Disclaimer: I do not own the Inu characters and blah blah blah
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A/N: OMG. I'm so, so, SO sorry you guys for taking this long to update. The past couple weeks have been very very hectic and it's not letting down a bit. Thanksgiving just passed and I'm still working on this major business project thingy, oh, and stupid History Day is coming up…frikk. I just barely managed to slip in this chapter. So yeah. I'm sorry, again. I'm not sure when's the next time I get to update, but I promise, once this stupid quarter is over, I'm giving all my attention back to my stories. So please forgive.
Btw…to anyone who's worried about it…no, I'm not going to make Kagome such a sap for Inuyasha. Trust me when I tell you the plot will only thicken and the grub matches are only gonna get worst. So anyways, enjoy!!
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College Adversities: Ch. 5: Auction
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"URGH!! Damn damn damn damn damn!!" Kagome cursed as she plopped down on her bed. "I hate that pigheaded mother f-----!!" she cried out.
Sango only looked at her with slight amusement from the other side of the bed. Classes were done and the day was coming to an end. The two friends were now huddled on the comfy box in their dorm. "You know…you don't have to feel so distressed about it, I mean, it's not your fault."
Kagome's body snapped up into a sitting position and started another argument. "Sango…he's in three of my classes…three. English, Phy. Conditioning, and History. The only classes he doesn't share are my alg/calc, business, archery, and biochem/medicine classes." She paused and took a breath. "That's not even the bad part. Now, stupid me just couldn't stop myself from giving him my name! And he's somehow memorized my scent…he told me that himself. Do you know how TRAUMATIZING that IS?!!! Urgh!! What the hell got into me when I gave him my name?!" she seethed, remembering that day after PC.
"Kagome."
Wait…hold on. Why was she giving him her name? She must've lost part of her consciousness from the extreme conditioning that went on during this class or something, but what the heck was she doing? Taking a quick backwards glance, she scanned his face. Something about the way he looked at her made it all slip out. "Kagome. My name's Kagome Higurashi."
Thinking back on it now, that was the stupidest thing she had ever done in her life! She gave that asshole exactly what he wanted. And to make matters worst, during their third class together, instead of showing some appreciation, he got her mad, with just one sentence too. All he had to say was, "What happened to you telling me 'hell no will you ever tell me your name…not even in a million years when I'm rotting in my coffin,' huh?"
Nice going, stupid idiot.
That had done it. She gave him a good hook to his chin and had the whole class staring at them…again. This time though, she wasn't scared, but like before, he became seething mad at her.
"What happened to you making my life a living hell, then, hmm?" she had taunted. He didn't reply. Instead, he gave her an icy glare that could've melted solid rock, but not Kagome Higurashi. She wasn't going to give in to that again, no sir, not today. She'd die before she'd ever give in to this loser. Ha…that's right. No way ever would she give in…and yet, he got her blood boiling with just one sentence.
Sango only sighed, looking at the student body roster. "Oh, Kagome. I sympathize."
Kagome eyed her for a bit. "Really?" she asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"Really." Sango replied, still looking at the chart in front of her.
"Then why is it I hear no sense of sympathy in your voice?" Kagome asked. She forgot about Inuyasha for a moment as she noticed that Sango didn't seem to hear her this time. Her attention was completely absorbed to the roster. Kagome eyed it as well before snatching it from Sango's hands.
"Hey!!" the older girl protested.
"So…what's so interesting on here that's got your attention away from girly gossip?" Kagome asked teasingly, skimming the roster.
"N-nothing! Give it back, Kagome, or I swear I'll---!" Sango threatened, trying to grab it back. Kagome only held out a hand to stop her.
Kagome's eye finally caught what must've been holding Sango's attention. The student roster was nothing like a school year book, but the list was elaborate enough to have a picture next to the student's name. The interesting part was that the page that Sango was currently on had the picture of Miroku in it. Now it was her turn to be amused while Sango was flustered. Narrowing her eyes teasingly, she taunted Sango. "Ohh…so, this is what got your attention, hmm?"
