Author's note: Hey guys! waves back again. Don't forget to read my other stories Love Conquers All and As The Petals Fall. A lot of people think they're good. But back to this story.
Chapter 2: Inu Yasha's Feelings
Inu Yasha grabbed a piece of toast and stuffed it into his mouth as he slipped on his black Adidas shoes grabbed his book bag. "See you later mom" he called as he stepped out the door.
"Don't you want a ride?" his mom called out to him from inside the house.
"No" Inu Yasha responded "The guys said they'd meet me at the corner."
Before his mom could say anything more, Inu Yasha ran down the driveway and across the street. As he walked, he saw Kagome stepping out of her own house. She looked tired and her eyes were red as though she had been crying. Inu Yasha sighed, she looked like this every morning since the day he had betrayed her. He hadn't expected her to care so much about it. He had moved on, and he used to think she had too. Sure, maybe she wasn't as popular as he was, but she had plenty of friends. Regardless, it still pained him to see her so sad. He had always felt bad about hurting her, especially when she had given him that look, that look of pain, sadness, and betrayal. He sped up until he was right across from her. "Hey Kagome" he called out with a wave. Kagome looked at him in surprise, and then looked away without saying a word. Inu Yasha was about to say something else but was greeted by his friends before he could.
"Hey baby" his friend Kikyo said, kissing him softly on the lips.
"Why were you talking to that nerd?" Koga asked, pointing in Kagome's direction.
"No reason" Inu Yasha said walking ahead of him "I was going to insult her but you guys showed up."
Kikyo laughed as she linked her arm with his "Let's go" she said as the group started walking again.
Miroku grabbed Inu Yasha's sleeve and pulled him back "why did you lie?" he asked.
"I didn't" Inu Yasha said in fake confusion.
Miroku shot him a look "you know you weren't going to insult her" he said "you should just admit that you feel bad about what happened 3 years ago."
"No way" Inu Yasha said "They'd think I was in love with her or something, I can't let them think that."
"Why? You afraid they'll kick you out of the group?" Miroku said "You know very well Kagome didn't deserve to be called a nerd. Stick up for her! If you really felt bad about what happened, you should make it up to her by standing up for her."
Inu Yasha kept quiet as he ran ahead. Miroku shook his head if he keeps hiding his feelings I know he'll regret it someday.
"Kagome over here!" a girl with brown hair tied up in a ponytail called out to her friend. It was lunch period and everyone busily trying to find a table in the cafeteria. Kagome looked over where the voice was coming from and saw her friend waving at her from a table where the rest of her friends sat.
"Hey Sango!" Kagome called, plastering on a fake smile as usual. She walked over to the table and saw that, sitting with Sango, were her friends Eri, Rin, Ayame, Yuka, Hojo, and Akitoki (Hojo's twin). They were all playing their usual card game, cheat. It was the group's favourite game because it was the only one where you were allowed to try and cheat. "Who's winning?" Kagome asked, sitting down beside Yuka.
"Akitoki" Eri replied "he's the best at this game."
"Yeah because he's a true blue cheater" Sango teased, sending the group into a fit of giggles.
Even Akitoki was laughing, until he got the joke "Hey!" he said as soon as he realized what she meant.
"Hey guys guess what" said Hojo suddenly.
"You got another A?" Rin suggested. It was a well known fact that Hojo was the smartest one in the group, and his brother Akitoki was the exact opposite.
"Better" Hojo said, smiling broadly.
"Just tell us already" Ayame said impatiently.
"Okay, okay" Hojo agreed "Come tomorrow, I'm going to be hanging out with those guys" he said happily, pointing to Inu Yasha and his friends.
"Oh Yeah?" said Yuka in disbelief "How's that?
"I got one of them to agree to initiate me" Hojo said, still smiling "All I've got to do now is meet them at the devil's punchbowl tonight."
The group's eyes widened in surprise, the devil's punchbowl was a big thing with the kids in the area. It was a big pond that was located by an old abandoned factory, when the factory was still operative, they would dump wastes into the water. After a while the water turned a murky black. Because of the black water and the pond's circular shape, everyone called it the devil's punchbowl. Everyone knew that every Friday night, the kids in Inu Yasha's group of friends went there to hang out. Nobody knew exactly what they did there, but there were rumours going around that they swam in the pond.
"I wouldn't do it if I were you" Kagome said.
"Why not?" Hojo asked.
"Inu Yasha's friends are all huge backstabbers" Kagome explained "they promise you one thing and then do another just as quickly, take it from someone who knows."
The group went silent, unsure of how to reply. Everyone knew about Inu Yasha and Kagome's old friendship and how Inu Yasha had betrayed Kagome so he could be with his new friends. They also knew that she had NOT gotten over it yet.
"I don't think they're all like that" Hojo said uneasily.
"No, you're right" Kagome said, turning to look at Inu Yasha "Just Inu Yasha."
"Kagome, we've been over this before" Sango said firmly "you've got to get over it. This happened 3 whole years ago! Inu Yasha's moved on. Besides, if you really want revenge, the best way to get it is by making it seem like you're really happy and couldn't care less about it."
