semester. This morning was different. What made it different was that Inuyasha and she was officially a couple. She wasn't planning on making a big deal out of it. She wasn't planning on saying anything at all. It was Inuyasha that she wasn't so sure about.
He was a guy that had complications with his emotions. It wasn't like she expected him to break out in song with a dozen roses and chocolates, but he had 'sides' to him. At him, in private, he was extremely affectionate, relaxed and not as rude. How would he act with her, at school, with his friends and fans watching?
Kouga entered with a group of girls that Kagome suspected only took the class to be tardy sacrifices. She was sure that the clique called this community service. As long as the boys were able to play sports, they were helping the community. A little part of her felt sorry for them. There wasn't a future for tardy lambs anywhere. Kagome didn't know if they had tardies in college. Absences, yes.
Inuyasha stumbled in as the last clearly rang. Kagome watched him as he took his seat, the empty one next to her. She stared at him, flabbergasted, as he looked over at her with his usual smirk. Kagome smiled back. She certainly hadn't expected this.
The musical bell rung through the speaker system, signaling the start of Eri's Bulletin. "Good morning to you all. Lunch today is a hot dog, meat or veggie, with hot tots, a banana half and frosted brownie. Salad bar and sandwich bar are both open as well. Sophomores will be accepting dance ideas up till Wednesday. So if you're creative, or got something, help them out. The annual Christmas Bazaar is coming up. So, if you've got stuff to sell or need something to buy, November 20th starting at 3 pm in our very own gymnasium. Something to look forward to this week: Football districts start here, at home, Friday night at 7 pm. Who we will face up against will be determined after a makeup game tonight. And lastly, winner of Friday's Halloween Costume Contest. For the males, dressed as a Viking, our star running back: Kouga."
Kouga leapt out of his seat. "I wasn't a fu . . flippin' Viking." He yelled at the intercom, watching his language as he felt the glare his teacher was giving him.
"Park it." His teacher instructed him. He gulped and then sat back down, a bit embarrassed by his outburst.
"And for the girls. Even I was impressed with her costume. A traditional damsel in distress: Sango as the fairest one of all, Snow White. The winners will be contacted later for their prizes. This is Eri. Out." The microphone clicked off and class was cued to start.
The teacher took the attendance and almost proclaimed Inuyasha absent until she actually looked around the room to see him sitting next to Kagome. It wasn't much of a surprise, but the way he kept looking at her was.
"Ah, Takahashi, it must be test time." The young female teacher teased the red-faced hanyou. "Test will be this Friday. Today and tomorrow we'll finish up our current lesson. Wednesday and Thursday are review sessions. Ones that would hurt very much it skipped."
The rest of morning went by without too much trouble. It was either the Halloween party or KINU's Haunted House that dominated the talks as something spootakular. It was relieving for Kagome because she didn't want everyone to make any kind of fuss about her and Inuyasha. She didn't want to deal with the girl's who would be happy, angry and jealous of her all at the same time.
Lunch time approached and like usual, Sango met with Kagome in the library and they hurried out to the parking lot to beat the lunchtime rush hour. Nothing had changed too much.
Slippery When Wet Soup Shop
Inuyasha watched Kagome's every movement the moment Sango parked her SUV in its usual spot. His eyes lit up when she walked into the café and smiled just for him. He put his arm up against the back of the booth, inviting her to sit down next to him as she had always done.
"Hey." Kagome greeted her new hanyou boyfriend. "Oh." Kagome reached into her purse and presented Sango with a gift certificate to one of the stores that donated goods. "Congratulations."
"Gods." She let out snatching the item away from Kagome. "I can't believe I won." Sango stuffed the prize away in her purse, hoping no one else saw how embarrassed she was by the whole thing.
"But Sango darling, you have always been my fairest one." Miroku tried to woo the athletic girl.
Sango rolled her eyes. "And I didn't get my seven dwarves. I was only able to rein in six freshman boys. But Miroku, there's an opening in my entourage." She teased the now rosy-cheeked pervert.
The waitress arrived with their food saving Miroku from scrambling to come up with the prefect retort. He didn't find any comfort in the fact that Sango may have seduced six freshman boys into doing her biddings.
Inuyasha and Miroku started to talk about the game on Friday. It was a big deal for the whole school. So far, they had a perfect season and championships were just a few weeks before basketball and wrestling season started. Their coach already had them team talking about their newest 'victims' and what they needed to do to slaughter them, as only a team could be slaughtered in football.
