Hola everyone! I am SO happy right now because I am up to 50 reviews wooo! :) haha it may not seem like alot but I'm happy with it. Sorry this update is a lil late again, I've been busy with school, work and wedding planning so my weeks are usually packed! But I hope you enjoy and review again because it does keep me motivated to continue writing! :) Well that's all, enjoy!
Chapter 9: The Sweetheart Booth
Kagome looped her wool scarf around her neck and examined herself in the mirror. She had chosen black knee-high boots, a brown buttoned up jacket, and dark denim jeans to wear to meet up with Rin and Hojo at the school. It was Saturday morning and they were working on the Sweetheart Booth all day. She glanced at the window next to the front door and noticed the snow already beginning to fall. She sighed and fiddled with her scarf again. It was her favorite color, green, and her mother had knitted it for her 15th birthday. It had been the birthday she'd fallen down the well at her family's shrine and broken her wrist.
"You okay?" a voice came from behind her, and she jumped as she noticed InuYasha's reflection in the mirror. He was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, staring at her.
"I'm fine," she said quickly, turning away from the mirror to face him. She knew she had tears in her eyes and she tried to nonchalantly wipe them away. "Just about to head out."
"Listen, about that," InuYasha stood up straighter and shoved his hands in his pockets. "If you want, I can come with you. To help and all. And you wouldn't have to walk to the school in this weather." He looked outside.
Kagome gave him look that must have looked somewhere between confused and surprised. "You're offering to come with me? To work on the Sweetheart Booth?"
He scowled. "It's just to pay you back. For helpin me with my geometry homework all the time."
She sensed there was something more to it then that (like the fact that Hojo was going to be there all day) but she didn't comment on it. Instead, she smiled and shrugged. "You are more then welcome to come help. But wouldn't it look suspicious if we showed up together? I mean when we ride to school you just drop me off in back and go park but..."
InuYasha grabbed his keys off the front table and opened the door. "I can just drop you off this time too. I'll drive around the block a couple times then come back. Then it won't look like we came together."
"Good idea," Kagome beamed, following him outside to where his bike was parked.
They reached the school by 12:05, only a few minutes late, and Kagome hopped off the motorcycle. InuYasha sped off and she was left to go inside the gym alone. When she pulled open the heavy gym door and walked in, Rin and Hojo were already sitting on the bleachers and drawing a rough sketch of the booth.
"Kagome!" Rin called, waving her over with a big smile. "Come see what we've designed so far!"
"Hey guys," Kagome greeted, taking a seat next to Rin.
"How are you doing today Kagome?" Hojo asked with a cheerful grin.
"I'm good. Just tired."
"Look, look," Rin was saying, shoving the sketchpad into her hands. "This is the table, and this is the sign we will hang in front of it. We'll have a big heart extending upwards from the table to draw lots of attention, ya know? And here's where we'll have the cards..."
Rin explained their entire idea and Kagome thought it was great. As they were standing up to go collect supplies, she said, "Um, guys? It's okay if I invited someone to help out right?"
They both turned to look at her. "Sure," Hojo told her, "who is it?"
"InuYasha."
"Takahashi?" Rin gasped, looking excited. "He's coming to help us? That is so awesome. He's so cute and popular and-" She stopped suddenly and cocked her head at Kagome. "Wait. Why is he coming to help? Did you ask him to?"
"Um," Kagome said, not quite knowing what to say.
As if on cue, the gym door opened and a gust of cold wind came rushing in, bringing InuYasha with it. He shook snow out of his long silvery hair and looked up, noticing everyone staring at him. "Sorry I'm late."
"Why are you here?" Hojo asked promptly, crossing his arms. "Did Kagome ask you to come or did you offer?"
InuYasha raised an eyebrow. "Um, I offered."
"Why?"
"Because she helped me with my homework. So I thought I'd return the favor."
"How sweet!" Rin gasped, smiling at Kagome and winking. Kagome shoved her a little.
"Too sweet," Hojo said, an annoyed edge to his tone. "Had I known you were coming I might have approved it. But unfortunarly this is a student council project, and therefore only members of the student council are allowed to help. Sorry."
Kagome had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. Seriously?
"Look, I just wanna help dude," InuYasha told him, walking over to stand near Kagome and Rin. "It's not a big deal."
"But it is a big deal," Hojo practically hissed, his anger growing. "I know why you're here. You're trying to get on Kagome's good side; impress her so she'll go out with you. She's just another girl to you, just one of the hundreds of girls you go out with every month! And I won't let you treat her like that!"
Kagome gaped at Hojo. Uh...what? Where did that come from?
InuYasha looked just as shocked. " 'Scuse me?"
