A/N: Yes, yes, I know I've been neglecting this fic, but I have my reasons! Finals are coming up, I have to practice my song for solo & ensemble, AND I have to study my Japanese (not to mention a whole bunch of homework….evil teachers). So, you get the idea. And please pLeAsE PLEASE review! 2 is all I ask. PLEASE. Without reviews, I really have no reason to write.
Chapter 6: A Very Long Bus Ride
Botan (Inuyasha form) and Kagome exchanged bored glances once more. They'd been on the bus for over 2 hours, and there was still quite a while to go. It was so crowded that they had to stand up, and Kagome's legs were beginning to go numb.
Kagome's stomach rumbled and she grimaced; she hadn't eaten anything since breakfast. Botan was fine, but then, hanyous don't tire as easily as humans do.
The bus jerked and Kagome lost her balance, falling on top of another passenger. They both toppled to the floor of the bus, and Kagome hit her head one of the seats.
"Ooooowww" moaned Kagome as she sat up, holding her head. It was then that she realized she was sitting on something that was definitely not the floor. She looked meekly down and saw that she was currently on top of a very handsome boy.
Jumping up hurriedly, she began to apologize profusely.
"Oh! Excuse me! I'm so sorry!"
Botan couldn't help laughing a little as she saw Kagome getting all flustered, while the boy just smiled.
Deciding to cut off Kagome's string of apologies, the boy stood up, held out a hand to help Kagome, and introduced himself.
"Hello there, my name is Ataru, what's yours?"
"Ka-Kagome" replied Kagome, blushing and looking at her feet.
Ataru was about a head taller than Kagome. He had neat black hair, and sparkling gray eyes that seemed to look through you instead of at you.
Botan decided to intervene; since all Kagome was managing to do was blush and stutter.
"Hi Ataru, I'm Kagome's friend Bota-…um, Inuyasha."
Ataru turned around to greet Botan, raising an eyebrow at his hair and ears.
"Your ears look so real! Are you in a play or something?"
Botan turned a few shades paler and froze, realizing that her obviously nonhuman ears weren't covered.
"Are you ok? Inuyasha?"
Turning around again, he saw that Kagome was also turning quite pale. She opened her mouth to explain, but decided to just say "yes"
"Ah, I see." Said Ataru, wondering why the question had scared them that much. He was going to ask what the play was about, but didn't think it wise to pursue the subject.
An hour later, the three were chatting happily, the time was passing much quicker now that they had someone to converse with. Things were going fine until Ataru asked the one question they were hoping he wouldn't.
"So, what brings you two on this horribly long bus ride?"
Kagome and Botan glanced at each other nervously.
Botan decided to speak up first. "We're going to China to…um…go sightseeing!"
Kagome nodded enthusiastically.
Ataru suddenly looked excited. "Hey! That's exactly what I'm doing as well! Why don't we go together?"
Kagome and Botan were speechless.
"W-well…" said Kagome "we're going to Jusenkyo springs and it's kind of dangerous there, I don't think you want to come with us…"
This didn't burst Ataru's bubble however, as he went on telling them how he'd always wanted to go there, and Kagome and Botan paled with every word.
Botan pulled Kagome to one side.
"Excuse us for a second please Ataru." He said quickly
Once they were a fair distance away, Botan looked at Kagome seriously, and just said "let's tell him"
"NO!" shouted Kagome, receiving strange looks from a few of the surrounding passengers.
"Think about it Kagome, he won't believe us anyway, and then we won't have to make up anything."
Kagome looked hesitant for a minute, but finally agreed and the two friends made their way back to where Ataru was standing.
They explained their situation to him, and it was obvious that he didn't believe them. He didn't say anything though, and tried to be polite, though he looked like he was about to fall over laughing.
"So you see…" Botan continued "it wouldn't be wise for you to come with."
Ataru thought for a minute. 'These people are crazy, but that girl's kinda cute and I don't think she's got a thing for her friend. Maybe I can coax them into taking me with…'
"I don't know Kagome, your mission seems awfully dangerous; don't you think it would be better if I came with to protect you?"
Kagome looked shocked, but suddenly thought of something. She held up Botan's clawed hand for Ataru to see.
"I think I've got all the protection I need Ataru, but thanks for the offer."
Ataru wasn't impressed. "He's got sharp nails. So what? How is that going to help?"
Botan fought down the urge to show Ataru just what his claws could do, but settled for an annoyed glare.
"Just let me come with!" Ataru pleaded "I promise I won't be a burden!"
The two finally gave in, though Botan wondered how she was going to explain her method of travel, not to mention that she didn't think three people could fit on her oar; and also…what about her curse?
They got off the bus a few hours later, and everyone was quite relieved to stretch their legs.
"Right, let's head for the airport!' said Ataru cheerfully.
"Um…Ataru…" said Botan meekly "we're not taking a plane."
"Oh…you're going by boat?"
"No…actually, we're going by…oar."
Ataru looked thoroughly confused. "Oar? What's that?"
A/N: Yay! Chapter 6 is up! You know, I didn't plan on adding another character until I wrote that Kagome tripped. I guess you could say Ataru was a complete fluke. He might make the fic more interesting though. I'll let you vote on it. Should we keep Ataru, or should I get rid of him? And remember, review review review!