Sango listened in on the boys' conversation. With a brother in football, a family full of fans, she knew a thing or two about the sport and was able to offer suggestions. Inuyasha would never openly accept her suggestions; Miroku listened to them intently.
Kagome ate her soup, despite the feeling that her stomach didn't want the ginger laced broth and rice noodles. Unable to hold her chopsticks in her trembling hands, she was forced to just sip the broth from the soup spoon. Kagome prayed no one noticed. But she noticed the throbbing pain behind her eyes and in her temples, and the heat of an oncoming fever flowing just below her skin.
Nausea zapped her hard. Carefully setting down her napkin and utensils, she mumbled an excusal and bolted to the back of the restaurant to the woman's bathroom. Locking the door, she made it to the toilet just in time as her body dejected all of her stomach contents. And if that wasn't enough, she dry heaved a couple of times, racking her chest and throat with an invisible burning agony.
She rested her stinging head down on the cool, smooth porcelain surface of the toilet seat, completely unbothered by germs. Smacking her dry lips together, she could only taste acid and ginger. After taking several deep breaths, Kagome figured she was finished and tried to stand up.
Her legs held no strength, so she remained sitting until trying once again, this time successfully. Wobbling to the sink, she splashed cool water on her face, and then dipped her head down to consume some of the cool liquid to chill her burning esophagus.
Kagome opened the door to the bathroom and stuck her head out. She saw their waitress walk by.
"Saori." She quietly called out, not wanting to gain Inuyasha's attention.
The waitress stopped to look at Kagome. "Kagome, are you okay? You look pale."
Kagome nodded her head. "Look, could you do me a favor?"
Inuyasha looked out from his booth see Kagome talking and laughing with the waitress. So that was what was taking her so damn long. He turned back into the booth, noticing Kagome's half-eaten soup. He picked up his chopsticks and shoveled in a couple of pieces of beef into his greedy mouth before her return.
Kagome arrived just as everyone was ready to leave. Everyone threw out their share of the costs and headed outside to go back to school for the remainder for the day.
& & & & & & & &
It seemed like a long walk home after school, but she finally made it. Inuyasha had football practice and since the game on Friday was so important, he'd be there until seven. That gave her plenty of time to get her homework done. And with a Trig test and Physics test this week, she had plenty to do.
"Kagome!"
Kagome snapped her head up to see her mother standing there carefully studying her with a worried look on her face.
"What?" Kagome softly blurted out.
Kagome's mother walked up to her teenage daughter and took hold of her chin, moving her face side to side to examine something she noticed. "Go upstairs, put on your warm pajamas." Her mother instructed her daughter. "You're sick."
Kagome's eyes opened wide. How could she . . . ? Stupid mother instincts. They were always right. "But I've got homework mama." She protested.
"You can still do it. Go upstairs. And don't forget to put on your slippers." She added as she bolted for the kitchen.
Knowing she couldn't win with her mother, Kagome sighed and dragged herself up the stairs to do exactly as her mother told her. In truth, she wanted to be taken care of. It was flue season and she knew that this was her year to get it.
After changing into her oversized flannel pajamas that were pink with yellow stars on them, she wiggled her feet into her slippers and sat down at her desk, ready to tackle her homework. She'd do physics first, then Trig. She found physics to be a subject that she really had to work hard at.
"Come in." Kagome said at the sound of knocking on her bedroom door. Her mother entered with a tray of 'sick goodies' for her. Never underestimate a mother's ability to know exactly what their child's needs were when they are sick.
"Make sure you finish it all. I'll have soup for dinner." She said with a smile, leaving a small kiss on her daughter's forehead before exiting.
Kagome checked what her mother brought her. Of course, a cup of green tea, and by the scent from its billowing steam, it was laced with hints of lemon and honey. Her mother went ahead and peeled an orange for her. Also provided were salty crackers to balance out the acidity from the orange. It was what her mother normally provided for her when she was sick.
Carefully avoiding being burnt by the blistering beverage as she took a sip, she went to slave away on Newton's Three Laws of Motion. The concepts themselves were simple, yet the mathematics was complicated. She also didn't see how this was relevant to nursing, but it was required.
