Movie Night
Kagome couldn't help but think about the knowledge her teacher now had. A part of her wished he still didn't know; even though, she did feel better knowing that someone else that could be trusted knew their little secret and that that someone were willing to help.
In Inu-Yasha's confusion, he understood Kagome's unwillingness to talk about what was bothering her. It was her teacher. He had cracked a hole in her secret lifestyle and peered in. He probably knew Kagome would never tell him everything but late into the afternoon, after dodging her friends all day long, they finally caught up to Kagome.
Inu-Yasha disappeared into a side alley still holding Koinu hostage since Koinu proved to be way too hyperactive to be set loose. He hid because Koinu would no doubt attract her friends' short attention spans and open the doorway to too many curious questions. Her friends had already been exposed to the truth by Kagome's rash actions on their last visit here whether they knew it or not. Now their secret was much more important for if her friends exposed them, then the well might be destroyed or worse they might be stuck in this time with no method of return. For that sole reason, Inu-Yasha now guarded the truth much more carefully.
Kagome's friends wanted to know if she'd go out tonight with… well, some guy they knew and she reluctantly accepted to go. Inu-Yasha could barely contain his anger about this matter while hiding from her treacherous so called friends. His concern for their lives in the futile era held back his impulsive frustrations to rip them limb from limb; fortunately, he didn't view warning Kagome through uncontrollable growing as a part of his 'impulsive frustrations.' He knew she heard him because she denied going out on a date before excusing herself from their company.
"Inu-Yasha, what the hell was that about?" Kagome questioned.
Inu-Yasha's eyebrow twitched rapidly as he attempted to find something to calm his boiling rage. Instead of responding with an answer that would have resulted in a brief fight and a 'sit' for sure, Inu-Yasha simply growled before storming off ahead.
Koinu cleverly escaped Inu-Yasha's grasp for fear of what the enraged hanyou would do with no demons in this world to destroy.
Kagome, on the other hand, wasn't sure what Inu-Yasha's problem was but whatever had caused him to act this way really began to annoy her. She followed him down a back street. However annoyed she was with his attitude, all faded away when Koinu landed in her arms and she noticed Inu-Yasha's restraint. In the futile era Inu-Yasha would have clobbered Shippo by now.
Inu-Yasha marched along the street in front of her, back to her house at one point punching a brick wall of an old building. The building collapsed within seconds. Fortunately, they were traveling a back way to her house and all the buildings here had been abandoned for some time. The lot's owners were thinking of putting in new houses; of course, the old ones would be demolished anyways so no harm was really done. She never did figure out his problem.
Inu-Yasha stomped into her yard and froze debating whether to return to the futile era… where he belonged.
He didn't have a commanding lead on her so Kagome saw everything, not that she understood any of it. She stopped next to Inu-Yasha. Kagome couldn't decide whether speaking was appropriate since she didn't know what was wrong.
Inu-Yasha did not acknowledge her position since she would be gone in a few hours, out with her schoolyard acquaintances, and he would not be able to protect her.
Inu-Yasha stared at their well. What bothered him most was that she wanted it this way. Here, in her time, she wanted to be just like the others, even though she was far from it and others like her teacher were beginning to notice.
Kagome's stay in the yard with him was short-lived. She diverted her eyes to the ground while he slowly meandered towards her house. "Oh, Inu-Yasha. I wish you'd talk to me. Uh… I… I have to get ready for tonight. I promised I'd go. I wish you'd come too." She disappeared before he could give a response leaving Inu-Yasha staring at the tree that decorated her family's barren yard; the same tree he'd been pinned to for fifty years.
Her rash actions left him time to think about her comment. She wanted his company in spite of the time and her friends. As much as he desired to go, he feared their secret leaking out.
"Inu-Yasha!" Kagome called to him as the sun was setting.
He remained at the tree.
"Inu-Yasha!" She called again from the doorway. "How do I look?"
Her innocent question caught his attention. With all the demons and destruction they had seen because of the jewel shards she carried, she was interested in the way she looked.
Instead of wearing her normal school uniform, she wore a different outfit. He'd seen her wear the outfit before, but not since they'd first met. She was pretty and all cleaned up with a simple ribbon holding back her wild black hair. Inu-Yasha's mouth fell open, as he looked her up and down. Captivated by her presence, he didn't notice that dusk came and went; for that fact, neither did she. They stood frozen.
