Disclaimer: I don't own anything. All I own are my DVDs, and my Manga. If
Inuyasha belonged to me...let's put it this way, hust be glad it doesn't
^_____^
Chapter 4 - The School Day Gets Better
Kagome was putting away her book back in her locker and grabbed her clothes for gym when Kouga walked over to her.
"What did you do to dog breath? It was awesome. First he takes a punch at you and next thing you know he's on the ground."
"I did nothing but uphold both of our honors," Kagome told him. The bell rang. "I must go to class now." Kagome dashed into the gym.
Kouga followed her. "Looks like we both have gym together."
"Seems so." Kagome stopped dead. She forgot about Kouga when she saw who was to be their gym teacher. "Kaede-onshi, I thought that you were to be teaching biology?"
"It seems that here in this country teachers can double up on subjects. Besides child, who would you rather have teaching archery?"
"No one other than you sensei."
"Good. Now go change, and put these on. We are going to show them the true art of archery."
Kagome's became excited and her face lit up. "These are the training clothes from Japan!" Kaede handed her the training clothes, and left Kagome go and change.
Kagome was changed before anyone even arrived. She helped Kaede set up the targets outside. She never heard any of the remarks the students said about the clothing, otherwise she would have lost it.
Five minutes later everyone was standing outside. "This unit will consist of the art of archery. Most of the targets have been placed twenty meters away. I suspect that most of you will only be able to reach that far."
"Ms. Kaede? I'm not sure if you're aware of this but I'm the archery champion for the school. I doubt that any of these targets will be a problem." Kikyo's voice rang with conceit and snobbishness.
"Very well child. There are secondary targets that have been placed forty meters away." Kaede told the class.
"I can hit a target up to fifty meters! Do you have anything better?" Kikyo interrupted again. Some students snickered.
"And for those that need an extra challenge, I have set up a third target sixty meters away. Anyone that can hit the bull's-eye in the sixty meter range will have the rest of the unit as free time and receive an A+ for this unit as well."
Eyes perked up. Student's found their goal. "Give me that. I'm going to get myself a free class for two weeks." Kikyo picked up a bow and strung it. She attached an arrow and sighted her mark. She pulled back the bowstring, and she let the arrow fly.
Students watched with awe as the best archer let her arrow fly. The arrow fell short. "What the fucking hell? This is fixed! There is no way that anyone but me could hit it! I'm the best this school has!" Kikyo fumed.
Kagome stood watching Kikyo make a complete fool of herself.
"Perhaps, it could be that your long bow is too short." Kaede said taking out a longbow that was about five feet in length. "String the bow and try again."
Kikyo tried to bend the wood, but it would not budge. She threw it down in a fit.
Kaede gave her a disappointing glare. "All you have to do child is bend the wood, and string the bow."
"Don't you think I've tried that? This unit is rigged! I bet you on one in this class would be able to string this!"
"And what would you bet?" Kaede's eyes sparkled with mischief.
"I would bet you a month of cleaning the biology lab, if someone could string it, but then if they hit the target." Kikyo thought for a moment, "I'll come to your house every weekend and I'll clean anything you want."
"That is a bold bet. Are you sure you want to make me that bet?" Kaede asked giving Kikyo a way out.
"I'm not one to back down from a bet or a dare." Kikyo even stuck out her hand so that the deal could be finalized. Both parties shook on it.
The students were talking to each other to see who would make Kikyo eat her words. Everyone was expecting a guy to beat Kikyo.
"Kagome," Kaede's voice called out. "Take the bow and string it." Everyone stood still as Kagome took the bow off the ground.
"She's not going to be able to string it let alone shoot it. But hey it's your class time!" Kikyo crossed her arms. She had a giant smile across her face. Her smile soon became shock as Kagome took the string and effortlessly strung the bow. "No, this can't be!"
"Looks like you're cleaning the bio lab Kiki!" Sango taunted. "Do it Kagome!"
Kagome took the quivers from Kaede and she set them at the sixty meter mark. She took a deep breath, and cleared her mind. Kagome forgot the cheers of encouragement from her peers, and the cold looks from the others. Kagome took her stance and drew back the bow. She sought her target and she let the arrow fly. She knew already it hit the bull's-eye.
Sango came rushing up, "Oh my god Kagome! Now Kikyo has to clean the teacher's house!"
"Not so fast! That was a fluke! There was no way she'd be able to do it again!" Kikyo fumed.
Kagome took her stance again, while Sango stood back. Kagome let another arrow fly. She knew she had split the first arrow, before even hearing it. Kagome grabbed another arrow and let that one fly. The arrow had just reached its target when Kagome let another arrow fly. Kagome shrugged after destroying five arrows. "Is that enough proof?" She turned to stare at Kikyo, who's face became pale.
Kikyo let out a guttural cry. Kikyo looked and saw Inuyasha come outside with a bag of ice on his head. She ran over to him, "Inuyasha! It's horrible! I don't know what to do?"
Before he could respond Kaede asked, "And where child have you been?" Inuyasha flashed the teacher a note. "Aye, so it seems that you were in the nurse's office, what happened?" Inuyasha took off the ice pack and showed the welt that was starting to form on his head. "Kagome?" Kaede called.
Kagome picked up the quiver and strung it over one shoulder, and placed the bow diagonally across her back. She walked over to Kaede.
"Kagome, is this your handy work?"
Kagome nodded.
"Perfect blow on the forehead. Now show me your stomach boy." Kaede ordered him.
"How did you know that she got my stomach too?" He asked while he was showing her his stomach.
Kaede shook her head. "Kagome your work is sloppy. You are an inch away from proper contact. Mind explaining your sloppy work?"
Everyone's jaw dropped. Kagome looked at Kaede, "He had a switchblade in his pocket. Had I made proper contact, he would either be in the hospital, or dead."
"Well then child you did well, now you know what to do." Kaede waved Kagome away and glared at Inuyasha.
"What that's all I get? The fucking bitch makes this welt and all you say is 'good job'?" Inuyasha roared.
"You should feel lucky she showed you kindness. Not to mention with that tongue of yours, I'm surprised that she did not take her chances with the blade." Kaede turned around. "Now everyone pick up a bow. Take your position at the first area. If you feel comfortable moving up to the second mark, then do so."
Kagome had come back from her target: all five arrows were garbage. She had placed a blank piece of paper for her target. She was about to take aim when Kaede called to her again. "Here put this on," Kaede handed her a blindfold.
"Why would you give that psycho bitch a blind fold?" Kikyo asked.
"You Kikyo might be the best archer in the school, but Kagome is the best archer in the world. She needs a challenge, otherwise she becomes bored." Kaede left the topic at that.
"In the world? Are you telling me that that snot nosed bitch is the best fucking archer in the *whole* world?" Kikyo asked not knowing whether or not to believe it.
"Kagome's trophies are not fake child. Now go and practice your archery. This school must be desperate if you are their best. Your form is pitiful, and you can shoot no better than anyone here. I would be ashamed to parade you around as the best. Luckily you can step down. Kagome will rightfully assume the title."
'That little bitch will take nothing away from me."
By this time everyone stopped their practice and stood watching the live drama unfold.
"Child nothing is yours to take. Look at Kagome. See her posture? Her stance? Do you see the power within her? These are things you lack. You are too arrogant to possess them."
"I will always be the best at this school! No one will-" Kikyo stopped ranting to watch Kagome.
Kagome had tied the blindfold over her eyes. She was letting the arrows fly. She felt more then saw the location of her marks. She used her last arrow. She untied the scarf and walked to her target.
