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Update Dates: Sundays and Thursdays

Undeniable Love
Chapter 16 - Hojo's New Hope

By: Scaevola
Published 8/25/05
Updated 10/16/05

The day passed by slowly, and for once Hojo wasn't attentive to the sensei's lecture. Instead he stared off into space, sometimes moving to linger on the girl he loved, Kagome.

He sighed. Hope seemed to have deserted him. For years now he had been kind to Kagome, always understanding of her illnesses, knowing that one day she would get better and live a happy life. How he wished that that happy life would be with him...

But no, it was apparently not meant to be. Not long after he had finally had a successful date with her, she had turned around and told him she loved another. Not only did she love another, but she had said she'd known him for awhile. His hands clenched into a fist on his desk at the thought. How dare she? Was he some tool to be used? Some guy that she could spend time with when she needed a break from this other guy? Had she been fooling around with him this whole time?

If the object of his affections took notice of his pain he was not aware of it. Kagome had been dutifully taking notes on all of the sensei's words and carefully avoiding all eye contact with Hojo. No matter how he tried to get her attention, whether it was by hissing, throwing small crumbled notes to her desk, or even whispering her name, she continued to ignore his pleas for her attention.

Hojo's could feel his heart clench. He had never known heartbreak, and was not prepared for the emotions that flooded his heart and mind. He wanted to strike Kagome and run over to her and hug her at the same time. He wanted to tell her how much she meant to him, how much he cared for her, loved her, how only she held his heart, while another part of him screamed for revenge, to show her how much she had hurt him, how cruel she had been, it screamed at him to make her hurt as badly as he was.

Tears gathered in his eyes, and he shut them tightly, willing the tears away. He would not cry; he would not break down in front of the school. He did not want Kagome's pity, or apology, he wanted her love.

It was that thought that struck him the hardest. Despite the pain that Kagome had caused him, he still wanted her love. He still wanted to hold her in his arms, and to be with her. He studied the girl in her desk again, writing furiously as the teacher spoke about the United States.

Did she deserve to be forgiven? He thought about it as he watched her. Searching himself, he found that whether she did or not deserve it, he would forgive her. Kagome would never have intentionally hurt him like that. She had always been kind and caring to everyone, and had always had a smile for everyone.

Why then, had Kagome rejected him? Again Hojo found himself searching for answers within himself. What was so inadequate about him? Why did Kagome choose another to be with? What did this other guy have that he didn't?

Hojo's mind turned to the boy that had taken Kagome from him. He was the one who had caused this pain, this heartbreak. If he had never taken Kagome from him, she would never have rejected him like that.

Hojo was so caught up in his thoughts that he barely noticed when the teacher called on him. He raised his eyes to look at the teacher.

"Sumimasen, sensei. What was the question?" he asked, ignoring his classmates' laughter.

The teacher rolled his eyes. "This is not like you Hojo. You are normally very attentive. Now, can you tell me what year the American commodore forced Japan into international markets by forcing his way into Urga Bay?"

Hojo answered half-heartedly, he already learned all of this material in his Juku last week. "In 1853 Mathew Calbraith Perry forced Japan to open it's markets to foreign countries."

(Quick Author's Note: Jukus, or cram schools, are schools high school students go for supplemental lessons, especially for academic subjects that are important to preparation for entrance examinations at all levels.)

"Correct." said the teacher, ignoring Hojo's unenthusiastic tone. He turned towards the board and continued his lesson.

For the rest of the school day Hojo found himself thinking about how he had lost Kagome to some other guy. Slowly though, those thoughts turned from depressed to hopeful, as he realized that he could still prove to Kagome that he was the better choice, that he could care for her better than any other guy could.

How though? He still didn't know why Kagome had chosen this other boy over him. What was so special about this other guy, so great that Kagome had given up on Hojo?

Hojo found the answers to his questions at the end of the day. As he was heading out of the school, a new bounce in his step as he thought about him winning Kagome back, he saw the very object of his questions.

He was walking out of the doors of the school, amid a large group of chattering kids from the school, all talking about their homework, entrance exams, when he saw Kagome running by, the brightest smile on her face Hojo had ever seen. He watched as she opened her arms wide and crashed into a taller boy with the oddest features Hojo had ever seen.

He was a bit taller than Hojo, and seemed to radiate with a presence... Hojo couldn't quite place it, but alarms quickly went off in Hojo's head. The way the boy carried himself screamed confidence, and he seemed to glare at everyone except Kagome.

But that was not what was so peculiar about the boy. In fact, it was far from it. The boy's hair was perhaps his most noticeable feature. It was long, far longer than any boy's at school. briefly Hojo wondered what school this boy went to that had a dress code that allowed hair that long, or that color.

It was a silver white color, shinning in the sunlight. While his hair attracted plenty of stares, it was definitely not the boy's most peculiar feature. As the boy held Kagome close, Hojo couldn't help but start at his eyes. Amber orbs stared at the school girl, and seemed to hold a depth that Hojo couldn't begin to describe.

