Gods, I feel so sick, that it's not even funny. Plus I have work, School, and other crap in my life. I've decided just continue with this story, maybe if I feel a little bit better after my finals I'll make a continuation or just continue with this one. Anyway, I feel so tired, but hell I can't sleep, so I decided to work on my next chap. Sigh, I could really use a hot chocolate right now. Anyway, enough of me . . . onward!
Winter Wonderland
Chapter Twenty-Five
Kagome stared out her bedroom window as she watched the snow falling from the darken sky. School had been a completely total wreck for her, and everyday she dreaded going back. All the whispering, people turning their backs on her, and the teachers giving her odd looks, although they never said a word, but their eyes said it all. She just couldn't understand what everyone's problem was. Some girls would sometimes drop school since they were engaged and got pregnant, but why were they treating her like she was one of them. Her and Inu-Yasha had agreed not to have any more 'moments' until she was done school, and not to get married till summer. However she was starting to have second thoughts. (I'm not sure how school goes in Japan with semesters and what not, so I'm just going to stick with what I know) At the end of January she would have all of her 100 credits, and all her main subjects dealt with, the next semester would mainly be just extra courses that she didn't need. Ayumi had had a talk with her the other day about school . . . .
~Flash Back~
"Kagome?" asked Ayumi.
Kagome didn't look at Ayumi; she just kept staring into the bathroom mirror.
"I hate to say it, but with all the rumors going around, I doubt next semester will be any better,"
Kagome sighed, "I know . . . but I don't know what to do . . ."
"Well at least Hojo hasn't been acting weird like he did at the ski lodge,"
"Yeah, I've been wondering about that," sighed Kagome.
"You know, what do you have next semester?"
"Foods, Drama, Math 31, and Biology 30," (I HATE BIOLOGY!!!!!!!)
"Well . . . you don't really need them do you?"
"What are you saying?"
"Well, you'll have enough credits to graduate at the end of the semester, you could be done after that,"
"You think my mom would agree with that?"
"I suggested it to her, and she thought it was a great idea, but it was up to you,"
~End of Flash Back~
Kagome sighed. Shortly after that, she had gone to the office to ask if she could finish school after this semester. They said she could, however just by looking in their eyes, she knew what they were really thinking. Thinking she was getting out of school because she was pregnant, or something like that. She would be finished school in less than two and a half weeks. Then she would be free . . . free from the torment at school. Kagome smiled as she felt movement from behind her, and two arms snaking around her waist.
"You're awake,"
"I have been for a while," Kagome whispered.
Inu-Yasha smiled and rested his head on his mates shoulder, "What are you thinking about?"
"On what I decided,"
"Do you still want to go to school?"
"No, I'm . . . I'm tired of my classmates . . . well . . . you know what I mean,"
The half demon nodded, "You know what?"
"Hmmm?"
"You look cute wearing my shirt,"
Kagome giggled as she wrapped the red fire rat shirt tighter around her body, "It's just really warm,"
Inu-Yasha only chuckled and pulled Kagome towards him, pulling the thick blankets back so she could crawl in next to him. Kagome wrapped her arms around Inu-Yasha's neck.
"Are you warmer now?" questioned the half demon.
"A lot warmer now," whispered Kagome.
Inu-Yasha smirked and started to kiss and nibble on Kagome's neck.
"Don't you think it's strange though?"
"What?"
"Hojo . . ."
"What did he do to you?" asked Inu-Yasha, sitting up suddenly.
"No, he hasn't done anything. That's the thing though, he's been acting like . . . well his old self I guess,"
"Old self?"
"Well before we went to the cabin, he was always kind, and dim-witted a little, but he was never mean or anything like he was at the cabin,"
"Well how has he been acting when you went to school?"
"He says hi to me, but he doesn't talk behind my back like the others do,"
"So what are you trying to say? That something was possessing him at the cabin?"
"Maybe, I don't know, everything is so confusing,"
Inu-Yasha chuckled, "Well then let's not talk about this anymore,"
Kagome nodded and snuggled more closely to Inu-Yasha's chest, "Are you going to go get Shippo tomorrow?"
"Maybe . . ." Inu-Yasha sat up slightly so he could brush his lips against Kagome's as he moved his body on top of hers, "I kind of like us being alone,"
"It has been nice hasn't it?"
"Yeah, but I did promise the brat I would bring him,"
"Yes you did, and I'm sure Shippo is holding you to your word,"
"Well then if this is our last night alone, then I'm not going to waste it," smiled Inu-Yasha, kissing Kagome lightly on the lips.
"Again?" whispered Kagome.
"Well with Shippo here do you think I'll be able to touch you like this?"
"I guess not," sighed Kagome as her hands ran over Inu-Yasha's bare back, sending shivers down his spine. She could hear Inu-Yasha growl lovingly at her as he ran his hands over the mate mark on her neck, and then looked down at the ring on her left hand.
