Chapter 14

4 months. 4 whole months of Kai and me as a couple.

Since the party, I've only been to the feudal era four times for short visits. I told everyone about Kai and me and they were all generally happy. Except for InuYasha. During my four visits, he didn't utter a single word to me.

Jerk.

And since the party, Kai and I haven't really discussed his 'medicine selling' at all. I accept the fact that he sells drugs. It doesn't fathom me at the least. As long as he's helping others and as long as he's okay, I'm cool with it.

"That's $100 man. Cash."

Kai and I went for a walk downtown, but one of his buyers needed some so we had to make a quick detour to exchange them.

"Okay…um…I think I only have $87 Kai. Is that okay?"

A stern look flashed across Kai's face and he stopped picking out the pills from his bag.

"You know the rules Drake. No cash, no stash."

"I know, I know! I can make it up to you…just take what I have! I'll pay you back!"

I noticed how he was twitching, how his eyes were bloodshot, and how he seemed to be shivering all over.

"If you don't have the money, then you're not getting the stuff."

Kai turned on his heel to leave, but Drake clutched his sleeve desperately, pulling him back.

"No, no! Please don't leave, don't leave! I need it. I need it so bad man, so bad!"

A slightly amused smile pulled at Kai's lips.

"How bad?"

Drake shook his head over and over again, squeezing his eyes open and shut.

"So bad, man."

"You bugging out lately?"

Drake shuddered and made a small whimper as he nodded.

Kai exhaled deeply.

"Okay, here's the deal. Since my girl is here and I'm in a good mood, you get your goods."

Drake's face lit up.

"But, only one pill. And that'll be all $87, plus and extra $20 next time I see you. That a deal?"

Without hesitation, he immediately began nodding his head.

"Yes, yes. That's great. Thank you, thank you!"

He hurriedly exchanged his money for the pill, then popped it in his mouth with shaky hands.

"Come on Kags, let's go now."

Kai wrapped his arm around me and led us off to the main street.

"Kai?"

"Mmhmm?"

"What did you give that guy?"

He glanced around, to see if anyone was in hearing range, then spoke softly to me as he looked ahead.

"Ecstasy. Also known as X."

"Oh…why did he need it so badly?"

"Cause he got addicted. That's some serious stuff if you have it a lot. Really strong."

"Oh…what's bugging out?"

"Hallucinating. When your addicted to a drug and you go for a while without it, you see and hear things. Generally bugs, crawling all over you. It's not fun."

"Have you ever bugged out before?"

He nodded his head.

"Yup. It's really terrible. You got to stick to your drug and make sure you have a steady supply or else that'll happen. It drives people mad."

I feel like I'm learning so much when I'm with Kai. School teaches me nothing like this. We walked around for a bit, but when we stopped to buy a drink, Kai's attention was focussed on a guy across the street from us.

"Kai, do you know him?"

"Uh…no, not really."

The guy was around my age, probably a year or two younger. He had on baggy clothes and a bright yellow bandana hanging out from his pocket. He seemed to be waiting for someone.

"Kagome, I need to do something."

"What is it?"

He stood up, making me stand up as well.

"That guy needs some stuff."

Confused, I took another look at the guy. He didn't seem to pay any attention towards Kai so…how does he need stuff from him?

Kai threw me a quick glance and answered the unsaid question.

"His yellow bandana. That's how I know."

The guy looked at his watch then started an impatient tapping of his foot.

"What's the deal with the yellow bandana?"

Kai and me began walking to the crosswalk, our eyes on the guy as we spoke.

"It's kind of like a code. If you need drugs, you get a yellow bandana and stand on the corner of Main Street. There are a few other locations, but this is the main one."

"Well, isn't the corner always crowded then?"

We pushed the crosswalk button and waited for the sign to go.

"Only first timers do the yellow bandana thing. If they've never bought from our group before, then they go on the corner. Regulars have our cell numbers."

"Ah."

We crossed the street and approached the boy. He looked up at us, somewhat startled by our sudden appearance.

"Hey."

"Uh…hi."

His eyes shifted nervously between us.

"Is that a fashion statement,"

Kai indicated to the bandana.

"Or are you looking for something."

His eyes narrowed and he continued to give us shifty eyes.

"That depends."

"On?"

"Who you are."

Kai leaned in and lowered his voice.

"How much cash do you have on you?"

"Hopefully enough."

"What's your flavour?"

The guy relaxed some and lowered his voice as well.

"Pop."

"What, no greens?"

He made a face at Kai.

"I'm not that much of a newb."

Kai chuckled and took out a pen and a piece of paper. He scribbled down a number and gave it to the guy.

"Okay kid, listen up. You call this guy, name's Taiku. Tell him Kai told you to call. Tell him what you want, he'll tell you a price and then he tells you where to meet him. Got that?"

The guy nodded his head and shoved the paper in his jeans' pocket.

"Got it. Thanks man."

"Anytime."

Kai took my hand and we walked the opposite way from the guy.

"Can I ask a few more things?"

"Sure babe."

"Okay. Definitions for pop and greens."

"Kid-like street names for coke and marijuana."

"Why would buying 'greens' make him a big newb?"

"Cause buying stuff from street dealers are more heavy drugs. You can just easily get some pot from a school kid. It's easy to get."

"Oh…"

"Hey, changing the subject,"

Kai stopped and led me to a bench on the curb. He sat down and patted the spot beside him, indicating that he wanted me to sit with him. So I did.

"What's up?"

He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, clasping his hands together.

"I got to head out of town for a bit."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I need to help my friend out and he lives like 5 hours away, so…"

"How long will you be gone for?"

"About two weeks. Maybe more if things don't work out."

"Oh…"

A lump formed in my throat and I attempted to push it back. Kai and I have spent every minute of our free time together. I don't want him to go at all.

"Listen babe, it wont be that bad. Two weeks will go by in no time. Besides, when I get back we can make up for our lost time. Okay?"

I nodded, the lump in my throat growing by the minute.

"Yeah, okay."

I forced a small smile. Kai just stared at me with a sad expression that made my eyes sting.

"Come here."

He sat up straight and pulled me to his chest, stroking my hair soothingly.

"You know I'm going to miss you like crazy."

"Yeah, me too."

He kissed the top of my head and we just sat there, him holding me tight and me trying not to cry.