A/N: Alright, another chappie! School is so demanding that I started this chapter two months ago! Yes, two! Even so, I'm gonna start another fanfic. I hate starting a new one when I'm not even done my first fic, but I don't want to forget it! It might even turn out better then Brother of Mine, Lover of Mine. Christmas break is almost here so I think I'll definitely update more during that period. Anyway, enjoy!
E/N: Sometimes the lengths of which ignorance in the etiquette and decorum of the English language can go to sabotage work becomes much too clear to me. Thank God for editors.
Have a good one.
Chapter 3: School Visit
That weekend was one of the longest Inuyasha had ever experienced. As they seemed to go on and about their everyday niceties, everyone had been quiet - too quiet. Not one of the close string of friends spoke to each other all weekend; perhaps some were mulling, wondering, reminiscing, but no one bothered with questions yet.
However, Izayoi was as pale as ever. She had attempted to go take "a walk", but Inuyasha knew full well what she really intended to do. When her son had finally tore his eyes off a complicated formula and shot off, pursuing his mother, Izayoi was luckily not too far into her search. It was apparent to all of them:
In less than ten minutes, two demons had intruded on everyone's lives.
Izayoi was shaking uncontrollably when quick but light footsteps made their way to the group. Most snapped to their senses and reacted quickly; Inuyasha re-arranged his bangs hurriedly, while Sango's father pressed Kohaku and Souta to return to their place at the swings. The adults gathered around Izayoi, gripping her shoulders concernedly.
Before anyone could demand an explanation from the faint woman, policemen clad with starched, clean uniforms entered the scene.
"Is everything alright, here?" one officer half-yelled, shining his flashlight on the group standing idle at the road.
"Yes, yes, there was just a, uh, bit of a commotion here…" Sango's father stated quietly, his voice betraying a bead of sweat travelling down his lined face. A few other men fanned out and were searching with more flashlights. Another officer walked in, with an air of authority and his head shaved clean, inquiring,
"What was the source of the screaming - ma'ams, sirs?"
They managed to convince them that everything was alright and that the screaming was from the arachnophobia-stricken Izayoi who had seen a spider "the size of a tarantula," hence her shaking. The small group of policemen were still wary, however, and stayed in the parking lot until the group of neighbours headed home, looking behind their shoulders nervously.
After that, Inuyasha hadn't heard from any of his friends during the weekend. Though he couldn't really blame them. Everyone was shocked from the event that night had brought. Two days had passed and even as he was getting ready for school, his mother was locked in her room, staring into space.
"I'll be going to school in fifteen minutes. Please don't try to take one of your 'walks' 'til I get back, okay?" Inuyasha had asked politely, but he didn't get an answer. He didn't actually expect one. With a sigh, he headed downstairs to eat a breakfast of stale muffins.
School didn't start in half an hour when Inuyasha was putting on his jacket. It was a habit he had got with his friends. They would hang out somewhere to talk about random things before school. He had an idea on what the topic would be today.
He was usually the first one out, but to his surprise everyone else was there at his doorstep, waiting for him when he stepped outside.
"Morning," he mumbled indistinctly. Everyone else slurred likewise, moving down the steps. The group walked silently for a full five minutes until someone had the courage to speak first.
"How is your mother, Inuyasha?" asked Rin in a whisper-like tone. A conversation had to start up or else they'd be like empty carcasses walking out against their own will.
Inuyasha took a deep breath, like he'd just finished running a marathon.
"Other than lying through her teeth and trying to look for that bastard and staring at a damn wall for hours, fine."
Though being the demon that he was, he wouldn't be panting anyway.
"How about you?" Kagome started, ignoring his outburst. "How are you feeling.. Inuyasha?"
A sigh. "I really don't know how I feel. I mean, two guys suddenly pop out, claiming to be your father and brother and then disappear in a flash...I hardly had time to react." Inuyasha tried in vain to resist sighing again. "It all happened too fast."
Silence fell on the group once again, but only for a few minutes.
"Look on the bright side." In an attempt to get the group in a mood to converse, Miroku continued, "You finally got your answer from all those years of wondering whether your father and brother were even alive."
