Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or Sk8 and Love by Nancy Krulik (I do have the book though!)
So I have a confession to make. Well… it wasn't really a secret to begin with but I'm telling y'all just to make stuff clear: I don't know a thing about skateboarding, really. I mean, I watch it a couple of times but I'm no expert or even a novice. I don't skateboard. So, forgive me if I got anything pertaining to skating wrong. I got majority of this info from youtube and a few friends. Oh! And yeah, sorry for the monster long update. You know me, busy, busy, busy. Oh, and thanks to Blood Plus 14 for giving me the idea of how to start this chapter by mentioning Kagome's other friend's lack of appearance. Though that was months ago…
(Rin POV)
(InuYasha POV)
(Kagome POV) don't forget hanmajo…
(Kagura POV)
(InuYasha POV)
(Kagome POV)
(Sesshomaru POV)
Sk8 4ev3r
Chapter 21: Competitors
"I have just been hit with ultimate ingenuity!" Sango declared as she and the rest of the gang filed into our homeroom class and she hopped up on my desk. "I honestly think I've outdone myself with this one."
"Really?" I asked, pretending to be interested. It's not that I didn't care about what my friends were doing, but when one of your friends has gone completely AWOL, you learn to prioritize. Also, the stress of trying to think of a good excuse to explain to my parents why I won't be home for the next three days—without mentioning the fact that I'll be with two guys, one being my boyfriend—is really starting to weigh on me. I don't do well under pressure.
"So, you know how Kouga had the great idea of trying to build a new skatepark, right?" Sango went on as the rest of our friends filled in our usual seats in the back of the class.
"I think I do recall Kouga actually having a good idea for once."
"Rin," Kouga deadpanned, not amused.
"Yeah, so anyways," Sango began again, "You know how we're trying to actually raise the money and all? Well, nobody in this crap town is going to really help us in the financial department and even with the few people who did chip in, we only have five hundred bucks."
"How much do we need again?" I asked, popping a Lucky Charm—dry cereal is always my breakfast on weekdays—in my mouth.
"At least fifty grand," Ayame answered from her seat next to me.
My eyes popped out of their sockets. "Fifty thousand dollars!"
"At least," Ayame corrected me. "According to Google, that is. And that's only for 2,000 square feet. Indoors."
"Shit," I breathed out in disbelief. "There's no way in hell we'd ever raise that much money."
"Which brings us back to the genius who is sitting on your desk," Sango spoke up, pointing to herself. "If we can't get the funding here, we just have to get out of town and start asking around. And it just so happens there is a comp in Tokyo starting Friday, tomorrow, and who is going to be at the comp?"
Kagome, Inuyasha, Me, Dex, And Inuyasha's proclamation of love that I don't think Kagome wants sprung on all her friends just like… BAM!
"Skaters!" Sango shouted when I was quiet for too long. "And who else would be more willing to support our cause than other skaters? I'm telling you, after we deliver the sob story of our inability to express our true selves in this town, money will just be flying in. We'll have the contract and layout for the new park before we graduate." Sango was smiling at her own plan. "Now is that a plan or is that a plan?"
"Wait, just… let me get this all… figured out. " I wrapped my head around the idea for a few seconds. "You want to run off to Tokyo for a competition to gather money for a skatepark?"
"Well, if anyone wants to compete, fine, and of course I'm actually going to watch the competition, but basically, yeah." Sango shrugged. "So, are you ready for a kick ass road trip to Tokyo tonight or what?"
What the fuck is with everyone wanting to run off to Tokyo? Yeah, it sucks here, but does everybody have to go hopping in their cars and driving to Tokyo?
"So everybody is going to drive to Tokyo tonight?" I asked, still needing some more clarification.
"That's the plan," Miroku answered lazily as he kicked his feet up on his desk and balanced his chair on its two back legs. "Well, we're carpooling and all pitching in for gas so… about two cars. Are you in?"
"Uh… I'm going to have to think about it." They all got quiet and gave me a funny look. "What?"
