Disclaimer: I do not own Devil Does Exist or Devil Beside You - the manga and drama that this story is based on.
The Joke's On You
Chapter Eight: Secrets
Sw33t-Sorrows
Inuyasha hadn't expected the next day to be so...gossip-y. Was that even a word? No.
"You and Higurashi are together now? 'Yash, you never tell us anything!" Bankotsu said as he leaned back in his chair. Inuyasha rolled his eyes, I'm going to get Kikyo for this. "Hey, did you rail her yet?" The silver-haired boy stood up and almost threw a chair at Bankotsu. "Woah, I'm kidding! I'm kidding." Inuyasha slowly placed the chair back down on the floor. "So, how is this going to work out? Your parents are still getting married."
"We haven't thought that far yet." Inuyasha said almost too quietly. "Besides, I wouldn't say we're together."
"Then what would you say you are?" Inuyasha didn't say anything. "You can't just leave her hangin' you know? If you really do care about her that much." I don't understand what the big deal is. Kikyo probably made it sound more dramatic than it is. And who said I'd leave her hanging? She already knows I care about her...doesn't she? "Inuyasha?" Kouga's voice snapped Inuyasha back into reality. "Did you hear me? I said Kagome just called."
"What?"
"Yeah, she just called."
"How does she know your number?"
"I gave it to her."
"What?!"
"What's the problem?"
"You don't give your number to my-"
"She ain't your girlfriend, yet."
"Shut up."
"Anyway, she called. She said she needs a favour. She didn't say what, though." Kouga said as he put his phone back into his pocket. "By the way, she asked for my number. So don't look at me like that." I'll show her, she can't just go around asking guys for their number! I'll get her back, whatever this favour is, she's not gonna get it, that's for sure. Class seemed to fly right by, for Inuyasha was thinking of different ways to confront her about this whole phone number thing. Stupid Kagome, who does she think she is? He glared at the girl's back as he saw her across the hallway at her locker. She was smiling at something, and he saw her mouth move. His anger flared when he saw she was talking to ...Kouji! Why that little! He stopped around the corner and decided to listen to what they were talking about.
"So, ready for Friday night?"
"You bet! But it's going to be so sad." What are they talking about?
"It'll be fun, it's not like I'm-" Kagome laughed.
"This was all Hiroshi's idea wasn't it? He such a thought-"
"Kagome," Inuyasha couldn't take it anymore. He came out from around the corner. "What did you want?"
"Oh, Inuyasha!" Kagome's smile didn't fade. "I just needed a ride somewhere. Could you bring me?"
"Where?" He asked, not making eye contact. She's still not getting this favour.
"The cemetery."
"What?"
"The cemetery, I want to go visit my dad." She said, in a tone that made her sound a bit upset. But she replaced it with a cheerful smile. "Today was supposed to be his birthday." Kagome spoke of her father's death like it wasn't affecting her at all, but on the inside, she wanted to break down. She missed her father so very much, in fact, seeing Inuyasha and his dad made her envy them. Damn, now I have to do her this favour, or else she might hate me. "So, could you bring me?" Inuyasha only nodded, not trusting his voice. "Alright," Kagome turned towards Kouji. "I'll see you Friday night!" Waving, she approached Inuyasha and they proceeded to the cemetery.
"What was that all about?"
"What?"
"You and Kouji," He began. "You seemed so happy."
"What are you talking about? Are you upset because I'm seeing him on Friday?"
"Maybe."
"Well, not that it's any of your business, really...he's leaving for China on Saturday. So, we're throwing a goodbye party for him. You can come, if you want."
"Feh, why would I do that? I don't even know the guy." Kagome crossed her arms, how childish can this guy get?! It's not like I still have feelings for Kouji. I'm with Inuyasha now, isn't that enough? "Besides, what would people think if I always followed you especially when there were guys around?"
