Disclaimer Notice : Inuyasha & Co not mine but HANOUSHI is )
---
Kagome pushed herself through the thick mob of the crowd. She almost gagged of the smell of perfume of all the girls in the crowd.
" Hanoushi ! Hanoushi ! Ooh, say hi ! " squeals erupted in the hallways, as Kagome continued to push through the girls.
Move already .. Kagome thought as she clenched her teeth.
" HANOUSHI ! You're HOT! " a voice yelled out, and the group of girls burst into hysterical laughter.
MOVE ALREADY .. Kagome thought again, biting on her tongue.
" Hanoushi, look at me ! OH MY GOD, he turned to me ! " a girl squealed, and the rest of the girls laughed.
" WILL YOU PLEASE GET OUT OF MY WAY ? " Kagome suddenly shouted, her patience long gone.
All the girls stopped squealing and turned to look at her. Kagome felt her cheeks burn up as girls looked at her up and down. " What's up with her ? " one whispered, and Kagome blushed deeper.
Suddenly, the mob parted and someone tall and masculine stumbled out, frustrated. Kagome turned, surprised to see Hanoushi scramble away from the group of staring females.
Hanoushi turned his head to the crowd and gave them a warning glare. But the girls took it the wrong way and all screamed in delight. Hanoushi covered his ears and hurried to the school door, with the females chasing after him, laughing.
Kagome opened her mouth to say something but quickly shut it. Poor boy ..
Suddenly, Hanoushi stopped running. The females behind him screeched to a stop, murmuring to each other.
Hanoushi rolled his eyes and turned his head, his eyes looking past the group. At Kagome.
He gave her a look that looked too familiar, Kagome turned away.
Please Hanoushi, stop looking at me like this. Please .. Kagome's eyes started to well up as the girls turned to see what he was looking at.
Hanoushi looked at her for a few more seconds as Kagome turned her head slightly. Then he did something very unexpected.
He smiled.
Kagome's eyes widened, as the girls' jaws fell. Hanoushi, being here for so long (one day), has never smiled. With everybody staring and shocked, Hanoushi took the cue to run for it. He gave Kagome one more glance and then bolted to the doors. With a blink of an eye, he was already gone.
The girls turned around, disappointed to see him gone, and then turned to look at Kagome, whispering to each other. Some gave her dirty looks and sneered at her, green with envy. Kagome blushed and quickly rushed past them.
Running outside, Kagome stopped behind a shady tree. She leaned against it, her heart pounding, her head throbbing.
Hanoushi who are you ? Who are you really ? Kagome thought, as tears rolled down her cheeks. This is not possible. You resemble too much of Inuyasha. Is it possible that you are his .. Kagome gasped as the thought hit her like a ton of bricks.
" Too much of .. him .. " Kagome's head pounded as she tried to push away the thought of who Hanoushi was. Inuyasha's .. reincarnation ?
" NO ! " she yelled as she burst into angry tears. She slid to the ground against the tree, her heart heavy and guilty.
How dare I think of this possibility ? I love Inuyasha ! He musn't be what I think he is. I must see him. I must know that he is alright. That Hanoushi is just a lookalike. A simple lookalike. Kagome nodded, her head still filled with doubt as she got up.
" Inuyasha is alright. " Kagome called out loud to herself. Though she didn't sound very convincing to herself, Kagome tried to believe it. Looking around to see if anybody saw, she walked scurried down the street, unaware of the hidden figure watching her, his mind in a daze.
---------------------------------------
Kagome dropped her books on her desk and plopped down. She rubbed her eyes from the lack of sleep and put her head on the table. The sleepless night she encountered was memorable. Everything drained her mind, and she tried to get rid of the ' everything '. For the everything was the boy sitting beside her on the next row. Kagome closed her eyes as she felt the familiar lump on her throat rising.
Please .. not now .. Kagome thought as she squeezed her eyes shut.
