Another chapter. La tee tum.
Batafurai in the getsuei: Wow! What a pretty name!! I'm glad you look forward to the next chapter. I agree, people really are missing out on this.
Well, than only you will find out about my newest story! I called it THE JUNGLE BOOK. Not a very original title, but I think it hasn't been used, so it's a fairly new idea. I rather like it, though I didn't want it to turn out drama, but it's turning out that way. Oh well. BIG SURPRISE: Naraku is not "The Bad Guy." He's just a slightly bad-virtued guy who has serious issues. The bad guy is Kouga!
Well, on with the show.
TYPICAL DISCLAIMER HERE!!!!!
Silently, Inuyasha sat back, glaring at the ceiling. His teacher droned on and on about history, a subject he found boring. A statement most every student in the classroom agreed with.
A movement caught his eye and he glanced over in time to see Kouga hand Kagome a note. Jealousy flowed through him as Kouga turned a grin at Inuyasha, his blue eyes twinkling in mirth. There was a small sound of surprise from Kagome and Inuyasha turned to look at her. She was elated, grinning, and furiously writing on the paper he had passed her.
A sharp word spoken by his teacher and Inuyasha obediently looked at the board, his mind doing flips. What had she been so happy about?
He glanced back to see that Kouga had the paper in his hands and was grinning just as elatedly as Kagome had been. Kouga turned his face to Inuyasha and winked, almost mockingly and he put the note in his jeans pocket.
Instantly, Inuyasha was jealous and suspicious. Luckily for him, the bell rang only minutes later. He stood up and grabbed Kagome's arm none too softly. "What was that all about?" he snarled, trying to keep his voice level.
"Kouga asked me out, and I agreed," Kagome said, her voice sounding superior. Inuyasha looked as if he had been slapped. Taking advantage of his shock, she left the room and ended up right next to Kouga. As Inuyasha watched, Kouga placed an arm around her shoulders and grinned mockingly at him.
He felt so much better. Well, at least he could watch Naraku get whipped by the Bodyguard. That might help his mood.
__________________________
At three, the fighting mat was the center of attention. Several teachers, never ones to be seen in the students' affairs, were standing in the shadows, excited as much as the students to get the fight to begin.
There was only one problem why the fight couldn't start. The Bodyguard was no where to be found. Once that problem was established, there were people sent out to look for the challenger.
Sesshoumaru was the first to find Kagome in the huge crowds, sitting with her future date. When he motioned to her to come down, Kagome willingly did so. Somehow, she could tell that Sesshoumaru had found her, and needed Kagome to pull Rinoa out of a slump.
Sesshoumaru led her past searchers and soon, she found herself in front of a bathroom door. "It's a girl's, so I cannot go in," Sesshoumaru explained. Kagome nearly laughed. There would be no one in there. It was only his honor that kept him out.
She quietly slipped into the bathroom and was assaulted by small gasps from a stall in the back. Kagome sighed quietly and knocked on the stall door.
The door creaked open and Kagome silently moved into the stall, a comforting word on her lips.
_____________________
Kouga waited in the stands, nervous for his date to return, and for her to return before Inuyasha found him. Not that he was afraid of Inuyasha, oh no. He almost wanted the egotistical brat to challenge him. He just didn't want his new girlfriend to be upset by the jerk again. She had talked to him a lot and had told him her fears that Inuyasha was using her to get a girl back.
What sort of kid could do that to a girl? It was more than cruel; it was inhumane. It was simply not done if one was a good person. Suddenly, he saw a girl enter the room and he smiled. It looked like Kagome, and he got up to wave when a hand grabbed his belt and sat him down on the bench- hard.
"It's not who you think it is," Inuyasha's voice snarled. Kouga turned his head to look at his rival and snarled. "That's Kikyo. They sure look alike, don't they?"
"Yeah, they do," Kouga muttered. Inuyasha didn't seem upset about Kagome going on a date with him. "So, no hard feelings about Kagome and me?"
"What?" Inuyasha muttered, looking surprised.
"About us going on a date?"
"Of course there are hard feelings," Inuyasha snapped. "I just don't feel like spilling your blood right now. I'm sitting here to keep an eye on you. I don't trust you with Kagome."
"Oh, so now you're her older brother?" Kouga replied. Inuyasha's eyes flashed.
