Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or its characters; that right belongs to the talented Rumiko Takahashi. Nor do I own My Hero Academia or its characters; that right belongs to Kohei Horikoshi.
Author's Notes: Today is a double-whammy. I will state here and now that I don't respond to Guest Reviews (whether signed in or not) in my stories (or in general) for various reasons. But back in February, I got two Guest Reviews that touched my heart and mind. Waking up that morning and reading those two reviews made my day. And not just mine, but fellow authors with whom I shared the screenshots of them. We all agreed that these reviewers should be acknowledged for the smiles they brought to our faces.
So, to 0re0(Guest): Thank you for being an understanding person, and using the word Bruh in a context that had me snort-laughing. It also states what you think about people who feel it is their right to be internet trash trolls. It has stuck with me when I have had my days of doubt due to dealing with Chronic Depression. The words, in particular, that had me all warm and fuzzies were: "...like Bruh, if you don't like the author's story, then don't read it and move on." These are very true because it is common sense.
To Kagomelover250(Guest): Your rant about Bakugo was just perfect, because you clearly stated what I felt as I wrote that scene out. You were heartfelt in saying you were looking forward to the next update, instead of demanding I update now, or soon. Too many authors, I know that set us off and make us not want to get working on a new chapter because it tells us that we are not to have a real-life and do what the reader/reviewer wants.
Now to the meat and potatoes of this Author's Notes (takes off the kid gloves, puts on the serious face and glares darkly). I AM FUCKING TIRED OF PEOPLE TELLING ME(AND OTHER AUTHORS) THAT A SPECIFIC WORD MEANS ONE THING AND ONE THING ONLY, NO MATTER THE CONTEXT! I get most people only to have the bare minimum knowledge of a language based mostly from interacting with Anime/Manga/Light Novels. But for fuck's sake, all you have to do is take the damn time to do some personal research or ask the damn author in a review or PM why they choose to do so?
I am glad that I grew up in an era when teachers and parents encouraged children to do their own research. And with the tools we have at hand, it isn't that damn hard. So for all the people who do this, know that you are genuinely being ignorant of another culture and language. The Japanese vocabulary, like most cultures, has different meanings or multiple definitions for a singular word. And I am going to prove it. So that all who keep doing this, hopefully stop spreading your ignorance.
After some research and confirming with the actual friends I have that live all over Japan, I will agree with you all that the word TAMA does mean bead/jewel, but it is a word that has four different Kanji/Hiragana, which change its meaning entirely.
This Kanji means Ball or Jewel: 玉 (which is used in the title Shikon no Tama - 四魂の玉, しこんのたま)
This Kanji means Bullet: 弾
This Kanji means Globe: 球
And this last Kanji means soul (yes you are reading this right!):魂
It took me half an hour to find out all this information (and again confirm it with my friends in Nihon), as I am not the only one to google the question: "Does the word Tama have multiple meanings?" Or, "What is the difference between the words Tama and Tamashii (actual Japanese word for soul)?" And last but not least, "What are the different Kanji used for Tama?" Seriously people, quit being lazy. The English language is amazing (even beautiful) and just like Japanese has a variety of words that are spelled the same but can have very different meanings, as do most other languages as well. And while translations are imperfect or inexact, as well, some words may not exist in either language as the native speakers know them. A good example that most of us all can agree on would be the use of Honorifics or titles (depending on where you live in the world). Such as -sama, -chan, -kun/chin, which denote a person's relationship or station to another individual with whom they interact.
And then people shove that ignorance down other people's throats. To me, the lack of doing personal research is what is wrong with our society today. It creates ignorance and a mindset that a particular idea/opinion is correct, therefore must be shoved onto other people, which is bigotry. Because if others don't share it, you feel you must change their point of view. I find that to be sickening.
Quote to live by: "If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all." This is what Thumper's mom in Bambi says. It can be taken in many ways. And telling someone that they are wrong due to the word choice when you only have a singular point of view seems to apply, at least in my mind. But you are all more than welcome to interpret it in your way. I cannot fault you, though I am human and judgemental as the next person. So if you do not like that, I politely ask you toturn around and leave now because I don't see the point in you wasting your time and mine.
It had been a rather interesting week since he had bared witness to the tiff between Kagome and Bakugo. Adjusting to living in the dorms was a new experience, but one Todoroki was not adverse to. He found it more comfortable, not having his father breathing down his neck as soon as he got home. Though he was sure, he would eventually miss his siblings.
