Hidden Innocence
Chapter 17: Calm Before the Storm
Kagome had a major head ache when she started to come to. Her head was hurting and there was a constant buzz somewhere at the back of her mind. She wasn't sure what it was but she just wanted it to stop. When she couldn't remember where she was she sprang up and saw that she was sleeping in her bed.
What confused her was that she wasn't with Inuyasha anymore. They were out on a date and she didn't remember coming home. When she glanced as her clock on the left bed side table she couldn't believe it was already midnight. Then she heard a muffled noise to her right. When she glanced over she saw Hakudoshi dosing on her desk chair with his head resting on his shoulder.
She smiled but then couldn't figure out why he was even in her room. "Haku, what are you doing here?" she asked, in barely a whisper. Her throat was sore and she couldn't understand why.
Haku came to when he heard his name and when he rubbed the sleep from his eyes he saw Kagome sitting up on her bed. "Kagome! You're okay! Man we were so worried about you!"
"What are you talking about?" her voice was still croaky and it ticked her off.
"Damn you need some water, just stay right there while I go get you some okay?" She just nodded as he ran out of the room. Kagome was so confused and just didn't understand what had happened.
When Haku returned with the glass of water Naraku and Kagura were right behind him. She took the water gratefully and drank it down in one gulp. Once she placed the glass down she looked at Naraku.
"Gramps what happened?" she asked with worry.
"Kagome do you remember what you did today?" asked Naraku as he sat down beside her and stroked her tear-stained face.
"All I remember was going out with Inuyasha. We went out for lunch and then after we went to Dad's house, then I woke up here. What happened to me?" she asked with worry once again as she leaned into Naraku's touch.
"Sweet heart you heard things, and then you collapsed in Inuyasha's arm while you were at the house," said Kagura as she touched Kagome's arm.
"I…collapsed….with Inuyasha?!" she cried as she shone bright with embarrassment.
"Yeah I didn't get to ask him myself but Gramma told me," said Haku as he looked at Kagura. She smiled affectionately at him and he just grinned.
"Well now that you're all better sweetie we better get to bed," said Kagura.
"Yeah I have to go to the hideout tomorrow morning," said Haku as he yawned loudly before walking to the door.
"Have a sweet dream, dear," said Kagura as she squeezed her arm affectionately before walking out along with Haku. Kagome looked at Naraku and he just stared back.
"Kagome do you remember what you were hearing when you collapsed?" asked Naraku with concern in his eyes.
"I don't remember, everything's so blank to me. Oh I can't believe I did that in front of Inuyasha he probably thinks I'm crazy," said Kagome as she closed her eyes.
"No from what I hear he was really worried about you. He didn't want to leave you but I'm glad he did because when your grandma called me I was furious. Kagome you know you're not supposed to go to that house, your parents died there that night, and as far as anyone knows so did you. No one found you that night because I took you and so to the world who paid attention to the news at the time thought you were dead along with your parents. I know it's hard to handle me talking about Kira and Kimiko's death but you have to know that you can't put yourself in danger," said Naraku.
"But Gramps Inuyasha just wanted to see the house, how was that a problem?" asked Kagome.
"Because I don't want to lose you too, Kagome. I'd die if you got hurt by those bastards! I will get them for what they did to your parents Kagome but if I lose anyone else I love in the process I don't think I'd be able to carry on," said Naraku as he took her into a tight hug.
"Gramps…let me help…please!" she asked urgently.
"That isn't possible Kagome. You are to attend school and make sure to pass with good grades okay?" he asked as he looked into her eyes.
"No I want to get those people who took away my parents before I could even get to know them. I don't even know how Daddy sounds or if mama's laugh is as melodic as I want to remember it to be. I want Bankotsu to hurt how it hurts me to know that I'll never know who my parents are," said Kagome as her tears fell freely and unnoticed.
"I know sweetheart and that's why I'm telling you that you should just try to be a normal student at school while I hurt the people who did this to us," said Naraku.
"I want to help! Why do you still think of me as a kid!? I'm not a kid anymore, and you and I both know that! Please Gramps let me help I can do a lot," said Kagome.
"Kagome, No. There is no arguing this, we've talked about this before and the answer is still no, now you go get some rest and tomorrow you have some fun with your new friends okay?" asked Naraku. Kagome just grumbled but Naraku smiled and kissed her on the forehead before going out of the room.