"Of course not. I just don't want her hurt," Inuyasha retorted. Kouga peered at him as if studying him. "What?"
"All of that big shot attitude and rank really has given you a big head," Kouga snarled. Inuyasha looked ready to rip his head off right there and might have if a cry hadn't arisen from the crowd. Both boys turned their heads to see that Kagome and Rinoa had come into the fencing area. Rinoa was padded up, and a bit of redness around her eyes was the only clue to what had happened. After nodding at Kagome, Rinoa pulled her mask over her head.
Kagome raced back to her seat and was quite surprised that Inuyasha was sitting beside them. With one glance, she had herself between them. Anyone could tell the boys had gotten each other mad.
Rinoa looked up before Naraku stepped onto the mat and almost laughed to see the look on Inuyasha's face. He was so jealous that she could smell it, and he was a good distance up from the mat. And the fact that Kagome was cuddling up to Kouga wasn't helping. In fact, each moment made his jealousy worse.
Five, four, three, two, one.she counted quietly. Where she would have said zero, Inuyasha stood up and stormed to another seat. She almost felt sorry for the stubborn boy. It must be hard to see someone you care about acting like that.
"Come now, Bodyguard," Naraku's scaly voice called out. His voice was spoken loudly. Rinoa nearly groaned. How could he not know how to even use his voice the right way? He had no training in this.
"Come hither, snake," Rinoa returned, her voice not forced or loud and echoing to each corner of the room. Naraku began to smell distinctly of anger and recklessness. She shook her head. Such foolishness to let recklessness accompany anger. At least Inuyasha was not reckless when he was angry.
Naraku thrust at her and Rinoa stepped aside, not even raising her sword. "I thought you were going to fight for your honor," Naraku hissed. He pointed to Sesshoumaru, leaning against a wall. "Fight for his honor."
Rinoa shook her head again and took off her mask. "I'm not fighting you until you can prove to me that you can actually fight. So far, I've seen enough to make me think that you are pathetically easy to beat."
"You have yet to even see me attack," Naraku goaded, his voice too thick with pride.
"Then I will fight you without a mask," Rinoa answered. "If you can make me come off the mat, I'll fight you again."
Naraku grinned evilly. "I'd gladly take the time to push you off the mat." Rinoa brought her sword up and waited with a questioning look on her face. Naraku attacked and Rinoa blocked.
"No, no! Naraku, weight on the balls of the feet! You're too heavy in your movements," Rinoa lectured as he attacked her. "Weight on the balls of your feet will bring your center of gravity to an easier place to move. Let's go, up on the balls of your feet. What are you doing? The balls of the feet are the front of the feet."
"Shut up, wench!" Naraku screamed. "I would like to fight you in peace!"
"Naraku, I have yet to breathe heavy. I have yet to break a sweat. I have yet to see you do anything that would make me think you worthy of truly fighting you," Rinoa said softly, almost regretfully. "I do not want to take responsibility for your hospital stay."
Naraku attacked again and Rinoa once again blocked quickly. "For goodness sakes, Naraku! Use speed! Force and strength are good things to use when fighting, but speed puts the knuckle in the punch! Come now, make this faster, will you?"
"Stop talking!" Naraku screamed, stopping in his attack and ripping off his mask. He looked angry enough to throw the mask at her in the attempt to actually seriously hurt her. "Witch! I want a real fight from a beast like you! Don't hold back on me! I want to see if your father's blood is good blood, or if he only tainted the human race."
A silence fell over the crowd and everything was silenced. Rinoa was red faced and looked extremely irate at his words. "How dare you! You leave my father out of this!" Sesshoumaru started to move toward the mat, but Rinoa swung her sword in an arc, warning him to stay away. "Put your mask on, Naraku. I'm about to show you everything my father taught me, if you last long enough to see it all."
Naraku put it on, a grin splitting his face, but the smile wasn't returned by his opponent. Her mask still lay on the ground, useless now.
"Are you ready?" Rinoa asked, her voice just barely restrained from screaming or some other form of letting out emotions.
"As ready as anything, witch." The next thing he knew, he was lying on his back and pain was everywhere in his body. A face appeared above him and it snarled at him to get up and fight. Cautiously, he obeyed.
He was thrown to the ground yet again. This time, he had been watching her, but then, she was gone.
"I told you, Naraku. Speed is essential," she snarled over his face as he lay there. "Get up and fight, blockhead."
