Yay! I got such a good response from everyone, thank you, minna!
…Although… I'm not sure about this one:
myob: (anon) dumbass...i dont meen to be mean or anything but u DEFINALY need to do some research on inuyasha! u know how u put takahshi as inuyasha's last name? THATS THE MAN WHO MADE INUYASHA'S LAST NAME!his name's rymuku takahshi
…-sweatdrops heavily- Well, technically, you ended up being mean anyway… you don't call someone 'dumbass' and get called polite. Second of all, I know, I had a lapse of judgement. People do that, OK? No need to get so worked up about it. And finally: please, you do research instead of me. I'm bitchy and I know it, and I'm petty so I won't let this go: Rumiko Takahashi is a woman. OK? Not a man. And for the love of God, at least spell her name correctly.
-Sighs- …And to other people who have been bugging me about this in at least a less annoying and rude fashion: I know Rumiko Takahashi created the manga; I just didn't connect it to his surname. Call it a temporary crazy thing, whatever. I don't need any more people drilling it into my head, because I realized straight after I posted the first chapter and the first review that told me. Please don't assume you're the first; I've rectified my mistake; got over my temporary crazy thing, now just let it go.
…And to everyone who saw the 'little boxes:' Sorry, but it all depends on if you have the encoding for Traditional Chinese --- which some of you don't, obviously. Erm, the 'refrigerator cardboard' symbols (XD That made me laugh so much, that did. Thanks for making my day) said: "I think this story's a lot of fun, and I'm glad you're enjoying it. And just as a little crazy and random side note: I like Garfield." --- Coffee Cat? Garfield? Yeah, that's how they say it in Hong Kong. I was there last year in the summer holidays and they had these HUGE billboards advertising the movie. Only… it kinda let me down when I actually saw it. –pouts-
Yes, I like Garfield. And even though I'm an Inuyasha fan girl, I'm always more feline then canine. Although… I like Snoopy too. So I'm at odds there. XD
About the lemons --- there will be no lemons, or limes, or anything remotely citrus-y. I read them, I like them, but I cannot write them. Although, I do admit, I have quite the dirty mind sometimes. XD
And… just to say; Gomen about not writing much lately, I've kind of been distracted by Prince of Tennis… :P I now have a strong urge to go out and swing my racket around, and do a 'Twist Serve.' Although I'm closer to Sakuno then Ryoma. XD
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha… It's amazing to think that right now, I'm writing it with at least three other people at exactly the same time, I bet. :P
Make Me
Kagome printed the numbers meticulously in her book. After lots of tutoring from the lecherous --- albeit kind --- Miroku, and lots of time spent poring over books, and lots of hair ripping (it was difficult to say who from the most) she had finally got the equations through her thick (but 'pretty,' Miroku said as Kagome thought back with a flush) head.
It'd been almost past a week, and Kagome still hadn't done any proper, hard---core studying --- something that the hard working schoolgirl was horrified at. So there'd been an arsonist scuttling around setting bedrooms on fire. So there'd been a thieving of the exact replica of the necklace that was connected to Inuyasha's family --- and so Inuyasha had a huge dark past that Kagome was dying of curiosity from to find out what had happened.
It would not do!
So seeking the impossible, she asked anyone around her desperately to tutor her. She'd asked a few maids, who'd shook their heads timidly, and Oliver, who laughed until he cried. "I can cook, darling. Don't expect too much from me." It was just her luck that the only other person worth asking --- namely Inuyasha --- was the only person she bore a grudge with, and was resolutely avoiding. She could've called Kouga and asked him --- but she really was too emotionally weary from her last encounter with Inuyasha to brush off Kouga's advances politely --- not to mention of wanting the satisfaction of proving Inuyasha wrong.
She was on the edge of giving up when a dark head had popped up with a teasing grin --- and on a reflex she clamped the book in front of her chest --- mentally berating herself to trying to be daring and wearing a low cut top that day.
"Looking for… help?" He made the word 'help' so dirty it was impossible not to blush.
"Yeah... I can't do my math."
Miroku waggled his eyebrows. "What can you… do then?
Kagome's eye twitched. "I can fill your mouth with cement and plaster of Paris so you can stop with the dirty innuendos."
He held his hands up and laughed. "I can always just swallow a Smartie lid."
Kagome blinked. "OK… I'm going to let that go."
