Disclaimer – I am a simple person, rich in ideas but rather poor in possessions.
Dedication – You know what, once more to the awesome readers I have. Without whom I would never have the gumption to keep going.
Author's Note - So...I won't lie. I have NO IDEA what day they were on. That is how long it has been since I worked on this chapter, which makes me a terrible person I know. I was trying to find reference to a date by scanning previous chapters but just couldn't find any... I BELIEVE Kagome got there on Saturday & got settled in and they went mall hopping and partying on Sunday. So, that is how I am writing this. If I'm wrong...well...pretend I'm not and be happy with an update!
Chapter Ten – The Morning After
Ooo
Inuyasha was up early; his mind had assaulted him all night causing him to lose way too much sleep. He had been up before the sun but waited for the pale grey of pre-dawn to fade to the roses of the sun before crawling out of his bed and taking a long shower. Standing under the hot jets he strained for any noise from the woman next door, she was supposed to be going to get registered at school that morning. It had not even been 7 yet when he climbed into the shower, and she wasn't leaving until 9 so she was still alright.
He knew it was more than being concerned for her schedule that caused him to listen, he wanted to see her. See her sober, talk to her. See if last night had been a dream.
Once he was dried and dressed, he trudged down the stairs to make some coffee. Surprisingly, his father was already at the table sipping his black coffee and reading from a stack of papers. He glanced up at his youngest son with an arched brow "You are up early for having had such a late night." He said simply, which Inuyasha just shrugged to "Couldn't sleep," He got himself a mug and filled it with cream and coffee before almost awkwardly joining his father at the table.
"Kagome still asleep?" The older demon asked, flipping to the next page without looking at his son.
Inuyasha shifted as if his father stared him down "Uh, yea. She's been having trouble adjusting to the new time and I think between the swimming and last night, it's hitting her hard."
"That and the drinking."
Inuyasha almost choked on his coffee, he coughed and set it down before simply glancing at his dad "What?"
Sighing, Inutashio put the papers down and stared over his reading glasses at his son "As her guardian, I have set up alerts on all her accounts. Yesterday at the mall I received an alert on her spending, when a 16 year old uses her debit card to purchase a 200 dollar bottle of wine….I am going to know about it." He picked up the papers again, hiding his face from his silent son "Dom's a bit rich isn't it? When I was sneaking drinks in high school we settled for warm wine coolers. Times are changing."
Inuyasha couldn't believe it. His father hadn't flipped out "So, anytime she spends money…you know about it?"
The man looked over the top of papers for a moment before saying "Yes, but even if I didn't…the empty bottle of Dom sitting on the floor in my Mercedes might have tipped me off."
Inuyasha couldn't see the lower half of his face, but his eyes were crinkled in a smile so he dropped his head "I'm sorry dad…"
The man waved his hand "I don't condone underage drinking, but everyone was safe. I'm sure you got Sango and Miroku home, and it was kind of you to carry Kagome up to her bed." He raised a hand to stop the coming outburst "Yes, I know everything."
Inuyasha laughed and shook his head "Wow…" he lifted his coffee cup and took a long drink before saying "I will stick with warm wine coolers in the game room next time ok?"
Inutashio smiled "Sounds fair, does Kagome still want to register for school today?"
Inuyasha shrugged "I'm sure she does, I mean it is still pretty early. If she isn't up by 8, I'll go get her."
Inutashio stood up and said "Alright, oh and I sent someone to take Sango her car back."
Inuyasha simply stared at his father for a moment before asking "Do you ever sleep?!"
Ooo
Kagome stretched her arms up over her head as she sat up before plopping them on the thick duvet around her, she wasn't sure what had awoken her but here she was. Looking around she rubbed a hand through her hair with a yawn, her hair was kinda a mess. The hairspray from the night before making her hair tangled and she groaned. Then she heard it, another knock sounded at her door. Looking in that direction she frowned and said "Come in?"
The door opened a crack and Inuyasha poked his head around the door, Kagome looked down at her hands. The previous night had gotten a touch fuzzy but she remembered how it ended. A blush touched her cheeks "Yea?" She asked softly. Inuyasha came in and shut the door behind him. Kagome refused to look up; if she ignored him…he would go away. 'Cause that worked yesterday when he heard you crying?' She peeked up as the half-demon came and sat on the edge of her bed, exactly as he had last night.
"Hey," He said softly, ducking his head to meet her eyes. When she averted them, he frowned at her "Kagome, what's wrong?" She heard genuine concern in his voice.