"You're thinking the chance to get out of this town over?" Kouga asked in disbelief.
No, I'm just stalling so I have time to think of a better, more believable excuse.
"Well, I mean… I have a huge Calculus test tomorrow and y'all know how I hate making up tests. And I need to, like, pass the test with flying colors to keep my C in Calculus." I lied, feeling uncomfortable and my palms feeling clammy.
"Rin, it's one day of school to go to a competition. When was the last time we all went to a comp together?"
"I don't know, maybe—"
"Exactly," Sango cut me off. "You don't know. We need to spend more time together. Ever since The Park was torn down we aren't the close knit group we used to be. I mean, Kagome is off on another planet these days."
"I know!" Ayame joined in again and shrunk lower into my seat. I was hoping to avoid this topic. "She's not even here today and she has depression clinging to her with a vice grip. And when I ask her what's wrong she completely blows me off!"
"Same here!" I shrank in my seat lower as Sango began talking again. "Did you hear about how she just… burst into tears in the middle of English Monday? I came up to her locker after the whole episode and she just… I don't know, she just shut down and acted as if it never happened. The girl is emotionally unstable."
"Do you think it's her family and the whole art thing? I mean, she should be filling out applications by now and I know how she's been dying to get in that art school in Osaka."
"It could be." Sango thought about it for a second and the guilt of me actually knowing began to eat up my insides. "But she seems way too depressed. Kagome would be pissed about art school, not so much… depressed."
"Love problems?" Ayame offered up and I flinched.
"No, Kagome isn't dating anyone," Sango dismissed, but then she paused. "But now that you think about it, she has—"
"Ms. Tanaka, off that desk," Mr. Fujimoto ordered as he walked into the room and Sango rolled her eyes before getting off my desk and sliding into her seat beside Miroku.
"Lunch," she whispered from behind me, informing me that I will have to sit through this torture during lunch.
"Today I have been told to inform you all about some internships that…"
I have never been so happy in my life for school to actually start.
-0-0-0-0-0-
"Explain to me again why we're leaving in the middle of the day opposed to six like we planned?" Dex asked Rin again as I finished stuffing the last of the luggage in the car, slamming the trunk shut.
"Because everyone is getting all up in my business, and they want to run off to Tokyo for funding for the skatepark they're trying to build, and discussing Kagome, and I do not want to sit through lunch letting guilt eat me up because I actually know why Kagome is 'emotionally unstable'."
It's my fault. That's why Kagome is emotionally unstable. It's my entire stupid fault.
"And trying to think of a reason as to why I won't be riding up with them was too stressful. Hell, my parents are going to kill me when they find out I left school and I'm not going to be home for almost three days." Rin paused for a second before opening the car door. "I should probably call them… Don't want them thinking I got kidnapped." Rin pushed the passenger's seat forward and slid into the back of the car, stretching her legs out on the seat and punching in numbers on her cell phone. "I hope I get voice mail…"
Dex pushed the seat back and slid into the passenger's seat, slamming the door behind him and I walked around the front of the car to the driver's seat. A few days ago it was Kagome in the seat next to me.
"Do you have the directions to the University?" I asked Rin after starting the car.
"Yeah but— Hi Mom, it's me, Rin. I was just calling to tell you that I'm going to a skate competition in Tokyo and I won't be back for about three days. I already have a ride and everything and I'll gladly accept any punishment when I get back. Just didn't want you to worry."
"I think they're only going to worry more with that message," Dex mumbled as he buckled his seat belt.
"Either way, punishment is unavoidable."
"Directions," I insisted, trying to move us back on topic. I wanted to get to Kagome as soon as possible.
"I got 'em, I got 'em," Rin waved me off, but she still didn't hand me the directions she was supposed to have printed out. "First, we need to stop and get you some different clothes. You can't show up there in your prep school uniform and if you walk up there with your ears and silver hair in plain sight, you're going to be killed."
"She's right, man."