Three cups of tea, two oranges, a pile of crackers and a bowl of soup later, she finished her physics. Glancing at her clock, it read 6:34 pm. Her brain needed a quick break before she jumped into Trig. Now would be a good time for a bath. In between her bedroom and bathroom, she yelled her intentions to her mother downstairs. The reply she received back advised her to make it extra hot and bubbly with the good soap. Kagome rolled her eyes. Duh, that was how she made most of her baths.
The door opened and Mrs. Higurashi greeted her very dirty son. "So . . . how was it?" She asked her youngest child.
"We won." He beamed." Kohaku, Shippo and I all got touchdowns."
Mrs. Higurashi gleamed proudly. "That's wonderful." Then a taller figure appeared behind Souta. "Inuyasha. How are you dear?" She noticed that he was just as sweaty, dirty and exhausted as her son.
"Practice, Mrs. Higurashi." He explained his appearance, being as polite as he was always was in the presence of Kagome's mother. She never scolded him about his creative use of the language; she was just so nice that he felt bad if he spoke any less polite.
"Souta, go to the laundry room and put your dirty stuff away, then come into the kitchen for dinner. Inuyasha, if you're hungry, there is more than enough." She knew how much Inuyasha ate. It pleased her to see a man with such a healthy appetite.
"Uh . . . sure." He decided he'd stay. He really liked her cooking after all. "Where's Kagome?"
Mrs. Higurashi frowned briefly before smiling again. "She's in the bath. I'm afraid she's coming down with a cold or something."
Inuyasha frowned too. The thought that Kagome was getting sick didn't sit well with him. It never had. Mrs. Higurashi placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Why don't you go up to her room? I'll bring you both something to eat. She should be starting her Trig homework soon." Mrs. Higurashi pushed Inuyasha toward the stairs before disappearing into the kitchen.
Inuyasha felt strange entering Kagome's room without her actually being there. Setting his bag down, he crawled on the bed, resting his back against the wall. He closed his eyes and took deep breaths. His nostril's and lungs inhaled Kagome's air.
"Inuaysha!" Kagome was surprised to see the hanyou sitting on her bed. "You're dirty." She crinkled her face at the sight of the grass stained boy. And he stunk.
Inuyasha climbed off of her bed to give her a hug. She wasn't surprised and hugged him back. At the sound of tender tapping on the door, they separated. Mrs. Higurashi entered with a tray of food. "Yakisoba tonight. Kagome, some more soup. Oh Inuyasha, I called your mother to let her know you're here. She says not to stay out too late."
He took the tray of food from Mrs. Higurashi. "Thanks, Mrs. Higurashi." Looking down at the enormous mountain of noodles, meat and vegetables, he couldn't wait to eat. Mrs. Higurashi smiled at the couple as she left.
Inuyasha sat the tray down on Kagome's desk. He pulled up the extra chair she kept in her room and sat down. He motioned for her to sit also and she did so. "You're mom says you're sick."
Kagome looked at her bowl of soup. She felt hungry, but she didn't feel like eating. "I could be. It's just a cold." She shrugged. Kagome decided to change the subject. "How was practice?"
Inuyasha nodded as he slurped his noodles. "Good," was the only word that escaped his mouth between large bites of dinner.
Kagome chuckled. "So, do you wanna work on Trig while you're here?" She took a sip of her soup, for Inuyasha's sake.
"Uh, sure." He'd rather do other things with Kagome, but he did have a test on Friday as well as a football game. And his math teacher was the kind of crazy devil woman that would grade his test and challenge his eligibility on the field during the coin toss. He just couldn't risk it.
They spent the next two hours slaving away on math until Inuyasha had it mastered. It was good timing because Kagome started to yawn as she put her stuff away for school in the morning. Inuyasha picked Kagome up and placed her in bed. He tucked her in tightly so that she would stay warm.
"I'm not tired."
"Keh, you yawned."
"Brain needed oxygen."
"Wench needs sleep."
Kagome rolled her eyes at his preferred nickname for her. But there was no winning with him. She lightly nodded at him. Inuyasha brushed her now dry hair away from her face. His hand caressed her cheek, which she turned into. Her blue-grey eyes met his topaz ones.
"Goodnight then, Inuyasha."
He leaned down and lightly grazed her lips with his. She held her breath, and didn't breathe again until he sat back up. "Get better. I need to pass that test Friday."
