Well, since no one emailed me, or put in the reviews that they wanted me to email them because they had never heard of Sion Barzahd…I guess everyone knows who he is. ^__^ He's a "hunka, hunka, 'burnin' love"…hehe. I was just wandering, my friend said I was an idiot for getting crushes on anime characters…and now that I think about it…um, that does sound pretty ridiculous…oh well. Who cares? Not me. DUO MAXWELL FOREVER! ! ! (Don't ask). But anyway, yeah peoples, Sion is going to be a pretty important part of this story, and if you don't know who he is…you'll probably end up getting confused. So don't hesitate to ask me, I'll gladly send you a picture and some info. ^__^!
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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
People meet and people part.
Kagome watched as the four incredibly wealthy people walked off the stage, cueing the lights off and the band to start playing again. "Well," Ryoko sighed, standing up. "I think it's about time I did a little exercise. Come on Hiro." Ryoko grabbed her boyfriend by the arm and pulled him off onto the waxed dance floor, calling back to Kagome on their way: "See 'ya' later."
Kagome sighed as she leaned her head back and stared up at the ceiling. It was surprising just how bored she was. There was nothing to do but talk to people, and most of the them, from Kagome's observation was either dancing or…dancing. Kagome wished Kouga was there…just to you know, keep her company. That's what a boyfriend was supposed to do…hey speaking of boyfriends, where in the devil was Inuyasha.
Kagome felt someone sit down beside her, at first she didn't pay them any attention until she realized who it was. It was that Sion guy that had won the tournament last year. She couldn't help but stare at him from out of the corner of her eye. He looked so…so cool. But being of the female species, Kagome did the girl thing; she pretended that she didn't see him until he noticed her first. And since he was doing the guy thing, ignoring her until she acknowledged him, the two teenagers sat there in silence, really awkward silence.
Sion had no idea why he had come out into the crowd. He normally stayed by Demona's side, catering to his guardian's every need, but for some odd reason, since he wasn't allowed to leave Demona, he had sneaked out why she was not looking and had purposefully lost himself in the crowd. It had only taken him, for what felt like seconds, to get bored of the crowd of giggly girls, but when he noticed a pretty girl, with a punky style much like his own, sitting alone, he couldn't help himself. He needed somebody to talk to, although there wasn't much of talking happening between them.
Finally, Inuyasha came walking up to his 'girlfriend' a real sour expression on his face. "I hate this place." He groaned standing in front of Kagome.
Kagome couldn't help but giggle when she noticed a hand print on Inuyasha's cheek from where somebody had slapped him.
"Are we doing the Miroku thing now?" Kagome laughed as she leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees and her chin in her palms.
Inuyasha glared at her. "Ha-ha-ha. Very funny." He growled sarcastically. "All I did was tell the girl my name and she bitch slapped me."
"You probably did something to her in a past life, or something."
Glare.
"Or maybe it's because you acted like you usually do…you were probably rude to her." Kagome smirked. " 'Hey you whore dance with me.'" Kagome mocked in a deep voice imitating her 'boyfriend'.
"You know just for that I ought to cut your pay in half."
Kagome rolled her eyes. "You are pathetic."
Inuyasha glanced over at Sion who was off in his own little world. "Who's this guy…" Inuyasha growled.
Kagome glared at Inuyasha, how dare he be rude. "I'm not sure…he hasn't told me his name yet." Even though I already know who he is. Kagome turned and smiled at Sion warmly. "I'm Kagome." She shot a nasty glare at Inuyasha. "And this is Inuyasha…" the man whore. "What's your name?"
"Sion." He face was emotionless and yet sad at the same time, in a way he reminded Kagome a lot of her sister; only, he seemed a 'helluva' lot nicer.
Inuyasha glared down at Sion's face, and then it hit him. This was the guy who had beat Inuyasha for first place last year; he could still remember that final and faithful match…that he had lost.
Inuyasha turned and glared down at Kagome. "Come on, Kag."
"No way…I don't want to move. I want to stay here and talk to Sion." She flashed him a warm smile, which he partially returned.
Inuyasha stared down at her. "Do you want me to not pay you at all?"
Kagome smirked. "Do you want me to tell everyone at school that you were desperate enough to pay me to act like your girlfriend."
"Like anyone would believe you."
"Why shouldn't they when I have witnesses."
"You do not."
" 'Wanna' bet."
"Do not."
"Do too."
"Do not."
"Do too."
