Chapter 9
Inuyasha was in a bad mood for history class. He delivered the lecture in a low growl, sent two kids to the office for not paying attention, and broke every piece of chalk into a cloudy crumble from writing too vigorously on the board. Kagome was unable to wipe her smirk off of her face. She knew he was making an effort not to look at her but his eyes quickly flickered to her seated form after each piece of chalk he broke. Kagome's smirk grew with each glance in her direction. Class ended and Kagome was just about out the door when Inuyasha's voice called after her.
"Miss Higurashi?"
"Yes, Mr. Takahashi?"
She feigned innocence in her voice and in her dark eyes, which she batted deliberately at her aggravated teacher.
"Don't forget about the tutorial tomorrow. I don't want you missing it because you have plans with your friends or boyfriend or whatever else."
He spat the word "boyfriend", sending shivers down the length of Kagome's spine. She smiled sweetly at him.
"I wouldn't miss it, Mr. Takahashi."
"Feh, good."
"See you tomorrow."
He turned his back to her and made his way to his desk instead of responding. Kagome briefly admired his backside and then made her way to her next class with an extra pep in her step.
The next day, Kagome spent the school hours picturing how Inuyasha's lips would feel on her own, on her neck, on her breasts. She imagined him suckling her collarbone as she gripped fistfuls of his silver locks in her hands, repeating his name in breathy pants. She envisioned his large hands spreading her eager thighs apart and sliding up her sensitive skin, stopping at the conjunction between her legs. He would taste her name on his lips repeatedly, his breathing matching the pumping movement of his fingers that would slide in and out of her hot body.
She needed to head to the washroom for a splash full of cold water on her flushed face more than a few times.
After hours upon hours of sexually frustrated torture, Kagome rushed to the history classroom for her tutorial. Inuyasha was already waiting at his desk, shuffling papers around its surface, and Kagome felt her knees buckle at the mere sight of him.
"Kagome."
He nodded once in her direction and she smiled back, taking her usual seat as she did so.
"Let's get started."
They covered the material the class had covered over the past two days and Kagome found that she actually didn't understand the content. Halfway through the lesson, though, Inuyasha started to squirm. He was restless.
"And the Emperor's plan of conquering the Eastern…um, the Eastern lands of…so how long have you been dating Hugo?"
Kagome's eyes darted up from her note taking to Inuyasha's face, which was disgruntled, as if he were solving a difficult math equation in his head.
"Hojo?"
"Yeah, right. Hojo."
Kagome took a steadying breath before sitting up straighter in her chair, her brow quirking upwards in an attempt at confidence. The subject of Hojo always seemed to made her feel sick.
"How long have you been married for?"
Inuyasha's mouth dropped open but he quickly composed himself. He gave her a "well-played" expression before responding.
"It'll be two years in December."
"You had a winter wedding?"
"Feh, her choice, not mine. Kikyou and winter have a lot in common."
His voice trailed off but Kagome was still able to catch the foreign name.
"Kikyou? Is that the name of your wife?"
He nodded briskly, his eyes downcast.
"Yup, that's her."
Kagome swallowed her jealousy and forced her voice to sound perky.
'Commence step three: find out about the competition.'
"So where did you and Kikyou meet?"
Inuyasha gave her a look of unease and confusion. She could tell that he didn't know if discussing his personal life with a student was acceptable or not and she could also see that he couldn't understand as to why it was that she was asking in the first place. Kagome added fake genuine and innocent curiosity to her smile.
"Uh, we met in college. She's a teacher as well at the elementary school a few blocks down."
"So she likes kids?"
"Feh, oh yeah."
"You say that as if it were a bad thing."
Inuyasha sighed as he rubbed his eyes with his hands.
"It's not a bad thing, it's great. It's just frustrating how her job takes prominence over everything else."
He sighed again and then, as if he suddenly remembered he was conversing with a high school student about the details of his marriage, he straightened his posture and cleared his throat uncomfortably.
"Uh, anyway. Back to history."
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
His response was tentative as he watched Kagome stand from her desk and slowly make her way over to the chalkboard where he was standing.
"Do you love your wife?"
Inuyasha looked down at the schoolgirl that was now only a few feet in front of him. He furrowed his brows at her.
"Why are you asking?"
"Just wondering."
Kagome let her finger lightly trace along the chalkboard as she stared up at Inuyasha through her lashes. She noticed his gaze on her lips and, in response, she wet them with her tongue. He took a breath and then tore his eyes from her, scoffing out loud.
"Obviously I do."
"That's good. It's good that you love her, and are happy with her."
Kagome took a step closer, her eyes never leaving his face which was still turned away.
"I want you to be happy, Inuyasha."
He was fighting the temptation to turn his face back to her, she could tell from the frustrated clenching of his jaw. She patiently waited, standing close enough to feel his body heat and smell his cologne.
"That's Mr. Takahashi, Kagome."
He turned back to her, his eyes dark.
"I'm your teacher, remember?"
Kagome smiled.
"I remember."
She let her eyes linger on his face before returning to her desk and collecting her belongings.
"I think there has been enough history today, don't you?"
She pressed her textbook against her breasts and smiled once more at her bitter faced teacher.
"See you tomorrow, Mr. Takahashi."
He remained silent, opting instead to watch her leave before placing his hand to his temple.
"Fuck."
