Hi, everyone, I'm back after a whole month of MIA. I have to say that I was very excited as I read your reviews for chapter 16, just about all of you changed your minds about Toji and Akiko after that chapter. That makes me, as a writer, very happy.

This chapter is filled with fluff. I have to warn you though, it's a little too lovey-dovey. I have no personal experience in the matter of the heart, so it was rather awkward for me to write. I did my best, and I can only hope that it turned out decent enough.

Disclaimer: Inuyasha wa suigoishi, kakkoiishi, kawaiishi, yasashiishi noni, watashino janai. 

^_~

Chapter 17: The Future is Tomorrow

How annoying... that incessant drumming... who's drumming at night... he needed sleep... who would be drumming at such an hour...

It was driving him crazy...

So loud...

"AH!!!"

Mikagi Toji let out a barely audible cry of pain as his mind snapped back to reality. He had become numb to the pain when he fainted, but now that he was awake... god... it hurt so much...

Damn that Inuyasha...

He tried to keep his eyes closed, and prayed to fall back into the darkness once more. Actually, a three-month coma sounded pretty good at the moment. Maybe he'll wake up months later and his wounds would all be healed miraculously. Then he wouldn't have to go through the tremendous pain...

The pain... was everywhere...

But Mikagi Toji was no coward, he wasn't one to fear pain and suffering. He had known about suffering all too well to know that ignoring it won't drive it away. Besides, it wasn't as if he was safe, his home was perhaps the most dangerous place he can be at. And of course...

'Akiko...'

Toji didn't need any more incentive for him to move his bruised behind. Through a miracle display of endurance, he somehow managed to sit up on the couch even before he fully opened his eyes. Perhaps he didn't want to see his current state, it was just too shameful.

But nevertheless, he looked anyway.

His body was an absolutely mess. By the endless signals that his sensory neurons were sending to his brain, Toji was well aware that he had at least a few rib bones broken, and his arm wasn't in the best condition either. His head ached like never before, and the incessant beating of the rain against the windows wasn't helping his headache. As soon as he sat up, he was ready to slump down again.

And to think, Inuyasha only hit him a total of four times, counting the knee to his stomach.

Toji didn't pay much attention to the bandage around his chest, or the fact that he was in a completely different set of cloths. It was their butler; he didn't need to doubt that. It wasn't the first time that Toji came back home with injuries, though nothing this extreme had happened before. Toji was a martial artist, after all, injuries sustained during competitions were unavoidable. Their butler and a certain maid were well trained in changing, cleaning, and bandaging him without disturbing his rest in any way. Of course, Mikagi Jouji never authorized such treatments, his own son could die for all he cared, as long as his family name remained honorable and respected.

Toji didn't care for his father's opinions either. He turned eighteen two months ago and would've moved out if Akiko wasn't still under that tyrant's control.

Toji stole a glance at the old grandfather clock next to the locked wine cabinet, the one his mother bought almost fifteen years ago. 'Four... everyone would be asleep...' Toji realized that he was still in the TV room, of course, his butler would never bother to carry an eighteen-year-old all the way upstairs.

As quietly as possible, Toji shifted one foot in front of the other and made his way toward the staircase. It took him a good two minutes to reach it when normally it was a trip of five seconds. All the while, it took him nearly his entire will power not to scream out in pain. But he made no sound, for he knew that a sobbing Akiko was still waiting for him to arrive.

The climb to the second floor was like a trip to hell itself. He had stopped keeping track of time when he was half way up. In order to tolerate the agony, Toji had to fill his mind with other things, like Akiko's smile, her laugh, her kisses...

Finally he reached the top of the stairs. The next stage was to make it to the other end of the rather long hallway. His father's bedroom was all the way on the other side of the mansion, so he didn't need to worry about waking up the old man, but the servants all slept on this floor, and it wouldn't help him to wake any one of those snoopy women.

Toji continued on, dragging his battered self with him. Step by step, one foot in front of another...

'Akiko...'

Toji stopped as he reached the end. Even though he tried to control himself, he was already sweating and panting. But with every breath he took, his ribs would cry out in protest. It was possibly the worst feeling he ever had to suffer...

No, wait... the worst pain he ever had to suffer was to watch Akiko's spirit crumble under his father's slaps and punches.

