Different Sides of the Track
Chapter 11: Beach Woes and Bonfires
Kagome called ahead and talked to her mother for the first time in two month. Yes, she had been gone for two full months already. The phone conversation was full of tears and assurances as Kagome filled her mother in on what had happened. She was worried, as any mother would have been, but she knew that Kagome was trained and it sounded as though she could take care of herself.
"Alright mom thanks, we'll see you tomorrow then, ok? Bye."
Kagome flipped her cell phone closed. She turned around and walked into the living area of InuYasha's apartment. Sango, Miroku, Ayame, Shippo, Kouga, and InuYasha were all watching television. Kagome cleared her throat, and InuYasha turned off the television, focusing on her. Everyone else did as well.
"My mom has invited all of us to stay at our family's old beach house. We can stay as long as we want, my mom will only be there until Tuesday, the day after tomorrow. Then we have the whole house and beach to ourselves."
Cheers were heard throughout the room. Kagome smiled.
"Who's car are you taking? I'm taking my motorcycle, and Shippo is gonna ride with me. InuYasha is gonna take his new convertible. What about the rest of you?"
"I'm taking my truck. Sango can ride with me."
"Ayame and I can take my new mustang."
"Ok then. Should we leave tomorrow?"
"Of course!"
"Then go home and pack."
Everyone crowded out of the room. Sango said she would meet Kagome at her apartment once she was done packing. Kagome waved and put Shippo on her shoulder. She gave InuYasha a quick kiss and left. InuYasha grinned to himself and went into his room to pack.
The next morning was an early one. Everyone met at Kagome's apartment. They needed to follow Kagome to the house. They would rest if they wanted to, but most likely, Kagome would catch up with her mom while the rest of the group unpacked. Kagome had a feeling that Shippo would instantly be hooked on video games, which Souta would defiantly have enough of.
Everyone climbed into their said vehicles, with Kagome on her Cycle in front. Shippo sat in her lap, leaning back into her asleep. She took off, everyone falling in line behind her.
Driving for 40 minutes straight got them halfway there. They stopped for a quick lunch and then got back on the road, with InuYasha and Shippo riding together. It took another 45 minutes before they got to the house, and when they did, they were met with a very happy and elegant looking lady. Kagome got off her bike, and ran to her mother.
They embraced while everyone else got out of their cars. They waited in silence while Kagome and her mother had a whispered conversation. Kagome trotted over to the group, a small smile on her face.
"Be quiet as you go inside. Souta is still sleeping. There are three guest rooms. We have to choose who goes where, but we can do that later. Grab your stuff, the front door is right around the corner."
InuYasha and Kagome walked around to the trunk of InuYasha's car. She grabbed her smallest bag, and was about to reach for her other bag when InuYasha knocked her hand away.
"What type of a boyfriend would I be if I made my girlfriend carry her heavy bags?"
He winked and gave her a quick kiss. She smiled and waited, then closed the trunk and walked into the house next to him. Sango and Miroku claimed one of the rooms already, and when they peeked inside, both were asleep. Sango's head on Miroku's chest with Miroku's arm around her shoulders. They smiled and moved on to the next room.
Ayame and Kouga had claimed that one. Their door however was locked. Kagome was just glad that her mom had gotten thick doors and walls. They came to InuYasha's room.
He walked inside and set down his bags. He looked at Kagome and was surprised to see that she hadn't set hers down as well.
"Aren't you gonna stay in here with me? All the other couples are paired together."
Kagome looked nervous. She looked down the hall to keep her vision off of InuYasha. She blushed when she realized that her mother was standing not 5 feet away. Her mother gave her a quick smile and motioned to the room. Kagome smiled in return, thanking her mother for permission to sleep in the same room as InuYasha.
Kagome turned and walked in. InuYasha gave her a hug, then kissed her while closing the door partway. Kagome's mother peeked in a few minutes later to find both of them sleeping. Kagome was wrapped in InuYasha's arms. InuYasha looked happy. Both were still fully clothed she was glad to see. It was apparent that her daughter had finally fallen in love.