Sensei Tatako walked in, brushing her chestnut bun into place. She was a gorgeous woman in her middle 20's, who wore business suits with low V cuts on her chest, which can attract a lot of attention. Most of the boys in the school liked her .. like most of them in Kagome's class. They woofed and howled if Sensei Tatako dropped something and had to pick it up. Or when she would stretch back, showing off her bosom. Kagome was disgusted, as it was obvious Sensei Tatako liked the attention and the jealousy from all the girls. But they had their own little idol. The new student, Hanoushi. Besides that, most of the boys in Kagome's school were all the show-off type, and was really loud. Hanoushi was strangely distant and mysterious, with looks that can attract even the older females. Many of the boys didn't get this treatment and would die for the attention. But Hanoushi just looked annoyed with it. Besides his incredible features, he looked like he just wanted to be alone. That attracted more bees then anybody.
Kagome heaved a frustrated sigh as Sensei Tatako winked at a boy, drooling over her. The boys went wild, hooting and clapping the boy winked at on the back. Kagome could hear the girls grumble but she wasn't disturbed. Even though she was considered cute and pretty, she didn't like any boys in her school. Not when her heart belonged somewhere else.
The thought of it, pained her deeply. Strangely, she turned her head to Hanoushi, whose head was on the table, with his arm resting under it. Somehow, he had this way of making her feel better, to show she wasn't lonely. There was no explanation to this, but there was something there. No wonder all the girls liked him.
" Alright class, boys, " Sensei Tatako winked again, as the boys sighed. " Today, we will be doing definitions. Let me give you an example .. " Sensei ever-so-cutely tapped her chin then lit up, " Heteromorphic. " She sighed at the winces on everybody's faces. " Can anybody give me the definition ? "
Boys shot their hands up, even though they didn't know what the word meant. Kagome sighed and slumped low in her seat as Sensei looked around the room. All the students were attentive, except for two. Kagome jumped as Sensei called her name.
" Kagome ? " Sensei frowned as Kagome looked up, unexpected. " Instead of acting all depressed and not paying attention, why don't you tell us what Heteromorphic means ? "
All eyes laid on Kagome, some smirking, some watching her sympathetically. Kagome looked down, embarrassed, " I-I don't know Sensei Tatako. "
Snickers rang through the room, and Kagome was sure Sensei Tatako gave a smirk. Kagome sighed when Sensei cleared her throat and gave her a warning glare. " Alright then, Kagome. You can spend today after school in my class doing five pages of the dictionary, writing down every definition of every single word. "
The boys gasped and raised their hand up, " Can I stay afterschool too, Sensei Tatako ? "
The class erupted with laughter as Kagome emotionlessly slumped lower in her seat. If this normally happened to her, she would've seethed with anger till the day was gone. But today, she had no feel for anybody who made fun of her. If somebody had to throw a textbook at her head, she wouldn't feel it. She didn't even want to know why.
" Alright then, Kagome. " Sensei Tatako nodded disapprovingly and scanned the class. Then she laid her eyes on another distracted student.
" Hanoushi, " Sensei said sternly. All the girls in the class snapped their heads up, and Kagome groaned. " Since you are new here, maybe you don't know our rules. Especially the no sleeping rule."
The boys hooted with laughter, even though it wasn't funny. Strangely, Kagome's anger snapped.
" Maybe he wouldn't be sleeping if you acted interesting for once like a normal teacher, instead of a prostitute always yearning for attention. " she blurted out.
Everybody in the class gasped, including Sensei Tatako. Kagome closed her eyes and groaned. Did I just say that aloud ?
" Kagome Higurashi. " Sensei's voice almost sounded deadly. " You are lucky I am feeling gracious today, or you would be sent to the principal's office immediately. Instead of doing five pages, I want you to do twenty. If you dare to say anything like that again, that will be a hundred. " Sensei Tatako warned strictly, as Kagome sighed.
At the same time, Kagome felt somebody looking at her. Kagome automatically turned and saw Hanoushi's head up. His head was turned to her, and he had a strange expression.
What the .. is .. is he smirkingKagome thought, her face flushing with anger.
" Hanoushi. Can you please tell me what Heteromorphic means ? " Sensei Tatako tried again.
Hanoushi rolled his eyes and dropped his head back down onto the desk. " It means ' this-is-stupid-can-we-move-on-ms-prostitute ? ' "
The class gasped, but the several boys and plenty girls burst into hysterics. Sensei Tatako gasped, her face bright red. Kagome's jaw was hanging as she stared at Hanoushi, whose head was still on his arm. Did he .. just .. agree with me ?