He obeyed yet again, but this time managed to see her coming and blocked her first attacks. A foot came behind his foot and then, he was on his back again. "Get up and fight! Weight on your balls of the feet would prevent that sort of attack, Naraku. Now get up!"
________________
Inuyasha had forgotten all about Kagome and Kouga. His eyes were watching the fight below with interest. Never had he seen such speed and ruthlessness. He had never had that speed used on him. He had heard that she would show everything her father had taught her. Her father had taught her well. Obviously, the remark about her father's blood had angered her a bit.
Suddenly, Naraku managed to find a rhythm and stayed on his feet long enough to make a few pathetic attacks of his own. A quick movement of her wrist, and Naraku's sword was flying through the air.
"Better catch it before I do, Naraku," Rinoa cried, her feet already moving her toward the sword. Naraku, though, had expected that sort of attack from her and nodded at Kikyo, who held another sword. By the time Rinoa was back on the mat, he was ready for her. Except, now, she had two swords.
Inuyasha smiled as she spun, totally graceful and flowing. Her attacks were like a fast paced, beautiful dance. Oh, to be able to fight like that he would give his most prized possession! It was beautiful, graceful, and so indescribably perfect that he found himself being lulled into a trance as he watched her.
Naraku fell once again and Rinoa leaned over him like she had before, but now she lifted a sword as if to stab him. The teachers started to look worried and moved toward the girl, but Kikyo was too fast for them.
Throwing herself on top of Naraku, she screamed for Rinoa to stop.
"Why?" Rinoa muttered. Silence reigned.
"Because he's just a student here!"
"Not only does he make assumptions about me and Sesshoumaru, he insults my father. I think that is enough reason to get rid of him."
"Your father's dead! Live with it!"
"All the more reason to fight for him. If he cannot fight for himself, I must fight for him. Fine then, I will let him go, but if he makes such rash statements like that again, I will be forced to challenge him again."
The tension in the air lowered as she lowered her sword back to her side. She tossed the sword she had flipped out of Naraku's hands onto his chest and walked away as the audience began to filter out of the fencing arena.
Kouga stood up to leave but paused as he saw Kagome run off in the direction of the equipment room. Slowly, unsure, he followed her. At the equipment room door, he was stopped by the one person he was afraid to meet.
"Uh, hello Sesshoumaru," he muttered quietly. Sesshoumaru took him by the shoulder and dragged him a distance from the door.
"Do not follow her in right now. They are talking about serious issues that you are not privileged enough to hear," Sesshoumaru explained. Kouga gulped and nodded and decided to wait by the front door for his girlfriend.
_________________
Kagome entered the equipment room and nearly sighed to see The Bodyguard once again in tears. "Oh, Rinoa, I'm so sorry about what he said back there. It wasn't right."
Rinoa took a deep breath and looked up from her seat on the floor. "I know it wasn't. The worst part, though, was not what he said," she murmured, patting the ground beside her and Kagome sat.
"What was it then?"
"It was what Kikyo said. About my father being dead," Rinoa answered.
"Is he?"
"I don't know. He left when I was two or so, or at least moved out. He came back, though, against Mom's wishes, and he taught me to fence. He taught me to use my natural balance and speed I inherited from him."
"Natural balance?"
"He's a cat demon. It runs in family lines."
"Oh. He taught you everything?"
"Yeah, until he left. I was about ten, if I remember correctly. He had been training me at night, and then, the night I was about ten and a half, he didn't show up. It wasn't like he was sick or anything. He never missed a night for eight years. And then, when he never showed up again, it was like Dad was gone all over again."
"Do you have any idea where he is?"
"Oh, no. He doesn't think to write or anything. Mom would find it first and ask where it all came from and junk, and then I'd get it. She hated Dad for some reason. I think it was because of what he was."
"I'm sorry."
"Nothing for you to feel sorry about. I'm okay now. It helped to whip Naraku like that," Rinoa said, her voice now casual and almost nonchalant.
"I'm sure it did," Kagome replied. Rinoa was quiet for a moment as she watched Kagome's face and Kagome watched her face.
"How goes it with Inuyasha?"
"It's all right," Kagome answered. "Kouga asked me out, and I accepted. I think I need to just focus myself on someone other than him for a while."
