Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or it's characters. Only Moriko, Night stalker, Leilani and Luki.
Chapter 9: A Wake Up Call
They burst into the room to find Ayame on rolling on the floor clutching her stomach laughing her head off.
"A-Ayame?" asked Kouga dumbly, staring at his girlfriend. She managed to point her finger at Kagome lying on the bed.
"Whoa." She stared at the doodles on her best friend. A pink mustache covered her upper lip and a green goatee on her chin.
"Well, if there's one thing Moriko can't do is draw anything in the same color." She commented. She chuckled as she read what Moriko had written on Kagome's stomach.
"'I heart Inuyasha?'" she laughed hysterically. "Ooh and 'Inuyasha hearts me'."
"WHAT!" Inuyasha stalked over to her and read the message.
"That girl will die." He growled, glaring at it.
Kagome stirred, "Wha' happened?" she mumbled sitting up.
"You collapsed, we called Moriko, she came, doodled on you, and then you woke up." Explained Sesshomaru, amused.
"Really." She stared at them with half-closed eyes then the realization of what happened sank in.
"She didn't tell you anything did she?" she demanded, jerking forward. Sango gave her a strange look, "No, she didn't say much to us." Kagome sighed with relief. Sango sat down next to the decorated girl, "Kagome, I think you need to tell us something." She prodded softly. Kagome avoided their eyes and it was difficult for them to keep their eyes on her for long with a straight face.
"What time is it?" asked Kagome suddenly, turning to look at the clock, "Uh-oh. Out, out, out!" she shooed them out of the room; "I'm so going to be late!" she flew into the shower and out in minutes, throwing on a t-shirt and shorts.
"Come on, dog boy! We're gonna be late opening the shop if we don't hurry!" she shouted as she screeched into the kitchen. She froze as her nose caught the irresistible aroma of a chocolate-chip muffin. Her eyes narrowed, "That was low." They stared blankly at her, "What? Doesn't anyone else smell the scent of heaven?" she asked, confused.
"You mean the basket of chocolate-chip muffins on the counter? Yeah we smell 'em. There's a note on it forbidding us from touching it until you do." Snorted Inuyasha, eyeing the basket suspiciously. Kagome tore off the note.
Kagome,
Hope you're feeling better. I know I should say 'I'm sorry' or something like that, but it was kinda fun…anyway, you need to eat your muffin and have a cup of green tea (I know you don't like it, but it's really good for you.) You know if you ever want to get away from this, my home is always open.
Moriko
P.S. Luki, Leilani, Night stalker and everyone else say hi
Kagome snorted, folding the note and tucking it away while pulling out a big muffin.
"Mffgh." She said through a mouthful of muffin.
"What did you say?" asked Kouga, taking out a muffin. Kagome gulped the bite down,
"I said, Here." She repeated and grabbed Inuyasha by the back of his shirt. He yelped, knocking down the chair he had been sitting in moments before.
"Come on, you chicken." She ordered, dragging him to the car. He wrenched himself free, "What is wrong with you, wench?" he demanded, crossing his arms and refusing to move another inch. Kagome's face shadowed, "When I…passed out you could say, I went somewhere…unpleasant and I don't want to think about it and the only way to do that, is to get so busy in my work I can't think about anything else." She turned away from him, " Let's go."
XXXXXXXXXXX
When they finally got home late that night, they were both exhausted. Kagome had insisted on re-organizing the entire storage room and taking inventory on every item.
"I didn't know that working in bookstore could make you this sore." He grumbled.
Kagome rolled her eyes, "Think about how it would've been if you were just human." Inuyasha groaned, "I am so glad I'm not full human." Kagome chuckled, opening the door.
"Hey, Kagome! Moriko wants to talk to you, she says that if you don't she'll go on a killing spree, starting with her boyfriend…" she trailed off. Kagome raised her eyebrows, "Did she really say her boyfriend?" she asked, amused. Sango shook her head, "No but I think it's pretty obvious."
Kagome came into the house and went straight to the Kitchen where everyone was laughing at the chaos on the screen.
"KAGOME!" wailed Moriko as she caught sight of her, "I'm going to kill that man! Do you happen to know where I stocked my sporks?" she asked her gravely, staring at her.
"Did you try the secret drawer under your bed behind the anime catalogs and buried under your squeaky floorboard insulation?" she asked, joking. Moriko's expression cleared, "Oh yeah! Thanks Kagome!"
"W-wait! I was kidding!" she shouted after her. Moriko appeared 5 minutes later, spork in each hand and burst through a door into the kitchen.
"Quick give me the remote!" she demanded and changed the channel to the kitchen where Moriko was attacking a singed Luki.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm soooooorrrry!" he wailed, trying to get away from the furious looking Moriko.
"You ruined my kitchen. Now you will pay." Moriko had a weird look in her eye.
