Hello!!!!! I'm back guys!!!! I'm so sorry this took so long, but tests and art projects were all due in the same week, and I was just so busy! And I had sent this to my friend to beta it for me, but she hasn't sent it back yet. And it mostly wasn't for this chapter, but the next one. I'm alittle apprehensive about it and I needed her advice. But here's the date chapter! I can just imagine Inuyasha following around Kagome... ah yes, the powers of being an author are unlimited! Well I hope you guys enjoy this chapter! And always, thank you so much for your reviews! I appreciate each and every one of you! Thank you so much Heather, Litoansgrl, Megumichan1, and Amara Aquilla. You guys are just great!!! Cookies for all of you. You're opinions inspire me, so keep them flowing! And I'll try not to take so long updating the chapter after this!
*disclaimer: My story, just not my characters. *sigh*
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"Inuyasha, I'm sorry, but I have a date and there's nothing you can do about it." Kagome said determinedly as she put on some earrings. Inuyasha sat on her bed and glared.
"Maybe if you'd be nicer to me once in awhile I'd take you out in the city too. But you aren't. You just sit there and grumble like you are now. Who wants to be around you when you're like this?!"
"Keh," Inuyasha grouched and turned his head away from Kagome.
She looked at him in the mirror. "Hojo is a very nice boy, he treats me with respect, doesn't call me names, and he is the most popular boy in school. So if you don't mind I'm going on my date now." Kagome turned and walked out of her bedroom. Inuyasha fumed as he stared at her retreating back.
"Sure, fine! Go off with your stupid little boyfriends. See if I care!" He yelled at her.
"See Inuyasha, that's the attitude I'm talking about. Maybe I wouldn't be so quick to come back to my era if you were a little nicer to me!" Kagome said as she went down the stairs.
Inuyasha scowled as Kagome was no longer in view.
"Whatever, that's just great. We should be searching for jewel shards instead of wasting time on stupid dates. What's she see in him, anyway?" Inuyasha had a sudden realization. "I've never seen this 'Hojo.' I wonder what he looks like..."
Inuyasha then started to worry.
"What if he's actually a demon in disguise? What if Kagome's in danger? I'd better follow her and make sure she's okay."
Inuyasha hopped up and crossed the floor to the window. He glanced at the little table that was near it, and saw the hat Kagome made him wear whenever he went out into the city. He grabbed it and shoved it down on his head before jumping out the window. He sniffed the air, trying to pick up Kagome's scent. When he found it, he took off in her direction.
~~~~*~*~*~~~~
"Kagome! I'm so glad you could make it!"
"Hi Hojo. So, um, what movie do you want to see?" Kagome felt a little shy all of a sudden. 'Wow, it's been so long since I've gone on a normal date. I've been working way too hard in the feudal era. I need a little time off, no matter what Inuyasha says.'
"There was this great new samurai movie out, I thought we could see that. Unless you don't like those types of movies..."
"Oh no, it'd be fine Hojo," Kagome giggled and smiled at him. If only Inuyasha could see her now. 'This would sure make him jealous. It'd serve him right. He needs to be put in his place.'
Little did she know, Inuyasha himself was only a few feet away inspecting the looks of Hojo.
'He doesn't look like a demon, or smell like one... I guess he's not. But what a wimpy looking human! Come on Kagome, couldn't you choose somebody better than that? How's that guy gonna protect her?! She needs someone strong, like me.' Inuyasha shook his head at his own thoughts. 'Did I just say she needs me? What am I thinking...' He blushed and looked down at the pavement, but didn't have long to question the motives of his private declaration because Kagome and Hojo were leaving. He narrowed his eyes and silently followed behind.
They were casually walking down the street and Inuyasha tried to keep his attention on them, but was somewhat distracted by the sights of the city. People sure wore strange clothes in this era... And there were all these strange metal buildings that towered into the sky. And what strange objects in windows. He'd never seen anything like them. As he was glancing around his vision crossed the couple walking ahead and he saw Hojo reach for Kagome's hand. She looked down at their joined hands and then up at Hojo and giggled again. Inuyasha clenched his fists.