Everyone slept most of the afternoon away. Sango and Miroku were the first to wake up.
"Miroku, I'm a little hungry, are you?"
"Yeah, a little. Shall we go to the kitchen?"
"If you don't think Kagome would mind."
"I'm sure she wouldn't, as long as we stay quiet."
Miroku grabbed Sango's hand to help her up, and they walked down the hall, towards what they assumed would be the kitchen.
Turning into yet another hallway, they finally found their destination. Mrs. Higurashi was already there, standing next to the stove. She turned as the two entered the kitchen.
"Hello. What are your names?"
"Hello Mrs. Higurashi. My name is Sango, and this is my boyfriend Miroku. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Sango gave a polite bow while Miroku went up to Mrs. Higurashi and kissed her hand.
"Oh, no need to be so formal. You can call me Kinoke. Are you hungry?"
Miroku's stomach answered that question as it let off a loud growl. Mrs. Higurashi smiled and motioned to the kitchen table.
"What would you like to eat? Please, make yourself comfortable."
Sango and Miroku sat, both thinking on what it was that they could ask for without being rude. They were interrupted however, when Kouga and Ayame entered the room.
"Man, that took awhile. Kagome sure has a lot of different rooms in this place."
Ayame smiled at Kouga, then looked at Miroku and Sango.
"You two hungry also?"
"Yeah, and Kinoke offered to make us something to eat."
"Kinoke…? Who's she?"
"That would be me dear. I'm Kagome's mother. And you are?"
"I am Ayame. This is Kouga. Thank you very much for letting us stay here."
"Yes, we needed a break. You have a very nice home, Mrs. Higurashi."
Both wolf Youkai bowed.
"Like I told Miroku and Sango, there is no need for you to be so formal. You can call me Kinoke. Take a seat and I'll make you something to eat. What do you all want?"
"Um.."
"I'll have uh.."
"Maybe.."
"Ramen!"
Everyone jumped at the loud voice and turned to the doorway. InuYasha was standing there, his arm around Kagome, and a puppy dog look on his face.
"Please? Ramen?"
Kagome did a hesitant smile and nodded to her mother. She walked to the table and sat down. All of the chairs were full now, and Kinoke was making ramen for everyone. Kagome looked around the table, puzzled.
"Where's Shippo?"
"He's playing video games in Souta's room. Souta seems to like him."
Kagome nodded and went back to the conversation the people at the table were having.
"So InuYasha, you never told us what Sesshomaru got us."
"Huh? He didn't get us anything."
"So we got him that kimono for no reason! He said he would get us a battle with Naraku!"
"Oh yeah that. Yeah he got us that."
"What time?"
"On the fifth of next month…"
"Where?"
"Naraku's private training grounds."
"So then why the hell are we sitting here at the beach mutt face! Shouldn't we be training?"
"No. Naraku doesn't know that we're the ones challenging him. We cant let him think otherwise either. So we are taking a nice vacation. God knows we need it."
A bowl of ramen was placed in front of each of them. They said a quick thank you, before digging in. InuYasha was done first, and waited for the others to finish. He glanced outside and noticed it was dark. He let a sad sigh come out. Kagome noticed and asked what was wrong.
"It's just that it's already dark, so we can't go out to the beach. I really wanted to too."
Kagome smiled and looked at her mom again.
"Is the old fire pit still there mom?"
"Yes hon. And there are a few bundles of wood near the back door. Do you want marshmallows?"
Everyone nodded and grinned. Mrs. Higurashi got out two bags of marsh mellows, a lot of chocolate, and a box of graham crackers.
"Well here you go. Matches, s'mores, and the pokers. Have fun. Do you want me to send out Shippo?"
"Nah, it's ok. He can just hang out with Souta."
A roaring bonfire could be seen from 2 miles down the beach. Well that was probably exaggerated. When you walked closer, you would notice three groups of two sitting around the fire talking and enjoying each other's company. An empty marshmallow bag sat a few inches away, held down by a rock. As the wind started to pick up, the groups of people went inside. The fire slowly dwindled, till it was only embers left for the next nights' bonfire.