Love Comes to Those Who Wait
Chapter 5
Thank you to all those lovely fans who reviewed. Love you all and hope you enjoy!!
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
"Hey Dad I'm home," Ayame called out as she walked though the front door shaking rain from her long auburn hair.
"Hi sweetie," her father called out popping his head out of the kitchen. His eyes widened at the sight of his daughter standing soaked at the front door. "Wow you sure got soaked, if I had known it was going to rain I wouldn't have sent to you go get the milk. Sorry, let me go grab you a towel."
Reaching into the hall cupboard her father reached in and tossed her a towel. "Thanks," Ayame replied catching the towel and rubbing her hair dry. "It was no big deal just a little rain. Plus we couldn't possibly eat our pizza without milk now could we."
"How did you know we're having pizza?" he father asked.
"Dad," Ayame replied peeling her soaked jacket off of herself. "We've had pizza the first night after moving ever since we started."
Her dad gave her a small smile and little shrug, "oops forgot that. I really am too predictable, sorry."
"Don't be sorry dad," Ayame replied flashing her teeth as she tossed her dad back the towel and bending down to undo her runners. "It's more of a tradition than anything, believe me you are far from being predictable."
"Oh how I remember all to well how miserable you used to be the fist night in a new house as a child, promising you pizza was the only way to stop your tears," her father said with an extravagant sigh. "Let me tell you I'm quite glad those days are over."
"Me too," Ayame replied walking past her father into the kitchen where she promptly placed the milk she had gone out to buy with the various other groceries into the fridge and cupboards. "So how soon till the pizza gets here?"
"It should be here any second," her father said and true to his word a few moments later there came a rapping on their door. "Will you grab the plates and glasses sweetie?" her father asked as he went to pay for the pizza.
"Sure thing," Ayame replied and looking around at the various cardboard boxes littering the kitchen floor for the one labelled dishes. "Aha!" she exclaimed a moment later and opened a bow up to pull out to plates and two glasses. As Ayame placed them on the table she heard the front door slam and a minute later her father walked into the dining room and plopped the pizza down.
"Dig in," her father said opening the box and grabbing a slice for himself.
After a few minutes of busy contented munching Ayame finally cleared her throat and said, "I hadn't been aware that there was a wolf tribe in the area dad."
Her father chocked on a piece of pepperoni, after a couple of deep coughs he finally managed to say "What?"
"A wolf tribe lives here, the Youkai-Wolf Tribe to be precise," Ayame replied as casually as she could watching for her father's reaction.
"The Youkai-Wolf Tribe? Oh dear, I had forgotten they had relocated here, you're right," her father said looking up thoughtfully at the ceiling. After a sigh he looked over at Ayame who was watching him. "They didn't give you any problems today did they?"
"No," Ayame replied. "In fact I hardly spoke with them. But I have gym class with some of them tomorrow so I think I'll speak to them then."
"Okay, but I want you to tell me if they give you any problems about.......well you know. If they make life miserable I'll ask to be relocated," her father said.
Ayame smiled gently but somehow the smile didn't quite reach her eyes, "I will dad don't worry."
"Good," her dad said softly. "Well have you finished unpacking yet?"
"No dad, you know I stopped unpacking a long time ago. It's just too much of a hassle to put stuff in the closet and then repack in 2 months down the road. It's much easier to just leave it in my suitcase," Ayame replied taking another bite of pizza. "I don't know why you even bother."
Her father just shook his head and said, "well I'm going to up late working tonight. Don't stay up too late."
"Yes dad," Ayame said with a roll of her eyes. "I was actually thinking of going for a run."
"In this rain!" her father exclaimed one eyebrow raising.
"I think I'll wait to see if dies down a bit but I won't wait for too long, you know how I like to run every night."
"I know, I know, I just thought maybe tonight because of the rain you wouldn't want to. You could go rent a movie, you know?"
"Oh dad, if you're nervous about me running in a new neighbourhood just say so," Ayame laughed.
"Okay fine, Ayame I'm worried about you, but is that really so hard to understand?" her father said.
"Dad, you know perfectly well that I can take care of myself," Ayame said jokingly as she rose to her feet with her plate and glass. Bending down she gently kissed her father on the cheek and said, "don't worry I'll be careful."
"Be sure you are," her father called after her as she walked into the kitchen and placed her dishes in the dishwasher.
Walking up to her room Ayame reflected on her first day of school. Sitting down on her floor as she began her stretches she thought about her attitude that morning how she had been expecting the same old same old. In fact it hadn't even entered her mind that somehow by the end of the day she would have new friends. Not only that but she had actually had a choice between who she would hang out with. Even though she hadn't actually spoken she knew she would have been welcomed amongst them if she had introduced herself. Amazing how when she least expected it her entire life had been flipped around. Pulling on her running gear Ayame threw a warm sweater on and headed out the door. Taking a breath Ayame broke into a slow run. Closing her eyes she smiled as she thought of how nice it was to have friends. Now she wouldn't have to sit by herself at lunchtimes, she would have someone to talk to and not only just one she now had 4 friends!