" Mister Hanoushi. " Sensei Tatako called, her tone deadly and calm. " You will tell me the definition, and you will tell me this instant. "
Hanoushi grunted something in his arm but mumbled some words out, " Heteromorphic ; Abnormal. Having different forms at different periods of the life cycle, as in stages of insect metamorphosis. "
The class fell instantly silent, many jaws hanging. A rebellious, lazy type like Hanoushi was not expected to be giving such a detailed description of anything, or in other words, so smart. Sensei Tatako cleared her throat and smiled sweetly. " Very good, Hanoushi. "
This proves one thing to my theory wrong. Inuyasha was very description in analysis or in basically anything .. Kagome paused. Why do I keep thinking Hanoushi is .. Kagome's eyes suddenly became weary. Oh god ..
" You okay ? " a voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts.
Kagome jerked her head around and saw Hanoushi looking at her, with an obvious trace of curiosity marked on his face. Kagome closed her eyes. " Yeah. Just .. "
" Psh. Whatever then. " Hanoushi dropped his head back down, not waiting for an answer.
Meanwhile, Sensei was praising Hanoushi with words dripping of sentiment. " As you heard, class, Hanoushi has given a great example of what Heteromorphic means. I want you all to write as detailed and descriptive in all your definitions, as smart and clever as Mister Hanoushi has. " Sensei then looked at Hanoushi and gave him a seductive look, even though his head was on the desk.
Kagome felt a strange feeling wash over her. It was obvious Sensei Tatako liked Hanoushi, or she wouldn't be so immature. She's just like one of the girls, going after Hanoushi like he was a trophy ready to be claimed.
Kagome's eyes widened as she heard Sensei Tatako call the class to order. Did that sound really jealous or what ?
" One more thing, mister Hanoushi, " Sensei Tatako said again, " Miss Higurashi will be having company today. You, mister, will be doing twenty pages of dictionary definitions as well, for your disruptive behavior. I hope you two have fun. " Sensei Tatako then turned to the board to write today's assignment.
The class settled down and started to get to work. The classroom went to focus mode and was silent, except for the scratching of pencils.
But Kagome couldn't concentrate. The thoughts from last night, flooded back to her. All she could think about was .. was Hanoushi.
---------------------------------------
Kagome dropped her pencil, and tried to shake the numbness from her fingers. She was on her eleventh page of definitions, and there was plenty more to go. Kagome groaned and picked up her pencil again. But she didn't feel like doing her homework. She glanced at Sensei Tatako, at her desk, marking some tests. Kagome frowned. She knew Sensei Tatako wasn't just staying to mark tests. Once and awhile, Kagome would notice Sensei Tatako peek at Hanoushi, who was doing nothing but doodling over his piece of paper.
Kagome tried to fight the urge to say something, as she watched Sensei Tatako stand up. " I believe you two will work your hardest until I come back. " Sensei Tatako then looked at Hanoushi, with a phony frown on her face that made her look incredibly cute, "And stop doodling, Mister Hanoushi. "
When Sensei Tatako was out of earshot, Hanoushi and Kagome dropped their pencils at the same time and groaned. The two looked at each other, then quickly looked away.
Kagome's face burned and she placed a hand on her hot cheek. Why am I acting like this around Hanoushi ? I don't even know him ..
Or do you ?
Kagome quickly shook her head to clear her thoughts and rubbed her eyes. She placed her head on the desk for a nap but was immediately disturbed by a voice.
" Are you retarded or something ? " a familiar yet unfamiliar husky voice asked her.
Kagome narrowed her eyes at the arrogance in his voice and snapped around to face him. " Pardon ? "
Hanoushi was looking at Kagome and gave her a smirk, his brown eyes flashing. " I said, are you retarded or something ? "
Kagome clenched her teeth, " What do you mean by that ? "
" I mean, " Hanoushi rolled his eyes, sounding matter-of-factly, " You're the only girl in this school that's not obsessed over me. Something MUST be wrong with you. "
Kagome's jaw dropped open, her anger boiling. Who does this guy think he is ? God ? " Listen .. not every girl is obsessed in you. Because I'm not ! "
Hanoushi looked at her with a raised eyebrow, " Didn't I just say that ? "
" ARGH ! You're IMPOSSIBLE ! " Kagome shouted, as she flung her arms into the air. " So annoying .. " she muttered, as a sensational tingling trapped in her belly.
