AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the end I'm afraid. Until I get more inspiration, this is it. I'm in serious writer's block, but I had to finish this as my final good-bye. To any loyal readers, I thank you. I thank al those that reviewed. If I get inspired enough I'll write more. Right now, I'm so busy, planning more vacations, taking summer music school, and doing a ton of stuff. Good-bye fellow Inu-yasha fans.
*The stores in this mall are based off American stores because I don't know the Japanese equivalent to them.
THANK YOU: Thanks Jess-chan, my editor, who took her precious time, during classes, I might add, to edit this. I would also like to thank the one reviewer who inspired Shippo's role!
Chapter 6
The Hectic Mall Trip
Once they arrived at the mall, Kagome suggested that they spilt up. She had her own reasons, but she didn't express them. Miroku agreed, but Inu-yasha was most reluctant. He didn't like the idea of wandering around this foreign place without Kagome, the only person he knew. Kagome headed off towards one of the department stores while Miroku dragged Inu-yasha in the opposite direction.
Miroku stopped and pointed in. "Here we are Inu-yasha. I thought you might like this store." Miroku was pointing to a Pacific Sunwear store and Inu-yasha reluctantly went in. Miroku began grabbing clothes off the rack and holding them up to Inu-yasha to see if they would fit. He had chosen a few clothes and told Inu-yasha to go into the dressing room in the back.
"What am I supposed to do?" Inu-yasha asked, confused.
"That's right, Kagome mentioned you not knowing anything about our world. Well, to make sure the clothes fit, you go in the dressing room and try them on. Come out when you're ready and I'll see if they go well."
Inu-yasha changed without much difficulty and came dressed in cargo pants and a baggy sweatshirt. Miroku looked at him and nodded his head. "Does that mean I look good like this?" Inu-yasha asked, not sure what to make of Miroku's nodding.
"It's perfect. Now to get you a couple more things like that…" Miroku said as he walked around the store grabbing clothes, "and we'll be all set!"
"What are you doing?" Inu-yasha asked quietly when Miroku went up to the cashier.
"I have to pay for the clothes. After this, we'll take a little break and I'll show you something that has to be my favorite thing in this mall," Miroku cheerfully replied.
"Alright, then where to next?"
"Fun 'n' Games, the arcade," Miroku replied simply.
"What's an arcade?"
"It's where you can play games. The best game has to be DDR. I'll show you how to play."
"If you say so, but I don't know if I like the sound of this DDR. It sounds weird."
"It's a little challenging at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's easy. DDR is short for Dance Dance Revolution. The object of the game is to move your feet to a certain pattern, dancing, to a song and beating that level. As you beat more levels, the patterns, or dances, get harder. Do you get the basic idea?"
"Yeah, I do. Does Kagome like to play this game?"
"I don't know if she does or not. I usually don't come here with her. I wonder what she had to do that was so important she couldn't come with us."
"Kagome usually doesn't tell me her plans. She says I ask too many questions and it's easier if she slowly tells me everything. Is that a bad thing?"
"No, asking questions is normal. You just have to be careful how many questions you ask."
"I see now. Is that the arcade?" Inu-yasha asked as he heard a lot of noise coming from that direction.
"Yeah, come on, we want to be able to play DDR, right?"
"You make it sound so much fun, so why not?" Inu-yasha said enthusiastically.
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Kagome headed towards the nearest jewelry store. She wanted to buy something special for Inu-yasha and a nice chain seemed to be perfect. She had seen the exact one in this store before and had hoped they still had the chain. As she was walking over to the jeweler's, she spotted a young boy, about seven? *maybe younger* years of age, crying.
"What's wrong little boy?"
"My name's Shippo and have you seen my mommy? I can't find her and I've looked everywhere!" Shippo burst into tears again.
"I'll help you look for your mommy, Shippo. Where was the last place you saw her?"
"She went to get me ice cream. I was right behind her, but I got lost in the line. What should I do? I'm scared!"