Suddenly Kouga's smiling face popped into her mind and Ayame blushed as she remembered how her heart had raced at his smile and those blue eyes. It had been the first time a boy had actually smiled at her like that and talked to her. He had changed so much since the last time she had met him, she had even recognized the person who only a few years before she had a crush on after he had helped her when she twisted her ankle. In fact she had been so shocked that he had been talking to her that she hadn't even noticed that the boy talking to her was a wolf demon. Kouga. Did she dare to even hope that he would remember her? Of course he would, she had never forgotten him so it made sense didn't it that he would at least remember who she was. After all he had been so kind to her when she had sprained her ankle that day...surely he would remember her...
&&&&The next morning during gym class&&&&&&&&
"Ayame who?" Kouga asked confused.
"Ayame Moonflower," Ayame said hopefully trying to trigger his memory.
"Oh yeah hey, I remember you," Kouga said causing Ayame's heart to rise. "You're the new girl I ran into yesterday. Sorry about that, I had forgotten until you mentioned."
"Oh that's alright," Ayame said her heart dropping slightly. "But you mean you don't remember meeting me before then?"
"Not really, when was it?" Kouga asked.
"Oh it was a couple years ago at a wolf tribe meeting, I had sprained my ankle that day and you helped me," Ayame said her heart sinking even furthur when no expression of recognition crossed Kouga's face. It had taken all her courage to approach him that morning before gym class and now she found out he didn't even remember her.
"You're a wolf demon!?" Kouga suddenly exclaimed.
"Yeah, sorry I guess I forgot to mention that," Ayame apologized. "It's okay if you don't remember me, after all I hardly recognise you, you've changed so much, I had just thought that-" Ayame began but just then Sango and Miroku entered the gym bickering and then Sango caught sight of Ayame and jogged over.
"Hey Ayame," Sango said. "Morning Kouga."
"Morning Sango," Kouga said. "Miroku."
"So I see you've met Ayame, Kouga. I was going to introduce you when I got here because Ayame had mentioned yesterday that she knows you from a while back but I guess she beat me to it...Miroku you've got 3 seconds to move you hand away from my ass before I break it..." Sango said.
Miroku hastily removed the offending limb and rubbed the back of his head embarrassed at being caught in the act. "But Sango darling, it looks a little dirty I was just going to brush off some offending dirt!"" he said trying to explain.
"Save it monk, so Ayame how long have you been here?" Sango asked.
"Oh just a couple of minutes, I've been talking to Kouga," Ayame said but before she could continue she was interrupted by two other wolf demons coming over.
"Morning Kouga," they both said. "Who are you?" They both asked Ayame.
"I'm Ayame," she said offering a hand. "From the Northern-Wolf-Tribe."
"I'm Ginta," one said and then pointed to the other and said, "this is my cousin Hakkaku."
"So Kouga," Hakkaku asked. "You know this chick?"
To which everyone turned to look at Kouga expectantly. "She says I do, apparently we met a while back, but I don't remember," Kouga replied.
Ayame's face fell along with her heart. "Oh," she said quietly and then taking a breath put on a falsely bright smile and said, "Oh well, it's alright it was a long time ago it's only natural to forget someone you met once."
"Yeah, only natural Kouga," Ginta said just in case his leader felt bad.
"So how long have you been here for Ayame," Hakkaku asked.
"Only a couple of days, my dad and I just moved here," Ayame replied and was saved from them asking further questions by the shrill sound of the teacher's whistle signalling them to come closer.
"Okay class," their teacher and man in his late thirties said. "Today we're continuing on with martial arts as you already knew. And it is also my pleasure to introduce Ayame Moonflower, who's new in our class. Give everyone a wave so they see you Ayame," the teacher said with a large smile. So Ayame blushing slightly at all the attention raised a hand and waved weakly. "Okay so I'll divide you up in partners before I let you loose. But forgive an old man his bad memory," he said chuckling. "but I can't remember who are the beginners, intermediate, and experts. So if you wouldn't mind sort yourselves out accordingly and honestly, after all you wouldn't want me to pair you with Kouga if your really only were an intermediate would you?" which got a laugh out of the class. Clapping his hands the teacher said as a corny joke, "okay level yourselves folks beginners over here, intermediate here and experts over there."