"She didn't even land one in the center, and she's the best?"
"You will soon see. The center of the target is not always where you want the arrow to go," Kaede told her.
Kagome showed the paper to Kikyo. "Wow, what is it?" Kikyo didn't care, what she saw was beautiful.
"That would be your name written in Japanese. Instead of using ink, I used my arrows. It would honor me if you accepted this small gift." Kagome bowed.
Kikyo took it. Kagome bowed and returned shooting. 'I can't believe that shut her up. Gawd, sometimes I'm good.' Kagome gave an inward chuckle. 'If she only knew the truth.' That wasn't Kikyo's name she spelt with her arrows. The real meaning of the symbol meant mentally disturbed, and in part truth represented Kikyo perfectly.
The bell rang. Kagome decided to stay after class to help bring in the archery targets. It was lunch anyway, so she could linger. It wasn't like she made friends yet. It wasn't like she was a social butterfly; she didn't make friends really easily.
She took her time getting into the cafeteria. The room was packed. She scanned the room looking for a place to sit.
'Kagome!"
"Kagome!"
Two sets of hands were waving her over. One came from Sango, and the other came from Kikyo. Kagome smiled at Sango, but she walked over to Kikyo.
"Kagome, I just wanted to thank you for the gift, it's really beautiful." Kikyo said hitting Inuyasha who made a small growl.
"Feh!" Inuyasha said turning up his nose.
"Anyway, I'm sorry about all those comments. I thought you hated me."
Kagome looked into Kikyo's eyes. She saw genuine remorse. "I'm not petty Kikyo. I understand perfectly; you were jealous and acted accordingly."
Kikyo blushed slightly, "Ya. Oh and I hung it up in my locker already."
Kagome nodded her head, 'she really is a stupid bitch.' Kagome turned and walked towards Sango.
"Hi Kagome!" Sango said as she moved over to give Kagome room to sit.
"Thanks." Kagome sat down and unpacked her lunch. She was glad she packed some extra sushi, practicing always gave her an appetite.
"This is Erinn," Sango pointed to the girl sitting in front of her. Both nodded at each other. "And this is Kathelene-Rosalyne, but we call her Kat."
"Nice to meet you." Kagome said with her mouth full.
"What are you eating?" Erinn asked with curious disgust.
Before popping another roll in her mouth Kagome said, "Sushi."
Kagome inhaled her lunch in record timing. She let out a sigh, "I'm better now." She looked at them shyly, "Sorry, I should have offered you guys a roll."
"That's fine with me. I wouldn't have accepted one anyway. It looked gross and I'm a picky eater when it comes to 'real' food." Erinn said laughing.
"So what did the frigid bitch want Kagome?" Kat asked her.
"She just wanted to thank me for the little picture I made for her in archery, that's all." Kagome said.
"Was that really her name?" Sango asked all wide-eyed.
"If her name means 'mentally disturbed' then yes." Kagome said nonchalantly
Erinn broke her rule of no touching and high-fived Kagome. "She's been doing nothing since lunch but brag about that piece of paper. I'd love to see her face if she knew what it really meant." Erinn's face turned dark in evil plot.
"Please don't," Kagome begged. "She'll know in time what the paper means. Can you wait until then?"
"Ya know Kag, I like your style." Erinn said munching on some chips.
Sango asked her questions about her archery skill, and talked about Kagome's general past, diving into nothing specific. Just then Sango jumped up and swore. "Tryouts are at noon."
Kagome gave Sango a confused look, "For what?"
"Last year there was a sign up sheet for kendo, and I signed up." Sango had packed her lunch away.
"Mind if I come watch?" Kagome asked.
"Sure hurry up though, I'll be in the gym. I don't want to be late."
Kagome said goodbye to Erinn and Kat. She threw her garbage in the trashcan and shoved her lunch bag in her locker. 'Better bring my bag just in case,' she grabbed the bag and headed to the gym.
Kagome sat on the bench and watched. Luckily for Kagome, Kaede wasn't around otherwise the teacher would've forced her to spar with someone. 'I've taken Kikyo's title away from her, but she deserved it. I'd hate to take another title. Plus I told myself I'd never spar against someone ever again.'
She saw the class divide into two groups. She hadn't heard a word the teacher said, but she assumed that he was taking the new students to teach them the basics, while the others spared off with each other.
She saw Sesshomaru standing by himself. He was the odd person. Everyone had a sparing partner but him.
To her surprise he came and sat on the bench beside her.
The silence was almost too much for Kagome to take. "Where's your sparing partner?"
"He's probably in the lunch room with his bitch." His tone and voice was cold.
"Who's that?" Kagome was taken aback by his coldness.
"My half-brother Inuyasha."
"Why don't you just go get him? He's in the cafe."
"If he wanted to train, he'd be here."
Kagome studied his face. His features almost seemed to be chiselled. He seemed to be expressionless, until you looked into his eyes. Kagome saw the familiar mask she often wore, but she knew deep down, like all people, there was a responsive being inside.
Kagome was too in thought to see Kaede until it was too late. She snapped out of her thoughts when she heard the kendo teacher say, "Kaede, your specialty is archery not kendo."
"I know but Sesshomaru has no partner at the moment."
"He's the second best in the world! I'd hate for him to hurt your prized archer, but if you insist."
Kagome jumped up. "Sensei, please don't!" She begged as Kaede grabbed a bokken and walked over to her. 'No. No. No. This is not happening, it's too soon, no I have to leave,' her mind raced, but stopped when Kaede trusted a bokken at Kagome.
"You two will spar against each other." Kaede told them.
Kagome felt her whole inner sanctuary start to crumble. "Sensei! I can't. Please, don't." Kagome begged. She wished at this very minute she was still sitting in the café with Erinn and Kat. She saw the look in her sensei's eyes; there was no way Kaede would back down.
"Kagome, would you dishonor your sensei?"
"No." Kagome's voice sullen. She took her position on the floor. She didn't bother to look at anyone, but she knew the whole class was watching. She bowed to Sesshomaru, and took the ready position. He did the same.
Sesshomaru attacked and Kagome blocked it. Her mind wasn't all there; it was starting to go into the past. Kagome felt that holding back on Sesshomaru would somehow hold back the memory too. She could feel her body moving, but her mind was elsewhere.
The last time Kagome had a sparing partner, she had been training with Hojo for the world championships. Her teacher had interrupted their training session, and took Kagome aside and told her that her family had been murdered. She hadn't sparred with anyone since.
Kaede knew she was holding back. "Kagome! I'm ashamed! You are holding back. I thought you were trained better. Master Akira would be appalled, what would he say?"
Kagome's eyes clouded over even more. She took her stance again. She became a zombie; she held no passion in her eyes. Sesshomaru attacked, she blocked and countered. She held the bokken at his heart. Point for her.
They continued sparing. She could feel Sesshomaru become more enraged, but she felt like she couldn't do a thing about it. She easily beat him. Block. Counter. Point.
Kaede saw the blank look on Kagome's face. It was when Kagome when back into her ready position did she call out, "Kagome?" The realization hit the old woman's face. "You haven't spared since. have you?"
Kagome's head fell. "You are correct sensei."
"Then that's enough. You need not spar any more. I'm so sorry Kagome, I had not realized, I should've known." Kaede's full of remorse and pain for Kagome.
Kagome gave her sensei a sad smile. "I know," she said quietly. She bowed respectfully to Sesshomaru and handed her bokken to Kaede.