"This isn't fair!" she cried out and then screamed into her pillow.
-
Then next day Kagome woke up extra early because of her long nap she had the day before. When she glanced at her clock she saw that it was six in the morning, she wanted to cry. She just never caught a break. She combed out her hair with her fingers before going to her washroom. Once she looked decent she went downstairs still in her shorts and tank.
She saw Kaede in the kitchen already and was shocked. "Kaede what are you doing up so early?" asked Kagome.
"Oh Kagome my child, I could be asking the same thing. Naraku is already up so I'm making breakfast for him. Would you like something?" asked Kaede.
"No thanks I was just going to get a glass of water, my throat still hurts." Kaede just nodded as she went back to her cooking.
Kagome grabbed a large glass of water and went back upstairs. She didn't know what to do. She didn't want to stay in her room and she'd have gone to the hideout but she knew that her gramps would be there and she didn't want to deal with him, so she decided that she'd spend her day with her friends.
Then she remembered what happened with her and Inuyasha yesterday and she didn't think enough time had passed before she saw him again, after all she was beyond embarrassed.
So instead she decided she'd call the one person that she knew she could say anything to. She pressed two on her cell phone and waited as the phone started ringing.
"Somebody better be dead Kags," said an irritated and very male voice.
"Well how about me being bored to death? Does that count?" she asked trying to use her cutest voice.
"No now let me go to sleep, I'm dead over here from a late night meeting for an upcoming mission," said the voice on the other line.
"Oh come on Kouga! I can't go to the hideout cause Gramps doesn't want me to go there, and I don't really want to hang out with the school crowd. I want to hang with someone I can talk to about anything," said Kagome.
"And you couldn't bug Ayame about this?" asked Kouga as he sat up on his bed and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.
"I don't want to hang out with the school crowd and she falls under that because now that she is dating Sai I can't really tell her everything like I used to because he can tell all the others by chance."
"Oh well doesn't that make me feel special," he said sarcastically.
"Can I come over? We can sit and talk. I want to hang out just me and you Kouga, please!" she asked.
"Okay fine, but I'm still staying in bed, so you just make your way up here, cause I'm not moving until the sun has been up for more than four hours," said Kouga with a sigh.
"I love you Kouga!" she squealed as she hung up and changed. Kouga grumbled as he covered his head with the covers and hoped that Kagome would just stay at her house, but he knew her better than that. He let out a sigh and waited for her to come over.
Kagome crept out of her room and snuck down the stairs. She was happy to know that her grandma wasn't around and quickly got into her car. She drove off with a mental cheer. When she pulled up in front of Kouga's house she jumped out of her car and ran to the door. When she turned the knob and saw that it was obviously locked she just turned around not at all disheartened by it.
She walked to the side of the house and jumped up grabbing the ledge. She hoisted her self up and pried open the window. She climbed in and was face to face with crystal blue eyes. "Nice entrance Kags but, next time just use the doorbell, I don't want to have my guard up this early in the morning," said Kouga as he went back to his bed and sat down.
"Well you said you wouldn't get up so I took matters into my own hand, now let's talk," said Kagome as she followed him to the bed and sat down with Kouga. He looked down at her and raised a brow. "What?"
"What do you think you're doing?" asked Kouga.
"What are you talking about?" asked Kagome as she cuddled up with him.
"I thought you didn't think of me that way? So why are you cuddling with me?" he asked as he sat up against his headboard.
"What are you talking about? We always used to do this…" she let out a sigh, "it's just that something happened yesterday, and I need to vent. You're the only one I think of when I think of who I want to talk to," said Kagome.
"Kagome? What happened?" asked Kouga as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
"Nothing too traumatic, or at least not that I can remember," said Kagome. Kouga looked at her with worry and she few into the story of the day before. Once she finished the short story Kouga's brows were furrowed with concentration.
"You went to the house?" asked Kouga.
"Yeah, and I don't see what the big problem is," said Kagome with anger starting to bubble since Kouga seemed to be miffed.
"Hey calm down, it's just that, you going there wouldn't be safe cause Bankotsu might still keep that area under surveillance, what if they saw you? What would have happened if they attacked you while you were with Inuyasha?" asked Kouga.
"Yeah I guess I didn't think of that, and I can't let them know about us," said Kagome with a sigh as she rested her head on Kouga's arm.
"Yeah it sucks but there's not much we can do about it," said Kouga.