Hell, the whole class seemed to find it more convenient to walk from the Dorm to classes every day. Their moods had been noticably lighter, as they could interact with each other on a more personal level. And the fact they all were going to attempt to take turns in sets of three to cook meals was a bit scary, yet fun at the same time. Shaking his head as his mind shifted to a different topic, recalling the mock fights Aizawa-sensei had them do during this week, on top of regular classes and building their teamwork. They'd finally seen Kagome use her Quirk, which had nothing to do with the small two-tail cat that accompanied her most of the time.
Kilala was like their own principal, an animal that could use a Quirk. To see the small kitten turn into a six-foot-tall, sabertoothed beast that had fire flickering off its body was impressive. Todoroki had just stared as Kagome laughed at not only him, but everyone as Kilala shrunk and meandered over to sit next to Aizawa and All-Might... Former Hero. From there, Kagome explained that the Kanji used for her Quirk was not 玉 for bead or jewel, but rather 魂 for Soul.
Having seen her spar with Bakugo had him prepared for her physical attacks. They were not to hold back and find their opponent's weaknesses as quick as possible. Kagome had been rather observant as they traded the blows for a few minutes, allowing their Quirks to manifest. It took him a little bit before he finally found the indication that she was using her Quirk. Which oddly kept him from directly freezing or burning her. That her eyes took on an odd lavender and silver like glow before she seemed to manipulate the space around her.
Instantly his mind shifted through the various meanings of what soul was before settling on the fact that she could manipulate (in a sense) life force (natural energy) of nature around her. IE: the elements to a small degree. But that was after he had tried to trap her in a dome of ice, only to find she had created a small barrier around her body and looked unimpressed when he cleared it away thinking he had won. Nope, she took the opening he had created and formed a bow out of the natural energy/life force of nature and shot it at him.
Only instinct had him flinging up a wall of fire, which caused the ice to crumble and free her. From there, their match got more serious, though he won in the end. It had been fun to see the different ways she used it, creating and manipulating into something either physical or not. But he could easily see it tired her out to use it in large amounts.
Sighing, Todoroki frowned as he looked over to Kagome, who was muttering darkly under her breath as she answered her cell. He had been there, with a few of the others, at lunch when she had gotten a call from home yesterday. And it was clear that she had been ordered home for some reason. Knowing it was rude to ask, he had remained silent. Having a family with specific traditions, history, and standing in society made a living pain. Expectations were always laid like a heavy yoke on the shoulders, whether they were wanted or not.
Now he watched and listened as Kagome spoke.
"Yes, Franky," her voice softened to an audible whisper. "Give me a few minutes to say my goodbyes, and then I will be out."
There was silence as he noted she listened before a faint smile appeared, though it was tired and didn't reach her eyes.
"No, I will be quick, promise," she said again, in that same tired voice. "It was part of the agreement I made separate from the schools to live in the dorms."
When Kagome brought her cell down from her ear, snapping it shut loudly, Todoroki leaned back and turned his attention back to what he had been doing before letting his mind wander, reading a book. Tonight, he too would be leaving the dorm to see his family. His father had texted him before classes started. Telling him that there was something important he had to attend tomorrow morning, and he couldn't get out of it as well as that his mother would be in attendance. That alone secured him going.
"Bye, everyone, I will see you all tomorrow night... probably after dinner," Kagome quipped as she bent, grabbing a small yellow backpack. "Behave yourselves!"
Letting a smile appear, Todoroki just flipped the page and continued to read.
Kagome had not been pleased that her Grandfather had called her while she was in school to tell her to come home. And that was why she was dressed and painted up as she was. That senile old man, whom she loved, had immediately begun looking for a match. Not surprising as he wanted her future secured, and her being female meant she couldn't inherit the Shrine. Nope, it had to go to her little brother, who didn't want anything to do with it. Souta wanted to be an international Soccer Player. Shippo was not blood-related and not even a blip on the radar.
She was sighing as she walked behind her mother, hating how tight and heavy the Yukata she was wearing was that the Obi was cinched tight to show off her tiny waist. Part of Kagome dreaded this Omiai. Her Grandfather didn't care if she had a preference; he wanted a man who would keep her spirited nature in check. Temper her, so she was a traditional Japanese woman.
She was keeping her eyes down demurely as she waited for her mother to sit on the pillow at the table, before taking her place next to her mother and beside her little brother. It had been the one thing that was not budging upon agreeing to let her live in the Dorms. Kagome had to concede, because even her mother supported her Grandfather, though for different reasons. She was sighing as she stared at the table. There was no sound but that of breathing in the small room.
"Shall we begin?" her Grandfather asked.
