Disclaimer: I do not own the series, "InuYasha" or any of the characters. All of them are of copywrite to Rumiko Takahashi. The only characters I do own are Emeri, Korei, Hiromi, and Tetsuya.

Teenage Games

Embarrassment on High

Chapter 2: Will It Work?

"Eme, are you sure that you want Kagome to come over?"

"Ma, there is nothing to worry about. The house is clean enough; we're not bringing the prime minister of Japan over here, it's just a few friends."

"But-"

"I have it under control. It's just going to be five teenagers in here, how bad can things get?"

You have no idea, my dear, thought Emeri's mother.

----

"Ye wish to obtain beads of subjugation similar to that of what Inuyasha wears?" Kaede looked at the youth that stood before her. She seated herself onto the wooden floor for a small rest from shuffling things around her hut.

Kagome gave a small nod, acting proper in order to win the elderly priestess' favor. "Yes, Kaede-obaachan. We need at least three of them, be it bracelets, necklaces, whatever."

"There may be a quantity of them in mine storeroom. But might I ask what you long to use them for?" Kaede looked at Kagome with a stern, yet curious look; her hands placed firmly in her lap.

Noticing the look, Kagome had to take a moment in order to phrase her words in an appropriate format. "Well…" she began. "It's for Miroku-sama, Sango-chan, and Shippou-chan." And really, her response just near sucked.

"I see," Kaede said, eyeing the three said persons. "And why do they need the beads?"

How was Kagome going to answer this question? 'So they can come over to my time because of my selfish desires!' Only in a parallel universe could Kagome actually say that. Unfortunately, that wasn't the present setting, and Kaede was a smart woman. Very omnipotent. So, there was only one way to respond to her question. "They need them because-"

"We've heard rumor of a strange event northward in a cave, and we are in need of the ornaments for protection."

Kagome looked over to Miroku, who was now standing next to her. She was near stunned that he'd make a lie just for her benefit. His kindness made her smile, but Kagome held inside in order to make Kaede believe the lie. Arigatou, Miroku-sama.

"Yes, that's right," said Sango. "Apparently, and I only heard this recently, there is a barrier at the mouth of the cave. So, in order to find out what's causing the strange events, we need to get passed the barrier first."

Do they do this for a living? Kagome looked at both of her friends, almost confused at how they are able to make up excuses off the top of their heads.

Kaede took a moment to sift through their words, idly scratching her chin. "Well," she drawled out. "If it be the case then, I shall see if I have any of the charms." Slowly standing up, the elderly priestess then went into the back of her hut.

As soon as she could no longer see the gray strands of hair, Kagome took the moment to give a quiet cheer. Yatta! Her arms flailed into the air as a grin as wide as the universe spread across her face. "Arigatou gozaimasu, Miroku-sama! Sango-chan!" Her thanks were said in a hasty whisper. She could barely contain herself as she hugged her friends.

"There's no need to thank us, Kagome-chan. We just wanted to help you." Sango smiled kindly, her face exploiting the meaning of generosity.

"We understand how much you want us to come along with you. We should thank you for trying so hard." Miroku gave a similar smile to the modern priestess.

The gleaming smile on Kagome's face soon turned into a frown, making her expression look like the epitome of sadness. "But… The whole purpose of all this mess is because of my selfishness. I shouldn't be thanked for that."

"But do you not think of our well being?"

"Of course not! I'd never ignore how any of you are feeling! You guys are my friends, so why wouldn't I care about you?" The near tearful look in Kagome's eyes almost made Miroku and Sango laugh.

"You have a point there," responded Sango, as a giggle was poorly stifled. Miroku nodded, as well as coughed in order to try and stop the up churning laughs.

"Ye are in luck, child. I have a well set of charms for the most of you." Kaede then came shuffling back, holding twin necklaces and a bracelet. "Here you are," she said, carefully placing them in Kagome's hands.

Kagome smiled in response. "Thank you, Kaede-obaachan. We are so grateful for your generosity."

The elderly priestess softly waved her off. "Think nothing of it, child. Now, the lot of you must be off if the journey is of most urgent, yes?"

