A/N: I would like to dedicate this chapter to Ms. BelleDayNight. Thanks so much for being patient with me. You don't have to wait any longer because everyone's favorite schoolgirl appears at last (damn... that sounds suspiciously like something R. Kelly would say). Please enjoy.

Almost forget. Hey Belle, that story that stars the inquisitive trio is coming along pretty well. Assuming that's the very first story to actually to be wrote on paper. I'd never thought I have to write it out... Oh well.

Inuyasha

Coed Sortilege

Chapter Four

The Other Woman

Brown eyes... defined with slights of gray...

Rose pink lips, currently formed into a thin smile...

Wavy raven hair flowing gracefully in the nocturnal wind as it was caught by the breeze...

Youthful face... a blessed body, the mistake of nature and the envy of the less fortunate...

Astonishing beauty... holding innocents, and at the same time, raw undeniable strength... all mold into one young creature...

The entity... was a woman...

The woman... Higurashi Kagome...

Strength and beauty at her consent...

A rose with many thorns indeed...

She sighed to herself. Awaiting for her friends at the foyer of their apartment. She killed time by allowing herself to become occupied by peering into a few photos of her boyfriend. A hanyou, a creature whom had the purity and mischievousness of a little boy, yet, the charm, strength, and art of a grown man. Inuyasha... She blushed as her mind uttered the strange name. Forest spirit... canine... Men are dogs... That was one hell of a metaphor!

Men being dogs can be a good thing, she thought.

A particular picture caught her special attention. A visage of her adoring with her man at the campus. A Kodak moment. He didn't welcome it at first, but she had him tenderly by the ears in the photo. He held a smirk, simultaneously loving and mischievous. He rested his head on his right palm as he laid on the ground as a funny pose. Kagome loved that. His utter goofiness at times, it was one of his many charms. He wore a plain red T-shirt, broad black fleece shorts, and a pair of matching Nike sneakers.

The photo was taken three days ago.

Kagome allowed her eyes to follow it's gaze at her own image. She sat on her calves right behind his head, her hands busy fiddling with his ears. Her face suppress a laugh, going on the brink of a hysterical guffaw. She was very adorable and cute, according to the men she met. However, Kagome didn't think so. In her opinion, her beauty wasn't that radiant... she thinks of herself of being plain. Inuyasha chided her about that opinion several times, much to her annoyance. He would say that she looks like an angel or the infamous (and cliche) damsel descending from heaven line. Though somehow she knew that she must appreciate her beauty while it lasts. Once in the senior years one may long to be beautiful once more... even at the cost of their soul. She sported a hot pink polo skirt that reaches to her mid thigh, a little above the knees. It's designed with a V-neck collar and laced with three buttons, in which neither of them was fastened. It actually appeared to be a long shirt than a dress due to the fact that it wasn't exactly form-fitting. She also wore petal pink socks and white tennis shoes laced with outlines of the previous colors.

"Kagome-chan."

The said girl's attention was caught and she skewed her visage towards the one whom had gained it. A close friend of her around her age, Eri Matsumoto. Freshly nineteen years old, she is slightly older than Kagome. Often mistaken as a adolescent schoolgirl, she was often flattered by the compliments ("I age well, I guess". She once said). The girl wore a long, flowing royal blue sundress with thin straps encircling her shoulders. On her feet were fashionably stylish coffee colored loafers. Her hair was styled into the infamous 'page-boy' along with a bow across it. Overall... her attire gave her a schoolgirl-like appearance.

"Are you guys ready?" Kagome responded. "You dragged me into this you know, and now the other are taking their sweet time to prepare themselves."

Eri's large brown orbs glittered with amusement... even mischief. "Why yes, we are." She beamed, obviously concealing a cackle. "Though Ayumi is a little reluctant."

"Was this girl's night out her idea?" Kagome queried, growing curious about the said girl's disinclination. "What gives? Did she had a change of heart or something?"

Eri burst into laughter.

