Well, this had been part of the last chapter, but seeing as a "Part 2" made the last title long enough, I just decided to split the last one into two separate chapters and post them together.^_^ Hope you guys don't mind.^_~ *giggles*
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of the characters in it. If I did I'd be rich, but I'm not... and if I had lots of money I'd probably spend it on anime anyway so pleeaasseee, don't sue me.^_^ lol
Oh, and as always,
_= thoughts *_* = sound/ italicized "_" = speech
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Recap:
Kagome, what will happen to you... now that I can't be around? Feh, what was he thinking? He lived next door for crying out loud, and he could still pick on her at school right? Hey, since when did he even need her around in the first place? She was just some annoying girl that lived next door, no more, no less... definitely no less. Shaking his head, Inu Yasha continued on his way, completely unaware of the girl watching him from her window, frowning as she watched imaginary dog ears droop, and completely missing the look of revelation as it dawned on her, the newly-found insight visible only until she left her room, and left his sight.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Do the Math
Chapter 17: When Worlds Combine (Part 3)
"Are you sure Kagome? Well, okay then." Mrs. Higurashi watched her daughter stroll off down the hall, listening to the soft scuffing noises Kagome's socks made against the wooden floor beneath her feet. So, she still wanted to be tutored, even after the big hassle she made at first? Mrs. Higurashi wasn't surprised. Those two were meant to be together; they only had to realize it for themselves. Smiling softly, Mrs. Higurashi made her way over to one of the kitchen cabinets; she still had dinner to prepare after all. Maybe she'd make oden, sort of as a reward for making the right choice. Kagome always had been a girl who followed the right path. Upon opening the cupboard, she reached in, intending to grab a few plates, and bumped against something else instead. The cool, smooth surface felt good against her skin, still heated from the baking that she had been doing all morning, yet it wasn't as smooth as she would've thought. What ever it was felt as if it had many small cracks, but what would she keep if it were that broken? Retracting her arm, Mrs. Higurashi withdrew, not a dinner plate, but an old, faded one instead. Of course, how silly of her!
Kagome must've forgotten about this. Seeing as Mrs. Higurashi was in charge of putting the pieces of Souta's baby plate back together while her daughter was being tutored, it was no wonder that Kagome hadn't thought twice about it since then. Actually, she'd be surprised if Kagome ever remembered about it without just stumbling onto it, but just in case, she had better move it somewhere safe so that Kagome could have it if she ever need it, or if she ever remembered that she had forgotten it in the first place, which ever came first. Giggling softly to herself, she looked around and, finding the perfect place to put it, raised the plate, stopping but a moment to gaze up, past the shine from the reflected lights above, past the cracks and signs of aging, to the object in her hands, and smile lovingly at it. Those were certainly the days.
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
For the rest of that weekend, Kagome had spent her time enjoying the new found sense of freedom, not from the tutoring, but from the apprehension it had previously caused. She had come to realize something, though the thinking to get there was forced upon her by Sango being busy, and had not only come to terms with it, but rather enjoyed the idea. So what if Inu Yasha was a jerk most of the time; the sessions were helping her a lot and she'd even passed the big test that she had taken, now two days before. Besides, he was getting a bit better, and a lot easier to deal with once she had figured him out. All she had to do was be patient and everything would be just fine. That mood had kept up for the last couple of days, through math, tests, school, and even through that not-so-annoying-anymore "seeing people as monsters" thing. Yeah, even with all of its little quirks, life was good.
And, what could make life go from good to great? (In DDR it takes about .1-.25 seconds... sorry.^_^;)
5, 4, 3, 2, 1... The ringing of a bell pierced the air, releasing all to lunch for that day. Yeah, that definitely made things better. Sango, here she came! Packing her things quickly, Kagome strolled confidently out of her history classroom, intent on seeing her best friend and enjoying lunch, and life, once again. Of course, there was one thing she hadn't expected, but why did that have to be bad, ne?
"Inu Yasha?" Okay, so Inu Yasha was standing right outside of her history classroom. This was odd. Oh well, he probably wasn't there for... oh, scratch that, he was looking at her. Hmmm... what could he want? Well, only one way to find out. Walking towards him, Kagome smiled as he huffed and looked away for a second, before turning right back to face her again. Mentally rolling her eyes, Kagome couldn't help but wonder why he always did that. He never meant it; he just did it. Shrugging, once again mentally, she stopped just before him. He didn't look upset, well, for Inu anyway, so why should she bother worrying?
