Gomen nasai, gomen nasai, gomen!!! A thousand apologies! *bows repeatedly*
It took me way too damn long to update this and after over a month, I am SO FRIGGIN' SORRY!!! I'll try to finish chapter 13 as soon as possible! I can gurantee that it'll be up before Christmas! You can make sure of that!
I hope you like it!
Kagome stirred in bed, opening her large blue eyes sleepily at the noise. They fell on a sleeping figure beside her. Ikuto… Kagome's eyes widened in realization. IKUTO! She shoved him off the bed, resulting in a grunt from him.
"What?" he mumbled.
"Why were you in my bed?" the miko hissed, her tiredness vanishing.
Ikuto lazily opened and eyelid to peer up at her face. "Because you let me."
"Was I drunk?"
He shook his head.
"Was I hallucinating?"
Ikuto shook his head once more.
"Then why the hell did I let you into my bed!?"
"Because you let me sleep. Now move over. I'm cold." He pushed Kagome further in the bed before climbing in and snuggling into the covers.
Kagome glared at him. "Get. Out."
"Nothing you say will make me," he replied, eyes remaining closed.
She let out a puff and deemed her effort futile. Pushing further away from him, she sank into her pillow and drifting into a comfortable sleep.
Until a bloodcurdling scream sounded throughout the Taisho Estate and roused the blue-eyed couple.
"Kagome-sama's virtue has been taken!" a feminine voice shrieked. Rapid footsteps and the slamming of a door sounded soon after. Several seconds later the door slammed open once more, forcing Kagome's eyes to open. A livid Shippou stood in the doorway.
She was in deep shit now...
"Okaa-san, could I talk with Ikuto, please?" he asked in a rigid voice.
She turned and glared at Ikuto. "Sure," she replied, shoving Ikuto out of the bed. When they left, Kagome attempted to get back to sleep, but she was interrupted by someone shaking her awake.
"Kagome-sama, wake up!" a voice whispered. "Wake up!"
Opening a sleepy eye, she looked at the person who was waking her. A pretty feminine face with large brown eyes came into sight. "Who are you?"
The girl let out a tinkling laugh. "I thought otou-san told you that I was coming for a visit. Don't you recognize me, Kagome-sama?" She pulled a small clump of hair to the side of her head. "It's me, Rin-chan."
"Rin-chan…" She let the name slip from her lips. It felt foreign to her, but sounded rather familiar. She repeated the name loudly as realization struck her. The miko wrapped the girl up in a hug, squeezing her tightly, the brown-eyed woman reciprocating enthusiastically. "Rin-chan, how have you been?"
Rin broke the embrace. "I've been great, Kagome-sama. Otou-san told me how you ended up as a child. Though I must say, it doesn't seem like you're letting that slow you down. It sure seemed like you were having a lot of fun earlier," she mused aloud. By her emphasizing that one simple word, Kagome knew what she was implying.
Flushing, Kagome retorted sharply, "I wasn't having sex with Ikuto! He's just a friend!"
"Kagome-sama, get your mind out of the gutter! I wasn't implying that you were having sex with whoever you said," Rin stated, feigning innocence. "But judging the fact that you two are on a first name basis, I could very well say you were," she added, a perverse glint in her eyes.
The miko glared at the taller woman. "You shouldn't be teasing your superiors, Rin-chan."
"Superiors, Kagome-sama?" Rin raised an elegant eyebrow. "I'm older than you. After five hundred years, we are of equal status. Plus, I'm taller than you!" she quipped brightly.
"You seem to be happy that you're finally taller than me, Rin-chan."
Said person grinned. "I am, very much so!"
"Meanie."
"Really, Kagome-sama, surely Otou-san's Tenseiga didn't diminish your mental capacity as well as your size."
Kagome slapped Rin's arm. "You've been hanging out with Sesshomaru too much. That's the same thing he said to me when I called him a meanie."
Rin shrugged. "Well, five hundred years with the man does lead to him rubbing off on you." She paused to smile mischievously. "But that doesn't mean that the action isn't mutual. You should've seen him when Hello Kitty came out."
This earned a rather unladylike snort from Kagome. "Hello Kitty? Was Aniki seriously obsessed with Hello Kitty?" she asked an incredulous expression on her face.
"Yes! I swear, he slept with a Kitty plushy for years! Years, I tell you!" Rin replied, eager to gossip privately about her parental figure.
"Damn, Aniki…" The miko internally smirked, malicious thoughts running through her head. Yes, Rin. Keep dishing out the dirt. This will make for wonderful blackmail material…
"Listen here, brat," Shippou growled at Ikuto, his emerald eyes glowing, "don't you dare mess with my mother. Break her heart, and Sesshomaru, Kouga, and I will break your face." The kitsune emphasized the last three words with roughs shoves until Ikuto was backed up against the wall.
Glowering at Shippou, Ikuto stiffly answered, "I assure you, Kogitsune-san. I have no intention of toying with your mother."