"No she didn't change her mind, Kagome." Yuka answered, decked out in a jean outfit as she emerged from the door. "She's just... a little embarrassed." Yuka Egawa, the youngest of the four friends. Significantly taller than the rest and dare say... bolder. She is the most open, expressive and mischievous of the four. She is entitled the gossipmonger of the four by her friends, respectively. Her brown hair is short, yet elegant as it reaches the nape of her neck. Her eyes are wide, though demanding to become narrow as she ages thus giving her a malicious face... but she was still cute. "Ayumi! You can come out now!"

A highly nervous voice erupted from inside the apartment. "Coming..."

Eri and Yuka went into childish giggles again.

Kagome had to wonder why. "What's so funny?"

Eri managed to pause her hysterics. "You'll see..."

"She's dressed to kill." Yuka followed. "Talk about being drastic."

Kagome's eyes widened, gaining a vague notion on how Ayumi's going to appear before them. They all knew that Ayumi's the shyest among them. The type of girl who blushes madly at the sight of an attractive male and yet, afraid to confess her feelings about it. Ayumi is attractive herself, but her coyness just so happens to repel those who are interested in her. The results: Hardly any eyes notices her anymore. Poor child's probably desperate for attention. "I guess it's one of those night..." Sighed Kagome.

"Okay, I'm ready." Ayumi amassed as she finally appeared. A blush severely upon her features.

The others gaped at her.

Yuka was the first to respond, slapping her forehead. "Damn it, what's with the leather coat, Ayumi?" She admonished. "It's seventy nine degrees for goodness sake."

"You're not going to gain any man's affection if you don't present yourself, Ayumi." Eri concurred. "That coat is defeating the purpose."

"Ayumi-chan... are you feeling well?" Kagome beckoned, sensing the heat of her friend's blush.

"Why do I have to look all hoochiefied in order to get a boyfriend?" She mistrusted the crazy notion but inside, the though of being... 'open' wasn't really a bad idea. "I may not feel good because I feel a draft on my hips."

"Oh my god..." Kagome realized with widened eyes. "Eri, Yuka... no you didn't?" She couldn't help but form a smile on her face. "We're a little to old for innocent little short skirts. We're no longer in high school you know." Her face then dropped into a frown. "The school department had to be embellished with perverts."

She noticed the leather boots protruding out from underneath the large coat.

"Yep. We did." Yuka answered. "Ayumi's going to be on the spotlight tonight."

"No..." The said girl denied.

"Be brave, Ayumi." Eri encouraged as she patted her shoulder. "It's a improvement, actually. A nice makeover."

"You watch to much talk shows." Ayumi retorted. Oblivious to her, Yuka was right behind her, preparing a nasty, unexpected surprise. "Besides, they're aren't-- AAAIIIIIYYEEE!!!"

The leather coat was snatched off of her without her knowing...

"YUKA!!!"

"Here's our makeover, folks!!" Yuka grinned.

"You're impossible!!" Ayumi fidgeted as she wrapped her arms around her torso, miserably trying to conceal herself. Don't she need an introduction too? Oh well...

Ayumi Hiyama, the shy kid of the four. Eighteen years of age, and nearly a four months younger than Kagome. Her small pale face was now cringing in embarrassment, and her curly hair was caught in the breeze. She was shamed. Ashamed because of the clothing her friends suggested she should wear. Knee high stylish leather boots raised her height significantly, acknowledging the fact that she's the shortest of them all. Her short miniskirt was taut on her hips and the colors of it was like the springtime skies... deep blue with streaks of white-- like the cirrus clouds. The ethereal silk accented the graceful contours of her derriere and gave her a sense that she may be naked, only wearing underwear. Her black shirt was of a tank top design... revealing a thin tummy with slightly defined abs.

She wasn't actually naked... She just felt that way right now.

Plus, she's the girl that fell in love with Miroku a few years ago...

Kagome admired her friend's reluctant boldness. "... if only Miroku can see you right about now."

Ayumi blushed. "Let's just get a move on... it's cold out here." 'Duh! You're almost naked, Ayumi. Really, am I that desperate? No...' Her conscience chided. She snatched her coat from Yuka's grasp. " There aren't going to be any lucky wandering eyes tonight." She declared. "Besides, this skirt makes my butt look bigger than it already is."

Kagome, Eri, and Yuka guffawed at the same time.