"Who cares? You're my big brother, you're supposed to protect me." She laughed, however, she realized the joke wasn't really funny. Shoot, Kagome! Why did you have to open your big mouth?! Kagome could have kicked herself when she saw the hardened expression on Inuyasha's face. "Uh, let's go buy some flowers." He didn't respond, he only followed her as she entered the flower shop. "Could I have a bouquet of lilies, please?" Lilies? Inuyasha thought. "They were Dad's favourite." Kagome said to him as if she could read his mind. Before long, Kagome and Inuyasha found themselves staring at the monument with the name Higurashi, Nobuo engraved in the cement. "Hi, Dad. Happy birthday." Kagome whispered. As the girl crouched and lay the beautifully wrapped bouquet of flowers across the cement, Inuyasha remained standing.
Mr. Higurashi, it's an honour to be meeting you. Inuyasha would never say these words aloud. And I'd like to thank you, for bringing such a wonderful gift into the world. He glanced at the young girl before him, who was clearly trying hard not to cry. Happy birthday, I know Kagome misses you. The two young adults stay there in silence for what seemed like the longest time. They listened to the soft breezes rustling the trees and the tall grass, and they smiled, knowing their messages were heard. I'll do everything I can to make her happy. Kagome could no longer take it as she let her tears fall.
"Dad, I-I miss you. So much." She lowered her head and squeezed her eyes shut. Before Inuyasha could register what was going on, Kagome bolted down the nearby flight of stairs and down the street.
"Kagome!" He ran after her. It wasn't long before Inuyasha had caught up to her and grabbed a hold of her arm. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!" He yelled to her just before she could cross the street. "It's a red light, you could have gotten yourself killed!" His hard expression immediately softened when he realized she was crying. "Kagome-"
"Why do I have to mess everything up?!" She said through her sobs. "I'm so stupid, why the heck did I have to ask for that stupid album in the first place? If I hadn't asked for it, maybe Dad would be okay. Maybe he would be with us right now. Then, our parents wouldn't be getting married. Then, I wouldn't have to be afraid to fall in love with you!" Hot tears trailed down her face as her shoulders shook, her hands balled into fists.
"You're afraid to fall in love with me?" Kagome's head snapped up, afraid he'd taken it the wrong way.
"No! It's not that! It's just-" Inuyasha's strong arms were soon wrapped around her trembling shoulders and she was pulled towards him. And she once again found that his lips were on hers. It wasn't at gentle as their first, yet it still warmed her heart. When had she developed these feelings for him? Had she always had them? Were they just in hiding all these years? Why hadn't she seen this side of him sooner? Kagome wrapped her arms around his middle as she returned his kiss. Slowly, he pulled away. Bringing his hands to her face to wipe away her tears, he smirked at her as he saw her blush.
"I know what you mean. I'm not offended."
"Oh...okay." Kagome said slowly, not exactly sure of what to say.
"Hey, you know what?"
"What?"
"Your kissing skills are getting better."
"Hey! I'm going home." She turned around quickly to hide her darkened blush.
"Wanna practice another one?"
"NO!" Although he had a strange way of doing it, Kagome found that Inuyasha had always made her feel better, not matter what the situation was. Maybe that's why I have these feelings for him.
"Hey! I just remembered something!" He yelled after her as she ran down the street. "Why did you ask Kouga for his number? Is there something I don't know about?" He frowned when Kagome pretended not to hear his questions. "Hey! You! Get back here!" Damn wench.
Miroku hadn't expected the day to be so...gossip-y. Sound familiar?
"You and Matsumoto?! Sango Matsumoto?!" Miroku and his basketball buddies, Takeshi and Isao, were gathered around in the gym. "You can't deny it 'Roku, we saw you two hanging off of each other this morning." A boy named Takeshi said.
"Yep, it's true." Isao commented.
"Would you guys be quiet? Someone will hear you..." Miroku said as he glanced around the gym.
"What's the problem? Why don't you want anyone to know? Matsumoto is a really good catch." Takeshi winked and Miroku fought back the urge to punch him in the arm.
"Because...we aren't really sure...if things will work out."