"You heard me," Hojo said. Kagome had never seen him like this before. "You're just a player. You use girls until you get tired of them and then you find new ones. Kagome doesn't deserve that. She's kind and honest and caring. You're just selfish and manipulative and-"
"Who are you to talk?" InuYasha practically shouted, looking just as angry as Hojo. "You don't know me!"
"I know enough!"
"Like hell you do!"
"I-"
"Stop it!" Kagome interuppted, stepping between them and holding out her hands. "Stop it, both of you!"
The boys' faces softened when they saw her but they still looked upset. Rin was watching with a mixture of what looked like amusement and fear. The tension in the room was so thick Kagome felt like she could cut it with a knife if she had one.
"Look," she continued, turning to face Hojo. "InuYasha was just trying to be nice and help out. He doesn't have some alterior motive. And he's right; you don't know him. You just judge him based on all the stupid gossip that goes around. I don't think I can be in a council whose president listens to all that crap."
Everyone in the room stared at her, shocked into silence.
"Kagome, what are you talking about...?" Hojo started.
"I quit," she said firmly, taking InuYasha's hand. "You can find someone else to help with the booth. And a new vice president." And she turned on her heel and pulled InuYasha from the gym.
Kagome descended the stairs leading to the parking lot at a rapid pace, fuming about Hojo's attitude and remarks. How could he say those things about InuYasha? It wasn't okay. It was mean. Especially when InuYasha wasn't a player...he was just confused and hurt from his break up with Kikyo. Why couldn't Hojo just understand that?
She stopped when she reached the motorcycle, almost forgetting she was still holding onto InuYasha's hand. When her gaze wandered to it she quickly let go and bit her thumb nail.
"Sorry bout that," she told him slowly, not quite knowing what to say. "I guess I overreacted."
InuYasha shrugged. "It was kinda funny seeing you get all worked up like that. I've never seen it before."
"Funny?" Kagome repeated. "I wasn't trying to be funny. I was trying to defend you."
"Kagome!"
They both turned to see Rin hurrying down the steps towards them. She shivered against the cold and when she reached them she bent over with her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath. "I was...hoping I would...reach you before you left," she said.
Kagome suddenly felt guilty about her completely on-the-spot decision to quit the student council. How had it made Rin feel? How would it make the other members feel? Now they had to find a new VP.
"I'm sorry about the way I acted in there," she told her friend, biting her lip.
"It's okay," Rin smiled. "Hojo just has a crush on you is all. That's why he got so mad when InuYasha showed up. But listen," she went on, oblivious to the looks both InuYasha and Kagome gave her at that matter-of-fact statement, "I understand you wanna quit the booth. Just please don't quit the student council. Okay? We need you. Please?"
The look Rin gave her was so pathetic it could have softened the hardest of hearts.
"Alright," Kagome sighed. "I guess that was a little too rasch of me. I'll stay on the council, but I'm sorry I can't help you with the booth anymore."
"No worries!" Rin said cheerfully. "I'm just glad you're gonna stay with us!" She gave Kagome a quick hug before hurrying back towards the school. "I'll see you two later!"
"Bye!"
When they were alone again, Kagome looked at InuYasha and asked, "Was that the right choice? To stay on the council?"
He shrugged. "If that's what you want. I told you that you already make a better VP then Kikyo did."
Kagome smiled. "You're right."
She picked up her helmet and held it against her for a moment, wondering what she was going to do with the rest of her day now. Her thoughts were interupted when InuYasha suddenly said, "Thanks by the way. For that stuff you said in there. You didn't have to."
She looked up at him and noticed he was kicking at the snow, his hands shoved in his pockets the way they were when he was nervous or embarrassed. Another smile spread across her lips and she linked her free arm with his. He looked surprised.
"Sure thing," she told him, "I'll always come to your rescue!"
She laughed and suddenly broke away from him, running towards the playground at the elementary school across the street. It took a moment for her words to register to InuYasha, and for him to understand why she was running. Then it suddenly hit him and he called, "Hey! I'm the one who's going to come to your rescue!" And he took off after her.
Kagome was laughing and panting as she tried to yell, "Do you promise?" as he was gaining on her. She tried to quicken her pace. Her goal was the swing set and she was almost there...
She grabbed the chain on the closest swing and stooped to catch her breath. InuYasha came up beside her just seconds later and grabbed the opposite chain. He looked directly at her as he firmly said,
"Promise."
xXxXx
The Sweetheart Booth opened on Wednesday, and students could buy tickets before school, during lunch, or after school. Rin and Hojo were collecting the money and giving cards and chocolate to the giggling girls buzzing around the booth. They would write a love note on the card, either sign it or leave it annonymous, and slip it into a slot on the booth so Rin and Hojo couldn't see who it was from.