Rinoa chuckled. "I think you might have gone too far for a beginning day today. Did you see Inuyasha's face? He was madder than anything."
"I know," Kagome grimaced, "but he needs to grow up. So he doesn't get the girl. So she goes out with someone else. He needs to know to live with it."
"I'm glad you've found that out. Now, did you agree to go on date with this Kouga because you wanted to get back at Inuyasha or because you wanted to get to know him?"
"To get to know him," Kagome answered. "If I was to go out with him to get back at Inuyasha, I'm just as bad as Inuyasha. Maybe worse."
"Definitely worse. I'm proud of you."
Kagome grinned. "Maybe you should get out of the pads and get finished around here. Naraku probably won't be in here until you're gone. Any one with sense would do so with that sort of beating."
Rinoa only laughed and helped Kagome to her feet.
___________________
Never had there been such a quiet lunch at Inuyasha's table. Kagome and Kouga had left their table to join Rinoa. Or Kagome joined Rinoa and Kouga followed her like a lovesick puppy.
Turning in his seat, Inuyasha could see Kouga and Kagome talking quietly at Sesshoumaru's table. Kagome was almost sitting on Kouga's lap, and it made Inuyasha sick. He was glaring at them so hard he did not even notice that Rinoa, The Bodyguard, was watching him. When he did notice that she was watching him, she gave him a sympathetic glance and shrugged her shoulders. Then, she gave him a look that seemed to speak as clearly as her voice would have. It's your fault, you know, letting her dangle like that. She thinks you hate her, and that's probably why she looked for someone else and found it in him, you know.
Inuyasha turned away and sighed. He hated it when others were right.
Another chapter out. My friend who actually reviews, thanks for your support. Do you mind if I just call you Butterfly? It's too hard to type out Batfi.in the Gen.the other name. Butterfly, thanks for your reviews. It means a lot to me.
To all you lazy readers out there (not really) please review this time.
ARG! MY CAT IS..not attacking.
Never mind that.
To all the readers out there who have yet to see their names up on this story, please review. It means a lot to me, and the more supporters I have, the more I will write. I AM A SAD SOUL WHO NEEDS TO PLEASE!!
Thanks!!
Ciao! ~ Kay
Batafurai in the getsuei: Wow! What a pretty name!! I'm glad you look forward to the next chapter. I agree, people really are missing out on this.
Well, than only you will find out about my newest story! I called it THE JUNGLE BOOK. Not a very original title, but I think it hasn't been used, so it's a fairly new idea. I rather like it, though I didn't want it to turn out drama, but it's turning out that way. Oh well. BIG SURPRISE: Naraku is not "The Bad Guy." He's just a slightly bad-virtued guy who has serious issues. The bad guy is Kouga!
Well, on with the show.
TYPICAL DISCLAIMER HERE!!!!!
Silently, Inuyasha sat back, glaring at the ceiling. His teacher droned on and on about history, a subject he found boring. A statement most every student in the classroom agreed with.
A movement caught his eye and he glanced over in time to see Kouga hand Kagome a note. Jealousy flowed through him as Kouga turned a grin at Inuyasha, his blue eyes twinkling in mirth. There was a small sound of surprise from Kagome and Inuyasha turned to look at her. She was elated, grinning, and furiously writing on the paper he had passed her.
A sharp word spoken by his teacher and Inuyasha obediently looked at the board, his mind doing flips. What had she been so happy about?
He glanced back to see that Kouga had the paper in his hands and was grinning just as elatedly as Kagome had been. Kouga turned his face to Inuyasha and winked, almost mockingly and he put the note in his jeans pocket.
Instantly, Inuyasha was jealous and suspicious. Luckily for him, the bell rang only minutes later. He stood up and grabbed Kagome's arm none too softly. "What was that all about?" he snarled, trying to keep his voice level.
"Kouga asked me out, and I agreed," Kagome said, her voice sounding superior. Inuyasha looked as if he had been slapped. Taking advantage of his shock, she left the room and ended up right next to Kouga. As Inuyasha watched, Kouga placed an arm around her shoulders and grinned mockingly at him.
He felt so much better. Well, at least he could watch Naraku get whipped by the Bodyguard. That might help his mood.
__________________________
At three, the fighting mat was the center of attention. Several teachers, never ones to be seen in the students' affairs, were standing in the shadows, excited as much as the students to get the fight to begin.