" Really ? You think I'm annoying ? " Hanoushi asked with a blank look on his face. Kagome was sure she heard a trace of hurt in his tone.
Kagome looked up, surprised. " Yes. "
Hanoushi's innocent look disappeared quickly, and was replaced by a confident one. " Oh yeah, then why do you keep looking at me ? "
" YOU'RE THE ONE ALWAYS LOOKING AT ME ! " Kagome shouted, her anger snapping.
" MISS HIGUARSHI ! " Sensei Tatako stuck her head in, her face red with anger. " You will be quiet and finish your work. Or I will add five more pages to your assignment. " Sensei then stuck her head back out.
Kagome waited till Sensei Tatako's footsteps faded, then she turned her head to Hanoushi, whispering low and frantic, " Look what you did ! You got me in trouble ? "
" I .. got you into trouble ? " Hanoushi feigned surprise. Kagome had to fight the urge to think he looked cute. " I wasn't the one yelling .. wench. "
Kagome immediately froze. What did he say ? The arrogance in his voice, the word, the way he said it, was exactly the way .. hesaid it. Kagome quickly stood up, surprising Hanoushi.
" Hey, where you going ? " Kagome flinched as it sounded familiar as well.
" I'm leaving. " Kagome quickly said as she packed up her things.
" Hey, I was just joking, you don't have to be all sensitive about it. " Hanoushi quickly stood up after her.
" No, it's .. it's not you. I have to go. See you ! " Kagome quickly waved Hanoushi off and dashed out of the classroom.
" HEY ! COME BACK HERE ! " Hanoushi shouted after Kagome. Kagome picked up her pace, as the familiar choice of words became more and more ..
Kagome quickly bolted through the school doors and rushed outside. I have to go, I have to go ..
" Hey, " Kagome gasped as she knocked into something bigger than her.
She almost fell back but a strong hand grabbed onto her wrist. Kagome gave a yelp but was pulled up. Somehow, she ended up in an embrace with the stranger.
But the stranger thing was, none of them moved. For a few seconds that is. Before thirty seconds was over, the two jumped apart like two negatives attracted to each other.
" Hanoushi ! Don't DO that ! " Kagome cried, her face flushed, her heard beating at a quick pace.
" Maybe you should watch where you're going ! " Hanoushi snapped back, crossing his arms. Kagome winced and turned away. This is too much. Leave Hanoushi, please ..
" Besides, were ARE you going ? " Hanoushi asked, not noticing Kagome's current situation.
" HOME ! " Kagome almost shouted and ducked under him.
" Hey ! " Hanoushi gave a yelp, as Kagome swiftly scooted under arm and ran away. " Come back here you little .. "
I have to go, I have to go .. Kagome thought as tears began to form. I can't let him see me like this ..
Kagome approached her house, looked around then dashed inside. But before she could reach the door, a shadow blocked her.
" HEY ! " Kagome cried as she tried to push past the figure.
" So THIS is where you live, huh ? " the voice almost sounded too arrogant.
" Hanoushi, don't follow me ! " Kagome whispered low and desperately, trying not to be so loud.
" WHY ?! " Hanoushi yelled out loud, in purpose to piss the girl off.
" HANOUSHI ! " Kagome squealed and covered his mouth with her hand.
Hanoushi stumbled back and pushed Kagome's hand out of the way. " At least be a nice hostess and let me in. " he replied, smirking.
Kagome planted her hands on her hips. " Why should I ? "
" If you don't, I'll break in. " For some reason, Kagome believed him. " Through my bedroom window ? " she asked simply.
Hanoushi raised his eyebrows, " How'd you know ? "
Kagome bit her lip, " Everybody does that. " she turned away, her eyes flashing with guilt.
There was a moment of silence between the two before Kagome finally sighed in defeat, having a feeling Hanoushi was not going to give up. If this was the person Kagome suspected to be, there was definitely no way she could win. " Fine. Come in. BUT ONLY FOR A MINUTE ! I'll say we're doing a project together. "
Hanoushi smiled victoriously, and Kagome looked away quickly. She couldn't stand his smile .. she couldn't stand anything he did. It was too much of .. of a copy. Kagome quickly unlocked the door and slipped in quietly. Hanoushi raised his eyebrows but quietly followed her lead. Kagome tiptoed upstairs but froze halfway at the sound of her mother's voice.
