Misconceptions

Chapter Six:
Death by Rumor

"I heard they slept together and he refuses to answer her calls."

"That's not what I heard. Someone told me they had sex in his car and now she's pregnant. He claims it's not his."

"A little birdie told me that she's stalking him now."

"My friend told me that his mom found them doing it in the living room. Can you believe that? The scandal!"

"My boyfriend told me Kouga totally did her on his car after promising the little virgin to marry her. And guess what . . . he lied to her!"

Rumors suddenly began flying all over the University of Tokyo. Was this high school or college? As soon as Ayame stepped foot in the school everyone suddenly got quiet, except for the small snickers. She learned to ignore it by now . . . or so she thought.

"Can you believe this?" she yelled at Carissa who flipped through the latest issue of her favorite magazine.

Though she was American, she could read Japanese calligraphy very well . . . and her favorite thing to read were her magazines. "Relax Ayame. In a week no one will even care that you had sex with Kouga."

Ayame scoffed throwing a packet of sugar at her, landing between the pages of the thick magazine. "That's the point Carissa! Everyone doesn't believe that I didn't do anything like that. We didn't even kiss!"

"What?" This obviously got her attention since she threw the magazine behind her, landing on the table behind them which consisted of two severely pissed off girl that had been gossiping about Ayame rather loudly. "Wait, you honestly did nothing with him?"

"Of course not," she murmured under her breath and she drank her coffee angrily.

"So you're telling me that these rumors flying about are for no reason? You lost your reputation for nothing?"

"This is exactly what I kept trying to tell you. You just don't know how to listen."

"Whoa," Carissa turned to the girls behind her who were snickering and whispering, exchanging dirty looks toward Ayame. "What, you want some?" she hissed. "Ayame's not a lesbian so quit your bitching and don't look at my friend like she's any of your business."

A girl with long dark, chemically straightened locks picked her designer bag up off the floor as she got up and glared at Carissa with a satisfied smirk on her face. "Good luck on the baby," she taunted.

Carissa chuckled lightly. "Good luck with your twins," she countered. "I heard you don't even know who the father is. So is it between four or five guys?"

"Whatever,"

Ayame waited till both girls left the café. "Are you nuts? For all you know, they could be starting rumors about you now."

Carissa shrugged carelessly. "Then I know whose face to beat in. Where is our man of the hour anyways?"

Ayame shrugged. "I actually haven't talked to him since the whole 'waking up on a car' incident."

"Really?"

"Yes. In fact I haven't even caught a glimpse of him since. That's kind of weird I guess. Do you think something happened?"

"Like what, he got ashamed of all the rumors so he attempted to kill himself? Please. Kouga lives for these kind of rumors. As it destroys your reputation, it boosts his."

"Well . . . it's still too weird."

.o0o.

Bankotsu stormed into Kouga's bedroom like a tornado. He looked around as he removed his sunglasses. "I see mother dearest has departed," he teased. "Where've you been?"

Kouga stretched as he opened the shades to reveal a wall-to-wall window that overlooked the gorgeous city like the perfect vision. "You know I only have to put up an act when she's around. What business of yours is it anyway?"

Bankotsu smirked. "Actually, it isn't. I just thought I'd let you know that everyone else thinks it's theirs."

"Excuse me?" he asked in a warning tone.

He shrugged pulling up his desk chair and sitting in it. "Let's see . . . where should I start? There is the famous rumor of you knocking up the poor little Virgin Mary. I think that's my favorite. People also said that it happened in the back of your car. I've got to say . . . what a classic."

"What the hell are you talking about, dumb ass?" He pulled on a shirt.

"You know . . . your special little project, Ayame. I even heard it could be triplets."

Kouga's response was a snort. "I see the rumor mill has yet to stop. Is that what their saying now?"

"That and you deny being the father. I gotta say, it takes balls, man."

"Thanks, it's what I'm here for," he countered. "So what's your take on this best friend? You believe little girls with no lives, or me?"

"That's a tough one," he teased. "But I guess I'll have to go with your stupid ass. We might have to work together one day since we will be taking over some businesses."

Kouga snorted again. "I see I'm not the only one with a psycho family believe."

"Get dressed. Let's go pick on someone . . . make fun of Hakkaku and his little stalker ways with girls . . . something."

"Hakkaku found another girl to obsess over? I say we take bets on how long it takes for her to punch him over his jealousy."

"You're on."

For as long as Kouga could remember, the three were inseparable. Hakkaku was also his cousin, but of a higher status. He was right about Ginta's family in the dysfunctional royal tree. But Bankotsu's family had been doing business with his since he could remember being told! It only made sense that since they were both the first male's to be born of their generation that they would take over each of their family's businesses.

"Are people really starting rumor about me and Ayame?" he finally asked.

Bankotsu nodded. "What did you expect? People need some kind of entertainment. Since when do you care, anyway?"

"I don't," he lied.

.o0o.

Ayame walked toward the trash can near by, discarding her paper cup. What was she to do now? Different rumors of all kinds were flying around about her and she could do nothing to stop. No one would even listen to her. "Hakkaku?" she asked, spotting him behind a random plant.