There was only one problem why the fight couldn't start. The Bodyguard was no where to be found. Once that problem was established, there were people sent out to look for the challenger.
Sesshoumaru was the first to find Kagome in the huge crowds, sitting with her future date. When he motioned to her to come down, Kagome willingly did so. Somehow, she could tell that Sesshoumaru had found her, and needed Kagome to pull Rinoa out of a slump.
Sesshoumaru led her past searchers and soon, she found herself in front of a bathroom door. "It's a girl's, so I cannot go in," Sesshoumaru explained. Kagome nearly laughed. There would be no one in there. It was only his honor that kept him out.
She quietly slipped into the bathroom and was assaulted by small gasps from a stall in the back. Kagome sighed quietly and knocked on the stall door.
The door creaked open and Kagome silently moved into the stall, a comforting word on her lips.
_____________________
Kouga waited in the stands, nervous for his date to return, and for her to return before Inuyasha found him. Not that he was afraid of Inuyasha, oh no. He almost wanted the egotistical brat to challenge him. He just didn't want his new girlfriend to be upset by the jerk again. She had talked to him a lot and had told him her fears that Inuyasha was using her to get a girl back.
What sort of kid could do that to a girl? It was more than cruel; it was inhumane. It was simply not done if one was a good person. Suddenly, he saw a girl enter the room and he smiled. It looked like Kagome, and he got up to wave when a hand grabbed his belt and sat him down on the bench- hard.
"It's not who you think it is," Inuyasha's voice snarled. Kouga turned his head to look at his rival and snarled. "That's Kikyo. They sure look alike, don't they?"
"Yeah, they do," Kouga muttered. Inuyasha didn't seem upset about Kagome going on a date with him. "So, no hard feelings about Kagome and me?"
"What?" Inuyasha muttered, looking surprised.
"About us going on a date?"
"Of course there are hard feelings," Inuyasha snapped. "I just don't feel like spilling your blood right now. I'm sitting here to keep an eye on you. I don't trust you with Kagome."
"Oh, so now you're her older brother?" Kouga replied. Inuyasha's eyes flashed.
"Of course not. I just don't want her hurt," Inuyasha retorted. Kouga peered at him as if studying him. "What?"
"All of that big shot attitude and rank really has given you a big head," Kouga snarled. Inuyasha looked ready to rip his head off right there and might have if a cry hadn't arisen from the crowd. Both boys turned their heads to see that Kagome and Rinoa had come into the fencing area. Rinoa was padded up, and a bit of redness around her eyes was the only clue to what had happened. After nodding at Kagome, Rinoa pulled her mask over her head.
Kagome raced back to her seat and was quite surprised that Inuyasha was sitting beside them. With one glance, she had herself between them. Anyone could tell the boys had gotten each other mad.
Rinoa looked up before Naraku stepped onto the mat and almost laughed to see the look on Inuyasha's face. He was so jealous that she could smell it, and he was a good distance up from the mat. And the fact that Kagome was cuddling up to Kouga wasn't helping. In fact, each moment made his jealousy worse.
Five, four, three, two, one.she counted quietly. Where she would have said zero, Inuyasha stood up and stormed to another seat. She almost felt sorry for the stubborn boy. It must be hard to see someone you care about acting like that.
"Come now, Bodyguard," Naraku's scaly voice called out. His voice was spoken loudly. Rinoa nearly groaned. How could he not know how to even use his voice the right way? He had no training in this.
"Come hither, snake," Rinoa returned, her voice not forced or loud and echoing to each corner of the room. Naraku began to smell distinctly of anger and recklessness. She shook her head. Such foolishness to let recklessness accompany anger. At least Inuyasha was not reckless when he was angry.
Naraku thrust at her and Rinoa stepped aside, not even raising her sword. "I thought you were going to fight for your honor," Naraku hissed. He pointed to Sesshoumaru, leaning against a wall. "Fight for his honor."
Rinoa shook her head again and took off her mask. "I'm not fighting you until you can prove to me that you can actually fight. So far, I've seen enough to make me think that you are pathetically easy to beat."
"You have yet to even see me attack," Naraku goaded, his voice too thick with pride.
"Then I will fight you without a mask," Rinoa answered. "If you can make me come off the mat, I'll fight you again."