"So let's stop by some store and make you presentable before you try and win Kagome back." Rin fished a book out of her bag and flipped open to the marked page. I never thought of her as the type to read. She was always bouncing off the walls with energy, I never thought she'd have the kind of patience to sit and read a book. "The shop Kagome works at has some good hoodies and stuff and it's on the way there so we can stop there for clothing. We should stop by the store too and load up on snacks because I, for one, am not going to be stuck in this car starving, searching for the next exit on the highway that has a good fast food place."
"Alright then," I turned the key in the ignition and put the car into drive. "Clothes, food, University. Any other stops we need to make before we leave town?"
Rin seemed to be thinking. "Gas. Don't want to breakdown in the middle of the road and completely miss out on your chance to win Kagome back." She paused before adding, "And I'm not chipping in on any gas money since I'm helping you out and you've got mega bucks."
I sighed and shook my head. This girl's a trip. "Anything else?"
"Uh… I don't think so." Rin lowered her book and really thought the question over. "Nope, that's everything."
"Good." I pulled out of the alley a block from Rin's school and on to the street, joining the mid-morning traffic.
"Oh," Dex spoke up as we approached a red light, "I just thought I'd tell you that since Rin isn't going to have to pay any gas money, I don't think I should have to either considering your pops really is loaded."
I sighed and rubbed my forehead. All I want to do is get to the University and settle everything with Kagome and, hopefully, get her back, but these two are hell bent on making this long trip even longer than it already is.
"Whatever Dex," I mumbled, pressing on the gas as the light turned green. "Just, whatever."
-0-0-0-0-0-
Looking around at the hundreds of skaters walking around the skate park behind the University— getting their numbers for the competition, buying drinks and t-shirts, showing each other moves—I was reminded why I loved to get out of Kyoto. To see skaters everywhere made me feel like I belonged. That was a feeling I really needed right now.
Folding the waistband of my dad's shorts over again to keep them from sagging as I walked, I headed over to the table where people were signing up to compete, pulling the hood of my hoodie up. I stood behind a tall guy with shaggy brown hair, waiting for the line to inch forward. All around me people were talking to friends they brought with them or conversing with complete strangers they just met. I wished I brought somebody with me just so I wouldn't feel so alone, even though I felt like I belonged. Sure, Kagura and her crew should be somewhere around here, but it's not like I was ever close enough to Kagura to hold a conversation without having to strain it.
"Is that Kagome!" I cringed at the fake surprised voice that couldn't be more than five feet away—no time to run. And I had my hood up too.
"Hi Naraku," I mumbled, turning around to face the skate king as he smirked at me, walking closer. "What are you doing here?"
"The king has to defend his title," he said, pounding his fist against his chest and I rolled my eyes. He is so full of himself.
"Right."
"It looks like we're the only ones from Kyoto here," Naraku said, giving a quick survey of the crowd.
"Yeah." I was pretty sure there had to be other skaters from Kyoto, but I figured he might move on if I finished the conversation quick enough.
"We need to stick together," Naraku declared, moving closer to me and I tried to take a step back but only stepped on the back of the shoes of shaggy boy in front of me. "Don't want anything to happen to you." His voice was considerably lower and a lot huskier.
"Naraku, please."
"I've missed you Kagome," He whispered, sticking his hand under my hood and pulling out a strand of my hair that he could play with. This felt so wrong. "After that day in the car I couldn't get you out of my mind." He leaned in closer to my face, his hot breath blowing against my cheeks. "Look, I'm sorry if I came on too strong the other day, but when I'm with you… I just—"
"Look, Naraku," I said, cutting him off, pushing against his chest. "Sunday was a mistake. A big mistake. So…"
"It wasn't a mistake," Naraku insisted coming closer still, and I stepped back so my back was pressed against Shaggy Boy's, not caring anymore about his personal space. "Kagome, what are the odds of the both of us meeting in the mountains of all places? Kagome," Naraku took my hands in his and I tried to rip them away but he held tight, "this is fate."
