AN: Read and review!
Chapter 2
A Hard Day's Work
Inu-yasha sat, mumbling to himself at the shrine. He hated being stuck here, working at the shrine while Kagome and the other's were at school having fun.
"What's so great about school anyway," he said to himself. "I never went to any school and I'm just fine."
"You can't put a price on a good education," Kagome's mother said as she returned home from work.
"Oh yeah?" Inu-yasha asked. "How would you know?"
"Because, when I was a young girl, school wasn't as important as it is now. I got married straight out of high school and never finished my education. That's why later I took college courses to become a nurse when Kagome was three. It's a pity that you can't attend school while you're here."
"I don't think that I'm missing anything." Inu-yasha said getting back up. "I just hate having to wait all day for them to come back."
"Oh, I see, you're lonely." Kagome's mom stated.
"What! No way!" He objected. "I'm a loner, I don't get lonely."
"Oh, then why do you always come here to our time whenever you miss Kagome?"
"I don't miss her. I need her help to find the jewel shards."
"Whatever gets you through the night." Kagome's mother said going into the house.
"Lonely, feh, what does she know?" Inu-yasha went back to sweeping
"I don't understand any of this!" Miroku yelled as he tossed up his homework papers in the air. " all this 'Algebra' is making my head hurt! Quotients, decimals, quadratic? I don't even know these words!!" He slumped down and groaned.
"And this book is all wrong," Songo said, looking through their history book. "It speaks of countries that don't exist, and all the dates for these battles are incorrect! And most of these wars were fought against you-kai, not warlords."
"Just don't worry about it," said Kagome, "I'll do your homework for you, and no one will know the difference. You won't be here long enough for them to suspect anything anyway." she added as she gathered up the scattered papers.
Shippo popped his head out of Songo's back pack., gasping, "I can't breath in this thing! And why did you stick me in that tiny, dark, metal room for over an hour?"
"It was a locker," Kagome corrected him, "and we were in gym."
"It was still hot and crowded. Right Kirara," and the cat you-kai mewed in agreement. "Anyway, I'm hungry. When do we eat again?"
"We're going home right now. We'll eat when we get there."
"But that will take forever," the kitsune whined. "I'm hungry enough to eat that book."
"So you hunger for knowledge, Shippo?" Miroku joked.
"That was so funny I forgot to laugh," Songo remarked.
"And I was worried you wouldn't fit in," Kagome said.
"Where's that waitress? I'm hungry," said Joey as he scanned the menu.
"We just sat down, Joey," Tea scolded him. "And this place is busy. Give them a chance to come around."
"By then I'll have eaten the menu," Joey complained. "Besides, I wanted to visit the Shrine before I go home."
"You and Kagome sure have been seeing a lot of each other," Yugi observed. "Shouldn't you cool it down before you scare her off?"
"Hey, she's the one who approached me," Joey replied. " Besides, this feels right to me."
"So would a milkshake, right about now," Tristan said loudly as a waitress passed by.
"So what about this 'Duelist Ball'?" Joey said, changing the subject. "You think Kaiba's on the up and up?"
"Well he must be," Yugi said, "he hasn't given us any reason to doubt him since the end of the Battle City Tournaments. I think he's really trying to change."
"Speaking of which," Tristan said, "Joey, would you mind if-?"
"You're not taking my sister, man," Joey said.
"Oh, come on!"
"No way. You're gonna keep your slimy mits off her."
"I promise not to touch her, man. I just want her to come with us."
"Well…"
"She'll get mad if you go and don't mention it to her." Tea added.
"Who's side are you on?" Joey asked.
"If I promise to behave myself, will you let her be my guest?" Tristan begged.
"Ok ok. I guess I'll have to. I'm taking Kagome."
"Not again!" Tea complained. "Is she the only thing on your mind?"
"That and food," Joey said, "Speaking of which: WHERE IS THAT WAITRESS?!!"
Serenity Wheeler was laying across her bed, reading the newest issue of Teen Scene Magazine, when she heard the door bell ring. "I'll get it," she called, getting up and heading towards the door. She opened it, and was surprised to see Seto Kaiba himself standing there. In his arm was a bouquet of fresh lilies. And in his hand was an envelope.