"How'd you do?" Um... in life, on my report card, in a new videogame? Come on, he had to be just a smidgeon more descriptive than that. Of course, that meant that the proper response would have to be just as, shall we say, lacking in eloquence?
"What?" Yep, that should do nicely. Huffing slightly, Inu Yasha turned his body to face her fully, and crossed his arms.
"The math test two days ago." Ooohhh, right, Inu Yasha = tutor. Well, that would explain his curiosity...
... not to mention what he was talking about... since he helped her study for it and all. Smiling gently, Kagome closed her eyes for a short, but sweet, smile.
"I passed with a C+. I could probably do better, but I'm happy anyway. Maybe next time right?"
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
She looks so happy, so full of life.... Those bright, shining eyes, that energetic smile, the sheen of that lustrous, shimmering hair, dancing about as she gracefully moved beside him, leaving the strands to slide past her ear and tickle his nose teasingly, how could he help but smile, even if only slightly? Wait, he didn't need to be thinking like that again, especially with her in his next class. But still, the energy she carried with her was so... contagious. How could one human being possibly be so happy all of the time?! Inu Yasha, so caught up in his reverie that he only noticed that he had been watching her as she called out to him from down the hall, blinked a few times, trying to clear his eyes from the path his mind was leading to.
"I'll see you for our next session okay?" Session? Didn't she know that there were no more? Fading as quickly as it had come, his smile drooped, changing quickly into the frown it once was while his honeyed orbs returned once more, now clouding over even more so. Where was this anger coming from?
"Keh, don't you know that there aren't anymore?" Why was she still smiling? Inu Yasha's frown deepened. Then again, why wouldn't she be? All of the thoughts that had once been held within his memory banks fled from memories of being outside her house into his conscious thought, returning all of the fear, the doubts, and mostly, the pain to him at full blast, only feeding and adding to his ever worsening mood. Why would she want him around? No one, save Miroku, really did. Besides, after all the things he had done to her, she was probably counting her blessings that it was over. She had every right to be happy, and he, he...
"I told Momma that I wanted to keep the tutoring sessions..." Inu Yasha blinked, his clouded eyes clearing for an instant, making way for the new information to pass into his understanding as would sunlight when the clouds had gone after a storm. That was it? After all that, she still wanted him to be her tutor? What was she thinking? This was her escape, her chance at freedom, and she was throwing it away? Why? She didn't care about grades that much, he knew enough about her to tell that much. As his eyes grew brighter, a small sense of enlightenment dawned upon him. Then, maybe she wasn't staying for that reason? As soon as they had dispersed, the anger and pain returned under the guise of common sense, blocking both his mind and heart from any external sources in a feeble attempt to protect them. What was he thinking; of course she was staying for the grades! More importantly, how was it possible that all of the negative feelings that had been ailing him his entire life were all pushed aside by one sentence, said so easily by one teenage girl? How could she have broken through him so easily, deluded him without a thought? Kami, what was the world coming to? Next thing he knew, he'd turn around and find Sesshoumaru being CIVIL! Civil he said! Man, this was insane.
"... if that's okay with you of course." What was... hey, how did she go from happy to sad so suddenly?! Had it been something he'd done? Damnit, why couldn't she make up her mind?! Well, as long as she didn't cry it'd be okay, but why would she bother crying unless...Did she really care what he thought? Come to think of it, he supposed that he did have a say in the decision, being the tutor and all. Oh right, she said something to him; guess he'd better say something back. Yeah, she should feel lucky that he'd even bother to respond. Hmmm, what to say? It had to mean "yes" without sounding like he actually meant it, nor like he actually said it. Pfft, like he needed her anyway. She *was* just Kagome after all. Keeping his face neutral with a hint of disgust, Inu Yasha, avoiding all chance of unintentional alterations to his aloof façade, shrugged and turned away, passing off anything he could have been thinking with but two words.
"Keh, whatever." Yep, that would suffice. Smile returning, Kagome nodded and turned around, continuing down the hall, and almost missing Inu Yasha's patented smug grin. It had been a while since she'd seen it.
And then, she was gone.
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Crap, the late bell!
Oh no, that was the late bell! From opposite ends, two students attempted to shove their way through the crowd of rushing teenagers, all mobbing one another for any slight chance they could get of making it to class on time. Both were worried about their tardy records, even as they were huddled and pushed through the mass of white, green, and black fabric, but one for a completely different reason than the other. If he got another detention, he was screwed.