"Then what the fuck were you doing in her bed?" Emerald eyes narrowed considerably at Ikuto, large hands tightening around his shirt.
Sapphire irises returned the glare as their owner idly took Shippou's hands off his shirt. "It was cold," was Ikuto's simple reply.
"Do you think I'm an idiot? Her scent is all over you!"
An elegant blue eyebrow was raised. "Then you must not be aware that your mother is like a natural space heater."
"You're a bastard, you know that?" Shippou's upper lip pulled back as he released an animalistic snarl, red seeping into the green gems.
"I try," Ikuto responded, giving a nonchalant shrug. In all honesty, he didn't give a crap what Shippou, Kouga, or Sesshomaru thought, even if they could permanently rearrange his face. But all that mattered to him was Kagome's trust – something he couldn't afford to lose.
"You had better be telling the truth, or I'm going to really regret this," the kitsune ground out, backing away from Ikuto. "But remember this, should you decide to deceive or hurt 'kaa-san in any way, Kouga, Sesshomaru, and I will not hesitate to remove you from existence." Finishing his oh-so-subtle threat, Shippou walked away smoothly, his long auburn hair swishing with every step.
Once he was out of ear shot (or so Ikuto thought), Ikuto muttered, "He sure knows how to make a grand exit, I'll give him that."
"Oi, Kagome, Sesshomaru said I needed to take you to school today," Ikuto called, entering her room.
Once Kagome finished giving a rundown of her reflection, she turned to Ikuto and nodded, running to him. "Alright, Ikuto," she said, her full lips drawn back into a soft smile. "Let's go."
He opened the door for her, motioning her out of the room.
They walked in silence for a bit before Ikuto began talking.
"Yoru," Ikuto hissed, walking down the street, "where the hell are you?" Not more than a minute later, Yoru came zooming down the street, hurtling through the air towards Ikuto.
"Ikuto," Yoru began as soon as came to a halt, "what do you want, nya? I just found a lead for some fresh tuna!"
Glaring at the chara, Ikuto replied, "Oh, suck it up. We're going to Kagome's school."
Yoru nodded. "Okay, Ikuto! Where's Kagome, nya?" His question was soon answered when said miko came running up the street after them.
"Right here," Kagome piped up, waving at Yoru. "Long time no see, ne?"
"I guess," the chara replied, its expression turning sour.
Kagome's eyes narrowed slightly. What was up with that tone? Was he bipolar or something? "Whatever. Let's just go, the school starts soon," she called as she ran up the street. "We're almost there anyways, so let's run," Kagome added, continuing to jog towards the school.
Chuckling, Ikuto followed the active girl, merely taking quick, long strides to keep up with her pace.
Even as they reached Seiyou, Ikuto continued to follow Kagome into the courtyard. He attracted various stares and whispers, all of them questioning his relationship with their Higurashi-san.
"Come on Ikuto!" said girl cried, irritated. Her blue eyes narrowed at him. "If you're going to make me wait for you, then just leave!"
"Now really Kagome, I wouldn't be here if I didn't have a good reason. You think I'd want to be surrounded by a bunch of brats?" he drawled, walking slowly towards her.
"Then why are you here?" she queried while waiting for Ikuto to catch up. It didn't take long, however. His strides were wide, and the students had inconspicuously made a path for him to walk through.
Kagome felt a bead of perspiration form on the side of her head. Do these people worship him or something?
Looking down at her, Ikuto hugged her in a close embrace and was about to reply before a loud, "Tsukiyomi Ikuto!" rang through the air. She glared at the speaker. Wonderful. Tadase was here.
"What do you want, Hotori-san?" she inquired pointedly.
"Tsukiyomi Ikuto," Tadase repeated loudly, "what business do you have with Higurashi-san?"
Kagome pushed Ikuto away from her. "Why do you smell like fish?" she whispered to him quietly before speaking loudly, "What business I have with Ikuto is none of your business, Hotori-san."
Once again, whispers filled the air, most asking about how Ikuto's relationship with Kagome once more. How close were they? What did Tadase have to do with it? Was there a love triangle in their midst? Kagome fought the urge to tell all of the gossipers to shut up.
Rolling his sapphire eyes, Ikuto spoke up, "This isn't the place to discuss all of this crap you've brought up, Kiddy King. You have no tact."
Tadase seemed riled at the insult. However, before he could send an oh-so-witty retort, Kagome interjected, "Good idea, Ikuto. Perhaps the Royal Garden would be appropriate?" She raised an eyebrow at Tadase, as though daring him to contradict her.
"Alright," the blonde grudgingly replied. He motioned for the two blue-haired teens to follow him. The three of them walked in an awkward silence until they reached the Royal Garden, their haven from any straying ears and eyes.
"Now," Kagome began, "what was that entire scene about?" She turned so both boys were in her sight. Placing her hands on her hips, she began to stare them down. It appeared to be working, Kagome thought with a small smirk.