They stood frozen until Kagome's friends arrived. They stopped short of the yard upon seeing Kagome with her male friend; they'd only seen him a few times before. Hojou also arrived at her house at this time, unknowingly sparking a Kouga moment.
"Ready to go?" Hojou asked Kagome.
"Uh." Kagome answered without removing her eyes from Inu-Yasha's. She knew if she did remove her eyes then Inu-Yasha would do something to Hojou to protect her, something that she couldn't dream up in her worst nightmare.
With their eyes locked, Inu-Yasha simply smiled.
Kagome's eyes widened with fear and confusion.
Inu-Yasha spoke up. "She's going with me."
"Kagome?" Hojou asked in shock.
She smiled back at her male friend. He changed his mind. She thought before she happily bounced over to Inu-Yasha and ceased his arm so he couldn't change his mind again.
Hojou admitted his defeat with grace. The whole group was off to the movies with one of Kagome's good friends clinging to Hojou's arm. "So who's the guy?" Kagome's friend's pushed the issue. "This is Inu-Yasha." Kagome introduced them. "We thought Inu-Yasha had white hair not black." Kagome's eyes widened. "…Hair dye." She responded quickly. They had no reason to question her. She didn't even think that they remembered her confession about the futile era. With her friends asking incessant questions, Kagome and Inu-Yasha both became very uncomfortable about their secret lives so Kagome hurried them to the movies.
Inu-Yasha stared at this new place. It had to be one of the biggest buildings he'd ever seen. Kagome asked for two tickets and waited for the attendant to get them. "Why doesn't Inu-Yasha pay for them?" Hojou asked with a slight smirk in his voice. "Inu-Yasha's not from around here. He's just visiting." "Still…he's got money, doesn't he?" The girl's waited for Kagome to think of some sort of cover; instead, Kagome dropped her head with a sigh. "Inu-Yasha…" Kagome said beckoning him to her side. He slowly stepped up and she slipped the money into his hand. Inu-Yasha lifted up his hand and looked at the cash Kagome had slipped him. "That should be enough Inu-Yasha." Kagome added with sweet innocence. She is getting good at this. Inu-Yasha thought a little perplexed by her slight of hand and cover-up. Inu-Yasha paid for the tickets with Kagome's money then Kagome drug him inside the theatre.
"Now Inu-Yasha. What you see here is a movie, a prerecorded section of life. The movie is not real. No matter what demons you see; this is all fake. Got it?"
"Got it." Inu-Yasha answered a bit disgruntled by her condescending tone.
"Kagome…" Her friends called to her.
"Over here." Kagome led Inu-Yasha over to her friends where they took their seats.
Kagome made sure Inu-Yasha was between her and one of her friends because the last thing she needed was Inu-Yasha freaking out over some stranger he was seated next to. The theatre filled up quickly. Inu-Yasha wondered how many people would be contained in this small place. Kagome saw the look on his face and decided to explain the concept of a movie to Inu-Yasha.
"Inu-Yasha." She whispered. "Since demons don't exist in this time. People who believe in something strange like demons, imagine different kinds of demons and heroes to defeat them, except these demons never existed."
Inu-Yasha nodded as the lights dimmed and the room went dark. I
nu-Yasha let out a small growl and Kagome reassured him. "The movie's starting."
As the movie rolled on, Inu-Yasha jumped at every demon attack and every scream that resonated in the theatre.
Kagome grasp Inu-Yasha's hand trying to calm him down enough to enjoy the movie.
But Inu-Yasha didn't remotely relax until Kagome's friend clung onto Inu-Yasha's arm from fear.
Inu-Yasha's confusion forced Kagome to laugh.
Inu-Yasha looked at Kagome to see what she found so funny.
When she noticed Inu-Yasha looking at her, Kagome leaned her head into his shoulder.
Inu-Yasha took a moment to figure out that if Kagome wasn't on edge then he had no reason to be.
As the movie continued Inu-Yasha became board.
Kagome noticed it growing but decided not to indulge him. After all, she liked this change of pace. It was nice that someone else was fighting the demons.
