Bec: #Bec looks at the last update date and cringes# Gee, I'm really sorry about that…things have been pretty hectic…I've climbed Mount Fuji, #Here Bec smiles in slight pride# and of course having only two weeks left in beloved Japan and having to write farewell notes (in Japanese) has been eating into my time…and I started back at school today! Argh! #Bec pauses realising people didn't come here to hear her excuses# Ok, I'll leave it with I'm sorry…but here's another chapter! Hope you enjoy!
Moonmagicks: Oh, your reviews always leave me with a happy glow! #Bec smiles fondly as she rereads the review# And for you I'll most definitely change the little mark things! I had wondered about it before, so thanks for clarifying! () I'm glad you liked the last chappie…I had a bit of trouble with it, it made me angry and we had a fight…I still have the scars…#Bec frowns, then brightens# however all is now well! Enjoy!
SeeC: Thanks for the review…I know this doesn't qualify as 'soon' but please don't hurt me…#Bec holds out a conciliatory cookie (with a cherry on top!)# Enjoy this overdue chapter!
Maruchan-Ramen: Firstly, you're welcome for the review! #Bec smiles brightly# I'm glad you're enjoying my 'rollicking' tale (as my good old English teacher would have said!) And hope you like this next chapter! (Oh, and I liked Sango's musing too! ;))
Rach: Well, isn't she lazy? I mean, honestly, if she was in the same country as me I would be pummelling her telling her to update, but as it is I can only sigh and shake my head #Rachel sighs and shakes her head# Anyway where was I? It's been so long I almost forget…oh yes, Bec may wish she owns Inu & Co. but she doesn't and #Rach smiles evilly# never will!
From Chapter 7…
He could almost feel Inu's eyes on him speaking louder than words, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING, YOU MORON?" He continued walking and when he got to the back all faces turned to him and he took a deep breath. He leant over and whispered in Kagome's ear. She smiled back at him nodded and got up, picking up her bag. Kikyou looked back in shock as she walked away her Miko powers now ebbing away even as she fought to hold them together. Then her eyes widened and lit up, and she smiled, she saw that Inu was in the seat next to Miroku, and assumed that Kagome would be taking his seat. 'Inu baby, come back to me, you know you want to.' She thought. Now checking her reflection in the window, then from down the bus she heard a "WHAT!" And swung back round.
Chapter 8The sight that met her eyes was, if you looked at it objectively, quite hilarious. However, she was not objective, and to her, it was not hilarious. She could see a fuming Inuyasha, a calm looking Miroku and a slightly embarrassed looking Kagome. Inuyasha had stood rapidly, and was now slightly hunched having hit his head on the overhanging bag rack. Miroku was standing holding his stuff and had just stowed Kagome's away for her. This meant only one thing to Kikyou, her plan was ruined, Miroku was coming to sit next to her, and that meant…her brain suddenly grasped the other implication. 'Kagome will be sitting next to MY Inu.' Her thoughts whirled frantically, the only thing she could think of was how much she was going to…well, do something, to Kagome, and at the earliest opportunity. She smiled wickedly, 'I know someone who can help me,' she thought. She then resigned herself to a boring trip, until a thought struck her, a wonderful thought…
-----With Sango-----
With a start Sango noticed her brother had disappeared from sight. She looked around wondering if he had merely wandered to the other end of the park. Suddenly she felt someone poke her on either side, hard. She jumped a mile and whirled to face…the mischievous eyes of her brother. She swallowed and tried to rally her thoughts, 'Wow, I never noticed how much his eyes resemble the houshi's before', she swallowed again. 'Oh great, so now you just can't stop thinking about him?' A second mental voice intruded dripping with sarcasm. She could just imagine what the houshi would say if he knew that…wait no, stop, she was NOT imagining anything to do with the houshi. She shook her head firmly, and was glad the glint from her brother's eyes had gone when she looked back. On the contrary he looked a little concerned.
"Are you ok sis?" He queried.
"Yeah, fine," she smiled slightly evilly before adding, "however my health shouldn't be your concern at this moment in time."
Kohaku's eyes widened as he realised the implication in her words. "But, I…" he faltered, backing away slightly as Sango slowly stepped forward.
"Bring forth your defense," she uttered, 'Not that it'll make any difference, I'm going to chase you and tickle you to death anyway' She thought, smirking slightly.
Kohaku gulped, looking at his slightly smirking sister, and holding his hands out palms facing her, trying his best to keep calm. "Well, you see…the thing is…"
"I'm waiting", Sango emphasised this with an overt foot tapping. 'Oh this should be priceless, I wonder what he'll come up with this time.' Last time it had been something about flying purple spotted llamas if she remembered correctly. She repressed a grin, and focused on her I'm-going-to-get-you-anyway stance.
Kohaku smiled suddenly and his eyes gleamed with triumph, 'Yes, I've got it!' he exulted. "Oh, nothing, never mind." He looked away but tried to keep half an eye on Sango.
Sango was intrigued despite herself, and the knowledge that her brother was probably playing her. "No, come on, spill. What is it?"