The memories of the past were flooding her. She could do nothing to stop them. She could do nothing to stop them. Kagome felt the tears fall even before she could grab her bag and shed her tears in peace.
She felt an arm wrap around her. She looked up and saw Sango. "Wanna talk?" Her friend asked.
Kagome nodded, "I think it's time I shared the pain. It's been long enough."
Sango lead Kagome into the stair well. Kagome told Sango her whole past about her family. She almost thought Sango was going to cry with her. Then Sango laughed. Kagome looked up at her.
"Sorry, I was just remembering Sesshomaru's face. You should have seen it. I've never seen him show any expression, but he was showing it during your little sparring match. He was fuming!"
Kagome couldn't help but smile, "I'm glad that someone got some amusement out of that situation. I'm sorry to burden you with this," as she wiped the last of her tears from her face.
"I think that friends should tell each other problems like this so that we can help. I'm not a person that has dealt with death of a family member, let alone my whole family, so I don't know any advise I can give you. But I do know a way that I can help you out. I know the perfect way to get you to spar again."
Kagome looked suspiciously at Sango, "How's that?"
"You can become my new trainer. I'd love to know how you beat Sesshomaru!" Sango was smiling, "Come on! I know you want to, besides talent like yours should not go to waste!"
"Well," Kagome thought.
"Please, Kag? Please?" Sango said shaking her lightly.
Kagome looked at her friend. Sango made puppy dog eyes. Kagome shook her head and laughed. "Since you asked me so nicely, I'll give in. I have to warn you though, I don't know how long it will take until I get back to normal."
Sango hugged Kagome. "Thanks so much Kag! Now we need to find a bathroom 'cause you look like shit."
Kagome laughed. 'Sango's a good friend. I'm glad I met her.' She looked at herself and groaned. "I look like shit! Well, can't say you're not honest Sango."
Kagome spent the rest of the lunch period cleaning up. Kagome took out her schedule and saw she had Chemistry. Kagome groaned when she heard the bell. She grabbed Sango and made a mad dash for Sango's locker.
When they got to the class, they were the first ones there. "See we aren't late!" Sango stated when they sat at the second table on the side of the classroom.
Kagome looked at Sango, "How come people straggle to class?"
"Here class is slack. I guess here it's not as strict. I can't complain."
Students started walking in. She heard Inuyasha over everyone, "I know she's a fucking demon! First she gets me good, then she beats fucking Kikyo, and then she kicks Sess' ass! She's not human, Kanna."
Inuyasha stopped and faltered a little when he saw her. Kagome gave him a death glare.
"The nerve of the little shit." Kagome said to Sango in a death tone.
"Ignore him Kagome. You deflated his ego today, so his nose will be out of joint for a while." Sango reassured her. Right now Kagome didn't feel reassured.
Inuyasha point at her, "That's the bitch right here. I hear all her classes are all advanced. I told you, she's a fucking freak. Feh!" He said to Kanna.
Kanna laughed. Kagome thought her laughter was eerie. It felt like hell had just frozen over.
She stopped glaring at them when she saw Sesshomaru walk into the room. He took the table behind her. Kagome turned around, "I'm sorry Sesshomaru." Kagome gave him a bow of respect and turned back around.
The teacher walked in and made his introductions. Then first thing he did was make Inuyasha and Kanna sit at the front table; seemed he has had problems with them last year. Kagome had a funny feeling that something was wrong. It was like watching a movie in slow motion.
The teacher, Mr. Bailey, was talking about how oil and water only mix nicely when heated. She saw Inuyasha make a comment while the teacher was pouring oil into the beaker. The teacher laughed so hard that oil went everywhere.
The knot in Kagome's side was so strong she wanted to cry out. 'What the fuck is wrong?' She asked herself. She closed her eyes. She found what was bothering her. Something smelt. She knew that smell. 'What is it?' Kagome racked her brain trying to think. She opened her eyes and she saw the teacher open the gas. The smell got stronger. 'I know that smell! Why don't I know what that is?'
She watched the teacher draw a lighter from his pocket. Kagome realized what that smell was, it was propane. There was a gas leak. The whole classroom was filled with it!
'Oh my god! One spark and we are all going to blow!' Kagome's mind screamed. "Mr. Bailey! Don't--" It was too late. Kagome jumped from her chair as the teacher ignited his lighter.
'No! It's too late!' Kagome saw the flame lick the gas. "Get down NOW!" Kagome's voice commanded as she used her body to pin Inuyasha to the ground. Kagome felt the flames dance on her jacket. She quickly stood up, "someone pull the fire alarm! If anyone has a cell phone call 911 now!" She screamed as she pulled off her jacket.
Everyone seemed frozen in fear. Kagome forced one of the girls to go pull the alarm. Everyone rushed out of the room.
Kagome tried to get to the teacher. The flames were close to him. He looked unconscious, but still alive. Sango and Sesshomaru remained in the class to help. "Sesshomaru grab your brother and get out of here!"
Kagome grabbed the teacher and dragged him through the fire. Sango was there and sprayed them with the fire extinguisher when Kagome reached them. Together they dragged the teacher and Kanna to the door. Another teacher grabbed Mr. Bailey, while Kagome grabbed Kanna, and they made a mad dash towards the front door.
They just got outside, when the fire department came running in. A paramedic took Kanna from her arms. Kagome rushed to the fire chief. "The fire was started by a leak in the propane hose. It's also an oil fire too. The flames haven't reached the chemical storage, so you can put it out."
He thanked her and went onto his radio and told the firefighters to hurry up and get the fire before it became a chemical fire.
A paramedic came and looked at Kagome. She had a few burns on her arms, but she shrugged them off. "How is everyone else?" She asked.
"We sent two straight to the hospital, but everyone else seems fine." The paramedic told her. "I have to cut the sleeves of your shirt to examine the burns, ok?"
Kagome nodded. She winced as the material was pulled from her arms. Her pain was momentarily forgotten as the principal and the fire chief walked over to her.
"Thanks to you miss, the fire was not as serious as it could have gotten. You should be proud. You saved many lives." The fire chief said before leaving.
"Kagome? Are you alright?" The principal asked.
"Where's Sango?"
"She's around here somewhere. I know that a paramedic was treating her."
Kagome nodded. She winced and gave a death glare at the paramedic who was applying ointment to her burns. "How's Inuyasha?"
He nodded to another ambulance, where another paramedic was looking him over. Kagome got up, despite the protests, and walked over to Inuyasha. "Are you okay?" She asked when she saw him.
Inuyasha gave her a death glare. Kagome was going to say something, but Sesshomaru stopped her. "Here." He said passing Kagome her bag.
"Thanks." She said taking it. "Can I have a minute with Inuyasha?"
Finding no reason for objection, everyone nodded: everyone except Inuyasha.
"Inuyasha? I was wondering if I could ask you something?" Kagome looked at him.
"Feh! What is it wench?"
"I was wondering if you could come over to my house tonight--" She was cut off.
"What?"
"Hear me out. I overheard your conversation about Miroku's debt. I want to pay it off for him."
Inuyasha stared at her. "Why?"
"I want Miroku to be free from Naraku for good."
All he could do was stare at her. After a few minutes he said, "You are aware of how much he owes?"
"Yes. 12k. I'm aware. Can you do that for me?" She looked at him waiting an answer.
"Feh! I'll do it. I don't know what a wench like you wants from a guy like him, but I'll do it."