"Moriko calm down!" shouted Sango to no avail. Moriko lunged at the unfortunate man.
"FREEZE, MORIKO!" roared Kagome angrily. Moriko froze mid-strike, not even breathing, "You can still breath and blink." She added after a minute, which Moriko did gratefully, "Now, what did Luki do?" she asked, crossing her arms. Moriko growled,
"He…he…he ruined my kitchen!" She sobbed, her head in her hands.
"I didn't mean to!" retorted Luki anxiously, trying to avoid Moriko's grasp.
"You put transmission fluid in cake mix!" she snapped angrily, pointing an accusing finger at him, "And you didn't tell me!" she turned toward the others, "He BLEW UP MY KITCHEN!" she tackled him.
"Moriko." Said Kagome dangerously. Moriko grumbled but backed off.
"Now Luki, WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING PUTTING TRANSMISSION FLUID IN CAKE MIX!" She roared loud enough to make everyone else in the room hold their ears. Luki turned bright red, "It…uh…it looked like it would make the mix more chocolaty." He muttered.
"Moriko did you leave the transmission fluid in the kitchen?"
"No. I left it in the garage where it is supposed to be and it was clearly labeled 'transmission fluid'" growled Moriko. Luki rolled his eyes, "Yeah on the side that was conveniently covered in said transmission fluid." They glared at each other,
"You are so paying for a new kitchen."
"It was your fault too."
"I'm not the one who put transmission fluid in the oven."
"Erg."
"I thought so. I expect it to be done by Friday."
Luki glared at her but didn't comment. "The sooner you get it done, the sooner you can eat." She added slyly.
"I'll call Home Depot."
"That's what I thought."
"So everything's ok now?" Sango asked hesitantly. Moriko nodded, "Between you and me, he'll probably have the kitchen done by 11:00 a.m. tomorrow." She whispered at them and hung up.
"I can't believe those two." Sighed Kagome.
"Well, at least she didn't kill him." Pointed out Kouga. Kagome gave him a lopsided smile, "It's not like she could." They raised their eyebrows, and Kagome humored them, "Luki was going to kiss her if she wouldn't stop. It's the only way to get her to calm down when she gets like that. I saved her from a lot of embarrassment." She explained, amused, she shrugged, "I'll go make dinner." She busied herself with that task, absorbing herself deeply. When the Lasagna was in the oven, she set herself to the task of renewing the energy and vitality of her herbs and spices.
"Rosemary for memory, protection and cleansing." She murmured touching each with a gentle finger, "Honeysuckle for money and good luck, Ginger for attracting love and success along with power."
"Kagome." Interrupted Ayame suddenly. Kagome shrieked and spun around gathering her power in preparation for an attack.
"Whoa there tiger, no need to try to kill us." Reassured Sango, holding up her hands, "We just want to ask a question."
Kagome shrugged and sat on the counter top, "What do you want to know?"
"Well," began Sango
"We'd like to know why you hate Inuyasha so much." Finished Ayame.
"We know he can be a jerk sometimes but that doesn't explain why you guys are so mad at each other." Added Sango. Kagome seemed thoughtful, "Well…"
(A/N: OOH! OOH! A flashback!)
9 year-old Kagome ran across a field.
"Inu! Inu, where are you?" she shouted gleefully, using a tiny bit of her power to locate him. He was down by the pond near the river but he wasn't alone. Kagome slowed down for a moment, frowning as she thought of who it might be. Two voices could be heard as she approached.
"Why do you always hang out with her?" questioned a girl voice insistently. Kagome froze, Kikyo. There was something wrong, something bad hanging over the girl, Kagome hadn't known it then but it was one of her gifts. Kikyo would always try to get between her and Inuyasha. Kagome knew that Kikyo would hurt Inuyasha but Inuyasha refused to believe her.
"She's a friend." Replied 12 year-old Inuyasha smoothly, his back leaning against a tree.
"But why do you hang out with her?" demanded Kikyo. Inuyasha sighed, "I told you. She and I are friends." Kikyo pouted, "I don't want anyone else to have my boyfriend." Kagome gasped silently, Inuyasha!
Inuyasha chuckled softly, "If it'll make you feel better, I'll just not hang out with her anymore, okay?" Kikyo shook her head, "No, I don't want you to talk to her ever again." she ordered softly, leaning even closer to him. Inuyasha smiled, "All right." He agreed, closing the gap between them. Tears sprang into Kagome's eyes and she realized that she cared for Inuyasha more then just a friend. She turned away from them and ran off, tears flowing down her cheeks.
2 years later.
