Somewhere, Somewhen: Chapter 4
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. Really, I don't!
Author: Burning Ice
Summary: What happens when Hojo falls through the well with Kagome one day, and starts to have feelings for someone he meets on the other side?
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Kagura could tell the minute that the hanyou had stopped pursuing her, and she slowed her feather down considerably, stopping to concentrate on the scene before her. The air was foul, and the winds felt dirty, so much so that she could barely control them. She gazed down on a huge village, with buildings that reached high into the sky, disrupting the flow of her wind.
The next thing she realized was that there didn't seem to be any demons anywhere. She couldn't sense any at all, only filthy humans.
No Demons.
No Naraku.
No Master.
Perhaps the filth in the sky is not so unbearable if I am a free Youkai to enjoy it. She mused to herself. She decided the first thing to do was try to find something she could recognize. There were no trees anywhere, and the animals were strange and shiny, and did not look edible. A forest . . . I need somewhere to stay until I get myself reoriented . . .
With that decided, she took off, enjoying the feeling of being free of Naraku.
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Miroku finally turned to the boy and asked the question that had been bothering him since he met the boy, Do you love Kagome? Hojo jumped, astonished by the monk's bluntness Are you kidding me?No, I am quite serious. Miroku raised an eyebrow, in mild amusement, and Sango turned to look back at them from where she walked, several paces ahead.
Well, no . . . not love her . . . I suppose, Hojo stammered.
And yet we hear you are courting her quite aggressively.
Hojo blushed a little at the way the man phrased it, then sighed, smiling to hide his embarrassment, Well, I probably wont end up marrying her or anything, she is only fifteen, I like her a lot. Why?
Miroku shrugged, deciding not to elaborate on his reasons for asking, and Sango turned around, gazing forward again.
Hojo sighed and continued walking, feeling very out of place.
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Kaede kneeled next to Hojo, inspecting his head, which had a bit of a lump on it.
How are ye feeling?
Hojo shook his head, I've been better . . .
Kagome, who had arrived a few minutes earlier sat down nearby, cuddling with the kitsune. Can you go back home now? Are you strong enough?What, now! Hojo was distressed, he had not seen much of this strange magical world, and he was determined to learn a little bit more before having to go.
Of course! Kagome was annoyed, Hojo, this isn't a safe place, its not a game, you cant stay here.Keh, he would die in a week. Inuyasha just had to insert his disdain for another rival for Kagome's attention.
I would not! Hojo insisted, Anyway, how often do you get an opportunity like this!Look, Hojo, Kagome tried to reason with him, You'll be so much more useful to me in our time. Now that you know what's going on, you can help me keep up with school, I could really use your support there.
Hojo sighed loudly, it was true, Kagome was really doing badly, he knew he could help her out with his mind more than any skills with a weapon.
Alright . . . he finally nodded, I'll make sure you get all the work . . .
Kagome brightened Thank you!
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A week later, Hojo was back to the old routine. He was waiting patently for the copy machine to make duplicates of her friends notes that he had charmed out of them, when he heard two of the librarians talking . . .
. . . been having the most bizarre wind storms.I've noticed, the weathermen say its total chaos! They don't know what's happening, there is no way to predict anything, were on red alert for a typhoon.Well, I heard that some of the temples are saying that a powerful demon was unleashed. That it is angry about the pollution in the air and will force us to pay for it.That's just superstitious rubbish . . .
Hojo had heard enough, the demoness who had fallen through the well was a wind demoness, he would have to tell Kagome as soon as possible. He snatched up the papers and fled the building, rapidly biking towards Kagome's shrine. He soon found himself panting on her doorstep, and he took a moment to compose himself before ringing the bell.
A few moments later Kagome's mother answered.
Oh, hello Hojo . . . Her mother looked worried, and he supposed she was trying to think of an excuse to send him away.
Ms. Higurashi, I have brought Kagome all the notes her friends took for the week, but I really, REALLY need to talk to her, please?
Her mother looked apologetically at him, taking the notes he held out to her. I'm sorry, she isn't in right now, I could give her a message if you like.When will she be back? I really need to speak with her. he repeated.
Well . . . I think by next Monday.
It was obvious that Kagome's mother was not fond of lying about her daughter's whereabouts.
I'll try back then.What are men from the future like?
Kagome stopped watching the Ramen she was cooking and looked up and across the fire at her friend, What do you mean?Well, your friend seemed different from all the men I knew. They're all so . . . Sango struggled for a word.
Kagome asked with a bit of humor in her voice.
i don't know, I guess.Boys haven't evolved much through he ages. Kagome admitted, most still act the way society pressures them too. Hojo doesn't pay too much attention to that, he is pretty mild mannered as men go.Mild mannered. Sango agreed, then looked down, He reminds me of my brother. We always encouraged him to be more fierce, since his life would depend on it. I wish he could have lived in your time with your gentle men.
Kagome stayed quiet, not wanting to interrupt Sango's thoughts.
Oi! We found enough firewood to last us the night. Inuyasha called as he and Miroku walked back, each with an armful of dry wood.
That's good, bring it here. Kagome stood, almost knocking the sleeping Shippo from her lap.
The boys began piling the wood where she indicated, as she dished out the cooked noodles.
We should be at the village by tomorrow evening . . . if nothing delays us. Miroku said, blowing on some noodles, And we'll see if the rumors about a demon with a shard are true.
Kagome frowned, I still don't feel anything . . . it might just be a powerful demon . . .Whatever it is I'll slice it to bits! Inuyasha was just as cocky as ever.
Don't you think its odd that its been a week and we haven't heard a thing about Naraku? Sango asked, still thinking about Kohaku.
He must be lying low, maybe making another detachment like Kagura. I mean, he needs someone to do his dirty work for him.I hope Kagura isn't causing any trouble in my time. We should probably all go through the well when we get back and make sure.Oh don't worry about her Kagome. Inuyasha waved a hand, She is probably laying low too, she doesn't know anything about the future. she probably got run over by one of you're rock ships.Rocket ships. Kagome corrected smiling, remembering when she had tried to explain it to Inuyasha . . . who had ignored her.
Well, the future is safe enough, she wont make any tornadoes if there is nobody to fight. Miroku reasoned.
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Hojo sat at his desk sleepily as the clock on the wall ticked away the early hours of the morning. He was up late cramming for his history test, and he didn't think that there would be any essay questions about what kinds of demons there were.
A sudden gust of wind blew through the window and all his papers scattered onto the floor.
With an irritated groan, he got up and shut the window, and bent to gather his papers, putting them back the way they were on the desk.
ok, I don't have time for this, I have over 100 dates to memorize . . . He yawned again, stretching his arms back behind him.
The breeze blew in again, turning the pages of his book ahead a few chapters.
Hojo swore and turned to shut his window again, and choked.
Oh fuck!You and I are going to have a little talk. Kagura purred from where she was perched on his windowsill.