Being not particularly excited about the recent events, the dog-demon could only utter a low growl.
Inuyasha, Kagome, Rin, Sango, and Miroku then found that they'd arrived at a teenage bar, where many teens congregated for talk and parties. The group usually came here before school, found in a nearby strip mall dubbed the extravagant name of "Goldenridge Plaza."
It wasn't crowded with people, like it always was in the evening. Beside a few wooden benches and tables was a small stone fountain whose spurts of water were pathetically small (when it wasn't frozen, of course).
Inside, the walls were a dull burgundy, and the ceiling was adorned with unattractive piping and slow-turning fans with light-bulbs attached to their centres. Some cigarette smoke drifted from a far-off corner, disrupting the already-dim light.
The group sat in a table at one of the corners of the bar. It was distanced from anyone else that was there, which were only a few people. Most were sipping energy drinks or small coffees.
The bar's counter, to the group's far left, had a small T.V., set on the morning news. Rin turned to hang her backpack on the seat, when she saw someone unexpected: Sesshomaru!
She poked Kagome and in return got everyone else's attention. Sesshomaru was writing in his notebook about 2 tables away, oblivious to the stares (and in Inuyasha's case, a glance) the group gave him.
'He sure knows where to hang out, being a new kid and all.'
Inuyasha's attention was then turned toward the Morning News. His friends also had their attention towards the T.V.
'A week ago there was an escape at the Demon Prison. The governor has finally decided to warn the officials and police...' Most everyone at the bar had their heads turned to the T.V. now, listening closely. 'Ever since it was built, no demon has escaped the prison. It has been highly secured in the past, and its location made discreet so that no one, but the people who work there, know its location.' The slick-haired reporter glanced at his notes for a moment. 'Besides the governor, of course.'
One group sitting near the bar chuckled at the comical pause; no one, however, was chuckling at their table.
'Also, on the same week, more precisely on Friday, local police found a group of residents at the park taking a stroll when they saw something unusual. Upon some questioning they wouldn't admit any involvement and gave no information to the police.' On the screen appeared a picture taken of them and their parents at the park, though the dark concealed a good part of their features.
"One of them must have taken it," said Miroku. Inuyasha had only one response, along with a twitch of the mouth:
"Damn."
"So much for convincing those cops," Sango retorted, feeling pretty angry at 'those damn cops.'
"They were being kinda suspicious..." As her statement expressed, Kagome thought they being too wary of their behaviour. Was it simply the prospect of demons, who had successfully broken through a high-security system, wreaking havoc?
Very little was explained in school about why everyone seemed to think demons as 'unpleasurable.' In expected fashion, however, all the teens' parents expanded on their theories and feelings on the hate for all demons in their city. As a result, all of them knew that demons did cause wars, death, and disease for centuries, and the dominating race of humans now wanted to oust them from society.
"They're labelled as Undesired Peoples now." Kagome clearly remembered Izayoi saying the phrase, wearing an indignant expression.
A chair then caused a loud scraping sound on the floor. Sesshomaru turned to leave as most people turned their heads away from the source of the noise, going on about their business.
As the door opened and let in a sliver of sunlight, Kagome checked her wristwatch.
"Eeek! We better get going, or else we'll be late for school!"
"Where does the time go these days? I wanted to watch the news a bit longer!"
Sango had to push a half-staring, half-whining Miroku to the door, since he was falling behind. When they came out, they saw Sesshomaru mount what was presumably his motorbike. It was black all over with 3D flames decorating the sides. With a loud roar, Sesshomaru zoomed away. Inuyasha noticed something about his license plate but couldn't catch it, thanks to the speed with which the new kid left.
Obviously all three girls were impressed by the decorations on the motorbike, as they were standing on the sidewalk watching it leave the plaza.
"Now you're the one falling behind," ridiculed Miroku as he walked away, and he roughly slapped Sango on the back. (She was not pleased.)
"Better hurry up or we'll be late! At this rate we're gonna have to run there!" Inuyasha barked irritably while he and Miroku left the girls and started to run ahead. Rin also joined them. Kagome and Sango followed, jogging along.
