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Just A Little Bit
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Kagome wiped her forehead with the back of her flour-caked palm, sighing heavily. Infront of her was a dessert cookbook propped up against the wall, displaying a complex recipe for cookies with reese cup pieces mixed in.
'It's worth it,' Kagome thought determinedly. 'I owe it to him.'
A newfound determination settling itself within her, Kagome crouched to the ground and stared at the baking cookies expectantly. They had to come out PERFECT.
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Coughing, Kagome pulled the cookie sheet from the oven, waving her hand in a miserable attempt to clear the air around her. Hastily she put the smoking baking platter onto the counter, flicking the fan on above the oven to suck up the smoke. Her gaze turned sadly to her failed cooking attempt.
"I don't get it," Kagome mumbled. "I was only away for five minutes. How did they burn?"
"... I think it's because your 'five minutes' was really 'thirty minutes', sis," Souta supplied, observing the smoking mass on the cookie sheet.
Kagome shot a glare at her brother. "Zip it, you!"
Souta shrugged before walking off. "Just making an observation..."
Kagome's attention returned to the burned cookies. "I guess I should clean this up..."
As Kagome scraped the abused cookies, which, she noted, resembled dried raisins, she sighed heavily. Now what would she give Kaijin?
"I'll just have to try again! And this time no goofing off while cooking." Kagome nodded to herself, reopened the cookbook, and proceeded to recreate the recipe.
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"If you keep that up your eyes will go bad."
Kagome made herself blink, having refused to remove her gaze, not even blink, as she monitored the cookies in the oven, then glared at her brother.
"Just making an observation, sis," came his repeated reply.
Muttering to herself, Kagome returned her gaze to the cookies, then glanced at the clock, then once more at the cookies. "I think they're done..." Taking the utmost care, Kagome removed the baked goodies from the oven, then carefully inspected them.
"They look edible."
"Do you WANT to die today, Souta?"
"Going." And with that he turned and left.
Kagome rolled her eyes. Brothers. "Better taste-test one, first." Cautiously picking up the still hot treat, Kagome popped it in her mouth and chewed thoughtfully. These were really good!
Grinning to herself, the young miko began to scoop the cookies off of the sheet and carefully place them on cooling racks.
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"Finally!" Kagome cried, tears in her eyes. "They're complete! And they aren't smoking!" Said cookies were placed in a plastic bag which was tied with a red ribbon around the top. They looked delicious, and Kagome was SURE that Kaijin would like them. It was the least she could do to repay him.
"Gotta hand it to you, Kagome, it looks great," Souta commented, grinning at his sister.
"Thanks, brat," Kagome replied cheerfully, ruffling her younger brothers hair, laughing as he sputtered in protest at the action.
"I agree with Souta, Kagome," Mrs. Higurashi nodded. "It looks great, sweetie, I'm sure Kaijin-kun will love them. By the way... what did you do with those burnt cookies?"
"They're in the trash, Mom. See?" Kagome stepped on the pedal to the garbage can, making the top open up. Instantly a cloud of smoke emerged from the container, making Kagome cough harshly.
"My GOD, sis! What did you do to those cookies!" Souta cried, covering his nose.
"I don't know!" Kagome's eyes were watering as she knotted the top of the garbage bag. "I'll take this out... it's a health hazard."
"Good idea, honey."
Kagome, holding the bag at arms length, walked out of the shrine, down the steps, and half-heartedly tossed the bag into the trash bins at the bottom. Idly she looked up at the sky, searching for the moon.
"It's the new moon tonight," Kagome murmured, realization dawning on her. "I hope Inuyasha is okay."
Turning, Kagome walked back up the steps so she could go to sleep, eager for lunch time tomorrow.
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"ACHOO!"
"Bless you," came the chorused reply from a very sour-looking Sango and Miroku.
"I em bo miberable," Inuyasha moaned, nose stuffy and affecting his speech.
"You're so what, Inuyasha?"
"Miberable."
"Manly?
"MIBERABLE!"
Miroku chuckled. This was FAR too easy.
Sango sighed. "I wish we had Kagome's medicine here... then we wouldn't have to listen to Inuyasha moan and sneeze all night. How come the ONE night she's not here you get sick?"
Inuyasha glared. "Buu just bait, Sungo, es sun es I get better I'll get buu."
"You'll WHAT?"
"Shut up end leabe me abone!"
"Whatever you say, Inuyasha."
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Kagome hummed as she walked to school. She had woken up on time and had all the time in the world to get to school. She swung the bag of cookies to and fro. Nothing could ruin her good mood today!
"Kagome-chan!"
"Hey!" Kagome waved, running to catch up with her friends and falling into step with them.
"Morning, Kagome-chan!" they chorused, continuing their conversation.
'Yes,' Kagome thought. 'Everything is perfect.'