During the height of the movie Kagome noticed something funny. She prayed that what she saw was her imagination, but somehow knew it was real. Neither her nor Inu-Yasha was in any condition to fight. This date was going downhill, fast. The image sneaking around the theatre worried Kagome, but if she alarmed Inu-Yasha then the whole theatre would panic and that alarm would bring a lot of unwanted attention. Inu-Yasha noticed Kagome's uneasy nature yet couldn't figure out the source of her worry.
"Kagome?" Inu-Yasha asked. Her eyes widened as she drew in a deep gasp. She felt it. A jewel shard was there…somewhere.
"Kagome?" Inu-Yasha asked again.
"There's a jewel shard here." "Where?"
"I don't know?" Kagome responded with her eyes searching the theatre.
"What do you mean you don't know?"
"I don't know, ok?"
"Is it gone?"
"No, It's still here… somewhere."
A short time passed and Kagome began to wonder if she'd been wrong. She'd never wrong before at least not about the presence of a jewel shard. If there was a demon here, why didn't it attack? The opportunity was perfect. "Maybe I'm just paranoid." Kagome remarked slouching in her chair and rubbing her forehead with her hand.
The screen in front of them was torn to bits. Everyone started screaming. Neither Kagome nor Inu-Yasha could make out the demon in the pale light of the theatre. "Get everyone out of here." Inu-Yasha ordered Kagome not realizing Kagome's friend was glued to his arm. Kagome nodded and rallied the people outside. With her friends' help, the people were much more orderly than she expected them to be. Inu-Yasha jumped onto the back of the chairs in front of him and stared at the vague images. The dark light of the theatre made it hard to see the demon. Kagome's friends waited just outside the theatre doors for Kagome to join them. When everyone had cleared the theatre lobby, Kagome's friends began to worry because Kagome never showed. Meanwhile Inu-Yasha had his hands full.
"Give me the shards, girl."
"No." Kagome yelled in response.
"Give them to me." The voice demanded again.
"She said 'no.'" Inu-Yasha interrupted.
"Move human or I will crush you."
"I'd like to see you try." Inu-Yasha egged it on.
The annoyed demon brought down a heavy hand. This blow crushed almost every seat in the theatre.
"Inu-Yasha!" Kagome called in shock. Tears filled her gentle eyes.
"Give me the shards." The demon demanded again reaching for Kagome.
The demon froze when he was about to cease Kagome. "PEST!" The demon called out trying to smash his pest.
Inu-Yasha dodged the mighty blows. The dust from the destruction helped Inu-Yasha pinpoint the demon's location and launch attacks against him.
"Kagome… Run!" Inu-Yasha yelled.
"No." Kagome responded. "I won't leave you."
Inu-Yasha dodged a few more swipes before thinking of a response for Kagome. He knew once she made up her mind there was nothing that could change it.
"Inu-Yasha!"
"Don't jut stand there. Find a way help Damn It."
Kagome spun around to find a large piece of wood. She thought maybe she could stab it and slow it down.
The demon was occupied with Inu-Yasha since every time it ignored him, Inu-Yasha attacked. Kagome picked up the piece of wood. It was heavy and extremely long.
"Inu-Yasha!" Kagome called out.
Inu-Yasha bound over in her direction. Flying past her he had no idea what she planned to do with that piece of wood.
The demon anticipated Inu-Yasha coming to Kagome's calls so all it had to do was wait.
As Inu-Yasha passed Kagome the demon smacked Inu-Yasha down like a pesky mosquito. Inu-Yasha flew across the room and into the wall.
Kagome's broken innocence turned to hate as her dark eyes became cold and determined she thrust the wood forward.
The demon screamed. Kagome's thoughts transferred back to Inu-Yasha who hadn't moved from where he landed. "Rechid Girl!" The demon called knocking Kagome into the far wall like a rag doll.
"Leave Kagome alone." Inu-Yasha regained consciousness to see the boy that been chasing Kagome was standing stern with Kagome's friends cowering behind him. "I said leave her alone." Hojou repeated.
Inu-Yasha tried to regain his footing but his strength had been drained away.
"Inu-Yasha!"