She was starting to protest but his sudden seizing of her lips drowned it all out. Wiggling her hands out of the blanket, she snaked her hands around his back and into his hair. It was always soft, no matter what he'd done previously during the day.
His hands grasped her wrists just as she started to go for his ears. He tugged at her lower lip with his teeth. "Save it for when you're better." His low voice warned her before letting her lip go. "Night."
Inuyasha grabbed his stuff and turned off the light as he left. He found Mrs. Higurashi downstairs in the kitchen with Souta as he worked on his homework. "Here." He placed the tray of dirty dishes down next to the sink.
"You didn't have to do that."
Inuyasha shrugged. "Kagome's sleeping. I'm heading home now."
Mrs. Higurashi smiled as she nodded her head at Inuyasha. "Will you be here again tomorrow night?" She needed to know how much food to cook for dinner.
"Probably. Trig test on Friday." He explained. He didn't know if Mrs. Higurashi knew about him and Kagome.
"Well, drive safely and we'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight Inuyasha."
"Night." Inuyasha looked over at Souta. "Good game kid."
Souta beamed as his high school hero left.
Wednesday
"But mom, I'm fine. Really." Kagome griped on and on about her health. But her arguing got her no where. Tuesday alone was proof enough. Mrs. Higurashi caught Kagome vomiting in the bathroom just as Inuyasha had left for the evening. And so the mother and daughter were squabbling over a doctor's appointment. "It'll pass."
Mrs. Higurashi studied her daughter carefully. "If you vomit again any time today and tonight, I'm taking you in."
"Fine." She said back as she slipped her jacket on. Sango would be arriving any moment to take her and Souta to school.
"And call Saori; tell her to serve you some chicken soup instead."
Kagome mumbled some kind of agreement before chasing after Souta at the sound of Sango's horn. It was too cold for her to leave the car.
Kagome made it through the entire school day without feeling the need to hurl all of the food she'd eaten during the day; a sign that she was getting better. It was the first thing she told her mother when she came home.
"You have an appointment Friday afternoon." That was her mother's reply.
"Mama." Kagome started.
"Yamaguchi-sensei's office called. It's time for you and Souta's yearly physical." Kagome's mother explained. "You can then tell her about your nausea."
Kagome sighed. There was no winning with that woman. She excused herself to her room to do her homework and then wait for Inuyasha to arrive after his practice. Why did she feel that her mother was the one that called to set up that appointment?
Friday
Dressed in the flimsy paper hospital gown that they so graciously provided, Kagome anxiously sat on the examination table as her doctor sat in one of those chairs with the wheels on it, looking over Kagome's file. She had just finished with the usual checkups she had been getting for the last few years.
"So, Kagome, how are things?"
"Good."
The doctor nodded as she set down the file on the nearby counter. "And how are you feeling?"
Kagome sighed. She figured it was good to lie to her doctor. "I've been vomiting for the past few days, but it stopped Wednesday."
"That makes sense. Your core body temperature is a little high, but it should come back down to normal in a couple of days." The doctor leaned back in her chair, trying to get comfortable in the squeaky contraption. "Kagome, are we dating yet?'
Kagome froze. Her skin went from pale to pink in a matter of seconds. She could feel her heart slamming against her ribs. Her breath tried to leave her at that very moment. "Yes." She squeaked out an octave too high for her natural voice.
The doctor only smiled. "Congratulations. I ask because you are at the age where you are dating and that usually leads to intimacy of some sorts." Kagome nodded as she tried to focus on what her doctor was saying. She was having this conversation.
"Are you sexually active yet?"
"Oh no. No. Not yet." The words just flew out. Not yet? Where did that come from?
"Well, if you are serious about your current relationship then the natural course of things tends to lead to sex. Unless you plan to wait until marriage. Even then, you should be aware of what's involved. Make sure you are absolutely ready before you do anything. If you are, be aware of your birth control options. And remember to come in once a year."
Kagome wondered if her mother knew about her relationship with Inuyasha and that was why she was here having this conversation with her doctor.
"Do you have any questions?"
"What are my options? For birth control?" Her cheeks flamed as she spoke the words. Halloween weekend was intense. She didn't know how quickly things were going to proceed with Inuyasha, and she wanted to be ready when they were both ready.