"So, Kagome," Yuka said slyly, yanking the schoolgirl out of her thoughts, "how are things with Hane-san?"
"Oh! Um," Kagome blushed, fingers resting on her lips. "It's fine... he's really nice."
"Nicer than your two-timing jealous boyfriend?"
Kagome sweatdropped. "Well, um, you see--"
"So she's getting feelings for Hane-san," Eri butted in, exchanging glances with Yuka.
"Apparently so, but is that a good idea if she has a boyfriend?" Yuka replied.
"GIRLS!" Kagome shouted. "He is NOT my boyfriend. He never HAS been my boyfriend. And he's not two-timing." 'But he is jealous,' she added silently.
Her friends were silent, then began to squeal.
"We HAVE to get you and Hane-san together!" Eri declared, punching her fist into her hand.
Kagome groaned, hanging her head in defeat. "Honestly... it's like I have no say in my personal life."
"So you don't like him, Kagome-chan?" Ayumi asked, finally speaking.
"Ah! Err..." DID she have feelings for Kaijin-kun? Kagome looked at the ground as she walked, sorting everything out in her head. She did feel funny when she was around him, and he was very sweet and caring. "... maybe?"
Yuka grinned. "Then it's time for Operation: Hane and Higurashi!"
Kagome sighed. This was the price she paid for having excentric friends.
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Kagome stood on the tips of her toes, a hand above her eyes as she searched for Kaijin amongst the sea of students. Where WAS he?
"Oh, honestly," Kagome muttered. "It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack!"
A hand settled itself on her shoulder, making Kagome squeak and whirl around in surprise.
"Looking for someone?" Kaijin looked down at the raven-haired girl, smiling.
Kagome returned the smile. "Not anymore."
"Ready to eat?"
"Am I ever not?"
"How many questions can you ask?"
"How many can you ask?"
Kaijin chuckled, then lead Kagome to the tree where they always ate lunch now. Settling down, Kaijin pulled out his lunch and began to divide it between himself and the girl seated somewhat closely beside him.
"Oh, Kaijin-kun," Kagome said suddenly, pulling the bag of cookies from her bookbag. "I made these for you, y'know, as a thank you for helping me out with homework and for sharing your lunch. I hope they're okay, I kinda burned the first batch--long story that will haunt your dreams forever--but I think these came out okay and--"
Kaijin's hands were covering her own, encasing the cookies between her hands. He looked down at her kindly. "Thank you, Kagome-san. I'm sure they'll be amazing."
Kagome felt the heat rise in her cheeks, unable to break her gaze with Kaijin. "Ah--um..." She blushed a little more before finally breaking eye contact and pushing the cookies into his hands.
Kaijin set the cookies aside and handed Kagome a pair of chopsticks, then began to eat his share of lunch.
They ate in silence for a while before Kagome spoke again.
"You know, you don't have to add the '-san' to my name."
"Then what do you want me to call you?"
"I don't know... just... drop the '-san'. It makes me feel old."
"Kagome-chan, then? Or Gome-chan? Kag-chan?"
"'Gome-chan' is overused by my family, and I haven't heard anyone call me 'Kag' before so..."
"Kag-chan it is then."
Kagome smiled and nodded in response, finishing off her lunch. Idly she glanced over at Kaijin, waiting for him to taste the cookies so she could see his reaction.
Kaijin peered at Kagome out of the corner of his eye, noticing her slightly anxious look. Smiling he finished his lunch and agonizingly slowly grabbed the cookie bag and began to open it. Taking his sweet time he placed the cookie in his mouth, chewing so slowly it looked like someone had put time in mega-slow-motion.
Kagome fiddled with the hem of her skirt, nervously awaiting Kaijin's reaction to her cookies. What if they were nasty? What if he thought she couldn't cook and never talked to her again?
Kaijin broke out into a smile and looked at Kagome. "They're delicious. Here, eat some, I feel bad eating them by myself." He offered the bag to her.
Kagome smiled, delighted in his approval, and took a cookie, munching happily. "I was so nervous that you wouldn't like it!" she blurted, hardly noticing that she probably didn't have to share that information.
"Why were you nervous?"
Kagome slowed her chewing and looked down at her half-eaten cookie, thinking for a moment before answering. "I don't know... didn't wanna disappoint you I guess. And my mind was conjuring up every possible worst thing that could happen if you didn't like them."
"Like?"
"Like you never talking to me again and... stuff." Kagome suddenly became very aware that she was rambling and couldn't shut up.
Kaijin smiled, closing his eyes as he ate another cookie. "I can promise you, Kag-chan," he said between chewing, "that that is something that you never have to worry about. Nothing could make me not talk to you."
Kagome felt her blush return with a vengence. "O-Okay."
They finished lunch in a comfortable silence afterwards.
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