Hello! Yay, I updated early. I'm so happy! ::does happy dance::
Thank you very much to all of you who read and reviewed. You keep me inspired and keep me on my toes so I don't take too long to update.
If you've noticed, this chapter is shorter than most. I was earlier planning to put the archery tournament and dating game on one chapter but then I decided to separate it, because the dating game is quite long and it is a story worth telling on another chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. It belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. Also, I would like to say that I have never played archery before and I relied on information from the Internet so please forgive me for inaccuracies and mistakes. I am also not sure what exactly Japanese students do on Culture Day so what I write here may be incorrect or inaccurate. Sorry if I make any mistakes on those.
The Substitute
Games of the Heart
"Are you sure it's a wise idea not to tell Takahashi-kun about this?" Sango asked as she waited for Kagome to get dressed in her archery attire.
Kagome decided to change at the Taekwondo Club locker room to avoid the chance of people eavesdropping on their conversation, which could happen if she changed in a regular school bathroom. Today was Shikon Gakuen's Culture Day, and most students were either at the main building or at the school field, checking out the various booths set up by the school clubs.
"It's better that he find out at the last minute than a couple of days before," Kagome replied as she smoothed her archery uniform. "He'll just go ballistic and taunt me that I have no chance of beating his perfect ex-girlfriend in archery. He'll probably say," Kagome cleared her throat and imitated Inuyasha's voice, "'That is just completely stupid, wench! No way in hell will you ever beat Kikyo in archery. Heck, I bet you can't even hit the broad side of a barn.'"
At the background, Sango sweat-dropped. It gave her the creeps that somebody as nice and sweet as Kagome could perfectly imitate somebody as bad-tempered and obnoxious as Inuyasha. And she had only been pretending to be his girlfriend for two weeks...
"So there, Sango," Kagome returned to her usual voice. "And besides, he'll appreciate this later. But right now, since this tournament needs my entire concentration and attention, his teasing and skepticism about my abilities won't help at all." She gave Sango an impish smile. "And besides, everyone likes surprises. He'll be pleasantly surprised with this."
"Well, I won't actually call it 'pleasantly' surprised on Takahashi-kun's part." Heck, Sango was ready to bet her family's fortune that Inuyasha was completely not going to like the idea of Kagome competing against Kikyo. She stole a glance at her wristwatch. "Fifteen minutes left before the archery competition starts. You still have to talk to Sanada-san. You do know where to find her, right?"
Kagome nodded as she picked up her bow and slipped it on her shoulder along with her quiver of arrows. "Miroku told me she was at the Archery Club locker room when he called a few minutes ago." She rubbed her hands together nervously. "Wish me luck, Sango."
Sango squeezed her best friend's hand. "I don't need to." She smiled. "I know it will work. I believe in you, Kagome."
Kagome took a deep breath to calm her nerves. It was the first time she had ever challenged somebody in archery and the butterflies in her stomach were making her totally giddy and uncomfortable. She was standing in front of the Archery Club locker room, debating whether to open the door or not. What if Kikyo decided to turn down the deal she offered? That would ruin everything.
"This is no time to turn back, Kagome," she told herself mentally. "You want your old, uncomplicated, Takahashi-less life back, right?" Taking another deep breath, she opened the door.
Much to her relief, the locker room was empty, except for the lone figure of somebody sitting on one of the benches. Kikyo.
"Sanada-san?" Kagome called out.
Kikyo looked up, her gray eyes slightly widening with surprise after seeing Kagome. After her eyes skimmed through Kagome's attire, instant realization came over Kikyo's stoic feature. "I see you are joining the archery tournament, Higurashi-san," Kikyo said quietly.
Kagome took a deep breath. "I want to make you a deal, Sanada-san," she answered, unconsciously wringing her hands nervously. Kikyo looked like she was not paying attention as she examined her bow.
"And what deal is that?" Kikyo put her bow down and looked up at her.