"Oh, um…" Kagome stuttered, pulling her sleeve back to see her watch. The hands in the little device showed that it was a quarter till 4. Seeing this, Kagome almost screamed. H-how in the gods did it get this late? When I got back here, it was only 1:55! I couldn't have spent over an hour just talking! She looked back up at Kaede and smiled, getting a confused look from the old woman. "It is getting urgent, so we'll be off now, Kaede-obaachan! Ja matta ne!" With that, Kagome stuffed the charms in her pocket and grabbed the arms of Sango and Miroku out of the hut.

"Have a safe journey everyone!" Kaede called out, waving as she reached the entryway to inside her hut. The two helpless ones in Kagome's clutches waved back, confused at why Kagome was rushing. And by godlike speed, Inuyasha leapt off the roof of Kaede's hut and caught up with the three of them, Shippou riding on his shoulder.

----

"Hey, Korei? Wanna come over here for a party? … Yeah, I want to spend some quality time with you. Just the two of us… Of course not! Jeez, you thought I was serious? … Anyway, Kagome and Tetsuya are coming over too… What about him? … So? That don't mean nothin'… No, the guy is pretty much openly gay. There ain't no 'hidin' in the closet' for him… Yes, I know he isn't. Now, do you want to come over for the party or not? … Why do you keep asking me that? … Ko-chan, there is nothing wrong between me and Hiro, so let's just drop the case, and settle that you're coming over. Period… Thank you. See ya." Emeri hung up the receiver onto its cradle and huffed. "Jeez, the girl is so wrapped up in other's business."

She looked up at the ceiling of her room. "I wonder if I should call them? … Nah."

----

"Kagome-sama, why are you acting so hasty?" Miroku rubbed his arm, feeling the soreness throbbing in it.

"Did you see something? A daemon, maybe?" Sango also rubbed her equally sore arm.

Kagome just shook her head. "No, worse. It's a quarter till four, and I promised Emeri-chan that I'd be coming over at four. So we gotta hurry, and fast."

"I don't see why you're freaking out. So what if you're a little late? Better than not showing up at all." Inuyasha looked off with a bored and annoyed expression. Does she want to see her friend that badly?

His words made Kagome scowl. "Well if Kikyou's life was on the line, would you want to show up a little late? I don't think so." Her attention turned to the beaded jewelry in her pocket. Closing her eyes, Kagome concentrated her energy into the charms. Unknown to her, the trinkets began to glow brightly, light escaping from the little cervixes of Kagome's hands.

She has a point. Even if it was a little harsh, thought Shippou. But Inuyasha deserved it. He should know when to keep his big mouth shut. What if Kagome decided not to come back? We wouldn't be able to go with her on this opportunity. The little fox kit nodded. Yeah, Inuyasha still has a lot to learn. The oaf.

"All right, their ready." Kagome held out the charms. "I think I've infused enough of my power into them. They should work." She smiled as Sango, Miroku, and Shippou took them. Hopefully.

Sango played with the necklace a bit, trying to make it feel not so odd. "Well, there is only one way to find out." She looked at her twin-tailed daemon cat. "Kirara, I want you to go back to Kaede-sama. Wait for me there, okay?" A short mew was used in response before the daemon cat began scampering off towards the village.

Kagome threw her friend a confused look. "Sango-chan, Kirara could have come along. It's not like she'll take up room."

"I know," Sango said. "But it's best she stayed behind in case the village gets attacked by some minor daemons."

"Ah," responded Kagome. She turned to the rest of the group with a serious expression. "Well, is everyone ready?" Simultaneous nods came in response, giving Kagome the 'okay'. She nodded herself, turning her view to the well soon after. "On three, we're all going to jump in after each other. I'll go first with Shippou-chan, then Sango goes next; Miroku soon after, and Inuyasha goes last." A second set of simultaneous nods was made. "Okay…"

'One…' Shippou leapt into Kagome's arms.

'Two…' Sango and Miroku's fists tightened.

'Three!' Kagome jumped into the Bone Eater's Well.

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A/N: Okay, Chapter 2 is shorter than the first, but that's not too bad. Anyway, if any of you noticed, Inuyasha's been kind of a cardboard cutout. Just standing there, no talking, sarcastic comments, nothing. I'd like to apologize for that. I could really think of what to make him do without dragging the story along. So, yeah… And if you're curious about Emeri and Korei, you'll find out in Chapter 3. Inuyasha will be more animated in the future chapters, there'll be more humor, and we'll find out if those Kagome-powered jewelry will work. But, you guys probably already know what's going to happen. XD CYA