Chapter 7
Kagome was proud of herself. She had made the long walk to school by herself. Some of her confidence was slowly returning. Inuyasha's constant companionship and reassurances were helping more than she was willing to admit. Though she did wonder when her arrogant jerk hanyou had become the caring gentle young man who she saw now. Perhaps he had always been there. She smiled at the thought.
Looking up she realized the school toughs had surround her. "Excuse me." She said trying to step past them.
"But, Higurashi it's been what a week? You must be aching for a man again by now." Their leader said pushing her back.
"No." she whispered stepping back only to realize they had cornered her in a seldom used section of the school yard. "Please, just let me go." She begged.
"Oh, now why would we do that. We know how much girls like you want it. I mean you went out and found some stranger on the street didn't you." The boy continued, as he and his friends closed in on her. "Why pretend? Huh Higurashi? We know what you want... Just be quiet and we'll take care of you."
Shaking her head violently, tears began to fall down her cheeks as she tried to fight them off.
Across the school yard Hojo, saw them cornering Kagome. His first instinct was to dash to her defense, but there were so many of them. Reaching into his pocket he pulled the whistle. "Hope this works." Putting it to his lips he blew.
On the roof top Inuyasha's head snapped up at the whistle. His ears swiveling, verified the direction the sound came from. With a powerful leap he landed on the schools wall, another leap and he was next to Hojo. The school boy didn't even have to explain, Inuyasha's nose had all ready scented Kagome's fear and tears. Seeing the huddle of boys from where he scented her, he moved.
Hojo had jumped at the sudden appearance of Inuyasha at his side. He opened his mouth to explain only to hear a very canine like growl coming from the young man beside him. Hojo watched as the strange boy moved forward his gate was a smooth roll of feet, no motion wasted, shoulders, arms and hands were loosened with an almost missed shake. Unbidden came the image of fighters in some of the shows he watched came to Hojo's mind. His comparison was confirmed when with a twisting leap, the boy disappeared into the center of the group.
Hearing a growl, Kagome's hope raised for a moment before crashing to the ground when she remembered Inu Yasha wasn't here, he was waiting back at the shrine. She was about to give into the panic when suddenly, he was between her and the boys who threatened her. Relief flooding through her she moved to lean against his back.
Golden eyes studied each of the ones that had dared threaten her. Catching and holding the eyes of each boy he growled low in warning. Most understood the message and disappeared into the school yard to mingle with the students who were blissfully unaware of the situation. Eventually only three remained, the leader and the two who had stood closest. Inuyasha felt Kagome's trembling as she leaned heavily into his back. His ears flicked forward and back in agitation, catching the soft sniffs from the girl. His nose was assaulted with the scent of her tears, fears and the boys arousal. "Leave." He finally managed to say.
"Go away, this doesn't concern you. What are you suppose to be anyway? Shooting some television show or movie? This doesn't concern you." The leader sneered. "The girl is nothing but a whore. She wants it... she's just putting on a show. You know...ack.." The boy suddenly found himself suspend by the collar of he uniform.
Inuyasha's growl deepened and grew louder. Turning his gaze to the two on either side he repeated his earlier command. This time the two obeyed. "Kagome go over to Hojo, I'll be back in a bit. We," He shook the boy in his grip to indicate who he was speaking of, "need to have a little private talk."
Kagome nodded, but stopped before leaving, "Don't kill him."
Inuyasha nodded, "He didn't touch you. So he'll live." Bending his knees he leapt into the air landing easily on the school roof. Lightly he tossed the boy from him. "First, Kagome is not what you called her. Second, she does not want it. Third she was not putting on a show. Fourth. I'm not from some movie. Fifth Thank you for giving me the opportunity to get this out of my system." His fist connected with the school bully's stomach doubling him over. "Get up." Inuyasha circled the now prone boy.
The boy looked up, he hadn't braced for the punch. It hadn't looked like the silver haired boy was putting anything behind the punch. Yet never had he been hit so hard. He staggered to his feet.
Inuyasha continued his circling of the boy as he regained his feet. "Ever seen a girl after she was raped asshole?" He watched the boy braced himself hands on his knees. "I've seen it twice. The first time was my Okufuro. The second time was Kagome. Nothing about it makes a girl want anything from a man." He smacked the boys head sending him back to the pavement. "Only a sick pathetic excuse for a man, would ever find something satisfying about a woman's terror and pain. How would you feel boy? Your mother held down, as someone stronger forced himself on her? How about your sister? What if it was her?" He smacked the boy just as he regained his feet, once again the boy fell to the ground. "Would you want your little friends to 'help her out'?" He watched as the boy began to shake his head. "So you can learn." Lifting him by the neck he carried him to the edge, dangling him over it, "Tell your friends, next time they threaten Kagome.... I will kill them. These ain't for show." He held his claws before the stunned boys face. "Sankon Tetsusou." He watched as the boy noticed the new deep claw marks in the bricks surrounding one of the air conditioning units. Forcing the boy to meet his gaze he calmly stepped off the roof.
Kagome watched from Hojo's side as Inuyasha landed with his usual ease and released the boy. Who immediately crumpled to his knees. She ran to Inuyasha wrapping her arms around his neck. Her tears drenching the fire rat kimono. "Arigato, Inuyasha. Arigato. I want to go home." She felt his arm sweep her legs up and balance her in his arms.
"I'm taking her home, tell whoever needs to know." Inuyasha told Hojo as he passed.