'He's holding her hand! And she's not pulling away! She looks happy about it! Oh, that's it Kagome...'
Inuyasha kept his sights on the pair ahead and made sure Hojo tried nothing else. The two then reached a restaurant and went in the door. Inuyasha ran up to where they had entered and wondered what he should do.
'She'll see me if I go in, but how can I keep an eye on her?'
He decided that he'd just wait till they came out. He noticed that there were still trees growing in this odd city. He jumped up into the branches of one and was completely oblivious to the stares of the people on the sidewalks. He peered into the restaurant window and intently watched Kagome and Hojo sit down. They ordered food and then began to talk. Kagome looked like she was having a good time. Inuyasha felt a little bad. Kagome never looked like that when she was talking to him... Then he got angry. What does she see in him? He's so scrawny. He wasn't a good match for her at all. Inuyasha watched them talk for awhile longer and then 'fehed' and leaned back in the tree. He was tired of watching her converse with that loser.
After a half an hour he looked back into the window. He sat up quickly and panicked. Kagome and Hojo were gone! He was about to fly down the tree when she and Hojo came out the door. He caught himself and watched them start down the street. He jumped down from his tree and began to follow. After a little walk they found the cinema. Kagome and Hojo went up to the ticket booth, and then went inside. Inuyasha went up to the doors but was stopped by the lady in the booth.
"Sir, you have to pay for a ticket before you can enter the theatre."
"Huh? Ticket?" Inuyasha looked confused.
"Yes, sir, you have to pay for a movie ticket. Just tell me which one you want to see."
"I don't know, look I don't have time for this." Inuyasha then pushed his way through the doors and ignored the cries of the strange lady in the strange box.
He scanned the commons area for Kagome, but did not see her.
'This place is full of weird smells. I can barely make out where Kagome is... but, I think she is that way...'
Inuyasha headed down a hallway to find himself in front of a door. He slowly opened it, found it dark inside. He peeked his head around and then cautiously walked in. Kagome was in here. He stopped and stared at the big huge screen in front of him. The pictures on it were moving! He pressed himself against the wall.
'What is that thing?!'
He looked in the audience and saw the back of Kagome's head. Just then the movie started. Several samurais with large swords were fighting. Inuyasha growled and knew Kagome was in danger from these big moving pictures. He ran down the isle and jumped over the seats in front of Kagome and Hojo. They were startled. Kagome peered through the darkness. She recognized that shape.
"Inuyasha!"
"You know this guy?" Hojo questioned, surprised and confused.
"Come on Kagome, this is too dangerous for you. You're going home with me now," Inuyasha said, grabbing her hand.
"What are you doing here?!" Kagome hissed, trying not to be too loud and disturb the rest of the viewers.
"This thing is too dangerous, we're going home."
"Inuyasha, it's a movie! It can't hurt me at all!" Kagome whispered fiercely.
"Excuse me, but who are you? Do I know you?" Hojo asked Inuyasha.
"I know him Hojo. We'll be right back." Kagome grabbed Inuyasha's wrist and roughly dragged him up the isle and out into the hallway.
"What do you think you're doing?!" she exclaimed. "You're ruining my date!"
"I don't know what that thing is in there, Kagome, but it looks way too dangerous and there's no way that wimpy kid is going to be able to protect you!" Inuyasha crossed his arms.
Kagome had to hide a smile at his words. 'Protect me, huh...'
"Inuyasha, it's just a movie. It's like the tv at home, only it's on a huge screen. I'm not in danger in any way possible and I don't need to be protected. So just go back home and let me finish my date in peace!"
"You aren't going to let him touch you anymore, right?"
"What do you mean... Wait a minute! Were you following me this entire time?!"
"You shouldn't give him hope by letting him hold your hand, Kagome."
"You were following me! The nerve you have! Why do you care if he holds my hand or not, Inuyasha?"