Something is wrong with Naraku. That or he really wanted to get in my pants because Hell had to have frozen over if Naraku was talking about fate.
"Naraku, I don't like you," I said bluntly. "I never have, never will, and Sunday was the farthest thing from fate as possible. You know I was a little broken up and that thing that happened was just… nothing," I finally decided on. "It meant nothing."
"Oh, I get it," Naraku said, backing away from me finally and I wondered why I just didn't set him straight to start with. "So, you're just a slut then. Real classy."
And that is why I didn't set him straight.
"Whatever," I told Naraku, turning my back to him. If I didn't need any more drama, I would have definitely told him off and gave him a good kicking or two, but the last thing I want is more drama. I came to Tokyo as an escape for a reason.
"That's why he chose to make the bet on you," Naraku mumbled from behind me and I froze, tense. "You're the easiest thing on the face of the planet once you're vulnerable."
"How did you know that?" I hissed, whirling around to face Naraku. I really wanted to hit him, but he was out of line now, five feet away again.
"You told me when you were a babbling fool and I have a few connections."
"What are—"
"Hey Ren!" Naraku called to somebody I couldn't see, cutting me off. Some understanding passed between Naraku and the guy I couldn't see and Naraku was moving away. As he passed though, he said, "Have fun alone Kagome."
Thankfully, I didn't have time to mull over Naraku's words as the lady sitting at the table called for the next in line which happened to be me and I moved ahead to get my number and fill out the needed information.
-0-0-0-0-0-
"Does this kick ass or does this kick ass!" Yuka shouted, as she spun in circles with her arms outstretched in the middle of the crowd of skaters. The events didn't start until this afternoon so we were just wandering around now.
"This place is awesome," Kanna agreed, tying her hair back into a ponytail.
"Yeah, yeah, Tokyo is great," I mumbled, staring at the screen of my phone, absently rolling my board that was under my left foot back and forth. For some reason, I thought that staring at my phone would make it do something. Maybe I should text him in case he's one of those people that don't check their voicemails. But isn't he all business-like? Don't business people always check their messages in case they missed an important call? Maybe he just didn't want to come…
"Why do you keep looking at your phone?" Kanna asked, her voice suddenly closer and when I turned she was looking over my shoulder.
"There is such a thing known as personal space."
"Your sister is waiting for her boyfriend to call," Yuka sang as she spun towards us before finally stopping.
"He's not—"
"You have a boyfriend?" Kanna asked me with big eyes and I mentally groaned. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I don't have a boyfriend and Yuka is just being..." I trailed off, trying to think of a good word for her. "Yuka." That was the best I could do.
"Okay, they hang out together all the time," Yuka corrected herself, rolling her eyes. "And he is pretty damn hot, so it would be crazy for your sister not to be attracted to him."
"To like somebody for their looks is just shallow." I told them and they both scoffed at me.
"And you see that?" Yuka went on. "She is so defensive it's so obvious they are dating. They would be perfect for each other if it weren't for the fact that Sesshoumaru is a Takahashi and all."
"Wait." Kanna turned to look at me with big eyes again. "You're hanging out with a Takahashi. The guy who dropped you off at the skatepark that night after Aki completely lost his marbles? You're hanging out with him?"
"He's—"
"He's not as bad as you think," Yuka told Kanna for me, effectively calming her down. "Apparently the Takahashi boys are okay with skaters and it's only their old man who has the serious issues with the lower class."
"He's a good guy," I told Kanna and a big smile grew on her face. "What?"
"You liiiiiiiiiike him," Kanna sang and Yuka nodded her head. I just shook my head. I don't even know how I put up with them at times like this. The drive here was excruciating.
"Let's go," I said, pushing with my left foot and coasting a few feet ahead of them and they followed me, boards tucked under their arms. "Should we get some skating in or scope out the competition?"
"You're competing?" Kanna asked.
"I don't know," I shrugged my shoulders, weaving though people. "I haven't decided yet."