"Yes, Elder Higurashi," a man spoke, his voice making her feel as if it was familiar like she had heard it recently.
"Good, Mr. Todoroki, as you can see, this is my granddaughter Kagome," her Grandfather said, making Kagome stiffen.
She couldn't help it, she panicked internally, causing her hands to curl into the soft satin of her Yukata. This was a family of Quirk users. Her family prided itself on not having anything in their bloodline, except for odd little her. They played along with the story that was given as a cover by the Government when she returned to Japan. A facsimile to keep her safe. But those of the religious lines were still pure humans, and it was a great shame to have a child with a quirk, though human genetics had evolved and mutated.
"Yes, I can tell she will be beautiful when she grows up," Todoroki Enji, or Endeavor spoke. "And she seems to be quiet and well behaved, as she hasn't done anything that hasn't been yet requested of her."
She ground her teeth at his words, while there was no malice in them, she could tell that he was assessing her by what he could see. Did he not know she attended school with his son Shoto? That was considered a Quirk user, not a normal girl? It had her curious and questioning her Grandfather's motives. She knew that there were two sons in the Todoroki family. Shoto being her age and his brother, who was three years senior to both of them. Was that who her Grandfather was attempting to match her with.
"I assure you, my granddaughter is a good girl, and has the look of my late wife, so yes, she will be beautiful when she finishes growing," her Grandfather stated with pride. "And I am amazed, though, you took my offer and are keeping this quiet. It would bring great shame if it were found out in the Religious community that she had a Quirk."
"I will admit, I almost passed this over. But your family is old and long-standing, so it made me stop and think of why you would ask for this Omiai," Enji Todoroki said. "When you explained it and asked me to at least come and meet the girl, I knew that I had to. The way you described her was not lacking. I had to ponder which of my two sons, and even visited my wife, who I bought today. Her opinion on this matters greatly."
Kagome began to do the deep breathing exercises she had been taught to keep her emotions in check. Between her Grandfather and Shoto's father, she wanted to stand up, flipping the table as she screamed her rage in a primal manner. This was just outright insulting, and so out of date, this was not the Feudal Era of Japan.
"Ah, then Mrs. Todoroki, what is your take?" Her Grandfather asked, making Kagome squeeze her eyes shut tightly.
"Oh, I cannot say, I have yet to see her face and hear her speak," Shoto's mother, Rei spoke, her voice hesitant, almost uncertain. "And I just want my son to be happy."
It was a long few minutes of silence before Kagome was told to raise her head. When she did, she had to do her best not to gasp aloud. Before Kagome was her classmate, Shoto Todoroki, who was looking at her in his usual detached, uninterested manner, yet she could tell he was in shock from the way his eyes were slightly wider than normal. That and his Aura was shimmering in the odd colors of orange, green, and light purples to indicate he was in a state of shock and confusion.
It had her smiling as she dipped her head at him and his parents. There was hope at the end of this tunnel, maybe? Kagome was as well aware that she and Bakugo had an audience after taking down the barrier she sparred with him. Even now, she wanted to forgive him, but he crossed a line and had to find the courage and apologize. It was not a foreign concept for him, nope. He had the manners to do it, and the intelligence to know he had to do it.
"Shoto, what do you think of her? She is your classmate, is that right?" Enji Todoroki asked.
"Yes, father, she is. And her Quirk is rather interesting and adaptable. She is a good fighter and intelligent as well," Shoto said, his voice a soft monotone. "And yes, she is pretty. But I don't want to marry her. I do not think I would be a good fit for her. Besides, I have someone I am interested in."
His words were very pointed and had her blushing as he spoke in an honest yet candid manner. Though his blatant refusal stung a bit after the compliments, Kagome just smiled serenely. She had an idea of who Shoto liked, and it would be a great match as there was already trust, respect, and understanding there. Though, the girl in question was seemingly dense in that area.
"Shoto!?" Enji Todoroki said, his voice rising on the last syllable of his son's name.
"Dear, please," Rei Todoroki spoke up, her soft voice harsh as she placed a hand on her husband's arm. "He has a right to refuse. Shoto, can you tell us who you are interested in?"
Kagome let her body relax as she watched the tips of Shoto's ears start to blend into the red of his hair as he told everyone that he liked Momo Yaoyorozu. She came from an old, very traditional Quirk Family. They held prestige and titles, things that she could tell were still semi-appreciated by his father, Enji. Kagome knew Momo would be a good fit for him.