"Good." Kagome got up and started down the steps. She grabbed her bag and pulled out a pen and paper. She wrote down her address. "Come as soon as you can. I don't want Miroku to know I paid it off. Tell him it disappeared. The debt is paid." She handed him the paper.
"Fine. I'll be over as soon as I'm done here."
Kagome nodded. She picked up her bag and walked back to the paramedic that was looking at her. He finished putting ointment on her. "You should come with us to the hospital, you could get better treatment than you'd get from me."
"I'll be fine." Kagome gritted her teeth as she slung her backpack onto her shoulders.
"Here, if you won't come to the hospital, then here's some cream I want you to put on it everyday until it heals. I would advise not wearing long sleeves until you feel comfortable."
Kagome nodded and headed to see the principal. "Sir?" At the sound of her voice he turned around.
"What can I do for you Kagome?"
"The paramedic told me that I cannot wear long sleeves until my burns have healed. I hope it would not be a problem to wear my street clothes until I'm fully recovered?" Kagome did not want to wear gauze on her arms.
"Well, you know that it's policy to wear uniforms, but for you, I'll make an exception. You can come to school in your street clothing until you are healed. Is there something else?" He saw the look that she wanted to say more.
"Yes sir. I was wondering if I could get a parking space. I wanted to come and talk to you about it after school, and I would have waited until there was an appropriate time, but it seems that I will be having a problem walking to school."
He thought for a moment. "Space 25 is free. That one over there," he pointed to the free space. "You can have that one."
"Thank you sir. I'm going to go home now. I'll see you tomorrow. Good night." Kagome started walking home, since she couldn't find Sango. 'She must have gone home'.
She heard a horn. Kagome turned to see Inuyasha behind the wheel. "Get in," he told her as he pulled to a stop. "I don't want to get to your house only to wait for you."
Kagome got in. The five minute drive was spent in awkward silence. Inuyasha pulled into the driveway. "Now I know why she wants to pay off Miroku's debt, they are friends," he said to himself aloud.
Kagome didn't tell him that he had just spoken. "Come in while I get you the money."
Inuyasha turned off the ignition. Kagome unlocked the front door and opened it. She held it open long enough for him to come in. "I'll be right back, make yourself at home."
Inuyasha nodded. Kagome ran up the stairs and entered her study. She dropped her bag by the desk and opened the wall safe. She grabbed twelve thousand dollar bills and closed the safe.
When she came back down stairs, she noticed that her dojo door was opened. She saw Inuyasha looking at her trophies. "Here," she handed him the bills.
"You seem to be a lethal weapon Kagome." He took the bills and counted them. He nodded and placed them in his pocket.
"Seem so. So Miroku's debt is paid in full?"
Inuyasha nodded. "It would seem that as of today Miroku is a free man."
"Good, because if he isn't," Kagome threatened, "I'll have to show you just how lethal I can be."
Kagome ushered Inuyasha out of her dojo. "Now for future references, no one enters my dojo without my permission, is that understood?"
Inuyasha nodded his head.
"Good. Now are you hungry? 'Cause I'm starving!" Kagome walked into the kitchen and pulled out a pot.
"What are you going to make?"
"I'm going to make ramen."
"What's that?"
"You've never had ramen?"
"No, why?"
"Then Inuyasha, you are missing out! Oh hell, I better make a big pot of it. Miroku can eat half the pot by himself."
"Feh! I'll be the judge of that."
Kagome laughed. "Have a seat. I'll make you a deal, if you don't like ramen, then I'll order pizza."
"You got yourself a deal."
"Kagome? Why are you home early?" Miroku's worried voice cried out.
"Hey Miroku, we're in the kitchen!"
"We?" He stopped dead when he saw Inuyasha. He quickly grabbed Kagome's arm, not noticing the burns and dragged her into the living room. "What's he doing here? He's bad new Kagome! I want you to stay away from him." Miroku rasped.
Kagome looked up at him, her face full of pain and tears. "He drove me home, there was a fire in the chemistry class. Why should I stay away from Inuyasha?"
It was then that Miroku noticed the burns on her arms. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking! I saw him here and feared the worst. Kagome can you forgive me?"
"Only if you tell me why Inuyasha is a bad guy." Miroku sighed. "I'll tell you everything after Inuyasha leaves."
"Good. Now let me go and make something to eat. Are you hungry Miroku?" Kagome asked behind her back as she walked back into the kitchen.
"Depends on what you're making."
"Ramen!"
Miroku dashed into the kitchen, "Really?"
Kagome turned to Inuyasha, "See? He's salivating already, and all I did was mention the word."
"Hun, I'm going to see my baby." He gave Kagome a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Who's his baby?" Inuyasha inquired.
Kagome laughed. "Wait. 3-2-1, there's your answer!" The sound of the plasma came to life.
Inuyasha looked in confusion, "What was that?"
"His baby. It's in the living room go see, the ramen should be ready in a few minutes." Kagome dropped the packages into the water.
She stirred the noodles. 'Ready. Now to pry the guys away from the TV long enough for them to eat.'
Kagome walked into the living room and turned off the television. "Supper is ready. Come and get it while it's hot."
Miroku was already in the kitchen fixing himself a large bowl. He sat down at the table and was eating before Kagome picked up the walkie- talkie. "Meg? You there Meg?" Kagome waited.
"Have you seen my son?"
Kagome laughed over the walkie-talkie, "Ya he's here. I should let you know that you and Shippo are having another quiet meal together."
"Ramen? Alright then, thanks Kag. I'll let you go so you can eat some before my son eats it all. Miroku, don't be a pig! This time leave Kagome a bowl. Meg out."
Kagome set the walkie-talkie down.
Inuyasha had fixed himself a bowl, and was eating as noisily as Miroku. Kagome shook her head. She grabbed a bowl and sat down with them.
"This is really good," Inuyasha said with his mouth full.
"I know. Kagome is the best. I can come here anytime I want, and I get to eat all the food I want too. Plus I get to see my baby any time I want. I just have to abide by her one rule." Miroku shoved another forkful of noodles in his mouth.
"What's that?" Inuyasha said with his mouth full.
"Can't go into her dojo. That's no sweat off my ass."
Kagome groaned at the sight. She lost her appetite. "Can't you guys eat with your mouth shut?" She pushed her bowl away from her. Inuyasha quickly grabbed it and started eating it. "If you don't mind, I'm going to go and change."
Kagome thought she heard an okay, but it was drowned out by the sound of them slurping their food.
Kagome took out a tank top and a pair of jeans. Tears came to Kagome's eyes when the material rubbed her burns.
It took her a while to put on her tank. She took her hair out her bun and brushed it. She walked back down stairs.
"Hey Kagome, Inuyasha told me about a new game that just came out for the PS2. He says it's got awesome graphics, and it would be the best on the plasma. So Kagome, can you buy it?"
"What's it called and I'll pick it up after school tomorrow?"
"I don't know the name of the game, but I know what it looks like. How about we go at lunch tomorrow and pick it up?" Inuyasha asked her.
"Fine. We'll take my car."
"Are you driving the Jag?" Miroku asked looking heart broken.
"Don't be heart broken Miroku, I'm going to buy you guys a game!" Kagome laughed.
"Kagome, have I asked you lately to bear my children?"
*****************************
Thanks to everyone for reviewing, and I'll have the next chapter out by Sunday/Monday.....so be patient with me while my mind works out the kinks........and I'm supposed to say that I have NO CLUE as to the pairings yet.......so many possibilities, and I'm bad at making up my mind, so I called it a drama.....I like Ashley's idea of a sess/kag fic.....but we'll see! R&R please
Chapter 4 - The School Day Gets Better
Kagome was putting away her book back in her locker and grabbed her clothes for gym when Kouga walked over to her.