"I'm challenging you in the archery competition," Kagome replied. "If you win, I will break up with Inuyasha and stay away from him, as you wished." She looked at Kikyo intently. "And also, I won't tell him that you were the one who locked me up at the rooftop. What do you say, Sanada-san?"
Kikyo pondered this for a while before standing up. "And what if you win, Higurashi-san?" She asked calmly as she faced Kagome.
Kagome looked thoughtful. She had not really thought of that. "Well..." Kagome replied slowly as she scanned her brain. She snapped her fingers. "If I win, you will tell me the reason why you broke up with Inuyasha."
"That doesn't seem fair on your part, Higurashi," Kikyo observed. "I get three things while you only get one."
Kagome bit her lip. "Okay. If I win," Kagome furrowed her brows for a moment, "you and your friends will also not bother me or any of my friends and...you will do me one favor."
"Are you sure with this, Higurashi-san?" Kikyo asked softly.
Kagome nodded, her face marked with resolution.
"It's a deal then."
The two girls wordlessly shook hands while gazing at each other intently.
Inuyasha lazily took a sip of from the can of root beer he was holding. "This year's Culture Day is boring," he muttered. "Just like each and every year. What are we doing here again?"
He and Miroku were sitting on a window ledge at the third floor of the main building, which gave them an excellent view of all the action going on below.
Miroku turned to him. "I thought the activities this year are interesting...well, more interesting than last year's anyway." He swirled his can of green tea as Inuyasha snorted beside him. "And besides, Inuyasha, don't you want to see the Archery Club's little tournament?"
Inuyasha took another swig of his root beer. "Keh." He frowned and looked away. His best friend was good at knowing what he was thinking. He hunched over and pouted, all the while searching for a gray-eyed archer in the sea of bustling students.
Miroku suddenly perked up. "Hey, I think the tournament is starting. This is going to be really interesting." He leaned over a little on the ledge to get a better view below.
Beside him, Inuyasha stared at him cynically. Miroku was not exactly a big archery fan. Inuyasha remembered that the last time they came to watch Kikyo compete, Miroku spent almost the entire time in the bleachers flirting with the girl sitting next to him than actually paying attention to the tournament.
Inuyasha looked at him suspiciously. "Why are you so interested with the archery contest today?"
"You see, my friend, I have suddenly come to appreciate the subtle and elegant sport of Japanese archery." Miroku looked at him sagely.
"Right." Inuyasha nodded skeptically. "And my mom's a professional wrestler...If I knew any better, I'd say you're interested in one of the girls competing."
"I can't believe you think of me so negatively," Miroku said dramatically, feigning hurt. "Girls aren't the only thing that matter to me. I'm practicing monk, remember? Wordly passions and possessions have no value to me whatsoever."
Inuyasha smirked. "Right... I believe you, Miroku." His voice dripped with enough sarcasm to flood Tokyo.
Beside him, Miroku looked slightly annoyed. "Oi, what does that mean?"
"Oh, nothing." Inuyasha smirked some more.
Inuyasha then directed his attention to the contest below. Kaho Mizuki, the captain of the Archery Club, was just beginning the introductory remarks.
"Stupid idiots. Why do they even try?" Inuyasha mumbled as Kaho introduced the first player. "There's no way they'll ever beat Kikyo in archery. Heck, she could even hit a bull's eye while blindfolded. And besides, why would they want to get two tickets to an amusement park? That has got to be the crummiest prize. Anyone in Shikon Gakuen can afford that."
"It's not actually the prize these challengers are after," Miroku replied quietly as he watched the fourth archery player walk over to the archery field. "It's the achievement of defeating Shikon Gakuen's top archer. And also, you do remember the school has strictly disallowed the clubs to give a prize of a trip abroad after the parents complained two years ago... Hey, that girl is cute!" He watched as the fifth player walked in. Realizing he was out of topic, he cleared his throat. "And besides, what's wrong with Kaze no Kizu? It's a nice theme park. Half the students here haven't even gone to one since they prefer going to clubs or other posh places. Going to a theme park will be a new experience."
Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Whatever." His amethyst eyes darted to Kikyo, who was calmly watching the participants as they were introduced. As the sixth and seventh challengers were introduced, he noted that most of the participants were girls, except for players two and six. "I bet none of them could hit the broad side of a barn even if their life depended on it."
"And the last challenger," Kaho announced, gazing up from the sheet of paper that bore the names of the archery tournament players and looking surprised. "Kagome Higurashi." The crowd that gathered to watch grew silent as Kagome timidly walked towards the archery field.
Inuyasha, on the other hand, almost lost his balance on the window ledge and nearly fell off the third story window from complete shock. "What the fuck is that bitch doing in the competition?!" He exclaimed as he regained his balance. Realization quickly dawned on him, and he turned to face Miroku with eyes narrowed menacingly. "So that was why you were so interested with today's archery contest! You knew she was joining, didn't you?" It was more of a statement than a question.
"Hey, aren't you flattered two girls are competing over you?" Miroku gave him a large grin.
Inuyasha popped a vein and grabbed Miroku by the collar. "Oh yeah, I'm just bursting from sheer happiness," he answered sarcastically. "Why didn't you tell me she was joining? Why didn't she tell me she was joining?"
"You're asking the wrong person." Miroku remained calm, despite the fact that Inuyasha was looking more and more murderous by the second. "It's Kagome-san who you should ask that."
Inuyasha growled in frustration, admitting grudgingly to himself that his best friend had a point. He instantly released Miroku from his grip. "What the fuck does she think she's doing?" Inuyasha muttered angrily as he jumped off the ledge and stalked towards the door. "I'm not letting her join any archery contest...against Kikyo! That little bitch! When I get my hands on her I'll—"
An arm suddenly blocked the doorway. "You're not going anywhere, Takahashi-kun." Sango told him firmly.
"Move, Miyabe!" Inuyasha ordered, glaring at her.
Sango stubbornly stayed put. "Why are you so upset?" She asked coolly. "She's doing this to help you get your ex-girlfriend back."
"If this was all to help me, she could have at least told me! That little—"
"Because you were just going to insult and tease her," Sango cut in before Inuyasha could start a string of profanities. "You should calm down, Takahashi-kun. If this all goes according to plan, you will have Sanada-san back. And you and Kagome can stop pretending. Isn't that what you want?"
Is that what he wanted? Inuyasha instantly stopped his outburst and looked away. That is what he wanted, right? A scowl appeared on his features. "It is," he thought. "But why am I so angry?" Was it because Kagome did not tell him she was joining the archery contest or was it something deeper than that? Inuyasha pushed those thoughts aside and focused on Sango. "And how in the world is Higurashi going to help get Kikyo back?" He questioned doubtfully.
"She challenged Sanada-san," Sango explained. "Whoever wins will have you."
Inuyasha looked annoyed. "That is just stupid," He blurted out. "What are the chances of Kagome winning? I don't think she can even aim to save her life."
Sango cocked a brow. "Is it just me or do you want Kagome to win?"
"Of course not!" Inuyasha replied defensively. "It's just that the deal is downright stupid. Kikyo will get suspicious. It's like Higurashi's handing me over on a silver platter. It's an easy win."
Sango rolled her eyes and she pushed Inuyasha back to the window where Miroku remained sitting. "Do you like surprises, Takahashi?" She asked.
"No." Inuyasha scolwed at Sango over his shoulder. "Why?"
"I have a feeling you'll like this one."
Kagome stepped into the field and inhaled deeply to calm her nerves. She then threw a glance at her other opponents, who were busy prepping themselves for the competition. Since there were eight participants in the archery contest minus Kikyo, they were divided into pairs. The person who would emerge as the winner at the match rounds will get the chance to go one on one with Kikyo.