Toji didn't let his thoughts wonder down that direction, it was too risky. Slowly and softly, he turned around, leaned back into the plainly painted door, and slid down until he was able to sit comfortably. Alas, he sighed.

As soon as he was relaxed a bit, he brought up a bruised knuckle and drummed it above his head on the wooden door six times, so soft that nobody else could possibly hear; nobody but him and the other suffering soul inside.

Scratch, scratch, scratch...

Toji smiled to himself. He was right. His Akiko was strong enough to stay awake and wait for him to come.

"He locked the door from the outside again..."

Akiko's voice came through the thin door frame in a whisper. Toji had to strain to hear her. Her voice was different from the tone she used in school. Her mask was down and the shield around her heart had melted. This was the real Akiko, the one that he fell in love with and will do anything in his power to defend against that monster he was forced to call father.

"Everything will be fine..." He spoke for the first time in hours, only to realize how coarse his throat had become. The residue of the blood he coughed up earlier still remained in his throat. It was certainly a very unpleasant feeling.

For a long time, Akiko made no reply. She wasn't crying either, for Toji couldn't hear any sobs from the other side of the wooden frame. He wished he could cry for her... but he can't, not since he promised to be strong for her.

"I wish she left me there." Finally, Akiko's bitter whisper reached Toji's half-awake brain. "I wish she just left me there!" She whispered a second time, more determined.

Toji chuckled to himself. "No, you don't."

It was a phrase which Akiko would repeat every time his father mistreated her. But Toji knew in his heart that there was no way in the world Akiko could ever stand being separated from him. "You're my reason for living," she had told him that so, so many times. Surely, Akiko was willing to suffer any and every kind of pain if it meant she could stay with Toji.

He wasn't always sure if that was a good thing or not.

"Toji..."

He smiled despite the throbbing in his chest. "What is it, love?" He didn't think it would be possible, but her voice had just sunk into a lower volume.

"Promise me... for the millionth time, promise me, that you'll take me away."

Toji closed his eyes and sighed, his smile remained on his bruised face. Inuyasha's final kick damaged more than his head.

"For the millionth time, I promise you... I'll take you away." Toji kept the second part of his message to himself: 'Just two more years, love... wait a bit longer... onegai.'

^_~

"So... that's it then? We're done here?"

The air was incredibly refreshing the morning after the thunderstorm. The heavy rain stopped sometime around five in the morning. Small puddles of water still remained close to the sidewalks, but the high sun promised that they won't stay there for long. Cherry blossoms were ruthlessly separated from their branches due to the bombardment of water droplets. Now, every inch of the Higurashi shrine was covered by fallen pink petals. Goshinboku also decided to bloom for the second time in five hundred years, and its magical petals danced along with the sakura.

Kagome's family was missing from the breakfast table. Souta had to arrive at the school earlier for cleaning and Ai took him there. Granpa... god knows where he was.

Shippo complained as he sat in Kagome's lap in his demon form. He was playing a vulnerable little kitsune this morning and wouldn't even touch food if Kagome didn't feed it to him. Inuyasha had smacked him several times earlier and berated him about how Kagome was still tired and shaken from the events of the night before. But in Shippo's opinion, the best way for Kagome to get her head back was for her to spoil him senseless. That logic made no sense to the hanyou, and Shippo received bump after bump after bump.

When Kagome and Inuyasha didn't respond to his question, Shippo turned his attention to the other two adults instead.

Miroku was in his school uniform and looked a little stiff. He was also worried about Kagome's whereabouts and searched until midnight for her. Lack of sleep was one thing, but the full impact of stress was another. Even the usually loquacious monk had no answer for the young demon this time. It wasn't his decision, after all.

Sango sensed the tension in this room, since she contributed some of it herself. Truth be told, Sango didn't want to leave. This time period was all too precious for her, for it held some of her fondest memories. She was able to live her life as a young girl, away from training and endless deaths and sufferings. But twenty-one days passed by so quickly, and none of them expect Inuyasha to end their problem so swiftly. Was it time to return to the Sengoku Jidai already?

After what it seemed to be forever, Inuyasha finally voiced his command. "I have to talk to Kagome."