" Kagome, dear, is that you ? " a concerned voice called out.
" Yes, mom, " Kagome rolled her eyes and noticed Hanoushi smirk.
" Oh, whose that with you ? A friend ? " Her mom quickly stiffened when she laid her eyes on Hanoushi.
Kagome bit her lip. Oops. She forgot he was a boy. Also, she didn't announce her arrival, like she always does. Or maybe it was also how Hanoushi dressed. He wore a black denim jacket, a little big for his size, a red 'Scram' t-shirt, and dark red baggy khakis with a chain hanging on the side. Besides that, he didn't look like a goodie-goodie always getting straight A's. Even though this could be the possibilities why Mrs. Higurashi was all of a sudden so uncomfortable, she didn't show it. Instead, her frozen expression was replaced by a warm one. " Well are you going to stand there all day, Kagome ? Introduce me to this handsome boy ! "
Instantly, both Kagome and Hanoushi blushed. He turned away, 'tch'-ing. Mrs. Higurashi raised an eyebrow and looked at Kagome, who refused to meet her mother's gaze. " This is Hanoushi, mom. He's here to do a project. " Kagome quickly grabbed Hanoushi's arm and rushed upstairs before her mom could respond.
When they reached upstairs, Kagome slammed the door and leaned on it. Sighing in relief, she noticed Hanoushi looking at her strangely. Kagome gave a shaky laugh, " Sorry, she's kinda annoying sometimes. "
Hanoushi snorted, shrugged then looked at her room. " Why is your room so .. so .. PINK ! " Hanoushi shuddered and plopped on her bed, sticking his feet on her pillow.
Kagome smiled but frowned when she noticed his position. " Hey, hey, HEY ! FEET .. OFF my bed ! " Kagome quickly pushed Hanoushi off, causing him to fall off with a yelp. Kagome couldn't help but smile.
" Yes, mom, " Hanoushi mimicked Kagome from downstairs as he struggled to get back up. Kagome blushed and threw a pillow at him.
" SHUT UP ! "
" Sorry mom ! I won't do it again ! " Hanoushi jumped away from her and dropped onto his knees.
Kagome laughed but froze when Hanoushi gave a fake pout and put on the most resisting puppy dog eyes ever. That was just TOO much.
" UP BOY ! " Kagome ordered and jerked a surprise Hanoushi up.
" HEY ! What's the big idea ? " he demanded, jerking his hand back.
" I said you could stay a few minutes, not all night. OUT YOU GO ! " Kagome insisted, pushing him out the window.
" O-out the window ? Are you crazy, wench ? " Hanoushi yelled, and Kagome quickly backed away.
" Sorry, " Kagome bit her lip and dragged him downstairs.
Kagome was still pushing him when her mom appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. " Finished already ? Well, Hanoushi, is it ? Won't you stay for dinner ? "
" YEAH I KNOW, KAGOME ! " Hanoushi rolled his eyes as Kagome rolled hers.
" No mom, Hanoushi must be going now. NOW ! " Kagome gave him a big shove out the door, and he stumbled out.
" You .. " his insult was disclosed by a door slamming. Kagome heaved a sigh and walked into the kitchen.
As she arrived, her mother gave her a strange stare. " What ? " Kagome asked, getting nervous.
" You mean you don't see it, Kagome ? " Her mother asked, surprised.
" Yeah mom, I know he doesn't look like a teacher's pet and all, but he's okay when you get to know him. " Kagome said without thinking. Then she cocked an eyebrow. Did I just say he was ' okay ' ?
" Kagome, it's not that. It's just, when I first looked at him. He reminded me of .. " Mrs. Higurashi quickly stopped herself. " Nevermind. Just my imagination. Call your brother Souta will you ? He's probably in his room. " Mrs. Higurashi quickly turned around and peeked inside the stove.
Kagome sat there, stunned. W-what did her mother say ?
He reminded me of .. and from the looks of it, Kagome could finish the sentence. So it wasn't her imagination. This is not true. But it can't be true.
That's it. Kagome thought as she helped her mom set up the table. I can't see Hanoushi anymore.
---
A/N : I'm not saying Inuyasha is completely outta the picture alright ; )