"You know, I can't wait to make you my wife," whispered Inu-Yasha.
"Then you'll be my husband," Kagome giggled.
Inu-Yasha leaned down again and started to kiss Kagome harder, his hands rubbing her hips. Kagome kissed her mate back while her hands wandered up to his cute fuzzy ears. She could feel Inu-Yasha kiss her harder, and pressing his body more firmly to hers when she hit a certain sensitive spot on his ear.
"Kagome?"
Both of them froze as they heard Mrs. Higurashi at Kagome's door, "Um, yes mom?"
The door suddenly opened, "I was just wondering . . . oh gods!" Mrs. Higurashi slammed the door shut, "What the hell were you two doing?"
Inu-Yasha wrapped on of the blankets around him and handed Kagome one too.
"Mom? Are you still there?" asked Kagome as she opened the door slightly.
"Yes, why didn't you two tell me you were busy?"
Both of them blushed a deep red.
"I just wanted to ask if you were going to school tomorrow?"
"Yeah I am, um what time is it?"
"Almost midnight, sorry you two I was just heading to bed, I'll leave you alone now,"
Kagome watched as her mother disappeared down the hall. Inu-Yasha sighed and picked Kagome up in his arms and carried her back to bed.
"That kind of ruined the moment," sighed Kagome.
Inu-Yasha just chuckled, "Oh I don't know about that . . ." he whispered, as he licked her neck.
"Inu-Yasha . . ."
"When are you going to get off that birth control stuff?"
"Why are you asking that?"
"You know why . . . we've been over this . . ."
"I know . . ."
"So . . ."
"I'm already off them,"
If Kagome could have seen in the dark she would have seen the biggest smirk on the half demons face. Inu-Yasha leaned forward, and continued what they had started moments before.
Moments Later
Exhausted Inu-Yasha rested his head on Kagome's chest as he tried to regain his breath. Kagome's arm wrapped around his head, while her other hand played with his hair, and petting his head as she too tried to regain her breath. Her hair was damp with sweat and as she ran her fingers through her loves hair, it was slightly damp as well.
"I love you," whispered Kagome as she felt sleep tugging at her eyes.
"I love you too, my mate," Inu-Yasha whispered back as he wrapped his tired arms around her waist and drifted off into a peaceful sleep, soon to be followed by his mate.
Kagome walked down the school hallways as usual with Ayumi by her side, and she kept her eyes straight ahead, ignoring the looks and whispers as she passed her fellow classmates.
"We just have one more class left," sighed Ayumi.
"I know," Kagome whispered as they walked into the classroom to see Hojo standing there.
"Higurashi," said Hojo, standing up.
"Hi," said Kagome.
"Don't you get it Hojo, Kagome is with Inu-Yasha right now, why don't you just back off?" asked Ayumi.
"That's what I wanted to talk to you two about . . . but not right now, after school,"
"What?" asked Kagome.
The bell rang out through out the school.
"I'll explain later, but meet me in the Library after school," whispered Hojo as he took his seat near the back.
Kagome and Ayumi glanced at each other before taking their seat near the front. More students poured into the room and giggled and snickered as they passed by Kagome and Ayumi. The teacher entered in a few seconds later and began the Physics class. Kagome tried to pay attention to Nuclear Activity, however she couldn't ignore the whispers behind her. So instead she thought of what the heck Hojo would want to talk about after school, but at least she would have Ayumi there with her.
Kagome waited silently as she sat in one of the Library chairs, while Ayumi was examining one of the new books.
"Wow, I never thought someone could fit over seventy-five straws in their mouth,"
"What the heck are you reading?" asked Kagome.
"Book of world records, and hey the longest kiss was over twenty-four hours,"
Kagome giggled and continued to watch the front doors, "Do you think he'll show up?"
"Most likely, or we can just go home,"
"Yeah, well I still have to do some more studying for my tests,"
"Don't we all," sighed Ayumi.
"Higurashi?"
Kagome and Ayumi looked towards the doors to see Hojo walking towards them.
"Hojo, so what is it you wanted to talk to us about?" asked Kagome.
Hojo took a seat at one of the tables, and Kagome and Ayumi copied his action, sitting across from him, "It's about the two weeks we were at the mountains,"
"So you're finally going to apologize for what you did?" asked Ayumi.
"I guess, but I have to ask you guys something first . . . what did I do?"
"What?" asked Kagome and Ayumi in unison.
"In all honesty I don't have a . . . a single memory of those two weeks. One minute I'm packing for my vacation, and the next, I'm being punched and beaten to death by some dark haired long man. I didn't know who he was at first, but when I saw your fiancé walk in almost a week ago, I recognized his voice, and it scared the hell out of me,"
"So wait a minute, you're telling us that you don't have a clue what you did?" asked Ayumi.