Inu-Yasha's head snapped up; Kagome had called him. She was all right …for now.
"Kagome" Inu-Yasha responded.
Relieved Kagome sat up.
"Hey ugly!"
Everyone's attention turned to the stupid bravery that Hojou demonstrated. A new fear crossed Kagome's mind; what would happen if the demon went after Hojou? Kagome grabbed a slender piece of wood and ripped out a few strands of her own hair.
The demon released a crushing blow to flatten Hojou. What was left of the theatre went up in debris.
Inu-Yasha bound in front of Hojou just in time to save him.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?"
"Saving Kagome!"
"You're out of your league!"
"…And you think you're any better?"
"You're out of your mind."
"And what does that make you?" Hojou asked.
Inu-Yasha wanted to reply 'a demon' but snorted in response.
"Inu-Yasha!" Kagome called again.
Inu-Yasha turned in time to see the demon start another attack on them.
Kagome meanwhile had been tying her hair to the wood. She then picked up some straight pieces of wood that had been thrown everywhere.
"Inu-Yasha!" Kagome called to him.
Inu-Yasha raced over to Kagome. "What are you planning to do with that?"
"Please let this work." Kagome pulled back her homemade arrow and let it fly.
The arrow worked. Not to the extent one of her other arrows would have worked but it did damage just the same.
Kagome grabbed another of the splinted shards from the ground.
"Inu-Yasha, the jewel shard is in its forehead."
Kagome fired another of her makeshift arrows at the creature.
"PEST!" The demon yelled switching its attack to Kagome.
"Kagome!" All her friends seemed to be calling her to them. Kagome leapt out of the way just in time to save her skin.
She slid across the debris in the theatre. Looking up to see the demon rearing up to take her out.
Kagome screamed.
The demon yelled.
Inu-Yasha stabbed the demon in the forehead with his rusty Katana. Removing the Katana freed the jewel shard. Inu-Yasha soared over to the free-falling jewel shard.
"Stupid HUMAN," the demon called seizing Inu-Yasha in mid-air.
The demon squeezed Inu-Yasha until he passed out.
Kagome stood up and raised her bow and one last arrow.
She let the arrow go.
The arrow pieced the demon and with a bright light and scream the demon was gone.
Inu-Yasha's limp body fell to the theatre floor.
"Inu-Yasha!" Kagome cried racing to his side.
Kagome slid to his side with her friends not far behind her.
"Inu-Yasha." Kagome cried as if her calls would bring him back to her.
"No real demons uh?" Inu-Yasha etched out lifting himself from the ground.
Kagome threw herself into his arms then started to giggle as she looked around the theatre. "Guess I was wrong."
"Here." Inu-Yasha stated handing her the jewel shard. She took it quietly and without question.
Hojou knelt down next to Kagome. "Are you alright?"
"Yes" Kagome answered. "Inu-Yasha?" She asked.
Inu-Yasha tried to stand and Kagome helped him to his feet.
"Kagome," One of her friends spoke out, "I think it's time for an explanation."
Kagome looked at Inu-Yasha.
Inu-Yasha nodded.
"I think you should all 'sit' down."
Inu-Yasha fell to the ground. "Kagome!" He growled.
"Sorry Inu-Yasha." The others sat down as Kagome asked.
"You see…" Kagome told the main plot of their tale. Who each of them were and why they were together, Naraku and his children, Inu-Yasha's past and this present, why she was chosen, and her erratic behavior in this time. Inu-Yasha stood up and walked out of the theatre. "Inu-Yasha?" Kagome questioned following him outside.
The sun was rising.
Her friends crowded behind her.
Inu-Yasha closed his eyes and a mysterious breeze seemed to catch his hair.
His hair began to glow.
When the breeze stopped, Inu-Yasha turned around.
The boy with black hair and black eyes now had amber eyes, white hair, long front fangs, fuzzy ears, and long fingernails.
Kagome smiled.
Kagome's friends stood in shock.
"Kagome." Inu-Yasha spoke. "It's time we return to the others."
Kagome nodded and climbed onto his back.
Inu-Yasha bound off into the distance leaving her friends majorly confused. They didn't want to believe a story so bizarre could be true, but all the pieces seemed to fit, right down to Kagome's odd behavior.