"Well, I think you should," Yuka declared, skipping ahead of me. "It's always more enjoyable when I have someone to root—hey! Watch where you're walking… ass!" Yuka shouted as a guy traveling with a group of guys, shoved her aside as if she didn't even exist. "I swear to God, some people just—"
I got a look at a head of long, greasy black hear leading the group. "Naraku."
"What?" Yuka looked around for a sign of him and Kanna did the same. When they saw him they both froze.
He must have heard me because he stopped talking to his little groupies and turned around. When our eyes met a smug grin grew across his face and he left his group and started walking towards us. Kanna and Yuka both tensed up even more but I stood firm and unwavering. I'm done backing down.
"Ah… so the little traitor decides to show her face after all."
"I've been planning this trip from months." My eyes narrowed and I shifted my weight to the left a bit to hide Kanna behind me. "The real question is why the hell are you here?"
Naraku feigned hurt. "Is my presence here not welcomed?"
"No."
His eyes narrowed and he straightened up, attempting to intimidate me with his height. It wasn't working. "Well, the king of skating can't not show up to such a big event. And I just have to defend my crown," he said, gesturing to the number stuck to the front of his shirt. "I don't even have to ask for number one; they already know."
"How are you going to win without me doing all your dirty work?"
"It's been taken care of." He smirked when he caught me scowling. "Don't look at it as cheating, Kagura." I can't stand the way he says my name. "I'm simply using the gifts God bestowed upon me—my mischievously clever mind—to win a competition. Like how demons use their extra strength in their legs to launch them higher in the air and allow them to perform more difficult tricks." He smiled at me. "Have you honestly not noticed the difference yet? It's only a matter of time before they segregate competitions."
"That excuse is fucking bull," I bit out, though he did have a point—which pissed me off. "There's a difference between sabotage and using strength."
"Says you." Naraku glared into my eyes and I glared right back, refusing to be the first to break. Like hell I'd ever let him win again. "I don't see why you're all worked up about it." Naraku finally said, but still held my gaze. "You're obviously not competing. Were you too busy fucking Takahashi to get any practice in?"
"Shut the hell up," I snapped. Mentioning Sesshoumaru reminded me of the fact that he wasn't here and it almost hurt. Almost.
"Defensive, are we?"
"You—"
"It's best that you're not competing," Naraku cut me off, turning around to walk back to his group. "Trash like you will never win these events. Wouldn't want you to hurt your self esteem anymore; you might go suicidal." He laughed as he got farther away, tossing a hand over his shoulder as a lazy goodbye.
And just like that, a fire so fierce ignited in me that no amount of water could extinguish. I'm tired of being called trash, I'm tired of being looked at like I've got nothing to bring to the table, I'm tired of being taken for granted.
I'm done with it.
"Where are you going?" Kanna called after me as I began marching towards the sign-up table we passed not long ago.
"To knock Naraku off his thrown."
-0-0-0-0-0-
"So this is what a skate competition is like," Dex said as he got out of the car, pulling the seat up to help Rin out. "You can practically feel the energy in the air."
Rin took a deep breath and let it out, smiling. "God, I missed these things. They're all just so welcoming."
"Yeah, well, let's hurry up and find Kagome," I declared, pulling the cap Rin picked out for me tight over my ears. She might have felt welcomed but my life was on the line if one person here recognized who I was. "Which way do we—"
"Slow your roll there, lover boy," Rin cut me off, walking around the car so she was in front of me. "I can't let you go in there with me before I make sure you don't look like… a prep."
"I already changed," I argued, looking down at the jeans and hoodie Rin had already ordered me to put on. "I'm good to go."
Rin inspected me for another second. "Oh!" She shuffled around her book-bag that she had tossed over her shoulder and fished out a pair of sunglasses, putting them on my face before taking a step back. "Alright, now you're good," Rin nodded. "You might look better though if you sagged your jeans just a-"
"Where's Kagome?" I cut her off, stepping away from her grasp as she tried to reach for my jeans to pull them down a bit.
