Disclaimer: Inuyasha does not belong to me.
…
Inspired by the theme – Chopsticks
…
Collision
Spin
…
Bamboo clacks and energized yells echoed throughout Tama High's expansive dojo. A few feminine sighs followed before the main door snapped open and everyone was overcome by a chilling, menacing aura.
Jaws clenched, body taut with irritation, anger, and everything else unsavory when it came to Sesshoumaru Taisho, Kagome strode in with purpose—sans her signature overly large spectacles. Her extra pair was tucked in her bag so as to avoid another flying mishap.
She bent down and swiped a shinai from a gaping girl. Placing her shoulder bag down, Kagome kicked off her shoes and walked to the center of the dojo where Sesshoumaru patiently waited.
The room was quickly emptied, the good-for-nothing members kicked out by Inuyasha and Ban.
As soon as the door closed, Kagome surged forward, fueled by aggression and extreme dislike for the bastard in front of her. Her downward strikes were powerful, her thrusts precise and footwork quick and agile. Kagome spun around him, swinging the shinai diagonally, but Sesshoumaru was fast. He parried it and suddenly on defense, Kagome had to take a few steps back to steady herself from his rapid fire jabs and intense right left cuts.
Their loud attacks echoed like thunder. Both Ban and Inuyasha so entranced by the kendo dance before them that neither moved a muscle.
Kagome lunged with a fierce yell, but at the last second, twisted away, just barely avoiding Sesshoumaru's shinai. Spinning on her heel, she lunged again with more force. He swung low, hooked the back of her knees and down she went with flailing arms and a choked gasp. His shinai whooshed down, the tip impacting the hard wooden floor less than an inch away from the side of her face.
Sesshoumaru removed his men. "Next time, leave your emotions at the door Higurashi."
Chest heaving, she swatted the bamboo blade away and sat up, feeling remarkably better despite this minor loss. "Three months." Kagome looked up, blue eyes clear and resolute. "I know you want to enter the upcoming kendo competition and that if you have any hope of winning, you need a fifth person with some kind of skill."
Kami knew that aside from the members who'd played ninja with her, the others on the team were atrocious. "I'll give you what you want, but after, you leave me alone."
Sesshoumaru almost smiled. It would seem that behind her nerdy pitiful façade, there was a girl with a strong will who knew how to bite back.
"Done," he agreed.
She narrowed her eyes, as if still a little incredulous of his easy acquiescence. "No take backs."
"You don't trust me?"
Kagome snorted. "Do you trust me?"
He tilted his head to the side, assessing her from top to bottom and everything in between. She had a point.
Sesshoumaru nodded. "Three months, from now until the end of the competition. You make all practices and attend all functions. Understood?"
She tsked. "Yah! I've got other commitments too!"
"I expect you to make an effort, Higurashi," Sesshoumaru said, not very amused nor at all commiserating. "I'll tell Kaede-san to switch your extracurricular."
He turned around and walked away before she could get another word in. "Aosh…" Kagome grumbled, running her fingers through her disheveled bangs.
A hand appeared in front of her and she looked up.
"Welcome to the team."
She considered the hand and its owner before hesitantly taking it. "Thank you…Ban-senpai."
He smiled, pulling her up. "…Sorry…"
Kagome frowned. "For what?"
"For ambushing you the other day," Ban clarified, somewhat awkwardly.
"Oh…don't worry about it," she assured with a half smile and a curious sidelong glance. Picking up her bag, Kagome slipped on her loafers. "Is he always like that?"
"Who? Sesshoumaru?"
"Aa."
Ban rubbed the back of his neck, eyeing her with amused gray eyes. "At first. Once you get to know him, he isn't that bad."
"I guess I'll have to take your word for it then." She shouldered her school bag and put on her glasses. "Have a good afternoon, Ban-senpai." Kagome bowed and then slid the door open—not at all surprised to see the other members jump back and pretend they weren't just eavesdropping—and left the dojo.
…