"They're jealous." Sango stated.
"Don't I know it," replied Kagome, smirking, which made Sango smirk as well. Maybe their lives were intruded, but it didn't mean they had to mull over it forever.
They arrived at school just when the bell rang. They saw Sesshomaru's bike parked nearby, its flashy decorations sticking out against the other cars and motorbikes parked.
As the group walked to their lockers, Sesshomaru was heading to his class, completely ignoring the dreamy stares he was receiving from the high school girls. Either that, or he was instead trying out the experience of being hopelessly blind.
"No one seems to have noticed us from the news, I suppose no one saw it," mused Miroku unexpectedly.
"Good, then. Let's pack and take what we need. We were close in missing school and I certainly don't want to be late for my class," stated Sango. The group fanned out to travel the halls of their smaller-sized high school, letting the conversations of countless others slip by them.
As usual, when class started it was boring, even if – or because - they were in separate classes. Rin was an exception, however, having almost gotten a headache from math; Miroku, confined to a tough gym class with Mr. Ono, was panting after running so many laps. Other classmates, though, were in far worse condition. In complete contrast, Inuyasha stood, expecting the class to begin, as though it was all child's play.
Upstairs, Kagome and Sango were faring better, trying to complete the work their teachers had almost smugly laid on them.
Three hours later, it was lunch. The group sat at the farthest end of the cafeteria, with an overwhelming buzz of clatter and conversation surrounding them. Everyone was there except Rin.
Kagome explained that once again, she had seen her in the hall, chatting with Sesshomaru. Even though they couldn't be seen, Kagome knew they, too, were in the cafeteria somewhere.
"Tchah, it's only been two days and Rin's sticking to that kid like hell. I mean, she's never hung out with anyone but us for God-knows-how-long," spat out an annoyed Inuyasha. The way he saw it, Rin could at least have told them she was going to eat lunch with Sesshomaru.
"Well, she had to find someone other than us too. She couldn't go on like that forever. Let her be," protested Sango, but after a moment of contemplation, she continued, "But I have to admit, it just isn't the same without her."
More sighs circulated around the table, though their thoughts were far from the usual worries concerning assignments.
"You did hear that there's a new student in school, right? I heard she arrived the same day as Sesshomaru, though she didn't start classes 'til today. Wonder why?"
"Yeah, we heard," they all said in unison.
"It is weird, isn't it? Oh, well, people have their reasons," said Sango.
Outside the cafeteria, students were constantly pushing the doors open and shut, travelling elsewhere; only one person remained on her feet. The next moment the doors opened, by a group of smitten girls and some unlucky boy, a pair of eyes was able to view the distant table, which hosted a certain dog-demon. They narrowed at the sight before her.
She focused elsewhere, trying to find a way out of the stream of children. However, something else was to call her attention.
"Hey! The cops are in the school grounds!"
Quickly groups of students, either from outside or inside, began to congeal near the cafeteria's large windows when they heard the bit of news. A teacher or two was trying to bring their attention back to more unimportant matters. In vain.
"The police must be looking for that demon. Everyone's gonna be shocked when they hear," hissed Sango.
"You bet," Kagome replied.
"Look, there's Rin and Sesshomaru!" Miroku pointed at them just when they were leaving the cafeteria, along with more students who were trying to reach some hallway windows to catch the police coming.
In all urgency, Kagome, Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku stood and threw out their lunch, finished or not, and started out the cafeteria. Not surprisingly, the halls were crowded. They managed to see Sesshomaru and Rin moving swiftly ahead of them.
Then, the blaring of their school's fire alarm pierced the air.
Immediately people wondered why it went on. Students, despite an absence of smoke, were hurriedly trying to push their ways into the exits, some panicking, others following orders. The group was about to join the throng as they heard gasps and screams in the distance.
Next, the halls become increasingly crowded, for many were being pushed and shoved down. It seemed only one person had any good balance. Emerging from the crowd was a man clothed in a robe, with white hair touched by grey, and his face adorned with stripes at the cheek and a crescent moon on his forehead. Immediately the group knew who it was: InuTaishio!