Kagome bit into her sandwich and watched a trio of freshman girls scurry by with cards and candy in hand. "People really do get into it. I just thought Rin was exaggerating."
Sango took a sip of her milk and sighed. "It's pathetic. They are all so hopelessly in love with guys like Koga, or Hojo, or InuYasha. What's the big deal?" She stuck a fry in her mouth and munched on it for a moment. "Speaking of him, what happened with you two on Saturday anyways?"
"Huh?" Kagome lowered her sandwich. "Who? Hojo or InuYasha?"
"InuYasha, duh!" Sango laughed. "You totally defended him to Hojo. What was that all about? Rin told me about it."
Kagome was quiet as she searched for the right thing to say. What could she say? And why had she been so intent on defending him?
"I guess I just didn't think what Hojo was saying was fair," she finally decided on, sipping her coke. "He was being mean and InuYasha didn't deserve the things he was accusing him of. You remember that conversation we overheard between him and Shiori? Don't you?"
"Yeah, but come on, Kags. I think there's something you're not telling me."
"Like what?"
Sango briefly glanced at the Sweetheart Booth before getting a wicked look on her face. "Come here." She grabbed her friend's hand and dragged her over to the booth.
"Hey, Sango, what...?" Kagome barely got out before she was face to face with Rin and Hojo.
Rin raised her eyebrows curiously at them. "Welcome ladies!" she said with a smirk, resting her chin in her palm. "What can I do for you?" This was obviously amusing, especially since Kagome had told her on Monday she wasn't sending anything out. No way.
Sango slapped some money in front of her. "Two cards and two candy bars please." She winked at Rin.
Rin seemed to pick up on something Kagome didn't understand. She gathered the money and deposited it in the tin box beside her. "Take your pick."
Sango gave Kagome an encouraging look and Kagome furrowed her brow. "But I-"
"Just pick something," Sango whispered, pointing to the options.
Kagome looked over and felt her cheeks flush when she made eye contact with a very silent Hojo. They hadn't spoken since the ordeal on Saturday, except when she told him she would still be the vice president. She didn't really have any desire to speak with him.
Sango had already grabbed her card and candy bar, so Kagome just sighed and looked over her options. There was a white card with a picture of a bumblebee on the front that said, Bee Mine! in bold, black letters. A red card with a giant pink heart. A glittery silver card with a love quote on it. Kagome couldn't decide...they were all so corny.
She finally ended up picking a baby blue card with two birds on the front that looked like they were kissing. She also took a pink candy bar and followed Sango back to their seats. When they were sitting down again, she rounded on her friend and frowned.
"What?" Sango asked innocently.
"Why did you make me do that?" Kagome demanded, crossing her arms. "It was so embarrassing!"
"Well, at least now Hojo thinks your interested in someone else." Sango shrugged.
"But I'm not interested in someone!"
"You sure about that?"
Kagome opened her mouth to respond but then closed it. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see InuYasha sitting with a group of friends, talking and eating the lunch she had made for him.
"Y-Yeah," she eventually said, taking a big bite of her sandwich.
Sango seemed unconvinced but she dropped it. She fished a pen out of her purse and sat there nibbling on one end, lost in thought.
"Who are you gonna send it to?" Kagome asked with a coy look on her face, looking up. "Miroku?"
"What?" Sango exclaimed, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks. "Are you kidding? Who would send anything to that perverted, lecherous-"
"Aw, you're too harsh Sango," a voice came from behind her, and the chair next to her scraped against the floor as it was pulled back and Miroku plopped down. "I receive plenty of gifts from young admirers. It's a curse, I'm afraid."
Sango gaped at him and then narrowed her eyes at Kagome. "You knew he was there!"
Kagome giggled and shrugged. "Payback for making me get a card!"
Sango sighed and snatched her candy bar up before Miroku could grab it. "Why don't you go send some cards to your many adoring fans!"
"Because there's only one girl I adore," Miroku said huskily, leaning towards her.
"W-Whatever!" Sango stuttered, looking away. "You're such a flirt."
"You know me too well," Miroku said cheerfully, a goofy smiling plastering his face. He turned to Kagome. "You're sending a card to InuYasha I presume?"
"No," Kagome replied, shoving the card and candy into her bag before anyone else could question her about it. "Sango made me buy it."
"I bought it for you," Sango huffed.
"Either way. I'm not sending it to InuYasha."
"Why?" Miroku asked curiously, taking a fry from Sango's tray before she slid it out of his reach. "He's sending one to you."
"He...he is?" Kagome asked incredulously, her eyes widening.