Naraku grinned evilly. "I'd gladly take the time to push you off the mat." Rinoa brought her sword up and waited with a questioning look on her face. Naraku attacked and Rinoa blocked.
"No, no! Naraku, weight on the balls of the feet! You're too heavy in your movements," Rinoa lectured as he attacked her. "Weight on the balls of your feet will bring your center of gravity to an easier place to move. Let's go, up on the balls of your feet. What are you doing? The balls of the feet are the front of the feet."
"Shut up, wench!" Naraku screamed. "I would like to fight you in peace!"
"Naraku, I have yet to breathe heavy. I have yet to break a sweat. I have yet to see you do anything that would make me think you worthy of truly fighting you," Rinoa said softly, almost regretfully. "I do not want to take responsibility for your hospital stay."
Naraku attacked again and Rinoa once again blocked quickly. "For goodness sakes, Naraku! Use speed! Force and strength are good things to use when fighting, but speed puts the knuckle in the punch! Come now, make this faster, will you?"
"Stop talking!" Naraku screamed, stopping in his attack and ripping off his mask. He looked angry enough to throw the mask at her in the attempt to actually seriously hurt her. "Witch! I want a real fight from a beast like you! Don't hold back on me! I want to see if your father's blood is good blood, or if he only tainted the human race."
A silence fell over the crowd and everything was silenced. Rinoa was red faced and looked extremely irate at his words. "How dare you! You leave my father out of this!" Sesshoumaru started to move toward the mat, but Rinoa swung her sword in an arc, warning him to stay away. "Put your mask on, Naraku. I'm about to show you everything my father taught me, if you last long enough to see it all."
Naraku put it on, a grin splitting his face, but the smile wasn't returned by his opponent. Her mask still lay on the ground, useless now.
"Are you ready?" Rinoa asked, her voice just barely restrained from screaming or some other form of letting out emotions.
"As ready as anything, witch." The next thing he knew, he was lying on his back and pain was everywhere in his body. A face appeared above him and it snarled at him to get up and fight. Cautiously, he obeyed.
He was thrown to the ground yet again. This time, he had been watching her, but then, she was gone.
"I told you, Naraku. Speed is essential," she snarled over his face as he lay there. "Get up and fight, blockhead."
He obeyed yet again, but this time managed to see her coming and blocked her first attacks. A foot came behind his foot and then, he was on his back again. "Get up and fight! Weight on your balls of the feet would prevent that sort of attack, Naraku. Now get up!"
________________
Inuyasha had forgotten all about Kagome and Kouga. His eyes were watching the fight below with interest. Never had he seen such speed and ruthlessness. He had never had that speed used on him. He had heard that she would show everything her father had taught her. Her father had taught her well. Obviously, the remark about her father's blood had angered her a bit.
Suddenly, Naraku managed to find a rhythm and stayed on his feet long enough to make a few pathetic attacks of his own. A quick movement of her wrist, and Naraku's sword was flying through the air.
"Better catch it before I do, Naraku," Rinoa cried, her feet already moving her toward the sword. Naraku, though, had expected that sort of attack from her and nodded at Kikyo, who held another sword. By the time Rinoa was back on the mat, he was ready for her. Except, now, she had two swords.
Inuyasha smiled as she spun, totally graceful and flowing. Her attacks were like a fast paced, beautiful dance. Oh, to be able to fight like that he would give his most prized possession! It was beautiful, graceful, and so indescribably perfect that he found himself being lulled into a trance as he watched her.
Naraku fell once again and Rinoa leaned over him like she had before, but now she lifted a sword as if to stab him. The teachers started to look worried and moved toward the girl, but Kikyo was too fast for them.
Throwing herself on top of Naraku, she screamed for Rinoa to stop.
"Why?" Rinoa muttered. Silence reigned.
"Because he's just a student here!"
"Not only does he make assumptions about me and Sesshoumaru, he insults my father. I think that is enough reason to get rid of him."
"Your father's dead! Live with it!"
"All the more reason to fight for him. If he cannot fight for himself, I must fight for him. Fine then, I will let him go, but if he makes such rash statements like that again, I will be forced to challenge him again."
The tension in the air lowered as she lowered her sword back to her side. She tossed the sword she had flipped out of Naraku's hands onto his chest and walked away as the audience began to filter out of the fencing arena.