She noticed the crowd watching the tournament had greatly swelled after the word got around that she was joining. If she knew any better, she would have guessed that more than half of the school's population was watching.
She gave a small smile of amusement. "I guess people want to see the match between Inuyasha's past and present girlfriends."
Kagome walked over to the shooting line when Kaho motioned her and her first opponent, a girl she recognized as Nazuna from Sango's class. Kagome took a deep breath and drew her bow. Focusing her attention on the target a couple of meters away, she narrowed her eyes slightly and concentrated on the innermost circle of the target. She released her arrow and watched it hit the target.
Kagome slowly lowered her bow. "I still haven't lost my touch." She smiled contentedly.
An excited murmur passed through the crowd behind her. Even Kikyo and Kaho looked completely surprised. Kagome had just hit the target at the dead center.
"So how's the tournament going?" Miroku asked as he handed Sango a can of coke and a bag of potato chips. Miroku had gone to get a few snacks while Sango stayed with Inuyasha, in case he decided to bolt and head over to Kagome and stop her from continuing with the archery contest.
Sango placed the bag of chips on her lap as she opened her can. "The other contestants have just been eliminated. Kagome's now competing with Sanada-san.."
"Wow." Miroku gave an impressed whistle. "Mushin said she was good, but I didn't expect her to be this good." He opened another can of green tea before casually squeezing beside Sango on the ledge.
"Oi, can't you sit anywhere else?" Sango pouted.
"Why?" Miroku looked at her innocently. "This window ledge isn't wide, Sango-chan. Where else would I sit?"
"You could sit at Inuyasha's left side," Sango pointed out. "I don't like being 'sandwiched' in the middle of you and Takahashi-kun." The truth be told, the real reason she did not want him sitting beside her was because whenever he got close to her, heart raced and it took all her willpower not to blush ...But Sango would rather get eaten by killer piranhas than admit that aloud.
Miroku looked at her earnestly. "But the view on this side is better."
Sango's vaguely wondered what he actually meant by that as her eyes grew half-lidded with annoyance. "Fine," she acknowledged, giving an exasperated sigh. "Just don't do anything funny, Kanzaki." She offered him the bag of chips and he eagerly dug into the bag to get a few chips for himself. She then turned to the person on her left. "Want some chips, Takahashi-kun?"
Inuyasha had been unusually quiet since the archery contest began. Now he looked completely stunned as he watched the competition below. Following his gaze, Sango realized his eyes were glued on Kagome, who was too deep in concentration to notice. She lightly nudged Miroku. He quickly understood what she was trying to point out and they exchanged amused glances. Inuyasha's amethyst orbs were as wide as saucers and his mouth hung open.
"Takahashi-kun?" Sango waved a hand in front of his face. "Are you okay?"
Inuyasha suddenly blinked. "What?" He snapped. He scowled when Sango and Miroku started laughing. "What's so funny?"
"You're staring." Sango answered simply. "If I didn't snap you out of your trance, a fly would have entered you're mouth."
"Feh!" Inuyasha snorted defensively. "I was not staring at Higurashi!"
His answer sent another round of laughter between the two. Inuyasha wished he had a pitchfork to skewer them with. "What's so damn funny this time?"
"Sango-chan didn't say you were ogling at Kagome-san," he answered, wiping a tear. Inuyasha turned scarlet after realizing his slip up. Miroku rubbed his chin pensively. "You looked ready to undress her with the way you were staring at her." He wiggled his brows teasingly.
Inuyasha's hands itched to shove the can of green tea Miroku was sipping down his throat. "I WAS NOT!" Inuyasha denied heatedly, bopping Miroku on the head. "You are SO perverted! Practicing monk, my ass!"
