Chapter 4: A Little Help is in Order

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha.

A/N: I'm really glad that I've gotten more than two reviews this time, so I've decided to lengthen this chapter. I apologize if this chapter did not come out for a long time, because in my place this month (March) is the time for moving, so I've moved somewhere else. Also, if you're wondering why Kagome seemed convinced about going to Hawaii before she'd said 'no', it's because of this: sure, she was convinced, but she still wanted one more day to make sure she was happy with the decision as well. Enjoy the chapter!

With InuYasha

The hanyou opened his eyes for the first time that morning. Glancing at his clock, InuYasha noted that it was 10:00, so that meant that his goody-goody of a brother had already woken up. Getting dressed, the acrobat brushed his teeth and walked down the stairs, for once intended to prove to his brother that he could be good at times, too.

When InuYasha reached the bottom of the stairs, as usual Sesshomaru was already downstairs reading a book.

"Morning mom, dad and Sess!" InuYasha greeted, inwardly smirking as Sesshomaru's ear twitched with annoyance. Apart from Sesshomaru's girlfriend Rin and his normal friend Kagura, InuYasha was the only one who was allowed to call his brother 'Sess' (but only when his parents were around, so then Sesshomaru couldn't kill his brother).

"Good morning to you too, brother," the acrobat's older brother spat. That was the meanest way Sesshomaru was allowed to express his annoyance at his brother. Suddenly turning around, the older brother shrugged, not fazed by InuYasha's unusual morning appearance. "I see that you've woken up late, as usual."

It was InuYasha's turn to get a little mad. How could his brother always find a flaw in him, no matter how hard he tried? The acrobat was about to retort when his father abruptly put the newspapers down and turned to face his younger son. On his face creases were sketched across his forehead, and his eyebrows were knitted into a frown.

"InuYasha, you might not have to go to Hawaii after all. You remember Kagome Higurashi, don't you? Well, Sesshomaru has just heard from around her neighbourhood that Kagome has declined our invitation." Mr. Taisho explained.

"Well, that's it, then. I'll just go to Hawaii all by myself for a month," InuYasha replied, happy that some stranger he hardly knew wouldn't be accompanying him anymore.

"But what about schooling, eh?" Sesshomaru contradicted his sibling. "You'll get fat from all that Taco Bell's stuff you love eating, and you won't even do any exercise to stop yourself from growing obese."

"Well, you can count your lucky stars that I stay thin easily," InuYasha pointed out, and the sad thing was, it was true. Sesshomaru couldn't say anymore.

"But, InuYasha, you'll still gain weight, and that'll mean that you can't do acrobatics anymore," Mrs. Taisho continued from where her first son had left off. "You can't go to Hawaii without Kagome, and that's final."

"Fine," InuYasha snorted, grabbing a piece of toast and a banana before storming back up the stairs, furious on his parents' second decision. Were their decisions always intended to make his life even more miserable?

Mrs. Taisho watched her son go back to his room in a huff, and in her heart she was really disappointed that that nice girl Kagome had declined the invitation. It was time for a visit. Grabbing her coat, Mrs. Taisho made for the door, telling her husband not to go anywhere.

With Kagome

Kagome nibbled on her fingernails and stared out the window, feeling like a vegetable. She had been doing nothing for one hour, when she could've been getting on with her homework, but she didn't feel like it. Actually, she'd been thinking. About InuYasha and the invitation to Hawaii.

Why exactly had InuYasha written her a love song? Last time she had checked, he was an insensitive jerk, and he didn't really care much about her. And did she HAVE to go alone? Could she at least bring someone she was familiar with? Then she wouldn't have to cling onto InuYasha's arm like a helpless bimbo.

Sighing heavily, the teenager dropped her abused hand and stared even harder out the window, as if trying to find something outside. She was about to consider going to the bathroom when her bedroom door opened, and in came…InuYasha's mother, Mrs. Izayoi Taisho. Getting up hastily, Kagome smiled and hid her hands behind her back, intent on not letting the older woman see her bitten fingernails.

"Hello, Mrs. Taisho, it's nice to see you again," Kagome said politely, giving the lady the best smile she could get. How had she not heard InuYasha's mother come in, and did Mrs. Taisho know anything about her declining their reward for her?

"Kagome, it's just nice to see me again?" Izayoi gave a hearty laugh and sat down on Kagome's bed, making a slight crease in the bed sheets. "I've come to talk to you about the Hawaii trip, as you might've guessed."

"What do you want to-I mean, is there anything you need to know?" the teenager corrected herself, cussing silently for nearly saying something that was rather impolite. "I'll always be around to help you, you know." Kagome hoped that this would make up for her last slip.

"Ah, as a matter of fact, yes, I need help, and badly," Mrs. Taisho angled her body a little more so that it was facing Kagome. "You see, my son is getting rather cocky and rude towards his family members and peers, and I might need you. Can you PLEASE go on that trip to Hawaii? You know, just humble him a little, that's all I'm asking of you." For a split second Kagome thought that InuYasha's mother's voice had turned a little whiny, like her son's.