"Good afternoon, Miss Wheeler," he said.
"Kaiba," she exclaimed, stepping back. "What are doing here?"
"I came to invite you to my Duelist Ball. And to give you these," he said giving her the flowers and invite. Then, he snapped his fingers and two more men appeared holding two boxes.
Serenity blushed. No one had ever given her this much attention before. She was flattered, but to be given so many gifts… "Um, thank you, Mr. Kaiba," she said, smiling.
"Please, call me Seto," he said, "It won't do for my guest of honor to be so formal."
"You're guest of honor?"
"Yes. After all, I've already invited your brother and his friends. You will come," he asked, his eyes hopeful, "won't you?"
"I...uh… Of course!" she said suddenly.
"I count the hours till our next meeting," Seto said, taking a bow. Then, he turned away and walked back to his limo. Serenity looked at her gifts and flowers. Maybe, she thought, maybe Joey was wrong about Seto Kaiba. Maybe he's not such a bad guy after all…
"I have to tell Joey!" she said excitedly, and ran back inside the house to call her big brother.
Seto sat down in his limo, and looked back at the house where Serenity lived. He smiled at himself. This was working perfectly. Soon he'd have everything he'd ever wanted. The girl of his dreams and his revenge on Yugi and his friends for his humiliating defeat at Battle City. His Millennium Rod glowed in his hand with anticipation. Yugi would regret giving him this powerful tool, for once he used it on Serenity's mind, she would be his, completely and absolutely.
But then, a funny thought came to him. What if he didn't need the Millennium Rod? What if Serenity Wheeler really liked him for who he really was? Could he win her over with just his charm? Of course he could, he thought. He remembered her blushing smile, and eager reply to his invitation. She was so young, innocent, and impressionable. It would be a piece of cake to win her heart.
"Oh, Joey, you won't believe what he gave me!" she exclaimed over the phone. Joey was listening to his sister's excited talk about her visit from Kaiba. And he didn't like it.
"Sis, don't you think this is a little much for just one person?" he asked her.
"Maybe...but… Oh Joey, it's such a beautiful dress! It's just like the one Cinderella wore in the movie, he even included REAL glass slippers! And he gave me lilies! How did he know I love lilies?"
"I still think it's a little overboard. Do you think he's gonna give all his guests this kind of attention?"
"No, cause he said I was his guest of honor. Isn't that sweet, Joey?"
"What!? Now I KNOW he's a no good dirty rat!"
"Oh, I wish you wouldn't say things like that Joey. He seemed really sweet to me."
"Serenity, I don't think it's a good idea for you to go to this party."
"Well I am going. And besides, didn't you promise Tristan he could take me as his guest."
"Yeah…But-"
"Then I'll meet you at the Shrine Friday. Bye Joey," she said. Then, a dial tone buzzed in his ear.
"I don't like this one bit," he said to himself as he hung up the phone.
A few days later, everyone was gathered at Yugi's attic, discussing costume ideas.
"Well, I'm going as Tut, The Boy King," Yugi said, putting an Egyptian headdress on.
"I'll be Cleopatra." said Tea as she came from behind a dressing screen, wearing a revealing Egyptian style outfit.
Tristan whistled, and said, "Whoa, Tea! Nice."
"Cut it out!" she exclaimed.
"That's a lotta woman for you to handle, Yuge," Joey joked.
"A bit ragged," Miroku said, eying Tea, "But I approve."
"Watch those hands, or you won't have to worry about that curse anymore," Tea warned. "As for you, Joey, Yugi and I are just friends."
"Come on," Kagome said to Tea, "Everyone at school knows you and Yugi are an item."
"They do?" she asked, blushing, "I mean, that's not true!"
"Yeah right. You love Yugi." Joey said.
"Tea and Yugi, sittin in a tree," Tristan started.
"Guys, please cut it out!" little Yugi cried, "You're embarrassing us. Now, what costumes are you wearing?"
"Since Serenity's a princess," Tristan said, "would you guys happen to have any Prince Charming suits?"