Sango patted Inuyasha on the shoulder to calm him down. If he turned any redder, Sango had the feeling he would explode. "It's amazing what new things you find out from a person you thought you already knew, ne?" Sango said pleasantly while she shot Miroku a look that told him to stop. "Kagome prefers to keep quiet with her achievements. I doubt anybody here knew she was good in archery."
Inuyasha looked thankful that Sango changed the topic. "How did she—?"
"Learn archery?" Sango finished for him.
Inuyasha nodded mutely.
"Her father was a very talented archer in his day. He got her interested in archery at a very young age." Sango threw a sideways glance at Kagome below. "She would always watch her dad practice. She constantly told me how much she wanted to be as good as her dad in archery." Inuyasha did not miss the sad look that swept Sango's brown eyes for a brief second. "And I think one of the main reasons why Kagome loves archery until now is because it reminds her of her dad and of days before her parents separated."
"What tournaments did Kagome-san win exactly, Sango-chan?" Miroku queried.
Sango perked up and beamed proudly. "Oh, nothing much." She gave a nonchalant shrug. "She's just the prefecture champion in archery during the ninth and tenth grade."
Kikyo raised her bow and aimed at the target a couple of meters away. This was the last shot in the final match between her and Kagome, the twelfth shot. So far, they have been tied, each hitting the innermost circle on the eleven earlier shots.
As her gaze fixed on the innermost circle, Kikyo noticed her hand was shaking. She also realized her heart was pounding. That has never happened in any archery tournament she joined before. In fact, playing archery was one of the ways she used to calm herself down every time she felt uneasy.
Kikyo instantly realized what emotion it was. She was scared. Scared of losing Inuyasha to Kagome, who surprisingly turned out to be a very excellent archer.
Kikyo felt suspicious in the beginning when Kagome challenged her. It all seemed too easy, like Kagome wanted her to win on purpose. But as Kagome played during the match rounds, Kikyo noticed her form and movement with the bow were fluid and elegant, like Kagome had played archery all her life. In fact, Kagome's archery form reminded Kikyo of a mystery girl who stripped her of the gold medal she had won in eight grade, and who successfully retained the championship during tenth grade...
Flashback.
"Is this your first time joining the prefectural archery tournament?"
Kikyo turned to her side to see a girl in shoulder-length pigtails and thick glasses smiling at her. "No," Kikyo replied quietly. "I joined last year's tournament."
The girl suddenly snapped her fingers. "So that's why you look so familiar. You're last year's prefecture champion! Kikyo Sanada!" She exclaimed excitedly. "The one from Kinomoto Private Girls School."
Kikyo nodded, smiling humbly. It was a few minutes before the junior high division of the prefectural archery tournament began.
"I'm from Sakura Junior High School," the girl in glasses told her. She giggled nervously. "I hate the tense feeling before the start of the contest. I envy you. You look so calm."
"It's your first time joining, isn't it?" Kikyo asked and the girl acknowledged with a nod. "We all get butterflies in the stomach once in a while. It's natural." Kikyo patted her on the shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile. "You'll do fine."
The speaker above them suddenly came alive and started announcing the participants of the different schools.
"Well, my coach is probably looking for me," the girl said. "Thanks for the encouragement, Sanada-san. Good luck." She started to jog away.
"Wait." Kikyo called out before the girl got far. "I didn't get your name."
"It's Higurashi," the girl said over her shoulder, smiling softly. "Kagome Higurashi."
End of Flashback.
Kikyo put her bow down as the forgotten memory suddenly flooded back into her mind. So it was indeed Kagome...Kikyo never recognized her in Shikon Gakuen because she was always in the background, a complete wallflower until Inuyasha became her boyfriend. Kikyo gasped quietly. She realized she was competing against the only person who ever defeated her in archery...twice.
"What's wrong with her?" Miroku wondered aloud. "Why did just put down her bow? It's not like her."
Sango squinted and gave a knowing smile. "I think something just entered her mind and it's bothering her." She clicked her tongue. "It's strange that she just lost her concentration in the most important shot of the contest."