"What did you do to dog breath? It was awesome. First he takes a punch at you and next thing you know he's on the ground."
"I did nothing but uphold both of our honors," Kagome told him. The bell rang. "I must go to class now." Kagome dashed into the gym.
Kouga followed her. "Looks like we both have gym together."
"Seems so." Kagome stopped dead. She forgot about Kouga when she saw who was to be their gym teacher. "Kaede-onshi, I thought that you were to be teaching biology?"
"It seems that here in this country teachers can double up on subjects. Besides child, who would you rather have teaching archery?"
"No one other than you sensei."
"Good. Now go change, and put these on. We are going to show them the true art of archery."
Kagome's became excited and her face lit up. "These are the training clothes from Japan!" Kaede handed her the training clothes, and left Kagome go and change.
Kagome was changed before anyone even arrived. She helped Kaede set up the targets outside. She never heard any of the remarks the students said about the clothing, otherwise she would have lost it.
Five minutes later everyone was standing outside. "This unit will consist of the art of archery. Most of the targets have been placed twenty meters away. I suspect that most of you will only be able to reach that far."
"Ms. Kaede? I'm not sure if you're aware of this but I'm the archery champion for the school. I doubt that any of these targets will be a problem." Kikyo's voice rang with conceit and snobbishness.
"Very well child. There are secondary targets that have been placed forty meters away." Kaede told the class.
"I can hit a target up to fifty meters! Do you have anything better?" Kikyo interrupted again. Some students snickered.
"And for those that need an extra challenge, I have set up a third target sixty meters away. Anyone that can hit the bull's-eye in the sixty meter range will have the rest of the unit as free time and receive an A+ for this unit as well."
Eyes perked up. Student's found their goal. "Give me that. I'm going to get myself a free class for two weeks." Kikyo picked up a bow and strung it. She attached an arrow and sighted her mark. She pulled back the bowstring, and she let the arrow fly.
Students watched with awe as the best archer let her arrow fly. The arrow fell short. "What the fucking hell? This is fixed! There is no way that anyone but me could hit it! I'm the best this school has!" Kikyo fumed.
Kagome stood watching Kikyo make a complete fool of herself.
"Perhaps, it could be that your long bow is too short." Kaede said taking out a longbow that was about five feet in length. "String the bow and try again."
Kikyo tried to bend the wood, but it would not budge. She threw it down in a fit.
Kaede gave her a disappointing glare. "All you have to do child is bend the wood, and string the bow."
"Don't you think I've tried that? This unit is rigged! I bet you on one in this class would be able to string this!"
"And what would you bet?" Kaede's eyes sparkled with mischief.
"I would bet you a month of cleaning the biology lab, if someone could string it, but then if they hit the target." Kikyo thought for a moment, "I'll come to your house every weekend and I'll clean anything you want."
"That is a bold bet. Are you sure you want to make me that bet?" Kaede asked giving Kikyo a way out.
"I'm not one to back down from a bet or a dare." Kikyo even stuck out her hand so that the deal could be finalized. Both parties shook on it.
The students were talking to each other to see who would make Kikyo eat her words. Everyone was expecting a guy to beat Kikyo.
"Kagome," Kaede's voice called out. "Take the bow and string it." Everyone stood still as Kagome took the bow off the ground.
"She's not going to be able to string it let alone shoot it. But hey it's your class time!" Kikyo crossed her arms. She had a giant smile across her face. Her smile soon became shock as Kagome took the string and effortlessly strung the bow. "No, this can't be!"
"Looks like you're cleaning the bio lab Kiki!" Sango taunted. "Do it Kagome!"
Kagome took the quivers from Kaede and she set them at the sixty meter mark. She took a deep breath, and cleared her mind. Kagome forgot the cheers of encouragement from her peers, and the cold looks from the others. Kagome took her stance and drew back the bow. She sought her target and she let the arrow fly. She knew already it hit the bull's-eye.
Sango came rushing up, "Oh my god Kagome! Now Kikyo has to clean the teacher's house!"
"Not so fast! That was a fluke! There was no way she'd be able to do it again!" Kikyo fumed.
Kagome took her stance again, while Sango stood back. Kagome let another arrow fly. She knew she had split the first arrow, before even hearing it. Kagome grabbed another arrow and let that one fly. The arrow had just reached its target when Kagome let another arrow fly. Kagome shrugged after destroying five arrows. "Is that enough proof?" She turned to stare at Kikyo, who's face became pale.
Kikyo let out a guttural cry. Kikyo looked and saw Inuyasha come outside with a bag of ice on his head. She ran over to him, "Inuyasha! It's horrible! I don't know what to do?"
Before he could respond Kaede asked, "And where child have you been?" Inuyasha flashed the teacher a note. "Aye, so it seems that you were in the nurse's office, what happened?" Inuyasha took off the ice pack and showed the welt that was starting to form on his head. "Kagome?" Kaede called.
Kagome picked up the quiver and strung it over one shoulder, and placed the bow diagonally across her back. She walked over to Kaede.
"Kagome, is this your handy work?"
Kagome nodded.
"Perfect blow on the forehead. Now show me your stomach boy." Kaede ordered him.
"How did you know that she got my stomach too?" He asked while he was showing her his stomach.
Kaede shook her head. "Kagome your work is sloppy. You are an inch away from proper contact. Mind explaining your sloppy work?"
Everyone's jaw dropped. Kagome looked at Kaede, "He had a switchblade in his pocket. Had I made proper contact, he would either be in the hospital, or dead."
"Well then child you did well, now you know what to do." Kaede waved Kagome away and glared at Inuyasha.
"What that's all I get? The fucking bitch makes this welt and all you say is 'good job'?" Inuyasha roared.
"You should feel lucky she showed you kindness. Not to mention with that tongue of yours, I'm surprised that she did not take her chances with the blade." Kaede turned around. "Now everyone pick up a bow. Take your position at the first area. If you feel comfortable moving up to the second mark, then do so."
Kagome had come back from her target: all five arrows were garbage. She had placed a blank piece of paper for her target. She was about to take aim when Kaede called to her again. "Here put this on," Kaede handed her a blindfold.
"Why would you give that psycho bitch a blind fold?" Kikyo asked.
"You Kikyo might be the best archer in the school, but Kagome is the best archer in the world. She needs a challenge, otherwise she becomes bored." Kaede left the topic at that.
"In the world? Are you telling me that that snot nosed bitch is the best fucking archer in the *whole* world?" Kikyo asked not knowing whether or not to believe it.
"Kagome's trophies are not fake child. Now go and practice your archery. This school must be desperate if you are their best. Your form is pitiful, and you can shoot no better than anyone here. I would be ashamed to parade you around as the best. Luckily you can step down. Kagome will rightfully assume the title."
'That little bitch will take nothing away from me."
By this time everyone stopped their practice and stood watching the live drama unfold.
"Child nothing is yours to take. Look at Kagome. See her posture? Her stance? Do you see the power within her? These are things you lack. You are too arrogant to possess them."
"I will always be the best at this school! No one will-" Kikyo stopped ranting to watch Kagome.
Kagome had tied the blindfold over her eyes. She was letting the arrows fly. She felt more then saw the location of her marks. She used her last arrow. She untied the scarf and walked to her target.