"I made a fool of myself." She whispered, peeking up again to see confusion, followed by a ripple of remembrance
"Oh…" He said, rubbing the back of his neck and looking down. Yup, he remembered.
Kagome sat up taller and said "Inuyasha…I'm so sorry. You probably think I'm a freak, or a slut or-"
He put his finger to her lips "Kagome, you were drunk. I don't think any of those things. I just don't want you to feel awkward around me forever now, nothing happened so nothing should change ok?" He pulled his hand away from her then.
Kagome touched her lips and smiled at him "Alright…"
Inuyasha looked uncomfortable and Kagome frowned, something else must have been bothering him "What's wrong, are you sure you aren't mad at me?"
Inuyasha nodded at her "No, it isn't you…see. My dad, eh, he knows about last night…"
Kagome's eyes widened, and widened, and widened until Inuyasha was sure they were going to pop out of her head and land in her lap. She covered her face with her hands and from behind her fingers Inuyasha heard "Oh no…Oh my gosh. I am a terrible person! He has done so much for me, and what do I do? Run off my first week here and go get trashed drunk!" She dropped her hands, looking completely broken.
Inuyasha felt terrible for Kagome, he wondered if he should have just kept it to himself and not told her that his dad knew anything. Smiling at the girl he shook his head "No Kagome, he isn't mad at you or at me or anything. He said he doesn't really condone us going out and drinking, but he is glad that we were safe and smart about it. Just…" He chuckled at his father's words as they replayed in his head "Let's stick to warm wine coolers in the game room next time, ok?"
Kagome had dropped her hands back into her lap and nodded "Alright, if you say so. I don't know how I am going to face him…" She rubbed a hand over her eyes and groaned "Ugh, I fell asleep with all that make-up on, I probably look like a mess huh?"
Inuyasha laughed and shook his head, he personally thought that the messy look suited her, but he doubted she would like hearing that from him of all people. So he stood up and said "Listen, my dad was wondering if you still wanted to go and register today?"
Kagome nodded her head rapidly "Oh of course! Would you mind telling him I will be ready in about an hour?" She hopped out of the bed, tugging on her dress as she went to hide her backside from the half-demon's eyes and glanced at the clock which read 8:06 "We had decided to go at 9, so I better hurry up." She ran a nervous hand through her messy hair and closed her eyes. Taking a deep restoring breath she let a calm wash over her like a wave "Alright, I'm gonna go shower."
Inuyasha laughed and stood up "I will let him know ok?" He touched her shoulder "And Kagome? He isn't mad at you at all. Promise." Kagome glanced at his hand on her shoulder, and then looked up into his face and smiled lightly.
"Thanks, for everything." She slipped out of his hold and vanished into her bathroom. Inuyasha sighed and left her room, shutting the door behind him to go and find his dad.
Ooo
Kagome leaned against the bathroom door and sighed, closing her eyes. She thought that the electric touch from Inuyasha was a one-night phenomenon. Only so strong the night before because of all the excitement, not something that was going to happen daily. She was wrong. His rough fingers on her bare shoulder felt like a live wire.
She hated it.
Sure, Inuyasha was handsome and sweet but she had just met him. Her parents were dead, her brother breathing through a machine and she was flirting with the son of her guardian? What was wrong with her? Walking to the sink she braced her hands on the counter and eyed herself with an accusing stare, she looked trashy. Tangled hair, slightly red and puffy eyes ringed by smudged make-up. Scoffing she pulled off her dress, it had seemed decent enough he night before – now she felt like a hussy. Piling her jewelry on the counter she finished stripping down before starting the shower to as hot as she could stand.
Climbing under the jets she scrubbed her face until it hurt, hoping to remove all traces of make-up. The girl from last night wasn't her. She didn't go out and party, get drunk and ask a guy she hasn't even known a week to come into her bed. 'My parents must be so disappointed in me.' She thought unfairly.
As she worked the shampoo through her hair she forced herself to calm down, she would just have to be sure to be the young woman her parents raised and show her kind host the type of respect he deserved – which included not falling for his son. How awkward would that be for Inutashio? As if she hadn't put him through enough already!
By the time she was clean and climbing out of the shower she had made her decision to keep her distance from Inuyasha, she hoped it would still be easy to be friends with him and Sango and Miroku but she wouldn't let anything like last night happen again. Ever.
Braiding her hair down her back, Kagome left her face free of make-up and liked the way it looked, clean and honest; very far from the night before. Peeking in her bedroom, in case Inuyasha had decided to remain in there – which even she knew was a silly worry – she walked into the empty room to get dressed. Simple underthings topped with a pair of loose brown cargo pants and a green t-shirt, comfy and not at all something to attract attention. She slipped her feet into her black converse before leaving the bedroom.