He looked flustered at Kagome's last sentence. He felt his cheeks starting to blush as Kagome stared right into his face.
"Cause, I... uh... " He stuttered.
Kagome sighed and started back toward the door. "Look Inuyasha, just go home. I'll see you in a little while. Hojo is waiting for me."
"Kagome..." Inuyasha watched her disappear through the door.
"There he is! He didn't pay for a ticket!"
He turned to see the strange lady from the strange box and another man dressed in a red vest.
Kagome heard the commotion before she had gotten too far and came back through the door. Inuyasha looked like he was ready to fight the ticket booth lady and the usher. She quickly ran up and explained that Inuyasha had just come to tell her that her little brother needed to be picked up from a friend's house and that Inuyasha was just leaving...
Outside the theater Kagome looked extremely irate.
"Inuyasha. Go home. Now. I will see you when I get back, okay?"
Inuyasha grumbled and turned away. "Fine, but if you get into trouble don't expect me to come save you."
"Inuyasha! I told you! It's just a movie! Nothing can happen to me! I'll be home in about an hour." Kagome went back inside the theatre. Inuyasha jumped up to the top of the building and began hopping from roof to roof, going back to Kagome's family temple.
~~~~*~*~*~~~~
Thank you for the lovely date Hojo, I haven't had so much fun in a long time." Kagome smiled.
"It's my pleasure Kagome. We'll have to do it again sometime. I hope the movie wasn't too hard on your back..."
"I was just fine Hojo. I really-"
"Um, who was that boy that came to talk to you?"
"Oh, him? He's... he's just a friend I know from another school..."
"He seemed kinda violent," Hojo looked at her with concern.
Kagome smiled another fake smile, "Oh no, he looks violent, but really he's a big pushover underneath."
"Just be careful Kagome. He could be bad for your health."
"Thanks Hojo. Well, I should be getting home..."
"Right, see you in school Kagome."
"Bye Hojo!" Kagome waved as she walked away. As she strolled down an avenue that was somewhat deserted she passed an old abandoned temple up on a hill. She looked around and noticed that the afternoon light was fading. It cast eerie shadows upon the broken down buildings. Kagome gasped when she looked up and thought she saw a white face in one of the temple windows. She stopped and stared, but it seemed to disappear. She looked in her pocket where the shikon shards were. They were glowing.
"Strange..." she muttered. She looked back up at the window and then slowly started on her way again. But the odd feeling she had still didn't subside as she arrived home to a grouchy Inuyasha. "You sure took your time. Where have you been?" Inuyasha said, clearly irritable.
"We finished the movie and I walked home, end of story. You sure are nosy," Kagome said, still feeling odd about the weird face in the abandoned temple.
"Keh," Inuyasha grumbled.
"Well I sure am tired! I think I'm going to go to bed. We have a big day tomorrow," Kagome yawned.
"We're going back to search for more shards. Right away in the morning," Inuyasha said quickly.
"Okay okay, we'll head out early..." Kagome said absently as she headed up the stairs. She went into her room and changed into her pajamas. She set the little jar of shikon shards on her dresser and climbed into bed.
"Mhmmm... My bed is so nice..." she murmured as she drifted off to sleep.
~~~~*~*~*~~~~
Inuyasha was sitting on the couch, sleeping in Kagome's living room. The house was silent. Almost too silent. Inuyasha woke with a start. Something felt odd; there was a disturbance in the air. He looked around the room, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. He was about to settle down again when he saw a white apparition float through the door and up the stairs. He quietly got up off the couch and crept up the stairs. His eyes widened when he saw the smoky cloud take the shape of a human-like figure. It drifted along to Kagome's room. Inuyasha's eyes narrowed and he jumped up the rest of the stairs in a single bound. He peeked into Kagome's room and saw the spirit hovering over the shikon shards on the dresser.
'What the hell is that thing?' He thought as he watched its movements. He didn't know what to do. It wasn't solid, so there was no way he could cut it with a sword. Ghosts were tricky things to deal with. Inuyasha usually thought it was best to leave them alone. But what now? Kagome could be in danger of this thing... And what would happen if it got the shikon shards? Inuyasha pondered on what to do in the hallway.