The second half of his message didn't go unnoticed by his long-time companions. "Get out and don't come in if you want to remain in one piece" was what Inuyasha wanted to say. The hanyou was obviously in a horrible mood today, it would be suicide to mess with him, so even Shippo understood the situation enough to slip down from Kagome's lap quietly.

As soon as Inuyasha traced his friend's footsteps up to Souta's bedroom, he sat down across from Kagome and pasted a serious frown on his face.

"Kagome... we have to go back..."

Kagome wasn't surprised at the news, but the disappointment was all too clear on her innocent expression.

"So soon? Can't you guys stay a while longer? I thought..."

Inuyasha didn't let her finish, and he found himself unable to look at her straight in the face anymore. So he kept his eyes on his feet. "We really can't afford to waste any time here... Naraku need to be found, and we have to complete the jewel."

"But I would still have to stay here on weekdays; the search for the shards will still have to be delayed."

Inuyasha was frustrated. He heard the desperation in Kagome's voice and felt her needs for him. But he couldn't stay, no matter how much he wanted to, he couldn't stay there for so long and not go back... after all, Ki...

"No, I can't stay here, Kagome!! You don't understand, Sesshomaru told me that Kikyo died after we 'disappeared' from the past, I have to go back and..."

Inuyasha realized his mistake all too late. Kikyo... the one person that can completely destroy Kagome's spirit, the one person that can shatter Kagome's confidence in herself... he must be crazy to bring her up at such a time.

But wasn't it the truth though? Wasn't Kikyo's "death" the main reason he wanted to go back? Naraku was still alive, so he could always fight him with Sesshomaru and the government's help. The jewels survived the five hundred years, this theory was already proven; he could always find them in this time. But Kikyo, Kikyo would only survive if he remained in the Sengoku Jidai, in the time period that he was trapped in.

Inuyasha watched Kagome's frozen expression in deep fear. The girl sat in front of him, as quiet as a rock in the forest. Her mouth slightly opened, her eyes opened widely and stared through his purple orbs in disbelief.

But the shock soon dissipated.  She should've expected this; she had expected this. Kagome's expression turned into a smiling mask. She hid herself from his inspections well. There were times when Kagome would get jealous at the undead miko, and she wasted no energy to hide her jealousy. But this time, the situation was far too serious for her to act like a ten-year-old. Half of Inuyasha's heart would always belong to Kikyo, it was the truth that she had to deal with.

If only it wasn't so hard...

"I..." Kagome tried to speak, but did not realize how impossible it was to even make a single syllable. Was she really so weak? Did Kikyo's existence threaten her so much that it cost her to lose her voice?

"Kago..." Inuyasha lifted a hand up and reached toward Kagome's pale cheeks, but he was afraid to touch her, as if his touch would shatter her to pieces, or worse, if she would slap him away and escape from his life forever.

Kagome sensed the hesitancy in Inuyasha's movements. He was scared, scared that she would reject his touch. How ridiculous! How can she possibly shrink away from him? He was her Inuyasha, after all. And yet, he was still so unsure of himself. He understood his undying feelings for Kikyo wounded her beyond any physical torture. But Kagome understood as well. She felt how she and Kikyo, two women of the same soul, were tearing apart the hanyou. No, she would not be the one to hurt him; she would not let him blame himself for anything. Inuyasha had gone through too much pain, too much suffering. She would not be one to contribute to that agony.

"Wakatta, Inuyasha, daijoobu.**" Kagome drew as much as courage as possible, and yet, it hurt her so much just to paste a seemingly genuine smile on her face.

Inuyasha's sad eyes opened even wider at her acceptance. But it shocked him to another degree as Kagome reach out her arms. One of her soft and yet skilled hands made contact with his own outreaching palm, their fingers intertwined unconsciously. Her other hand extended further, slowly, as if afraid to alarm him, her fingertip touched his right cheek. The innocent touch alone was enough to send a shiver down to his toes.

"Kagome..."

"Daijoobu, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha leaned into Kagome's touch slowly, still unsure of himself. To make him loosen up, Kagome shifted her entire body closer to the hanyou. Her actions were encouraged as Inuyasha closed his eyes.