"How so?"
"I...I don't know. I just...Sango...she's-"
"You and SANGO!" Miroku's eyes widened, he recognized that voice.
"Kagome!"
"WAHHH!" The said girl jumped up and down as she screamed with excitement. Running over to hug him, Kagome couldn't help but shriek in his ear. "I can't believe it! You and Sango! Could you just imagine little Sango's and little Miroku's running around everywhere? Awww!" Miroku blushed, almost wishing she would have deafened him with her high-pitched scream. "When did you two start? Where? How? Ahh, why didn't Sango tell me?!"
"Uh, hey Miroku?" Isao said.
"What?"
"I think your secret isn't so secret anymore." Miroku and Takeshi both whacked him upside the head. "Ow! What was that for?!"
After practice, Miroku and Kagome walked side by side down the hallways. "Are you going to look for Sango?" Kagome teased.
"What about you? Are you going to look for Inuyasha?" Kagome stopped dead in her tracks and paled.
"How did you know about that?!"
"Kouga told me."
"Why would Kouga tell you?"
"I don't know."
"Why would - wait, you didn't tell anyone did you?"
"Of course not. Why would I do that?"
"I don't know, because you're stupid?"
"Hey!" Why does this sound like an argument I'd have with Inuyasha? "Not very nice, but I'll let you go this time. I have to find Sango." Miroku grinned before waving at his younger friend and walking in the direction of Sango's locker. Inuyasha said he had something to take care of, so he wouldn't be able to walk me home tonight. He also said that we're going to have a guest over tonight for dinner. I wonder who it is...
"It's Grandma!" Kagome's eyes widened at the woman before her. She didn't look like a grandmother. She had come home from school about five minutes ago, and she looked like a mess. She couldn't believe she had to meet Inuyasha's grandmother looking like this. Her hair was all frizzy from the rain outside, and her uniform was slightly wrinkled. Just that alone made Kagome feel absolutely mortified.
"Uhh...Hello," Kagome said, unsure of what she should call this woman. The woman wore thin-framed glasses and had medium-lengthed black hair with a few strands of grey. If Kagome hadn't known better, she would have thought this was Inuyasha's mother. "Grandma?" Kagome finished hesitantly. The woman smiled at her.
"If you don't feel comfortable calling me that, you may call me Amaya." For some reason, despite the gentle smile on Amaya's face, her voice frightened Kagome slightly. As the family sat at the dinner table, an awkward silence fell upon them. "Although this is our first time meeting, I want us to be like a real family." Kagome felt Inuyasha squeeze her hand from under the table. "So please, don't be shy. Eat up." Amaya said as she gestured towards the food. "Kagome," The said-girl looked up at the woman and blinked. "I heard you and Inuyasha go to the same college, and you're a sophomore. Am I correct?"
"Yes,"
"I see. And may I ask what major you're studying?"
"Actually, I've decided to major in psychology."
"Psychology?"
"Mhmm, I want to be a teacher." As Kagome said these words, Grandma ceased her movements, causing everyone else to stop. "An elementary school teacher." Kagome finished, smiling, completely oblivious to what was going on.
"Kagome, if you don't mind, I hope you know that teachers don't make a very large salary."
"Oh, I understand. But I'm not worried about that. I work really well with children and I enjoy it. I used to babysit for my neighbours and we always had a ton of fun." Grandma didn't look very happy. Why is she looking at me like that? Kagome's heartrate sped up when Grandma's glare suddenly turned into a smile.
"Have you ever thought about business, dear?"
"Business? Oh, no. I'm not really interested in-" Inuyasha nudged her in the side. "What?" She asked, Inuyasha slapped his hand to his forehead. After dinner, Inuyasha excused himself.
"Kagome, didn't you say you needed help with your homework?" He gave her a hurry-up-and-get-your-ass-over-here look.
