Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of the Inuyasha characters. I wish I did though, but I don't. Rumiko Takahashi does though and she's lucky and cool. Mrs. Takahashi Rox! I don't own Linkin' Park either or any of their songs.
Author humming to 'Numb' by Linkin' Park, twirling a strand on index finger staring out into space ...Oh! Hello everyone! Thank you for all of those sweet (and sometimes sour) reviews, but ya know, I only got 5...--...IS MY STORY THAT BAD?!? wheezes...Anyways, this chapter took me a while so expect me to post the next chapter in about three to four months. Dodges laptops and printers Ha, I rock at dodge ball so YOU CAN'T HIT ME!!! ... Yeah, well, I know it's a long time away but I got to go to school. Bummer...--'
Ch. 2
Homeward Bound
'Three in the morning...and I still have so much of homework to get done!' Kagome thought as she sat at her book mounded desk. Her eyelids were drooping over her grey eyes rapidly and she finally had to slap herself awake. 'I still can't believe that all of those teachers give this much of homework in a week...'
Flashback
"Kagome Hirugashi, you have a lot to do young lady. First, I want you to read chapters one through thirteen by the end of the week and write a thirteen page, one page for each chapter, typed essay, font 10 size only. The essay must describe each chapter thoroughly and you must find the most significant passage, respond to it and finally tell how it helped describe what was going on in the chapter. Also, regarding your vocabulary project from last week, I have not received it yet. The same goes for your weeks worth of make-up assignments...I need those by the end of the week also."
"Mrs. Tsubasa, is it really appropriate to give me all of this work? I have to do twenty five pages of geometry and trigonometry from Mr. Yokohama, write a twelve page essay about the history of the Japanese raid at Pearl Harbor for Mrs. Takayama, research and compose a dialogue regarding King Philip of Spain to Mr. Tenchi, and then I have to write another essay that has to be five pages over the history of the Olympics for Coach Yasama." Kagome said flustered.
Mrs. Tsubasa frowned and replied, "You are an average student, and I know you had time to finish it, even during your time at the hospital for gastrical problems. But this is too much, Hirugashi. You must stay on top of your work. I would really like to help you by giving you more time, but I am afraid that I can't do that. Grades are due in two weeks and I still need your things. Maybe...I can give you one more week on your vocabulary assignment, but I will need it in by the Monday after today."
Kagome kept silent. 'A week's not gonna do me any good, but I'll have to do it anyways.' She replied politely, "That would be great, Thank you."
The teacher smiled warmly, "Don't worry too much, Kagome. I'm sure if you stick to it, it will all be done in no time!"
End of Flashback
"Oh yeah. It will all be done in no time." Kagome spat sarcastically as she bitterly started on her Pearl Harbor essay. She quickly opened one of the books she borrowed from the library and read silently to herself. The thick molded covering was really grossing her out, but she had to get this done with.
'Advancement of Japanese...blah, blah...Pearl Harbor was a secret...blah, blah, blah...Americans were pissed off that's all I need to know.' She thought dully as she slammed the book shut and sighed irritated.
She leaned back and closed her exhausted eyes. She fingered the part of the jewel that she had, her fingers feeling all of the little dents where the rest of the shards would fit. 'I wonder what would have happened if Grandpa didn't give me the Shikon Jewel? I wouldn't have met Inuyasha or anybody else from that time...He would probably be still stuck in that tree, Miroku still seeking his revenge, Sango probably wouldn't have lost her entire village, Shippo would have been killed by now...and I would have started dating Hojo. Maybe he would have been interesting to get to know. But if I wouldn't have gone, I would not feel the way I do about Inuyasha. I would've not fallen in l-'
Suddenly, a pebble struck her window, clattering on the pane as it landed. Cautiously, Kagome stepped over to the window and looked out. A figure clad in a dark colored early autumn coat and sweat pants was standing in the front yard. It was wearing a dark knit scarf and a hat with light colored bangs peeking out. Kagome had seen them before...
She suddenly realized who it was, quickly lifted the window and whispered loudly in utter shock, "Hojo?!" The figure removed his scarf and hat to reveal himself. Hojo stood in the front yard bashfully, his face turning a light pink as he whispered loudly back, "Hello Hirugashi!"
"Hojo, what are you doing here?! It's three in the morning!"
He shuffled his feet nervously and replied, "It's sort of a stupid story..."
Kagome whispered quickly, "Come on around to the front. You're gonna catch you death of cold if you don't come in soon!"
"Alright, I'll see you there."
Kagome shut the window, turned of the light and turned to go to the door.
"Grab a seat, 'kay. I'm going to get some hot milk tea for you. Why are you dressed like that?"
"I felt a chill before I left my house, but when I got out of the house I found out that actually, it wasn't cold at all. It's only mid summer anyways..." Hojo replied as he took a seat on a dining chair in their informal dining which was connected to their kitchen. Kagome gently tiptoed around and turned on a small light. Grabbing milk from the refrigerator clad with tons of magnets and pictures, she poured some in a pot and threw it on the stove. While she was bringing the milk to a boil, she sat down in a chair next to him, putting him next to the warm stove and her on the other side of him. She then asked politely.