Tadase fiddled with the hem of his cape. "It's just that, eto, Tsukiyomi Ikuto is a bad influence. I didn't want him to corrupt you."
"Who I associate with is none of your business, Hotori-san. Ikuto is a perfectly fine influence and a rather soothing presence," the miko replied, making sure to keep her tone monotonous and regal.
The boy-king was about to retort before Ikuto interrupted him once more. "Kagome," Ikuto began, putting extra emphasis on the fact that they were on a first name basis, "do you really like me hanging around that much?"
"Sure. Of course, I don't really have a choice, now do I, Ikuto?" she answered, her tone light and teasing. The two began a casual conversation, ignoring Tadase and effectively pissing him off.
"Okay! Enough! But really, Higurashi-san, you shouldn't become attached to Tsukiyomi," he reminded her.
"'Not become attached'?" Ikuto interjected. "This is coming from the little brat who used to run around calling me, 'onii-tan.'"
Kagome snickered. "'Onii-tan'?" she repeated. "Seriously?"
The blue-eyed male nodded.
"Oh, that's adorable!" the miko gushed, rushing over to Tadase and pinching his cheeks, all of her former composure forgotten. "Who knew this idiot could be so sentimental!"
Letting out a grunt in pain, Tadase batted Kagome's hands away. Rubbing his cheeks, he queried pointedly, "Why associate with a no-good feline? Why not join the Guardians?"
"I've stated my reasons before," she replied.
"Why not? You team up with the thieving feline and you won't team up with the Guardians of Seiyou? Tell me your reasons!" the blonde demanded.
Ikuto's eyes narrowed. "She doesn't have to tell you anything."
Sensing that this was the beginning of a fight, the miko decided to interrupt. "It's alright, Ikuto." Turning to Tadase, she asked him, "I've already told you my reasons."
"But since you want her to join so bad" – the cat-like thief smirked – "why don't you tell her the reason about why you want the Embryo?"
Suddenly, an amethyst-haired chara popped up from behind Tadase. Kagome took note that it was the same one who had popped up in the last confrontation with Tadase. "Because," the chara began, "Tadase plans on taking over the world!" Purple Chara (or so Kagome had dubbed him) began to laugh maniacally, creeping both Kagome and Ikuto out.
The raven-haired female could've sworn there were flames as a background behind the crazed chibi. I need to get my eyes checked…
"You want to take over the world?" she repeated.
Tadase blushed and nodded.
Wide blue eyes abruptly narrowed. "Now you see why I didn't want to join the Guardians," Kagome answered coldly. And without so much of another word, both she and Ikuto left the Royal Garden, leaving the blonde standing there, rather confused.
As they were walking down the pathway to the Seiyou courtyard, with Yoru tagging along behind them, Ikuto began chuckling. "Kagome, did you see the look on the brat's face when he saw the two of us together?"
His expression was so happy that Kagome couldn't help but let a small smile make its way onto her face. "I can't say I did. I was too concentrated on you getting you and your tight little ass to catch up with me."
"You think my ass is cute?" He raised an eyebrow at her comment, smirking.
Kagome flushed daintily. "Of course not! I just said that it was tight... and little... Kami, I cannot believe I said that..." she muttered, moritifed.
"That's cute, Kagome," Ikuto cooed. "And for the record, your boobs are cute, too. I just wish they were bigger."
"Shut up!"
He rolled his eyes. "All of my pervertedness aside, I need to tell you something."
"Go ahead, then," Kagome encouraged, ceasing to walk.
"Yoru will stay with you for the day," he informed her.
"What's so big about that?"
Sighing, Ikuto replied, "Easter has a big meeting today that I'm forced to attend. Some shit about finding a way to trace the Embryo. The ideas never work, but my idiotic boss makes me go anyways." He let out a small huff of annoyance while rolling his eyes once more. "But either way, I'm bound to find out something to tell you, so be glad I'm doing this for you. Normally, I'd just ditch it."
The miko laughed. "Thank you for enduring your boredom for me, then."
"So stay with Yoru for the day, and he'll lead you to my high school afterwards. I'll meet you at the entrance."
"Got it," she replied nodding. The miko-turned-child sent a smile to Yoru who replied with a tentative smile of his own.
Ikuto smirked. "That's good. Now go to class. I'll see you later," the cat told her. All of a sudden, he took off in a sprint behind her, jumping off to somewhere. The breeze that followed him managed to make her skirt fly up. As he was leaving he called back to her, "I love the Hello Kitty panties, by the way."
"Ikuto, you pervert!"
*winces* Okay, so that was kinda bad... But I just wanna point out that this chapter wasn't entirely pointless! We introduced Rin (she'll probably play a rather large role later in the story) and then it kinda started the next chapter... a bit...
I'll make sure to update before Christmas! (Again, a thousand pardons for the extremely late update!!!)
Reviews are greatly appreciated!