Inuyasha remained quiet. His eyes wandered to Kagome, who looked as bewildered as the others, before focusing on his old girlfriend. "What's wrong Kikyo?" He thought worriedly.
"Are you okay, Kikyo?" Kaho said quietly from the sidelines, looking concerned.
"I'm fine," Kikyo gave her a reassuring smile. "Something just broke my concentration for a second. Don't worry. "
Kikyo took a deep breath and raised her bow again. The stakes were too high this time. "I'm not going to lose." Kikyo mentally told herself as she drew her bow. It broke her heart to see Inuyasha and Kagome being all sweet and cuddly with each other, when she knew she should be in Kagome's place. "No thanks to Naraku." She remembered bitterly.
Willing her nerves to calm down, she concentrated on the target and let her arrow fly. As she lowered her bow and looked at her mark, she flinched ever so slightly. She had hit the second innermost circle. Kikyo's grip tightened on her bow. The only way she would win was for Kagome to hit the outer circles. Her heart sank, remembering Kagome's archery track record. "What are the chances in that?"
Kagome stepped into the shooting line and elegantly raised her bow. She was extremely surprised Kikyo missed the bull's eye on the last shot. As her attention focused on the target, Kagome took a deep breath. She knew what she had to do. To get Kikyo and Inuyasha back together, all she had to do was purposely lose the tournament. It was so easy to purposely shoot on one of the outer circles and let Kikyo win. That is what she wanted, right? For her to get her normal, uncomplicated, Inuyasha-less life back...right?
"I can't believe I'll actually miss Takahashi after this." Kagome stifled an amused snort as she drew her bow. Inuyasha was really not as bad as she first thought. Yes, he was loud, obnoxious and gruff at times but Kagome noticed after two weeks of pretending to be his girl that he was nice and caring in his own Inuyasha way. This week, in fact, they had stopped kicking each other in the shins during lunchtime and she didn't find the need to disinfect her hand after he held it on their public displays of affection. "Maybe that's why Miroku remains as his best friend even if Inuyasha threatens to murder him every other day. Miroku sees the good in him...Kikyo is very lucky to have Inuyasha's affection." Kagome suddenly frowned slightly. What was she feeling? Envy? Nah...
"Are you sure this is the right thing, Kagome? Don't you want to know the reason why Kikyo broke up with him first?" A voice inside her suddenly said. Her conscience could choose the lousiest time to interfere and confuse her. Kagome internally groaned. "The truth will set you free, Kagome. Follow your heart."
"Just let me get this over with." Kagome shut her eyes tightly to silence the voice. When the voice quieted down, she opened her eyes and took a deep breath. She released the arrow and watched with bated breath as it hit the target with a resounding "twang."
The crowd gasped.
A/N: Wow, I can't believe I actually left it as a cliffhanger. ::looks at audience with pleading eyes:: Don't hurt me...Eeep. ::puts pillow on head and cowers::
Next chapter preview:
Kagome: This is sooooo embarrassing. I have never been in a Dating Game before and now I'm a searcher. ::sweat-drops:: Who will I choose?
Sango: You should talk. ::grumbles:: Kanzaki wants me to join the Dating Game to save him from Miyu. That moron. ::grumble grumble:: Stupid flirtatious playboy...
Kagome and Sango: Anyway, watch out for the next installment of The Substitute, "Hopeless Romantics."
Sailor Helios: Oi, you girls are sooo serious. Lighten up! ::gulps when the two glare at her:: Why are you looking at me like that?
Sango: Why do I have to become one of Kanzaki's searchees? ::cracks her knuckles:: Change the story...or else!
Sailor Helios: ::backs away:: Let's not become hasty here. ::turns to the audience:: Please tell me how the chapter went. Good, bad, awful, tell me what you think. Thanks for reading. Happy Halloween, people! Ja! ::sprints away with Sango in hot pursuit::