Ch. 7

me: this chapter is really weird.... lol.

Kikyo: wow, glad to see you've finally gotten off your lazy ass and updated!

me: ... shut... UP!

Kagome wiped her eyes with her long sleeved shirt. She sighed deeply and rose from her perch on the hard bed. Ryu was laying down, his red tipped hair brushing the floor. Hikaru was still buried in his feudal era book. Upon seeing that Kagome was up, Ryu stood, a sly grin pasted on his face. Kagome was forcefully reminded of Miroku.

"So... what brings you to this hellhole?" He asked offhandedly. Hikaru stifled a laugh, his eyes not leaving the text of his thick book.

"Well, almost everyone close to me died, and I almost killed myself." Kagome said shortly, narrowing her eyes. Ryu laughed, brushing his hair away from his charcoal eyes.

"I know how you feel."

"Sure you do." Kagome retorted, her eyes blazing. He knew nothing.

Ryu laughed, raising his hands in defeat. "Fine, I'll admit it. I don't know exactly how you feel, but pretty close. My parents are complete control freaks; my older brother is physically and mentally perfect, and I'm not exaggerating." He laughed bitterly. " My parents have always thought I was a failure, so they were pretty mad when I popped a few pills and tried to kill myself. They didn't care that their youngest son was trying to commit suicide; they just figured I was giving up again." He scowled down at his feet, and Kagome bit her lip.

"Sorry..." She said softly. Ryu raised his head to look at her.

"Forget about it. So anyways, I think you'll like the other girl that's in here." Ryu said, changing the subject. Kagome smiled.

"Really? Her name's Midori, right?"

"Yeah. She's a real tough chick, but she's got a good heart. She smacks pretty hard, though."

"Sounds like someone I used to know..." Kagome said quietly, thinking of Sango. Her loyal, trusting friend was probably only ashes, now. Ryu studied Kagome's face, a knowing grin spreading on his own.

"Ah. I believe I've hit a touchy subject?"

"No! Why do you think you know everything?" Kagome said angrily. Ryu smirked.

"'cause usually, I do know everything." He said smartly. Kagome rolled her eyes.

"It's physically impossible to know everything." Hikaru said, pushing his glasses higher on his nose. Now it was Ryu's turn to roll his eyes.

"I didn't ask for your opinion, nerd!" Ryu said loudly. Kagome glared at him.

"Don't call him a nerd!"

"I'll call him whatever I want!" Ryu retorted.

"...Kagome-chan, it's okay. Ryu-kun is still recovering, that's all." Hikaru said happily, despite the situation.

"I'm not going to sit around and let this punk insult you!" Kagome said, her eyes burning. This guy was such a loser! Always thinking he knew everything, when really, he knew nothing at all.

"Punk? Oh, Kagome-chan, I'm wounded!" Ryu grinned, clutching his chest for added effect.

"Higurashi-san."

"Mmm...I prefer Kagome-chan, thank you very much." Ryu said, in a mock-serious voice.

"You-!"

"Goddammit!!" A loud, female voice echoed down the hallway. Crashing and banging sounds followed, and Hikaru winced a bit.

"Who on earth is making this much noise?" He said bitterly, apparently angry at being interrupted.

Ryu shrugged. "Some psycho, probably."

"Get the fuck off of me!!!" The voice came again, and this time, Kagome strode over to the door. Pulling it open, she stuck her head out and looked around. Down the hall was a tall girl, with long dark hair pulled into a braid. The girl had large, expressive eyes, and flawless skin. Two men were on either side of her, pulling her toward her room.

"That's our Midori-chan!" Ryu said cheerfully, popping his head out beside Kagome's. "Though I've gotta admit, I've never seen her act like this before."

At Ryu's words, Midori slammed her elbow into the man's gut. Twisting around, she used her free arm to pry the other's man's hand off her. Breathing heavily, Midori glared at the two men.

"Now, I'm going to ask this one more time..." she said, her teeth gritted. Kagome and Ryu listened attentively, and even Hikaru had come to join them by the door.

"We don't have any patients by those names in here!" The man whom Midori had elbowed in the gut said, his voice cracking with pain.

"You don't have anyone with the first or last name of Miroku?!" She shrieked. Kagome's breath caught in her throat at these words, and she actually stumbled a bit. Ever the gentleman, Hikaru grabbed her arm to steady her.

"Kagome, what's the matter?" He said, genuinely concerned.

"N-nothing..." She muttered. It was a coincidence, a huge coincidence. But Midori's next words shattered that thought.

"You don't have anyone by the name of InuYasha? Kagome? Is my brother in here?!" Midori was starting to sound quite crazed, and Ryu laughed derisively. Kagome poked him hard in the side, causing him to yelp.

"Shut up!" Kagome whispered forcefully. But Midori had already whirled around, her black jacket making a swishing sound. Upon seeing Kagome, Midori's eyes grew to the size of plates, and she took a step back.

"Kagome-chan!" Midori said, her face breaking into a smile. Ryu and Hikaru watched as Midori rushed over to Kagome, her eyes alight with excitement. "I was so worried about you!"

"You know this chick?" Ryu asked, confused. Kagome shook her head.

"...what do you mean, you don't know me?" Midori said, laughing. "It's me! Sango!"

me: I told you this chapter is weird!

Kikyo: huuuuuh? Sango? I'm confused!

me: ehehehe... it shall all become clear... in the next chapter! Please read and review!