Why do I always have to bail Miroku out?!
Why couldn't Sango just stay here for lunch?! Finally making their way through the crowd, both teens stopped at the door to their classroom. They were there, though completely oblivious to their counterpart for the moment. The bell hadn't rung; they were on time! Everything was going to be o...The bell rang, altering the teacher to, not only their presence, but to their timing as well; they were late after all.
He... "Inu Yasha..."
She..."... and Kagome,"
... owes me *big* for this. "…ye be tardy."
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Oohh, why me? Momma's going to have a fit! she had to admit, however, that it was kind of an odd coincidence that she and Inu Yasha were on the same boat with this one. Maybe he wasn't the best of company, but at least someone would be there to serve the unavoidable detention that they were going to serve. Of course, Mrs. Miko hadn't said anything of it yet, but these were merely thoughts, going by much too quickly to fit into the actual span of time as everyone else saw it. Kind of interesting that way... wait, no, back to business, making an excuse to tell Momma! Looking over to her fellow condemned, Kagome sighed softly and froze, surprise barely registering before she realized what was happening. Was he... scared? If she didn't know better, Kagome would've thought that she saw worry in those amber pools of his. His mouth was drawn into a tight line instead of the usual scowl or smirk, and every muscle in his body seemed tense, but why? Why would he care about one measly detention? Come to think of, she'd never really seen him worry before. Wait, that must mean that this was important to him, right?
"I'm afraid that I have to give ye..." If that was the case, there was really only one thing to do. Sighing softly, Kagome prepared herself for yet another day of lonely suffering. Here goes nothing.
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
"Mrs. Miko? Sorry to interrupt but..." What was that crazy girl doing? Did she want to be in more trouble for interrupting the teacher? Oh, they were SO going to get it now! There was no way he could avoid this detention. He was so... "... it was my fault that Inu Yasha was late. Please excuse him. I'll take the detention for both of us." The entire classroom became quiet, leaving nothing above, nor below, a whisper to travel through the air.
What was she *thinking*?! If she kept that up, she'd get two detentions! Why would she sacrifice herself like that? And... for him? This was the second time that day that she chose to stay rather than to go... chose to stay with him... by his side... what did that mean? Did that mean anything at all? When would she stop surprising him, and damnit, what was with all of these questions lately?! They were giving him a headache.
"Is that so?" Here's where she flakes, denies everything. She would if she knew what was best for her.
"Hai. I am sorry Mrs. Miko." She... didn't back out?
"Hmmm..." Kaede studied the two carefully, eyeing each individually. This was the moment of the final decision. Who would be punished and who, if anyone, would be saved? "I see. In that case, Inu Yasha," the boy in question raised his head to face her, the shock placed there not lost upon her sense of things, "take your seat. Kagome, for coming forth, ye will be spared detention..." Mrs. Miko... *sparing* her?! The world *had* come to an end! "... but ye will stay after school to clean up the classroom." And so it was decreed, and all was well... wait, where did THAT come from? Damn history class! Arrg!!!
"Inu Yasha, take thy seat!" Snapping out of his thoughts, though both mentally and emotionally confused, Inu Yasha did as he was told and took his seat, mind whirling from all of the parodies that that day had wrought. Kagome, in turn, sat down as well, smiling, even with the cold seat freezing her to death from below, all because she held the knowledge that she had done the right thing, while internally groaning at having to spend that clean up duty alone. At least she didn't have detention right? She just kind of wished that she could use that silver lining she saw while cleaning. Who knew what clouds could do for absorbency?
And thus, class continued.
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
"She bailed you out?" Miroku turned off the tap on the sink in the boys' bathroom and reached over for a paper towel. (as if there were any.~_~;) Immediately realizing both the mistake he had made and why Inu Yasha hadn't been washing his hands, Miroku frowned and wiped them on the pant leg of his school uniform instead. It was black so no one would know.
"Keh." Riiiiggghhhttt, okay, someone was being Mr. Talkative today.
"Though why, I could never imagine." Receiving a glare from his friend, Miroku rolled his eyes and decided it better that he play the voice of reason than provoke Inu Yasha; he was in a bad enough mood already. Miroku had learned from lots, and lots, (and lots) of experience that Inu didn't like it when he didn't understand something, and it usually made him pretty grumpy, something that made Miroku grumpy as well. Dealing with an upset Inu Yasha is worse than dealing with a regular one. That combined with a wet pant leg (from the water people!), and the fact that he had to return to class soon didn't really help his disposition much at that moment either, but, whether he liked it or not, mediating was what he had chosen to do, and he would do so willingly.
