Disclaimer: Still don't own 'em…
Inuyasha paced nervously around Keade's hut. She's been gone for too long…that damn girl….
"Inuyasha, why don't you go after Kagome?"
The hanyou turned toward the speaker, brandishing one clawed fist menacingly above his head. "What's it to you, monk?"
Miroku shielded himself with his staff, causing the hoops to jingle softly. "Now, now, Inuyasha! No need to get violent! I was only suggesting that you go visit her in her time. After all, she did say that a holiday was coming up, and you know how Kagome likes to spend holidays with friends."
"Keh, it's a love holiday, you baka. Why would I want to spend that with Kagome?"
Miroku shook his head. Maybe I'm not the baka here… "It was only a suggestion, my friend. Now, would you be so kind as to tell me which direction Sango went?"
Inuyasha crossed his arms after pointing to the left, away from the old miko's hut. "She went to the hot springs with Kilala and Shippo, but I wouldn't bug her if I were you. She seemed like she was in a pretty foul mood."
"Thank you, Inuyasha." Miroku looked as though he wanted to say something more, but instead he bowed his thanks and headed for the hot springs. Now that he was alone again, Inuyasha seated himself next to the fire pit with a slight huff.
It did not take long before he was up and moving. Instinct guided his feet, and in minutes he was standing next to the Bone Eater's Well. His keen senses could still catch Kagome's scent from the day before, and he breathed in the soft smell. Though he didn't want to admit it, he always wound up waiting here for Kagome's return. The world just seemed so empty without her there. At least when he stayed by the well he could still find her scent, though it was only a ghost of the real thing.
He growled impatiently as he plopped down next to the old wooden structure, his chin leaning carefully on the splintered top. I wish she'd come back…why'd she have to go home anyway?
But he already knew the answer. She went home to celebrate that stupid holiday of hers, leaving him all alone. Why does she have to celebrate a love holiday, anyway? Who's she got to go on a 'date' with? He remembered something about her friends, but he didn't quite buy that. Wait a moment…suddenly a memory popped into his head from the time he visited Kagome when she was sick. There had been that boy there…what was his name?
Hobo…I think that was his name. Another low growl rose from deep within his throat. I can't believe she'd sneak off just to see some dumb kid!
Anger and jealousy raged in his heart for a moment, but he forced the feelings down. Why should he care what Kagome did? It wasn't like she belonged to him or anything…but still, the thought of her seeing someone else made him feel uneasy. The emotions warred within him for a while, until he finally came to a decision.
The dried grasses crunched beneath his feet as he stood. Two amber eyes gazed down into the ancient well for a moment before they turned to scan the small glen. When he failed to sense anyone else, he leapt into the well, leaving the meadow silent and empty once more.
Kagome glanced at the clock as she finished the final touches on her hair. It was almost five thirty, and she knew that if she didn't hurry she would miss the bus. She quickly maneuvered the chopstick into her hair, smoothed the slight wrinkles out of her clothes, and checked her appearance in the mirror.
That baka doesn't know what he's missing.
Kagome grabbed her purse and ran out of her room. Once she reached the bottom of the stairs she bid her family a quick farewell and was out the door in no time. But even with her hurried steps, the miko barely managed to catch the bus before it pulled away without her.
Luckily, there were enough empty seats on the bus for her to sit down. Sighing gratefully, she sank down onto the plastic seat and leaned back to catch her breath. True, she was in great shape from her adventures in the feudal era, but tackling those shrine steps in heels had proved to be even more difficult than most of the demons they battled.
Kagome was torn from her thoughts when she noticed that the man seated across from her was staring. Maybe this outfit wasn't such a great idea after all, she thought as she blushed furiously and tugged her skirt a little lower. The soft material slid down her crossed thighs, and she finally let it rest once she felt it brush against her knees.
The man smiled sheepishly and looked away. Kagome hugged her purse to her chest in an attempt to preserve some modesty before letting her own eyes wander over the outfit in concern. She had chosen a dark red silk blouse that featured a plunging neckline, and a midnight-shaded skirt of the same material hugged the curves of her long, elegant legs like a second skin. The black heel of her left shoe made a slight clicking sound as she nervously tapped it against the floor of the bus, and the hand that wasn't grasping her purse searched through the bag for her mirror.
After she had checked her makeup, she turned her attention to her hair. It was gathered up in a loose bun, which was held together by a dark ornamental chopstick. Several strands had worked their way loose during her dash to the bus stop, but Kagome did not mind. The messy look seemed to accent the style, not hinder it.
The squeal of the brakes let her know that she had reached her stop, and she quickly thanked the driver before exiting the bus. Her senses were immediately overloaded when she stepped onto the crowded street, and Kagome found herself grinning as she headed into the thick of it. Though the time traveling girl enjoyed the unspoiled feudal era, she sometimes found that she missed the bright lights, the crowded streets, and the many smells that filled the big city with so much life.
People swarmed around Kagome as she made her way to the main entrance. There was a large window next to the door, and just inside was a young man was selling tickets for the evening shows. Since the line was surprisingly empty, she asked the boy what the time was. He told her that it was five forty five; that meant that she still had fifteen minutes before she was supposed to meet Hojo.
Kagome thanked the boy and moved back onto the sidewalk. Several couples waited around her, and she found herself slightly jealous of them. They look so happy, she thought while she watched a particular pair. The young man was wrapping his jacket around the girl, and she thanked him with a gentle, chaste kiss.
With a sigh, Kagome turned away. Where is Hojo?
Her impatience grew as the minutes ticked by. After a while, the people that surrounded her began moving into the theater, and soon Kagome found the street nearly deserted. She sighed again, and moved back toward the building so that she could lean against the wall.
Kagome was about to give up on Hojo when she heard someone approach off to her right. She turned to the newcomer, a nervous smile on her face. "Oh, hi…."