Across Time Part 19

Kazaa! I live again! Hello everyone, miss me? Dare I explain my absense, other than the fact that I have a girlfriend to use up all my time with? Well, I've been in Australia for three weeks and my internet is down back at home even though I have had this chapter done for weeks. I also have a new one shot for you all that is almost done. Hope you will like it!

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-Valdimarian- Yep, you forgot. It is all in the first chapter. Kagome was going to give Inuyasha the jewel and leave,

Kikyo showed up, the well basically ate her and sucked Kagome in, leaving the jewel behind. The well then

wouldn't let Inuyasha through as destiny had been fulfilled.

-Valdimarian- I did ok, not as good as my PSAT though. I think I was in about the top 5 percent or so.

-dragolord04- Well for one I don't let her read my stories nor do I discuss them or anime with her, in fact I haven't

even seen an Inuyasha episode for like a year, I just write from memory :D. Also, the fact that I apply my romantic

creativity in our relationship is a plus.

-Smurf2005 - Here you go, more romance.

-Endless Moonlight- I'm really sorry but I don't even have time to write my own fics. I normally do read others

stories when they ask but yours is just a bit too long for me to read at the moment. I'll read one of your other two

Inu fics if you like, or you can just ask again next time I post a chapter (and remind me that you've asked before)

-MitsukiKikistar- stuffs girlfriend wanted: apply inside sign in the garbage Ehehe, well all of my female readers

out there have had more than enough time to accidently drop their phone number in an email to me. No one took me up on the offer so I went and bagged me one for myself :D.

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"Everything looks so much different with snow everywhere." commented Kagome as she and Inuyasha, in human form of course, walked through the near deserted streets, an uncommon sight in Tokyo. The snow fall had subsided for the moment, though the overshadowed sky threatened to continue the storm at any moment. Inuyasha made no reply, it was one of those statements that didn't need or ask for one. "I wonder what the park looks like. I don't think I've ever seen it covered in snow. It's only a few blocks away. Want to go look?" she asked to the hanyou walking beside her. Inuyasha made a gesture of consent, something of a lopsided shrug. Kagome smiled and let her hand slip into his. "Let's go then." she said, tugging him in the
direction she wished to go and urging him to speed up the pace from the lackadaisical one they had been walking at.

It didn't take them long to traverse the few blocks. "It looks so peaceful." Kagome murmured, still holding on to Inuyasha's hand as they stood at the edge of the small patch of green, though white at the moment, roughly the size of one of a city block in an otherwise metallic world. There were no tracks in the snow leading into this side of the park, adding to the tranquil look of it. Kagome felt a pang of guilt at disturbing the picturesque view as she led Inuyasha through the encircling barrier of trees to the center of the park, where a great bronze statue stood on top of a pedestal.

Kagome stopped a few feet away from the statue, looking up at it as she had many times before. The engraving at the foot of the statue had been eroded by time, weather, and the occasional street punk but the statue itself remained a bastion against all of these things. It was made in the image of a tall, stern looking man with broad shoulders dressed in traditional armor. In his left hand were a phoenix feather and dragon claw. In his right was a traditional kantana, its tip touching the ground near the feet while the hand gripped the top of the hilt. Kagome didn't know who the man was, probably some great shogun or samurai. "When I was a little girl, I would come to this park with my family just to look at this statue. I didn't know what why, there was just something about him that would make me come and look. I always felt like the thing he was staring at in the distance was the shrine, since he is facing that way. I guess I thought it was only fair to return the favor." Kagome said, smiling in amusement. Inuyasha smirked as well at her comment, staring up at the proud statue.

"I wonder who he was and what's the meaning of the statue." Kagome said to herself absently. "Hideyoshi Toyotomi." replied Inuyasha. Kagome blinked and turned her head to him. "Really?" she asked in surprise. Inuyasha nodded. "He holds the katana to symbolize the war that ended with the defeat of the Hojo clan and his rise to power over all of Japan. The phoenix feather traditionally represents the phoenix, which symbolizes the start of a new age. Dragons were associated with the Yang, which was always believed to be part of change. In his life he changed Japan from warring states to everyone under a single banner, starting a new age." said Inuyasha, his face becoming serious as he spoke. Kagome was astounded. "How did you know all of that Inuyasha!? Grandfather didn't even know!" Inuyasha's smirk returned and he affectionately flicked her nose. "I told you school's a waste of time." he teased. Kagome sighed as she rubbed her nose, smiling. She decided not to continue their centuries old argument of school at the moment, preferring to enjoy the moment (minus the sore nose of course). She released Inuyasha's hand and walked up to the statue, brushing off a bit of snow on the platform. "I think I liked him more as just the man who stared at my house all day." Kagome said
as she sat down at the figure's feet.