"Well," A small smile played at the corner of his lips, "If you want to get home in time for your phone call with Kags then we should really leave…like now."
Sango froze and looked down at her watch. 'No way!' Her brain screamed that there had to be a mistake, what had she been doing for two whole hours? 'Do you really want me to answer that question?' the second voice was back and full of mirth. 'No, no, no, no, no, no, no,' she thought frantically, 'because I could…' She concentrated on ignoring the voice and the blush that threatened her cheeks, and turned towards home. She began to run, knowing that Kohaku would follow.
Kohaku smiled, at least this once he had managed to get himself out of trouble. He started to jog, and wondered what she had been musing on, on the swing. With a slightly knowing smile that looked beyond his years, he thought it mighthave had something to do with his subtle question at lunchtime. He congratulated himself on a job well done.
-----Back on the bus-----
Sesshoumaru's eyes followed Miroku leisurely, yet purposeful wander to the back of the bus. He wondered what the boy had planned. He watched carefully as the boy leant over to whisper something to the strange miko, who couldn't really be a miko he reminded himself. 'I would know.' 'Oh would you now?' He internally groaned, as the voice once again returned to taunt him. Why was it even there anyway? 'And by the way,' the voice continued, 'that was most definitely a groan, which is, in case you forgot, emotion.' Sesshoumaru seethed. He gave a quick last expressionless glance at the back seat where the Miko's energy ball lost cohesion as the two walked away, and once more glared out the window. What was wrong with him? 'Do you really want me to answer that question?' He once again ignored the voice and focussed on the trees outside the window, his composure giving nothing away of his anger. He suddenly heard an ear splitting "WHAT!" He recognised his pathetic half-breed brother's voice, and silently disapproved. He had no control, none whatsoever. His eyes flicked over to his worthless sibling's seat, to discover what could possibly warrant such an outburst. There he saw an angry Inuyasha, sporting a lump on his head. It warmed his heart. He noted that Miroku had his things in his hand, and Kagome's were now in Miroku's place. He smirked his trademark smirk. So, his weakling half-brother was getting saddled with the girl. Once again, predictable human behaviour, once again, an act of love. Sesshoumaru's eyes caught Rin's staring at him speculatively, as if she knew what he was thinking. It unnerved him. 'No, not unnerved,' he thought, he was perfectly fine, completely normal, and most definitely not unnerved by the 16 year old Rin sitting next to him. 'Whatever you say.' The voice added insidiously, with what he could've sworn was a smirk. He looked back out the window, pondering inventive ways to cause excruciating pain to the insidious voice.
'Is Miroku going to help Kagome?' Rin silently wondered, and watched as he leant over and whispered something in Kagome's ear. She saw Kagome smile and nod, then get up and follow Miroku back down the bus. 'OH! He's giving her his seat, how sweet!' Rin's thoughts were brought up short by the feeling emanating from Sesshoumaru, he was holding himself rigidly and his eyes were smouldering. He was once again glaring out the window and Rin quickly suppressed a smile, and jumped slightly as she heard Inuyasha yelling. She saw Sesshoumaru's eyes flick to the scene, and the ghost of a smile grace his lips. She looked over, and wondered if he felt superior to Inuyasha, it certainly seemed that way. She would have used the word aloof, were it not for the conversation she had had with him earlier. 'He does have a personality,' she thought, turning once again to look at him, 'and from the looks of things I'd say he's enjoying Inuyasha's frustration.' He looked back and caught her eyes, she could almost feel his discomfort. 'But why?' she wondered, as he looked away again. Determined to find out, she too turned to her own thoughts, vaguely watching as Miroku explained in a quiet voice what was going on, and jerked a thumb at the back of the bus. Inuyasha looked, replied quickly and sat back down, obviously disgruntled. Miroku wandered past again, his face looking like a man who realises that despite his personal preferences must partake of his duty.
-----Meanwhile-----
He placed the finishing touches to the competition, despite the fact that it really was of little consequence. He already knew who would be participating in his little 'game'. He smiled languidly, and stretched, before beginning to compile a list of names he had gathered, from various sources, of those who would be attending his special course. His eyes ran down the list once it was completed, and he decided he'd do one final check once the girls were home. He glanced at his watch and smiled, only a few hours now and they'd be back, and he could share with them some of his plan. He sat back and scanned though the list once more. 'The Taisho brothers, Miroku, the twins, Kikyou, Kouga' He wondered if there would be any others he would have to add at the girls' insistence, not that it would really matter. He lip curled and he sat back to wait for the call.
-----Back on the bus further up the front-----
Kagome stood slightly embarrassed as Inuyasha jumped up, smacked his head on the bag rack, whilst yelling "WHAT?" When she saw a slight lump she forced back a giggle whilst thinking 'Serves you right, you hot-tempered…' her mental voice trailed off as she realised Miroku was explaining. How could he stay so calm? She focused on what her brother was saying and found a spark of hope.