A gasp escaped Kagome's throat as Inuyasha's soft lips began to trace the hand she laid on his cheek. From the tip of the middle finger to her wrist, Inuyasha's kissed landed like gentle feathers. It tickled at one point, but Kagome didn't dare flinch.

Inuyasha didn't stop there. His eyes snapped open, and with his demon speed, he pulled on the hand that was intertwined with his own. He was careful not to hurt the girl, the angel before him, and pulled her easily onto his laps.

With Inuyasha's eyes less than two inches away from hers, Kagome wasn't sure if she was still breathing. She wanted to lean forward, or for him to lean forward and claim her lips. But he didn't. Inuyasha remained as still as a stone, his constantly moving purple orbs were the only indication of his awareness.

His eyes never stopped observing her. He traced her eyebrows, then her own brown marbles, the smooth curve of her delicate nose, the slight flush of her cheeks, her rosy lips which he had tasted only once before, and finally, the fine outline of her slender neck.

Inuyasha felt his demonic side taking over. The animalistic instinct was too much for him to control. Even with Tessaiga at his waist, he wasn't sure if he could restrain his other side from taking Kagome for himself once and for all.

All too quickly, Inuyasha's lips made contact with the flesh on Kagome's neck. Kagome tilted her head back with yet another gasp. But again, she didn't dare interrupt Inuyasha's movements... she wasn't sure if she wanted to.

Inuyasha's feather-like kisses traced Kagome's neck, and covered all spots of flesh that was not hidden by hair or uniform. Kagome relaxed enough to close her eyes and allowed him to venture on.

Inuyasha's kisses went lower, and Kagome was sure that she couldn't allow him to go on like that any further. If Inuyasha's lips stayed there any longer, she would have more to worry about than controlling him. So finally the miko moved.

Without opening her eyes, Kagome leaned down and planted a kiss on top of Inuyasha's head. The feeling of Kagome's lips on his hair was enough of an invitation. Inuyasha retraced Kagome's flesh all the way back to her chin. She tilted her head down, and it was all the consent that Inuyasha needed.

His eyes fluttered open for only a millisecond to capture her peaceful image. He leaned forward only a little and their noses touched. In a lightning speed, Inuyasha tilted his head and their lips made contact. But he quickly drew away again, taunting her with the ephemeral feeling of his lips against hers.

He repeated this lightning kiss for the second time. She waited patiently, surely third time must be the charm. But instead, he changed direction all together and began to trace the outline of her nose and eyes.

Kagome grew frantic. Her lips felt cold without Inuyasha's reassurance. She wasn't going to let him go without a fight.

After the soft peck on the tip of her nose, Kagome took the chance and raised her head up. She knew that his lips must be there, her instincts can't be wrong.

The hanyou noted the pressing flesh against his with a hidden smirk. The taunting had come to an end. Enough was enough. He pressed forward when he was sure that she wouldn't shift away.

At first she couldn't be sure what it was, this thrilling feeling, this tingling sensation that promised to tear her heart apart if it stopped. Love, some say, is merely a trick of humans' bodily hormones, a biological urge driven by desires. But who cares what they say? They obviously have never been kissed by Inuyasha.

Kagome's already weakened heart began to beat at a volume that threatened to break the sound barrier. Gallons of blood surged through her veins, but she still felt weaker than ever. A moan almost escaped her throat, though somehow she managed to hold it back. 

Her mind was barely clear enough to feel a small but intense pain as he gently nibbled on her upper lip. His hidden sharp fangs dug into her flesh, nearly drawing blood. But the pain was welcomed. He continued to suck on those cherry red lips, caressing each spot ten times over before moving on to the next. Kagome willed herself to remain still. But all control was lost as Inuyasha's tongue gently glided over her lower lip.

In a huff, Kagome surprised both of them by responding passionately. Inuyasha hesitated for only a second before taking charge once again. As he held her body tightly to his own, he licked her flesh once more and demanded entrance. Kagome opened her mouth with no signs of doubtfulness.

Kagome has never allowed herself to wonder what it'd be like to be so close to Inuyasha. The fear of the uncertain future was enough to block any and every fantasy. The first time they kissed, it was soft, gentle, and sweet. But this new feeling was unlike anything she has ever felt. If he asked her, then and there, to be his forever, there would be no hesitancy on her part.