Kagome took a deep breath and stretched her arms back until her hands were nearly touching the leg of the frozen Mr. Toyotomi behind her. A casual scan of the area showed that they had the park to themselves for the moment. As she stretched a gust of wind happened to pass over the two, causing Kagome's already contracted muscles to shiver. When she let her muscles relax, she gently patted the stone platform. "Come sit down with me please Inuyasha, it's cold out." she said bringing up her legs and wrapping her arms around them, rocking back
and forth slightly. Inuyasha didn't have to be asked twice. A moment later he was sitting beside he, his arm around her while she leaned against him for warmth.

"Better?" asked Inuyasha. Kagome nodded, closing her eyes in enjoyment. The world became a distant thought as her mind began to wander aimlessly. "Oi, Kagome. Wake up." eventually came Inuyasha's voice, piercing through the daze. Kagome opened her eyes and blinked several times. The sun was nearly over the horizon, evidently she had fallen asleep. The girl straightened up quickly. "Mother's going to kill me! I promised to help with dinner tonight. We've got to get going." Kagome made to stand up, scooting forward from her perch. However, the rock proved to be slick, causing her to slip. Inuyasha saved her from a nasty headache, grabbing her faster than a normal person could react, the end result being Kagome being held bridal style on Inuyasha's lap.

Impulsively, Inuyasha lowered his to hers and caught her lips in a brief kiss. "Well." said Kagome, when she had the use of her mouth again, her forehead still touching Inuyasha's as they gazed at eachother. "I guess a few more minutes wouldn't hurt."

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"So did you ask them?" inquired Ayumi. The four girls were sitting on the tops of their desks as they waited for the first hour bell to ring. Kagome shook her head, shifting so that she was leaning more than sitting on it. "No, sorry it slipped my mind. I didn't see Shippo anyways and I wanted to ask both of them at the same time. I don't even know where it is. It might be on the other side of Japan, for all we know, in some remote part where no one lives for a hundred miles." Kagome replied. Ayumi sighed and clasped her hands to her heart. "All the more romantic." she said in a daydreamish tone, earning her a light kick from Yuka, who was
sitting on the desk next to her. "So Kagome, getting ready for entrance exams? Which school do you hope will select you?" asked Eri.

A/N- In Japan school of choice is all but non-existent. Most Japanese students go to where ever they qualify. Entrance exams are everything, there are even high school entrance exams which determine where you go for high school.

Kagome shrugged. "I haven't really thought about it, somewhere close to home I guess." Eri nodded. "With you being sick all through high school I don't blame you. It probably isn't good to get your hopes up." Ayumi stood up and pointed a finger in the air. "I'm going to study real hard so I can get into Tokyo University! Shippo and I were meant to be!" she cried, earning her many stares from the rest of class. Noticing the attention, Ayumi blushed and sat back down. They continued to chat among themselves until Miss Sakata, their language teacher, came in. She was a young woman in her late twenties, tall and thin with small glasses perched on her nose. She wasn't extraordinary beautiful, but she wasn't single because of lack of attention
from men either. Miss Sakata was a brilliant woman and was well loved by the school board because she not only could teach advanced Japanese, but also English, French, and several other asian languages, saving them much money by not having to employ one teacher per language, but could pick several for her to teach. She was a bit of a curiosity among the students, who wondered how she could teach three of her language majors throughout
any single day with a class every class hour and still have everything always graded the next day. Not to mention how she was still sane.

"Good morning class." she called over the dull roar, beginning to write the current assignment on the board, in Japanese as this was one of her three Advanced Japanese classes spread throughout the day. "Take your seats and settle down." She said, glancing over her shoulder. "Oh, you three, I'll need to see you after class again, you know there's no sitting on top of desks." she said to Ayumi, Eri, and Yuka, who all groaned as they slid into their seats. Kagome was spared as she was not sitting, but merely leaning against the desk. "Great, another lecture on how the boys can see up our skirts." grumbled Yuka. "What was that Miss Doi?"
"Nothing ma'am."

The morning passed in a flash and the four didn't have a chance to speak as a group until lunch. "I've gotta start bringing my lunch." muttered Eri as she picked up her plate of... foodlike substances as she made her way through the lunch line. "It's not that bad." said Ayumi, in between sips from her milk. "That's because you don't have any taste buds." said Yuka with a sigh, making a face at her plate. Kagome was inclined to agree. She knew that the cafeteria ladies did their best, but one didn't make gourmet cooking through mass production of food. "Let's grab the end table before it fills up." said Yuka as the four paid for their meals.

"Is it just me or does Miss Sakata hate our class? Two pop quizzes in two days!" said Ayumi as they sat down at the suggested table. Eri picked at her food. "It's not that bad." said the girl, mimicking Ayumi's voice. The jab went unnoticed. "That's because you're a genius! They're not even going to let me take the exams if my grades get ruined by her stupid quizzes. I'll never get into Tokyo U!" Eri rolled her eyes. "You got a B on yesterday's quiz Ayumi." Ayumi gave a frustrated sigh. "And YOU got an A, plus the extra credit! You know you can get in, but some of us aren't freakishly smart." Eri scratched her head sheepishly. "Actually, it was an A-, and I only got one of the extra credit."