Inutashio was, as per usual, in his office. Kagome knocked on the door and was quickly granted access. Inutashio was the great man today, his hair tied back and thin wire glasses rested on his nose; he was dressed sharply in a business suit. He looked from his computer to the young woman and smiled at her "Good morning Kagome, are you about ready to leave?"
Kagome nodded and walked forward, claiming one of the chairs on her side of his desk "Mr. Takashi…" She began, looking at her knees.
The demon shook his head, but she didn't see "Please Kagome, call me Inutashio – my employees call me Mr. Takashi," He smiled when she looked up at him "And, before you begin I believe I know what you wish to say. Apology accepted, I already went over this with Inuyasha – last night, well, it happens. You are young, and you needed to vent all of your pain and sadness somehow. I understand it my dear."
Kagome was dumbfounded, sighing softly she smiled "Thank-you, and…I really am sorry." The man nodded and stood. Kagome scrambled to her feet and followed him from the office, Inuyasha was walking down the hall and stopped when they came out. He smiled at Kagome shyly who glanced at him before looking at her feet. Why was she unable to help the warm tingly feeling his smile gave her?
"We're going to register Kagome so, we will be back as soon as we're done alright?" Inuyasha nodded at his father and when Kagome peered up at him through her lashes, as the older demon moved towards the door she saw the young man staring at her.
Looking up, she pressed her lips together and asked "Uh, you wanna come? Maybe gimme a tour of the school after I register?" She asked hesitantly, what the hell was wrong with her? She was supposed to be making space between the two of them, not inviting with her any time she left the house.
Inuyasha's face lit up happily at her offer and he nodded "Yea, sure. That cool dad?" He asked his father who was shrugging into his jacket.
"Sounds fine to me. If you kids are going to be taking a tour after she is registered, why don't we take two cars so you don't have to rush on my account? I do need to go to the office today."
Kagome looked at her feet as Inuyasha got his keys from the hook by the front door "We'll take the Porsche, you can take...well whatever you want then." Kagome followed the demons out the front door, mentally cursing herself. This was not what she needed, unchaperoned time with Inuyasha! Shaking her head, she shoved her hands in her pockets and remained silent as they walked across the driveway to the garage doors that were already rolling up.
As normal, Inuyasha walked over and opened the door for Kagome. Inutashio, who was opening the driver door of his Mercedes, watched with what Kagome thought was a surprised look. It was hard to tell with demons. She blushed and climbed in, a mumbled thanks. Glancing in the side mirror after Inuyasha shut the door she saw Inutashio arch an eyebrow at his son who held his hands up in a 'what' kinda gesture.
With the silver Mercedes in the lead, the cars drove towards the local high school. Kagome had made sure to turn the radio on, and up, the moment the car was on and contented herself with staring at the passing trees. Inuyasha didn't say anything about the obviously awkward silence that enveloped the car beneath the music. Chewing her lip, the black haired girl wondered why she asked him to come. 'You like spending time with him...that's all it is.' She sighed, fogging the mirror, and drew abstract lines in the condensation.
Repeating the process until their small caravan stopped in front of a large cluster of buildings, Kagome eyed them with wide eyes. Her school had been large but also relatively contained like everything else in Tokyo, here it seemed buildings were more interested in being short and spread out. Spaces between were interwoven with pathways and trees, benches and fountains. It looked more like a college campus and less like a high school but she instantly loved it.
Sitting up, she turned the music down and stared out the window as the two cars parked in the nearly empty lot, her dark eyes wide and a smile stretching her face "This is it? It's so...pretty."
Inuyasha laughed and parked beside his father "Yea...it really is." Hearing an unnamed emotion in the man's voice, Kagome looked over at him and saw that his eyes didn't look at the expanse of buildings but at her. Only at her.
There it was, that electric current she felt whenever he looked at her. Why was it so strong? She licked her lips and he reached his hand from the shifter to touch hers that rested on the console between them and she gasped softly, her eyes zeroing in o their joined hands. Meeting his eyes, she heard another door shut and jerked her hand away. Inutashio opened her door for her and she scrambled to get out of her seat belt and out of the confined space. Thanking the older man, she heard Inuyasha kill the engine and climb out of his door as well.
With the entire car between them, she took a deep breath and glanced over at the demonic youth. He was resting his hands on the roof of the sports car, staring at his closed fists looking upset. 'You've been sending him mixed signals for days! Set him straight. You. Aren't. Interested!' Her subconscious screamed at her, but she was hesitant still. Knowing if she put that wall up...taking it down would be near impossible.