"So, why did you come here right now?"
"See, my mother told me to get some groceries last night but I was too lazy and decided to do it in the morning so I left at one o'clock so I would have it home before my mother woke up. So I got my stuff together and went out of the front door, but I forgot my wallet. I turned around to find the door locked, me without a key and no way in."
"Why didn't you go to your parents' window and knocked on it?"
Hojo blushed as he replied quietly, "Both of my parents sleep like rocks. No matter what you do, they won't wake up..."
Kagome pictured Hojo's parents as rocks with goofy faces, sleeping in a huge futon and started to giggle loudly. She saw Hojo's expression of confusion and replied apologetically, "I'm sorry Hojo. I didn't mean to laugh at you. It's just that the way you said that they are heavy sleeper made me think-"
Hojo laughed, "No it's alright. I understand what you thought: Rocks sleeping in a bed with goofy faces, right?"
Kagome giggled furiously, "Yep. How did you know?"
Hojo grinned as he answered, "I was thinking the same thing." They both laughed heartily and then fell silent.
Suddenly, they heard something sizzle and boil rapidly.
"THE MILK!" Kagome yelped as she ran over to the stove and turned the heat knob to 'OFF'. She looked at the mess. Milk poured over the top of the pot, spilling on to the burner, sizzling as it hit the hot bright red coil. She quickly grabbed the pot and flung it into the kitchen sink. Pissed, she twisted the water faucet angrily. Sighing, she grabbed a blue washcloth and started to mop up the mess.
"Want me to help?" Hojo said helpfully.
"No, it's alright. I got it." Kagome replied quietly, but Hojo just ignored her, grabbed another cloth and got down to help her.
"I'm so stupid! How could have I forgotten that?!" Kagome said bitterly as she went over to the sink again to wring out her soaked washcloth, the white liquid splattering on the bottom of the platinum sink before flowing down the drain. Hojo stood up and did the same replying gently, "It's not your fault. We were talking and you just forgot, that's all." She looked at him to find him staring at her kindly, his sleeves rolled up washcloth in hand. She blushed crimson as she carefully took the soaking cloth from his hands, dumping it in the sink with her own.
"So, do you have a lot of homework? I mean, being in the hospital for two weeks with a rare kind of bladder problem is really serious..." Hojo asked worry hinting in his voice.
'I'm gonna get Grandpa for this...' Kagome thought angrily as she said sarcastically, "Oh, yeah. I have plenty. I can sell you some if you'd like..."
Hojo laughed as he replied, "Oh no. I wouldn't want to leave you idle, now would I? But I can help you if you want."
"Really?! That would help me soooo much!" Kagome said smiling sincerely. Hojo smiled, nodded and said, "Let's go to your room. We shouldn't disturb your family..." They headed down the hall, Kagome entering first and Hojo shutting the door behind them.
Inuyasha peeked out of Bone Eater's well and glanced left and right stealthy. Climbing out cautiously, he dusted out his robes and thought 'Feh. What a bitch, going home because I told her somethin' and I don't even remember what it was! I'm gonna get her back and we are gonna finish this damned quest.'
Grumbling, he made his way up to the house in a stealthy manner, dodging the lights from a passing car and jumping from tree to tree. His amber eyes glowed as they adjusted to the darkness. He saw a light in Kagome's bedroom and smirked, 'So, is she crying her eyes out now? Well, I'll watch her for a moment and surprise her...' He jumped up on the tree next to the window and he almost fell out of the tree in shock of what he saw.
Kagome and Hojo sitting at her desk, Kagome hunched over her homework, her eyebrows scrunched up as she chewed on the end of her bright yellow pencil. Hojo was sitting a little too cozily next to her watching her work, every so often glancing quickly at her face, a dreamy expression on his own. Inuyasha's blood was boiling as he thought furiously, 'What in the hell are they doin'?! That stupid Hobo is getting a little too close to her. I'm gonna get him!'
"No Hirugashi, that's not right. You have to use SIN not COS (for those of you who don't know, their talking about trigonometry )."
"Oh, I see. Okay..." She scribbled something down on her paper and showed it to Hojo. "Like this, right?"
He glanced at the work and grinned, "Yep, that's it. You got it, good job." He looked Kagome in the eyes and she turned to her desk, blushing crimson. She scribbled some more and after some time showed him the paper again saying, "I don't understand this one..."
Hojo leaned over her, and looked at the paper. Suddenly, Kagome froze. She looked down to find Hojo's hand on her knee, the warmth of it seeping thorough her silk PJ pants. She didn't think much of it until his hand started to climb upwards... Hojo didn't notice and went on with the lesson until Kagome whispered quietly, "U-um Hojo..."
He looked at her face, looked down and quickly removed his hand as if it burned him. Blushing a light pink, he apologized.
