Calm
Chapter 11: The Present pt.3
Hojo was awkward around Kagome that entire morning. Kagome didn't think anything of it, as she was imagining what her Sesshoumaru would have been doing at that moment, trying as hard as she could to keep from paying attention.
When they broke for lunch, Kagome sat next to Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi, as usual—she needed to make them understand how much she loved Sesshoumaru.
"Kagome!" Eri hissed once they were all seated. "How can you go out with your ex's brother?"
"The fact that he is related to Inuyasha has nothing to do with anything. I love Sesshoumaru. That's all there is to it."
"Aww…Kagome!" Ayumi said, hugging her friend.
"Um, excuse me?" came a voice from behind them, and they all turned to see none other than Hojo.
"Yes? What is it?" Eri said.
"Um…I-I've got something to say to you, Kagome." Hojo said uneasily. "Please?"
"Go ahead," Eri said before Kagome could answer.
Maybe this is what she needs! Eri thought. She needs someone reliable that won't remind her of Inuyasha!
"Well, um, Kagome…well-I-I…I like you."
All three girl gasped. They'd been wondering when he'd say it!
Kagome watched with expressionless eyes. The neutral look was something she'd learned from Sesshoumaru, and she didn't want to hurt Hojo's feelings by having NO! written across her face.
It was then that she smiled and she took one of Hojo's hands in hers.
So much for being in love with what's-his-name, Yuka thought.
I never thought Kagome was like that! Eri thought.
Yay! Kagome's in love! Ayumi thought.
"I'm sorry, Hojo," Kagome said. "I have someone I love already. My Lord--" she tried to cut herself off before he heard.
Apparently, she was too late. "Your Lord?" Hojo said, confused.
Kagome pretended to not hear that. "Umm…what I mean, is…that my heart already rests with someone."
Eri and Yuka sweatdropped. Did Sesshoumaru really mean that much to her?
Hojo looked away sadly. "I see." He said. He turned to leave, but Kagome still held his hand.
"Hojo-san," she said, "you have been so nice to me, and you truly have cared for my health. I appreciate it very much, and if you ever need anything, do no hesitate to ask. I still value our friendship. You are one of my closest friends."
Hojo looked at her, and although Kagome could still see the sadness in his eyes, he smiled. "Thanks, Kagome."
Kagome released his hand, and he walked away.
"K-Kagome!" Yuka said. "That was beautiful! He wasn't even that upset! That was the easiest let down I've ever seen!"
Kagome smiled.
(scene shift)
"Kagome! How was school today?" Her mother said when she returned home.
"Completely and utterly boring," came Kagome's response.
"I'm sure it wasn't that bad."
"I assure you, mom, it was. I refuse to go tomorrow."
Kagome's mother said nothing.
"Although," Kagome said, 'I did return of my free will. It would be…mean and selfish of me not to."
Kagome's mother smiled; maybe Sesshoumaru did teach her something after all.
(scene shift)
"So, what's Sesshoumaru like? Really?" Eri asked the next day. They were at lunch again, sitting at the same table as the day before.
"He's marvelous," Kagome said, "a perfect gentleman. I'm supposed to leave to see him tonight…if I don't get sick…" she added at the last moment, remembering that she was leaving that day.
"You're not feeling well?"
"You have to be in tip top shape!" Yuka said. "Something might happen…" she laughed and Kagome blushed slightly.
Ayumi smiled. "Kagome's in love!"
"Sesshoumaru and I—if I go—will probably just do the…usual." The word 'usual' sounded awkward to her.
"What do you usually do?" Eri asked.
"We eat dinner, and then we…talk before going to—"
"Hi, Kagome!" came Hojo's voice from behind them all. "How are you?"
"Fine, Hojo."
"May I…eat with you all today?"
Eri frowned. If Hojo ate with them, Kagome wouldn't be able to tell them what this 'Sesshoumaru' was like. "Actually, we—"
"Of course," Kagome said, and Hojo sat down.
"We were trying to get Kagome to tell us about her mystery Sesshoumaru guy."
Hojo nodded, and began eating from his tray of lunch food.
"Sesshoumaru is…an incredible person," Kagome said. "You must meet him to know what it's truly like." And Kagome said nothing else of it.
She felt bad, even when she walked home that day. Although she loved Sesshoumaru, she couldn't help but feel guilty about leading them on, about leaving after only two days.
Her mother was in tears as she changed into the red kimono she had arrived in.
"Are you sure you can't stay another day?" she asked. "At least until lunch time? Why do you have to go so early in the morning?"
"I must go, mom," Kagome said. "I will try to visit again…I promise; if I can I will."
Kagome's mother burst into tears.
Souta scratched the back of his head, not sure what to say. "Well, Kagome—"
Kagome pulled him into a hug, and he blushed. "Aww, Kagome!"
"I'll miss you, Souta," she said, and left her house and family behind.
OMG! How long has it been! I don't know what came over me, really. I really don't.
See, what had happened was...
My Anime Club started an RPG (Well, it's more like I started an RPG for my school's anime club) and I've been working on the story plot and background for like forever!
You can check it out at www.midnightrei. but that's not the important thing. I promise that by the end of this week, I'll have another chap up. I promise. I can believe I got so off track...
bows onto knees I beg of you, fans! please forgive me. Please!
Bluediamond-hime: I'm touched that you thought the last chapter was funny!
Rae: Thanks for telling me about the review responses. I'm glad that you loved this chapter!
Mollicia: Thank you for your very honest opinion. I do believe that I emailed you about you comment, and even though the story's going kind of slow right now, I promise that things will pick up. Just wait until about chapter 15 for a fighting sequence. The last battle between Kagome and Kikyou (oooooh!)
LadyAkina: Thanks for supporting my decision on Kagome's demeanor in chap 10! Hope you enjoy this one, too!
Katana no Mizu Ryuu: don't worry about that review!
sheenachi: You are one of those people who have been here from the beginning, and I hope that even though the updates have been delayed, that you will stick by me. I cherish your opinion very much.
nagoto : Here's what you asked for (finally)!
RubyRoseoftheBlackBlood: You are another one of those who have been there from the beginning. Please, don't be offended by the slow update and leave me...I'd be so alone...
Blue Rhapsody3: You, too, have been there for a while. Please stay!
To all of you, please accept the apologies of a humble writer. I will see you later this week! (I promise it'll be up by monday at the latest!)