"Uhh...yeah." Running up the stairs after him, Kagome almost yelped when Inuyasha pulled her into his room. "What are you doing?! We can't be in here, what if-"
"What are you thinking? I just need to talk to you about some stuff." Inuyasha rolled his eyes when Kagome looked away, embarrassed. "Look, my grandmother is pretty strict. She believes in well-paying careers like doctors, or lawyers. You saying you want to be an elementary school teacher would have given her a heart attack if she hadn't taken her pills before you came."
"What's wrong with being an elementary school teacher?!"
"Nothing really, in my opinion. It's just...I don't know. Grandma's weird."
"She doesn't seem at all strict."
"Well, she never really liked the idea of me learning the electric guitar. Also, she wanted me to learn French and Chinese, instead, I learned English and swore at my teacher. Plus, she never really approved of my girlfriends. I never really knew why, though." Kagome didn't like it when Inuyasha talked about his past girlfriends, only because the only boyfriend she ever had was Kouji, and they weren't even official yet at the time.
"You want to know why?"
"Why?" He asked curiously.
"Because they were all sluts."
"Hey! I happen to have really good taste."
"Really? You like girls with their chests hanging out of their shirts and wearing jeans that are probably five sizes too small for them?"
"You're talking to a man here, Kagome. Besides, you don't wear clothes like that." Kagome blushed at the meaning behind his comment. He's saying he likes me?! Inuyasha smirked and open his mouth to say something else, but was interrupted by his father's voice.
"Kagome! Could you come downstairs?" Just me? Kagome glanced at Inuyasha apologetically before leaving the room and going down the stairs. "Grandma would like to speak with you." InuTaisho smiled at Kagome before running off into the kitchen to cut some fruit. Nervously, the girl sat down in the living room on the couch across from the old woman.
"Kagome," Amaya began. "I'm sorry if I made the wrong impression today at dinner." Why is she apologizing? I was the one who made the bad impression! "I guess I'm just not used to having someone as...open...as you are. But I have a simple question to ask you. About Inuyasha." Kagome's head snapped up, had she figured something out? Was she suspecting them? "I see that you and Inuyasha are very close, even InuTaisho says so. So I figured he'd tell you."
"T-Tell me what?"
"Does he have a girlfriend?" Kagome's eyes widened.
"Uhh...not that I know of..."
"Oh, good." Amaya turned and called up the stairs for her grandson. Smiling when he came down the stairs, she spoke once more. "Come here, boy. I have something to tell you." Inuyasha took a seat next to Kagome. Grandma reached into her purse and pulled out a folder, "Her name is Yuka, and I'd like you to see her." Yuka? Who is that? "And what I mean is, I'd like you to go on a date with her." Arranged dating?! What century is she living in?! Kagome thought.
"What?"
"Her horoscope matches yours, I'd think you two would be a great match." Amaya said joyfully, opening the folder to reveal a girl a little older than Kagome and a bit younger than Inuyasha. She's absolutely stunning! "She's a college junior and just came back to Japan from Canada. She has a very good education and her parents are very wealthy as well. I believe you two would-"
"No."
"Inuyasha, you haven't even-"
"I said no!" Inuyasha has resorted to yelling now, causing Kagome to jump slightly in her seat, InuTaisho popped his head out from the kitchen doorway, and Hitomi came down the stairs from her room. "I won't date her, I won't see her, and I sure as hell won't listen to you!" He yelled again before slamming his fist on the coffee table and running back upstairs to his room, brushing past Hitomi.
The next day, Inuyasha wasn't at school.
"You mean his grandmother set up a date for him? That's so old fashioned!" Sango said as Kagome placed her head on her arms. "What are you going to do?"
"Well, nothing. I mean, it's not like I'm actually his girlfriend."
"But he's told you he likes you!"
"That doesn't mean he won't fall for another girl! I'm about to become his sister. We have feelings for each other, but we're still young, right? What if he meets someone else, who isn't going to be his sister, and he falls in love with her? What am I going to do then?" Kagome said as she sat up straight, Sango didn't know what to say. "Sango, why didn't fate just leave me alone?"