"Give that back!!" Sango screamed angrily as she yanked the roster back. "It's none of your business."
Kagome placed her hands in front of her and leaned forwards, closer to her best friend. She smiled coyly. "Really? It's none of my business that my best friend has become interested with that "perverted-playboy"…or so you call him?"
Sango glared hard at her. "I am NOT interested in that...that…sick minded, twisted player." She spat with disgust. Crossing her arms and throwing on a look of indifference on her face, she continued. "Besides…I'm not the only one in a mess with playboys. Who was that pigheaded mother eff-er again that you seem to be infatuated with?"
Kagome's face contorted with horror and disbelief. "Excuse me?! Infatuated?! With that dolt?! Have you gone insane?!"
Sango smiled. "Well…think about it. You've only been talking about what? Him!! Especially this whole week, every time you came back from your classes or whenever me, you, and Rin would meet up, all you're able to talk about is that "pigheaded dolt"…or so you call him." She said annoyingly, mimicking Kagome's words.
In the blink of an eye, Kagome flew from her spot on the bed and threw herself at Sango. With a scream, Sango went down on the bed. A rush of air was pushed out of her lungs as Kagome took her down. The two friends started a little grappling game.
"Take it back! I am so not infatuated with that blockhead." Kagome seethed while sitting on top Sango.
"Oh yeah?" Sango taunted, weakening her struggles to give Kagome a blood-boiling look. "Just ask Rin."
"Did someone say my name?" Both girls stopped wrestling to look up at the open door and the intruder. "Did I, uh…interrupt something?"
"Oh no, no." Kagome said while getting off Sango.
"Yeah. You only stopped us before I totally kicked Kagome's ass." Sango joined in, smiling.
Kagome looked at her irritatedly. Sure, she was the one who was dominating Sango earlier, but that's only because they were messing around and Sango was too busy laughing her ass off to even try. Everyone knew that Sango could've beaten her butt any day, any time, hands down. Sango was definitely not one to mess around with, especially since she came from a long, strong bloodline of demon slayers.
"Haha…omg. What were you guys doing this time?" Rin asked, closing the door behind her and walking over to their small table to set down her own books and some food.
"Arguing about boys as usual." Sango said coolly.
Kagome only glared at her and crossed her arms. "Tell me…how is it that you end up getting the last laugh when I'm the one who started the taunting fit?"
"Hmm…maybe Karma has a little something to do with it…" Sango said in mock wonder.
Rin only laughed at the both of them. 'These two will never change.' Getting her attention back to the matter at hand, she asked her friends about the upcoming auction. "So, are you guys entering that student auction thing tomorrow night?"
The two bickering girls ceased their fighting to look at their friend. "Oh yeah!" Sango exclaimed with realization. "That's right…the auction is tomorrow."
Kagome looked between Sango and Rin. Hesitating for a moment, she asked, "What auction?"
The other girls turned to look at Kagome. "Oh, right. I forgot, you just transferred here." Sango said as her brows creased slightly. "Wait, so then, how'd you find out about it, Rin?"
"Oh, I found out about it through the freshmen orientation. They said it's open to all grade levels this year."
Sango nodded her head in understanding. "Oh, I see."
Kagome was even more lost and agitated with the fact that she was left out of the conversation. What was this? Some kind of inside joke or something that the new kid didn't know about? "Hello? Still in the dark here." She pointed out, putting her hands on her hips.
"Heh. Right. Kagome, what Rin-chan's talking about is the yearly student auction. It's somewhat like a fundraising thing. A third of the money goes to benefit the school, a third goes out to some charity or something, and the last third goes to you."
Now it was Kagome's turn to scrunch her eyebrows. "Goes to me?" Sango nodded slowly. Kagome was even more lost now.
"So…what happens there?" she asked. Rin looked at Sango with the same question in her eyes. The details of the event weren't mentioned at the orientation. Sango put on a knowing smile and looked at the both of them. "Well…I guess you two will find out tomorrow night then, won't you?"
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"Sango…you little bitch…" Kagome seethed.
"Hey…you guys wanted to find out what this auction was." Sango said innocently, though inside, she couldn't wait to crack up.