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Whoa, okay! This next chapter has me a little confused, I'm trying to get it just right, and I don't think it's gonna come out that way. But oh well, I've got the chapters after the next all written out and I'm really happy with those, so please stick around! Reviews are always a plus! Thank you all! ^_^
*disclaimer: My story, just not my characters. *sigh*
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"Inuyasha, I'm sorry, but I have a date and there's nothing you can do about it." Kagome said determinedly as she put on some earrings. Inuyasha sat on her bed and glared.
"Maybe if you'd be nicer to me once in awhile I'd take you out in the city too. But you aren't. You just sit there and grumble like you are now. Who wants to be around you when you're like this?!"
"Keh," Inuyasha grouched and turned his head away from Kagome.
She looked at him in the mirror. "Hojo is a very nice boy, he treats me with respect, doesn't call me names, and he is the most popular boy in school. So if you don't mind I'm going on my date now." Kagome turned and walked out of her bedroom. Inuyasha fumed as he stared at her retreating back.
"Sure, fine! Go off with your stupid little boyfriends. See if I care!" He yelled at her.
"See Inuyasha, that's the attitude I'm talking about. Maybe I wouldn't be so quick to come back to my era if you were a little nicer to me!" Kagome said as she went down the stairs.
Inuyasha scowled as Kagome was no longer in view.
"Whatever, that's just great. We should be searching for jewel shards instead of wasting time on stupid dates. What's she see in him, anyway?" Inuyasha had a sudden realization. "I've never seen this 'Hojo.' I wonder what he looks like..."
Inuyasha then started to worry.
"What if he's actually a demon in disguise? What if Kagome's in danger? I'd better follow her and make sure she's okay."
Inuyasha hopped up and crossed the floor to the window. He glanced at the little table that was near it, and saw the hat Kagome made him wear whenever he went out into the city. He grabbed it and shoved it down on his head before jumping out the window. He sniffed the air, trying to pick up Kagome's scent. When he found it, he took off in her direction.
~~~~*~*~*~~~~
"Kagome! I'm so glad you could make it!"
"Hi Hojo. So, um, what movie do you want to see?" Kagome felt a little shy all of a sudden. 'Wow, it's been so long since I've gone on a normal date. I've been working way too hard in the feudal era. I need a little time off, no matter what Inuyasha says.'
"There was this great new samurai movie out, I thought we could see that. Unless you don't like those types of movies..."
"Oh no, it'd be fine Hojo," Kagome giggled and smiled at him. If only Inuyasha could see her now. 'This would sure make him jealous. It'd serve him right. He needs to be put in his place.'
Little did she know, Inuyasha himself was only a few feet away inspecting the looks of Hojo.
'He doesn't look like a demon, or smell like one... I guess he's not. But what a wimpy looking human! Come on Kagome, couldn't you choose somebody better than that? How's that guy gonna protect her?! She needs someone strong, like me.' Inuyasha shook his head at his own thoughts. 'Did I just say she needs me? What am I thinking...' He blushed and looked down at the pavement, but didn't have long to question the motives of his private declaration because Kagome and Hojo were leaving. He narrowed his eyes and silently followed behind.
They were casually walking down the street and Inuyasha tried to keep his attention on them, but was somewhat distracted by the sights of the city. People sure wore strange clothes in this era... And there were all these strange metal buildings that towered into the sky. And what strange objects in windows. He'd never seen anything like them. As he was glancing around his vision crossed the couple walking ahead and he saw Hojo reach for Kagome's hand. She looked down at their joined hands and then up at Hojo and giggled again. Inuyasha clenched his fists.
'He's holding her hand! And she's not pulling away! She looks happy about it! Oh, that's it Kagome...'
Inuyasha kept his sights on the pair ahead and made sure Hojo tried nothing else. The two then reached a restaurant and went in the door. Inuyasha ran up to where they had entered and wondered what he should do.