He turned around startled.

"What are you doing?" she asked curiously, trying to look over his shoulder at whatever he set his sight on before.

"Nothing I was . . ." He searched for a reason in his head. "This plant is . . . interesting?"

She looked down at the large green whatever-it-was. "The plant?" she repeated. "It's a big green thing. What so interesting about it?"

"He shook his head. "Never mind. What are you doing here?"

"I go to school here," she reminded him.

"Right I forgot."

Ayame nodded slowly as she wondered if he was going through a stroke or something of that sort. "Are you okay? You seem a little . . . off and sweaty."

"No, I'm good. Great, I'm great," he corrected himself. "Where's Kouga?"

"How would I know? You are his best friend, right?"

"Yeah—yes. I am. I just figured from everything that's happened you tow would be discussing something."

She rolled her eyes and rested her hands on her hips. "You know all those rumors aren't true right?"

"Oh, of course," he sighed. "I mean I assumed. Most of them are usually made up anyway."

Bankotsu suddenly slammed his body into his friend's playfully. "Who are we stalking now?" he teased loudly.

"Shut up," Hakkaku snarled back. "I'm not stalking anyone."

Bankotsu shoved him out of the way to see if he could get a peek at whoever Hakkaku hoped to date someday.

"We were looking at the plant," Ayame lied, trying to cover his tracks . . . whatever they were.

"You smoke weed?" Bankotsu questioned.

Ayame's eyes widened. "Kami, no! I meant this plant," she explained, pointing to the big green thing.

"Oh . . . whatever. Come on lover boy, Kouga's waiting with the car. We're driving out of town and hitting some new clubs."

"Aya," Carissa squealed as she ran to catch up to her. "You're not going to believe this!" She handed her a thick, decorated letter. "Just read it,"

Bankotsu removed his sunglasses to get a better view of Carissa's tall hourglass shape. "Aren't you in my Business Law class?"

Carissa turned to him finally realizing who he was. "Yes, actually. My Gosh . . . the infamous Bankotsu."

Ayame snapped her fingers in Carissa's face. "Carissa, back this."

"Oh, right. So, you actually stay away in Business Law, beside al the legal mumble-jumble, you know what this means, right?"

Ayame looked the letter over once more. "Oh, Kami . . . Carissa they want your fashion line to be presented in Japan Fashion Week."

She squealed clapping her hands together. "Finally, Mind over Maters is having its first big break."

"Well, I'm so happy for you, but I'm not sure how any of this has to do with me."

"Are kidding me," she screeched. "Ayame, you're like my partner. You create the sketches—"

"But you bring them to life—"

"Yeah, right after us both went over the designs. This is our time to show what we're made of. At least take some credit."

.o0o.

"She designs cloths? I thought she majored in business."

Bankotsu shrugged. "Apparently," He chugged down the remains of his beer as a girl with light hair nuzzled her head against his and whispered something in his ear which made him smirk. He whispered back which made her giggle and push him back playfully.

Kouga rolled his eyes at the scene and looked over at Hakkaku who was long passed out next to the couple. He usually hit the bar too roughly and rarely ended his nights without passing out once or twice. "I'll be back," he mumbled, barely being audible compared to the loud music and drunk people yelling.

Kouga had been driving around a while before actually stopping there. He knew Bankotsu would do his usual dirty deeds with the girl from the night club and go back for Hakkaku after calling for a limo, so he had no worries.

His fist gently rapped against the old, glass window.

Ayame groaned wiping at her eyes beneath her thick, black rimmed glasses. She always forgot to remove them—especially since she usually fell asleep reading. "Carissa, if you're in trouble again, I don't want to hear about it."

"Last time I checked I wasn't female."

"Huh," Ayame sat up scrunching her eyes. "Kouga? What are you doing here?" she asked as she opened the double-frame window to let him in.

"I got bored," he mumbled, jumping off the low window sill.

"Be quieter, if Grandfather finds you in here, who knows what he'd do. But seriously, what brings you here? It's three in the morning," she noted.

"Like I said, I got bored."

"Bored? Where were you that got you so bored in the first place?"

"Just out with my friends," He had only been in her room once, the night before all the rumors started but he'd only seen it for a few minutes. It looked weirder up close. It definitely described Ayame. He noticed how organized and colorful it was. "Where is everyone anyways?" he asked as he looked into the empty hall way.

Ayame gently pushed him out of the way and shut the door, locking it with the old-fashion key that she never took out of there. "They're sleeping of course. The kids have school early in the morning and Grandfather and I have to get up extra early to make breakfast," she explained simply.

He looked at her awkwardly. "Don't you have servants to do that for you?"

She threw her self on her bed and once again buried herself in her comforters. "Does it honestly look like we have that kind of money?"

"It's easy to get money like that," he murmured, sitting on the edge of her bed.

"It's easy for you to say that. Grandfather runs this orphanage on federal checks—and sometimes they don't even come in at all or they come too late. We don't have that kind of money."