"Pills are the most popular option. There is also an injection and a patch. I would recommend either the pill or the injection. The pill must be taken daily while the shot is once every three months."
Kagome bit her bottom lip. She didn't think she'd be doing something like this so soon. However, Sango had mentioned something to her once about dog demons. It was during the time when Inuyasha was dating his previous girlfriend. The one Kagome thought was going to last a lot longer than five months. Sango said that dog demons were just as quick to bed as they were on their feet when running.
After gulping a few times at that memory, Kagome looked up at her doctor. "When can I get that shot?"
Football Game
Kagome stood outside the boys locker room, waiting. The game would start in an hour. She didn't get much of a chance to see Inuyasha during the day. After she finished the Trig test, she left to get ready for her physics exam. Her mom picked her up for lunch before going to the doctor, so she missed him during the one time she could actually talk to him.
Inuyasha hung out with the guys from the team after school to get into the right frame of mind for the football game. It was all about team togetherness with those guys.
Kagome pulled out her cell phone to look at the time. She'd sent Souta, Kohaku and Shippo in there almost twenty minutes ago. They had to have gotten suckered into being water boys, completely forgetting the real reason why they went in there. Damn their simple minds.
Soon, they would be heading out to the field to do their warm-ups and she wouldn't get to see him before the game. Once he was on the field, his brain kicked it into football mode. Anything outside the field didn't exist.
"Kagome."
She turned to see Inuyasha waling up to her in full uniform, helmet in hand. Her wide eyes roamed his appearance. His silky silver hair was braided back and a crimson colored bandana covered his sensitive ears. He wore his number 59 crimson jersey over the shoulder pads that enhanced his aura of manliness. Tight black spandex nicely fitted over his legs. On his face, black paint was smudged under his yes, making them appear darker than she'd ever seen. Overall, he was a delicious sight to behold. He always had been when she'd previously seen him out on the field.
"How'd your appointment go? Everything okay?"
He didn't know why he was called out here into the hallway; only that Kagome was outside, waiting and a nervous wreck. He came out as soon as he could.
Kagome nodded. "Yeah. Everything's great. I just have a slight fever from a cold." She bit her bottom lip, staring down at the carpet beneath her feet. This seemed she cliché, but she wanted to do it.
"I, uh, I wanted to say good luck, since I didn't get to say it earlier."
He grinned at her. "Really?"
She nodded, feeling relieved that he seemed to like this idea. "Yeah. Go crush 'em."
"I will." He gave her a toothy smirk before turning to meet back with his teammates. They were supposed to run out onto the field together, something the cheerleaders had asked them to do. And if he didn't run out there with them, people would worry.
"Inuyasha." Kagome's desperate voice cried out.
He turned just in time to catch her as she lunged up at him, wrapping her arms and legs around his body. She kissed him. She kissed him hard, bruising both their lips. Inuyasha held her up by - being bold - grabbing her ass. He kissed her back with the same amount of force that she was. Newton's third law.
She bit his lip, tugging at it before letting it go. Resting her forehead against his, panting for the kiss, in a breathy voice, she said, "Give 'em hell."
He huskily growled at her actions; the kiss, her voice, he was going to go out on the field with a very full cup. And to help himself even more, he slid her body down his as slowly as he could, feeling his curves against certain parts of his body. Gods, the sensations. He was on fire.
He cupped her face with his gloved hands. "I'll score for ya."
Kagome giggled at him. "No, you're supposed to score with me. But a touchdown or two would work."
He groaned at her innuendo. When did she get to be so forward? He found himself liking it, a lot.
Placing a small kiss on her lips, he winked at her as he hurried back into the locker. Kagome could only smile as she fell against the wall. She felt so warm and fuzzy. It felt nice. She didn't want the feelings to slip away.
The Football Game
Sango and Kagome sat in the bleachers wrapped up in crimson, black and white blankets, sweaters, gloves, scarves, socks and hats; the school colors. Every student and many of the parents and spectators rooting for their Sengoku Jidai Warriors were dressed in those colors creating a sea of crimson.
Game on.
It was a slaughter. Right from the get go, their Warriors were on a rampage, out for blood and grass stains. Miroku, as the starting quarterback, was flawless with perfect passes and picking plays. Kouga was unstoppable once he had the ball in his hands, refusing to be taken down once he started running.