Kagome gazed coldly at Kikyo as she spoke on the phone with her boyfriend. Kagome wasn't sure which; she usually had at least four at any given time. Listening quietly she determined that it was Inuyasha, the only long-term boyfriend she had ever had. She slid her gaze away from the gross conversation and back to her homework. She grimaced, Math was surely the spawn of evil or the embodiment of evil itself, she wasn't sure which. A giggle from Kikyo made Kagome grit her teeth. Ever since that day at the pond Inuyasha barely looked at her and had never spoken to her, except to insult her. He'd changed a lot after that day. He'd become the living definition of a jerk, constantly playing pranks on her and annoying her to no end. It had been such a relief for him to go to America with her brother to live with his family though she was sad to see her brother go with such a jerk. Kikyo hadn't really changed though. Whenever Kikyo met Kagome's eyes she'd smirk triumphantly and Kagome would roll her eyes and give the girl the finger. She finished her homework and returned to her mansion home. A lawyer waited for her in a sitting room.
"Good afternoon, Miss Higurashi." Greeted the lawyer coldly. Kagome masked her expression, lawyers were disgusting creatures, at least the ones that she knew, and could not be trust as far as you could throw a jackass. She returned the greeting politely.
"I have some unfortunate news," Began the lawyer. Kagome raised her eyebrows, "Mother lost her credit cards again?" she asked, amused. The lawyer tried and failed to look sad, "Your parents were in a car accident earlier today. They didn't survive. I'm sorry." Kagome felt as if the world had stopped and was falling to ruins. "W…what?" she whispered, clutching her chest. Lawyer bit back an impatient sigh, "They were in an accident, Miss Higurashi. You and your brother are now the sole heirs to your parents fortune." The lawyer pulled out a set of papers, "Now, Miss Higurashi, I would like for you to sign these papers." Kagome took them and the lawyer had a fleeting hope that the girl would just sign them and tie her fortune to battles between her brother for the fortune depleting it for lawyers fees until it was gone, but Kagome read each of the documents carefully and calmly-almost too calmly-tore each paper up and let the scraps fall into the lawyers lap.
"I may have lost my parents, I may be dying of grief, but I will not act like a fool and sign any of the documents you hand me unless I agree with them. My parents taught me to never trust anything a lawyer gives you unless you dissect it enough that there will be no way they can cheat you." She pointed toward the door, "Get out."
A week later the only decent lawyer Kagome knew (her uncle) came to handle the finances of the Higurashi fortune. He finally told her that she should go to the French Academy of Girls in (of course) Paris, France. Kagome agreed, on the condition she would be allowed to have any book she wanted no matter what. (Even back then she's a bookworm…) She left a week after that. She has never since then returned to the mansion even though the mansion is still owned by the family.
Kagome finished the overview of her life just as the timer went off on the oven. She pulled the dish out with her bare hands using Air and Water magic to cool the edges of the dish.
"Uh Kagome…doesn't that hurt?" pointed Ayame out anxiously.
Kagome grinned at her, "Nope!" She shredded a small amount of cheese onto the Lasagna and shouted into the hall, "Dinner!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Luki brought a cool drink out to Moriko as she gazed up at the stars from a low stonewall. She continued to stare at them as Luki joined her putting his head on her shoulder. "Which one did Kagome go to?" he asked softly. Moriko pointed into the darkness in between the box of stars that made up the Pegasus consolation. "You can't see it. It's too far away to see from here and she didn't exactly go to a pleasant world. It's a good thing I brought her back when I did, a few more hours and they would've gotten her." She sighed and leaned against him. "I don't know what to do. If I help her, it might destroy her and if I don't she'll die. That bastard, I was hoping he would wait a while before coming after her in this life."
Luki sighed, "I think you should help her." he continued on before Moriko could interrupt, "Not directly. I think you should send him in."
Moriko laughed softly, "Are you sure the girls won't kill him?" Luki shrugged, "WE can put a trap on him." He suggested. Moriko whistled, "So many to choose from…" she laughed, "Dancing or Christian church?" she asked giggling. Luki grinned, "Church and electric shock." Moriko Laughed out loud, "I'll call him, you set that trapper up." She hopped off the wall and bounded toward the house. Reaching the wireless phone she dialed a number, "Hey," she greeted as someone picked up the phone, "I've got to call in a favor."
"Anything."
"Don't even think about it. It's not that kind of favor." She snapped, half-amused. He sighed, "So what do you wish of me?" Moriko rolled her eyes, "I need for you to watch out for Kagome for me, think you can do that?" He chuckled, "If she is beautiful I will guard her with my life." Moriko muttered something about perverts before answering, "I want you to come here first though." She ordered, nodding at Luki, "I have something for you."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Wow another chapter done Yay Well now you know part of the reason why Kagome hates Inuyasha and you met Kikyo. Please Review!
TMK: Just some minor changes, some grammar mistakes I didn't see at first. By the way,does anyone want to be my editor? I usually don't see my mistakes until I haven't looked at it for a while and I would be very appreciative if someone would help me out. Hope you enjoy the story!