The young man grinned, and sat down at the kitchen table. "Really? It's such a good tale as well. It'd almost make the 'legend' category."
"Really?" Intrigued now, Kagome also sat down and spread her books across the table, watching Miroku settle more comfortably in the chair.
"Mm hmm. I bought a tube of Smarties at a vendor, and pulled the lid off with my mouth. I don't know how, but somehow it got too far in, almost down my throat, and then I had to be an idiot and swallow the damn thing." He laughed bashfully, fingers raking through his hair. His eyes then narrowed at the books laid in front of him, and he began picking them up, studying the title. "Hey, I know this. It only used to be the only class I paid attention to because the teacher was this hot blonde woman that had these enormous---" His sentence faltered as Kagome gave him the puppy---dog eyes. "Ack…"
"You're a generous, kind teaching person, won't you, Miroku?"
The man in question closed his eyes serenely. "The man who gives must also receive."
Kagome scowled, then thought briefly, lighting up. "I can persuade Sango to go out on a date with you!"
"I already have one."
There was a squeal, and Miroku found himself the lucky recipient to the more answering side of 'girls' gossips.' "How? When? Where to?"
"Uh…" Miroku scratched his head. "Yesterday… and Sango was upset so I---"
"No!" Kagome's eyes were big as she drew away from him. "You didn't grope her, did you?"
He closed his eyes again and a brief smiled flitted across his mouth. "No, I reigned in my dishonorable desires, and I only comforted her by listening to her problems."
Miroku opened his eyes to find a Kagome with admiration in her eyes. "Such a gentleman --- well, at that time," she amended. "…Unlike a certain baka we know…" she muttered.
Miroku filed away this negative comment to deal with later, choosing to expand on him and Sango's encounter for now. "She was insecure about being single, and her little brother's upcoming wedding brought that out. So I offered to go with her."
"Such a sweet story! I just know you'll end up together. And there's a wedding? Oh, the romance…" She sighed dreamily.
"Oh, that. You're invited too, Sango says."
Kagome gasped. "Really? Wow…"
The stars in her eyes were interrupted when Miroku read aloud: "4a squaredequals 6a times 7."
That brought her out of her romance high --- making her slump down in a depressed fashion. "Don't remind me."
Miroku reached over and patted her back, sliding it down slowly. "Don't worry, I'll help."
Kagome removed his hand unconsciously just before it reached her butt and stared at him. "I thought you wanted to 'receive' something though."
He gave her an easy smile. "I can always just ask for an favour later."
Kagome gave him a suspicious look. "Nothing perverted."
A wide-eyed look was sent her way. "Why, Kagome---"
"No making me run out to buy your weekly Playboy magazine when it's raining."
He held his hands up in defeat, sighing. "OK, OK." Miroku pushed the algebra book towards her. "Now, read that, and just ask me about the bits you don't understand."
A blank look met his gaze. "So… you're going to explain the whole book?"
>>>>>>>>>>
Sango sat beside the violet-eyed man, sighing. They both listened carefully at the heavy sounds that someone pacing was making, and then a thump and a crash, followed by intense swearing that would make even a sailor blush.
"That's the seventh time." Sango propped her head up with her chin in her hand, elbow balancing her on the table. "How many more things can he break?"
Miroku shrugged and smiled. "Guilt can do that to an person." He brought a teacup to his lips and sipped elegantly. "Give him a chance; the whole feeling bad on someone else's behalf is new on him. Inuyasha doesn't really know how to handle other people's feelings."
Sango sighed again, trying to force herself not to worry so much. "How's Kagome-chan then?"
A smile tugged at the end of his lips. "Well, Kagome is handling it much better, but she's throwing herself into her studies. I'm not sure if this is because she's upset or that she's actually concerned about her exams. " Another sip. "All the same though, she's much more capable of managing the situation."
"I find it hard to believe that a fifteen year old girl is more emotionally capable then Inu --- oh, wait. I take it back then."
Miroku stole a side-glance at Sango. She seemed so weary… it'd been a long time since he'd seen a spark in her eyes. "So how's the wedding arrangements then?"
Wrong turn. Instantly, Sango slumped further. "Not good. The bride wants me to wear taffeta. It doesn't matter how many times I tell her I look better in simple things, she insists on making me look like some kind strawberry cream poof."
He nodded, as if he understood everything she'd just said. "Strawberry poofs are nice with biscuits though."