The kiss ended abruptly. Both of them were too focused that they forgot to breathe. As they panted for breath in each other's arms, there was no doubt about their feelings for one another. Neither Kikyo nor Naraku can destroy that emotion.

That was the silent promise they made to themselves that tranquil spring morning.

^_~

The subject of returning to the Sengoku Jidai was put aside as the four friends entered the school wordlessly. The kiss earlier left Kagome and Inuyasha heated and embarrassed. Inuyasha assured her that their friends stayed in Souta's bedroom the whole time, but Kagome still couldn't shake off the feeling that they were being watched.

The group reached a silent agreement to stay for only a few more days, just to make sure that none of Toji's gang bothered Kagome again. But even Kagome realized that it was crucial for them to return to the world 500 years ago.

The day went on as usual, but the school was fussing over the sudden absence of the Mikagi siblings and several of Toji's infamous "friends". Rumors spread around like forest fire through the hallways and classrooms. Only Inuyasha's companions and Yamaguchi knew the truth. But none of them were going to correct any of the rumors.

After school was probably the worst. Despite Toji's disappearance, they were still required to show up for rehearsal. Chie sensei was half an hour late. More than fifty students sat lazily in the great hall and waited for her arrival.

Chie sensei entered the stage through the backdoor with a lost expression on her normally cheerful features. Though her movements were quiet and unnoticeable, everyone quieted down at her appearance. Once she reached the front of the stage, she cleared her throat a few times and pasted on an obviously fake smile.

"Good afternoon, everyone!" Not to her surprise, no one bothered to respond. It was impolite to ignore a teacher in such manners, but even Chie sensei didn't seem to care about etiquette at the moment. "Ah, I have a disappointing announcement to make. Mikagi-san left this morning on an early Golden Week trip with his family. So he will not be participating in the upcoming production. Because we have so little time to prepare for a replacement, I'm sorry to tell you that our play is now permanently canceled."

Chie sensei paused, and she obviously expected the students to start some sort of uproar. Instead, not a sound was heard in the great hall. Disappointment was clear on their faces, but some of them guessed a little near the truth and thought it useless to complain. Others simply didn't care for the outcome.

"Well then," Chie sensei was about to leave, "let's all go home... be safe!"

"Um... excuse me!!!"

A new voice, one that most of the students have never heard before rang through the large auditorium like clear thunder. All fifty heads turned toward the entrance and noted a tall boy leaning against the wall.

Kagome's gasp was almost audible: "RYUU!!"

"Young man, can I help you?" Chie sensei's earlier uneasiness and hesitancy disappeared and she once again assumed the role of an honorary teacher. The boy was wearing the uniform of another school, and this got him several dangerous glares from the third years. Their message was clear: we don't want outsiders here. Others, however, merely stared at this intruder, and a few girls sighed at the sight of another potential idol.

But four pairs of eyes were too busy gawking at him to make any comments.

"Hi, my name is Mukashi Ryuu, I'm here to speak with a Chie Reiko sensei." Ryuu spoke clearly and confidently. His eyes only shifted to Inuyasha's direction once, and it was all too noticeable to the older hanyou how he was doing his best to hold back a smirk.

"I am Chie. Mukashi..."

"Ryuu, Mukashi Ryuu, pleased to meet you. My cousin asked me to come here personally. It seems that you've ran into a trouble, is there way I can help?" Ryuu grinned. But it was obvious that he was enjoying the look on his uncle's face, so the grin evolved into a rather evil smirk.

"Your cousin..."

"I actually came because my cousin has personally picked out this school to fund. He then sent me here to find out a little about the school before he signs the check. But as I was entering the front gate, I overheard some girls talking about a play 'Chie sensei' was going to put on, and how disappointing it would be if 'Toji-kun' didn't return in time." Ryuu's smirk widened. "I've always loved live performances, it's in the blood. Mind if I participate, I have an excellent memory. It won't be hard for me to memorize lines."

Chie sensei continued to gaze at the boy as if he was a demon. Kagome got nervous at one point and wondered if she's seen through Ryuu's magic shield. His dog ears were gone, two very normal looking human ears protruded the sides of his head. His silvery locks were transformed into spiky black strands. And his fangs, claws, and those unmistakable golden eyes were also replaced by more human traits. But like his father and uncle, Ryuu looked handsome no matter which form he was in.