Shaking her head, she followed her guardian towards the front office "I called them this morning to ensure someone would be in to help us." He smiled at Kagome who walked on his right, Inuyasha was on his left, silent.
Kagome nodded "I'm excited, but nervous. School here...I wonder how different it will be?" She fiddled with the end of her braid as the older man opened the door for the three of them.
"You'll be just fine," He ushered the two teenagers through and followed, letting the doors swing shut behind him. Opposite those front doors were the doors to the office, which were currents propped open by the janitor who was mopping the space between the exterior and office doors.
He looked up and smiled "Careful now folks, wet floor here!" He gestured to the neon yellow sign that proclaimed the same thing.
Stepping carefully across the wet floor the three went into the office where a middle-aged woman was tapping away at the computer, light music playing in the background. In front of her was a sign that read 'Mrs. Bristol - Secretary'. Mrs. Bristol was a slightly rounder woman with red hair and brown eyes. There were threads of gray in her hair and a smattering of freckles across her nose giving her a mischievous look, she must have caused trouble as a young woman Kagome thought absently. The woman looked up at their entrance and smiled widely "Mr. Takashi, Inuyasha!" She stood up and shook hands with the older man, and smiled at the younger. Spying Kagome, her eyes softened, and Kagome feared she was going to hear more condolences "You must be Kagome," the woman said.
Nodding, Kagome held her hand out to shake "I am, nice to meet you." She said softly, smiling "I hear this is a good place to get an education?" She tried to lighten the mood and it worked, the secretary laughed and nodded.
"Very true, if you will come around here." Behind her desk, through an open door there was a table with a few chairs around it. All of them sat and the woman took a stack of papers out of an envelope and setting them in front of Inutashio.
The man lifted a briefcase that Kagome hadn't even noticed and removed a few papers from it, sitting beside him Kagome noticed her transcripts from her old school, her birth certificate and other legal documents with her name on it. As the two adults went over the finer points, the legal things that bored Kagome to tears she looked around the room at pictures and certificates and her eyes landed, for the millionth time it seemed, on Inuyasha who was staring out the window in the back of the room.
His ears twitched and he glanced her way, their eyes met for a breath of time before Mrs. Bristol clapped her hands together excitedly "Alrighty Kagome! Looking at your school records we are having trouble wanting to place you as a sophomore here, how would you feel with just jumping right into your junior year?"
Kagome blinked at the woman "A...junior? But, I'm only 16?"
The woman waved her words away "Oh yes, but your grades are astounding and when you factor in the school differences between Japan and here it only makes sense, sophomore classes here will only bore you. Besides, Inuyasha here is a junior! You will already know one of your classmates." She smiled brightly.
Kagome found her happy attitude infection and soon was smiling back "Ok...I guess I will try." She mumbled shyly, what would her friends think? Her already being a junior! She found herself grinning at Inuyasha who looked really happy at the prospect of them having classes together.
She was shy again as she fiddled with her fingers, the adults finished filling out the paperwork that they needed and the woman pushed a few papers towards Kagome "So, we already have all of your base classes, except math. Which math class would you like?" Kagome was looking a flow chart of classes, which ones were required to take which ones and so on.
Chewing her lip she read each one and selected the probability and statistics class "I'll do this one this year, and accounting my senior year." She decided. Nodding Mrs. Bristol handed her another sheet of paper with electives and Kagome's eyes widened, there were so many! "Oh...um."
Leaning closer to her, Inuyasha whispered for her ears (well, and obviously Inutashio's) only "I take gym after lunch, you can take that with me."
Kagome glanced at him and blushed at his closeness but nodded "Ok, um for this semester I will take gym and study hall to help me catch up..."
Mrs. Bristol jotted her choices down and said "Don't worry about deciding next semester yet, get a feel for the place and everything. We can get you all sorted out before then," She smiled and stood up "Give me one moment, to get your things."
She returned to her computer and Kagome released a deep breath "This is crazy..." She said to nobody in particular.
Inutashio patted her shoulder "You are doing well," They sat in a comfortable silence for a few moments before the woman came back with a few sheets of paper and presented them to Kagome with a bow.
"Here you go my dear." Kagome accepted them with a laugh as Mrs. Bristol took her seat, explaining "The top is your class schedule. The second is your locker number, and combination. The bottom one is a map, and teacher directory." Instinctively, the two teens leaned together to examine the schedule.