"She didn't even land one in the center, and she's the best?"
"You will soon see. The center of the target is not always where you want the arrow to go," Kaede told her.
Kagome showed the paper to Kikyo. "Wow, what is it?" Kikyo didn't care, what she saw was beautiful.
"That would be your name written in Japanese. Instead of using ink, I used my arrows. It would honor me if you accepted this small gift." Kagome bowed.
Kikyo took it. Kagome bowed and returned shooting. 'I can't believe that shut her up. Gawd, sometimes I'm good.' Kagome gave an inward chuckle. 'If she only knew the truth.' That wasn't Kikyo's name she spelt with her arrows. The real meaning of the symbol meant mentally disturbed, and in part truth represented Kikyo perfectly.
The bell rang. Kagome decided to stay after class to help bring in the archery targets. It was lunch anyway, so she could linger. It wasn't like she made friends yet. It wasn't like she was a social butterfly; she didn't make friends really easily.
She took her time getting into the cafeteria. The room was packed. She scanned the room looking for a place to sit.
'Kagome!"
"Kagome!"
Two sets of hands were waving her over. One came from Sango, and the other came from Kikyo. Kagome smiled at Sango, but she walked over to Kikyo.
"Kagome, I just wanted to thank you for the gift, it's really beautiful." Kikyo said hitting Inuyasha who made a small growl.
"Feh!" Inuyasha said turning up his nose.
"Anyway, I'm sorry about all those comments. I thought you hated me."
Kagome looked into Kikyo's eyes. She saw genuine remorse. "I'm not petty Kikyo. I understand perfectly; you were jealous and acted accordingly."
Kikyo blushed slightly, "Ya. Oh and I hung it up in my locker already."
Kagome nodded her head, 'she really is a stupid bitch.' Kagome turned and walked towards Sango.
"Hi Kagome!" Sango said as she moved over to give Kagome room to sit.
"Thanks." Kagome sat down and unpacked her lunch. She was glad she packed some extra sushi, practicing always gave her an appetite.
"This is Erinn," Sango pointed to the girl sitting in front of her. Both nodded at each other. "And this is Kathelene-Rosalyne, but we call her Kat."
"Nice to meet you." Kagome said with her mouth full.
"What are you eating?" Erinn asked with curious disgust.
Before popping another roll in her mouth Kagome said, "Sushi."
Kagome inhaled her lunch in record timing. She let out a sigh, "I'm better now." She looked at them shyly, "Sorry, I should have offered you guys a roll."
"That's fine with me. I wouldn't have accepted one anyway. It looked gross and I'm a picky eater when it comes to 'real' food." Erinn said laughing.
"So what did the frigid bitch want Kagome?" Kat asked her.
"She just wanted to thank me for the little picture I made for her in archery, that's all." Kagome said.
"Was that really her name?" Sango asked all wide-eyed.
"If her name means 'mentally disturbed' then yes." Kagome said nonchalantly
Erinn broke her rule of no touching and high-fived Kagome. "She's been doing nothing since lunch but brag about that piece of paper. I'd love to see her face if she knew what it really meant." Erinn's face turned dark in evil plot.
"Please don't," Kagome begged. "She'll know in time what the paper means. Can you wait until then?"
"Ya know Kag, I like your style." Erinn said munching on some chips.
Sango asked her questions about her archery skill, and talked about Kagome's general past, diving into nothing specific. Just then Sango jumped up and swore. "Tryouts are at noon."
Kagome gave Sango a confused look, "For what?"
"Last year there was a sign up sheet for kendo, and I signed up." Sango had packed her lunch away.
"Mind if I come watch?" Kagome asked.
"Sure hurry up though, I'll be in the gym. I don't want to be late."
Kagome said goodbye to Erinn and Kat. She threw her garbage in the trashcan and shoved her lunch bag in her locker. 'Better bring my bag just in case,' she grabbed the bag and headed to the gym.
Kagome sat on the bench and watched. Luckily for Kagome, Kaede wasn't around otherwise the teacher would've forced her to spar with someone. 'I've taken Kikyo's title away from her, but she deserved it. I'd hate to take another title. Plus I told myself I'd never spar against someone ever again.'
She saw the class divide into two groups. She hadn't heard a word the teacher said, but she assumed that he was taking the new students to teach them the basics, while the others spared off with each other.
She saw Sesshomaru standing by himself. He was the odd person. Everyone had a sparing partner but him.
To her surprise he came and sat on the bench beside her.
The silence was almost too much for Kagome to take. "Where's your sparing partner?"
"He's probably in the lunch room with his bitch." His tone and voice was cold.
"Who's that?" Kagome was taken aback by his coldness.
"My half-brother Inuyasha."
"Why don't you just go get him? He's in the cafe."
"If he wanted to train, he'd be here."
Kagome studied his face. His features almost seemed to be chiselled. He seemed to be expressionless, until you looked into his eyes. Kagome saw the familiar mask she often wore, but she knew deep down, like all people, there was a responsive being inside.
Kagome was too in thought to see Kaede until it was too late. She snapped out of her thoughts when she heard the kendo teacher say, "Kaede, your specialty is archery not kendo."
"I know but Sesshomaru has no partner at the moment."
"He's the second best in the world! I'd hate for him to hurt your prized archer, but if you insist."
Kagome jumped up. "Sensei, please don't!" She begged as Kaede grabbed a bokken and walked over to her. 'No. No. No. This is not happening, it's too soon, no I have to leave,' her mind raced, but stopped when Kaede trusted a bokken at Kagome.
"You two will spar against each other." Kaede told them.
Kagome felt her whole inner sanctuary start to crumble. "Sensei! I can't. Please, don't." Kagome begged. She wished at this very minute she was still sitting in the café with Erinn and Kat. She saw the look in her sensei's eyes; there was no way Kaede would back down.
"Kagome, would you dishonor your sensei?"
"No." Kagome's voice sullen. She took her position on the floor. She didn't bother to look at anyone, but she knew the whole class was watching. She bowed to Sesshomaru, and took the ready position. He did the same.
Sesshomaru attacked and Kagome blocked it. Her mind wasn't all there; it was starting to go into the past. Kagome felt that holding back on Sesshomaru would somehow hold back the memory too. She could feel her body moving, but her mind was elsewhere.
The last time Kagome had a sparing partner, she had been training with Hojo for the world championships. Her teacher had interrupted their training session, and took Kagome aside and told her that her family had been murdered. She hadn't sparred with anyone since.
Kaede knew she was holding back. "Kagome! I'm ashamed! You are holding back. I thought you were trained better. Master Akira would be appalled, what would he say?"
Kagome's eyes clouded over even more. She took her stance again. She became a zombie; she held no passion in her eyes. Sesshomaru attacked, she blocked and countered. She held the bokken at his heart. Point for her.
They continued sparing. She could feel Sesshomaru become more enraged, but she felt like she couldn't do a thing about it. She easily beat him. Block. Counter. Point.
Kaede saw the blank look on Kagome's face. It was when Kagome when back into her ready position did she call out, "Kagome?" The realization hit the old woman's face. "You haven't spared since. have you?"
Kagome's head fell. "You are correct sensei."
"Then that's enough. You need not spar any more. I'm so sorry Kagome, I had not realized, I should've known." Kaede's full of remorse and pain for Kagome.
Kagome gave her sensei a sad smile. "I know," she said quietly. She bowed respectfully to Sesshomaru and handed her bokken to Kaede.