"I-I am so sorry, Hirugashi. I didn't m-m-mean anything. I hope you weren't offended..."
Kagome shook her head slowly and replied, her voice shaking slightly, "N-no. You didn't do that on purpose...I am... fine..."
Awkward silence swept thorough the room and lingered of quite sometime. Finally, Hojo said, "You know Kagome, there is a really nice new movie coming out...and I was wondering-I mean if you're not doing anything..."
Kagome shook her head, "No, I can't go. I just have too much homework...-but it's nice of you to ask." Hojo locked his eyes on hers. She stared back. He leaned forward... (Inuyasha at this time was cursing and trying to open the window not noticed by either of the people) and Kagome put her hand on his mouth. She smiled nervously, "Hojo. I-I don't want to hurt your feelings...but...I am c-currently involved with s-someone..." (Inuyasha stared at Kagome in utter astonishment, his nose pressed on the glass) Hojo stared back as Kagome removed her hand as he kept silent. Then he said slowly, "We'd better get back to your homework..." Kagome nodded in agreement and they went on as if nothing ever happened.
"I am gonna KILL him!!!" Inuyasha whispered furiously outside of her window, his claws digging into the window sill, making long shallow marks in the weather beaten wood. He flexed his knuckles and cracked them, teeth bared. 'How dare he touch her?! He did it on purpose, that damned bastard!' Inuyasha jumped down from the sill and picked up a stone about the size of his palm. Tossing it in his hand, he decided he would end this little 'get together'. In all of his rage, he flung the stone into her window. Listening to the shattering of glass, the shrill scream of a girl, made Inuyasha grin. He got near the wall, under her window so if they looked out to see who the culprit was, they wouldn't find him.
He listened harder, waiting in the shadows and heard a loud pounding on Kagome's bedroom door and then a lecture from her mother talking about guests, visiting hours, and why boys her age shouldn't be in her room. She showed no mercy to Hojo, telling him that she would call his mother and that he should be heading home now.
"Now, I know you probably have a good explanation, but I won't ask you to tell me it. Your mother must be worried sick!"
Inuyasha heard the quiet mumbling of the boy, trying to tell Mrs. Hirugashi that he got locked out of his house and couldn't get in, no matter how much he banged on the door, but she wouldn't take any of it.
"I understand that you got locked out, but what about going to your male acquaintance's house? You must really like Kagome to come all the way here. Your house is about two miles from here, isn't it?"
"Yes..." Hojo replied embarrassed. Inuyasha could picture Kagome turning a bright red, Hojo too. He was making himself angry. Inuyasha frowned as the talking quieted down a little as he tried to listen.
"I am going to call your parents. I still can't believe you would go out to the store at three in the morning to go get some udon noodles and milk..."
Inuyasha heard the door click close and he quickly scaled the tree again, hopping on the windowsill to make sure he could see what they were doing. Kagome was still clad in her blue silk pajamas, blushing crimson and staring at the floor. Hojo had his coat in hand as well as his hat and scarf. He scratched his scalp, not knowing what else to do.
"Thank you for helping me..." Kagome whispered, thoroughly embarrassed by her mom's behavior.
Hojo gave a small smile and said, "No problem. Besides, it's good that I helped a fellow classmate." Kagome's mother popped in, her dark brown hair done in hot pink curlers, wearing her pink fluffy bathrobe that was embroidered with the motto 'Hot Momma', announcing that Hojo's mother was awake and ready to open the door at his house. Hojo looked at Kagome and said with fake happiness, "Well, I hope to see you at school soon...". He exited and Inuyasha could still hear his footsteps going down the hall. Mrs. Hirugashi looked at Kagome, frustrated and left. Kagome gave a sigh and collapsed on her bed, eyes closed. Inuyasha had had enough as he jumped down off of the windowsill, his hands and feet disturbing the broken glass scattered on the sill, creating a loud crunching effect. Kagome opened her eyes and dashed to the window in time to see a flash of dark crimson disappear into the wood. She narrowed her eyes to catch anything else. Nothing. She looked down at the window sill to find amidst the broken shards of glass, there were long shallow cuts in the wood.
"Inuyasha...?" she whispered out load, wonderingly. She listened to the wind as it combed through her ebony hair. Silence over took. She stepped back inside, glancing over her shoulder before heading to the spare guest bedroom for some sleep. 'After all," she thought, 'It's gonna be a long day tomorrow.'
Singing 'Cliff-hangers make me so glad, because they get my readers mad!' I am quiet pleased with myself. I thought I would eventually get bored with this (It takes a lot to keep me occupied. ) but I have gotten to the second chapter waits for applause to decline. I would like some new ideas though. What do you, readers, want to see happen next? I may do them, or not depending on what you say. I love sports, but I rock at dodge ball! (Although I get pegged a lot by guys who are spoiled sports... for some reason, they always aim at my butt...) sweat drops.
Read and Review!
Ja ne!