"No…the best I can do is a tuxedo and a mask," said Yugi.
"Great," Tristan said, disappointed, "I'm Super Butler."
"What about you, Joey?"
"I haven't decided yet."
"My grandpa can lend you some shrine clothes," Kagome suggested. "Then we can match, like Yugi and Tea."
"Sounds good to me."
"I don't understand all this bother with costumes," remarked Inu-yasha, "it's just a stupid party."
"It may be stupid to you," said Mai, coming up the steps, "But for someone like me, it's the gala event of the season. Hi Yugi," she said to her friend, "You're grandpa said you were up here."
"You got an invitation, too?" Yugi asked.
"Of course," Mai replied, "I'm a duelist after all. And Might I add, one of the best."
"Boasting is unbecoming," Songo remarked sarcastically.
"No, but the view is quite nice," said Miroku. To which MaI swiftly gave a back kick, dropping the lecherous monk to the ground, groaning in pain.
"How's the view, now?" asked Mai.
"F…fine…" he said, looking slightly up…"Well worth the pain."
"You!" Mai said, furious. Then, she kicked him in the stomach, and stepped over him.
"About time someone did that," Kagome stated. But when the girls all turned to the guys, they all turned around and crossed their legs. Tristan began to whistle innocently.
Just then, Yugi's grandfather came up the stairs, carrying a tray of soft drinks. "Hello everybody. I hope I'm not interrupting anything? You kids aren't having a make out party or anything up here, are you?" he added with a laugh.
"GRANDPA!" Yugi cried as he and everyone else blushed. "This isn't the Seventies!"
"No. It's much worse," he said eyeing Tea. As she ran back behind the dressing screen, he burst out laughing.
"You're a dirty old man!" Mai exclaimed angrily.
"Yeah, come on guys," Kagome said, "let's go to my place for a while. My grandpa's only cheep."
"Oh, please, come on," Grandpa Mutou begged, "I get so lonely here. No one ever comes to see me, and the shop is always empty. If I don't get some business soon, I'll go broke."
"Me and the guys will be back later, Grandpa," Yugi said as they all climbed down the stairs. "You don't have to be so dramatic."
Mokuba Kaiba ran around the grounds of his and his brother's estate, making sure that everything was being properly prepared for the Duelist Ball that weekend.
"Now remember," he told the staff, "The flower arrangement, the decorations, the lighting, the food, everything must be top notch for this party. My brother won't stand for anything less than perfection."
"Yes, Master Mokuba," they all said, then went about their business.
"Excellent," Mokuba said, "Now I gotta talk to Seto about the special arrange,ents for Yougi and his friends." He ran up into the mansion, through the enormous hallways, past the countless room and antechambers. Then, he stopped at the next-to-last door in one of many corridors. He opened the door, and stepped into his brother's computer room
"Seto," he said, "Everything's underway."
"I don't really care about the ball Mokuba, what I want to know about are the preparations for Yugi and his friends."
"That's a little more difficult. We're having the island's entire facilities prepped and the defenses are still being repaired after the damage done during the Battle City finals. Your entire fleet of helicopters is ready though."
"Tell them to speed things up, Mokuba. I want everything ready. Yugi and his friends must not survive this time. I want Serenity all to myself when the time comes."
"You look great!" Kagome said when Joey walked out of the bathroom. He was wearing one of the shrine outfits her grandpa had packed up, and he really did look good in it. The cut of the tunic brought out his shoulders. He reminded her of one of her favorite shows. The one about the wandering Samurai. "All you need is a sword and you'll look great."
"Thanks, but now we gotta get your costume out." he said as they walked back into her room.
"I don't have much in my closet, but I was able this one thing," she said as she rummaged through the boxes. Where did she put her grandma's kimono?
"Hey, is this it? It looks great!" Joey asked. She got up, and saw him holding up the clothes from the Feudal Era. The priestess garments that…
"No, that's not-"
"Try it on," Joey said, "I wanna see you in it."
"But-"
"Please?" he pleaded.