Of course, Hojo also couldn't help but notice a lot of the girls at the school were gazing at the boy now, some whispering and giggling, others simply glaring at Kagome with jealousy.

"Look at his hair..." sighed one girl to her friends near Hojo.

"And his eyes!" squealed her friend.

"Ignore that! Look at his body!" exclaimed a third.

Hojo found himself listening to girls conversation as they pointed out everything about the boy. Grudgingly, Hojo had to agree with a few of them. Sure, his hair and eyes made him unique and maybe even exotic, but didn't Hojo also have a good physique?

He watched as the boy took Kagome's bag from her and picked Kagome up. She squealed in delight and laughed, slapping his arm before he carried her out of the school grounds.

Hojo felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi looking at him with concern.

"Did you know about him?" he asked them, referring to Kagome's new boyfriend.

Ayumi looked down at her feet, avoiding Hojo's gaze, while Eri and Yuka simply looked apologetic as they nodded.

"She's always been telling us how he's jealous, and violent." said Yuka.

"Not to mention two-timing," added Eri.

"We always thought she would just leave him for you," Yuka said, looking at him with sympathy.

Hojo looked down at Eri's hand on his shoulder. He shrugged it off roughly. "If he's what you say he's like, then he shouldn't even be near Kagome." he said before walking away.

Behind him he could hear Ayumi say, "I hope he doesn't do anything stupid." And although Hojo couldn't see them, he knew that Yuka and Eri were nodding their heads in agreement as he headed out of the school grounds to follow Kagome and her boyfriend.

Hojo walked in the direction he had seen Kagome go. He knew, from having walked there so many times, that this road lead straight to Kagome's home. He quickened his pace. He wanted to catch up to Kagome and this InuYasha before they reached the shrine.

When he realized that he had not gained any ground on them since leaving the school, Hojo quickly broke out in a run. Every step he took brought him closer to his goal, while every minute wasted brought Kagome farther and farther away. In desperation, he began to shove people who got in the way, daring to run straight across a busy street without waiting for the lights to change.

Soon, he heard voices, and a laugh that sounded like music to him. 'Kagome' he thought, relief washing over him. He slowed down, deciding that he wanted to hear this InuYasha before he confronted him.

"I hope the others are alright." he heard Kagome say.

"Feh." Hojo heard another voice respond. 'Must be InuYasha,' he thought. "Everyone will be fine except for Miroku. That monk can't keep his hands to himself, and I'll bet he's unconscious when we go back."

Kagome laughed. "Well he should keep his hands off of Sango if he doesn't want to get hit by her."

Hojo listened closely. Apparently Kagome was having company over. He was glad he decided to catch up with Kagome and InuYasha before he reached the shrine. He wouldn't want to make a big scene in front of her family and guests.

There was a slight pause, and Hojo couldn't hear exactly what was said, but then InuYasha spoke louder.

"Shh. Kagome. Don't worry, I won't let him touch you again. I'm going to kill him for what he did to you Kagome." said InuYasha.

Hojo froze in fear. Was InuYasha talking about him? He hoped not. He listened closely as Kagome spoke again.

"But what about Tetsusaiga? Won't you need that InuYasha?" asked Kagome.

"Keh. I could kill that mangy wolf easily with or without the Tetsusaiga." said InuYasha

Hojo was now thoroughly confused. Were they calling him a mangy wolf? And what was the Tetsusaiga? Something about it rang a bell, but he couldn't place it.

How could Kagome like someone like this? Then a thought struck him. Had InuYasha threatened her? Maybe InuYasha was forcing her to be with him. Anger swelled in him. Kagome was probably only pretending to be happy with the jerk.

After all, how could she be happy with some guy that was openly talking about killing someone! Kagome's friends weren't lying when they said he was violent. Kagome shouldn't be near this guy, he might hurt her. Taking a deep breath, Hojo stepped forward, hurrying over to save the girl he loved from this monster.

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InuYasha gave Kagome a rare smile as she got out of the school. He'd waited nearby for the entire day, carefully snooping around through class windows to make sure Kagome was alright.

When she walked out into the sunlight and saw him, she quickly returned the smile. "InuYasha!" she called, running to him, opening her arms.

InuYasha let her crash into him, quickly steadying himself as he wrapped his arms around her. She buried her head in his chest for a moment before pulling back.

"I missed you." she said.

InuYasha smirked, "Keh. How could you not miss me?" The truth was though, that InuYasha missed her too. The time they had spent apart as she was at school seemed like an eternity to him. Mentally he made a note to bring something of Kagome's with him tomorrow so he could at least smell her as he waited for school to end.

Kagome gave him a playful shove at his comment. "Baka. You think I don't know you missed me too?"

InuYasha took her bag from her, remaining silent as he did so. He put it on his back, and ignoring the many students staring, he picked Kagome up in his arms. Leaning down, he kissed her and whispered in her ear, "Who said I didn't miss you?"

She laughed as he swept her off her feet and carried her in his arms out of the school. "InuYasha! Put me down!" she squealed, slapping his arm.

"No. You are too injured. This InuYasha must carry the weak human." answered InuYasha, imitating his half-brothers way of speaking.