"Yeah I guess, but everyone else seems perfectly okay with it but me, how come?" she whined as she looked up at him.
"Well you aren't okay with it because you fell for a guy outside of our world, because you can't tell him about it you don't like it. Everyone else is fine with it cause we don't have that restriction with the people we care for, but you know I think Inuyasha is trustworthy, when the time comes," said Kouga.
"Kyoshi told Ryoko about what he does though, and he never got in trouble for it," said Kagome in a childlike voice.
"Kags don't you know that Ryoko's dad used to be one of us when she was a kid? He died on a mission but she know all about it. Naraku was the one who took he in and found her a family to live with."
Kagome looked shocked but didn't say anything.
"You serious?" asked Kagome.
"Yup……has Naraku told you anything about any side projects he's been doing?" asked Kouga.
"No, why is something up?" asked Kagome.
"Oh nothing I was just curious, but if there wasn't anything he mentioned then I must be just dreaming it," said Kouga as he thought back to the conversation he had with Kyoshi at the Black Widow.
"Okay, well how about we go do something?" asked Kagome.
"Didn't I tell you that I won't be doing anything until the sun was up for four hours?" asked Kouga with a grin.
"Oh god you're such a loser!" said Kagome as she smack him before getting up and running out of his room. Kouga groaned but followed her willingly.
-
"Inuyasha, can you come into my office?" asked Tashio
"Yeah just hold on Dad!" said Inuyasha as got out of bed. He had a restless night and didn't really want to wake up so early. He glanced at his clock and groaned seeing that it was only eight.
"Now Inuyasha this is important!" said Tashio in a no nonsense voice over the intercom from his office.
"Yeah, yeah," he grumbled as he got out of bed and stumbled over to the wash room. He splashed water on his face before wandering down the stairs and into the office. When he opened the door he saw his older brother and father sitting fully dressed in their work attire.
"Huh…what are you guys doing dressed for work so early on a Sunday morning?" he asked as he let out a yawn.
"Seriously Inuyasha how could you be so brain dead, you have to be stupid if you don't realize that this is your last year to goof off, starting next year you'll be apart of the family tradition."
Inuyasha glared at his brother. "Well yeah of course I know that, though I don't know why you want me to work with you since I'm not going into the political world. But sheesh it's Sunday morning!" he said with a sigh.
"Inuyasha this meeting is important for us to discuss the coming up banquet that we have to attend in the coming weeks."
Inuyasha turned to his father and just stared, confused. "What banquet?" asked Inuyasha.
"The yearly banquet that I have to attend and have been attending for the past years of my campaign," said Tashio.
"Why do I have to attend it dad?!" asked Inuyasha.
"Because you are old enough to attend this year and I want you to mingle with the people that you will soon be working with," said Tashio.
"I guess there's no way to argue this is there?" asked Inuyasha with a sigh.
"Nope," said Tashio with a grin.
"Fine I'll go. When is it?" asked Inuyasha.
"Next Saturday evening, you will have to get a new suit tailored since you don't have anything……appropriate," said Tashio.
"I'll say," Sesshomaru murmured.
"Shut it!" said Inuyasha.
"Anyways, you need to watch your manners when we're there and to keep everything politically correct, I don't want you ruining the next election because you talked nonsense to some of my colleagues," said Tashio.
"Well if you're so worried then why do you want me to go?" asked Inuyasha.
"Because I want you to get a hang of things. That was all I wanted to tell you so you are free to go," said Tashio.
"Well if that was all you had to talk to me about why didn't you just tell me at dinner, why the hell did you wake me up!" he whined as he walked out of the room.
Tashio just smirked as he watched his younger son swagger out, still in his night clothes. "That boy has a lot to learn," said Tashio with a proud smile.
"I don't know why you have so much faith in him father, he seems to be such a slacker," said Sesshomaru.
"That is in the eye of the beholder son. Inuyasha has a lot of potential in him, he just hasn't tapped into it yet," said Tashio as he brought his hands up to his chin and linked them.
"What ever you say father. So will you prep him for the banquet or are you putting that on me?" asked Sesshomaru.
"Oh I think I'll take this one upon myself, after all I did help you with it, I'd like to make it a kind of tradition," said Tashio.
"If that is what you wish," said Sesshomaru.
Tashio just grinned as he pictured the night of the banquet and seeing his younger son decked out in a tux, it made his smile grow wide.