"I know, I'm sorry" Kagome said, wiping tears from her eyes so her friends wouldn't see her cry "It's just, we were friends ever since we could talk!"
The group exchanged glances as Kagome put her head in her arms to hide her tears. Hojo didn't know what to say, he still wanted to go to the initiation that night but didn't want to hurt Kagome's feelings. Suddenly, the group was saved by the bell that signified lunch was over.
"Hey Sango, wait up!" Kagome called as she ran to catch up with her friend. School had ended about 15 minutes ago and Sango had started walking home early without Kagome.
"What took you so long?" Sango asked as Kagome caught up to her.
"Sorry, the Tensei wanted to speak to me" Kagome explained.
"You in trouble?" Sango asked.
"No it's nothing like that" Kagome said quickly shaking her head "She just wants me to drop off some signs at the tree huggers' society h.q."
"You're always going there" Sango said laughing.
"Well, I am the president" Kagome said laughing as well "and the protest is coming up really soon. Oh, you never told me if you were coming." The protest Kagome was referring to was for the huge deforestation going on in their city. So far 12 out of 16 forests had been cut down to make way for new houses, and the tree huggers' society, a group of environmental activists, were trying to stop them before they cut down more.
"Okay, okay I'll come" Sango said.
"Great!" Kagome said happily "After the protest is done I can cross another thing off my list."
"You mean that list of things you want to do before you die?" Sango asked.
"Yup!" Kagome said, flashing a smile "I want to save a forest from being cut down. Maybe it's not the rainforest, but it'll have to do."
Sango laughed "So, you still coming over for movie night tonight?"
"You bet! Who else is going?" Kagome asked.
"Yuka, Eri, Ayame, and Rin." Sango replied.
"What about Hojo and Akitoki?" Kagome questioned.
"Hojo's going to the initiation tonight of course" Sango said as though it was obvious "and Akitoki didn't want to be the only guy there tonight."
"Hojo's still going?" Kagome said incredulously "He's going to get his feelings hurt I just know it! Why didn't you talk him out of it?!?"
"It's always been Hojo's dream to be in the "in" crowd Kagome" Sango said "He supports your dreams of finishing that list before you die; maybe you should support him a little too."
Kagome looked away as Sango continued "Go over to his house before you come to mine and wish him luck, even if you don't truly believe it, it would still give him a confidence boost. He told me earlier that he thinks you're mad at him."
Kagome looked up at Sango "Really?" she said "okay, I'll go over to his place after I drop off these signs and wish him good luck."
"Good" said Sango with a smile "I know he'll appreciate it."
Kagome walked up the steps to Hojo's front door here goes nothing she thought as she rang the bell. Hojo's mother opened the door and let Kagome in. "Hello Kagome" she said happily.
"Hi" Kagome said smiling "I was just looking for Hojo, is he home?"
"You came just in time, he was about to leave" said his mom with a laugh "He's just up in his room."
"Thanks, I'll be quick" Kagome said, slipping out of her shoes and going up the stairway to Hojo's room. She knocked on the door softly "Hojo?" she called in "can I come in?"
Hojo opened the door and smiled at Kagome "Hey Kagome" he said, flashing her the smile she was so familiar with. Everyone at school, including Kagome, knew that Hojo had a bit of a crush on her. "Come on in" he said, opening the door wider.
"Hey Hojo" Kagome said as she came in, returning his smile with one of her own "I just came to wish you luck with the initiation tonight."
"You did?" Hojo said puzzled "I thought you were totally against me going?"
"I was at first" Kagome said truthfully "But I figured you supported my dreams, so I'm going to support yours."
Kagome threw her arms around his neck and pulled him into a hug, but not a romantic one, one between friends. "I think you're going to get in no problem" she said.
"Thanks Kagome" Hojo said as he blushed.
"Well, I better get going" Kagome said, pulling away from him "We're all going to watch a movie at Sango's house tonight."
"Wish I could come" Hojo said "I'm so nervous about tonight."
"Don't be" Kagome said reassuringly as she stepped out of his room "You'll do fine."
"I hope so" Hojo said as she left "See you later Kagome!"
"Bye Hojo!" Kagome yelled as she ran down the driveway to the sidewalk.
"You went to see Hojo?" Yuka said, throwing a piece of popcorn into her mouth.
"Yeah" Kagome said as she took a sip of her soda "He said he was really nervous."
"He shouldn't be" Rin said.
"That's what I told him" Kagome said.
"I wonder what they're going to make him do" Sango wondered aloud.
"I hope not anything too dangerous" Ayame said as she munched on a chip.
"I'm sure they won't make him do anything life threatening" Eri said, sounding more confident then she felt.
"Definitely" Kagome agreed, but inside she wasn't so sure.
Author's note: Okay so now that's another one done. Yay! Send in the reviews people lol! And like I said before, don't forget to check out my other stories Love Conquers All and As The Petals Fall.