Here we are, the long awaited chapter 7!!! Sorry for the delay, my beta was busy and in truth, so am I. Chapter 8 is with her already, so expect that in a few days. I'll get right on the next chapters. Be ready for the tournament starting in the next chapter! Stay tuned for shout-outs at the end of the chapter, enjoy!
Disclaimer: *sigh* I wish I could claim them, but alas, I have no money to hire a laywer to sue. Until I have enough saved up for Johnny, I'll have to write these disclaimers.
Chapter 7: Family Togetherness
"I could hang around,
You could let me down again,
But it's killing me"
Two weeks passed in the blink of an eye to the Isharugi martial arts team. Their lives consisted of training, school, training, hanging out on the weekends, studying, and more training. And after a lot of blood and sweat and work, after a lot of sore muscles and tired evenings, the day before the Nationals Tournament had arrived.
The school bell rang, signaling the end of that week's classes. Kagome flew from her last class to her locker, then out to the parking lot. She took the front steps two at a time, sliding down the banister in her haste and joy. Sango, Rin, Miroku, and Inuyasha were already waiting in the parking lot for her.
Over the past two weeks, Kagome had grown closer to both Rin and Sango. The three girls had gone from a pair of cousins and her cousin's friend, to three best friends. Kagome and Miroku had also entered into a polite comfort zone. Miroku knew that if he touched her, she'd fuck him up, and he was cool with that. But Kagome and Inuyasha had not yet moved from square one. They had their small intervals of peace, but over all they both knew one simple truth. They hated each other, and they loved every second of it. It was a process of theirs to try as hard as they could to make the other's life miserable.
"Hi Kagome," Miroku and Rin waved in unison.
"Hey Kag, all ready for tomorrow?" Sango greeted eagerly, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Oh, I'm ready all right," Kagome said casually. She plucked the sunglasses from her eyes and lazily hooked them into her duster's pocket.
"Hey Bitch," Inuyasha said. It was his formal greeting. Kagome wouldn't have it any other way.
"Dog-boy! I didn't see you there!" Kagome smiled and gave him a customary wink. Even Inuyasha couldn't bring her down today. Kagome looked to her cousin, hopping from one foot to the other like a giddy school girl. "Can we go Rin? Can we?" Rin smiled and nodded. Both girls tossed their backpacks in the trunk of the car and Kagome slide into the driver's seat.
"Where are you going?" Miroku asked, sticking his head through the open passenger side window. Kagome flashed him a huge, blinding smile.
"We're going to pick up my brothers. They're spending the weekend at the dojo for the tournament tomorrow. It's a few hour drive, so we should get going." Kagome hit a switch on the door, causing the window to start rolling up.
"Ah! Help!" Miroku yelped, trying to pull his head out of the window, but there wasn't enough room. Sango howled with laughter behind him as his body thrashed around. "Come on Kagome! Rin, please! My poor, poor head!"
Laughingly, Kagome rolled down the window. "Okay, we'll see you guys later!"
"Call me tonight Kag," Sango called as she backed out.
"Got it!" Kagome and Rin waved. Then they pulled out and left the high school behind. "On the road again, oh on the road again," Kagome sang. Rin giggled.
"You haven't been in such a good mood since you got here!" she exclaimed, grabbing Kagome's hand and lacing her fingers through her cousin's. "But the boys always did bring out the best in you."
"Thanks for coming with me Rin, driving all the way there alone would have been so boring."
"Yeah," Rin snorted. "Like I'd let you drive my baby without me here!" They both laughed again as they got on the freeway and took the fastest route to the suburbs.
"I can't waste a sound again,
You'll break me if you can,
Drag me down again"
It was nearing seven when Kagome pulled into the driveway of her house. She was out the door before the car had fully stopped. Rin was laughing as she followed. Kagome had been up late the night before, talking to her brothers about everything they needed to bring with them for the weekend in the city.
"Anyone home?" Kagome called as she opened the front door. Rin was behind her. It did her soul good to see Kagome so happy. It did Kagome's soul good as well.
"Kagome!" a pair of young voices yelled in unison as they bounded down the staircase. Kagome laughed, opening her arms to embrace the two boys as they launched themselves at her. Shippou hugged her around the neck tightly and Souta hugged her waist.
"We've been waiting all day!" Shippou told her happily.
"We weren't sure when you'd get here," Souta concurred.
"Well, grab your bags and get you tails out to the car!" Kagome ordered in a stern voice. They both laughed, bounding up the stairs, tripping over each other as they went to their room.
"Kagome? Is that you?" a voice came from the kitchen. Kagome looked up in time to see Sayaka Higurashi enter the room.
Her mother was dressed in flowing white robes, the robes of the waning High Miko. 'So it begins', Rin thought, seeing her aunt. It was customary for the High Miko about to be replaced to dress accordingly to her station. Her powers were leaving her and would wait until the eve of her heir's 18th birthday before being passed on.
"Mother," Kagome said, striding forward to embrace the woman. Sayaka's hug was stiff, but not uncaring. "I'll bring them back Sunday evening, don't fear."
"I am not worried for Souta and Shippou," she confirmed. "Tell me, where are you on your mission?" Kagome looked crestfallen, but not surprised. There was little left of the wound to salt. Rin felt a surge of anger. Sayaka had not even acknowledged her!
"Good evening Aunt Sayaka," Rin said formally, bowing her head to her aunt. Sayaka looked to Rin, just noticing her presence.
"Why hello Rin dear, I didn't see you had come."
"Yes, Kagome and I came together." It was most convenient that Kagome's brothers chose that exact moment to come hopping down the stairs at blinding speed, duffel bags and back packs in hand. They paused in their journey to hug Sayaka and follow Rin out to the car to deposit their belongings in the car's trunk and buckle in the back seat.
"Tell me," Sayaka commanded.
"I have made some progress Mother," Kagome said, wincing inwardly. She really hadn't made any progress at all. Well, not really. She did know Inuyasha's fighting style inside and out, and that was handy. But she hadn't yet met his family, or staked out any formal plan of assassination. She had been to his home twice, a large mansion on the rich side of the city, but she hadn't entered the house itself, only waited in the car out front. "But not enough to attack yet." It was the same thing she said every time her mother asked her. Sayaka was getting sick of it.
"Well when are you going to attack Kagome?" she said angrily. "Please inform me if you are going to do it before Souta and Shippou get married! Or before I die of old age."
Something in Kagome snapped. She'd never quite be sure what it was, but the tone of her mother's voice. The words she said that were tinged with bitterness and anger, they ate at her already fraying soul. "Dammit Mother! I'm cleaning up your mess as it is, leave me be! I'm sorry if I'm not doing it good enough for you, but I am doing everything I can! Deal with it."
Kagome spun on her heel and stormed out of her house, slamming the door behind her. Rin stood a few feet away. She had been coming back inside to bail her cousin out of a tight spot, when she overheard all of it.
"Oh Kag," she whispered, eyes welling with compassionate tears.
"Don't," Kagome whispered, aware of the eyes watching them from the car. "Let's just go home Rin."
Rin nodded, following Kagome back to the car. When Kagome got behind the wheel, she smiled and laughed and talked with her brothers all the way back to the city, but Rin saw what lay hidden behind her eyes. The fragile pain that she kept as a burden all to herself. Rin understood her cousin's pain. The pain of so many conflicted emotions and thoughts. It ate away at her, festering in wounds that never fully healed. All Rin wanted to do was comfort her cousin, but she couldn't. As much as Rin loved her, as much as she wanted to help and save her, it was not within her power to save Kagome from herself.
"It's hard to be your scar,
A frozen satellite,
You never got that far,
It's hard to be your scar"
"Well, if it isn't my two favorite grandsons!" Kaede said happily, hugging both Souta and Shippou as they leapt from the car and into the dojo. Kagome and Rin took the bags from the car, laughing at the thrill of youth, and followed them inside.