"But I'm here to help, not for you to make me suffer!" Kagome protested before covering her mouth. Oops.

"That's exactly the reason why I need you," the mother pleaded, giving Kagome her puppy eyes. "I know you might not like my son from the way he acts, but could you please bring out the good in him? It would mean a lot to me and my husband, you know."

Kagome couldn't say no to Mrs. Taisho now. How could she ever say no to a woman who looked just like a little kid begging for candy? It was just too much, but the teenager couldn't sound the words out. Instead, Kagome stiffly nodded her consent and whispered, "Yes, alright, I will go, then."

"Oh, thank you a lot, it really means a lot to me! Remember, the trip is on the second of March!" Mrs. Taisho smiled briefly before exiting the room hurriedly, mumbling something about business.

As soon as Mrs. Taisho had exited the room, Kagome sniffed a little. Persuasion had once again prevailed. Unneeded tears threatening to spill, Kagome leapt onto her bed and stuffed her face into her pillow so that anyone that entered her room wouldn't see those babyish tears. She was still a baby, whether or not she acted like it.

Just as she'd suspected, her bedroom door opened and her mother came in.

"Go away," Kagome's muffled voice came from the bed.

"Honey, I know how much this trip is upsetting you, but please look on the positive side. Maybe you can tease and torture InuYasha during your month in Hawaii," the mother comforted her daughter. "I know that you agreed to Mrs. Taisho's plan, and that pleases me, since you've shown me that you're a kind-hearted girl. Kagome, don't cry, just look on the positive side of things."

As Mrs. Higurashi talked about torturing and teasing InuYasha, a idea formed in Kagome's head, and it grew. Suddenly beaming, Kagome surprised her mother by hopping out of the bed, yelling and cheering before rushing out the door with her shopping bag. Kagome's mother frowned; here was Kagome saying that she was too crazy and here Kagome was now, running and screaming happily and doing all sorts of strange things. Shaking her head, Mrs. Higurashi exited the room. At least her daughter wasn't sad anymore.

With Mrs. Izayoi Taisho

Mrs. Taisho clutched her bag even tighter as the taxi slowly moved through a traffic jam. Being surrounded by a whole bunch of cars honking and hooting was quite deafening and painful, she had to admit. But then again, this was Sunday, so who was she to say?

As soon as Izayoi reached her house, she ran towards it, a happy feeling bubbling inside of her. She was at home at last. Home sweet home, you could say. Upon returning, however, Mrs. Taisho met a disturbing scene: InuYasha clattering noisily around the house with her husband and Sesshomaru hot on his heels.

"Stop it, all of you!" was all the only-sane parent could shout out. "Get out, and don't come back into the house until you are calmed down!"

Suddenly looking up, Mrs. Taisho's fiancé sheepishly shuffled out of the door first, not meeting his angry wife's eyes. He had just been trying to stop InuYasha from eating too much before lunch, but Mr. Taisho knew better than to try and talk to Izayoi before she had calmed down. Averting his gaze from his wife, InuTaisho hurriedly shuffled out the door, and his two sons followed suite. Sighing, Mrs. Taisho immediately set about cleaning the place up; she had forgotten that anything good had to come with something bad.

With Kikyo

Another day of shopping, Kikyo thought gloomily as she handed over 100 to the cashier woman, a smiling, fat, dumpy woman. And still that stupid jealous feeling for Kagome. The teenager walked all the way to the parking lot, took out her car keys and drove home.

Upon arriving home, Kikyo saw a note on the kitchen table. Picking it up, Kikyo read the note before grinning, giving a whoop and throwing the note in the trash can. The teenager was about to fix a sandwich for herself when she heard the phone ringing. Now who can that be, Kikyo thought as she took the phone from the receiver.

"Moshi moshi Kikyo's residence," Kikyo grinned at the last part. It was her trademark.

"Hello, Miss Kikyo, the mission is completed. Now will you go out with me?" a familiar voice said on the phone. Kikyo audibly slapped the phone before putting her ear back to it.

"No, there're only a few more chores I have for you. The date will have to wait. First you have to…"

With Kagome

She could sense it. Kikyo was up to no good, she could just feel it. Kagome uneasily shifted her shopping bag, careful not to let it suddenly slide off her shoulder. Maybe it was just her…putting on her best smile, Kagome strode into a shop saying: Cooking Supplies and Cake Recipes, The Best Shop Ever. After she'd carried out her plan, InuYasha would hate her forever. It would be fun…

A/N: Well, how'd you like the chapter? Ok, it was the minimum, I admit, but I wanted to get this done early. And please don't be upset if I don't upset if I don't update for a few weeks or something, because I'm moving house, so yeah. Please review!