"Shippo, let's go back by the ice cream place. We can look around there if you want. I'm sure your mother is worried about you as well."
"Really?"
"I'm positive," Kagome reassured the young boy.
The two of them headed towards the food, court, the exact opposite direction from the jewelry store. What was Kagome supposed to do? She couldn't leave the poor child by himself. She was frustrated and wondered how Miroku was handling Inu-yasha.
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Miroku dragged Inu-yasha to the back of the arcade where DDR was located. Miroku figured that having Inu-yasha watch him first and then trying on his own would be best. Still, Miroku was unsure of Inu-yasha's dancing ability. Inu-yasha had broad shoulders and was on the tall side. Miroku put his tokens in the game machine and the first round started up.
"Here's how it works," Miroku explained how DDR worked and Inu-yasha just nodded his head. "Any questions Inu-yasha?"
"No, should you begin?"
"I will, I will." The music started and Miroku beat the first level with ease. It was now Inu-yasha's turn and he surprised Miroku by passing the first level with ease.
"How did you do that?" Miroku asked, amazed at Inu-yasha's skill.
"It reminded me of fencing stances. In fencing, the stances must be performed quickly and as accurately as possible. That's how. Why?"
"I fell so many times when I first tried. It took me a good two weeks before I mastered the first level. What time were we supposed to meet Kagome?"
"We've got about a half hour. Why?"
"Just curious. I wonder how she's doing?"
"She'll be fine. That's Kagome," Inu-yasha thought dreamily.
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Kagome and Shippo reached the ice cream place quickly. There, Kagome asked Shippo what his mother looked like.
"My mommy is tall and brown hair to her shoulders and very nice!" ßbad grammar intended for Shippo
"What is she wearing?"
"She said that she would wear a hat with a feather on it! But I can't remember what color she says it'll be."
"That's enough information. Hold my hand so we don't get separated, okay?"
"No problem, Miss."
Kagome was able to spot a woman that matched Shippo's description and dragged Shippo over that way. Shippo struggled to keep up until he saw his mother. As soon as he spotted her, he wriggled his hand free of Kagome's hand and ran towards his mother, with arms outstretched. His mother picked her little boy up and hugged him. Kagome walked slowly towards them, not sure what to say.
"Miss, did you help me find my little boy?"
"Yes, I did. I hope he's okay now. He was very upset before I came along."
"Oh, Shippo's fine. Thank you so much for finding him. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"No, I'm fine thank you. I must go now. I hope to see Shippo around some time!" Kagome said as she waved good-bye to Shippo.
Shippo waved back to Kagome and yelled, "Bye Miss! I hope to see you again!"
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It was time for Inu-yasha and Miroku to meet up with Kagome, but Miroku didn't want to leave. Inu-yasha was beating every level on DDR and was on his way to the High Score list. Miroku didn't want the fun to end, but he knew that they had to go back.
Kagome finally bought the chain for Inu-yasha and headed back to the food court, where they had agreed to meet. Kagome knew she was going to be late, but she hoped that Inu-yasha and Miroku would be late as well. As she paced around outside of the food court, she saw the two of them racing towards her.
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!? I HAVE BEEN WAITING HERE FOREVER FOR YOU TWO!"
"Kagome, chill, please. I did get the clothes, don't worry. Also, we went to the arcade and Inu-yasha discovered DDR. He's really good at too! You should have seen him!"
"I can just see it now," she said, shaking her head, "Please, let's stop there. I think it's time to go home, but first, I bought you each something." Kagome handed Miroku a CD, Dance Dance Revolution Mix 4, and handed Inu-yasha the chain. "I hope you both like your gifts."
"Wow, I've always wanted this! Hey, it's got Bumble Bee, that's my favorite level! Thanks! I think Inu-yasha's speechless," Miroku said, as he pointed over his shoulder to Inu-yasha, who just looked at the chain.
"Here, here. I'll put it on," Kagome offered.
"Thanks, Kagome-chan. Can we go home? I'd like to try on my new clothes again and wear them around."
