The Reincarnation

A/N: I don't own Inuyasha. This is the second episode/chapter of The Reincarnation.

(Theme Song)

Chapter Two: Rivals! Koga's Kindness and Inuyasha's Jealousy!

Kagome groaned. It wasn't that she didn't like her cousin but it was the fact was she was Miss. Perfect. She had the perfect scores, perfect clothes, everything—perfect with a capital "P."

It had been like that since the day they'd first met when she was in third and her cousin had been in fifth. From day one Kagome knew she was jealous of her cousin.

She took her brush from her dresser and began to brush her hair, trying to get the ends straight like her cousin's and not curly as they natural were especially when damp.

"Kagome, Kikyo's here!" Mama called from downstairs.

Ok…you can do this Kagome. You've been doing this for years. Ok…deep breath. Kagome looked at the mirror and took another deep breath. She plastered on the biggest and fakest smile known to man and said pleasantly, "I'm coming, Mama." She headed downstairs hoping and praying her smile would hold for the week—it didn't.

…

Like many of their peers, Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango and Miroku all sat at a table in the courtyard for lunch. Inuyasha was very irritated when he found out he had to sit with 'the stupid girl' and Kagome wasn't too keen with sitting beside the rude boy from her English Class. Wasn't sitting beside him in that class enough? Miroku had insisted they knew no one else and dragged Inuyasha with him to the table. However, Inuyasha knew better and guessed his real reasoning had something more to do with Sango. He wasn't that dense not to see Miroku's true motives.

Inuyasha peeked over his cup of Ramen. All day Kagome was in a bad mood. She got irritated quicker than usual and other time she looked just plain sad.

Inuyasha became annoyed especially when he tried to pick fights and she plain ignored him just like yesterday! Having quite enough, Inuyasha glared at her. "What's with you wench?"

Kagome just sighed. Inuyasha noticed she didn't respond, not even to bit his head off about that insult.

"Hey, you deaf or something?" Inuyasha growled when Kagome took up her tray, barely touching anything and muttered something about catching up on homework. Then she left the cafeteria and headed for the library. "What the hell was that?"

"Inuyasha, Kagome's not herself." Miroku said.

"Obviously," Inuyasha snorted.

"I'm afraid it's like this every time this time of year. Her cousin came to visit this weekend and she's been like this since Saturday. If you meant the girl you really can't blame her." Sango explained.

"Her cousin?" He never knew she had one but it wasn't like he and Kagome were best buddies or nothing. He hardly knew the girl! He didn't want to know her!

"Yeah. We call her 'Miss. Perfect' or that's how Kagome feels her cousin should be called. She has this air around her that makes one feel…" Sango searched for a word that she thought fit best. "Inferior. Even I felt it when I first met her last year."

Inuyasha snorted again. "Whatever." He glanced at his Ramen; suddenly he didn't feel up to eating it. He pushed the feeling down and continued to eat. I ain't gonna let that wench ruin my lunch. No fucking way!

…

"—so do you think we could go out sometime?" Koga leaned on the other locker beside Kagome. He'd been there since she'd arrived a minute ago. It seemed since the day he'd arrived, he was everywhere! It was slightly exasperating.

Kagome didn't answer; she continued to look for her math book. She didn't even know when Koga had appeared beside her but it didn't matter. He was annoying her when she was clearly busy.

Koga frowned and noticed Inuyasha's scent was nearing. He knew then that the boy would be in hearing range. "There's this new café and I was wondering if we could go together. It's like a restaurant too. I heard it was nice and well…" Koga realized he was sounding like some freshmen asking out his first crush in High school out on a date.

Kagome, not paying much attention to him but getting pretty annoyed that she couldn't find her textbook nodded, trying to get him to leave her alone so she could find her book in peace.

"…uh…sure…whatever…where is it?" She said the last part to herself but Koga misinterpreted and beamed.

"Around Hokkaido Street," Koga said. "Pick you up at eight?" Kagome barely nodded before Koga scurried off, a wide wolfish grin on his face. Take that mutt-face!

I found it! Kagome pulled out her textbook from her locker. A second later the teen was blinking as it registered what Koga had said. "Koga wait I—"

The boy was long gone.

H-How dare…! Inuyasha growled loudly, clenching his fists before noticing both Miroku and Sango's presence.

"Uh…" Inuyasha abruptly stopped as a small blush, though faint, appeared on his cheeks. "She can go if she wants." He scoffed and folded his arms. "Not like I care. Keh, stupid girl…"

Both Miroku and Sango sweat-dropped, "And here we thought you cared, oh silly us."