Ten minutes later.
Inuyasha sighed, giving up on any chance of victory; knowing Kagome would end up winning the argument anyway. "Fine, whatever. You win."
Kagome smirked in her triumph. "Good dog."
Inuyasha collapsed in the seat next to Kagome, on the opposite side as Sion. "Have you seen your sister, Kikyo?"
Kagome shook her head. "Nope…but I guess we should go find her."
"Find her…why?"
"Cause I want more money, numskull. Come on lets go." Kagome wearily stood up and took a deep breath, readying herself for her performance before she grabbed Inuyasha's hand, lacing her fingers with his; pulling him up off the sofa.
Inuyasha and Kagome slowly walked away. But right before they were completely engulfed by the mob Kagome glanced back at Sion, just in time to see his eyes lock onto hers. Kagome smiled sweetly and waved to him, getting a small smile from him in return. Neither aware of just what fate they had been dealt with one another very soon into the future.
"See you later, Sion."
~*~*~*~
"You know, Inuyasha you don't have to be such a jackass." Kagome sighed as the two made their way towards the concession stand, mano y mano.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes as he grabbed a Pepsi can from the cooler and handed it to Kagome before grabbing one for himself. "Yeah, yeah…whatever you say…mom."
Kagome glared at him, as she tightened her fingers that entwined with his, surely crushing his hand, forcing Inuyasha into a chain of four letter words.
Kagome glared at him. She was just in the middle of debating whether or not she should give him a black eye for cussing like a sailor when she spotted Kikyo talking to a group of boys. "Hey, Inuyasha." Kagome tapped him on the shoulder and pointed in Kikyo's direction. "Here's our chance to make her turn really green." And without even needing an answer Kagome finished off her drink, threw the empty can away and grabbed Inuyasha's soda chucking it half empty into the trashcan. She grabbed both of Inuyasha's hands and pulled him out onto the dance floor.
Kagome stood in front of him impatiently, waiting for him to place his hands in the particular places that suited for the up beat dance pulsing in the background. "Well. Do you even know how to dance?" She groaned just as the pop song ended and the melody of a slow song lured through the speakers. Of all the luck. But I guess there's no turning back now.
Inuyasha's cheek turned bright red as he nodded.
Kagome just rolled her eyes as she took his hands and placed them on her hips. She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled up at him. "You are really pathetic."
Inuyasha just sort of nodded, he had no idea why he was so embarrassed. It was like he had never touched a girl before. It was like he'd forgot all his years of experience with girls and just got dropped back to square one; he could barely remember how to dance, let alone talk. I'm S.O.L.
~*~*~*~
Coach Hiei stood at the door, watching his team with his keen eyes. And without having to turn around Hiei sensed a figure sneaking up behind him, and without having to even see the figure's face he knew exactly who it was.
"Hello Kurama." Hiei's old acquaintance Kurama Yohko; probably Hiei's only friend in existence. They had gone to college together, but neither had seen the other in what felt like centuries, though they commonly kept in touch, sending letters and emails, although most of them were from Kurama. Hiei was never the sentimental type to really have a friend, the responsibility, in his opinion, was a waste of time. But Kurama was never viewed as a waste to Hiei, he was an…oddly enough, cherished friend, and don't get me wrong, Hiei sent his share of letters too.
After college both men had pursued the same career, martial arts trainers, and then, both went into the school team coaching, though Hiei was a coach full time; while Kurama had become quite the business man, and had taken coaching as a mer hobby. It was evident that Kurama had been the more successful of the two.
Kurama smiled as he stepped up beside his colleague. "It's nice to see you too, Hiei." Kurama stuck his hands in his silky white pants suit pockets. His long magenta hair flowing around him gracefully. "It's been a long time hasn't it? How many years would you say it has been since I last laid eyes on you?" It had been a long time, since their sophomore year in college.
Hiei glanced over at the green-eyed man beside him. "Hell if I know."
Kurama just smiled. "I must say, you always did have a way with words."
Hiei narrowed his eyes, glancing around, making sure no one was watching them when he finally turned to talk to Kurama. "Speaking of words I need to have a few with you." Hiei had made a discovery, and he knew it was something that Kurama must know.
Kurama nodded. "Of course."
"Alone." Hiei took another glance back at the teenage mass.
Kurama gestured towards the door. "Lead the way."
Hiei walked out of arena four and stepped across the hall, he glanced around making sure no one was watching before he pushed open the door to another arena and walked in. It was empty. As soon as Kurama had entered Hiei shut and locked the door behind them.