Ayame walked over with Sango, Inuyasha, Miroku, Kouga, Ginta, Hakkaku, and three other students who she didn't know 2 girls and one boy. "Hi," the boy said. "I'm Bankotsu." As he turned her way she noticed he wore his long hair in a single braid down his back.
"Nice to meet you Bankotsu," Ayame replied with a smile.
"And this," Bankotsu said putting his arm around one of the girls with brown hair pinned up with a jewelled pin, "is Jakotsu."
Ayame blinked twice. Wasn't Jakotsu a boy's name? Peering closer at the glaring girl Ayame realized that she was actually a he!! "Umm hi Jakotsu," she said. (To all Jakotsu fans I apologize if I don't get Jakotsu's character down pat, I haven't gotten to see him in the anime yet so yeah I apologize in advance)
Expecting a hello in return Ayame was surprised when Jakotsu just snorted and raised his nose in the air before turning to Inuyasha and squealed, "Oh Inuyasha baby," he cried out joyously. "Your hair looks gorgeous this morning!!!! Did you condition it last night!!?????!!! Oh my its so soft and smooth!!! Oh pretty please tell me what you use on your hair.....oh wait don't tell me Herbal Essences!!!"
"Ahhhh!" Inuyasha yelled ripping his hair away from Jakotsu who was stroking it. "Gets your hands off my hair!!!"
"Oh Inu-baby don't worry I won't rumple your gorgeous locks, I just want to know what shampoo you use," Jakotsu pouted.
"How the hell would I know!!" Inuyasha said. "Its frickin shampoo!!!!! What do I care if its Herbal Extracts or that junk!"
"Not Herbal Extracts sweetie," Jakotsu replied. "Herbal Essence. Herbal Essance come on say it with me."
"I would rather rot in hell," Inuyasha replied.
"Oh no! Now why would you want to do that being in hell would completely destroy your lovely looks!" Jakotsu exclaimed in alarm. "Now hold still and let me braid your hair."
"Like hell I will," Inuyasha yelled running away from Jakotsu who was now trying to grab Inuyasha's hair.
Ayame turned to Sango and raised one eyebrow questioningly. "Yeah," Sango said grinning. "Jakotsu's always like that, he's got a huge crush on Inuyasha and well don't take that fact he snuffed you personally Jakotsu doesn't really like any of us girls even though he dresses like one."
"Oh okay," Ayame said and was saved from having to comment by the gym teacher coming over to put them into pairs.
"Okay!" the gym teacher said. "Let's divide up into pairs, Inuyasha you're with Bankotsu, Miroku you'll go with Jakotsu, Sango and Ginta, Hakkaku with Naomi, and that leaves Kouga with," their teacher said glancing around and when she realized that Ayame was the only one left went, "oh shoot, sorry now how am I going to rework this I don't want you paired up with Kouga, um how about Inuyasha you go with Sango-"
"I went with her on Thursday," Inuyasha said still trying to evade Jakotsu's hands.
"Okay well that won't work how about Miroku you go with Hakkaku," their teacher said.
"I went with Hakkaku first day," Miroku replied.
"Well who hasn't been with who then," their teacher asked exasperated. When nobody said anything she went on, "you've all been with eachother?"
"Yeah," Bankotsu said nonchalantly. "I guess so. Not that we really would admit otherwise though none of us wants to go with Kouga."
At this Kouga looked exceeding smug.
"I don't mind going with Kouga, "Ayame said quietly.
"Sorry what was that Ayame," their gym teacher said turning to her. "I didn't hear you."
"I said," Ayame repeated slightly louder, "I don't mind going with Kouga."
"What!!!!" the teacher exclaimed and poked a finger in her ear. "I'm sorry I could have just sworn I heard you say you didn't mind going with Kouga!"
"I did," Ayame said.
"Oh that's a nice offer sweetie but we don't want to be scraping you off the walls on your first week, Kouga's just too fast for anybody but Inuyasha and I can't let them fight together anymore because it's impossible for either to win and we can't ever pry them apart. I remember last time we had to call Kagome out of class; she's the only one who can control the two of them," the teacher said trailing off into thought.
"I don't you'll be peeling me off any wall," Ayame replied. "I have been training all my life, and his speed won't prove a problem my reflexes are extremely fast even for a wolf demon."
The teacher raised an eyebrow, "well I guess you would know sweetie, I guess you can give it a go." Turning to Kouga the teacher said, "Kouga I don't want Ayame injured any more than necessary," and then walked off to help the beginners.
Everyone slowly separated off into their appropriate pairs designating certain spaces in the gym as "theirs". Kouga walked over and stood facing Ayame who immediately not knowing what to expect sank down into a fighting stance.
"I don't care what the teacher just said," Ayame stated. "I don't want you going easy on me."