The memories of the past were flooding her. She could do nothing to stop them. She could do nothing to stop them. Kagome felt the tears fall even before she could grab her bag and shed her tears in peace.
She felt an arm wrap around her. She looked up and saw Sango. "Wanna talk?" Her friend asked.
Kagome nodded, "I think it's time I shared the pain. It's been long enough."
Sango lead Kagome into the stair well. Kagome told Sango her whole past about her family. She almost thought Sango was going to cry with her. Then Sango laughed. Kagome looked up at her.
"Sorry, I was just remembering Sesshomaru's face. You should have seen it. I've never seen him show any expression, but he was showing it during your little sparring match. He was fuming!"
Kagome couldn't help but smile, "I'm glad that someone got some amusement out of that situation. I'm sorry to burden you with this," as she wiped the last of her tears from her face.
"I think that friends should tell each other problems like this so that we can help. I'm not a person that has dealt with death of a family member, let alone my whole family, so I don't know any advise I can give you. But I do know a way that I can help you out. I know the perfect way to get you to spar again."
Kagome looked suspiciously at Sango, "How's that?"
"You can become my new trainer. I'd love to know how you beat Sesshomaru!" Sango was smiling, "Come on! I know you want to, besides talent like yours should not go to waste!"
"Well," Kagome thought.
"Please, Kag? Please?" Sango said shaking her lightly.
Kagome looked at her friend. Sango made puppy dog eyes. Kagome shook her head and laughed. "Since you asked me so nicely, I'll give in. I have to warn you though, I don't know how long it will take until I get back to normal."
Sango hugged Kagome. "Thanks so much Kag! Now we need to find a bathroom 'cause you look like shit."
Kagome laughed. 'Sango's a good friend. I'm glad I met her.' She looked at herself and groaned. "I look like shit! Well, can't say you're not honest Sango."
Kagome spent the rest of the lunch period cleaning up. Kagome took out her schedule and saw she had Chemistry. Kagome groaned when she heard the bell. She grabbed Sango and made a mad dash for Sango's locker.
When they got to the class, they were the first ones there. "See we aren't late!" Sango stated when they sat at the second table on the side of the classroom.
Kagome looked at Sango, "How come people straggle to class?"
"Here class is slack. I guess here it's not as strict. I can't complain."
Students started walking in. She heard Inuyasha over everyone, "I know she's a fucking demon! First she gets me good, then she beats fucking Kikyo, and then she kicks Sess' ass! She's not human, Kanna."
Inuyasha stopped and faltered a little when he saw her. Kagome gave him a death glare.
"The nerve of the little shit." Kagome said to Sango in a death tone.
"Ignore him Kagome. You deflated his ego today, so his nose will be out of joint for a while." Sango reassured her. Right now Kagome didn't feel reassured.
Inuyasha point at her, "That's the bitch right here. I hear all her classes are all advanced. I told you, she's a fucking freak. Feh!" He said to Kanna.
Kanna laughed. Kagome thought her laughter was eerie. It felt like hell had just frozen over.
She stopped glaring at them when she saw Sesshomaru walk into the room. He took the table behind her. Kagome turned around, "I'm sorry Sesshomaru." Kagome gave him a bow of respect and turned back around.
The teacher walked in and made his introductions. Then first thing he did was make Inuyasha and Kanna sit at the front table; seemed he has had problems with them last year. Kagome had a funny feeling that something was wrong. It was like watching a movie in slow motion.
The teacher, Mr. Bailey, was talking about how oil and water only mix nicely when heated. She saw Inuyasha make a comment while the teacher was pouring oil into the beaker. The teacher laughed so hard that oil went everywhere.
The knot in Kagome's side was so strong she wanted to cry out. 'What the fuck is wrong?' She asked herself. She closed her eyes. She found what was bothering her. Something smelt. She knew that smell. 'What is it?' Kagome racked her brain trying to think. She opened her eyes and she saw the teacher open the gas. The smell got stronger. 'I know that smell! Why don't I know what that is?'
She watched the teacher draw a lighter from his pocket. Kagome realized what that smell was, it was propane. There was a gas leak. The whole classroom was filled with it!
'Oh my god! One spark and we are all going to blow!' Kagome's mind screamed. "Mr. Bailey! Don't--" It was too late. Kagome jumped from her chair as the teacher ignited his lighter.
'No! It's too late!' Kagome saw the flame lick the gas. "Get down NOW!" Kagome's voice commanded as she used her body to pin Inuyasha to the ground. Kagome felt the flames dance on her jacket. She quickly stood up, "someone pull the fire alarm! If anyone has a cell phone call 911 now!" She screamed as she pulled off her jacket.
Everyone seemed frozen in fear. Kagome forced one of the girls to go pull the alarm. Everyone rushed out of the room.
Kagome tried to get to the teacher. The flames were close to him. He looked unconscious, but still alive. Sango and Sesshomaru remained in the class to help. "Sesshomaru grab your brother and get out of here!"
Kagome grabbed the teacher and dragged him through the fire. Sango was there and sprayed them with the fire extinguisher when Kagome reached them. Together they dragged the teacher and Kanna to the door. Another teacher grabbed Mr. Bailey, while Kagome grabbed Kanna, and they made a mad dash towards the front door.
They just got outside, when the fire department came running in. A paramedic took Kanna from her arms. Kagome rushed to the fire chief. "The fire was started by a leak in the propane hose. It's also an oil fire too. The flames haven't reached the chemical storage, so you can put it out."
He thanked her and went onto his radio and told the firefighters to hurry up and get the fire before it became a chemical fire.
A paramedic came and looked at Kagome. She had a few burns on her arms, but she shrugged them off. "How is everyone else?" She asked.
"We sent two straight to the hospital, but everyone else seems fine." The paramedic told her. "I have to cut the sleeves of your shirt to examine the burns, ok?"
Kagome nodded. She winced as the material was pulled from her arms. Her pain was momentarily forgotten as the principal and the fire chief walked over to her.
"Thanks to you miss, the fire was not as serious as it could have gotten. You should be proud. You saved many lives." The fire chief said before leaving.
"Kagome? Are you alright?" The principal asked.
"Where's Sango?"
"She's around here somewhere. I know that a paramedic was treating her."
Kagome nodded. She winced and gave a death glare at the paramedic who was applying ointment to her burns. "How's Inuyasha?"
He nodded to another ambulance, where another paramedic was looking him over. Kagome got up, despite the protests, and walked over to Inuyasha. "Are you okay?" She asked when she saw him.
Inuyasha gave her a death glare. Kagome was going to say something, but Sesshomaru stopped her. "Here." He said passing Kagome her bag.
"Thanks." She said taking it. "Can I have a minute with Inuyasha?"
Finding no reason for objection, everyone nodded: everyone except Inuyasha.
"Inuyasha? I was wondering if I could ask you something?" Kagome looked at him.
"Feh! What is it wench?"
"I was wondering if you could come over to my house tonight--" She was cut off.
"What?"
"Hear me out. I overheard your conversation about Miroku's debt. I want to pay it off for him."
Inuyasha stared at her. "Why?"
"I want Miroku to be free from Naraku for good."
All he could do was stare at her. After a few minutes he said, "You are aware of how much he owes?"
"Yes. 12k. I'm aware. Can you do that for me?" She looked at him waiting an answer.
"Feh! I'll do it. I don't know what a wench like you wants from a guy like him, but I'll do it."
"Good." Kagome got up and started down the steps. She grabbed her bag and pulled out a pen and paper. She wrote down her address. "Come as soon as you can. I don't want Miroku to know I paid it off. Tell him it disappeared. The debt is paid." She handed him the paper.