She looked at him for a minute, then decided, "Why not." And since Inu-yasha's helping grandpa, he won't know, she thought. She took the garments with her into the bathroom. She came out a few minutes later, tying her hair back. She had avoided the mirror, knowing what she would see.
She stepped into her bedroom, and saw Joey's face go blank. "Well?" she asked nervously.
"You look beautiful," he whispered. "I-"
"K-Kikyo?" she heard Inu-yasha exclaim behind her. She turned around quickly, to face him. The look on his face, was frightened and yet, so longing. Then, his face fell back into that angry expression he always wore.
"Oh, it's only you," he said.
"It…It's only ME?" she exclaimed. She couldn't help herself. She was so mad. She stared to cry. " Sorry to disappoint you!" she yelled at Inu-yasha. Then, she turned to Joey, and yelled, "I told you I didn't wanna wear this stupid thing! Get out! Both of you!"
"What did I do?" Joey asked with genuine confusion. She pushed him out the door, and threw his regular clothes at him.
"I SAID OUT!" she cried, slamming the door in their faces. And then falling backwards onto her bed, crying her eyes out. "STUPID INU-YAHSA!" she cried out. "STUPID KIKYO!" she buried her face into her pillow, and cried until her sobs were silent, and her eyes could make no more tears.
"This was all you're idea?!" Inu-yasha screamed at Joey, "Good going, Idiot!" he added, storming off.
"Wait a sec! What did I do?" he called, going after the han-you. He followed him outside to the Sacred Tree. Inu-yasha was sitting under it, cross-legged and apparently, deep in thought. They boy walked up to him, and sat down beside him. "So what's eatin you?" Joey asked him.
"Forget it," Inu-yasha said. "You wouldn't understand."
"Try me."
The han-you sighed, then began to explain the whole ordeal to Joey in detail. He told him about Kiyo, Naraku, and the 50 years he'd spent bound to the tree before Kagome came and freed him. And of how everything about her had reminded him of Kikyo at the beginning.
"Geez," Joey said, "I'm sorry. If I'd known-"
"Like I said, forget it." Inu-yasha said, getting up. "Just treat her right, and don't bring this up again."
Chapter 2
A Hard Day's Work
Inu-yasha sat, mumbling to himself at the shrine. He hated being stuck here, working at the shrine while Kagome and the other's were at school having fun.
"What's so great about school anyway," he said to himself. "I never went to any school and I'm just fine."
"You can't put a price on a good education," Kagome's mother said as she returned home from work.
"Oh yeah?" Inu-yasha asked. "How would you know?"
"Because, when I was a young girl, school wasn't as important as it is now. I got married straight out of high school and never finished my education. That's why later I took college courses to become a nurse when Kagome was three. It's a pity that you can't attend school while you're here."
"I don't think that I'm missing anything." Inu-yasha said getting back up. "I just hate having to wait all day for them to come back."
"Oh, I see, you're lonely." Kagome's mom stated.
"What! No way!" He objected. "I'm a loner, I don't get lonely."
"Oh, then why do you always come here to our time whenever you miss Kagome?"
"I don't miss her. I need her help to find the jewel shards."
"Whatever gets you through the night." Kagome's mother said going into the house.
"Lonely, feh, what does she know?" Inu-yasha went back to sweeping
"I don't understand any of this!" Miroku yelled as he tossed up his homework papers in the air. " all this 'Algebra' is making my head hurt! Quotients, decimals, quadratic? I don't even know these words!!" He slumped down and groaned.
"And this book is all wrong," Songo said, looking through their history book. "It speaks of countries that don't exist, and all the dates for these battles are incorrect! And most of these wars were fought against you-kai, not warlords."
"Just don't worry about it," said Kagome, "I'll do your homework for you, and no one will know the difference. You won't be here long enough for them to suspect anything anyway." she added as she gathered up the scattered papers.
Shippo popped his head out of Songo's back pack., gasping, "I can't breath in this thing! And why did you stick me in that tiny, dark, metal room for over an hour?"
"It was a locker," Kagome corrected him, "and we were in gym."
"It was still hot and crowded. Right Kirara," and the cat you-kai mewed in agreement. "Anyway, I'm hungry. When do we eat again?"