"Grandma, are we really going to see a bunch of people fighting tomorrow?" Souta asked eagerly.
"Is Kagome going to be beating up a bunch of boys?" Shippou asked.
"Hey," Kagome said sternly. "Look at what time it is?" Both boys groaned. "I don't want to hear it, it's late. Yes you'll see fighting at the tournament and yes I'll be fighting with boys if I can. Now, go up to your room and get ready for bed."
"But Kagome--"
"Souta," she said in a warning tone, giving him a look. "Go get ready for bed, I'll be upstairs in a minute."
"Fine," he pouted, taking his bag from Kagome's arms and headed up the stairs. Rin helped Shippou, both yawning as they walked. Kagome sighed and ran a hand through her hair as she turned to her grandmother.
"Thanks for letting them stay Grams," she said for the millionth time.
"Kagome, I enjoy having them here as much as you do. It's no trouble and it will be good for them to see the tournament. They can finally see their big sister in action!" Kagome laughed and headed up the stairs, smiling idly.
She met Rin at the top of the stairs. Her cousin had been waiting. "Kagome, I wanted to talk to you before I left." Kagome leaned against the wall, arms crossed, with an eyebrow raised. "I overheard what you and your mother were talking about." Kagome suspected as much. "Kagome, she has no right to ask you to do any of this. I know that everyone has been telling you to stop or to change your mind and that." Rin sighed, then swallowed. "I love you Kag, you're my cousin and my best friend. Whatever you decide, I'll be here for you. But the thing is...this is your decision, not Sayaka's. She can't make it for you. The blood will be on your hands, not hers." Rin embraced a stiff Kagome, then headed for the stairs. "I'm going home. I'll tell Sango you were busy. Call me before you and Kaede leave, okay?"
"You got it Rin." Kagome's voice was hoarse with emotions. Rin left her standing in the hallway for quite some time. The sounds of her brothers arguing and laughing sent a calm over her, but the pit of her stomach still roiled with anger and sadness when she had seen her mother.
Kagome went to her brothers, tucking them in and hugging them goodnight. A round of 'I love you' went between them, and Kagome retired to her own room for the night. She stared at the ceiling for hours, not knowing when exactly sleep claimed her, just knowing that she hated herself because no one else would. Kagome never lied to herself and she tried not to lie to anyone else. And the simple truth she knew. She was Higurashi.
"Be cool like you,
Every sorry lie,
I can't live that down no,
So you'll wait and see"
Kagome woke up early, not sure why. Kaede was already awake, making breakfast for the boys and herself when Kagome padded barefoot into the kitchen. Kagome yawned loudly, rubbing her knuckles over her eyes.
"Good morning Sleeping Beauty," Kaede said with a smile. "I made your favorite, cheese omelet and soy sauce." Kagome's mouth watered.
"You're a goddess Grams!" Kagome promptly flopped into a chair and scarffed down the food. "So when are we leaving?"
"Both the boys are still asleep, and the tournament beginning ceremonies don't start until noon, so I'd say we can leave about eleven. Two hours or so." Kagome nodded, stretching out her arms and legs right in the middle of the kitchen. "You should go over to Inuyasha's house and tell him when we leave, that way he and Miroku can meet us there. I already called Rin and told her and Sango to meet us here at eleven themselves."
Kagome froze. "You want me to go to Inuyasha's house Grams?"
Kaede never faltered. "Why not? You're just telling him when the tournament starts." The grandmother shoved a pan full of eggs on to two separate plates. It seemed that the smell of food called to the two kids upstairs because there was suddenly a great commotion above them and then the echoing sounds of a pair of rabid giraffes were heard.
"Yay Grandma made breakfast!" Shippou exclaimed happily, hopping into a chair to begin feasting. Souta didn't waste time with speech, he just ate.
"Okay then," Kagome said, heading upstairs to change. Her clothing choice was simple. She already had her fighting kimono set out to change into before leaving for the tournament. Kagome yawned as she kissed both her brothers on the head and left the dojo to go to Inuyasha's. Although she had never been inside, she had seen the manor estate. It proved the fact that Inuyasha's family was quite well off and had no qualms about showing it.
Kagome rode over there at a conservative speed, half eager and half hesitant. She really wanted to see Inuyasha's world from the inside, but she was scared that this would just be another step in her mother's master plan. It was only then that Kagome truly began to understand how much she didn't want to hurt him, or his family.
With all the courage she could muster, she buzzed the small doorbell on the iron gate in front of Inuyasha's building. "Can we help you?" a voice said over a small intercom.
"Yes," Kagome said back, pushing a tiny button. "I'm looking for Inuyasha? My name is Kagome Isharugi. I'm from the dojo."
"Do you have an appointment to see Master Inuyasha?" the voice asked again.
"No, but my Grandmother, Kaede Isharugi, told me to inform him of the tournament information."
"Kaede! Why didn't you say so?" the voice said suddenly, and the iron gates swung open. "Come on in you young whipper-snapper." Kagome walked her bike inside the gate and felt even more uncomfortable when they swung closed behind her.
The door of the estate opened and a small man stood before her. He bowed low before straightening and brushing off his tie. The man was bald except for a ring of fine gray hair around the base of his skull, and had huge black eyes. "I'm Myouga, the Inutoya family butler. Welcome miss Isharugi," he welcomed. Kagome smiled and walked past him into the huge house.
"It's so beautiful!" Kagome marveled. The entire entrance room was white marble from the tile floor to the arching ceiling from which a crystal chandelier hung. A spiral staircase rose in front of her, leading to a second floor. There were two winged doorways on either side of the case that lead further into the house. Kagome felt extremely dirty and out of place in this sparking world. In truth, her family was just as rich and influential as the Inutoyas, but one would never know it just by looking.
"Myouga, is someone here?" a woman's voice called. From the left wing, she emerged. Kagome was awestruck by her beauty. The woman didn't look much younger then her own mother, with long and straight black hair to her knees. The woman's skin was pale and flawless. There were only a few lines surrounding her mouth and mocha colored eyes. More evidence of laugh-lines then age wrinkles. She was dressed in expensive clothing and looked right at home in the splendor. Kagome knew at once that she was Inuyasha's mother. There was a common beauty in both their faces. Soft, shared features that were striking in a woman as they were gorgeous on her son. "Oh, hello," she said with a smile when she saw Kagome. "I'm Hime Inutoya. You must be Kagome, are you not?"
Kagome blinked. "Yes, I'm Kagome Isharugi. If you don't mind my asking, how did you know my name?" Hime smiled at the bewildered teenaged girl.
"My son tells me a lot about his friends. And since I know Sango and Rin, and know that you aren't either, then you must be the mysterious Kagome. You especially have been in his conversations as of late." Kagome's eyes widened even as she blushed. Inuyasha...talked about her? "And I must say, you're eyes are as lovely as he described." Kagome blinked some more. This woman said she had pretty eyes. This was just strange.
"Thanks, I guess," she muttered in response. Then a wave of self-consciousness took hold of her as she patted at her helmet-tussled hair. "I'm here to tell Inuyasha about when we're leaving for the tournament," she clarified. Hime smiled and nodded, sensing her unease.
"Inuyasha is in the first room at the top of the stairs dear. I wish you luck this afternoon."
"You won't be attending?" Kagome asked, suddenly wishing the kind woman would.
"I'm afraid not. My step son will be there, however. And, if I recall correctly, Inuyasha said you have two younger brothers?"
"Yes, they'll be there. I just picked them up last night."
Hime smiled again. "Then I wish you all the more luck, Kagome. Please excuse me for now. I do hope you'll come visit our house again. I know Inuyasha would like that." Kagome nodded mutely, trying desperately not to read into that.