A half hearted glare was shot his way, then wilted mid-beam. "Oh, you just can't be---" A large crash cut off her sentence, and then she leaped up. "Oh, for the love of God! Can't I have a conversation in this household that doesn't revolve around someone else's drama? I swear it's like a soap show in here!"
Miroku watched her stomp up the stairs towards Inuyasha's room, not bothering to stop her. He listened for the angry footsteps that took its way down the hall… into the room. Any minute now… He twiddled his thumbs.
"Just go to her and say sorry! How hard is it to choke out one word? And Lord, stop smashing things! Do you know how expensive the insurance is now?"
…
"I don't care if she wants to call Kouga! She's free to call whoever she likes! Get this in your head, Inuyasha, she is not yours."
There was a brief pause, and then Sango's volume doubled. "I can't believe you called her a slut! Do you know how degrading it is to be labeled? Now you get out there and you apologize to Kagome and you tell her she is a nice girl, without loose morals."
A muffled retort tried to make its way out, but Sango cut it off effectively. "I don't want to hear it! And you can't fire me, because I'm the only one who knows how to trim your hair properly!"
Well. There was something that Miroku didn't know. Ah, you learnt new things every day.
>>>>>>>>>
Dark eyes flickered at the silver headed star looking properly chastised as he made his way towards the back of the mansion. A tiny smile formed on moistened lips, and a coy look was shot at Inuyasha's way. Fingering a red silk ribbon, it was twisted this way and that; brought to curl around a wrist and then unwound again. Lifting it to lips, the ribbon was brushed sensually across a pouting mouth. Dropping, it fluttered down to rest on dainty wrist; neglected for a short while, when a gleaming dagger was sliced shallowly across slender finger. Slowly, ever so slowly, the crimson beads of blood welled up, and shone with a sick intensity. The smooth silk ribbon was brought down again, to press against the finger, and the blood was soaked into the red cloth. Bringing it up for inspection, the only indication was a slight darker spot, damp but quickly drying.
It matched the equally scarlet smile.
>>>>>>>>>
It was the same bench they'd sat on, the one with the view of the seaside, Kagome realized. Ironic. They'd been having a fight then, and they were having a fight now. She sighed. The peace never lasted.
Sometimes, she was able to forget about it when she stared at the sea. The dark blue contrasted greatly to the paleness of the sand, both of them lining each other. She could see them clearly where she sat from the bench. It was such a pretty place, made to be admired and interacted with. The smooth wood felt comforting to her as she trailed her fingers over the surface, and Kagome could smell a faint hint of the ocean if she inhaled. The sun was fiery, but the wind that tossed her hair around cooled her at the same time.
The strands of her hair were soft when caressing her face, and she tipped her head back to gaze at the blue sky. I really should be studying, but… one more minute. I just want to feel this for one more moment.
It was just like the last time. He sat down next to her, muttering a gruff 'hello.' Kagome knew she should've gotten up, walked away, maybe even try to hurt him as much as he'd hurt her… but she simply didn't have the energy. It'd been a week, and she'd never gone as long as this to resolve an issue. The stress was draining, and it was hard not to be reminded of him, since the whole damn house was his!
They both sat there for a while, admiring the scenery. The silence that hung between them palatable.
"I-I'm sorry."
The words were clumsy, rushed and fumbled, but they'd never sounded more sincere then anything in her life. He stared at the floor, the words foreign on his lips. He lifted his head, amber eyes meeting her coffee coloured ones. She'd become softer, as did her eyes. More forgiving and welcoming, and the lightness in her being showed it.
The rush of relief nearly swamped him.
He felt, rather then see, her nod. A rustle of clothing indicated she was getting up, but he didn't move his gaze from the floor. So it came as a surprise when he felt the faintest brushing of her lips on his cheek.
She was… warm. It was rather pathetic, how that was the first thought in his mind, but it was true. Her kiss was warm, and in turn, it made him feel warm too. He could feel her eyelashes. They tickled slightly, but he loved the feeling. She so close; close enough for him to smell her. He could even tell that the cream she'd used on her face was melon scented. Her hair was soft against his skin, and he drank in the sensation, his senses somehow incredibly aware to her every move, every texture.
It was the first time she'd initiated a kiss. The first time she gave to him. From Kagome, to Inuyasha.
And he liked it.