"We're going home right now. We'll eat when we get there."
"But that will take forever," the kitsune whined. "I'm hungry enough to eat that book."
"So you hunger for knowledge, Shippo?" Miroku joked.
"That was so funny I forgot to laugh," Songo remarked.
"And I was worried you wouldn't fit in," Kagome said.
"Where's that waitress? I'm hungry," said Joey as he scanned the menu.
"We just sat down, Joey," Tea scolded him. "And this place is busy. Give them a chance to come around."
"By then I'll have eaten the menu," Joey complained. "Besides, I wanted to visit the Shrine before I go home."
"You and Kagome sure have been seeing a lot of each other," Yugi observed. "Shouldn't you cool it down before you scare her off?"
"Hey, she's the one who approached me," Joey replied. " Besides, this feels right to me."
"So would a milkshake, right about now," Tristan said loudly as a waitress passed by.
"So what about this 'Duelist Ball'?" Joey said, changing the subject. "You think Kaiba's on the up and up?"
"Well he must be," Yugi said, "he hasn't given us any reason to doubt him since the end of the Battle City Tournaments. I think he's really trying to change."
"Speaking of which," Tristan said, "Joey, would you mind if-?"
"You're not taking my sister, man," Joey said.
"Oh, come on!"
"No way. You're gonna keep your slimy mits off her."
"I promise not to touch her, man. I just want her to come with us."
"Well…"
"She'll get mad if you go and don't mention it to her." Tea added.
"Who's side are you on?" Joey asked.
"If I promise to behave myself, will you let her be my guest?" Tristan begged.
"Ok ok. I guess I'll have to. I'm taking Kagome."
"Not again!" Tea complained. "Is she the only thing on your mind?"
"That and food," Joey said, "Speaking of which: WHERE IS THAT WAITRESS?!!"
Serenity Wheeler was laying across her bed, reading the newest issue of Teen Scene Magazine, when she heard the door bell ring. "I'll get it," she called, getting up and heading towards the door. She opened it, and was surprised to see Seto Kaiba himself standing there. In his arm was a bouquet of fresh lilies. And in his hand was an envelope.
"Good afternoon, Miss Wheeler," he said.
"Kaiba," she exclaimed, stepping back. "What are doing here?"
"I came to invite you to my Duelist Ball. And to give you these," he said giving her the flowers and invite. Then, he snapped his fingers and two more men appeared holding two boxes.
Serenity blushed. No one had ever given her this much attention before. She was flattered, but to be given so many gifts… "Um, thank you, Mr. Kaiba," she said, smiling.
"Please, call me Seto," he said, "It won't do for my guest of honor to be so formal."
"You're guest of honor?"
"Yes. After all, I've already invited your brother and his friends. You will come," he asked, his eyes hopeful, "won't you?"
"I...uh… Of course!" she said suddenly.
"I count the hours till our next meeting," Seto said, taking a bow. Then, he turned away and walked back to his limo. Serenity looked at her gifts and flowers. Maybe, she thought, maybe Joey was wrong about Seto Kaiba. Maybe he's not such a bad guy after all…
"I have to tell Joey!" she said excitedly, and ran back inside the house to call her big brother.
Seto sat down in his limo, and looked back at the house where Serenity lived. He smiled at himself. This was working perfectly. Soon he'd have everything he'd ever wanted. The girl of his dreams and his revenge on Yugi and his friends for his humiliating defeat at Battle City. His Millennium Rod glowed in his hand with anticipation. Yugi would regret giving him this powerful tool, for once he used it on Serenity's mind, she would be his, completely and absolutely.
But then, a funny thought came to him. What if he didn't need the Millennium Rod? What if Serenity Wheeler really liked him for who he really was? Could he win her over with just his charm? Of course he could, he thought. He remembered her blushing smile, and eager reply to his invitation. She was so young, innocent, and impressionable. It would be a piece of cake to win her heart.
"Oh, Joey, you won't believe what he gave me!" she exclaimed over the phone. Joey was listening to his sister's excited talk about her visit from Kaiba. And he didn't like it.