"I've found her." Hiei sighed, dropping his stone cold act.
Kurama looked down at the short man with raised eyebrows. "Found who?"
"The miko."
Kurama's eyes widened. "Are you positive. What is her name?"
"She's one of my team members, Kagome Hirugashi."
The green-eyed man nodded, having heard of all of Hiei's team members from a letter he had received at the beginning of the New Year. Kurama stared down at Hiei. "Are you for certain it's really her?"
"Yes." Hiei nodded as he took a seat in a spare fold up chair sitting absently against the wall of the good-sized room. "I've known for quite a while now. Ever since the first day of school, I knew she was special; from the first time I saw her fight. I could sense she was not a demon, and yet she had incredible strength. She could fight Osuwari evenly matched…"
"Osuwari?" Kurama questioned. "Inuyasha Osuwari" another student who had been mentioned in Hiei's letter. "Are you sure she could match him, he's from a very strong dynasty of demons."
"I know what I saw. And he is…was the strongest member on my team."
"You must be mistaken…" Kurama protested. "I don't think it's possible for a girl like the Hirugashi I saw in the picture and profile you sent me, to nearly beat a powerful demon like Inuyasha…he comes from such a predominant family. His father…"
"His father was a great man." Hiei snapped.
"Yes I remember him fondly." Kurama thought for a moment, was it possible for them to have expected too much of Inuyasha? "But that still doesn't change the fact that Inuyasha is half human…maybe he's weaker than we had predicted." Kurama thought aloud, his mind elsewhere. "When I looked at the profiles of your team members…this Kagome Hirugashi of yours didn't seem very out of the ordinary…Inuyasha?"
"He almost won last years tournament…Inuyasha's incredibly strong. His impure blood has nothing to do with his lose to the girl. Especially since his father…"
"I will admit the boy has noble blood in his veins." Kurama sighed. " But can we really conclude that someone with strength like his can be beaten by a girl of Ms. Hirugashi's stature?"
"A miko." Hiei growled. "She's the last miko."
Kurama shook his head. "How can we be for certain…I'm sure her battle with Osuwari was nothing more than a fluke." He added. "Not to mention you know the Osuwari demons…they refuse to battle a person with their full power…it's like they want a bragging right when they win."
"I know what I saw. The girl nearly beat him fair and square with equal strength. And he gave it all he had…and that's not all I saw."
Kurama took a seat next to his old friend. "Go on."
"Ever since an incident on Halloween, the girls abilities have grown rapidly. And ever since that night, she and a bunch of her friends have stayed after school in the gym just to train her. They think they're alone, but I've stayed behind and watched them when they didn't notice. It's her Kurama. I know it. She took out all of her friends during a practice fight…and with an energy blast from her hand."
Kurama sighed heavily. "Energy blast. No normal human can generate that kind of attach. Are you sure that's what you saw?"
Hiei nodded, still glaring in his angry unwavering way.
"Then it must be her." Kurama sighed, having trouble letting it all sink in. "We must find a way to protect her. Where is she now?"
Hiei pointed to the door. "Dancing…."
"She's here?" Kurama's eyes widened. "You brought her here? This place is crawling with demons…I don't believe it is safe for her here."
Hiei stood to his feet, returning back to his strong willed self. "She's not in danger." He dusted himself off and straightened the tie of his navy blue business suit.
Kurama sighed, knowing Hiei's ego was at risk, and the short man would do anything to defend it. "Of course she is. But please tell me you at least have someone guarding her…Rei's following her around isn't she?"
"No."
"Oh God." Kurama began messaging his temples to release the stress. "I will never understand you, Hiei. At least tell me the rumor that's going around isn't true?"
"What rumor?"
"The rumor that you're letting your kids stay out late and do whatever they want…when most coaches are making their students stay in their hotel rooms. Even I am not so trusting towards my team. They are teenagers. Everyone is talking about the teacher who's lost their mind and actually trusting their team."
"I am."
"…"Kurama was speechless; there was nothing he could say.
"And before you even say it, no, I am not insane." Hiei exclaimed sticking out his chest proudly.
Kurama sighed in aggravation at his friend's blunt stupidity. "You do realize what you are doing, do you not?"
"She's a miko…I have faith in her. And I trust in her."