Policemen emerged from both ends of the hallway, pressing their way towards the demon. Their arms held up guns, ready to shoot any moment.
InuTaishio stopped for a minute, unfazed, and grabbed the nearest person to him, which happened to be Sesshomaru. He was lifted from the ground by the scruff of his neck, and InuTaishio pulled out a knife to position it in such a way that one swipe would end the lives of both human and demon.
Already the police were surrounding them, students watching in terror as the hostage was backed up against the wall by InuTaishio. Barked an officer,
"Let the boy go, demon!"
InuTaishio responded in a surprisingly silky and confident voice,
"Tell me, why should I? If I let him go, you'll tackle me down. That is, if you can or you'll probably shoot me. If you let me go, though, I can hand him over with just a scratch." InuTaishio pressed the knife harder against Sesshomaru's neck, and the threat was empty to no one.
The only sounds around them were the yells and cries of other students evacuating, the fire alarm continuing its screaming, and the whimpers of some nearby girls, mostly members of the Sesshomaru Fan Club.
Even in this predicament Inuyasha couldn't help but inspect Sesshomaru. He was calm, too calm for his liking. It was like he'd been through this before. He was not fidgeting, nor shaking, or making any sign of fear, as a hostage rightly would, simply looking down at the man who could very well be his murderer.
Rin was standing close to the scene and didn't move, as though one step could bring Sesshomaru's life to an end.
InuTaishio held everyone's mercy then. He looked around the hall before him, seeing only frightened faces around him; however, Inuyasha could feel the demon's gaze on him for a moment longer. Sesshomaru was still being held by the neck, the window right beside him. Again, InuTaishio scanned his surroundings, only stopping at the sight of that boy. An agitated voice piped within him,
'What is taking so long!'
Inuyasha was watching his father as if he was going to blow up the school any moment now. He was there, holding a hostage and doing nothing to escape! He thought he felt his father's gaze looking at his direction a few times, but it could have been his senses fooling him.
How would his father know which school he attended? His curiosity was spiked when at last captor and captive locked eyes, and their features seemed uncannily similar. Inuyasha could barely pick up InuTaishio's question,
'You don't mind f I "borrow" your bike do you?'
The cops were getting more tense by the minute. Silence was all that was heard, the fire alarm had stopped ringing. This was the time to act!
It all happened too quickly.
"I'd have to admit, its been nice meeting you guys, but I'll have to cut this meeting short. This is, after all, a school and the children will be late for their classes." In one quick move he snatched the keys in Sesshomaru's pocket, banged him to the side (both of them looking calm as ever) and jumped out of the nearest glass window. The sound of one gun's bullet was almost drowned out by the screaming finally let out by the students.
As all the policemen were running to the exit, going dreadfully fast as all students let them pass, one man screamed at them: "Go, go, go, go, go, CATCH HIM!"
When the police left, the group of students was still shaking, and quickly a few teachers were ushering them away from the broken glass. One of the teachers noticed the alarm was still on mode, but resonated no sound. For the sake of safety, he switched it off.
Sesshomaru was rubbing his neck. It seemed InuTaishio stuck to his word and left him with a small cut. Fortunately, it wasn't deep and the bleeding stopped after a few seconds. Rin came to his side and started to ask questions in a fury.
"Are you okay? What happened? What did he do? Are you hurt? Oh-my-God,-are-you-OKAY,-Sesshomaru?"
"I'm fine Rin, no need to panic!" He needed to reassure her or else she would faint from lack of oxygen!
Teachers and students were still cleaning up and leading confused classes back into the school, trying to settle down. It was amazing how anyone could move with the amount of people in the hall.
Sesshomaru was called to the office and Rin attempted to go with him, but he stopped her so she was left behind. Her friends walked up to her.
"Rin, are you alright!" Asked Sango and Kagome.
"Of course, I'm not the one who was held hostage!" Her panic was all too clear.
Inuyasha was about to retort at her outburst, but was stopped by the announcements. It was the principal speaking.