"Nothing, I even asked my brother since he was there, and he also didn't know what was going on either. He told me he was just at home, but when he picked up the phone everything went blank, until he woke up from one hell of a beating like me,"
Kagome and Ayumi were silent as they stared at one another.
"So, did I do something really bad?" asked Hojo.
Kagome sighed, "I think it would be best if you came home with me, and I'll have Inu-Yasha and I explain everything,"
"Do you think Inu-Yasha will be able to control himself?" asked Ayumi.
"I always have the word,"
Ayumi giggled, "So you say you don't remember anything?"
"Nothing,"
"Kagome would you mind if I came home with you too? Maybe the four of us can try and figure out what the hell is going on,"
"Yes, I think that would be a good idea," said Kagome, getting up from her seat.
Ayumi also stood up along with Hojo. The three left the school and headed to Sunset Shrine (That's Kagome's family shrine, or at least what they call it in the manga I'm holding in my hand right now). Kagome walked to her front door with Ayumi and Hojo right behind her. A note on the door told Kagome her family would be out for the rest of the afternoon, and that Inu-Yasha was taking a nap on the couch.
"Inu-Yasha! I'm home!" called Kagome.
"It's about time . . . hey! Why do I smell Hojo?" screamed Inu-Yasha as he stomped to the front door.
Hojo cringed back in fear, but Kagome blocked the half demons path, "I'll explain everything when we all get inside!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Inu-Yasha didn't say anything as he stared back from Kagome, to Ayumi, and then finally to Hojo, "So you're telling me he doesn't remember a thing?"
"No, not one thing. We questioned him the whole way here and he didn't know what we were talking about," sighed Ayumi.
"So what are you guys thinking then?"
"What?" asked Hojo.
"You smell different,"
"I beg your pardon?" asked Hojo.
"You smell different from the last time we met at the ski lodge, at the banquet,"
"What are you trying to say?"
"I don't know if this makes sense, but do you think Hojo might have been possessed?" asked Ayumi.
"It is possible, I mean we've seen it many times in the feudal era," said Kagome.
"Well he wasn't possessed by any demon, I would have smelled that right away," said Inu-Yasha.
"But that's impossible, I don't remember being possessed," said Hojo.
"Of course you wouldn't. However, if Hojo was possessed by someone, who would it be?" asked Kagome.
"I think what we need to think about is why Hojo was possessed," added Inu-Yasha.
"What are you thinking?" asked Ayumi.
Inu-Yasha was silent for a moment before he spoke, "Its obvious Hojo's main objective at the cabin was to break Kagome and I apart,"
"True, but if what Hojo is saying is true, then he would have been possessed before we reached the mountains," said Kagome.
"And, the person possessing Hojo would of have known, that Inu-Yasha was going with you," added Ayumi.
"Kagome, did you tell anyone that I was coming with you?" asked Inu-Yasha.
"Well mother knew, and I told Ayumi, Yuka, and Eri before we left, and that's about it,"
Ayumi's eyes widened, "So . . . do you think it was Yuka and Eri who is behind this?"
"No it couldn't be them," said Kagome.
"But weren't they the ones who started this whole thing at school? To be honest Kagome no one knew you were engaged, everyone was just surprised by Inu-Yasha's looks. No one knew until Yuka and Eri made that big commotion in the hallway,"
"So perhaps it was them," said Hojo.
"Okay, let's think about this. Whoever want to break you two up, used Hojo to do that, however nothing seemed to work," said Ayumi.
"Yeah," whispered Kagome.
"Then the one possessing Hojo heard that Inu-Yasha wasn't human, so they some how phoned Hojo's brother, possessed him too, and planned for Brad to come to the lodge and kill Inu-Yasha with the scrolls," added Ayumi.
"Which means, the one that had to be possessing Hojo would of have to been near him almost all the time," said Inu-Yasha.
Everyone was silent once again as they sat in the Higurashi living room.
"Hojo, did you talk to anyone the morning you were leaving for your trip?" asked Ayumi.
"If I did, I don't remember," sighed Hojo.
"Then whoever is doing this possessing, can do it over the phone?" asked Kagome.
"Must be some sort of chant or something like that, I mean we've seen it before," added Inu-Yasha.
"So who is it then? Yuka? Or Eri?" asked Hojo.
"Wait! How do we know it was them? I mean they are . . . well they were my friends," whispered Kagome.
"They were to only ones close to Hojo on the whole vacation, so it's either one of the two, or both," said Ayumi, crossing her arms.
Kagome sighed, "I just don't understand why they would do that? Were they really worried about me being with Inu-Yasha, or was it something else?"
"Maybe we can find out," whispered Inu-Yasha.
"What?" asked Kagome.
"We could check out their houses I suppose, but we would only be able to check out one,"
"So we have to decide which one is the more guilty one," sighed Ayumi.