With obvious surprise in his voice, Inuyasha commented "We have a lot of classes together," he looked at the secretary who winked at him and back at the schedule "We both have math, then English together. You have study hall when I have shop. But, then lunch and gym. History and Biology together too,"
Kagome looked up in his face and smiled widely "Well, at least I won't get lost." She laughed and folded the papers up to put in her pocket.
They all stood and the secretary once again shook her hand "Welcome to Southern San Francisco High School dear," Kagome nodded and they all thanked the woman before leaving the small room. She returned to the computer as they all walked out of the office.
Kagome had taken the map from her pocket, forgetting the janitor and his wet floor. Her converse had negative traction and the second she wasn't paying attention they gave under the wet floor and she slid, before she could even scream a pair of strong hands gripped her waist and pulled her to her feet and clear of the wet linoleum. Looking up at Inuyasha as he released her, she released her breath "Wow, um thanks. That was terrifying." She chuckled nervously and rubbed her neck.
The demons laughed and Inutashio shook his head "Well, you kids enjoy the tour. I am going to get going now so I can hopefully be home tonight in time for dinner." He smiled at them and Kagome waved as he walked out the front doors.
Kagome turned to Inuyasha and smiled "So, where to first?"
Inuyasha tapped his chin in thought "Well, I guess we ought to just go through the schedule first and show you all the class rooms and then we can just wander so you get a feel for the place."
Kagome nodded "Sounds like a plan to me."
They started off down the hall, Kagome looking at all the signs and posters and in the random classrooms they passed. It was actually very awkward at first, walking side-by-side down the empty halls. Kagome was looking anywhere but her house mate and he was in turn rubbing the back of his neck trying to find a way to break the thickening silence. It was Kagome who ended up breaking it for him, pausing near a bank of lockers she leaned against them and turned to face Inuyasha.
"Ok, look. Obviously we need to...well discuss last night."
His golden eyes widened and he cleared his throat, trying to play it cool "W-what are you talking about?" He mentally cursed himself for the slight stutter that must have given him away and cleared his throat once more as Kagome elaborated.
"I got stupid drunk, and asked you into my bed. Now I get that we went over this once but...Jeeze I have only known you for a few days. I feel like we need to actually discuss this, otherwise I am going to be overly shy around you about, well basically everything and I don't want that."
The half demon gave her a half smile, and leaned against the lockers facing her and nodded "Alright, go ahead and get it off your chest then."
Kagome took a deep breath and began softly, her eyes on her hands "That's not me, that girl from last night. I've never really drank, aside from weddings or special dinners and even then it was only really a glass of wine or something akin to it. The whole, glitzy and glammed-up, made up like a Barbie just isn't me. I mean, I was raised living at a Shrine for God's sake, I don't think sheltered even begins to describe me. I don't know if this is simply Japanese culture against American, or maybe it was just the way my family did things." She closed her eyes, pausing. Taking a deep shuddering breath she continued "This is why my parent's death is hitting me in waves...I just don't have the independence that you and your friends do. Everything you all just naturally do alone, without parental guidance is so new to me and I didn't get to gradually get used to it. I have no choice. Driving, shopping just - all of it. I was brought up so dependent on my family and now..." She clenched her fists, agitated with herself and her inability to just grow up already "Now I have to jump headfirst into a culture where you are basically expected to be an adult at 15 and my closeness with my family is considered weird. On top of that there is you," She was rambling now.
"Independence in a nut shell, and your friends are the exact same. I don't even know how to handle school shopping without my mom without having an emotional breakdown. And last night we were dancing, and then there was the drinking. It was just all so alien to me. I just, I don't know why I asked you to stay with me. Maybe because I was just drunk or lonely or stupid but-"
Finally Inuyasha moved forward and placed his finger against her lips, careful of his claw "Hush, Kagome." He said smiling at her.
"I'm only so independent because of my dad and his work. And well, having the friends I do made it easier. There are plenty of people I know who are just like you, people who actually act their own age. You simply had the luck to fall in with a group of old souls." Still smiling he moved his finger from her lips, letting the back of his hand brush her cheek softly before dropping it back to his side "As for last night, well I already told you...I don't hold it against you. Last night was really crazy, even by my standards." He hesitated for a moment, but after how honest she had been with him he knew he had to continue "I-I wanted to stay with you last night..." Registering the shock on her face he continued quickly "And not because we were drunk and stupid and I was wanting something from you, but honestly because I think I am as lonely as you are."
Crossing his arms across his chest, he looked away and went on "My mom died when I was young and my dad just threw himself into his work. Sesshomaru resented me, he resented my mother for being human and weak and not being able to survive and for emotionally destroying our father. I know you miss your parents but at least while they were alive, they were there." His voice had dropped to barely above a whisper and Kagome was frozen where she stood.