"Look around Inuyasha," Dex said, "There are like a hundred thousand people here; Kagome could be anywhere."
"And it's not like the competition started yet," Rin added. "It starts in thirty minutes so it'll make more sense to just wait it out and then you'll probably see Kagome competing. At least I think she's competing…"
"I don't need you to think, I need you to know!" I shouted at Rin and she flinched. "Damnit Rin, this isn't a fucking road trip of fun. This is serious so stop screwing around with—"
"Calm down," Dex interrupted with a surprisingly calm and yet stern voice, placing an arm on my shoulder and pulling me away from his girlfriend, stepping in front of me. "She's just trying to find the best way possible."
I looked back at Rin and then to Dex again. "Whatever," I mumbled, turning my back to them and walking off, stuffing my hands in my pockets. Yeah, she was just trying to help, but I didn't want that solution to my problem. I just want Kagome. I just want Kagome.
Damnit… why do I have to be so fucking stupid! One dumb bet and…
"So do you want to check out some of the stands while we wait?" Rin asked from behind me, interrupting my train of thought. It was a good thing too. I was about to go on another fit of rage and I couldn't promise I wouldn't hurt anyone.
"Do they have food?" Dex asked. I looked over my shoulder and they were holding hands and smiling at each other. I felt like the third wheel.
"Some should be around her somewhere…" Rin scanned the crowd as we ventured deeper into the pits of skaters. "You smell any food, Inuyasha?"
"No," I bit out, frustrated. With all these damn people here it was hard to pick out anything with my nose. I would have gone looking for Kagome if I could pick out her scent. God, I miss her scent…
"Well we can go looking around," Rin offered, but she didn't sound like she liked the idea. "Hey, Inuyasha, do you—"
"I'm going to the bathroom," I lied, needing a reason to get away from them. They were a happy couple and I wasn't. And I wasn't starting to hate them more and more as each second passed. "I'll catch up to y'all later."
"Okay, we'll probably be—"
"Bye," I told Rin, cutting her off, not even looking back at the two as I shoved my way through people.
-0-0-0-0-0-
"Holy shit, Kaogme!" I turned around at my name being called in the distance. There was Sango, Ayame, Miroku, and Kouga all moving towards me and smiling. My stomach fell to my knees. I do not want to be questioned…
"What the hell are you doing here?" Sango asked as they reached me and she pulled me into a hug. "Why didn't you tell us you were going to be here? We would have totally come with you."
Because I didn't want to be bothered, that's why. "It was just a spontaneous thing," I mumbled scratching the back of my head. "I didn't really think… yeah." I cleared my throat and tried to make sure any sign of uncertainty didn't exist on my face. "So why are y'all here?"
"We're—"
"Going to build a new park!" Ayame declared finished Sango's sentence as Kouga and Miroku left us, tossing me s short wave. "Well, we were, but Miroku pointed out that we might just be able to buy back the old park since Takahashi"— I hate that name—"hasn't started tearing anything down."
"And we're here to collect some money from supporting skaters willing to buy our sob story." Sango added. "Are you willing to donate something?"
"Can't," I said with an apologetic shrug. "All the money I have is for rooming and food."
"Aw shucks," Ayame joked with a snap of her fingers. "Well, you can help us advertise then." She hooked her arm with mind and Sango did the same to my other arm and they started to drag me with them.
"Hey, wait, I have to—"
"We've got some questions to ask you," Sango cut me off, dead serious. "You've been withdrawn a lot lately and we're not going to let our chance of finding out what the hell is wrong with you go now that we finally found you."
"In Tokyo of all places," Ayame added, pulling harder as I tried to resist. "What are you running away from?"
"Nothing!" I answered, too quickly and too loudly. "I just wanted to come and compete." I pointed to the number that was plastered onto my stomach. "See? I just want to see if I've still got it."