…

School had ended a while ago and Inuyasha had heard from Miroku who had heard from Sango who had heard from Kagome where she was going. If Miroku wasn't Sango's partner for Chemistry to have known about it, Inuyasha could've heard it from Koga himself. The cocky boy was practically broadcasting it all over the school.

Arriving at the mall, Inuyasha spotted a somewhat familiar up ahead.

"Hey, wench!" Inuyasha caught sight of Kagome—or who he believed was here—looking at some old fashion looking kimonos for priestess. "Hey I'm talking to you."

The woman turned around and offered him a cool and calculating glance. Inuyasha shivered, it reminded him of his older brother. "Are you talking to me?"

"Yes I—" He paused a moment and his eyes widen. "Never mind, you're not her."

"Her who?" The woman asked, raising an eyebrow in his direction.

Inuyasha frowned.

The two looked quite similar, except for a few things but then he realized it was more than just a few. Kagome's hair was shorter, the female before him was older than both him and Kagome by at least two years. She dressed like what his older brother would consider 'hot.' She seemed totally serious and possibly didn't know the meaning of fun nor laughed, a real laugh, in her entire life. Her eyes held hardly any warmth in comparison to Kagome and she had this air about her that—

Mother Fu—she's Kagome's cousin? Inuyasha thought and instantly felt stupid. "You're Kagome's cousin?" What a stupid question, moron!

The woman glanced at him suspiciously. "Who's asking?"

"Inuyasha," He said curtly. "Inuyasha Takahashi."

"How lovely," The woman eyed him wryly. "It's uh…nice meeting you." She looked downright bored and uninterested in him. "If you'll excuse me I have things to do, so if you don't mind—"

Inuyasha glanced behind Kikyo and saw Kagome was talking with Koga as he led her to the café. Inuyasha knew after the café, and then Koga would wine and dine the 'sheep' then try to coax her into bed. Suddenly a rush of an emotion he wished not to acknowledge flooded through him.

Koga opened the door for Kagome and said something cheesy.

Kagome giggled politely.

Oh no you don't you bastard! I know your fucking game! "Look, I'm sorry for being uh rude to you. Would you like to get a cup of coffee with me?" Inuyasha asked, hoping he sounded sincere and not pissed off.

"Y-you're asking me out?" Kikyo frowned. It wasn't like she went out on many dates because all her pervious boyfriends were either too immature or…boring. Yet he seemed different.

Inuyasha nodded—

…

—and wish he hadn't.

Inuyasha stifled a yawn. This was so boring. If it wasn't for that fact that he needing this woman to do his spying then he'd have to look interested.

"So uh…what college do you go to?" Inuyasha asked, hoping that he was right with assuming her age. She's twenty…right?

"Kyushu University." She said simply and took another sip of her coffee—black with one spoon of sugar.

Right to the point. Inuyasha thought. She and that asshole brother of mines would go together well.

"—if you met the girl, you can't really blame her."

Inuyasha slumped in his chair. Surprisingly that Sango girl had been right. Now more than ever he wished he'd listened.

Inuyasha glanced at Kikyo who was scanning the newspaper's articles.

It's strange…but she looks familiar. I thought the same when I saw Kagome too. She looks like someone I know…somehow. But I never met her until today. This is freaky. He stirred his coffee continuously. He wasn't a big fan of the stuff but…

Kagome laughter brought Inuyasha's attention to their table. He'd made sure he sat at least three or more tables away, still in hearing range but mostly out of view.

Kagome laughed again.

Inuyasha growled and clenched his fists. She's laughing with that fucking dolt and lapping up his words like some fucking dog! He clenched the tablecloth now between his fingers and wanted desperately to punch Koga's lights out!

A waitress from the café popped up beside him. Her smile a bit too bright and flirtatious, she said, "Will that be all?"

"Fuck off!" Inuyasha yelled suddenly, shocking Kikyo and scaring the teenage girl.

Is that—? Kagome turned and noticed Inuyasha only because of his loud outburst. That big jerk! He followed me! But then…he didn't know where Koga and I were going so it must be coincidence.

Kagome turned around and nodded eagerly at whatever Koga was saying. Koga was, Kagome noted, a nice guy if you liked a vain glory hog. She always groaned inwardly and bit her tongue instead of his head when he called her 'his woman.' She was no one's property!

Inuyasha smirked, knowing now he had Kagome's attention so he wouldn't be just spying anymore. It was time to act. Inuyasha struggled not to frown. And what an acting partner I got!

Despite his attempts to flirt with the older woman, she didn't budge. She didn't laugh at hi jokes nor did she seem interested in him as a male. If he was really serious it would've done some actual damage to his ego.

Inuyasha paid for their small meal and coffee. He walked purposely by Kagome's table and said, "Kikyo, why don't we go see a mo—hey, Kagome."