Miroku shrugged and stood up. "Or so I've heard. But you never know, with this rumor mill of a school we attend. He could be sending one to someone else too." He grinned and waved. "Have a nice day, ladies."
"The nerve," Sango muttered as he sauntered off to talk to a brunette girl at a neighboring table. "Why would he say that to you?"
"I don't know..." Kagome said, biting her thumb nail. "I wonder if he could be right?"
xXxXx
At the end of the day, ten minutes before the bell was supposed to ring, Rin walked into Kagome's classroom and announced she was passing out the Sweetheart Booth cards and candy. The room buzzed with excited chatter and InuYasha laid his head on his desk.
"Oh, come on InuYasha," Kagome whispered, giggling. "It's not that bad. You should feel special with all the stuff you're gonna get."
"Whatever," he mumbled, looking annoyed.
Yura turned in her desk to bat her fake eyelashes at him. "I sent you a card and two candy bars, Inu."
"Don't call me that!" he snapped.
Yura frowned and then glared at Kagome before facing the front again. Kagome was just about to ask Sango something when three cards and candy bars were placed on her desk. She looked up at Rin with a confused look.
Rin smiled. "Guess you have some admirers out there!"
"Wow," Kagome said softly, although loud enough for InuYasha to hear. He stared at the items on her desk with a mixture of what looked like amusement and...jealousy? Could he be jealous?
Rin made her final rounds around the classroom and then dumped multiple cards and candy bars onto InuYasha's desk. "Saved the most for last," she informed him before waving to Kagome and Sango and leaving the room.
"Woah," Sango commented, indicating the many cards and chocolate. "And it's only day one."
"Yeah, yeah," he grumbled, shoving everything into his bag.
Kagome laughed before looking down at the cards on her own desk. Three simple envelopes but inside contained cards addressed to her by actual boys. She reached for the first one with an enthusiam she tried to hide in case anyone was watching.
Opening the envelope, she pulled out a green card with a simple flower on the front. Curiously, she looked at the inside, and read: I'm so sorry about Saturday, Kagome. I hope we can still be friends. I meant everything I said about you. You really are kind and caring and beautiful... - Hojo.
Kagome fidgeted slightly and placed the card back in its envelope. She pushed it aside and opened the second one. It was a the glittery silver card she had seen earlier. Inside, she was surprised to find it was from Koga. Koga?
It read: Hey Kagome. Thought I would send you a card since it's the student council's booth and all. Was wondering if you might want to go to a movie this weekend? Let me know. - Koga.
She didn't know how to feel. Sure, Koga was gorgeous and athletic and a senior. But go out with him? She wasn't sure.
Setting his card on top of Hojo's, she picked up the final one. She peeked at InuYasha from the corner of her eye. He still had his head on his desk. She took a deep breath and slid the card out from the envelope.
It was a plain lavender card with nothing on the front. She slowly opened it. It said: Kagome...I wish I could tell you who I am, but I can't. I noticed you since the day you stepped into my life and I haven't been able to get you out of my head. You are amazing, and beautiful, and intelligent. I want you to be my valentine, but I am too afraid you might reject me. I will always be watching over you, though...Your Secret Admirer.
Kagome stared at the card. A secret admirer? Her? She had never had one before. She glanced around the room at all the boys and tried to figure out who it could be. Someone she knew? Someone she didn't?
She was startled from her thoughts when the bell rang. Everyone stood up to gather their things and go off to the rest of their day. She stood up as well, and as she was gathering her cards and chocolate, she couldn't help but look up at InuYasha. He was standing there, watching her, and slowly turned to leave the room.
But the second their eyes had made contact, she wished it was him who had sent the card.
xXxXx
Well, there you have it! Review and let me know what you think! :) I'm thinking I want to reach 65? Sounds reasonable? Haha!
Lady Elisabeth - That's really cool you could see this taking place at your high school! :) At least it seems realistic! Haha.
Anonymous - Thank you, I wish I knew who you were!
georgiagirl5 - Here is your update!
iheartinuyasha - I know :( I wish I could update sooner too, but I'm trying!
ChannelForsk - Thank you! I like a mash up of emotions ;)
K-enjeru - Thanks! Here it is!
Random-Tigerz-Of-Lilly - I thought it was a good addition too :)
PermanentlyFrozen - Thanks :) hehe
Nico - Yay, Inu + Kag Forever!
Oh Jiru - That's so awesome you dropped your cleaning for lil ol me! Haha I feel special :)
InuYashaLoverDuver - Yes, it's sad :(
Lyssa1019 - Here's an update!
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nasiamarie88 - I'm glad you like getting updates :) here it is!