He moved his head up to stare at her, eyes closed partially. The summer light cast onto her, giving a slight glow to her skin and hair, and Gods… she was beautiful. Not in a 'superficial' way, as Kagome had described, but in a simple pureness. He finally understood what she'd meant, with a jolt. He understood how the creaminess of her skin, the softness of her lips, how the long eyelashes revealed the affection in her eyes could mean beauty. Little things, adding up to the picture he saw now.
And all of a sudden he didn't want Christine, or Kirsten, or anyone else like those models or actresses.
He wanted Kagome.
And… Inuyasha admitted it sounded so… adamantly not him, but he didn't want her around just because she was fine to look at. He liked the fact she was kind (well, at least to others) and generous, and was strong willed. He liked she was determined at times, and feisty, but not so much like a bitch. He liked the fact she was soft at times, and how she would cry (OK, maybe not that bit so much) when she was sad, and how it made him realize she did have feelings, and how he could (stupidly) tread on them.
Christ, put that way it almost sounded as if he wanted to marry the damn girl.
A soft puff of air brought him back to the present, and Inuyasha realized it was Kagome exhaling gently. She hadn't moved from when she'd drawn back slightly, and he'd been caught up in those big, brown eyes.
They were so close, and Inuyasha still had those funny feelings from her kiss, and it only seemed natural for him to close that gap between them and ---
Flare a bright pink?
…Lord, he couldn't believe it. He wasn't even doing anything --- stressing on the anything --- and he was blushing like a schoolgirl.
No offence to Kagome or anything, but he was Inuyasha Takahashi. He'd done a lot more then just kissing --- not that they were even doing that now, he thought with an internal growl --- and here he was, face to face with a simple young girl who hadn't even been kissed before him, and he was blushing?
Kagome didn't exactly… recoil, but she drew back a fair enough distance to ask in a soft, worrying tone. "Are you all right, Inuyasha? Are you sick?"
A cool hand was laid on his forehead. "Well, you do feel a bit hot to me. Come on, let's put you to bed. My Mama always makes me hot lemon tea when I'm ill… here, I'll help you."
Well, at least his pride was saved…
>>>>>>>>>>
Not really a cliffhanger there, more of a nice (kind of) round off. I don't want them kissing (meaningfully) yet. It's too early. So you guys will have to suffer a little more, I guess. Gomen!
God, I can hear people asking all kinds of questions and assuming things:
First: I cannot stress this point more clearly: Inuyasha is not in love with Kagome.
He's just starting to harbor some thoughts and feelings about how she might be better then just a good lay (pardon my vocabulary, but it's exactly what would go on his head).
He's not in love with her --- not now, and maybe not at the end of the story. And you can forget Kagome being in love with him too --- she still has to work past her Inuyasha issues, remember? Love is a fickle thing, and Inuyasha is way too good at covering his emotions and too much of a playboy to settle down and admit his love, plus they have all these barriers to get through; his dark past, Kagome's 'dark' past, the evil dude with the blood and ribbon thing, yadda, yadda, yadda. So you see, it's simply way to early in the plotline to have them fall hopelessly in love.
The other thing, of course, being I'm quite cynical I don't truly believe true love exists. But I'll get into that little rant another time.
Two: I know, nothing much about the wedding was mentioned, but don't weddings generally take at least a couple of months to be planned? All the stuff needed to be done… hiring the band, booking a place, ect. And if Kohaku's bride to be comes across a little… disagreeable… she isn't. Hey, he had Sango as a big sister. He should know what women are 'agreeable.' And as for the taffeta thing… it's, uh, because all the other bridesmaids look good as strawberry poofs.
If you want a good mental image, check out Rachel in Friends when she wears that dress in Barry and Mindy's wedding. That's… kind of what it looks like.
Three: If you think Kagome forgave him too early, then reconsider. A week has lapsed since the argument, she's feeling… soft, is the word, when she sat on the bench. Plus, you know from the anime or manga that Kagome is an extremely forgiving person, and understands we all say things we don't mean in the heat of the moment.
And if you think this argument is bad, you haven't seen anything yet. Kouga is good at bringing out Inuyasha's jealous side, but he's rather trivial to me. And… Inuyasha being Inuyasha makes arguments about trivial things a common occurrence.
Still LOADS of chapters to go, so wait. Please. Patiently!
And review, onegai!