But it was Inuyasha who proved to be the most valuable player on the field. Every pass Miroku threw to the hanyou connected, earning him four touchdowns for the night. Three of those touchdowns occurred in the third quarter alone. With a score of 42 – 0 in complete favor of the Warriors, many were already declaring them champions. They still had two games left to play.
Sango and Kagome sat in the cafeteria waiting for Miroku and Inuyasha to finish up in the locker room. Word was that there was some kind of get together afterwards to celebrate the victory. But what it was, no one had any clue. So, they would have to wait.
"You think we could?" Miroku's voice spoke as he and Inuyasha entered the cafeteria. Both had their wet hair down, and were dressed in regular clothing.
"Fuck yeah, why not?" Inuyasha replied back. It was apparent to the girls that Inuyasha had an idea that Miroku wasn't so sure about.
"Sango my dear. Did you watch me play?" He sat down next to her hoping to score an extended grope for playing so well at the game.
Sango shook the sting from the slap out of her hand. "You pass to Inuyasha's fourth touchdown took four seconds too long." She countered back, crossing her arms across her chest, doing the best she could to ignore the pouty look on his reddened face.
Kagome placed a concerned hand on Sango. "But Sango, that four second delay was caused by the other team's defensive lineman grabbing at his ankles. Miroku quickly recovered from a potential quarterback sack to a touchdown pass. Give the guy some credit."
Miroku was suddenly at Kagome's side with both of her hands in his. "Kagome dear, I know that you and Inuyasha are together, but . . . "
Kagome punched the boy in the chest with both her fists. "It wasn't a sex invite Miroku. Sheesh. I felt sorry for you." She yelled at him.
"Keep your hands off my wench." Inuyasha growled as he bobbed Miroku in the head once. He helped Kagome out of her chair. "We're leaving. Meet you there." Inuyasha rushed Kagome out of the cafeteria so they didn't have to bother with Miroku's antics.
Sango, feeling sorry for Miroku after taking hits from both Inuyasha and Kagome, helped him back up on his feet. "You know better than to touch Kagome. And in the presence of Inuyasha."
Miroku smiled at her. "It's okay. I like it when you hit me. I can feel your desire and passion burn with each slap against my cheek."
Sango rolled her eyes at his dramatics. "Where are we going?"
"Someone, I think Kouga, suggested going to the GameGrounds."
"Sounds like fun." Sango said. They stopped once outside. "Where's you car?"
"At home. Inuyasha drove me."
Sango narrowed her eyes at the perverted quarterback, but decided to give in just one. He did play well. Even she was impressed by his game, on the field.
"Hop in or we'll be late."
The GameGrounds
The GameGrounds was a massive warehouse that was intended to be a place where minors could hang out and not do other things that might get them in trouble. Basically, it was a giant arcade with the latest in video and carnival games. It had food, non-alcoholic beverages, music and prizes. Overall, it was a great place to have fun, except for the price. Fun was expensive.
Inuyasha and Kagome waited for Sango and Miroku to arrive so they could all enter together. Kagome had her wallet out and ready to pay the ridiculously expensive entrance fee. She's been here once before, for Ayame's birthday party. After seeing too much of her money disappear on nothing, she avoided the place. But she couldn't do that tonight.
"Ah, Mr. 59, and Star Quarterback." The host greeted the two boys. "Mr. Running Back told me you'd be joining him."
Inuyasha didn't know what to say. So, Kouga was already here. Miroku gave the host a slight, but polite bow. In response, the host bowed deeply.
"I'm Tanaka, the manager here. And as a way for us to congratulate your victory, we offer you free passes." Tanaka handed the boys cards to use in the machines for unlimited play time.
"Thanks." Miroku said. It was unexpected, but not unheard of. Kouga and Inuyasha probably had something to do with it. They and their families were so well-known, and Tanaka would receive a lot of free press for this place for helping out the football team. This was business.
Sango and Kagome had migrated behind the boys as Tanaka had pictures taken of this year's high school stars. Kagome tugged on Sango's arm and they went over to the cashier.
Sango started to complain. "I can't believe them. They volleyball team tried to do this, but no one cares about girls playing sports. Wait until I tell my mom about this." Sango pulled out the cash needed to get in. "Not to mention the price."
Kagome was counting out coins hoping she had enough loose change to make the full amount. Setting her wallet on the counter, she started searching around the bottom of purse.