'"I'm not too injured!" Kagome protested. "I've been fine the whole day without help!"

InuYasha tightened his grip on her. "I know, but I like the excuse to carry you." he said, kissing her again.

"I'll just have to find more reasons for my strong hanyou to carry me then." answered Kagome, burying her head in his chest.

"Keh. As if you need an excuse." snorted InuYasha. Then, in a whisper, he added, "I'm never letting you go, Kagome."

"I hope so, InuYasha." Kagome closed her eyes, relaxing as InuYasha carried her home.

For once, InuYasha didn't run or jump as he carried her. He even obeyed the stupid human rules that he had learned, like crossing the street as the light changed to "walk" or "cross", and being polite to the humans in the city. Several people looked up and watched as InuYasha carried Kagome, and he distinctly heard one older woman whisper to her friend, "Aren't they a cute couple?"

As they neared the shrine, Kagome spoke up again.

"I hope the others are alright." she said.

"Feh." Snorted InuYasha. "Everyone will be fine except for Miroku. That monk can't keep his hands to himself, and I'll bet he's unconscious when we go back."

Kagome laughed. "Well he should keep his hands off of Sango if he doesn't want to get hit by her."

Both InuYasha and Kagome were silent, lost in thoughts, when Kagome let out a little whimper.

InuYasha looked down at Kagome with concern. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Kagome squeezed him tightly. "I'm scared, InuYasha. What if Koga comes back?"

InuYasha was a little shocked. Didn't she know he would protect her? He would never let anyone hurt Kagome.

"Shh. Kagome." he whispered, trying to comfort the girl. "Don't worry, I won't let him touch you again. I'm going to kill him for what he did to you Kagome." he said kissing her forehead.

Kagome looked up at him, and InuYasha could tell she was still worried. "But what about Tetsusaiga? Won't you need that InuYasha?" she asked.

"Keh. I could kill that mangy wolf easily with or without the Tetsusaiga." said InuYasha, trying to reassure the girl.

Suddenly, InuYasha picked up footsteps. They were extremely close. He dismissed it as another person from the city and kept carrying Kagome. His ears twitched uncomfortably under the hat as they listened to the footsteps get closer. He'd be able to take them off at the shrine.

When he realized that the person was coming directly behind him, he swiftly put Kagome down, ignoring her startled gasp and turned around, coming face to face with - a kid from the school.

"What do you want?" he was about to ask, but he didn't have a chance before the boy punched him unexpectedly.

Taken by surprise that a human would hit him, InuYasha didn't even move as the kid threw the punch. He stood there, staring at it, before it collided with his cheek, forcing him head to the side.

He turned his head back towards the kid, glaring at him. He felt Kagome clutch onto his shirt from behind and whisper, "Don't hurt him, InuYasha."

Then, she moved out from behind him and addressed the boy. "Why'd you do that Hojo?"

The boy didn't answer her, instead grabbing her arm and pulling her behind him. "Get behind me Kagome. I won't let him hurt you."

Kagome let out a small "Huh?" before stumbling as Hojo pulled her towards him.

InuYasha watched in confusion and anger, but remember Kagome's request to not hurt the kid. "You're Hojo?" he asked.

The boy nodded. "That's right." he glanced back at Kagome. "And I don't want you coming near Kagome again."

"Keh. Like you could stop me if I wanted to see her." snorted InuYasha.

The boy glared at InuYasha. And Kagome stepped out from behind him. "Hojo, you can't keep me from InuYasha either. I already told you, I love him."

Hojo's face contorted with anger at her words. "No need to act Kagome. I know he forced you, but I'll protect you from him." Without warning, he threw another punch at InuYasha, who was ready for it this time, and quickly dodged the hit.

"What?" asked Hojo, confused. He'd never seen anyone move so fast!

InuYasha grabbed Hojo by the throat, lifting him into the air. "Listen here. I would never force Kagome to do anything like that! NEVER!" InuYasha tightened his grip on Hojo, causing him to cough and gag. "And if you so much as touch Kagome again or take her from me I swear I'll tear you apart!" snarled InuYasha.

He dropped the boy down unceremoniously, and quickly walked over to Kagome. He scooped her up into his arms and continued off towards the shrine, leaving Hojo on the sidewalk, red in the face and panting as he tried to catch his breath.

Hojo looked up to see InuYasha carrying Kagome away, who gave him a sympathetic look before turning to talk with InuYasha.

'Don't worry Kagome, I'll save you from him.' thought Hojo as he got up. But first, He'd need to get some help.

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Please Read:

So, How was the chapter? Please review and tell me! Oh and also, if any of you have questions for me just put them in your review and I'll email you back as soon as I can. I know I haven't really been too responsive to reviews, only emailing a few of you now and then, but I've decided to change that.

There is one review that I feel I should answer in public however. crazyperson asked about "A New Leader". I had not realized that anyone was still looking for this fanfiction, or was even interested in it, because I took it down after it was up for about a week or so. However, I want to assure anyone that is curious about "A New Leader" that I did not take it down permanently, and I plan on posting it again in the middle of November.