It was a rare thing that she was seeing, this raw and emotional side to Inuyasha and she doubted he showed it very often to very many people. Stepping up to him slowly, as if he were a wounded animal who might bolt at too sudden a movement, she hugged him. To think, only a few short days ago they had met and basically disliked each other from the get-go. Where would another week see the pair? Inuyasha tensed for a moment before he enveloped the raven haired girl in his arms, resting his head on top of hers. It surprised him how right this felt, he barely knew her; but there was no denying the magnetism that was there. Her soft voice, muffled from where her face was pressed against the material of his t-shirt roused him from his thoughts.
"We can be lonely together..."
ooo
They stayed together for only a few moments before Kagome stepped out of his warm embrace. She felt heat in her cheeks as she smiled at Inuyasha and saying, clasping her hands behind her back "So...this tour?" Inuyasha laughed, but it was a slightly distracted sound. He couldn't get her scent out of his nose now. She smelled so good, and had fit against him like she was made to be there.
Shaking his head to rid it of the strange thoughts he replied with a lopsided smile "Yeah, so uh Prob and Stats. It's actually a pretty decent class, aside from being math, but that is mostly because the teacher is actually really cool.
He chuckled again and shoved off from the wall, his hands deep in his pockets as they started their slow circuit of the school. Inuyasha pointed out where each of their classrooms were and even showed her where his shop class was "In case you ever need me," He explained shyly as she blushed and looked at the floor again. The hanyou took his duties as tour guide very serious, and so on the stroll he talked about the classes and their teachers. Telling her the pros and cons of each. He also told her which classes they were going to have to share with Miroku, Sango and sadly...Kikyo.
He shared stories from each class that had her laughter echoing down the halls. After finding each room that was relevant to them, he took her to her locker and let her get the combination down before taking her to his locker - which thankfully was only a few short hallways away - and then finally to the lunch room. The school was large and spread out, meaning they had to go in and out of plenty of buildings but Kagome really didn't mind.
The grounds were covered in more trees and decorations than she had originally spied from the parking lot, and each of the trees had started to change colors for the coming winter and were ablaze with every color ranging from a chocolaty brown to a fiery red. She loved it. Leaves drifted down from the trees to settle on the surface of many of the small fountains or birdbaths that were scattered throughout the grounds. Pausing beside on, Kagome examined her own distorted reflection on the surface and smiled at the image of the white-haired man beside her. Dragging her fingers through the water, the ripples caused their images to vanish.
Smiling up at Inuyasha, Kagome flicked her wet fingers at him and he laughed before copying her action. Kagome squeaked and ran around the fountain, putting the dancing water jets between her and Inuyasha. Giggling she reached out to cup water in her hands, when suddenly Inuyasha went from being in front of her on the other side of the fountain to directly behind her. She gasped and spun, flinging the water all over him in the process.
Clapping her hand over her mouth to smother her giggles, Inuyasha narrowed his golden eyes at her and plucked the wet leaf from his hair. Kagome dropped her hand and laughed out loud at the look on his face "Sorry! But you did scare me!" Inuyasha laughed and pushed the damp strands from his face before they continued their walk.
Given that their exploration of the interior of the school was more or less complete he led her towards the football field where gym would continue to be held for a few more weeks on days when the weather was still good "It rains so much during the winter, we mostly do class in the actual gym." He explained as they walked along the gravel track that circled the football field.
Reaching the far side of the field, they climbed the bleachers to the very top and sat side-by-side in the early morning sun. Kagome scanned the complex of buildings and then the field before asking "Do you play? On the football team I mean?" She gestured to the field as she spoke.
"No way." He replied quickly, shuddering.
Kagome laughed at his dramatics "Why not? I mean, you are strong and fast...do they not let demons play on the team? Seems like it might be a touch unfair," She nudged his shoulder with her own as Inuyasha laughed.
"I'm not much of a team player. Plus Koga is the quarterback. Not ideally how I want to spend my free time. Plus Kikyo wanted me to join." Answering the question on Kagome's face he went on "Head cheerleader, she is really big on stereotypes."
Kagome wrinkled her nose, but didn't say anything against the other girl given that she didn't actually know her. They sat there in the warm sun for a while, each one lost to their own thoughts before Inuyasha stretched and asked "Hey, you wanna go get some lunch?" He looked at his phone and saw that is was nearing 11 o'clock "I know this great little Italian bistro on the way home."