-
The next morning was gloomy; clouds were rolling in and there weren't any sign of the warm summer that had just passed. Kagome groaned as she got out of her car and made her way to the school. She hadn't talked to anyone from school since Friday excluding Inuyasha, but he was the last person she wanted to see.
She let out a sigh of relief when she walked past the tree and saw that there wasn't a single one of her friends hanging out. She hoped to go straight to homeroom, even though she had to deal with all her friends in that class.
When she sat down she just put her head down against her desk and hoped no one would notice her. People started to file in slowly.
Inuyasha walked in and saw the one person he was hoping to see. Kagome was sitting in her desk with her head down. She looked like she didn't want anyone to bug her.
He sat down in front of her and turned his seat around. "Hey Kagome?" he asked uncertainly. He had tried to call her more than once over the weekend but she never took his call.
Kagome groaned mentally knowing that the moment would come sooner or later. She didn't want to look at him though because she was still embarrassed for fainting on him.
"Come on Kagome I know you're not asleep. Are you alright?" he asked with concern.
She looked up then with confusion. Why wouldn't she be alright all she did was faint. "I'm fine, why wouldn't I be?"
"Well Saturday was pretty weird. I was worried that you weren't feeling good. You looked terrified and so worried when we left your dad's house," said Inuyasha.
"Oh," she said with a blush. "I don't really remember what happened. Everything is a blank to me."
"Well you were crying and trying to stop some noise that you kept hearing. Don't you remember?" asked Inuyasha.
"I…I just don't remember anything. I'm sorry for putting this on you Inuyasha. You don't have to worry about it, it's not really important."
"Kagome how could that not be important? You were terrified, and there was no way that what I saw in your eyes not important," said Inuyasha.
"Inuyasha let's not—"
"Okay class settle down, while I take attendance so that you can all get to class," said the teacher as he strolled in. Kagome was thankful as she turned her attention to the front of the class. Inuyasha watched her intently for one second longer and then turned around to look up at the front of the class.
-
Inuyasha didn't get a chance to talk to her at all since those few minutes in homeroom. It was now lunch and he had lost Kagome by the time he had everything packed in history class.
He realized that she was trying to avoid him. So he stalked her down in the cafeteria sitting with Ayame and Sango. He walked right up to her and touched her shoulder. She looked up at him and smiled warmly; totally throwing him off.
"What's up Inuyasha?" asked Sango.
"Oh nothing, I just wanted to talk to Kagome," said Inuyasha as he looked expectantly at her.
She hesitated a little and Inuyasha noticed but then she regained composure and nodded. "Sure Inuyasha, I'll be back girls," said Kagome as she got up.
Once they were up in a more private area Inuyasha turned to her. "Why are you trying to avoid me?" he asked.
"What are you talking about?" asked Kagome.
"You know what I'm talking about, you ignored me throughout choir and we were working together the whole time and I couldn't talk to you in history cause of our seats but when ever I looked over you would always be staring intently at the bored."
"Well it could just be that I like history and wanted to learn something new—well old if you really think about it, since history is all o—"
"Kagome!" Inuyasha snapped. "You never did that before and I know because I've seen you looking out all the time as if you've been preoccupied."
"Why do you even care!?" she asked starting to get angry with him.
"Kagome, I'm worried about you, you seem like there's something bothering you and I don't want—I don't know what I want, damn it! But you need to tell me what's wrong!" he said as he held her close to him. She struggled to get out of his grip as she looked at him.
"Inuyasha there's nothing wrong with me, okay? I'm perfectly fine so stop worrying, please. Now if you don't mind I have food and friends waiting for me," said Kagome.
"Wait, before you go, do you want to come over tomorrow night? To finish up the project?" he asked hoping she would say yes, since it was the one day that his mom would be home.
"Sure, can you give me a ride to school then? And drop me home after we finish?" asked Kagome.
"Yeah sure," said Inuyasha. With that they walked away from each other.
Inuyasha let out a sigh as he looked back over his shoulder at the girl who had been plaguing his mind since Friday night. He shook his head thinking he was getting too caught up and went to his car; he needed to go for a quick drive. Clear some things in his mind and figure out why the hell he snapped at Kagome like that.
-
A/N: Well I know that this is just kind of a filler chapter but I hope you liked it even though. I'll try to make the next chapter more exciting, I promise it's leading up to something big; even though I'm not quite sure what the big thing is. Well thanks for reading!