'She'll see me if I go in, but how can I keep an eye on her?'
He decided that he'd just wait till they came out. He noticed that there were still trees growing in this odd city. He jumped up into the branches of one and was completely oblivious to the stares of the people on the sidewalks. He peered into the restaurant window and intently watched Kagome and Hojo sit down. They ordered food and then began to talk. Kagome looked like she was having a good time. Inuyasha felt a little bad. Kagome never looked like that when she was talking to him... Then he got angry. What does she see in him? He's so scrawny. He wasn't a good match for her at all. Inuyasha watched them talk for awhile longer and then 'fehed' and leaned back in the tree. He was tired of watching her converse with that loser.
After a half an hour he looked back into the window. He sat up quickly and panicked. Kagome and Hojo were gone! He was about to fly down the tree when she and Hojo came out the door. He caught himself and watched them start down the street. He jumped down from his tree and began to follow. After a little walk they found the cinema. Kagome and Hojo went up to the ticket booth, and then went inside. Inuyasha went up to the doors but was stopped by the lady in the booth.
"Sir, you have to pay for a ticket before you can enter the theatre."
"Huh? Ticket?" Inuyasha looked confused.
"Yes, sir, you have to pay for a movie ticket. Just tell me which one you want to see."
"I don't know, look I don't have time for this." Inuyasha then pushed his way through the doors and ignored the cries of the strange lady in the strange box.
He scanned the commons area for Kagome, but did not see her.
'This place is full of weird smells. I can barely make out where Kagome is... but, I think she is that way...'
Inuyasha headed down a hallway to find himself in front of a door. He slowly opened it, found it dark inside. He peeked his head around and then cautiously walked in. Kagome was in here. He stopped and stared at the big huge screen in front of him. The pictures on it were moving! He pressed himself against the wall.
'What is that thing?!'
He looked in the audience and saw the back of Kagome's head. Just then the movie started. Several samurais with large swords were fighting. Inuyasha growled and knew Kagome was in danger from these big moving pictures. He ran down the isle and jumped over the seats in front of Kagome and Hojo. They were startled. Kagome peered through the darkness. She recognized that shape.
"Inuyasha!"
"You know this guy?" Hojo questioned, surprised and confused.
"Come on Kagome, this is too dangerous for you. You're going home with me now," Inuyasha said, grabbing her hand.
"What are you doing here?!" Kagome hissed, trying not to be too loud and disturb the rest of the viewers.
"This thing is too dangerous, we're going home."
"Inuyasha, it's a movie! It can't hurt me at all!" Kagome whispered fiercely.
"Excuse me, but who are you? Do I know you?" Hojo asked Inuyasha.
"I know him Hojo. We'll be right back." Kagome grabbed Inuyasha's wrist and roughly dragged him up the isle and out into the hallway.
"What do you think you're doing?!" she exclaimed. "You're ruining my date!"
"I don't know what that thing is in there, Kagome, but it looks way too dangerous and there's no way that wimpy kid is going to be able to protect you!" Inuyasha crossed his arms.
Kagome had to hide a smile at his words. 'Protect me, huh...'
"Inuyasha, it's just a movie. It's like the tv at home, only it's on a huge screen. I'm not in danger in any way possible and I don't need to be protected. So just go back home and let me finish my date in peace!"
"You aren't going to let him touch you anymore, right?"
"What do you mean... Wait a minute! Were you following me this entire time?!"
"You shouldn't give him hope by letting him hold your hand, Kagome."
"You were following me! The nerve you have! Why do you care if he holds my hand or not, Inuyasha?"
He looked flustered at Kagome's last sentence. He felt his cheeks starting to blush as Kagome stared right into his face.
"Cause, I... uh... " He stuttered.
Kagome sighed and started back toward the door. "Look Inuyasha, just go home. I'll see you in a little while. Hojo is waiting for me."
"Kagome..." Inuyasha watched her disappear through the door.
"There he is! He didn't pay for a ticket!"
He turned to see the strange lady from the strange box and another man dressed in a red vest.