"I'm caught between the seam and me,
You'll break me if you can"
Kagome ascended the stairs slowly, feeling her heart constrict at the very thought of causing harm to that beautiful, kind woman. That was like how her mother had been, all those years ago. But everything was pushed out of her mind when she heard a high-pitched voice coming from the room Hime said belonged to Inuyasha.
Kagome tentatively pushed open the door. Inuyasha was in there alright. He lay across the bed, shirtless, with custom headphones on his dog ears and he was singing along to the words of Justin Timberlake's Cry me a River.
"You were my sun, you were my earth,
But you didn't know all the ways I loved you, no,
So you took a chance, And made other plans,
But I bet you didn't think your thing would come crashing down, no,
You don't have to say a word, what you did I already know,
I found out from him, Now there's just no chance,
For you and me, there'll never be,
And don't it make you sad about it,
You told me you loved me,
Why did you leave me, all alone?
Now you tell me you need me when you call me on the phone,
Girl I refuse, you must have me confused,
With some other guy,
Your bridges were burned, and now it's your turn
To cry, cry me a river, Cry me a river
Cry me a river, Cry me a river
Cry me a river, yeah yeah"
Kagome just couldn't hold her laughter back any more. The song, the voice, it was too hilarious to resist. There he was, the man who had refuted any reference to the man known as Justin Timberlake, and here he was singing along. She laughed so hard she had to support herself on the doorframe or risk falling over. When she had first started laughing, Inuyasha had ripped off the earphones and stared wide-eyed at her. Kagome was here, in his house, at the door to his room, laughing in his face.
"Oh my God!" she cried in between laughs. "I knew it! You are a total River-fan!"
"I am not!" Inuyasha said hotly, crossing his arms over his bare chest and blushed deeply. "I just happen to think that it's a catchy song. That's all. I'm still a rocker." The last sentence was more of a grumbled, pouting, in case she had forgotten.
When Kagome was able to control herself, she walked casually into the room and lounged across his bed next to him, like it was no big deal. Like she laid on a guy's bed every day, even the bed of a guy she hated. Inuyasha had to suppress a lot of rather dirty thoughts about her and his bed.
"Hey, what gives you the right to simply walk into my room, bitch!" he growled.
"Don't shoot the messenger, dog-boy," she laughed, half-eyeing him and half looking away. Dammit, Kagome couldn't control the blush that stained her cheeks. Why did she have to walk in on him without a shirt? Was God really that cruel? And even worse was that perverse part of her that rejoiced because of it. When Inuyasha shrugged and looked away, it gave her ample opportunity to gaze hungrily at the exposed skin. Athletic, toned, lean-muscled but undoubtedly hard and strong. His shoulders were broad and his abs were well defined. Kagome could have groaned at how perfect he was. Instead, she tore her eyes away and looked meaningfully away. She just propped her head under her elbow and watched as he pulled on a shirt that had been thrown across his chair.
"You're certainly smug, walking in here and lounging around like you own the place," he grumbled.
Kagome laughed and sat up. "Oh come now, you can't say that you aren't glad to see me! Oh, Inuyasha, I'm hurt!" He scoffed and she only laughed harder. "Anyway, what are you doing laying about? Aren't you getting ready for the tournament?"
"I am," he clarified, giving her a disdainful look as if she were dense.
"Pray tell, how are you preparing while laying around shirtless?" The last comment was emphasized a bit too heavily and Inuyasha smirked at her. Kagome looked away, disgusted with herself.
"Well, since you asked so nicely, I was relaxing. It's a well-known fact that the pros endorse rest before a fight. One might stretch and do some warm-ups, but relaxing the mind and lungs are important."
"So the singing and the Timberlake?"
"Was part of my training schedule."
"And where did you get such a theory?" Kagome asked curiously. What he said made sense, it was a technique she had seen employed before, long ago by...
"Rei Yue," he said with a grin. "The greatest hanyou martial artist there ever was." Inuyasha, with all the flurry of a little boy showing the girl he liked a freshly caught frog, ran to his door and closed it partially so that Kagome could see the poster hanging there.
It was indeed a poster of Rei Yue. He was facing the camera, that good-natured smile on his face, like he had worn so many times before. From the waist up, he was wearing only a black wife-beater shirt, with his bare, muscular arms crossed casually over his broad, strong chest. His dark hair had been longer when that picture was taken, just past his shoulders, so he held it back in a tail. And on the very top of his head sat two sharply pointed, gray cat ears. His deep green eyes sparkled mischievously, confidently. Still a devastatingly handsome man, even though the photo could never do him justice. There was an autograph on the top right-hand corner.
Kagome's throat tightened unbearably. She had the same poster at home, hanging on her own door. It was taken just after her father won the Martial Arts World championship for the first time, back when she was five years old. He had autographed her poster as well, but also drew little hearts all around the border. Rei Yue, the famous hanyou martial artist...but to Kagome, he had always been her Papa.
Inuyasha beamed at the poster, then looked to Kagome. His smile faded at her expression. Her eyes were riveted to the poster, but her face had gone pale and she looked ready to wretch--or cry. "Kagome?" he asked, a little startled at her reaction. She snapped out of her trance at the sound of his voice, and smiled a half-smile.
"Sorry, spaced out a second." Too many memories and emotions flooded her at the sight of her father hanging on this boy's wall. Kagome willed herself to snap out of it. "So, you were a Yue fan, huh?" Her tone was casual, but the pain in her stomach wouldn't go away. Did Inuyasha really not know that his own father had ended the life of his obvious hero?"
"Definitely! He was the greatest fighter there was, plus he was a hanyou!" Inuyasha explained, the smile glued back to his features. "Sure, he wasn't a dog hanyou--I think he was a cat--but that can be overlooked." The little-boy admiration that shone in his eyes made Kagome feel better and more comfortable in his presence again. The respect given her father gave them a common bond. "My Dad used to take me to see his tournaments. And when I got this poster, and he autographed it for me, I told him that one day I was going to be a better fighter then even he was."
Kagome laughed. "You'll never be better then Rei Yue." She got to her feet and leaned against the opposite side of the wall then he was, looking at the poster. "Inuyasha--Never give up the drive, keep fighting and maybe we'll meet in the ring someday. All the best--Rei" she read the words scrawled on the poster in her father's hand. "Who knows, maybe you would've met him," she mused.
"Maybe, if he hadn't been murdered..." There was an equal moment of silence between them. "Hey Kagome, are you a fan of his too?" Inuyasha asked, desperately trying to recapture their conversation. It was a rare instance when they could have a decent conversation, and oddly enough, it was usually when they were alone.
"Me? Hell yeah! I was the biggest Yue fan that ever lived!" Inuyasha gave her that oh-really look. Kagome smiled serenely, looking past him, looking at the poster. "Even though I was young, I went to every one of his matches, to cheer him on." She trailed her fingers over the defined features of her father's face on the poster, then curled the fingers into her palm and looked away. She hated looking at his face, and yet couldn't look away. Her beloved father, the one who had left her much too soon.
"I didn't go to every one, but I went to a good number. My Dad was friends with him," Inuyasha spoke, watching her. The way she gazed at the poster made him feel momentarily jealous. The poster so captured her affections and attention. But then her head whipped around to him.
"They were friends?" Inuyasha blinked and nodded. Kagome looked shocked, then pensive. "I never knew that." Kagome shook her head, trying to clear the thoughts that suddenly began screaming in her head. What was going on? Her mother had never told her that Inutoya and Rei had been friends. What did this mean? Why had no one told her this important information? Suddenly, she felt sick to her stomach. Desperate to keep her cool, Kagome blurted out the first thing that came to her mind. "Yue was married to a miko, did you know that?"