"The competition is in thirty minutes," Sango said as she pushed me down on a bench off to the side of all the activities and Ayame sat down next to me, still holding onto my arm so I couldn't run. I could still see skaters flying up in the air off the half pipe. "Talk," She demanded.
"I really have to—"
"No excuses," Ayame stopped my lie. "All this unclear shit ends now. You know we don't like bull shit."
"Nope," Sango agreed as she took a seat on the other side. "So talk already, Kags. What the hell has been up with you these past few days."
"I told you, it's noth—"
"The Kagome I know wouldn't break down crying, in front of everyone, if nothing was wrong." Ayame leaned forward a bit so she could look into my face. "Cut the crap already, Kagome. You can tell us anything. We're friends, right?"
God, how did I get myself in this situation? Was it when I was too busy looking at my shoes in a fit of self sorrow and allowed myself to be blindsided by these two or was it when I made the mistake of actually trusting Inuyasha and letting him in, causing me to tell them all those lies? I like that later; hating Inuyasha is easy; safe. The other emotions that like to mix and tangle together are too… confusing.
"The thing is…" God, If I thought telling a lie was hard, trying to take it back was even harder. My stomach clenched and my nails bit into my palms. "Uh… the thing is, I-I kind of…"
I can't do this. But now I need to either come up with another lie—and that's a bit too much right now—or think of a distraction. The whole 'Well, the thing is—Holy shit! Do you see that!' trick was far too immature for this situation I needed something big, something huge.
And it came.
"Is that Sesshoumaru Takahashi!" I shouted, pointing to the tall regal-like man that was walking through the crowd of people who hate him as if they didn't even exist.
"Don't say stupid shit, Ka—that is Takahashi's boy," Ayame cut herself off, gaping at Sesshoumaru as he walked through the crowd, looking for someone (my guess, probably Kagura).
"What's he doing here?" Sango bit out. "Trying to close down the event or something? God, do they hate skating that much just to come all the way to Tokyo to shut down a competition."
"I don't think they're allowed to do that…"
"Yeah, but it's not like he's here for enjoyment," Sango mumbled, glaring. "I mean…"
As the two of them grew angrier at Sesshoumaru's presence, their grips on my arm loosened and I took the chance to bolt, hopping over the back to the bench, and running like hell away from them.
"Kagome!"
I refused to look back. Yeah, I'll have to face them some time, but not today. Not when today was supposed to be a day to forget. A day for me.
Just for me.
-0-0-0-0-0-
I stretched my arms over my head, and stood up on my tip toes, stretching my hamstrings before bending over to touch my toes. It was weird actually preparing for a competition by stretching instead of loosening the other contestants' wheels, or digging up dirt to show to the judges that would get them disqualified. It felt nice.
"Hey," I heard a voice from behind me and when I checked over my shoulder I saw Kagome standing behind me mildly awkward.
"Hi," I said bluntly, turning back around to stare at my feet as I tried to get my palms to touch the ground in front of me.
"So, uh…" Kagome was quiet for a moment thinking something over in her head and I rolled my eyes. Why was this girl wasting my time? "Thanks for telling me about the competition. I really needed to come here."
"Yeah, a lot of skaters need to get out of Kyoto." Huh. Thinking that statement over, maybe I should have applied to colleges… Nah. Kanna is still here. As long as she's here, I'm staying.
"No, I—" Kagome seemed to stop herself before saying something she didn't want to. "Just thanks."
"Whatever," I said, standing up again and turning to face her. "You could have got it off a flyer. The damn things were all over the fucking place."
"Well, I guess, I wasn't really looking." She looked like there was something else she wanted to say, but she shook her head, deciding against it. "Well, I'll see you out there competing," she said, glancing at the number on my stomach.
"Wait," I called after her as she began to walk away and she looked over her shoulder at me. "Make sure you check your wheels." She looked confused. "Just do it. And tell the other competitors too."
"Okay…" Kagome still looked skeptical but she looked at her wheels otherwise. "Thanks."
"Yeah."