"I guess this is the end of the Omiai," her Grandfather spoke up, his voice calm, yet she could tell from his Aura that he was displeased with the outcome. "If you don't mind staying for some tea? I think the children can go enjoy some free time before heading back to the school dorms."
He was on edge. All Bakugo had done was gone downstairs to see what they had planned for dinner when he had overheard his classmate Toru talking. He was well aware that Kagome had a phone call and that she had gone home due to family business. That it was also part of an agreement, she had her freakish Grandfather, to be allowed to live in the dorm. What that agreement was he didn't know and didn't care. Or so he thought.
He rushed off the public bus and towards the Higurashi Shrine, hoping that Toru was wrong with what she overheard Kagome talking to Deku about. He hoped that she had misheard, because if it was true, Kagome was being forced to attend an Omiai. That just sat wrong with him, because he knew her. And she wouldn't just sit and allow herself to be engaged and married off to someone random. So, he had decided when she didn't answer his text or phone calls, not that he expected her to since she was still pissed at him for his comment while sparing.
The sight of the red torii gates coming into view had him putting on an extra burst of speed. He knew he still had to apologize, but how did one do that after making such an accusation? Saying sorry didn't seem just to cut it. And he had found out that their whole little sparring session had been observed after Kagome had left. But with his Quirk conveniently sealed, he couldn't inflict pain on the group of idiots.
Yet the looks he got from all the girls present, even the shy Tsuyu, had been cold and condemning. Even Deku had looked at him with pity in his eyes, that rubbed salt in the open wound he had given himself. Yet here he was rushing to find out the truth of the matter involving Kagome. Yes, like Deku, she was still a friend. Even if he didn't act like they were, it still seemed too odd that both of them who had never had Quirks did now. Deku's was so much like All Might it was scary. Kagome's, after seeing it, didn't feel like a Quirk to him. But he couldn't place just why.
Reaching the stairs and taking them two at a time, he growled as he felt that odd pressure on his body, indicating his Quirk was now sealed. This was the reason why he hated coming to the Shrine. Still, as he crested the top, he slowed as he heard laughter. Slipping off into the foliage they kept on the grounds, Bakugo kept hidden until he made his way to where the laughter was coming from only to go still where he crouched.
On the back porch of Kagomes' Family house was her little brother, and the brat Kagome had pulled his ear over, Shippo. Both were tussling while none other than his classmate Shoto Todoroki sat watching and smiling. Smiling and wearing a formal Yukata looking like he was at home. His eyes darted around to see if he could find Kagome, only to feel the air in his lung freeze. She had just stepped out from the house, wearing her formal Yukata, hair pulled up in an elegant bun with lacquered chopsticks. While her lips, tinted a deep pink from rouge, were tilted up in a smile as she came and sat beside Todoroki.
He was frowning as his eyes narrowed as she leaned into Todoroki, who held up his Cell Phone. The bright flash let him know that a picture had been taken. Bakugo didn't like the fact that there most definitely had been an Omiai, and that her potential fiance was Todoroki. But the way they were smiling and happy had him wondering if it was accepted? There was no way that this was the guy Kagome had been crushing on for a long time. She'd never met Shoto until she came to UA.
"Hey, Shoto, thank you," he heard Kagome speak. "I am glad you rejected the match."
It scared him that he felt relief at her words. But then again, he really couldn't see them together. There was no way either of their real personalities would mix. And Bakugo knew that Kagome would probably attempt to kill Shoto's father, Endeavor. The man had been an ass to his family; they'd all found out about how he had raised his son after he developed both an Ice and Fire Quirk.
"You are welcome," Shoto replied, laughing as Souta and Shippo fell off the porch and continued to wrestle. "And we already agreed we wouldn't tell a soul about this. And thanks for humoring my request for a picture to remember this occasion. Also, I think I will enjoy knowing what you look like dressed up like a pretty little doll."
The deep groan from Kagome as Bakugo watched her swat at Shoto was humorous. But he knew that he'd have to get back to the Dorms soon. He had left without permission, and that Kagome was not engaged to some older man or weirdo was good knowledge to have. And he was happy that Shoto had rejected her, but why did he? It left Bakugo wondering? Sighing as he moved as silently as possible back towards the stairs and torii gates.
He knew that once Kagome returned, there would be questions, and she would be upset that they even knew about the Omiai, even if it was by accident. Bakugo also knew that Deku would have tried to caution them to keep silent as well, not that it would work. Kagome was a private person in reality. Though very friendly, accepting, she valued her privacy, always had. Damage control was not on him.
TBC!
The Next Story to be updated is Twisted Fate.