Sango remained silent.
Walking into her economics class, she took the seat next to Sango's. "I know something that will cheer you up, Kagome." Is that so? Kagome asked herself. "Mrs. Aoki is on maternity leave."
"You think someone else having babies is going to cheer me up?"
"No, you loser." Sango said as she playfully hit Kagome on the arm. "Since she's not here for the next year, we get a substitute teacher." Kagome nodded, urging Sango to continue. "Well, I saw our new teacher in the hallway as I was passing by, and guess what?" Kagome didn't answer. "He is so cute. Yeah, he might be a bit too old for you, but you can still drool over him in class. He's a little on the scrawny side, but not too scrawny." Kagome rolled her eyes. Ow, I should really stop doing that. My eyes are starting to hurt. "But he's still cute! I just know you'll like him."
"Really? Did you talk to him?"
"Yeah, he looks even better up close. Honestly, I haven't seen someone look so fresh within a two-hundred mile radius of this place. When he shows up, even the air seems cleaner." Sango leaned into her hands as she spoke. Why don't you date him then? Kagome wanted to say, but for some reason, she wasn't in the mood for conversation. What if Inuyasha decides to date Yuka just to please his grandmother. After all, Inuyasha is technically single. "His name is Yamashita Hojo. I think you'll..." Besides, Inuyasha really does care about his family. There's no reason why he wouldn't do this for Grandma. Wait, Yamashita Hojo?!
"What was his name?!"
"Ya-"
"Good morning, class. I'm Mr. Yamashita. I will be Mrs. Aoki's replacement for the next year. I hope we can make it a good year." The man at the front of the class smiled. Kagome let out an 'eep' as she looked at him. Oh my God, it's Hojo! Hojo scanned the room and stopped when he saw a familiar face. Gah, he's looking right at me! Kagome snapped her head down to stare at the textbook. Don't look up, don't look up! "Uh, let's take attendance, shall we?" Pulling out a sheet of paper, the teacher proceeded to call out names. Kagome shut her eyes when it was her turn. "Higurashi Kagome." He looked at her, waiting for an answer. Slowly, she put up her hand and raised her head to look at him.
"H-Here." He smiled at her.
"Alright, let's begin."
It seemed like an entire eternity before the bell rang. Kagome literally sped out of the room and left a confused Sango behind. Sango quickly caught up, however. "Kagome! Why did you run off so fast? Something wrong?"
"Yes, something is wrong!" Kagome whispered loudly, completely defeating the purpose of her voice level. "Mr. Yamashita!"
"What?! You don't like him?! Darn it." Sango cursed.
"Well, I used to." Kagome muttered.
"Well, that's too bad - wait, what?"
"I knew Hojo when I was in middle school!"
"Really? He's that young?"
"He's only about eight years older."
"Eight?!"
"Yeah, I was thirteen. He was twenty-one and in college then."
"Oh my gosh, that's so cool! I can't believe he's so young! Not that he looks old or anything...wait, so how do you know him again?"
"Well," Kagome said as she took a seat on the stairs. "He was one of my dad's students. Since I was struggling in math all the time, my dad hired Hojo to be my tutor."
"Really? And you had a crush on him? How cute!"
"No! Not cute! Now he's teaching at the school, what's going to happen now?!" Kagome asked as she thought about the arising conflicts between her and Inuyasha. Although they had already resolved the conflict of Kikyo, now there was Yuka and Hojo. Although Kagome wasn't sure if Hojo actually returned her feelings...
"Kagome," Damn it all to Hell! She slapped a smile onto her face before turning around and greeting the voice that called her. "Long time no see." He had a smile on his face too.
"Ho-" Kagome stopped herself before calling out his first name. He was her teacher now, "Yamashita-san." She said as she hugged her books tighter to her chest.
"You can still call me Hojo, we're still friends, after all." She didn't reply as he said this, she only nodded her head shyly. "So, how have you been?" Kagome and Hojo were too caught up in their conversation to notice the huge grin on Sango's face or the jealous glare coming from behind the corner. "Kagome, I heard Higurashi-san is being remarried." Kagome nodded.