"Fine. I'll be over as soon as I'm done here."
Kagome nodded. She picked up her bag and walked back to the paramedic that was looking at her. He finished putting ointment on her. "You should come with us to the hospital, you could get better treatment than you'd get from me."
"I'll be fine." Kagome gritted her teeth as she slung her backpack onto her shoulders.
"Here, if you won't come to the hospital, then here's some cream I want you to put on it everyday until it heals. I would advise not wearing long sleeves until you feel comfortable."
Kagome nodded and headed to see the principal. "Sir?" At the sound of her voice he turned around.
"What can I do for you Kagome?"
"The paramedic told me that I cannot wear long sleeves until my burns have healed. I hope it would not be a problem to wear my street clothes until I'm fully recovered?" Kagome did not want to wear gauze on her arms.
"Well, you know that it's policy to wear uniforms, but for you, I'll make an exception. You can come to school in your street clothing until you are healed. Is there something else?" He saw the look that she wanted to say more.
"Yes sir. I was wondering if I could get a parking space. I wanted to come and talk to you about it after school, and I would have waited until there was an appropriate time, but it seems that I will be having a problem walking to school."
He thought for a moment. "Space 25 is free. That one over there," he pointed to the free space. "You can have that one."
"Thank you sir. I'm going to go home now. I'll see you tomorrow. Good night." Kagome started walking home, since she couldn't find Sango. 'She must have gone home'.
She heard a horn. Kagome turned to see Inuyasha behind the wheel. "Get in," he told her as he pulled to a stop. "I don't want to get to your house only to wait for you."
Kagome got in. The five minute drive was spent in awkward silence. Inuyasha pulled into the driveway. "Now I know why she wants to pay off Miroku's debt, they are friends," he said to himself aloud.
Kagome didn't tell him that he had just spoken. "Come in while I get you the money."
Inuyasha turned off the ignition. Kagome unlocked the front door and opened it. She held it open long enough for him to come in. "I'll be right back, make yourself at home."
Inuyasha nodded. Kagome ran up the stairs and entered her study. She dropped her bag by the desk and opened the wall safe. She grabbed twelve thousand dollar bills and closed the safe.
When she came back down stairs, she noticed that her dojo door was opened. She saw Inuyasha looking at her trophies. "Here," she handed him the bills.
"You seem to be a lethal weapon Kagome." He took the bills and counted them. He nodded and placed them in his pocket.
"Seem so. So Miroku's debt is paid in full?"
Inuyasha nodded. "It would seem that as of today Miroku is a free man."
"Good, because if he isn't," Kagome threatened, "I'll have to show you just how lethal I can be."
Kagome ushered Inuyasha out of her dojo. "Now for future references, no one enters my dojo without my permission, is that understood?"
Inuyasha nodded his head.
"Good. Now are you hungry? 'Cause I'm starving!" Kagome walked into the kitchen and pulled out a pot.
"What are you going to make?"
"I'm going to make ramen."
"What's that?"
"You've never had ramen?"
"No, why?"
"Then Inuyasha, you are missing out! Oh hell, I better make a big pot of it. Miroku can eat half the pot by himself."
"Feh! I'll be the judge of that."
Kagome laughed. "Have a seat. I'll make you a deal, if you don't like ramen, then I'll order pizza."
"You got yourself a deal."
"Kagome? Why are you home early?" Miroku's worried voice cried out.
"Hey Miroku, we're in the kitchen!"
"We?" He stopped dead when he saw Inuyasha. He quickly grabbed Kagome's arm, not noticing the burns and dragged her into the living room. "What's he doing here? He's bad new Kagome! I want you to stay away from him." Miroku rasped.
Kagome looked up at him, her face full of pain and tears. "He drove me home, there was a fire in the chemistry class. Why should I stay away from Inuyasha?"
It was then that Miroku noticed the burns on her arms. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking! I saw him here and feared the worst. Kagome can you forgive me?"
"Only if you tell me why Inuyasha is a bad guy." Miroku sighed. "I'll tell you everything after Inuyasha leaves."
"Good. Now let me go and make something to eat. Are you hungry Miroku?" Kagome asked behind her back as she walked back into the kitchen.
"Depends on what you're making."
"Ramen!"
Miroku dashed into the kitchen, "Really?"
Kagome turned to Inuyasha, "See? He's salivating already, and all I did was mention the word."
"Hun, I'm going to see my baby." He gave Kagome a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Who's his baby?" Inuyasha inquired.
Kagome laughed. "Wait. 3-2-1, there's your answer!" The sound of the plasma came to life.
Inuyasha looked in confusion, "What was that?"
"His baby. It's in the living room go see, the ramen should be ready in a few minutes." Kagome dropped the packages into the water.
She stirred the noodles. 'Ready. Now to pry the guys away from the TV long enough for them to eat.'
Kagome walked into the living room and turned off the television. "Supper is ready. Come and get it while it's hot."
Miroku was already in the kitchen fixing himself a large bowl. He sat down at the table and was eating before Kagome picked up the walkie- talkie. "Meg? You there Meg?" Kagome waited.
"Have you seen my son?"
Kagome laughed over the walkie-talkie, "Ya he's here. I should let you know that you and Shippo are having another quiet meal together."
"Ramen? Alright then, thanks Kag. I'll let you go so you can eat some before my son eats it all. Miroku, don't be a pig! This time leave Kagome a bowl. Meg out."
Kagome set the walkie-talkie down.
Inuyasha had fixed himself a bowl, and was eating as noisily as Miroku. Kagome shook her head. She grabbed a bowl and sat down with them.
"This is really good," Inuyasha said with his mouth full.
"I know. Kagome is the best. I can come here anytime I want, and I get to eat all the food I want too. Plus I get to see my baby any time I want. I just have to abide by her one rule." Miroku shoved another forkful of noodles in his mouth.
"What's that?" Inuyasha said with his mouth full.
"Can't go into her dojo. That's no sweat off my ass."
Kagome groaned at the sight. She lost her appetite. "Can't you guys eat with your mouth shut?" She pushed her bowl away from her. Inuyasha quickly grabbed it and started eating it. "If you don't mind, I'm going to go and change."
Kagome thought she heard an okay, but it was drowned out by the sound of them slurping their food.
Kagome took out a tank top and a pair of jeans. Tears came to Kagome's eyes when the material rubbed her burns.
It took her a while to put on her tank. She took her hair out her bun and brushed it. She walked back down stairs.
"Hey Kagome, Inuyasha told me about a new game that just came out for the PS2. He says it's got awesome graphics, and it would be the best on the plasma. So Kagome, can you buy it?"
"What's it called and I'll pick it up after school tomorrow?"
"I don't know the name of the game, but I know what it looks like. How about we go at lunch tomorrow and pick it up?" Inuyasha asked her.
"Fine. We'll take my car."
"Are you driving the Jag?" Miroku asked looking heart broken.
"Don't be heart broken Miroku, I'm going to buy you guys a game!" Kagome laughed.
"Kagome, have I asked you lately to bear my children?"
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Thanks to everyone for reviewing, and I'll have the next chapter out by Sunday/Monday.....so be patient with me while my mind works out the kinks........and I'm supposed to say that I have NO CLUE as to the pairings yet.......so many possibilities, and I'm bad at making up my mind, so I called it a drama.....I like Ashley's idea of a sess/kag fic.....but we'll see! R&R please