"Sis, don't you think this is a little much for just one person?" he asked her.
"Maybe...but… Oh Joey, it's such a beautiful dress! It's just like the one Cinderella wore in the movie, he even included REAL glass slippers! And he gave me lilies! How did he know I love lilies?"
"I still think it's a little overboard. Do you think he's gonna give all his guests this kind of attention?"
"No, cause he said I was his guest of honor. Isn't that sweet, Joey?"
"What!? Now I KNOW he's a no good dirty rat!"
"Oh, I wish you wouldn't say things like that Joey. He seemed really sweet to me."
"Serenity, I don't think it's a good idea for you to go to this party."
"Well I am going. And besides, didn't you promise Tristan he could take me as his guest."
"Yeah…But-"
"Then I'll meet you at the Shrine Friday. Bye Joey," she said. Then, a dial tone buzzed in his ear.
"I don't like this one bit," he said to himself as he hung up the phone.
A few days later, everyone was gathered at Yugi's attic, discussing costume ideas.
"Well, I'm going as Tut, The Boy King," Yugi said, putting an Egyptian headdress on.
"I'll be Cleopatra." said Tea as she came from behind a dressing screen, wearing a revealing Egyptian style outfit.
Tristan whistled, and said, "Whoa, Tea! Nice."
"Cut it out!" she exclaimed.
"That's a lotta woman for you to handle, Yuge," Joey joked.
"A bit ragged," Miroku said, eying Tea, "But I approve."
"Watch those hands, or you won't have to worry about that curse anymore," Tea warned. "As for you, Joey, Yugi and I are just friends."
"Come on," Kagome said to Tea, "Everyone at school knows you and Yugi are an item."
"They do?" she asked, blushing, "I mean, that's not true!"
"Yeah right. You love Yugi." Joey said.
"Tea and Yugi, sittin in a tree," Tristan started.
"Guys, please cut it out!" little Yugi cried, "You're embarrassing us. Now, what costumes are you wearing?"
"Since Serenity's a princess," Tristan said, "would you guys happen to have any Prince Charming suits?"
"No…the best I can do is a tuxedo and a mask," said Yugi.
"Great," Tristan said, disappointed, "I'm Super Butler."
"What about you, Joey?"
"I haven't decided yet."
"My grandpa can lend you some shrine clothes," Kagome suggested. "Then we can match, like Yugi and Tea."
"Sounds good to me."
"I don't understand all this bother with costumes," remarked Inu-yasha, "it's just a stupid party."
"It may be stupid to you," said Mai, coming up the steps, "But for someone like me, it's the gala event of the season. Hi Yugi," she said to her friend, "You're grandpa said you were up here."
"You got an invitation, too?" Yugi asked.
"Of course," Mai replied, "I'm a duelist after all. And Might I add, one of the best."
"Boasting is unbecoming," Songo remarked sarcastically.
"No, but the view is quite nice," said Miroku. To which MaI swiftly gave a back kick, dropping the lecherous monk to the ground, groaning in pain.
"How's the view, now?" asked Mai.
"F…fine…" he said, looking slightly up…"Well worth the pain."
"You!" Mai said, furious. Then, she kicked him in the stomach, and stepped over him.
"About time someone did that," Kagome stated. But when the girls all turned to the guys, they all turned around and crossed their legs. Tristan began to whistle innocently.
Just then, Yugi's grandfather came up the stairs, carrying a tray of soft drinks. "Hello everybody. I hope I'm not interrupting anything? You kids aren't having a make out party or anything up here, are you?" he added with a laugh.
"GRANDPA!" Yugi cried as he and everyone else blushed. "This isn't the Seventies!"
"No. It's much worse," he said eyeing Tea. As she ran back behind the dressing screen, he burst out laughing.
"You're a dirty old man!" Mai exclaimed angrily.
"Yeah, come on guys," Kagome said, "let's go to my place for a while. My grandpa's only cheep."
"Oh, please, come on," Grandpa Mutou begged, "I get so lonely here. No one ever comes to see me, and the shop is always empty. If I don't get some business soon, I'll go broke."