"Ok, Inu, here's the deal," Miroku began quietly, "I'm not going to sit here and let Kags take the brunt of those up the back, so I'm going to let her have my seat and I'll sit up there." Inuyasha looked at him like he was crazy. "Either that or you can go sit back there," he jerked his thumb up the back, indicating the vacant seat.
Inu took a quick glance up the back and mumbled, "I'll be right." Whilst slumping back into his seat.
"I thought you'd say that." Miroku mumbled under his breath, and moved off towards the back of the bus. Kagome slid into the seat next to a now mumbling Inuyasha and decided that she really didn't want to be sitting next to him. 'But anything's better than Kikyou and Kouga, I guess' she mused, trying to forget the incident this morning, when he had been so snide.
Inu looked back to where Miroku had indicated with his thumb and wanted to scream in frustration. Great, so he was stuck between Miroku's new love; or his old one. The glance however had made up his mind. He slumped into his seat in defeat, "I'll be right," he muttered, and watched as Miroku headed up the back. There was no way in the bluest of blue moons he was going to have gone and sat up there with, he shuddered, Kikyou. 'I can't believe I went out with her for over a year,' he mentally sighed, berating himself…again. 'I thought it'd be good, dating someone who knew all about demons, etc. I thought maybe she would accept for who I was. But no, all she wanted was for me to be human. I couldn't ever relax around her, let my disguise slip, she always wanted me to find that magical Shikon no tama, just to change for her.' He found himself getting frustrated and angry, and so to stop thinking about Kikyou he looked at Kagome. She looked just as uncomfortable as he felt, and was gazing across the aisle out of the opposite window. He wondered what she was thinking, and also thought that she must like 'Roku a lot to put up with his wandering eye…and hand. Then a thought struck him. He never had gotten a satisfactory answer on the her/'Roku question. Now seemed as good a time as any…Inu cleared his throat, and Kagome looked at him.
"Well…" Inu paused, "So what is really going on with you and 'Roku?" Kagome opened her mouth to answer, and Inu added quickly, "and don't give me that 'brother/sister' thing, because I ain't buying it." Kagome then closed her mouth, and appeared to sink into thought. 'Gee, just answer my question already,' Inu thought, 'although it's not like I care.' 'You don't huh?' Inuyasha mentally rolled his eyes, 'Oh here we go, wonderful, let's hear your insightful wisdom.' He retorted. 'On second thoughts, just shut up, I don't want to know what you think' he added Kagome then prevented the other voice from continuing as she turned to him, her eyes glinting menacingly, "In that case I've got nothing to tell you," she said and resumed staring out of the opposite window. 'Um, now might be a good time to close your mouth,' the voice responded, the hint of a snigger tainting it. 'Shut up!' Inuyasha snapped back and looked out his window. 'Wonderful,' he thought sourly, 'now I get an awkward silence, not that I really care.' He watched, and was silently thankful when, after 20 minutes of silence, they pulled into the service station for lunch. 'Thank goodness, only one hour left, maybe I can get another seat for the rest of the trip.' He thought, hopefully looking towards the standing teacher.
After looking out of the window for a few moments she heard him clearing his throat, and sought to keep irritation from writing itself plainly on her features. 'If he asks me again what's going on with Miroku…' she thought menacingly, just as she heard the offensive question, whose answer he had rebuffed earlier that day. She opened her mouth to respond that she'd already told him, when he threw in the 'I don't believe you line'. She closed her mouth, to stop her thoughts from flooding out. 'Why you…' she began, 'If you don't want to know the truth, I don't care, but stop asking if you're not going to accept it.' She calmed herself, subconsciously (and unknowingly) drawing a soothing power from her inner being. However she couldn't conceal the ice in her eyes when she turned and answered smoothly, "In that case I've got nothing to tell you." She returned to looking out the opposite window, 'of all the arrogant, pig headed jerks…' She corralled her thoughts and sat, aware of the stretching uncomfortable silence looming ominously. 'Great' she thought bitterly, 'now I get an awkward silence, not that I really care.' Her mind worked furiously, but she was glad to see the service station after twenty long minutes of silence. 'Thank goodness, only one hour left, maybe I can get another seat for the rest of the trip.' She thought, hopefully looking towards the standing teacher.
"Ok, everyone off the bus, you have half an hour, then back here pronto. And," he added warningly, "I'm telling you now, no switching seats, or there'll be big trouble." He looked around, his eyes twinkling with innocent mischief.
Kagome and Inuyasha groaned simultaneously, and then looked at each other startled. 'What the?' they both thought, before making their way off the bus, and into the service station with everyone else. Both were thinking that their teacher, Iizuka sensei, was having way too much fun with his students' pain.
Bec: Ok, I'm sorry, I was going to keep going, but the chapter seems to have ended there of its own accord…(do other people's chapters ever do that?) so I'll leave it there and (hopefully) update again soon! #Bec looks apologetically around at everyone# I'll try to make sure it's not as late as this one was:s Ok, well all of you take care, and I love you all for reading (even if you don't review!), until next time! Byee!