It's not that I have a guilty conscience for all the times I helped Naraku cheat, but I wanted to prove that when I win, I'm the best fair and square. I don't need any handicaps to win. And I wouldn't put it past Naraku to screw with the women's division. Even if he wasn't competing against us he couldn't let anyone have the chance of defeating him. Punk ass bastard.
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"Are they starting yet?"
"Almost."
"Kagura is competing in this event, right?"
"Yeah… even though she hates street. She's more for the half pipe and stuff where she can get more air" The older one pulled her coat around her tighter and jammed the albino girl's hat down on her head tighter. "If you catch a cold Kagura is going to kill you."
"I'm fifteen, not four," the younger girl mumbled, but she zipped her coat up all the way still. "I have already hit puberty in everything. Do you see my chest? It's growing!"
"What size do you—"
"Ahem," I cut in, clearing my throat to gain their attention. I didn't care about their… feminine conversation.
The older one looked over her shoulder first and smiled at me before turning around completely. She leaned against the fence that kept the crowd back away from the area I assumed they would be competing on. "Well, look who decided to show up after all?"
"Who?" The albino girl turned in curiosity and when she saw me her eyes widened. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to—"
"He came to watch Kagura, duh," the older girl, cut me off. I don't like being cut off. "It's great you showed up, really, but don't you think you could have called or texted, confirming you got the message? Kagura is getting all paranoid that you just completely forgot about her."
"I didn't."
"Yeah, well, if she messes up big time on this run because she's too busy thinking about whether or not you called I'm going to wring your neck," she said with confidence as if she could ever lay a finger on me without my willing.
The younger girl, Kagura's sister, was looking at something behind me and she wrinkled her nose. "Couldn't you have worn, like, I don't know, a disguise?" She scanned the crowd behind me and bit on her lower lip. "You're going to get us killed."
"Yeah, way to go on keeping a low profile," the other girl added with a shake of her head.
"This Sesshoumaru sees no point in hiding away from other people." I stood up straighter, crossing my arms over my chest. "If they wish to challenge me, I'm more than happy to oblige."
The oldest let out an obnoxious laugh that made me want to cringe. "Do you hear this guy Kanna? He's speaking in third person! Ah, that is rich."
The other one started to giggle and I frowned. These two women… they are frustrating. How did Kagura put up with these two?
Right. Kagura.
"Where is Kagura?" I demanded to know, the two finally calming down a bit. "I would like to speak with her."
"You're a little late," Kanna said, pointing to a line of girls at one end of the blocked off lot that had a number of ramps, railways, and steps. "They're about to start the first event now. See? Kagura's already up there. She's Number 54."
"I see." I looked down at the girl as she watched her sister with admiration. "Is she any good at this?"
"You'll just have to stick around and see," the older girl commented, looking over her shoulder to give me a mischievous grin that I didn't trust at all. "I'm sure Kagura will be ecstatic."
"Welcome skaters to Tokyo University's annual skate completion, here at Sk8 4ev3r park right behind the lovely college!" an announcer's voice came over the speakers placed around the park. "Today we're going to kick it off with the ladies in our street competition where we have divided our women into two groups and each…"
I watched as Kagura scanned the layout ahead of her with hardened determination. It looked promising enough for me to stick around.
For the competition, not her.
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So, I was having trouble looking for a good cut off part and I just said to hell with it, I'll stop right before the first event starts. And this is already ridiculously long so I'm stopping the chapter here. I hoped you like this chapter and please continue on to the next! Which shouldn't be up too much long later. And leave a REVIEW!
hanmajoerin would like to inform you that you are in for a long and amazing part 2 of the last chapter. She would also be the reason why you all have to wait. Hanmajo, also apologizes for any mistakes she misses.
hanmajoerin has also made a youtube video to promote a few of my fanfics, and I think you should check it out because it features songs from the playlist we've been working on for stories and there are some really cool banners. It's called One Year of Normal Punk Confessions Sk8ing Tightropes. So check it out!
~Kimiko888~