Inuyasha stared at her with a funny look and Kagome thought that he might suspect just what was between his idol and the girl in his bedroom. But then he shook his head. "I knew he was married, and had kids, but Dad never told me too much about his wife. He mostly told me about Yue himself, when he was a kid and how much I was like him. He also told me about how he had a daughter that was my age, but I never had a chance to meet her. After Rei was killed, Dad didn't have anything to do with the Yue family anymore. And then, my father was killed so..."
Kagome wrapped her arms around herself. "Yeah, he was married to a miko. It was a very controversial thing in her family, but Yue proved himself to be a great force of good and he fought at her side as well as fought in the ring. He also had two children, a daughter and a son."
"You're certainly well informed." His tone was dry.
"I was the biggest fan he had." Hers was equally so.
"Why are you here again?" Inuyasha suddenly asked. Kagome balked all of a second before remembering her mission from Kaede.
"Grams told me to tell you that we're leaving for the tournament at eleven. You and Miroku have got to meet us by then. Rin, Sango, Grams, me and the boys are leaving from the dojo."
"The boys?" he questioned. He opened the door again, then walked back over to sit on his bed, leaning back on his elbows with his legs open. It was a position that inspired many an inappropriate thought in Kagome's mind. A dull heat rose in her face as she looked away from the reclining hanyou.
"My brothers," she clarified, leaning against the wall casually. "Guess you'll have the opportunity to corrupt them after all." There was the hint of a dare in her voice and he was eager to take it. But for now, he remained neutral. "Oh! And I want to give you something before the tournament, so get there early, okay?"
Kagome was going to give him something? "Does it explode?" he asked warily.
"No. It's only a loan, so don't expect to keep it or anything," she warned. Inuyasha nodded, but was intrigued none the less. "Okay, well, I'll get going. See you in a little while." Kagome pushed off the wall, making to leave, but paused a second. It seemed unfair in her mind that Inuyasha had paid so much adoration to her father--even if he didn't know that Yue was her father--that she wanted to return the favor. "You're mother is very nice," she whispered, but he heard her clearly. There was a hint of sorrow in her tone and Inuyasha remembered what Rin had told them about Kagome and her mother.
"Yeah, my mom's a great woman." Kagome nodded, tossed him a sassy smile, then left the same way she came. As if she'd never been there at all. But the soft, floral scent of her hair still hung in the air around him, and he laid back on the bed where she had been to sniff at his sheets until the smell finally faded. He really was going soft.
And it was just his luck that at that exact moment that his older brother chose to enter the room. Sesshomaru took one look at his brother, laying on his bed, sniffing his sheets and coughed. "I would ask what you're doing, but I don't really want to know," he commented dryly.
Inuyasha sat bolt upright, coughing, then stared at his brother venomously. "What do you want?" Sesshomaru was easily a few inches taller then his brother as he stood unceremoniously in the doorway. The brother's shared a few features, the silver hair and amber-gold eyes that they had inherited from their father. But they were also different. Sesshomaru, being a full demon, had human-albeit pointed-ears and his face was stained with streaks and a half-moon, marking him of full demon blood. His was a majestic and very masculine beauty, one that lent itself very well to his grace and sophistication.
"Only wondering when we're leaving. Wasn't that the reason that girl was here?" he asked in feigned innocence. In truth, he had been just down the hall and heard everything they had talked about, but he just wanted to see for himself what he already suspected. From the non-stop talk about this mysterious 'Kagome' girl for the past couple of weeks, Sesshomaru had thought a mere infatuation. But when he had heard them speaking, he thought it something more. Now seeing...the little scene he had happened upon, there was no refuting it. But Sesshomaru when to keep his opinions to himself. And just for the record--he didn't care.
"I know you heard everything Sesshomaru, cut the shit. We're picking up Miroku at ten thirty, then go to the dojo, be ready in an hour."
"Alright then, just don't make me regret my decision to come," was all Sesshomaru said as he yawned and walked away. Inuyasha fell backwards on to his bed. A dull blush rose to his face now that his brother was gone. Caught in the act... so humiliating. But then again, what did he care what Sesshomaru thought? With a labored sigh, Inuyasha hefted himself up to get ready to leave for the tournament. He couldn't lie to himself and say that he wasn't excited...or nervous... just a little scared. He wondered if Rei Yue was ever scared before a fight. But then he just concentrated on the objective at hand, getting to that arena on time.
"I could hang around,
You could let me down."
Here we are, the end of chapter 7. Eight on the way, and nine and ten aren't too far behind. *shivers with anticipation....and cuz it's cold in the basement* Oooo, everyone go see The Matrix: Revolutions on Wednsday! I can't wait for that movie....YAY! I'm a HUGE fan....and I am such a nerd...oh well! Shout-outs!
Dragons Maiden: Yes, it is turning out to be great, isn't it? Oh, and it will get better! Just wait until I start with the rest of the conflicts and stuff, oh we've barely scrapped the surface! Thanks for the review!
pruning shears: Yes, Hojo is a clueless naive little worm, but he's cuddly. *shrug* Oh well, never mind. I know! Inuyasha, where art thou? It'll come back though, it always does, and hopefully with more new episodes! Yes, it'll be long because I need to draw out all of the story and it's just really deep. *hugs outline* I love this story! *cough* Anyway, thanks again for reviewing!
Jaded Hanyou Girl: I'm sorry to hear about your misfortunes. *hands you some Ramen and pie--breakfast of champions* I love Buddy Lee, I use the hobo-ham-sandwich phrase almost every day, lol. Yes yes, if we all haven't figured it out yet, this is an Inuyasha-Kagome fic. But I had to add Hojo, and Kouga will be arriving shortly. I needed a light-hearted chapter since the next couple will be a lot of action and melo-drama. The sequel to SaC--which I have named Surviving Life: The City Revisited--won't be out for a few weeks. I'm delaying it because I really want to focus on this story, and my sequel to Renegade. Thanks for reviewing, and there is no rush. No need to even read all of my stuff-it's not that good anyway. Cheers!
mirokus-grl: Thanks for loving my story, so sorry for such a long delay. It's all my beta's fault! *sniffle* And I'm happy that this story has caught your intrest. Tell a friend, share the love! I wanted so much for this story to get a little more of a following...*sigh* I guess my work isn't as good as the other high-school fics out there. I just wanted a story with a little more substance then Kag-Inu hate-love hijinx. I like this idea that I had and I think it's a good read. Here, no reason to do your homework. Read this! Thanks for reading!
sweetangel: Thanks a bunch, I love you for loving my work! I will keep on writin' and here's my proof. More to come, be assured! Thanks again.
Thats all for this chapter. Please remember to review! Chapter 8 is on the way and I think I'll even give a preview, cuz I feel bad for the wait.
Chapter 8: Tournament Drama
"You left them alone on purpose, didn't you?" Sango asked Miroku accusingly. She had backed him into a corner on the staircase that led to the upper-level stands.
"Well, you and Rin are the conspirators!" he said defensively. "You keep telling me to give them time alone!"
"But not ten minutes before the Nationals opening ceremony!" she yelled at him.
"It's not like they're having sex in the warm-up room! It's more like they'll be trying to kill each other. You know they can't stand each other!"
"Can't stand each other?! Are you blind, or just stupid?" Sango asked in disbelief. "I mean, can you even see them? They are so totally hooked on each other it's not even funny!"
"We 'are' talking about Inuyasha and Kagome right? 'Our' Inuyasha and Kagome?"
"Of course, who else?"
Miroku just gave her one of his most disarming smiles. "I really wouldn't have a clue, but as long as you keep backing me into a wall, I'm more then happy to listen." It was only then that Sango fully realized her position. She had Miroku pinned to the cement wall with nothing in the way but her own body. She hastily took a step back, blushing furiously.
"Ahem," came a soft voice from behind them. Both whirled around to see Rin, smiling slightly, but not commenting. "I don't mean to interrupt, but we should be getting back."