"Well... isn't it time for us to take our leave guys?" Said Kagome as she sauntered towards her Explorer. "Let's be merry..." She started sarcastically. "And have a great time." She gazes at the timid Ayumi, intent on offering her advice. "Just be yourself, girl. Eyes are going to be skewing your way anyway."

Eri and Yuka fell...

"Thanks, Kagome..." She paused, smoothing down the cirrus miniskirt from riding up her broad, exposed thighs. "I think..."

"Hoochie mama! Hoochie mama!" Yuka gibed.

Kagome made throat clearing sounds as she glared menacingly at Yuka. Emphasizing the fact that Ayumi is already afraid to come along. This could be an opportunity for the girl to gain confidence. Yuka ceased her jibes respectfully.

It was going to be a long night for them.

* * *

"There it is!" Yura exclaimed upon landing at a park nearly a block away from the nightclub. "It's a very active night and it's bustling with cuties!"

Kikyou made a rough landing and skidded into a pile of bushes. "Ouch! Definitely not the landing that I intended." She rose from the shrubbery and dusted of the debris from her clothes and approaches Yura. "Well I'll say, the club is quite crowded. Shouldn't we be on our way inside? It's looks as though that we're doing espionage in this empty park."

The statement dawned on the cat youkai. From the looks of it, she does realizes that Kikyou was right. It does looks as though they're hiding out in the park... and spying on the club mongers. "Silly me!" She giggled. "Come, lets have a lot of fun, Kikyou. The night is indeed young." She skews a glance at the club entrance and notices a peculiar male paying for entree. "Ooh... young indeed. That boy over there is under aged."

Kikyou found Yura's claim to be quite impressive. Her perpetual sad narrow eyes widened a bit. "That's impossible to tell from the looks of him. Yura, how do you know that? You cannot possibly be sure about that."

The cat youkai smiled mysteriously. "Kiki, Kiki, Kiki... According to the aura of his soul, the quality of his skin, the lack of facial hair, the display of his facial features, the temperature of his body and the scent of his blood... that guy's a winner." Yura elucidated. "He's way young. He must've a hell of a fake I.D. on him"

Kikyou was taken aback by awe. "That's... incredible." Really. It is.

"Well then, I'll be on my way." She said shortly before sprinting across the street without care. She definitely did not notice the bright lights and the oncoming sound of a car stereo playing Lil' Jon.

"Yura!" Kikyou shouted fearfully. "Watch out!!!"

At that moment, the driver of the 69' Impala notices the woman whom was crossing the street. "What the fuck!?" Renkotsu exclaimed as he immediately slammed on the brakes. An even deeper scowl formed on his face as he stuck his head out of the windows to deliver something to Yura that could make a trooper feel good. "Hey! Watch the fucking way you were fucking going! You asshole of a crash dummy! You were damn sure going to be a fucking crash dummy if I rammed your ass! My insurance won't be paying for your crazy ass!"

Yura became angry. "Go to hell, baldy!!"

Renkotsu grinned and made a smart retort. "Ha! Not by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin!"

"Okay..." Yura signaled as her eyes narrowed at him. Renkotsu abruptly felt a prickly feeling on his chin as it begins to itch. "There!"

Renkotsu's curiousness gotten the best of him. He peered into the rear view mirror and gasped. His bear face was now covered with a thick brown beard and moustache and trimmed sideburns to boot! "What the heck!!!?"

Yura snickered. "I guess you wouldn't cuss out another woman like that now, would you? See you later freakshow!" She ran off.

Kikyou was softly chuckling to herself at the events that had just occurred. Though, in the meantime, it was brought to a sudden end as a familiar voice uttered her name. "Kikyou..."

She gave the person her attention and looks on in unexpected shock. "Inu... Inuyasha?"

"Kikyou..." He stammered. "Well, this is highly unexpected..."

END OF CHAPTER FOUR

Who could forget about Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi? Will Ayumi gain some confidence in the next chapter? She's bold... but not exactly confident. Besides, as always, they're the comic relief of the story. But, I've planned a larger than usual role for them.

NEXT CHAPTER

Coed Sortilege

The Other Woman, Part 2