After a long minute, the teacher finally managed to ask: "and your cousin is..."

"Mukashi Shinichi***, you've must've heard of him."

There was no mistake in the number of gasps that echoed in the auditorium. Sesshomaru, alias Mukashi Shinichi, was the world's richest man, after all.    

Ryuu took Chie's shocked silence as acceptance, not that he would've let her have it any other way. "Okay then, that's settled. Give me a script and I'll have it memorized by tomorrow."

^_^

The great hall was emptied in ten minutes. Rehearsal was delayed for a day, but at least their production was saved. Ryuu continued to have a private chat with Chie sensei about the story. Four pairs of eyes were still gawking at him below the stage.

'What's he doing here?! What the hell is Sesshomaru up to?! I thought he wanted me to go back as soon as possible!!' Inuyasha thought as a low growl emanated from deep within his vocal cord. His friends were just as shocked as he was, but they were thankful for Ryuu's interference. This guaranteed them at least another week in the present world.

Finally the talk between the young hanyou and Chie sensei ended, the two of them stepped down from the stage and approached Inuyasha and the rest. Chie sensei was back in her dazed state and went through a swift introduction. Ryuu was to be Toji's replacement. This only made Inuyasha a little bit happier. However, he didn't want his nephew to whisper sweet words of romance to his love anymore than Toji.

After the introduction, Chie sensei proclaimed a headache and left Ryuu to Kagome and the rest. As she speed-walked toward the exit, Miroku flashed Sango a grin and followed the teacher.

"Where's Miroku-sama going?" Kagome asked Sango.

"Oh, it's nothing." Sango shot Kagome a mysterious grin. It was clear that she knew what the monk was up to, and made it her business to hide it from Kagome. Kagome didn't probe any further. They had a hanyou relative on their hands and that was more than enough problem for the day.

"Okay, brat, 'fess up, what's Sesshomaru up to?!" Inuyasha didn't waste time to interrogate his charming nephew as soon as he was sure that Chie sensei was out of hearing range. 

Ryuu only smirked back at his uncle. Inuyasha couldn't help but feel annoyed at the fact that his own nephew stole his signature smirk. Well, at least he still had his...

"Keh! I'll ask him myself then."

"Dad's still in Kyoto, I'm the only one who came."

"WHAT?! HE LET HIS SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD SON TRAVEL THIS FAR ALONE?!!" Inuyasha shouted on top of his lungs, and Kagome couldn't help but giggle. Even if Ryuu didn't realize it, Inuyasha was very concerned for his safety. He has already taken on the role of an uncle, and believe it or not, Inuyasha was quite responsible when he wanted to be.

"I have like..." Ryuu counted his fingers, "six youkai bodyguards waiting for me outside. And I'm a trained hanyou myself. I can take care of things." Ryuu raised his head arrogantly and smirked yet again. Kagome and Sango both noticed the similarity between uncle and nephew and the two girls burst out in suppressed laughter.

Inuyasha keh'd yet again. He raised his head as well and was pleased to know that he was two inches taller than the younger hanyou. "As if a puppy like you can handle real danger."

"I..." Ryuu sighed and stopped. "Never mind, I didn't come all this way just to argue with you. And unlike Koinu, I'm not going to give you any respect when my father's not around, Inuyasha." Ryuu's smirk disappeared, and in place of it was the stern face of a young man who faced too much suffering. Strangely enough, it was the exact same face Inuyasha carried when he fought Sesshomaru five hundred years ago.

Kagome shivered at the sight of the serious Ryuu. It was almost weird to think that he was the same age as her.

Inuyasha growled menacingly, when Ryuu didn't show any sign of weakness, he walked pass him and shouted back: "Kagome, Sango, we're leaving!!"

Sango shot Ryuu an apologetic smile and followed Inuyasha out. Kagome was about to do the same but Ryuu held her in place.

"Ryuu-kun..."

Seeing her puzzled expression, Ryuu pulled out a small box from his jacket pocket and handed it to Kagome. "This is a present from my father to you. He wanted me to give it to you when you're alone. Inuyasha is not supposed to know about this gift."