Okay, review! And keep on reading!
~~Jesse the Wolf Demon~~
Disclaimer: *sigh* I wish I could claim them, but alas, I have no money to hire a laywer to sue. Until I have enough saved up for Johnny, I'll have to write these disclaimers.
Chapter 7: Family Togetherness
"I could hang around,
You could let me down again,
But it's killing me"
Two weeks passed in the blink of an eye to the Isharugi martial arts team. Their lives consisted of training, school, training, hanging out on the weekends, studying, and more training. And after a lot of blood and sweat and work, after a lot of sore muscles and tired evenings, the day before the Nationals Tournament had arrived.
The school bell rang, signaling the end of that week's classes. Kagome flew from her last class to her locker, then out to the parking lot. She took the front steps two at a time, sliding down the banister in her haste and joy. Sango, Rin, Miroku, and Inuyasha were already waiting in the parking lot for her.
Over the past two weeks, Kagome had grown closer to both Rin and Sango. The three girls had gone from a pair of cousins and her cousin's friend, to three best friends. Kagome and Miroku had also entered into a polite comfort zone. Miroku knew that if he touched her, she'd fuck him up, and he was cool with that. But Kagome and Inuyasha had not yet moved from square one. They had their small intervals of peace, but over all they both knew one simple truth. They hated each other, and they loved every second of it. It was a process of theirs to try as hard as they could to make the other's life miserable.
"Hi Kagome," Miroku and Rin waved in unison.
"Hey Kag, all ready for tomorrow?" Sango greeted eagerly, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Oh, I'm ready all right," Kagome said casually. She plucked the sunglasses from her eyes and lazily hooked them into her duster's pocket.
"Hey Bitch," Inuyasha said. It was his formal greeting. Kagome wouldn't have it any other way.
"Dog-boy! I didn't see you there!" Kagome smiled and gave him a customary wink. Even Inuyasha couldn't bring her down today. Kagome looked to her cousin, hopping from one foot to the other like a giddy school girl. "Can we go Rin? Can we?" Rin smiled and nodded. Both girls tossed their backpacks in the trunk of the car and Kagome slide into the driver's seat.
"Where are you going?" Miroku asked, sticking his head through the open passenger side window. Kagome flashed him a huge, blinding smile.
"We're going to pick up my brothers. They're spending the weekend at the dojo for the tournament tomorrow. It's a few hour drive, so we should get going." Kagome hit a switch on the door, causing the window to start rolling up.
"Ah! Help!" Miroku yelped, trying to pull his head out of the window, but there wasn't enough room. Sango howled with laughter behind him as his body thrashed around. "Come on Kagome! Rin, please! My poor, poor head!"
Laughingly, Kagome rolled down the window. "Okay, we'll see you guys later!"
"Call me tonight Kag," Sango called as she backed out.
"Got it!" Kagome and Rin waved. Then they pulled out and left the high school behind. "On the road again, oh on the road again," Kagome sang. Rin giggled.
"You haven't been in such a good mood since you got here!" she exclaimed, grabbing Kagome's hand and lacing her fingers through her cousin's. "But the boys always did bring out the best in you."
"Thanks for coming with me Rin, driving all the way there alone would have been so boring."
"Yeah," Rin snorted. "Like I'd let you drive my baby without me here!" They both laughed again as they got on the freeway and took the fastest route to the suburbs.
"I can't waste a sound again,
You'll break me if you can,
Drag me down again"
It was nearing seven when Kagome pulled into the driveway of her house. She was out the door before the car had fully stopped. Rin was laughing as she followed. Kagome had been up late the night before, talking to her brothers about everything they needed to bring with them for the weekend in the city.
"Anyone home?" Kagome called as she opened the front door. Rin was behind her. It did her soul good to see Kagome so happy. It did Kagome's soul good as well.
"Kagome!" a pair of young voices yelled in unison as they bounded down the staircase. Kagome laughed, opening her arms to embrace the two boys as they launched themselves at her. Shippou hugged her around the neck tightly and Souta hugged her waist.
"We've been waiting all day!" Shippou told her happily.
"We weren't sure when you'd get here," Souta concurred.
"Well, grab your bags and get you tails out to the car!" Kagome ordered in a stern voice. They both laughed, bounding up the stairs, tripping over each other as they went to their room.
"Kagome? Is that you?" a voice came from the kitchen. Kagome looked up in time to see Sayaka Higurashi enter the room.
Her mother was dressed in flowing white robes, the robes of the waning High Miko. 'So it begins', Rin thought, seeing her aunt. It was customary for the High Miko about to be replaced to dress accordingly to her station. Her powers were leaving her and would wait until the eve of her heir's 18th birthday before being passed on.
"Mother," Kagome said, striding forward to embrace the woman. Sayaka's hug was stiff, but not uncaring. "I'll bring them back Sunday evening, don't fear."
"I am not worried for Souta and Shippou," she confirmed. "Tell me, where are you on your mission?" Kagome looked crestfallen, but not surprised. There was little left of the wound to salt. Rin felt a surge of anger. Sayaka had not even acknowledged her!
"Good evening Aunt Sayaka," Rin said formally, bowing her head to her aunt. Sayaka looked to Rin, just noticing her presence.
"Why hello Rin dear, I didn't see you had come."
"Yes, Kagome and I came together." It was most convenient that Kagome's brothers chose that exact moment to come hopping down the stairs at blinding speed, duffel bags and back packs in hand. They paused in their journey to hug Sayaka and follow Rin out to the car to deposit their belongings in the car's trunk and buckle in the back seat.
"Tell me," Sayaka commanded.
"I have made some progress Mother," Kagome said, wincing inwardly. She really hadn't made any progress at all. Well, not really. She did know Inuyasha's fighting style inside and out, and that was handy. But she hadn't yet met his family, or staked out any formal plan of assassination. She had been to his home twice, a large mansion on the rich side of the city, but she hadn't entered the house itself, only waited in the car out front. "But not enough to attack yet." It was the same thing she said every time her mother asked her. Sayaka was getting sick of it.
"Well when are you going to attack Kagome?" she said angrily. "Please inform me if you are going to do it before Souta and Shippou get married! Or before I die of old age."
Something in Kagome snapped. She'd never quite be sure what it was, but the tone of her mother's voice. The words she said that were tinged with bitterness and anger, they ate at her already fraying soul. "Dammit Mother! I'm cleaning up your mess as it is, leave me be! I'm sorry if I'm not doing it good enough for you, but I am doing everything I can! Deal with it."
Kagome spun on her heel and stormed out of her house, slamming the door behind her. Rin stood a few feet away. She had been coming back inside to bail her cousin out of a tight spot, when she overheard all of it.
"Oh Kag," she whispered, eyes welling with compassionate tears.
"Don't," Kagome whispered, aware of the eyes watching them from the car. "Let's just go home Rin."
Rin nodded, following Kagome back to the car. When Kagome got behind the wheel, she smiled and laughed and talked with her brothers all the way back to the city, but Rin saw what lay hidden behind her eyes. The fragile pain that she kept as a burden all to herself. Rin understood her cousin's pain. The pain of so many conflicted emotions and thoughts. It ate away at her, festering in wounds that never fully healed. All Rin wanted to do was comfort her cousin, but she couldn't. As much as Rin loved her, as much as she wanted to help and save her, it was not within her power to save Kagome from herself.
"It's hard to be your scar,
A frozen satellite,
You never got that far,
It's hard to be your scar"
"Well, if it isn't my two favorite grandsons!" Kaede said happily, hugging both Souta and Shippou as they leapt from the car and into the dojo. Kagome and Rin took the bags from the car, laughing at the thrill of youth, and followed them inside.