Kagome, who had a soft spot for Italian food, grinned and nodded her head happily "That sounds great!" When Inuyasha stood, he held his hand out to her which she took with yet another blush and cursed her pale complexion.
Helping her descend the bleachers, the man commented "That's a great thing about this place, always a great place to eat right around the corner."
Kagome smiled "Tokyo was the same, my dad and I made it a point to try a new restaurant every other week." She smiled sadly, her eyes showing she was very far away and lost in a memory. Tears pricked her eyes but she closed them and took a deep breath to fight the tears back.
Inuyasha touched her shoulder softly "Well how about this. Every other week I'll take you to a new restaurant. We can continue the tradition."
Kagome looked up at him, smiling gratefully and whispered "I would love that."
Inuyasha removed his hand and they walked around the school back to the parking lot in a content silence. Back at the car, Inuyasha opened the door for her once more. Once they were driving, Inuyasha glanced out at the beautiful weather they were having and when he coasted to a stop at the nearest stop sign he pressed a button on the dash, causing the top to lower. Kagome gasped and whipped around to stare at the drive "How cool!" She said, laughing as the top lowered completely into the trunk and Inuyasha drove on again, an easy-going grin on his lips.
Kagome turned the radio on again, though this time for the joy of music rather than to block out her companion. Bobbing her head she sang along as the wind plucked at her hair. Inuyasha glanced at her with a grin before he turned onto a more popular street lined with stores and restaurants. Parking in front of a nondescript building, he killed the engine and Kagome frowned "Don't you want to put the top up?"
Inuyasha laughed "Naw, we are going to be eating right there," He pointed to the small bistro that had tables and chairs under colorful umbrellas on a patio in front of the building. The entire eating area was surrounded by a low black metal gate that was climbing with ivy.
Kagome quickly climbed out of the car and met Inuyasha on the sidewalk "That is so pretty," She said softly as she eyed the building before her. Inuyasha gestured her forward and she led the way to the small gate, a host on the other side opened it for her with a flourish that caused Kagome to giggle.
"Table for two?" He asked as he grabbed a pair of menus from the shelf behind him. Kagome nodded "Inside or out?"
Kagome grinned "Outside of course."
Taking them to a table, the man set out the menus along with a glass carafe of ice water with a large lemon wedge on the edge and two glasses "Your waitress will be right with you." He said with a smile and walked off back to the gate.
Kagome opened her menu while Inuyasha poured them each a glass of water "Everything looks so good," She commented as her eyes traveled from one item to the next.
Inuyasha smiled and flipped his open as well, they read in silence until the waitress showed up "Hello, my name is Erin and I will be your waitress this morning. Can I get you something to drink besides water today?"
Inuyasha shook his head at her "Water is just fine with me, Kagome?" He asked her.
Thinking, the young woman shook her head as well "I think I am OK with just water too, but thank-you."
The woman nodded her head "Do you need some more time to look the menu over?" Inuyasha had already closed his, obviously knowing what he wanted.
"I've almost decided," Kagome said "So, you go ahead and order while I make up my mind."
Inuyasha chuckled but nodded "I'll take the linguine with clams please."
The woman jotted it down and asked "Soup or salad?"
Tapping his chin Inuyasha said "Salad, with ranch." Adding that to her paper the waitress looked at Kagome "Ready miss?"
Nodding her head Kagome said "The chicken fettuccine Alfredo please, with salad and ranch as well." She smiled at the waitress as she handed her the menu. Taking them the woman walked off and Kagome leaned on her elbows, looking at Inuyasha.
"I'm nervous about school tomorrow," Kagome confided as she took a sip of her water.
Inuyasha, who was twirling a claw through his water, frowned at her "Why? Is it cause they are having you skip a grade?"
Shrugging Kagome said "Yes and no, being younger than everyone in my class will be odd but just its really just an entirely new school structure. A new country. I don't know, just new kid jitters I guess."
Inuyasha reached across the table and clasped a hand on hers with a smile "Don't worry, you won't be alone tomorrow. You'll have me and Sango and Miroku to help you. We won't let anyone mess with you ok?"
Just then the host reappeared with a basket of bread sticks and placed them between the pair, causing Inuyasha to retract his hand "Here you guys go, enjoy!" He smiled at them and left as quickly as he came.
Kagome laughed and drew a still warm bread stick from the basket and took a bite. Once her mouth was empty she grinned "This is really good, I'm glad we came here."
Inuyasha enjoyed his own bread stick and nodded in agreement. A few minutes of comfortable silence later the waitress came back with their salads, thanking her the pair dug in. "So, what are you going to do after graduation?" Kagome asked as she stabbed some of her leafy greens.
