A/N: There's only one more chapter left, guys. I am so excited! Remember, if-when I get 40 comments on FFnet under this story I'll post an epilogue featuring some mystery characters or answer your questions. And there will be some fun in the next chap, I'm so excited! ~runs in circles~

11. Case Closed

Officer Kyuubay sat down and gave the ID back to Mrs. Higurashi. He caught Hojo's inquiring gaze.

"Sorry, boy. Your suspect is innocent. We don't have him or anyone similar to him in our databases," he said. "He's clean."

"Duh!" said Inuyasha, but didn't add anything because Higurashi nudged his ribs.

"I believe you can solve the misunderstandings on your own now?" asked the police man with a smile, looking at Mrs. Higurashi.

"Of course. They're just misunderstandings, not rooted in reality, I assure you. Thank you for your time, officer Kyuubay," she said. Hojo felt his ears burn in embarrassment.

"Well," the man stood up. "Can I ask you to share a few words?" he asked, looking straight at Higurashi and Inuyasha. The couple stiffened, then stood up and followed the police man to the big bush which had been Hojo's shield. The group couldn't hear what they were saying, but they could see what they were doing. The police man handed a notepad and a pencil to the school girl, who accepted the items and wrote something before passing them to Inuyasha, who also wrote something before returning the writing tools to the man. He bowed respectful and walked away.

While everyone was observing the couple go with the officer and then return Hojo had a while to think. So it came true he had been overreacting. He had suspected an innocent person to be a vile one. It was for sure Inuyasha wasn't a saint, but he wasn't a pure demon either. He was just a human, a victim of years of abuse, who had to attend a therapy to work his problems and adjust to life in the society. He could see that Inuyasha was acting a little more civil today than before, even if the change was very small. It was admirable he was trying to improve himself, overcome his bad traits - and it seemed Higurashi and her family were helping him to tame his bad mouth and temper his attitude. Hojo had misjudged him, hadn't been fair with him. He felt guilty - and like an idiot - but at the same time knew some of his concerns were well-rooted. Still, today he could see more than once that the Higurashi family members could keep Inuyasha in check.

And he could see the spark in Higurashi's eye every time she was looking at Inuyasha, the way her smile was lighting up her face each time his hand touched her. It was the spark, the radiance, she was lacking while talking with him, Hojo. The one he longer for so many months to see. The taste of this truth was bitter, but he wasn't a complete idiot, blind to reality. Given data he could realize his mistakes and take steps required to erase them.

There was no way he could win Higurashi's heart back. The odd-looking boy held it in his grasp and - judging by the way he was holding Higurashi's hand while she was sitting down on the blanket and the way he seated himself behind her to support her back with his side - he had no intention to let her go. It was clear for Hojo now - finally - that they were in love.

Mrs. Higurashi resumed addressing the matters written in the notebook, telling everyone that 'the jewel shard hunting' was in fact just traveling through the country visiting doctors and healing places. Souta was silently nodding while his mother told Hojo and the rest that the boy was practically worshiping his hero and had colored the reality a little while telling Hojo about him earlier. Mr. Higurashi told everyone about Inuyasha being a marital artist and training a lot while visiting his girlfriend. Souta was going to be Inuyasha's student during the summer break - it seemed both Souta and Inuyasha were equally surprised to hear the news. The former squealed in delight while the latter scowled.

"Yay!" Yuka grabbed Inuyasha's arm and practically wrapped herself around it, much to the boy's discomfort. "We're going to see you more often then? Will you let us go on some dates with you and Kagome?"

"No!" the pair cried in one voice while Higurashi proceeded to free her boyfriend from her friend.

One by one all things in the red notebook were addressed and turned out to be mundane and not-gang-related. Hojo swallowed and with a deep sigh bowed to the other boy.

"I am sorry, Inoue, Higurashi," he said politely. He had to do things right. After all, it turned out he had been wrong and Hojo was wise enough to admit he had been wrong. He had to apologize and ask for forgiveness, because he had painted a troubled youth to be a vile man. "Please, forgive me for assuming you were a bad person, who was taking advantage of Higurashi's good heart. I had Higurashi's well-being in mind. We're... friends and I'd feel horrible if something happened to her."

The other boy wrapped an arm around Higurashi's waist and gave a small, sharp nod.

"I swore to protect Kagome with my life and I ain't goin' to back on my word," his voice was solemn and the look in his yellow eyes was much older than it should be. Hojo felt the hair on the back of his neck stand when he looked in those eyes. The trio sighed dreamily upon hearing Inuyasha's declaration.

"Next time you should just ask instead of worrying yourself and coming up with all those crazy theories," added Higurashi with a relieved smile, blushing when the boy behind her back pulled her a little closer.

"I am glad it turned out it was just misunderstanding," said Mrs. Higurashi and clapped her hands. "I am also really happy to know my children have so many friends who want to protect them."

.

Some time later Hojo was walking back home. His heart was so light - for the first time in weeks - Higurashi was in no danger, this was enough to make him smile at strangers he was passing while walking down a sidewalk. But the next thought wiped the smile off his face - she would never return his feelings, he knew it now. He sighed, remembering the awkward talk before he left the group in the park. Higurashi had told him how she felt about him, she had told him that there couldn't be nothing more than friendship between them. She had apologized if in any way she had made him think they could be together. She had told him - and the trio who joined them at that point - that she held their friendship in high regard, but was her own mistress, able and willing to choose for herself. She had explained that she was going to stand by Inuyasha's side and was capable of taking care of herself. And all Inuyasha had said upon hearing that statement was:

"Keh, she's one tough wench, my Kagome," with this cocky grin of his. Higurashi first had glared at him, but then had gave him a smile and just tweaked his still uncovered ear.

Hojo left the street to follow a shortcut which would lead him to another park - he'd have to follow an alley through the park to reach his neighborhood.

He walked to a trash can and pulled the red notebook out of his bag to dump it in the can. The case of the gang boy was closed. It taught Hojo that it was better to ask than to suspect, that true friends weren't supposed to spy on others. It made him realize that his crush on Higurashi, his first love, would never become the love of his life. He had to move on, even if it was painful to think about it right now. He wanted Higurashi to be happy and if Inuyasha was the one to give her happiness Hojo wouldn't stand on the way of their love. He knew that after throwing away this notebook he was going to start a new chapter of his life. This notebook was filled with his suspictions, which all turned out to be unfair, overracted or a result of misunderstanding and not knowing all the truth.

His grip on the notebook lightened...

..Just to tighten again when a realization hit him.

Mrs. Higurashi didn't explain one thing. She didn't say a word about the warning from the Noble Mother and the librarian Akita Lin.

A gust of sinister, cold wind ruffled Hojo's hair.

Behind his back a thick cloud covered the sun hanging low above the horizon.

A/N: One chap to go!