Kouga stood up to leave but paused as he saw Kagome run off in the direction of the equipment room. Slowly, unsure, he followed her. At the equipment room door, he was stopped by the one person he was afraid to meet.
"Uh, hello Sesshoumaru," he muttered quietly. Sesshoumaru took him by the shoulder and dragged him a distance from the door.
"Do not follow her in right now. They are talking about serious issues that you are not privileged enough to hear," Sesshoumaru explained. Kouga gulped and nodded and decided to wait by the front door for his girlfriend.
_________________
Kagome entered the equipment room and nearly sighed to see The Bodyguard once again in tears. "Oh, Rinoa, I'm so sorry about what he said back there. It wasn't right."
Rinoa took a deep breath and looked up from her seat on the floor. "I know it wasn't. The worst part, though, was not what he said," she murmured, patting the ground beside her and Kagome sat.
"What was it then?"
"It was what Kikyo said. About my father being dead," Rinoa answered.
"Is he?"
"I don't know. He left when I was two or so, or at least moved out. He came back, though, against Mom's wishes, and he taught me to fence. He taught me to use my natural balance and speed I inherited from him."
"Natural balance?"
"He's a cat demon. It runs in family lines."
"Oh. He taught you everything?"
"Yeah, until he left. I was about ten, if I remember correctly. He had been training me at night, and then, the night I was about ten and a half, he didn't show up. It wasn't like he was sick or anything. He never missed a night for eight years. And then, when he never showed up again, it was like Dad was gone all over again."
"Do you have any idea where he is?"
"Oh, no. He doesn't think to write or anything. Mom would find it first and ask where it all came from and junk, and then I'd get it. She hated Dad for some reason. I think it was because of what he was."
"I'm sorry."
"Nothing for you to feel sorry about. I'm okay now. It helped to whip Naraku like that," Rinoa said, her voice now casual and almost nonchalant.
"I'm sure it did," Kagome replied. Rinoa was quiet for a moment as she watched Kagome's face and Kagome watched her face.
"How goes it with Inuyasha?"
"It's all right," Kagome answered. "Kouga asked me out, and I accepted. I think I need to just focus myself on someone other than him for a while."
Rinoa chuckled. "I think you might have gone too far for a beginning day today. Did you see Inuyasha's face? He was madder than anything."
"I know," Kagome grimaced, "but he needs to grow up. So he doesn't get the girl. So she goes out with someone else. He needs to know to live with it."
"I'm glad you've found that out. Now, did you agree to go on date with this Kouga because you wanted to get back at Inuyasha or because you wanted to get to know him?"
"To get to know him," Kagome answered. "If I was to go out with him to get back at Inuyasha, I'm just as bad as Inuyasha. Maybe worse."
"Definitely worse. I'm proud of you."
Kagome grinned. "Maybe you should get out of the pads and get finished around here. Naraku probably won't be in here until you're gone. Any one with sense would do so with that sort of beating."
Rinoa only laughed and helped Kagome to her feet.
___________________
Never had there been such a quiet lunch at Inuyasha's table. Kagome and Kouga had left their table to join Rinoa. Or Kagome joined Rinoa and Kouga followed her like a lovesick puppy.
Turning in his seat, Inuyasha could see Kouga and Kagome talking quietly at Sesshoumaru's table. Kagome was almost sitting on Kouga's lap, and it made Inuyasha sick. He was glaring at them so hard he did not even notice that Rinoa, The Bodyguard, was watching him. When he did notice that she was watching him, she gave him a sympathetic glance and shrugged her shoulders. Then, she gave him a look that seemed to speak as clearly as her voice would have. It's your fault, you know, letting her dangle like that. She thinks you hate her, and that's probably why she looked for someone else and found it in him, you know.
Inuyasha turned away and sighed. He hated it when others were right.
Another chapter out. My friend who actually reviews, thanks for your support. Do you mind if I just call you Butterfly? It's too hard to type out Batfi.in the Gen.the other name. Butterfly, thanks for your reviews. It means a lot to me.
To all you lazy readers out there (not really) please review this time.
ARG! MY CAT IS..not attacking.
Never mind that.
To all the readers out there who have yet to see their names up on this story, please review. It means a lot to me, and the more supporters I have, the more I will write. I AM A SAD SOUL WHO NEEDS TO PLEASE!!
Thanks!!
Ciao! ~ Kay