Kagome heard the commotion before she had gotten too far and came back through the door. Inuyasha looked like he was ready to fight the ticket booth lady and the usher. She quickly ran up and explained that Inuyasha had just come to tell her that her little brother needed to be picked up from a friend's house and that Inuyasha was just leaving...
Outside the theater Kagome looked extremely irate.
"Inuyasha. Go home. Now. I will see you when I get back, okay?"
Inuyasha grumbled and turned away. "Fine, but if you get into trouble don't expect me to come save you."
"Inuyasha! I told you! It's just a movie! Nothing can happen to me! I'll be home in about an hour." Kagome went back inside the theatre. Inuyasha jumped up to the top of the building and began hopping from roof to roof, going back to Kagome's family temple.
~~~~*~*~*~~~~
Thank you for the lovely date Hojo, I haven't had so much fun in a long time." Kagome smiled.
"It's my pleasure Kagome. We'll have to do it again sometime. I hope the movie wasn't too hard on your back..."
"I was just fine Hojo. I really-"
"Um, who was that boy that came to talk to you?"
"Oh, him? He's... he's just a friend I know from another school..."
"He seemed kinda violent," Hojo looked at her with concern.
Kagome smiled another fake smile, "Oh no, he looks violent, but really he's a big pushover underneath."
"Just be careful Kagome. He could be bad for your health."
"Thanks Hojo. Well, I should be getting home..."
"Right, see you in school Kagome."
"Bye Hojo!" Kagome waved as she walked away. As she strolled down an avenue that was somewhat deserted she passed an old abandoned temple up on a hill. She looked around and noticed that the afternoon light was fading. It cast eerie shadows upon the broken down buildings. Kagome gasped when she looked up and thought she saw a white face in one of the temple windows. She stopped and stared, but it seemed to disappear. She looked in her pocket where the shikon shards were. They were glowing.
"Strange..." she muttered. She looked back up at the window and then slowly started on her way again. But the odd feeling she had still didn't subside as she arrived home to a grouchy Inuyasha. "You sure took your time. Where have you been?" Inuyasha said, clearly irritable.
"We finished the movie and I walked home, end of story. You sure are nosy," Kagome said, still feeling odd about the weird face in the abandoned temple.
"Keh," Inuyasha grumbled.
"Well I sure am tired! I think I'm going to go to bed. We have a big day tomorrow," Kagome yawned.
"We're going back to search for more shards. Right away in the morning," Inuyasha said quickly.
"Okay okay, we'll head out early..." Kagome said absently as she headed up the stairs. She went into her room and changed into her pajamas. She set the little jar of shikon shards on her dresser and climbed into bed.
"Mhmmm... My bed is so nice..." she murmured as she drifted off to sleep.
~~~~*~*~*~~~~
Inuyasha was sitting on the couch, sleeping in Kagome's living room. The house was silent. Almost too silent. Inuyasha woke with a start. Something felt odd; there was a disturbance in the air. He looked around the room, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. He was about to settle down again when he saw a white apparition float through the door and up the stairs. He quietly got up off the couch and crept up the stairs. His eyes widened when he saw the smoky cloud take the shape of a human-like figure. It drifted along to Kagome's room. Inuyasha's eyes narrowed and he jumped up the rest of the stairs in a single bound. He peeked into Kagome's room and saw the spirit hovering over the shikon shards on the dresser.
'What the hell is that thing?' He thought as he watched its movements. He didn't know what to do. It wasn't solid, so there was no way he could cut it with a sword. Ghosts were tricky things to deal with. Inuyasha usually thought it was best to leave them alone. But what now? Kagome could be in danger of this thing... And what would happen if it got the shikon shards? Inuyasha pondered on what to do in the hallway.
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Whoa, okay! This next chapter has me a little confused, I'm trying to get it just right, and I don't think it's gonna come out that way. But oh well, I've got the chapters after the next all written out and I'm really happy with those, so please stick around! Reviews are always a plus! Thank you all! ^_^