Koga, surprised by Inuyasha's arrival, spat out the coffee he'd been about to swallow—all over his date!

Though she was irritated now by all three—Kikyo, Inuyasha and Koga—Kagome smiled politely at the two after wiping the coffee off of her face.

"I'm sorry." Koga apologized, still glaring at Inuyasha.

"It's all right. No harm." Kagome muttered.

"Mind if we sit?" Inuyasha asked, not waiting for a reply. "Thanks." He took a seat from a vacant table and sat in between Kagome and Koga.

Koga growled. "What are you—?"

"Kagome, I never knew this was your cousin." Inuyasha interrupted. "You never said she was this pretty too."

Koga rolled his eyes. Sure Kikyo is easy on the eyes but isn't that pushing it a bit?

Kagome stopped herself in time from drinking her own cup of coffee in fear of choking or spiting it out like Koga had.

"Oh uh…must've slipped my mind." Kagome said through gritted teeth. She noticed Kikyo had the nerve to blush, that made her even angrier.

Who does he think he is? Huh! She began to stir her coffee angrily. Ruining my first date like this! The nerve of that man! What's Kikyo doing with him anyways? Didn't she say she hate guys like Inuyasha? Are they just trying to tick me off? Because they're doing one heck of a job!

"I heard she's quite the legend around here. She went to Tokyo's top university, an honor's student and the best archer in Japan four years running. Impressive huh." Inuyasha smiled pleasantly at Kikyo. "Kagome never achieved the award for best archer did she?"

Inuyasha knew as soon as he said that he was playing with fire and he knew he was going to get burned big time!

"She was close, the poor dear. She missed her last target. She's second best I guess. I guess she feels intimated by me." Kikyo shrugged. "Oh well."

Shut up! Kagome stabbed her sushi hard with her chopsticks; this didn't go unnoticed by Kikyo and Koga. Inuyasha just gulped inwardly.

Inuyasha grinned. "Kikyo is something don't you think? And who would've thought if I hadn't come to the mall I won't have met her. It must be fate."

Gods, I sound like one of those pansy lovesick poets! Man, my acting is even convincing me! Inuyasha thought, hoping he didn't look too pale at the thought.

Who the hell does he think he's fooling? Kagome and Koga wondered, neither paying Inuyasha's act.

Inuyasha reached across the table and took Kikyo's hands into his, noting how cold they were. He ignored that as best as he could. "We haven't known each other that long but I'm convinced I like you—a lot. So tell me about yourself."

What the f—Koga nearly fell out of his seat, his eyes wide and his face blue.

Kagome stifled another groan. She didn't want to hear Kikyo going on about her accomplishments. She muttered something about going to the restroom and was gone.

Kikyo looked a bit surprised by his question and began listing some of her list achievements but never went into too many details about them. She empathize archery and becoming the next priestess for her grandfather's shrine.

"Sounds…err…interesting." Inuyasha said. The gods are torturing me. Where the hell is Kagome?

Koga said something similar and didn't bother to show his boredom through a loud yawn. Kikyo glared at him but Koga didn't seem to either notice or care.

"So how do you think Inuyasha is fairing?" Sango asked, looking through a magazine from across the café.

Miroku shrugged.

Sango and Miroku had followed the teen boy all the way to the mall and had stayed hidden, always staying a good few tables from both Inuyasha and Kagome. They had both ordered water to keep the waiters and waitress away.

Sango stood up, peering over her magazine as casually as she could. The teen girl looked over, still looking as if she were reading, at where the four were. "Hum let's se—eeee!" She smacked Miroku upside his head.

Miroku rubbed his cheek. "Ouch, what was that for?"

"You know what!" Sango said in a hush, but angered tone. Afraid she'd draw attention to herself, similar to how Inuyasha had, she slumped back into her seat.

"I could've sworn I saw something there." Miroku said, trying to look both innocent and confused. However he failed miserly.

"Oh, would it happen to be an opportunity." Sango just glared at him. "You're lucky I didn't dump my drink in your lap!"

"But Sango—"

"Shut up, pervert." Sango glared at him.

Ok, I've had it. I have to deal with lectures all day, there's no way in Hell I'm staying here any longer! "Oh look at the time," Koga said suddenly, looking at his empty wrist. "I gotta run."

Inuyasha noticed Kikyo didn't protest and at that moment Inuyasha envied Koga, simply because he would actually leave! Inuyasha cursed the fact that his mother taught him to be courteous to women, even those he didn't like.

"Does it look like anyone cares?" Inuyasha asked, looking about. "Nope…sorry, better luck next time, asshole."

"Ha ha, funny. Tell Kagome I'll call her later, mutt-face." He placed down the money for his drink on the table.