"Grandma, are we really going to see a bunch of people fighting tomorrow?" Souta asked eagerly.
"Is Kagome going to be beating up a bunch of boys?" Shippou asked.
"Hey," Kagome said sternly. "Look at what time it is?" Both boys groaned. "I don't want to hear it, it's late. Yes you'll see fighting at the tournament and yes I'll be fighting with boys if I can. Now, go up to your room and get ready for bed."
"But Kagome--"
"Souta," she said in a warning tone, giving him a look. "Go get ready for bed, I'll be upstairs in a minute."
"Fine," he pouted, taking his bag from Kagome's arms and headed up the stairs. Rin helped Shippou, both yawning as they walked. Kagome sighed and ran a hand through her hair as she turned to her grandmother.
"Thanks for letting them stay Grams," she said for the millionth time.
"Kagome, I enjoy having them here as much as you do. It's no trouble and it will be good for them to see the tournament. They can finally see their big sister in action!" Kagome laughed and headed up the stairs, smiling idly.
She met Rin at the top of the stairs. Her cousin had been waiting. "Kagome, I wanted to talk to you before I left." Kagome leaned against the wall, arms crossed, with an eyebrow raised. "I overheard what you and your mother were talking about." Kagome suspected as much. "Kagome, she has no right to ask you to do any of this. I know that everyone has been telling you to stop or to change your mind and that." Rin sighed, then swallowed. "I love you Kag, you're my cousin and my best friend. Whatever you decide, I'll be here for you. But the thing is...this is your decision, not Sayaka's. She can't make it for you. The blood will be on your hands, not hers." Rin embraced a stiff Kagome, then headed for the stairs. "I'm going home. I'll tell Sango you were busy. Call me before you and Kaede leave, okay?"
"You got it Rin." Kagome's voice was hoarse with emotions. Rin left her standing in the hallway for quite some time. The sounds of her brothers arguing and laughing sent a calm over her, but the pit of her stomach still roiled with anger and sadness when she had seen her mother.
Kagome went to her brothers, tucking them in and hugging them goodnight. A round of 'I love you' went between them, and Kagome retired to her own room for the night. She stared at the ceiling for hours, not knowing when exactly sleep claimed her, just knowing that she hated herself because no one else would. Kagome never lied to herself and she tried not to lie to anyone else. And the simple truth she knew. She was Higurashi.
"Be cool like you,
Every sorry lie,
I can't live that down no,
So you'll wait and see"
Kagome woke up early, not sure why. Kaede was already awake, making breakfast for the boys and herself when Kagome padded barefoot into the kitchen. Kagome yawned loudly, rubbing her knuckles over her eyes.
"Good morning Sleeping Beauty," Kaede said with a smile. "I made your favorite, cheese omelet and soy sauce." Kagome's mouth watered.
"You're a goddess Grams!" Kagome promptly flopped into a chair and scarffed down the food. "So when are we leaving?"
"Both the boys are still asleep, and the tournament beginning ceremonies don't start until noon, so I'd say we can leave about eleven. Two hours or so." Kagome nodded, stretching out her arms and legs right in the middle of the kitchen. "You should go over to Inuyasha's house and tell him when we leave, that way he and Miroku can meet us there. I already called Rin and told her and Sango to meet us here at eleven themselves."
Kagome froze. "You want me to go to Inuyasha's house Grams?"
Kaede never faltered. "Why not? You're just telling him when the tournament starts." The grandmother shoved a pan full of eggs on to two separate plates. It seemed that the smell of food called to the two kids upstairs because there was suddenly a great commotion above them and then the echoing sounds of a pair of rabid giraffes were heard.
"Yay Grandma made breakfast!" Shippou exclaimed happily, hopping into a chair to begin feasting. Souta didn't waste time with speech, he just ate.
"Okay then," Kagome said, heading upstairs to change. Her clothing choice was simple. She already had her fighting kimono set out to change into before leaving for the tournament. Kagome yawned as she kissed both her brothers on the head and left the dojo to go to Inuyasha's. Although she had never been inside, she had seen the manor estate. It proved the fact that Inuyasha's family was quite well off and had no qualms about showing it.
Kagome rode over there at a conservative speed, half eager and half hesitant. She really wanted to see Inuyasha's world from the inside, but she was scared that this would just be another step in her mother's master plan. It was only then that Kagome truly began to understand how much she didn't want to hurt him, or his family.
With all the courage she could muster, she buzzed the small doorbell on the iron gate in front of Inuyasha's building. "Can we help you?" a voice said over a small intercom.
"Yes," Kagome said back, pushing a tiny button. "I'm looking for Inuyasha? My name is Kagome Isharugi. I'm from the dojo."
"Do you have an appointment to see Master Inuyasha?" the voice asked again.
"No, but my Grandmother, Kaede Isharugi, told me to inform him of the tournament information."
"Kaede! Why didn't you say so?" the voice said suddenly, and the iron gates swung open. "Come on in you young whipper-snapper." Kagome walked her bike inside the gate and felt even more uncomfortable when they swung closed behind her.
The door of the estate opened and a small man stood before her. He bowed low before straightening and brushing off his tie. The man was bald except for a ring of fine gray hair around the base of his skull, and had huge black eyes. "I'm Myouga, the Inutoya family butler. Welcome miss Isharugi," he welcomed. Kagome smiled and walked past him into the huge house.
"It's so beautiful!" Kagome marveled. The entire entrance room was white marble from the tile floor to the arching ceiling from which a crystal chandelier hung. A spiral staircase rose in front of her, leading to a second floor. There were two winged doorways on either side of the case that lead further into the house. Kagome felt extremely dirty and out of place in this sparking world. In truth, her family was just as rich and influential as the Inutoyas, but one would never know it just by looking.
"Myouga, is someone here?" a woman's voice called. From the left wing, she emerged. Kagome was awestruck by her beauty. The woman didn't look much younger then her own mother, with long and straight black hair to her knees. The woman's skin was pale and flawless. There were only a few lines surrounding her mouth and mocha colored eyes. More evidence of laugh-lines then age wrinkles. She was dressed in expensive clothing and looked right at home in the splendor. Kagome knew at once that she was Inuyasha's mother. There was a common beauty in both their faces. Soft, shared features that were striking in a woman as they were gorgeous on her son. "Oh, hello," she said with a smile when she saw Kagome. "I'm Hime Inutoya. You must be Kagome, are you not?"
Kagome blinked. "Yes, I'm Kagome Isharugi. If you don't mind my asking, how did you know my name?" Hime smiled at the bewildered teenaged girl.
"My son tells me a lot about his friends. And since I know Sango and Rin, and know that you aren't either, then you must be the mysterious Kagome. You especially have been in his conversations as of late." Kagome's eyes widened even as she blushed. Inuyasha...talked about her? "And I must say, you're eyes are as lovely as he described." Kagome blinked some more. This woman said she had pretty eyes. This was just strange.
"Thanks, I guess," she muttered in response. Then a wave of self-consciousness took hold of her as she patted at her helmet-tussled hair. "I'm here to tell Inuyasha about when we're leaving for the tournament," she clarified. Hime smiled and nodded, sensing her unease.
"Inuyasha is in the first room at the top of the stairs dear. I wish you luck this afternoon."
"You won't be attending?" Kagome asked, suddenly wishing the kind woman would.
"I'm afraid not. My step son will be there, however. And, if I recall correctly, Inuyasha said you have two younger brothers?"
"Yes, they'll be there. I just picked them up last night."
Hime smiled again. "Then I wish you all the more luck, Kagome. Please excuse me for now. I do hope you'll come visit our house again. I know Inuyasha would like that." Kagome nodded mutely, trying desperately not to read into that.