Yuka made a soft oohing sound. "Speak of the devil." said the girl. "Careful Kagome." Yuka said, a joking tone in her voice as she turned to the silent girl, silent as she was trying to swallow a mouthful of whatever was on her plate. "Looks like Miss Sakata is going after your man." Ayumi patted Kagome on the back as she began to choke, assumingly because of the terrible taste of her food.

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Inuyasha sipped at his tea before setting it down besides a small teapot, which he had brought from home. "Hiya." came a voice from his side. Inuyasha glanced away from the students, and one group in particular, to the voice. He recognized that it was the young woman from the other day. She was leaning slightly with one hand against the table and holding a drink in her other "Hello." said Inuyasha gruffly. The woman beamed at him and extended the hand resting against the table, straightening as she did. "I'm Nyoko Sakata. I don't believe we met. I've been gone on a month long world trip. I was nominated to go to a few countries to speak at a several seminars meant to bring foreign countries together and I just got back Saturday. You're the substitute gym teacher aren't you?" Inuyasha gave her a wary look before taking her hand and shaking it. "Naya Shiro."

"Mind if I sit down?" she asked, unperturbed by his indifferent behavior. Inuyasha shrugged, returning his gaze to Kagome just in time to see her gagging while one of her friends patted her on the back. "Sure." he replied. She slid into the seat and turned towards him, stirring her drink with her straw. "So how do you rate our school compared to other schools you have taught at?" she asked, continuing to stir her drink. "It's the best I've ever taught at." he replied as he smirked, whether it was at the irony of his statement or the fact that one of Kagome's friends had accidentally drenched the girl with water as she tried to aid Kagome in her choking fit.

Miss Sakata raised an eyebrow. "You're just saying that aren't you?" Inuyasha shrugged and continued to watch Kagome. The girls had finally gotten a glass to her mouth without spilling it on her and Kagome had taken large gulps of it before gasping for air. The teacher was silent for a few seconds, still stirring her drink. "Something interesting going on?" she asked. "Something a lot more interesting than you." At least, that was what he WOULD have said if he hadn't resisted the urge. Inuyasha took a sip of his tea to keep himself from opening his big mouth. He turned his head to Miss Sakata before she could trace his gaze to a certain girl. "No." he replied. Apparently this woman wasn't going to get the hint that he didn't want to talk.

Her smile reappeared at the new attention. She took a sip of her drink from the straw and then set it down. "Have you had any problems with any of the students? I know some of them can be real buggers." she asked. Fond memories passed through Inuyasha's mind. Memories of soccer brutality mostly. "There were a few, but I took care of them." The female teacher thankfully didn't inquire on just how he had taken care of them, instead giving Inuyasha an once over in admiration. "I bet you did. Taro, excuse me you probably know him as Mr. Ishimaru, has told me he is very impressed with you. He commented on how the students seem a bit more healthy as of late. Who knows? Maybe if you stick around there may be a job for you next year." she said, giving him a wink at the last part as she made a graceful gesture with her left hand.

Inuyasha glanced quickly back to Kagome, who (though soggy) was watching the two of them with perhaps the vaguest hints of jealousy, or perhaps the result of nearly asphyxiating on cafeteria food. "What about the other guy?" asked Inuyasha, not even considering coming back to this school, or any school, once Kagome had graduated. A plate crashed somewhere in the distance. The noise level suddenly rose a few levels as several students began to yell, probably about the plate. Miss Sakata turned her head towards the distraction. "What in the world?" she asked to no one in particular as she witnessed a circle forming around a table in the Junior section of the cafeteria. It was near the border where the Senior tables were located.

The yelling intensified and the entire room turned to argument. Several teachers began to make their ways to the circle a few seconds before the scuffle broke out. The sound of chairs being knocked over and the contents of tables hitting the floor quickly followed. No one knew whose brilliant idea it was to start flinging food, but it quickly caught on. Several shrieks rose to amplify the already noisy room as a large number of the girls fled the food war, including Kagome and her friends. Huge globs of greasy food flew from all over the cafeteria, the scuffle turning into a free for all as the teachers tried in vain to stop the ruckus. Inuyasha stood, watching the fight. Miss Sakata also stood. By this time the walls were smeared with food and drinks, not to mention most of the remaining students and faculty. Finally, the warriors seemed to
tire of the battle and the food slowly stopped flying. When all others had stopped, one last projectile was thrown by a lone student somewhere in turmoil. The food, which turned out to be vanilla cake, hurtled through the air towards Inuyasha's table. "Oi, watch-" Inuyasha's warning came to late and the cake crashed into Miss Sakata's startled face. "Out." he finished. The woman stood still for a few tense moments before reaching up and scooping some of the icing off her face and popping it into her mouth. "Still think this is the best school you've ever taught at?" she asked.