Kouga's only response was a grunt. He reached into his pocket and fingered a small piece of paper. "Do you—do you remember when you asked if I had a gift for you on your birthday?"

"Yeah," she mumbled, suddenly sitting up as the covers crumpled over her lap. "How could I forget—you didn't have one."

He snorted at the small anger in her tone. "Then . . . let's just say I lied—"

She jumped toward him on the bad, sitting next to him. "You have one for me?" she questioned happily, like a small child at Christmas. "What is it?"

"What do I get in return?" he teased.

"Very funny pervert. It's supposed to be a birthday gift. You don't exchange anything except for me thanking you."

He rolled his eyes. "It wasn't even your real birthday," he growled playfully as he slipped the piece of paper into her small hands.

"Stationary is your gift to me. You might as well not have given me anything—"

"What happened to you being grateful, kid? Just open it."

She gave him a dirty look before opening up the paper to its full length. "It's an . . . address?" She suddenly realized what it meant. "Oh my Kami . . . Kouga . . . it's an address!" she repeated.

"That's all I get?" he taunted playfully.

Her face had a kind of happy radiance that could light up a room. The sudden disbelieve and the baffled expression on her face could have made him happy for a while . . . and yet he had no idea why. It had been a while since he'd done a good deed—for anyone! She gently rapped her arms around him for the slightest moment. He had no idea what he had done to receive such an embrace.

It wasn't in his nature to be nice at all . . . and he certainly wasn't supposed to feel much of anything. As the rightful heir of great power, he knew damn well than to show any kind of emotion what so ever to whom he wasn't even supposed to be acquainted with.

.o0o.

"I see you've cleaned up without me," Grandfather mentioned as he swept in the room, sitting himself at his desk.

Ayame smiled and nodded. "Somehow I must have gotten a gene to clean or something. I don't think it's normal," she joked. "You just missed the kids."

"They've gone off to school already?"

She nodded. "Yes. Lee drove the rest to the grade school."

"And that leaves you," he added. "You can't miss many classes and expect to pass your courses, eh, Superstar?"

Ayame sighed, taking the seat in front of him. "I know," she grumbled. "But I have even bigger news for you."

"Before you say anything, I'd just like to let you know the government will only pay for your tuition if you actually plan on sticking to college."

"I know, I know. That's not what I'm talking about. Don't worry. I have a ride to take me to my class. But it turns out Carissa's fashion designing paid off."

He nodded slowly. "I seem to remember you two spending endless nights on a clothing line recently. Is that what you are focusing on?"

She nodded. "Yes. It turns out some noble fashion designer saw her talent and wants her to be apart of Tokyo Fashion Week. The one thing is . . . it's not that far away, and I'm going to need a lot of time to help Carissa."

Grandfather smiled a moment as he turned his chair to the window, staring out of it. "I suppose you want me to make an excuse or two, am I right?"

"Maybe . . . yes. Can't you say I have the Ebola virus or something?"

That brought laughter to him. "As long as you tell me about this boy," he argued lightly.

Ayame tilted her head to the side in question. "Boy?" she repeated.

"Yes, the one you thought an old man like me wouldn't know about."

"Honestly Grandfather, I'm not sure I know what you're talking about."

He shook his head and sighed. "Dear girl, surely you do. All I want is a promise that you'll keep up in your studies."

Ayame giggled. "Now I think you're crazy."

"Tall, dark hair pulled back. If my eyes are right I'm sure I'll also know he has light eyes. You can't mistake those eyes."

Ayame thought for a moment. She finally realized who he was talking about. "Oh, no, Grandfather . . . you have that wrong. We barely have a relationship. I've only spoken to him a few times."

"Is that why his car was parked here a few nights ago? I doubt I know anyone else with a car like that."

"We were just talking, promise."

He waved his hand at her. "As you say. Just make sure you focus on studies, young lady."

"There shouldn't be a worry!" she protested loudly. "I give you my word, nothing happened."

"Fine, just tell him to use the door next time."

.o0o.

Carissa snatched the slip of paper as she sniffled from her cold. "What are you going to do with it?"

Ayame shrugged. "I'm not sure yet."

"Well, you are going to look into it right?"

"I don't know."

"Ayame," Carissa scolded lightly. "There's a reason you wanted to find this address. Why waste it?"

"It's that easy," she argued back. "You act as if it's simple too look for someone you've longed for your whole life."

Carissa's body stiffened. "This can't be right."

"What do you mean?"

"This address . . . it's the same one as Landon's."

.0o0o0.

A/N:

Sorry for every late update! I've been so busy! And I'm under so much pressure with school and all. But really, I'm trying. It's my goal to write more and worry less! Haha.

Secrets will be revealed next chapter! hah. Sorry, I just love little mysteries. But have fun guessing what happens next!

.0o0o0.

A blanket disclaimer for all chapters associated in the story of Misconceptions, which is soon to be come an Inuyasha fan fiction series. R. Takahashi owns all rights to the original characters of the manga/anime series. However, for all characters not associated with the manga/ anime series, they are owned by me, Tayanese.