"I'm caught between the seam and me,
You'll break me if you can"
Kagome ascended the stairs slowly, feeling her heart constrict at the very thought of causing harm to that beautiful, kind woman. That was like how her mother had been, all those years ago. But everything was pushed out of her mind when she heard a high-pitched voice coming from the room Hime said belonged to Inuyasha.
Kagome tentatively pushed open the door. Inuyasha was in there alright. He lay across the bed, shirtless, with custom headphones on his dog ears and he was singing along to the words of Justin Timberlake's Cry me a River.
"You were my sun, you were my earth,
But you didn't know all the ways I loved you, no,
So you took a chance, And made other plans,
But I bet you didn't think your thing would come crashing down, no,
You don't have to say a word, what you did I already know,
I found out from him, Now there's just no chance,
For you and me, there'll never be,
And don't it make you sad about it,
You told me you loved me,
Why did you leave me, all alone?
Now you tell me you need me when you call me on the phone,
Girl I refuse, you must have me confused,
With some other guy,
Your bridges were burned, and now it's your turn
To cry, cry me a river, Cry me a river
Cry me a river, Cry me a river
Cry me a river, yeah yeah"
Kagome just couldn't hold her laughter back any more. The song, the voice, it was too hilarious to resist. There he was, the man who had refuted any reference to the man known as Justin Timberlake, and here he was singing along. She laughed so hard she had to support herself on the doorframe or risk falling over. When she had first started laughing, Inuyasha had ripped off the earphones and stared wide-eyed at her. Kagome was here, in his house, at the door to his room, laughing in his face.
"Oh my God!" she cried in between laughs. "I knew it! You are a total River-fan!"
"I am not!" Inuyasha said hotly, crossing his arms over his bare chest and blushed deeply. "I just happen to think that it's a catchy song. That's all. I'm still a rocker." The last sentence was more of a grumbled, pouting, in case she had forgotten.
When Kagome was able to control herself, she walked casually into the room and lounged across his bed next to him, like it was no big deal. Like she laid on a guy's bed every day, even the bed of a guy she hated. Inuyasha had to suppress a lot of rather dirty thoughts about her and his bed.
"Hey, what gives you the right to simply walk into my room, bitch!" he growled.
"Don't shoot the messenger, dog-boy," she laughed, half-eyeing him and half looking away. Dammit, Kagome couldn't control the blush that stained her cheeks. Why did she have to walk in on him without a shirt? Was God really that cruel? And even worse was that perverse part of her that rejoiced because of it. When Inuyasha shrugged and looked away, it gave her ample opportunity to gaze hungrily at the exposed skin. Athletic, toned, lean-muscled but undoubtedly hard and strong. His shoulders were broad and his abs were well defined. Kagome could have groaned at how perfect he was. Instead, she tore her eyes away and looked meaningfully away. She just propped her head under her elbow and watched as he pulled on a shirt that had been thrown across his chair.
"You're certainly smug, walking in here and lounging around like you own the place," he grumbled.
Kagome laughed and sat up. "Oh come now, you can't say that you aren't glad to see me! Oh, Inuyasha, I'm hurt!" He scoffed and she only laughed harder. "Anyway, what are you doing laying about? Aren't you getting ready for the tournament?"
"I am," he clarified, giving her a disdainful look as if she were dense.
"Pray tell, how are you preparing while laying around shirtless?" The last comment was emphasized a bit too heavily and Inuyasha smirked at her. Kagome looked away, disgusted with herself.
"Well, since you asked so nicely, I was relaxing. It's a well-known fact that the pros endorse rest before a fight. One might stretch and do some warm-ups, but relaxing the mind and lungs are important."
"So the singing and the Timberlake?"
"Was part of my training schedule."
"And where did you get such a theory?" Kagome asked curiously. What he said made sense, it was a technique she had seen employed before, long ago by...
"Rei Yue," he said with a grin. "The greatest hanyou martial artist there ever was." Inuyasha, with all the flurry of a little boy showing the girl he liked a freshly caught frog, ran to his door and closed it partially so that Kagome could see the poster hanging there.
It was indeed a poster of Rei Yue. He was facing the camera, that good-natured smile on his face, like he had worn so many times before. From the waist up, he was wearing only a black wife-beater shirt, with his bare, muscular arms crossed casually over his broad, strong chest. His dark hair had been longer when that picture was taken, just past his shoulders, so he held it back in a tail. And on the very top of his head sat two sharply pointed, gray cat ears. His deep green eyes sparkled mischievously, confidently. Still a devastatingly handsome man, even though the photo could never do him justice. There was an autograph on the top right-hand corner.
Kagome's throat tightened unbearably. She had the same poster at home, hanging on her own door. It was taken just after her father won the Martial Arts World championship for the first time, back when she was five years old. He had autographed her poster as well, but also drew little hearts all around the border. Rei Yue, the famous hanyou martial artist...but to Kagome, he had always been her Papa.
Inuyasha beamed at the poster, then looked to Kagome. His smile faded at her expression. Her eyes were riveted to the poster, but her face had gone pale and she looked ready to wretch--or cry. "Kagome?" he asked, a little startled at her reaction. She snapped out of her trance at the sound of his voice, and smiled a half-smile.
"Sorry, spaced out a second." Too many memories and emotions flooded her at the sight of her father hanging on this boy's wall. Kagome willed herself to snap out of it. "So, you were a Yue fan, huh?" Her tone was casual, but the pain in her stomach wouldn't go away. Did Inuyasha really not know that his own father had ended the life of his obvious hero?"
"Definitely! He was the greatest fighter there was, plus he was a hanyou!" Inuyasha explained, the smile glued back to his features. "Sure, he wasn't a dog hanyou--I think he was a cat--but that can be overlooked." The little-boy admiration that shone in his eyes made Kagome feel better and more comfortable in his presence again. The respect given her father gave them a common bond. "My Dad used to take me to see his tournaments. And when I got this poster, and he autographed it for me, I told him that one day I was going to be a better fighter then even he was."
Kagome laughed. "You'll never be better then Rei Yue." She got to her feet and leaned against the opposite side of the wall then he was, looking at the poster. "Inuyasha--Never give up the drive, keep fighting and maybe we'll meet in the ring someday. All the best--Rei" she read the words scrawled on the poster in her father's hand. "Who knows, maybe you would've met him," she mused.
"Maybe, if he hadn't been murdered..." There was an equal moment of silence between them. "Hey Kagome, are you a fan of his too?" Inuyasha asked, desperately trying to recapture their conversation. It was a rare instance when they could have a decent conversation, and oddly enough, it was usually when they were alone.
"Me? Hell yeah! I was the biggest Yue fan that ever lived!" Inuyasha gave her that oh-really look. Kagome smiled serenely, looking past him, looking at the poster. "Even though I was young, I went to every one of his matches, to cheer him on." She trailed her fingers over the defined features of her father's face on the poster, then curled the fingers into her palm and looked away. She hated looking at his face, and yet couldn't look away. Her beloved father, the one who had left her much too soon.
"I didn't go to every one, but I went to a good number. My Dad was friends with him," Inuyasha spoke, watching her. The way she gazed at the poster made him feel momentarily jealous. The poster so captured her affections and attention. But then her head whipped around to him.
"They were friends?" Inuyasha blinked and nodded. Kagome looked shocked, then pensive. "I never knew that." Kagome shook her head, trying to clear the thoughts that suddenly began screaming in her head. What was going on? Her mother had never told her that Inutoya and Rei had been friends. What did this mean? Why had no one told her this important information? Suddenly, she felt sick to her stomach. Desperate to keep her cool, Kagome blurted out the first thing that came to her mind. "Yue was married to a miko, did you know that?"
Inuyasha stared at her with a funny look and Kagome thought that he might suspect just what was between his idol and the girl in his bedroom. But then he shook his head. "I knew he was married, and had kids, but Dad never told me too much about his wife. He mostly told me about Yue himself, when he was a kid and how much I was like him. He also told me about how he had a daughter that was my age, but I never had a chance to meet her. After Rei was killed, Dad didn't have anything to do with the Yue family anymore. And then, my father was killed so..."