"Kagome really did you a favor Inu Yasha. You should thank her..." Brows furrowing, Inu Yasha's scowl deepened, and he turned away, unconsciously flinging pale locks at Miroku, hitting him square in the face.
"Keh." How could he have forgotten? If Inu Yasha hated when he didn't understand something, he DESPISED admitting he was wrong, how ever often it may have been. Okay, new approach.
"... or at least do something nice for her." Well, that had gotten a small response from him, but a small response from this boy was worth a lot more in any other. Raising his head slightly, Inu Yasha turned to glare half-heartedly at Miroku from over his shoulder, or in other words, to "tell" him to continue. Now it got tricky. Miroku had to give him advice without seeming to do so. If Inu Yasha thought he was being told what to do, either his mood would become unmanageable, or he'd rebel... or both. Why did his best friend have to be so complicated?
Flinging the hall pass over his shoulder, Miroku took a step towards the door, trying his best to look nonchalant in front of his irritable friend. "If Sango did that for me, I'd help her clean the room after school or be a little nicer to her in general..."
"Keh, why wouldn't you just stop groping her?" Well, at least he was speaking, though very rudely. Glancing back at Inu Yasha from outside the door, Miroku's frown melted, turning upside down to form into a small, gloating smirk. Inu Yasha was still standing in the bathroom, eyes dazed as if in thought and mind completely unaware of his surroundings. It seemed that his response had been automatic, more so than usual, and besides, it was always amusing to see the "secretive" contemplative expression glide across Inu's face, as if he had come to a revelation that most knew instinctively. Ahh, the little joys of life. (^-^) Walking away as not to disturb him, Miroku continued down the hall, figuring that when Inu Yasha did finally break from his little trance, he wouldn't be in a very talkative mood anyway. Now, onto more immediate matters; how to explain why he was in the bathroom so long... How about "guy problems"? (*snickers*)
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Arrg, stupid spot. Why won't it come out? The sound of footsteps echoed softly in the corridors of the school, reaching forth to penetrate the door of each classroom, and succeeding in only one. Kagome was in that room, scrubbing a spot that someone had made on the floor. What it was, she had no idea, but she didn't exactly want to know either; it might make it harder to touch, and therefore clean. It was only when the footsteps stopped that Kagome looked up to see who is was, and imagine her surprise when she saw a young boy leaning casually against the door frame, encasing its length partially in strands of ivory hair, and partially in the obsidian depths of a school uniform pant leg. Why would Inu Yasha be there? He could've been home by then, so why did he stay, especially since it had almost been mandatory for him to do so? If it were her, she probably would've... well, she'd probably thank him and head home, but getting a thanks out of Inu Yasha was like squeezing water out of steel, and no, not with the whole cheese instead of a rock trick, real honest-to-goodness steel. But, if that were the case, what was he planning?
As Kagome watched, Inu Yasha raised himself from the doorframe as if, even moving, wasn't good enough for him. Walking over to her with an expression that mimicked both boredom and aggravation, Inu Yasha plucked the rag from her hand and moved her aside gently, before beginning work on the stubborn spot she had been working so hard on previously. Was he really... helping? Maybe she couldn't get a "thank you" from him, but this was as close as she was ever going to get. Noticing her eyes still on him, Inu Yasha turned to her and scowled. Kagome, blushing at being caught, moved over to the small bucket beside her and pulled out another rag, wiping off the desk above where Inu Yasha was now working steadily.
It didn't take long to finish the rest of the classroom, especially with Inu Yasha helping. Kagome never knew that he could clean so well; if she couldn't get rid of something, give him two minutes and it would've been gone. As the two put the final cleaning supplies away at the end of the day, they walked out of the building together, no where near holding hands, but in a comfortable silence nonetheless. As they reached the outside of the school, the two split up, one to the parking spots and the other on foot, but as Kagome reached the sidewalk and turned the corner to head home, a cherry-red convertible pulled up beside her. Door swinging open before she could even look up, the first thing she saw was a pair of golden eyes and furry ears, turning instantly to face forward rather than face her watchful eyes. It took not but a moment for her mind to be made up and she climbed in. Buckling her seat belt, the two headed for home, the wind in their faces and the school to their backs. Sure, things would be back to normal tomorrow, but for that moment, both were at peace, and both were happy.