"Yeah, but you didn't tell us they weren't joking when they said student auction." Rin inferred through clenched teeth. "Now what? You think it's funny that we're in this mess?"
Sango looked at Rin with a serious face for a good second before nodding comically. "Yup."
Kagome whacked her on her arm. "How is this funny?!!"
Sango cracked. "Because it's you two who are stuck in this mess…while I'm sitting here completely free." She burst out laughing and nearly fell off her chair while Kagome and Rin just glared at her with promised murder in their eyes. "SANGO!!"
Sango's laughter died down a bit, though she still had the giggles. "Alright, alright. I'm sorry for not telling you two exactly what the student auction was, but I didn't actually think that you two were nominees for the list. Not much people even know you guys to start with."
"Urgh!" Kagome exasperatedly sighed. "Sango, if you told us what this stupid auction was, then we would've known to request our names off the list!! We would've told them we didn't want to be a part of this, this, crazy…freaking, stupid thing! I mean c'mon…sell ourselves?!!!"
"I don't want to be a slave to a neurotical idiot either." Rin exclaimed, plopping down on the chair. They were in the cafeteria near the auditorium where the auction was to be held in an hour.
"Why didn't you guys go and fight for it then?" Sango questioned seriously.
Kagome and Rin both sighed. "They said it was too late to ask for a reprieve of the list. Especially our names."
Sango looked at them with confusion. "What?"
"They said that our names were to be especially held on the list. Were we to ask for our names back, we would've been denied the request anyways. If not, we'd have to ask the people who nominated us to take back their hold." Kagome explained.
"Yeah, so it didn't matter if we were on time anyways. Maybe if we found out about it earlier, we would've been able to fight for it, but alas…" Rin added.
"Wait…hold on just a minute." Sango said, standing up. "What do they mean by all of that? Who can even do such a thing as demand for the auction supervisors to hold your names, even if you request for your names back?"
"I don't know…but whoever they are…they're pretty whacked up in the head." Rin said.
Holding out a trembling fist, Kagome added, "Those suckers are gonna wish they had never even heard of me, because when I find them…ooh…their asses are gonna be sorry as hell…"
Sango and Rin cringed behind Kagome's seething form. They could practically see the aura of anger rolling like waves off their friend. "Kagome-sama can be very scary sometimes, don't you think?" Rin whispered to Sango.
"Haha…yeah. Sometimes." Sango agreed, a sweat drop forming on her forehead as she giggled nervously.
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"Inuyasha…man, you sleep like a log." Shippo exclaimed, sighing at the sight of his friend slung over his couch.
"Leave him be, Shippo. His martial arts class is probably getting to him." Miroku said from his place in front of the TV.
"Yeah, but the auction's only a little over half an hour from now. Shouldn't we all be getting ready? Plus…he made a big fuss about us getting there on time. He said it was important this year."
Miroku looked up from the screen to Shippo. "What?"
"He made a big fuss about getting there on time…although I don't know why since this sucker's always late for everything." he repeated, mumbling the last part.
"No…after that."
"Hmm?" Shippo asked, looking up to meet Miroku's gaze.
"After the part about getting there on time or whatever."
"Oh, um…he said it's important this year."
Miroku eyed Inuyasha's sleeping form. This year was important? He, or much rather, they had to be there on time? For WHAT? "Alright…I've known you for too long, grumpy gills…what are you planning?" Miroku asked out loud, kneeling by Shippo to stare at Inuyasha's intricate face.
What are you up to now, silly hanyou?
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xOxO
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"OH.MY.GOSH. What in the world are you two doing?!" Sango asked incredulously while staring stock-still at her best friends. In front of her stood Rin clad in a huge, loose TDU sweater and odd colored jeans that probably came from the fifties. And Kagome…she couldn't even begin to describe Kagome's outfit. She was dressed in one of the most ridiculous outfits in history.
"Do you like it?" Kagome asked back with a smile. "Rin came up with it."
Sango only continued staring contemptuously at Kagome and Rin. "I repeat: what you two doing? What the hell are you guys dressed at?!"