Kagome took the box and opened the lid shakily. Inside it was a piece of carved jade in the shape of a heart; it hung from a thin, red string. The jade had a forest-green color, and the color seemed to have swirled as Kagome's fingers came in contact with it.

"Oh my... this is... I really can't accept this!"

Ryuu smiled again, this time, less arrogant and definitely less threatening. "You'll have to; it's my father's order. Just think of it as a good luck charm, keep it close to you. And don't forget, do not let Inuyasha see it until the time is right."

Before Kagome could respond, Ryuu was already walking away. "Gotta go, I have a script to memorize. Bye, Kagome..."

Kagome clutched the jade pendent tightly in her hands as Ryuu's figure disappeared through the doors. She felt like he had more to say, but something stopped him.  

^_~

"Chie sensei! Wait!"

Chie sensei stopped in mid-step as she heard Miroku shout her name. She turned and waited for him to catch up. Before she was going to ask what he wanted, Miroku's own question was already out.

"Chie sensei, why did you do it? Why did you help Toji?"

The woman stood still for quite a while as she registered Miroku's accusation. "Houshi-kun... I don't know what you're..."

Miroku grinned. His smile was as reassuring as ever, but Chie sensei didn't feel the least calm at the moment.

"Don't try to hide it, sensei, perhaps the others don't see it, but I know what's going on here. And don't worry, Kagome-sama doesn't know, she still looks up to you."

"Houshi-kun..."

"He threatened you, didn't he? He threatened you just like he threatened Mori sensei to keep Kagome after school. He tried to use Inuyasha's jealousy against him. Even strangers can tell that Inuyasha's brain can't function normally when he's flooded with emotions."

Somewhere in the school yard, the hanyou sneezed. "Someone must be talking about me..." He mumbled to Sango. The youkai exterminator giggled, but said nothing in return.

"Houshi-kun... I... I didn't want to. But he... he threatened to make me lose my job. Teaching is my life; I couldn't let him take that away from me!" Somewhere along the line, Chie sensei's voice got stronger. "I know I was wrong to put my student in danger. And you have no idea how glad I was to know that Toji couldn't come to school for the next two weeks. Kagome is one of my favorite students; I didn't want to put her in danger any more than you would allow it. After all, that's why you're here, isn't it?"

Miroku's smile didn't waver. "Good, it seems like we're on the same turf. No more shields, sensei. As Kagome-sama's friend, I must ask you to consider others before you make a mistake. Your job is not the concern here. Kagome-sama has been hurt more than once, I don't know how you can bear with that on your conscience and smile so genuinely everyday."

"I..."

"Chie sensei," Miroku's smile disappeared, and his voice assumed the tone of absolute authority. "I must ask you to redeem yourself. We'll be gone soon, but Kagome-sama will still remain, and afterwards, I trust you will watch out for her. This will be your job after we're gone. Do you accept this duty?"

The woman was only able to nod slowly at Miroku's command. Something about the man before her gave out a strong wave of power. Despite the age difference, she found herself obeying Miroku's every will. That was when she realized, the man standing in front of her was meant to do great things one day.

"Good. I'll see you tomorrow then, sensei."

"Houshi-kun..."

Miroku turned back around. "Yes, sensei?"

"Why... why do you call Kagome with a 'sama' as suffix? You're older than her, are you not?"

Miroku thought about it...

"...Because she's an extraordinary girl."

Miroku left with a mysterious smile that will forever leave an impression on Chie Reiko's mind.

*^_~*

That was a really bad kissing scene, wasn't it? Ah, shikata ga nai! It can't be helped, I've never been kissed before, so I have no idea what it's like. Gomen ne, minna... *sad face*

** "Wakatta, Inuyasha, daijoubu." – I wrote this part in Japanese because I felt it would sound stronger. It means "I understand, Inuyasha, it's okay." Although "wakatta" is actually in past tense, it makes more sense if it's in present tense in English.

***Hope you guys still remember Sesshomaru's alias and his son, Ryuu, twin brother of Koinu.

I finally made a deadline for the fanfiction challenge. It's July 31st. And you guys should read Wakadori Ramen's Silent Echoes, she's one of the competitors. It's a really nice fic, so go check it out, I command you!!

Until Next Time!!!!!!!!!!!! Review!!!!!!