"Yes, she is. But you don't have to worry, Hojo. He treats her very well."
"...Does he treat you well?" Kagome was somewhat shocked at the question, but Hojo was always such a sensitive, caring guy.
"Of course he does."
"I'm glad," There was an awkward silence after that. "Well, I have to go and prepare your papers for tomorrow. I'll see you guys later." The older man waved at the two young girls before disappearing back into the school. After a few minutes of teasing and joking, Sango and Kagome went their separate ways. What am I going to do? What's Hojo doing back in town anyway? Kagome stopped when she realized that she had travelled back to her old home, the one that held so many of her memories of the past. This house, represents all those times I've spent with Hojo and Dad. Without realizing it, I've walked to our old home instead of...
"Did my little sister get lost?" Kagome turned around and found herself face to face with Inuyasha. What is he doing here? He wasn't even at school today. "Why are you looking at me like that? Are you telling me you've never skipped a single day of school before?" Kagome blushed slightly as she turned away from him. Inuyasha walked towards her and took her hand in his. "Come on, I'll take you home."
"Inuyasha,"
"Who was he?"
"Who was who?"
"That guy you were talking to at the school."
"You were spying on me?!"
"Not spying."
"Then what were you doing?" Inuyasha didn't answer. "Proved my point. His name's Hojo, though. He's...someone from my past." He still didn't answer her. "Someone...I used to like." Kagome smiled when she saw him pout slightly. "Are you jealous?"
"I'm not jealous." He said a little too fast.
"Yes you are! Just admit it!"
"Do you still like him?" What kind of a question is that? Kagome asked herself as she looked down at their hands, intertwined with each other.
"What are you talking about? It's not-"
"I don't care."
"Then why di-" He turned and she almost ran into him.
"I don't care, because no matter how many guys like you," Inuyasha's lips slowly curved up into his famous smirk that made Kagome's heart race. "I will always like you the most."
Kagome couldn't fight off the smile that made it's way onto her face. Inuyasha finally turned back around and dragged the younger girl into the direction of their home, but he stopped abruptly when he saw someone there. Who's that? Kagome's eyes widened as she stared at the man before them. He looked almost exactly like Inuyasha. He also had long silver hair, and golden eyes. However, he didn't have ears perched up at the top of his head, and his eyes were almond-shaped. The other man looked a couple of inches taller than the already-tall Inuyasha, making him automatically look a couple of years older. "Inuyasha," Kagome asked quietly as she lightly shook his arm.
"Inuyasha," The man spoke, his voice deep and it made chills run down Kagome's back. "What are you doing?" They know each other. Are they...
"Shut up, Sesshomaru."
"I suppose you do know that this girl is the daughter of father's fiancée?" Sesshomaru frowned when Inuyasha didn't release hold of her hand. "And you continue to lead her into a relationship you know is impossible? You're more disgusting than I thought you were."
"It's none of your business!" Inuyasha screamed, clutching Kagome's hand tighter.
"None of my business? I don't think you-"
"I don't need to listen to you!" Inuyasha pulled Kagome forward, walking past the older man. The girl could see the disappointment in his eyes as they walked past him. Kagome wasn't sure what was going on, she didn't understand. She stopped as soon as they reached the end of the street. Inuyasha didn't turn to look at her, nor did he speak.
"Inuyasha, who was he? That man?" She heard him sigh before speaking.
"Sesshomaru, he's my brother."
Author's Notes: Yay, Sesshomaru! Um, please review. I don't really want to ramble on in my author's note today. I'm pretty tired, and it took me quite a while to write this chapter, luckily I had the previous chapters written already so I could update more frequently. I've noticed that the story may be moving a bit too fast. I was shooting for fifteen chapters for this particular story, however I think I might make it more. I'm not sure though. Anyway, please review and enjoy your afternoon.
Sw33t-Sorrows.