"Aww…you think it's that bad?" Rin asked with faux hurt.
At times like this, Sango would usually be on the floor laughing with her hand pressed to her side from the pain…but this time was just…omg. "Okay…who are you guys and what have you done to my friends?"
The two outrageously dressed girls just laughed.
"C'mon, Sango. It's not so bad. We just don't look like ourselves."
"I think that's an understatement. Gosh damn…do we even have to argue about this?" Sango asked, taking a double look. "Look at you two! I can't even…even…describe what you look like to me right now! And that's putting it nicely. To be honest with you, saying that all the torn up, hobo clothes in the world sewn together and placed on your bodies won't even do any justice!!"
Kagome's eyebrows scrunched together in consideration. "Ouch." Looking down at her clothes and back up to Rin's face, Kagome thought about what they were wearing again. "Hey, you think we've over done it?"
Rin contemplated it for a moment before shrugging. "Maybe we did. Maybe Sango's right. We look absolutely ridiculous."
"More like horrid. What are you two doing anyways?" Sango asked again.
"Don't you get it?!" Rin asked. Sango only shook her head.
Clearing her throat, Kagome explained. "Rin came up with this brilliant idea that if we look absolutely horrible, then no one would want to place bids on us, no one would want us. They'd think we were too damn geeky or whatever. That way, we'd get off the hook, happy and free!!"
"Yeah, and if even you thought we looked bad, then hey, this idea may just work." Rin finished.
Okay---that was just…stupid. Sango snorted and looked at them incredulously. "Hello? Has all this excitement gone to your heads?! It doesn't matter what you look like up there! This is college, not high school. Besides, even if we were in high school, it wouldn't matter. Whoever put your names on that stupid list knows who you are anyways. They know what you already look like. You guys don't honestly think that you can get away that easily, right?"
Kagome grumbled and stomped over to the bed to lie flat on her face while Rin stood still. "Really Sango, the way you put it sometimes…I'd begin to believe you put us on that list." Kagome said suspiciously, lifting her head and narrowing her eyes at Sango.
Sango's eyes only went wide for a moment. "Have you…totally lost it?!"
"Now, now, you two. Don't start arguing again." Rin cut in, trying to put some distance between Kagome and Sango. "This isn't the time. We've got bigger things to worry about."
"Like?" Kagome asked, her voice muffled as she put her face down on the bed again.
"Like the auction starts in 15 minutes and we had to be at the auditorium like, 5 minutes ago."
"Right." Sango agreed, looking at the clock on the wall. "C'mon. Let's get you two into something more…civilized."
Grumbling again, Kagome got up and followed Sango to the closet along with Rin.
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"FUCK!! Shut up, you gosh damned monk!!!" Inuyasha screamed through clenched teeth. Who would've ever thought the perverted lech was studying to be a monk, right? Miroku was training to take over his family's shrine. The shrine had been passed down through numerous generations, and now, it was almost Miroku's turn to take over.
"Then answer me…what's so important about this particular auction?"
"Don't play dumb."
Miroku's eyebrows creased as he looked at the hanyou. "No, really, Inuyasha. I have no idea about what you're talking about."
Inuyasha only crossed his arms and continued walking to the auditorium. "Just shut up and you'll find out when we get there."
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"Oh…my…GOSH…" Kagome gulped as she stared out into the crowd. "Shit…I didn't think there'd be THAT much people here." She was peeking through the curtain that separated the auction nominees from the bidders…those sleezy pigs. And then a glimpse of silver caught her eye. A vein popped in her head at seeing the sore sight of her bane, Inuyasha.
'Great...this bozo's here too. Oh the joy.' She thought sarcastically.
"Alright. Nominees listen up!!" A voice rang through the back-stage area. Kagome, Rin, and Sango all turned to see the auction director. She was giving directions on how to act, what to say, where to walk, and blah blah blah. Then, she explained the interesting part. If a nominee were to be sold tonight, the money goes to charity, to the school, and of course, to themselves. She also explained how they were to cater to their supposed "Masters" 24/7. Fortunately, they had rules and contracts that also gave them certain rights from the person or people who bought them.