Koga got up quickly and muttered low enough for Inuyasha to hear. "You got one hell of a taste in women." He grinned at Kikyo and Inuyasha and said to them both, "Well, see 'ya around…" Kami, I hope not!

Koga meant that as an insult but Inuyasha didn't agree, why? Simple, because he just didn't like Kikyo like that. Koga, unknown to Inuyasha, felt a bit sorry for the guy but he'd never voice that aloud.

Kagome returned about two minutes later and noticed Koga was gone. "Where's—"

"He said you took too fucking long." Inuyasha said simply.

Kagome frowned. "Oh." She made sure not to show her relief and instead show disappointment, an emotion that she didn't feel at the moment.

Kagome looked at her watch. "Well, I guess I'll get going. Oh yeah, Kikyo, my mother said something about shopping with her on Thursday."

Kikyo just nodded, not really looking at her cousin. She was staring at Inuyasha, making the younger boy a bit uncomfortable.

Kagome sighed and stopped herself from rolling her eyes. "See you guys later."

"Hey where do you think you're going?" Inuyasha snapped.

"Home." Kagome said, and continued walking.

"Hey you—I didn't tell you to leave."

"My name is not 'you.' And who gave you permission over my life?"

"Wench."

"Jerk!"

Kikyo followed the two outside of the café but from a distance. She paused. It was as if she wasn't there anymore and it was just those two. She realized this and it irked her to no end.

Kikyo watched Inuyasha and Kagome leave, she bit her lower lip. Undeniable jealousy ate away at her. She knew he had been using her during the entire evening to get to her cousin, she wasn't stupid but obviously he thought so. Yet, this jealousy wouldn't go away. Kikyo frowned and glared at her cousin, the emotion intensified.

"Inuyasha…" Kikyo whispered. To the young adult, her need to have him was both shocking and disturbing.

"She doesn't deserve Inuyasha." A voice said.

"Whose there?" Kikyo turned around. "Show yourself."

"Do you want Inuyasha for yourself?" The female voice asked, sounding similar to her own yet colder and darker.

An eerie silence followed its voice, and darkness fell. Kikyo gasped and turned about seeing the city, cars and all vanish before her very eyes.

"W-who are you?" Kikyo asked, quite frightened. Her heart was racing and she felt faint.

"I am you."

Kikyo swallowed. "I-I don't understand. How can you be me when I am me?"

A bright purple light came from the dark alley a few feet from her. Its light beckoned her to come closer. Soon enough a figure stood before her somehow shadowed from some unknown darkness. It held out its hand in an encouraging manner.

"Come to me…" It chuckled darkly. "Trust me…"

"I…"Kikyo's eyes became unfocused and turned dark brown. "Yes…of course…"

(Ending Theme Song)

/Sneak Preview of the next chapter of "The Reincarnation." /

Tsubaki: Guess what? This week it's school spirit! I'm going all the way this year! There's no stopping me, even with that nosy principle on my tail.

"You really are excited about school spirit." Kagome said, handing Tsubaki a streamer.

Tsubaki nodded. "Of course. They say life gets better as you get older but there's nothing to look forwards to after high school. It's all here and now."

Sango: I've been attending this school for three years now and everything's been normal…until now! Strange things are occurring like dried-up teen boys for one thing!

"Oh…my…gosh!" Kagome stared at Maten, or what was supposed to be him. Tsubaki cried out her boyfriend's name on the top of her lungs before fainting.

Kagome: Meanwhile, there's a school play going on as well and guess who I got to play—not the leading role…but now I'm regretting not trying out for it.

Kagome gawked at the paper. "I have to play who?"

Inuyasha: Things don't go as planned concerning the play and now we must deal with a youth sucking demoness!

Kagome: If that's not bad enough there's this odd pink light—what exactly does it mean?

"Y-you'll pay for this!" The woman turned to glare at Kagome then gasped for air. "N-no…" A brilliant pink light began to emerge from her body.

Miroku: More importantly, Inuyasha and Kagome get up-close and personal. If you get my drift.../wiggles eyebrows/

Inuyasha: I'm going to kill you! You promise, you bastard!

Kagome: I hate this play and this costume! Why does she have to play Snow White?

Miroku: Next Time—Eternal Youth and Snow White's Kiss. Ouch! Inuyasha, what was that for?

New Character Profile:

Kikyo: Black hair, Brown Eyes, 20 yrs old. Kagome's cousin who's very reserved and has developed an obsession with wanting Inuyasha and is willing to do anything. She's an honor student at the university. She's not a fan of her cousin.

Mama: Black hair, Brown Eyes, Kagome's mother. She's a mixture of happiness and strictness. She wants what's best for her children but sometimes she seems oblivious to certain things when she's quite the opposite.