"Me and the guys will be back later, Grandpa," Yugi said as they all climbed down the stairs. "You don't have to be so dramatic."
Mokuba Kaiba ran around the grounds of his and his brother's estate, making sure that everything was being properly prepared for the Duelist Ball that weekend.
"Now remember," he told the staff, "The flower arrangement, the decorations, the lighting, the food, everything must be top notch for this party. My brother won't stand for anything less than perfection."
"Yes, Master Mokuba," they all said, then went about their business.
"Excellent," Mokuba said, "Now I gotta talk to Seto about the special arrange,ents for Yougi and his friends." He ran up into the mansion, through the enormous hallways, past the countless room and antechambers. Then, he stopped at the next-to-last door in one of many corridors. He opened the door, and stepped into his brother's computer room
"Seto," he said, "Everything's underway."
"I don't really care about the ball Mokuba, what I want to know about are the preparations for Yugi and his friends."
"That's a little more difficult. We're having the island's entire facilities prepped and the defenses are still being repaired after the damage done during the Battle City finals. Your entire fleet of helicopters is ready though."
"Tell them to speed things up, Mokuba. I want everything ready. Yugi and his friends must not survive this time. I want Serenity all to myself when the time comes."
"You look great!" Kagome said when Joey walked out of the bathroom. He was wearing one of the shrine outfits her grandpa had packed up, and he really did look good in it. The cut of the tunic brought out his shoulders. He reminded her of one of her favorite shows. The one about the wandering Samurai. "All you need is a sword and you'll look great."
"Thanks, but now we gotta get your costume out." he said as they walked back into her room.
"I don't have much in my closet, but I was able this one thing," she said as she rummaged through the boxes. Where did she put her grandma's kimono?
"Hey, is this it? It looks great!" Joey asked. She got up, and saw him holding up the clothes from the Feudal Era. The priestess garments that…
"No, that's not-"
"Try it on," Joey said, "I wanna see you in it."
"But-"
"Please?" he pleaded.
She looked at him for a minute, then decided, "Why not." And since Inu-yasha's helping grandpa, he won't know, she thought. She took the garments with her into the bathroom. She came out a few minutes later, tying her hair back. She had avoided the mirror, knowing what she would see.
She stepped into her bedroom, and saw Joey's face go blank. "Well?" she asked nervously.
"You look beautiful," he whispered. "I-"
"K-Kikyo?" she heard Inu-yasha exclaim behind her. She turned around quickly, to face him. The look on his face, was frightened and yet, so longing. Then, his face fell back into that angry expression he always wore.
"Oh, it's only you," he said.
"It…It's only ME?" she exclaimed. She couldn't help herself. She was so mad. She stared to cry. " Sorry to disappoint you!" she yelled at Inu-yasha. Then, she turned to Joey, and yelled, "I told you I didn't wanna wear this stupid thing! Get out! Both of you!"
"What did I do?" Joey asked with genuine confusion. She pushed him out the door, and threw his regular clothes at him.
"I SAID OUT!" she cried, slamming the door in their faces. And then falling backwards onto her bed, crying her eyes out. "STUPID INU-YAHSA!" she cried out. "STUPID KIKYO!" she buried her face into her pillow, and cried until her sobs were silent, and her eyes could make no more tears.
"This was all you're idea?!" Inu-yasha screamed at Joey, "Good going, Idiot!" he added, storming off.
"Wait a sec! What did I do?" he called, going after the han-you. He followed him outside to the Sacred Tree. Inu-yasha was sitting under it, cross-legged and apparently, deep in thought. They boy walked up to him, and sat down beside him. "So what's eatin you?" Joey asked him.
"Forget it," Inu-yasha said. "You wouldn't understand."
"Try me."
The han-you sighed, then began to explain the whole ordeal to Joey in detail. He told him about Kiyo, Naraku, and the 50 years he'd spent bound to the tree before Kagome came and freed him. And of how everything about her had reminded him of Kikyo at the beginning.
"Geez," Joey said, "I'm sorry. If I'd known-"
"Like I said, forget it." Inu-yasha said, getting up. "Just treat her right, and don't bring this up again."