"Wow…this is even worst than I thought…" Kagome said forlornly.
"There, there, Kagome…it'll only be for a month." Rin tried, rubbing Kagome's drooping back soothingly. The girl only sighed exasperatedly and drooped even more.
"Sorry, you guys. I should've told you sooner." Sango apologized.
"Sango-sama, let's not start this again. Don't be sorry. No one would've seen this coming. Even I still have no idea who put our names on that list. I don't know anyone who'd even want me. And I'm sure you would never put us on it. So don't worry about it. I highly doubt we'd even be chosen tonight." Rin explained coolly, although inside, her heart was beating just as fast and she was feeling just as down. Man. Being the calm one is hard.
"Now, if there aren't any questions, the auction will begin in 5 minutes." The auction director called out one last time before heading off to her respective place.
"I gotta go find a seat now, you guys. Good luck." Sango wished before disappearing as well.
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The curtains were pulled open and the bright stage lights blinded Kagome. The auditorium roared with students shouting, screaming, and whistling. Kagome looked at the other nominees. They were arranged in alphabetical order, so Rin was placed at the other side of the stage, taking away Kagome's only comfort. A few people here and there were from some of her classes. Her eyes traveled towards the end and saw that girl she had bumped into…what's her face…? Oh, right…Kikyo.
"Alright, alright, calm down." The principal said into the microphone, bringing Kagome back to attention. He was standing at the podium at the very side of the stage.
"Good evening everyone." He paused as the student body respectively said something in response. Inuyasha merely rolled his eyes at the corniness of his peers. "Tonight is our annual Student Auction. But this is the first year that we've included every grade level at this school." There was a soft cheer at the statement. The principal then proceeded to go on and on about the whole auction thing and how it's established some things at TDU.
Kagome didn't know how long she was standing there, but she was starting to lose her nerve. She knew she wasn't the only one in the spotlight, but still, she was on stage and in the spotlight…and it creeped her out to no end that the whole school was there looking on. Kagome was starting to feel very damned thankful to Sango for making her change into jeans and a tank. She had even made her apply some eyeliner.
"You just can't go out there looking like that. You have to be presentable. Remember, EVERYONE'S going to be there…not just those creeps who want to buy you guys or whatever."
Yup…that's what Sango said…and heck was she right.
Kagome scanned the crowd and looked here and there at the students that were getting bored with the principal's on-going speech. Some were even sleeping. Her body froze, though, when her eyes locked with two amber orbs. Inuyasha. The way he stared at her was just…unexplainable.
Kagome didn't know how long they had been keeping eye contact, but her eyes became teary and she was forced to look away. Thanking the heavens above for tears, she turned her face away from him.
Finally, as the principal began ending his speech, the nominees were presented one by one and seated into chairs arranged on the stage. Kagome was slightly boneless when she was called and presented. She nearly got a heart attack.
Finding her seat after being presented, Kagome sat down and wiped the nervous sweat off her forehead.
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Inuyasha smirked as he watched the nominees strut their stuff on stage...just the women. The men nominees he could give a fuck about. Wow…speaking of women, look at all the beautiful girls in this year's selection! Ami Young, Asuka Yamasaki, Kikyo Tama, Mandy Phire, Yura Kenji, and especially that French beauty, Angeline Cardolet. But that smirk turned into a frown as Kagome was called up.
What was it about her that provoked something in him? He was still mad at her alright…but whenever he looked at her, or even thought about her, there was something else. His face turned into a full on scowl as he contemplated his dilemma. Dropping his face into his hands from frustration, Inuyasha grumbled.
Miroku looked from the stage to his friend. "What's wrong, Yash?"
Inuyasha just waved a hand in his face. "Nothing, nothing…just bored, that's all."
Miroku highly doubted that was the truth, but he left it as that. Shrugging, he pulled his attention back to the main event.