Inuyasha swallowed a bite and shrugged "I don't know, my dad wants me to go to college. I think he is wanting one of his sons to follow him into the business, and I don't see why not. Not like I really have any other ideas. What about you?"
Ignoring his question, Kagome frowned "You don't have any goals of your own? A childhood passion that you wanted to do when you grew up?"
Inuyasha shrugged again "Not really, I considered joining the military when I got out of high school - being half demon and all I would fare better than the average human."
Kagome shuddered, thinking about him being shot at. "That is so dangerous though," She mumbled shaking her head.
Laughing, Inuyasha pointed at her with her fork - which she promptly swatted away with her own - and asked "Well what about you? What do you wanna do when you graduate?"
Sighing, Kagome put her fork down "Go back to Japan." Inuyasha looked down at his plate, unsure why that answer upset him.
Taking a drink of water he asked "You'll live here for almost 2 years and then go back? Just like that?"
Kagome looked at him oddly "Well...yea. That's my home. I was going to legally emancipate myself and just live at home, finishing school there and getting a job but...my parents will requested I come here. I guess they didn't want me trying to do it all on my own." She lifted her fork and took another bite.
Inuyasha shook his head, unsure what to say. Thankfully he was saved from having to reply by the waitress who showed up with their steaming plates. Setting them down on the table, she smiled "Anything else I can get you?" She asked cheerfully.
Kagome smiled but shook her head "I am all set, how 'bout you?" She asked Inuyasha who simply shook his head, not looking their way.
"I'm fine, thanks." Another smile later the waitress left them to their lunch.
"You ok?" Kagome asked as she stirred her pasta. Inuyasha had gotten really quiet, and she wondered if she had upset him though she couldn't even begin to guess why.
The half demon looked up and smiled "Huh? Oh yea, I'm ok. Just thinking."
"Penny for your thoughts?" Kagome asked before taking a bite of the pasta and humming in appreciation.
Inuyasha smiled at her and shrugged "Just...well you wanted to get settled here, make friends and go to school only to throw it all away after graduation. Doesn't that seem like a waste?"
Kagome frowned at him "So, I should just waste the life I made for myself back in Japan? And what about you? Do you think you and Sango and Miroku are going to always live near each other and be best friends forever? People grow up and drift apart, it sucks but that's life."
Wincing Inuyasha said "Well, I had hoped we would actually. And no, I wasn't saying give everything up it just seems...I don't know silly."
Kagome leaned back in her chair "So, I should just be an introvert for the next 2 years to save myself the heartache when I go home? Just stop living? I might as well be in a coma with my brother." She said with a scowl.
Inuyasha set his fork down "That's not what I meant either Kagome I just..." He searched for the words that didn't come, his forehead creased in irritation. Throwing his hands up in silent defeat he didn't finish his sentence and simply went back to eating his food.
Kagome narrowed her dark eyes at him, "You're gonna judge my life choices and then not say anything?" Crossing her arms over her chest she watched him as he watched his plate. Looking up, he met her eyes and she frowned. Why was he getting so worked up about this? Why did he care so much?
Shaking her head, she continued to eat herself. He didn't have to agree with, or even like her choices. That's why they were hers and not his. They ate the rest of their lunch in a tense silence, when the waitress came to bring them the check her smile faltered at the obvious tension at the table but when Inuyasha handed her a few bills and a muttered "Keep the change," She smiled again and walked off.
Standing up, Kagome stretched and said awkwardly "Thanks for lunch, and for the tour and everything."
Inuyasha stood as well and nodded "Yea, sure thing. It was fun." He led the way back out to the car and, despite the weird happenings at lunch he still opened her door for her.
Starting the engine, Inuyasha rested his hands on the steering wheel for a moment and asked "Ready to head home?" Kagome nodded silently and Inuyasha's shoulders drooped ever so slightly causing her to frown "Alright, let's go home then."
ooo
See and you guys thought the chapter was gonna end all cute and fluffy and stuff! No way, I'm way too mean for that. Nope.
Anyways, sorry again about the delay. You don't really care WHY I haven't been updating but in case you do, my computer basically stopped working and through some serious computer magic (A few flash drives and a factory reset later) I got the thing to more or less function. Plus, I started a new job. Deal with it.
I love this story, have developed a few more plot points and everything and have ZERO intentions of abandoning it. Sometimes I just lose focus. But I love the reviews so keep em coming! Enjoy nearly 8000 words and just know that with school, comes more drama! DUN DUN DUN!
-PEACE OUT!