"Well let's think about this. At the ski lodge both Eri and Yuka were there," said Kagome.
"But then they took off when Hojo started to lose his temper," added Inu-Yasha.
"Okay, what about other times?" asked Hojo.
"Well, at the snowball fight they were both there, at the skating rink they were both there, even at the swimming pool they were both there," said Kagome.
"Well at the mall they weren't. Only Ayumi and Yuka cam looking for me," said Inu-Yasha.
"And Eri was there when Hojo kissed me!"
"I kissed you?" asked Hojo.
"Then at the swimming pool both of them disappeared back to their rooms, or supposedly they said," whispered Ayumi.
"So I guess it's Eri's house we're going to check then?" asked Inu-Yasha.
"But how are we going to do that?" asked Kagome.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kagome wrapped her scarf tighter around her neck, "Are you sure this is going to work?"
"It should. If Hojo can distract Eri long enough," whispered Inu-Yasha.
Kagome nodded and sighed. They sat perched in a tree not far from Eri's house in the middle of the night. A light was on in Eri's bedroom, which Kagome had recognized from her visits to her old friends house.
"So what will Ayumi be doing?" asked Inu-Yasha.
"She's making sure no one else in Eri's family goes up to her room while we're in there,"
Inu-Yasha nodded, and continued to watch as Hojo knocked on the front door.
"This kind of feels weird . . ." whispered Kagome.
"Hmm?"
"Us breaking into someone's house,"
"Maybe, but we have to find out who is trying to break us apart,"
"I know,"
"We have to find out who's trying to do this Kagome. I know this kind of seems out of character for both of us, but what if they try and possess someone in your family? We'll just take a look around,"
"But what if this is a trap and Hojo is lying?"
"Trust me he isn't, I would of smelled if he was lying and he wasn't,"
"We'll just look around right?"
"Just look for any scrolls,"
Kagome nodded. Inu-Yasha smiled as he saw Eri come to the door and started chatting with Hojo.
"Okay, let's go!" whispered Inu-Yasha, leaping into the air and landing softly on Eri's roof. Setting Kagome down Inu-Yasha approached the window the window and lifted the latch with his claws. Peeking his head inside the small room, Inu-Yasha crawled through with Kagome at his heels. The room was about the same size as Kagome's and painted a dark blue. Immediately the two started to look through Eri's bookshelves and desk drawers. Inu-Yasha always made sure no one was coming as he looked in Eri's closet. There was no sign of anything as they continued to search the room. Inu-Yasha was almost about to tell Kagome they should leave, but noticed a slip of paper under Eri's pillow. Making sure no one was coming; Inu-Yasha lifted to pillow up to see a pile of old scrolls. Snapping his fingers to get Kagome's attention and pointed to the scrolls on the bed. Kagome picked them up and stuffed them into her pocket. Inu-Yasha crawled out the window and held his hand out to take Kagome's, but his ears swiveled forward as he heard someone walking up the stairs. He watched as a shadow moved down the hallway to the bedroom. Inu-Yasha grabbed Kagome and closed the window slightly.
Eri entered her room and shivered as she felt a breeze blow by her, "I thought I locked my window," shrugging she closed the window.
Inu-Yasha sighed with relief as him and Kagome hanged from the rain gutter on the roof.
Hojo and Ayumi appeared on the street and waved at the two. Inu-Yasha nodded and leaped off the house, running to Hojo and Ayumi.
"So, did you get anything?" asked Hojo.
"Yeah, we got something out of Eri's room," whispered Kagome.
Hojo held out his flashlight as Kagome pulled out the scrolls in her pocket so they could look at them.
"The first one says how to control a person by some sort of weird chant," whispered Ayumi.
"The second one is how to keep the possession going, and how to make them do as you will," said Kagome.
"And the third one explains the weaknesses of demons," added Inu-Yasha.
"So it was her," whispered Kagome.
"But the question is why?"
"Do you really want to know?"
Inu-Yasha and everyone else spun around to see Yuka standing ahead of them.
TBC . . .
Alright people. It will be quite a while till the next chapter is up. I have tests to study for, and I also have work. I might be able to work on it when I have breaks of course, but other than that, do not expect another chapter till the end of January. I'm sorry if this causes some people to get angry, but hey if I fail these tests, I won't be allowed to use the computer, which means no more chapters. Anyway, I finally got up to manga sixteen of Inu-Yasha, the one where he turns demon! It is so cool! Oh and by the way has anyone else here seen the second Inu-Yasha movie? If you have then please answer this question, what the hell do they say at the end when Miroku tries to kiss Sango but she's slaps him? Or does she say anything at all, because the movie I have, they aren't saying anything! So if they do say something please let me know! Anyway, please review, and if I get enough, I will definitely work on the next chapter during my breaks! Love you all!
Lynns