'Attention everyone, do NOT panic. Please make your way to the gymnasium in a neat and orderly fashion. I repeat, would you all please make your way to the gymnasium?'
The group made their way to the gym like everyone else. They were quiet and didn't speak until they got to their destination.
The gym was scattered by tonnes of people, either sitting with their friends or by themselves. Rin was looking around, trying to spot Sesshomaru, but she couldn't find him.
'Still must be at the office', she thought. There were police there, as well. Some were guarding the entrances of the gym and there were some outside of the school keeping guard. They did not move.
It was a long, long while before one of the cops went where all could see him and demanded attention. The gym fell silent, except for a few whispers.
"First of all, I would like to apologize on behalf of the community to this school about this recent incident. We have been after the demon that you may or may not have witnessed for some time now. Despite this, holding hostages is a sign of weakness on their part, and we will prevail." The cop stopped for a few seconds. In that time a hand went up from a female.
"What is it Kagura?" one of the teachers asked wearily.
"I heard the morning news today and I was wondering, is that the demon that escaped the prison?" In an instant the whispers raised volume again. An exception to the many who had not caught the news, some knew what was going on, but those were very few.
Kagome, Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, and Rin waited for an answer impatiently. The students then shushed themselves and listened.
"No, that demon is not the one. Like I said, the police have been tracking that demon down for some time. Now, because of this incident we will have to put this school at surveillance. For this reason I have to say that this school will have to close, for the protection of the students. We will notify you on the evening news, so I suggest you tell your parents to watch it or that you do everyday. Once again, we give our deepest regrets."
The cop left the gym after his shocking statement. More clamour ensued
"With that said, I'd like everyone to go to their classes and lockers, and pack up your things," said the principal, looking as stricken as many others (though the rest were glad of the opportunity to relax). She also left the gym after her statement.
A string of students then left the gym with their teachers leading. The group split up and went to their packing business. Rin was hoping to see Sesshomaru but she couldn't find him. Twenty minutes later, the group managed to say goodbye to some teachers and head out of the school. Many policemen were standing guard at the gates, looking as menacing as they could.
"All everyone was talking about was the 'incident'! I couldn't even manage to get anything else out of people!" said a complaining Miroku.
"Well, it's not everyday a demon comes to your school and takes someone hostage to escape," snapped Sango.
"Lets just go home and talk with our parents," Kagome said. They all started moving, but Kagome noticed Rin, rooted to her spot. Kagome turned toward her.
"What's wrong Rin?" Everyone turned to her, as well.
"I couldn't find Sesshomaru anywhere after he was called to the office. He wasn't even in the office… I wonder if he's alright."
"Don't worry, Rin, it was just a scratch. But, boy, there's something about those two, I could just tell," said Inuyasha.
"What do you mean?" asked a curious Miroku.
"Well, for one thing, he was way too calm for someone who was about to just die. Like he's done it before. Not to mention, he looked too much like that…" Another growl rose from his throat. "Would you stop it, Inuyasha! How else would you want him to react if he had a knife pressing against his throat, for goodness's sake!" Rin's voice had that high-ness to it, and Miroku could notice her knuckles were white, she was clenching her fist so tight. Sango and Kagome rightfully glared at Inuyasha. Never did Rin burst out like that, and to one of her closest friends!
Heaving, Inuyasha started,
"Sorry, Rin, I just think it's a bit suspicious. You know me," said he, while looking to the skies and scratching his head unconsciously.
They were all too tired, the events somewhat seeping the life out of them.
"Let's head home now," uttered Rin, who was focusing on the sidewalk below her.
Even as they headed home, Inuyasha couldn't help but look through the events in his mind and think:
'Something definitely isn't right.'
A/N: Alright, I finally finished this chapter! I had to type it two times because it got deleted mysteriously. Anyway I hope you enjoy it and its your choice whether you want to R our not. I also hope you look forward to my new story. I still have to think up a name for it. Btw, my editor/best friend changed a few things from the original chapter.
E/N: iz ded If I weren't the co-author, this would not take half as long! But, I am, and it didn't. Ah, well. Hope you –sincerely- enjoyed.
Ja ne.
Review if you want to.