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'Oh…my…GOSH…how long have I been sitting here already???' Kagome mentally grumbled. The auction had started from what seemed like 2 hours ago and was still going on. Nominees were called out one by one. People bid on them like they were nothing but items or possessions. Kagome wanted to seriously strangle each and every one of them for even thinking about bidding on other humans…but that feeling died after the first hour or so. And plus…it was a "student" auction. It was to help a good cause right? Ha…yeah right.
Kagome stifled a yawn with the back of her hand. The most eventful part of this whole ordeal, so far, was when Kikyo Tama was called up. Apparently, she was popular in this school. Kagome had even caught Inuyasha eyeing her like a piece of candy. Kagome wanted to barf. What a pig. Kikyo only blew a kiss and winked in his direction. That made Kagome want to hurl even more. Some male bidders even fought over her. It was no wonder…she was dressed like a slut. She took it all in a stride. In the end, the one with the highest bid, $20,000, won her anyways.
For a moment, Kagome wondered why Inuyasha hadn't placed any money on Kikyo…but then again, to get her in bed anytime he wanted, maybe he didn't have to. For any girl, he wouldn't have to.
About another half an hour passed again before Kagome was called up. Kagome's eyes went wide with shock and panic.
"Kagome Higurashi. You're the next nominee. Step up, please."
Kagome gulped. NOW, she was on spotlight…all hers for the taking. A bead of sweat rolled down her forehead and on to her cheek. Her chest tightened and she felt like she couldn't breathe. She was glued.
"Kagome Higurashi?" the MC called again. Slowly, Kagome made her way off her seat and out into the very front of the stage where everyone's eyes burned her skin. She couldn't risk looking like a fool now. With a little push and determination, she calmed herself and looked out with a little more defiance.
Inuyasha was watching and reading her every single move. Her inner battle and nervousness didn't get pass him. He could read people as easily as reading a book. She had stage fright. What was more amusing though was the look on her face when she won the battle over her anxiety. That same look that irritated him to no end was now plastered to her face. He hated that look. She looked so damned calm and cool, as if nothing could penetrate her. Feh! Let's see her keep that same demeanor once she got more than just a piece of him.
The corner of his lips jerked as a smile began to play. A plan formed into his mind. Oh, was he devious.
Kagome looked throughout the crowd again and purposely refused to look at his direction. She did see a few men gaping at her though. Inuyasha noticed this and scowled at each and every one of them who were looking at her like that. He felt a strange adrenaline shoot through his nerves.
For Kagome, she felt slightly elated that some guys would actually think she's pretty attractive. That boosted her confidence and ego by a lot just now. A smile graced her face and the bids started. It went higher and higher until the bidding pace slowed to $10,000.
Two guys fought back and forth, raising it up to $15,000 and up. Finally, one of the two called out $20,000. The other guy frowned and gave up, flopping back down angrily on his seat.
"Hiten Fujimoto with $20,000. Going once---"
"$50,000."
Heads turned to see who cut off the MC. "Wanna challenge that?" the same voice said.
Kagome tensed, knowing the familiarity of that voice. It was none other than…Hojo. They've been friends back in high school, they even went on dates once or twice, and now, he's attending this university? Weird.
"Akitoki Hojo with $50,000."
Kikyo narrowed her eyes at Kagome. How could that ugly brat get more then she did?
"Going once…going twice…" the MC continued. "Sol--!!"
"$100,000." Another voice spoke up. Kikyo's eyes widened at the outrageous amount. What in the world?! This…this...second rate was getting even higher bids?!
Like Kikyo, Kagome's eyes also widened. Now this voice was unmistakable. Her eyes darted to the man who called out the price. "Wanna challenge that?" he mocked, staring Hojo down. Hojo only sat back down in his seat.
"O…kay." The MC stated. "Going once…going twice…SOLD!! To Inuyasha Takahashi!"
Kagome stared into his eyes as Inuyasha walked down to get her. She never broke her eye contact with him this time as he made his way from his seat to the stage a few feet in front of her. An evil smile was set on his face.
"Come on...slave."
Kagome's eyes were still wide. Softly, almost to herself, she whispered her words of disbelief. "Oh…hell no."