Kurama nodded. "I suppose you have a purpose for your leniency on behalf of you late curfew?" Kurama turned on his heels and walked up to the door. "Maybe you are right…maybe it's us as demons who should be cowering in fear…she's a miko after all." He gazed over his shoulder at his old and long time comrade and flashed him a kind smile. "I pray you are making a wise decision. But…though I could be wrong…could the reason you're letting her stay out at night possibly be because you hope she will step up to the plate and take her duty as the last miko."
Hiei nodded. "If the girl was prophesied to kill demons then she should kill demons."
Kurama smiled as he unlocked the door and stepped out. "I see where you are coming from, but just know this my old friend…the fate of the world is inevitably in your hands. As unbelievable as that sounds, my words have merit to them. If the Hirugashi girl is the last miko…I guess you could call her the key to our destiny, and her safety lies within your grasp. " He stood holding the door open until Hiei had exited. " I trust you, my old friend. I know I shouldn't but I do…I may think you're going about this all the wrong way. But I believe you believe in what you are doing. Who knows…" Kurama smiled. "You might actually end up saving us all."
Hiei smile widened, a rare occurrence for the stoned face, two foot 'midget'.
"I would much like to meet her." Kurama smiled, saying a silent prayer in his head for the girl's safety.
~*~*~*~
Kouga sat silently in his desk, completely ignoring his teacher as the short old man chatted away about God knows what.
He Stared down at the incredibly crappy drawing he had done, okay so it wasn't as good as one of Asuka's drawings, so shoot me. He couldn't help but wander what Kagome was doing; he wanted more than anything to be with her and the rest of the team, than be stuck in this boring hell whole. Note to self: life sucks. His thoughts pondered to what she was doing at this very second, probably having the time of her life, and completely forgetting about her poor and pathetic boyfriend who was still stuck at school, waiting for that damn football game that prohibited him from joining the martial arts team. I wander what she's doing right now.
~*~*~*~
Kagome moved slowly in unison with Inuyasha atop the dance floor. She couldn't help but stare at his bright red cheeks. "So…" she giggled, "the great Osuwari does get embarrassed, I'm impressed."
"Feh."
Her smile widened, and just when she was beginning to enjoy herself, along came Spike.
Spike moved his way through the crowd, his video camera at hand, taping all the couples…and every pretty girl that came in his path. Okay, so Miroku was rubbing off on everybody these days.
Spike cam up along side Kagome and smiled, backing up just enough to get the girl in complete view of his camera. "Is my lovely lady having a pleasurable time."
Both Kagome and Inuyasha's face turned disgusted as they glared at each other.
"I'd rather be dancing with Naraku." Kagome snorted.
Inuyasha taking the hint nodded. "What you think I'm enjoying this, first off, I don't even like you; and second off, I'm having to pay you…and I hate you." He glared over at Kikyo, making sure that the 'torture' that he was having to endure was not for nothing. Sure enough, Kikyo was surrounded by boys, but her attention was locked onto Kagome's back; the evil twin's face changing through the colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and then as black as sin. Houston, we have made contact…it's affirmative. Mission accomplished.
Spike, noting the tension in the air rising em-between his two friends took the cowards way out; ran like hell with his tail between his legs.
For what felt like eternity, Kagome and Inuyasha danced away, both purposefully tripping the other, and stepping on each other's feet. The second the song ended the meanest smirk possible burned across Kagome's lips as a guy came up to her side and asked her to dance with him.
Kagome accepted, throwing evil glares back at Lucifer, leaving the poor devil to stand all by his lonesome, devoured by jealousy.
~*~*~*~
Kagome smiled up at the boy, and when she suddenly realized who he was he face turned bright red. During her anger at Inuyasha, for crushing her toes, she had accepted the offer, not really taking notice of just who the new boy was.
But now as she thought back, by the way he had asked her, it had been painfully obvious. "I don't remember your name…but would you dance with me."
Kagome stared up into the silent and sad face of Sion Barzahd. Part of her was flattered and embarrassed as hell, and the other part felt rather uncomfortable with him. She knew nothing about him, and it wasn't like she had a crush on him…she had a boyfriend…two boyfriends. But there was something about him, something that made Kagome have a rather edgy attitude towards him. She didn't know why, but even though he looked harmless, she felt almost threatened by him, and if not by him, by some other force that possessed him. Ah who am I kidding?
Kagome's smile widened. "Thanks for saving me from that idiot back there." She glared icily back at Inuyasha; who at the moment had caught Spike and was about to pound the living day lights out of him.