"What's wrong Kagome?" Sango asked as her friend was pulling everything out of her purse.
Kagome frowned. "Could I borrow some change?" She hated to borrow money, no matter the amount needed.
"Hey, Inuyasha. Get your ass over here and pay for your girlfriend's entrance." Sango yelled at the football that was momentarily wrapped up in his celebrity-like treatment.
Kagome clamped her hands over Sango's mouth, doing the best she could to keep her loud mouth quiet. Sango was shocked by Kagome's reaction. She was able to pry the girl's hands off her mouth.
"What was that for?" Sango looked over at the cashier. "Use my change for her."
Kagome stuffed her belongings back into her purse. "I'm not a gold digger." She mumbled loud enough for Sango to hear.
The cashier handed the girls their passes. Kagome put hers in her back pocket as she suddenly felt like not playing anything. Sango pulled Kagome aside.
"Explain."
Kagome sighed. She pulled Sango further aside. She didn't want Inuyasha to hear what she had to say. It was easier this way, to avoid problems. "During halftime, I was in the bathroom, in that far end stall. Kikyou and her friends came in talking about me and Inuyasha. Kikyou called me his charity case while one of the other girls just called me a gold digger. And they were in the line behind us at the cashier just now. If I had Inuyasha cover the cost for me, they'd just use it as proof."
"Who cares what those snobs think or say?"
"I do." Kagome pressed her lips together. "You can't do or say anything to them unless you actually hear it out of their mouths."
"Why?"
"If Inuyasha finds out, he'll confront Kikyou. Kikyou's father could put a bad spin on it." Kagome explained her reasoning.
Sango nodded. "Already playing the politician's wife."
"No." She blurted out. "I just don't want trouble." Kagome looked over and saw that Tanaka was finally finished with Inuyasha and Miroku. "Will you tell Inuyasha that I went to the bathroom?"
Sango could only nod as Kagome made her way through the rowdy crowd towards the bathroom. And she thought that Kagome's life would be better with Inuyasha as her boyfriend. But the problems were still there, they were just different.
"Okay Brad Pitt, George Clooney. Are we done now?" Sango teased the two football players.
"Sorry about that." Miroku apologized. He didn't mind it much, but he left Sango waiting and that was bad manners.
"You can make it up by getting me one of those peach smoothies." She ordered Miroku. He was gone towards the counter half a moment later. Alone with Inuyasha. She'd have to hurry before Kagome returned.
"Hey, Inuyasha."
"Where's Kagome?" He looked around, but couldn't spot her.
"Bathroom. Look," Sango had to phrase this in a way that wouldn't clue him into the problems that Kagome wanted to avoid. "I think it was rude how you ditched the girl who is your best friend and girlfriend to get in for free while she had to scrap coins to get in."
"What are you talking about?"
"You made Kagome pay the outrageous fee to get in her so she could celebrate your victory."
Inuyasha frowned. "She never said anything. I would've paid."
"She shouldn't have to ask."
Inuyasha felt like the biggest jerk in the world. It wasn't just because Kagome was now his girlfriend and he didn't even offer to pay for her, but he knew that she wasn't in the most comfortable of financial positions.
No, he didn't feel like a jerk. He felt like a big piece of shit. The only problem he had was that he didn't know how to rectify the situation.
"What should I do?" He asked. Asking for a refund and giving her the money back was an option, but he knew Kagome. She'd only yell at him.
"Nothing." Sango stated. "But next time, don't forget." Sango gave him a reassuring smile. He nodded back.
& & & & & & & & &
A Scribe's Babble:
Newton's Third Law of Motion states that for every action (force applied) there is an equal and opposite reaction (equal force applied in the opposite direction. Translated: What force Kagome kissed Inuyasha with was the same amount of force he kissed her back. See, physics is good for something.
Inuyasha's Jersey Number – number 59 is the number used in Yamaguchi Kappei-san's blog address, who is the Japanese seiyuu for Inuyasha. I was going to use the number of the character he voices in Eyeshield 21, but got lazy. Nor did I use the number that Yamaguchi uses when he plays football, again too lazy. But hot damn . . . Yamaguchi-san in football uniform . . . sigh . . .
So sorry about the delay in posting this. Stupid bridal shower grumble grumble
But the reviews and such cheered me up, so thanks a bunch
roshully