"Have it your way then," Kouga said slightly baffled by the fact that the girl standing opposite of him wasn't intimidated. The only other person who wasn't daunted by his superior fighting ability and speed was Inuyasha and this girl didn't look like a martial arts expert...Kouga was shocked out of his thoughts when Ayame suddenly lunged forward throwing two precise punches that would have knocked Kouga out had he not jumped back in time, as it was her second blow only grazed his shoulder forcing him to stumble.
Ayame blinked and smirked as she saw the shock cross Kouga's face. "So," she thought. "He thought I'd be an easy opponent. I guess I'll have to change that perception."
"I thought you were the best in the class Kouga," she teased smiling pausing her attack.
Kouga shook his head and replied, "I am," and then launched his attack which Ayame blocked easily enough. The others hadn't been joking when they said Kouga was fast, he was almost supernaturally so. Ayame ducked Kouga's next punch and threw a high kick at his head but Kouga somehow managed to grab her leg before she made impact startling her. Chuckling he pulled on her leg knocking her off balance. Ayame barely managed to make a backflip in time to prevent falling on the floor which would have resulted in defeat. Breathing slightly heavier she stepped back a moment to catch her breath and suddenly she became aware of the fact everyone in the class was staring at her. "Woah," one guy she didn't know said, "that chicks as good as Kouga!"
Distracted by her own embarrassment at the boys comment Ayame failed notice Kouga's incoming kick and as the blow collided with her stomach she fell backwards winded.
It took Kouga who was completely tuned into the fight a few seconds to realise that he had knocked Ayame to the ground. Then he realised that the only reason he had hit her was because she had been distracted. Looking around wondering what had caused the distraction Kouga jerked back anime style as he realised exactly what had distracted the new girl. The whole blood gym was gaping at the two of them!!!
"What are all you staring at!" he barked angrily causing everyone to hastily avert their eyes. Turning back to Ayame he noticed that she had regained her breath but the blush still remained tingeing her cheeks slightly pink.
Ayame was too focused on regaining her breath to hear any of this and was startled when suddenly a hand with a leather wristband appeared in front of her face. Looking up with a slightly shocked look on her face she meekly place her hand in his and allowed him to help her to her feet.
"You're good," he said once she stood firmly on her own two feet.
"I'm sorry, what?" Ayame asked.
"I said you're good," Kouga replied and indicated with his thimb. "Almost as good as dog-breath over there."
"I HEARD that Kouga," Inuyasha yelled over his shoulder busily fighting Bankotsu.
"Thank you," Ayame said smiling at the compliment. "Not quite as good as you but close."
"Yep definitely close," Kouga agreed. And then steering her towards the benches said, "you should probably sit down after that kick."
"Sounds good, my chests crying out in misery right about now," Ayame said rubbing her chest as she sat down on the bench.
"yeah, sorry about that. I hadn't intended on hitting you if not I would have retracting. I just assumed you would have blocked it just like all of my other kicks," Kouga apologized.
"Don't worry I'll live, I always do," Ayame said jokingly and was rewarded with a dazzling smile that made her heart flutter.
"You sure, you're okay? No broken ribs or anything?" Kouga asked.
"Positive," Ayame replied. Just then the whistle blew, and Ayame silently cursed it for interrupting her talk with Kouga.
"Look," Kouga said grabbing her wrist as she stood up to leave. "What are you doing for lunch today?"
"Um nothing I think," Ayame replied her heart raising in her chest.
"Well the rest of the wolves and I are going out for lunch and if you'd like to come with us you'd be welcome, my treat," Kouga said after he dropped her wrist.
Ayame breathed in happily, "really?"
"Yeah, I feel bad for hitting you and it would ease my conscience if you come. Plus you're a wolf demon and I don't think you've met the others yet so...well...yeah. How about it would you like to come?" Kouga asked.
"Sure," Ayame replied. "Where should I meet you?"
"Outside at the school parking lot at 12:20, I'll pick you up," Kouga said and then started to walk to the boy's change room and just before he vanished through the door said, "don't be late."
Waving good-bye at his retreating form Ayame replied "don't worry I won't be," even though she knew he was out of range. Smiling happily to herself, Ayame turned and heard to the girls change rooms.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Well I hope you liked it, sorry about the long time it took to update schools been absolutely crazy and I have a bunch of free-time Nazi's for teachers, my physics teacher is the worst, he's expecting us to do ATLEAST one hour a night PLUS what ever homework he gives us. That added onto my Bio 30 and Bio AP, Math 20, Social 20, and Drama 20 is making my life a living nightmare. Well hope you all appreciate my work, and if you do please show respect by review. Oh and a quick apology goes out regarding my lack of knowledge concerning Bankotsu and Jakotsu. Million appologies. Well cheerio for now Shamanic Destiny