Kagome wrapped her arms around herself. "Yeah, he was married to a miko. It was a very controversial thing in her family, but Yue proved himself to be a great force of good and he fought at her side as well as fought in the ring. He also had two children, a daughter and a son."
"You're certainly well informed." His tone was dry.
"I was the biggest fan he had." Hers was equally so.
"Why are you here again?" Inuyasha suddenly asked. Kagome balked all of a second before remembering her mission from Kaede.
"Grams told me to tell you that we're leaving for the tournament at eleven. You and Miroku have got to meet us by then. Rin, Sango, Grams, me and the boys are leaving from the dojo."
"The boys?" he questioned. He opened the door again, then walked back over to sit on his bed, leaning back on his elbows with his legs open. It was a position that inspired many an inappropriate thought in Kagome's mind. A dull heat rose in her face as she looked away from the reclining hanyou.
"My brothers," she clarified, leaning against the wall casually. "Guess you'll have the opportunity to corrupt them after all." There was the hint of a dare in her voice and he was eager to take it. But for now, he remained neutral. "Oh! And I want to give you something before the tournament, so get there early, okay?"
Kagome was going to give him something? "Does it explode?" he asked warily.
"No. It's only a loan, so don't expect to keep it or anything," she warned. Inuyasha nodded, but was intrigued none the less. "Okay, well, I'll get going. See you in a little while." Kagome pushed off the wall, making to leave, but paused a second. It seemed unfair in her mind that Inuyasha had paid so much adoration to her father--even if he didn't know that Yue was her father--that she wanted to return the favor. "You're mother is very nice," she whispered, but he heard her clearly. There was a hint of sorrow in her tone and Inuyasha remembered what Rin had told them about Kagome and her mother.
"Yeah, my mom's a great woman." Kagome nodded, tossed him a sassy smile, then left the same way she came. As if she'd never been there at all. But the soft, floral scent of her hair still hung in the air around him, and he laid back on the bed where she had been to sniff at his sheets until the smell finally faded. He really was going soft.
And it was just his luck that at that exact moment that his older brother chose to enter the room. Sesshomaru took one look at his brother, laying on his bed, sniffing his sheets and coughed. "I would ask what you're doing, but I don't really want to know," he commented dryly.
Inuyasha sat bolt upright, coughing, then stared at his brother venomously. "What do you want?" Sesshomaru was easily a few inches taller then his brother as he stood unceremoniously in the doorway. The brother's shared a few features, the silver hair and amber-gold eyes that they had inherited from their father. But they were also different. Sesshomaru, being a full demon, had human-albeit pointed-ears and his face was stained with streaks and a half-moon, marking him of full demon blood. His was a majestic and very masculine beauty, one that lent itself very well to his grace and sophistication.
"Only wondering when we're leaving. Wasn't that the reason that girl was here?" he asked in feigned innocence. In truth, he had been just down the hall and heard everything they had talked about, but he just wanted to see for himself what he already suspected. From the non-stop talk about this mysterious 'Kagome' girl for the past couple of weeks, Sesshomaru had thought a mere infatuation. But when he had heard them speaking, he thought it something more. Now seeing...the little scene he had happened upon, there was no refuting it. But Sesshomaru when to keep his opinions to himself. And just for the record--he didn't care.
"I know you heard everything Sesshomaru, cut the shit. We're picking up Miroku at ten thirty, then go to the dojo, be ready in an hour."
"Alright then, just don't make me regret my decision to come," was all Sesshomaru said as he yawned and walked away. Inuyasha fell backwards on to his bed. A dull blush rose to his face now that his brother was gone. Caught in the act... so humiliating. But then again, what did he care what Sesshomaru thought? With a labored sigh, Inuyasha hefted himself up to get ready to leave for the tournament. He couldn't lie to himself and say that he wasn't excited...or nervous... just a little scared. He wondered if Rei Yue was ever scared before a fight. But then he just concentrated on the objective at hand, getting to that arena on time.
"I could hang around,
You could let me down."
Here we are, the end of chapter 7. Eight on the way, and nine and ten aren't too far behind. *shivers with anticipation....and cuz it's cold in the basement* Oooo, everyone go see The Matrix: Revolutions on Wednsday! I can't wait for that movie....YAY! I'm a HUGE fan....and I am such a nerd...oh well! Shout-outs!
Dragons Maiden: Yes, it is turning out to be great, isn't it? Oh, and it will get better! Just wait until I start with the rest of the conflicts and stuff, oh we've barely scrapped the surface! Thanks for the review!
pruning shears: Yes, Hojo is a clueless naive little worm, but he's cuddly. *shrug* Oh well, never mind. I know! Inuyasha, where art thou? It'll come back though, it always does, and hopefully with more new episodes! Yes, it'll be long because I need to draw out all of the story and it's just really deep. *hugs outline* I love this story! *cough* Anyway, thanks again for reviewing!
Jaded Hanyou Girl: I'm sorry to hear about your misfortunes. *hands you some Ramen and pie--breakfast of champions* I love Buddy Lee, I use the hobo-ham-sandwich phrase almost every day, lol. Yes yes, if we all haven't figured it out yet, this is an Inuyasha-Kagome fic. But I had to add Hojo, and Kouga will be arriving shortly. I needed a light-hearted chapter since the next couple will be a lot of action and melo-drama. The sequel to SaC--which I have named Surviving Life: The City Revisited--won't be out for a few weeks. I'm delaying it because I really want to focus on this story, and my sequel to Renegade. Thanks for reviewing, and there is no rush. No need to even read all of my stuff-it's not that good anyway. Cheers!
mirokus-grl: Thanks for loving my story, so sorry for such a long delay. It's all my beta's fault! *sniffle* And I'm happy that this story has caught your intrest. Tell a friend, share the love! I wanted so much for this story to get a little more of a following...*sigh* I guess my work isn't as good as the other high-school fics out there. I just wanted a story with a little more substance then Kag-Inu hate-love hijinx. I like this idea that I had and I think it's a good read. Here, no reason to do your homework. Read this! Thanks for reading!
sweetangel: Thanks a bunch, I love you for loving my work! I will keep on writin' and here's my proof. More to come, be assured! Thanks again.
Thats all for this chapter. Please remember to review! Chapter 8 is on the way and I think I'll even give a preview, cuz I feel bad for the wait.
Chapter 8: Tournament Drama
"You left them alone on purpose, didn't you?" Sango asked Miroku accusingly. She had backed him into a corner on the staircase that led to the upper-level stands.
"Well, you and Rin are the conspirators!" he said defensively. "You keep telling me to give them time alone!"
"But not ten minutes before the Nationals opening ceremony!" she yelled at him.
"It's not like they're having sex in the warm-up room! It's more like they'll be trying to kill each other. You know they can't stand each other!"
"Can't stand each other?! Are you blind, or just stupid?" Sango asked in disbelief. "I mean, can you even see them? They are so totally hooked on each other it's not even funny!"
"We 'are' talking about Inuyasha and Kagome right? 'Our' Inuyasha and Kagome?"
"Of course, who else?"
Miroku just gave her one of his most disarming smiles. "I really wouldn't have a clue, but as long as you keep backing me into a wall, I'm more then happy to listen." It was only then that Sango fully realized her position. She had Miroku pinned to the cement wall with nothing in the way but her own body. She hastily took a step back, blushing furiously.
"Ahem," came a soft voice from behind them. Both whirled around to see Rin, smiling slightly, but not commenting. "I don't mean to interrupt, but we should be getting back."
Okay, review! And keep on reading!
~~Jesse the Wolf Demon~~