A/N: Okay guys, I'm back, as I promised I would. I was on vacation, and it's been crazy around here. So the plan is, I'm gonna try and finish this before I leave for college, there may be some comp issues…anyways, THANKS for your support!
Chapter 3:
The next day, after Inuyasha had his bowl of honey-nut cheerios, he strapped on his sandals and headed for the door. He was nearly bouncing up and down with energy and excitement, and wished his family would hurry up with getting ready. The day had an auspicious beginning, what with the sun shining, and the early morning breeze that seemed to make the summer tree branches oscillate, reflecting Inuyasha's bright and upbeat mood.
"Inuyasha, hold on a minute. Your father and I haven't even finished our coffee yet," his mother told him an amused smile, catching her husband eye. He appeared to have the same look on his face.
"Can't you take it in the car? Come on!" Inuyasha pleaded, jumping up and down with frustration. Inuyasha's parents consented, and five long minutes later, they were finally all packed and ready for the zoo.
A warm gush of air hit Inuyasha, but he didn't mind. To him it just meant this was a good day to explore. And…not to mention, he was hoping he'd be able to see Kikyo again. They'd see all the animals in the zoo, including the snakes, bears, lizards, fishes, birds, lions, tigers…all of them.
"Mommy? Where are we going after the zoo?" Inuyasha asked, as they passed a Shell gas station. He put his hands in his lap and bounced his legs off the car seat.
"Well, we didn't have much planned. We'll probably leave after lunch. If Kikyo comes, would you like to do something with her later?" she asked him. Inuyasha nodded with a great, big grin.
"Yeah! But where can we go?" he asked her, pondering the question long and hard. He stopped bouncing his legs.
"Why don't you take her to the fields with the purple flowers near our house? I bet she'd like that," his mom suggested.
"Yeah! We'll go there!" Inuyasha responded finally, liking the idea a lot. After resuming the leg-bouncing with elated anticipation, he hoped now even more than before, he'd be able to see Kikyo again.
"Oooh…Inuyasha's got a girlfriend!" Sesshomaru teased, seizing the chance to take the immediate moment to pounce on his brother. With a smug countenance, he watched the blush lines race across his brother's face, which, at the same time, scrunched up in denial
"Nu-uh! Mooommy!" he whined. Inuyasha's mother turned around to face Sesshomaru and sighed with exasperation.
"Sesshomaru…honestly now, can't you leave your brother alone for once?" she requested, knowing he'd be at it again ten minutes later.
"Why? He's the one making a big deal out of it. And it's not like-" he began in defense. That is until his father cut in.
"Sesshomaru, listen to your mother-" his father told him, but Sesshomaru's audacity got the better of him.
"She's not my mother! I don't even know my mother because something happened between you two, and you won't even tell me anything about her!" he shouted, quickly glaring out the car window, and gritting his teeth.
Silence hung in the car. Inuyasha bit his lip and kept still, looking at the floor of the car. His mother kept still and quiet, shaken herself by Sesshomaru's outburst.
"That's enough Sesshomaru. This conversation ends here," his father said finally. He placed a comforting hand on his wife's, but didn't look at her. No one knew what else to say, but only hoped it would blow over soon.
Luckily the temper died down. Sesshomaru went off by himself; his parents letting him have his time alone, and hid the slit in the family ties well. Inuyasha's father scooped in his arms and placed him on his shoulders with a bright laugh. He took his wife's hand and she laughed along, as they headed towards the black zoo gate, decorated with sculptures of various animals. People were beginning to flow through the gates, and make their way down the brick pathway pass the cages, exhibits, and buildings of animals, common and exotic alike.
Inuyasha scanned the area for Kikyo, but she was nowhere to be seen. He felt his spirit drop, but then shoot straight up again, when he heard a familiar voice.
"Inuyasha!" a cheerful voice called to her. He turned suddenly, 'causing his father to nearly loose his balance for a moment. He decided this would be a good time to let his son down. Inuyasha slid down his father's back, and ran over to Kikyo.
"You're here!" Inuyasha said, running up to her and giving her a great big hug. At first Kikyo tensed in surprise, but then just laughed and hugged him back. A great, big, amused 'awww' came from Inuyasha's parents, and both Kikyo and Inuyasha tried hard not to blush as they quickly looked away in embarrassment.
Soon enough, though, those feelings left them, and Inuyasha grabbed Kikyo's hand, leading her through the zoo gates.
"Come on! I want to show you the animals!" he said, the eagerness practically bursting from him. "Let's run!" he suggested, pulling her along. Kikyo held back, not sure she wanted to. Inuyasha looked back at her, a bit confused.
"Um…" Kikyo managed to get out quietly. Inuyasha tugged on her hand.
"Come on, it's fun!" he told her with a bright smile. Kikyo couldn't help but smile as well, and replied with a soft, "ok!". The two took off together, with a warning to not stray too far from Inuyasha's parents.
The day was, in both Kikyo and Inuyasha's minds, one of the best and most fun they ever had. For several hours, they visited almost the entire zoo. First, they went in the rainforest type exhibit where they saw the exotic snakes of all kinds. Kikyo wouldn't get too close, so they didn't spend long in there. Next they walked outdoors and visited the raptors, bears, wolves, alligators, turtles, tigers, and many more. It was fairly uneventful, except at the alligator pond. There was a feeding show, and when one of the alligators came exploding out of the water, Kikyo jumped and latched onto Inuyasha, trembling. Inuyasha's mother placed a hand on Kikyo's head and kneeled down to her level, giving comforting words. To cheer her up, Inuyasha's parents bought them two ice-cream cones. A vanilla one for Kikyo, and a chocolate swirl for Inuyasha.
In the gift shop, while Kikyo was in the bathroom, Inuyasha saw a white puppy plushy, and asked his parents if he could get it for Kikyo. They bought it for him, and when Inuyasha held it out for Kikyo, the brightest smile crossed her face and she grabbed Inuyasha quite tightly in a thank-you hug. Inuyasha was quite elated he made her happy, and they exited the shop, Kikyo holding her new toy in one hand, and swinging Inuyasha's hand in the other.
They found Sesshomaru, who seemed to have forgotten about the incident, standing by the zoo gate. After stopping for lunch at McDonald's, which was just a few minutes walk from the zoo, Inuyasha's mom asked where Kikyo's parents were, and when they wanted to pick her up.
"Um…my grandma said to call her when I'm done playing," Kikyo said shyly, avoiding their eyes. Inuyasha's parents exchanged knowing glances.
"I have her phone number," she said, sticking her hand in her right pocket and digging out a small slip of notebook paper, and handing it to Inuyasha's mom. She took it and smiled.
"Okay. That sounds good. I think Inuyasha wanted to take you somewhere this afternoon. Would you like that?" she asked warmly. Kikyo nodded, wondering where they'd be going.
"All right then. Let's going," she said, winking to Inuyasha. They all hopped into their car, Kikyo taking up the seat between Sesshomaru and Inuyasha, and headed back to their summer house.
A/N: ok…sorry for the short, choppy chapter. Sorry for any mistakes, if there are any I'll fix them if I find time. It was supposed to be longer, but I'm tired, so I'll just make this episode two chapters. But I did want to update something. And I'm working very hard and diligently, so be patient, and I should hopefully, be able to update at least once a day.
