punkish furball—Why, hello, neighbors!

Words to Ponder:

(sigh) I have been sick and illness sucks beans…lima beans. (Eww!)

I've also had a little bit of writers block but this idea came to me after watching a classic horror movie marathon that comes on AMC almost every Friday somewhere between Halloween 5 and Scream 3 but before Gothika…weird things inspire me to do stuff.

Thank you Silver Moon Vampire, KimFlake, Death By Squishy, Kagekitsonegal, Sugar Sprite, uniqu3s0u7, shiori, LadyAkina, xXKillorbeKilledXx, Bloody Serpent 2, DeathNoteMaker, Kurai Oujou, Shin Wal-New Moon-, Evil RULZ, Natsumi Tsuchi-Ookami, Iriomote Yamaneko Nokomis, IcedLilith, Sevvy101, Hoku ala, Dark Inu Fan, shadow miko, hermonine, Cici Linne, Ayjah, Reads-way-2-much, regretfully-yours-Cassy-chan, Funabisenu, Atsu-Ata, Ashuri Nikouru, SilentCritic, and fresh berry for reviewing.

Chapter 9

Kyo found himself a mute; he couldn't speak at all. He didn't know why he was so worked up about Kagome's sudden appearance. He didn't do anything wrong to Kagome. In fact, he defended her; he protected her. He wasn't the one talking about her like she was easy or some kinda slut. So why was it he felt so shameful and so small in front of her sapphire blue gaze and that tiny frown pointed in his direction?

"They were talking about me, weren't they?" Kagome asked in a quiet voice. She was waiting for Kyo's answer shuffling on the balls of her feet and keeping her hands still by her side. Kyo just nodded; she was still looking at him and he hadn't regained his ability to speak just yet.

Kagome sighed, "I see." Kyo noticed her head lower just a tad and immediately panicked.

"It's not that big of a deal," Kyo blurted out suddenly wanting to make Kagome feel better about what just happened, "I mean you don't have to be upset about it."

Kagome just looked up to Kyo while cocking her head to the side and blinking curiously.

"But I'm not upset," Kagome said confusing the boy ahead of her.

"You…you mean that?" Kyo asked and Kagome nodded.

"Of course," Kagome said smiling a little, "Pissed off maybe but I'll get over that. They're just words right? Everyone's been talking about it all day anyway."

"So ya mean," Kyo started, not sure what he was going to say, "I didn't bother you?"

"You? Why?" Kagome asked.

"I mean," Kyo started again, going a little red in the face, "what I said. Didn't that bother you at all?"

Kagome began to laugh. Kyo was confused by the action but happy. She sounded so cheerful and he was glad he made her laugh so happily even if he had no idea what he did.

"That?" Kagome said through her laughter, "You thought that would upset me? Trust me, Kyo; I'm used to a much more colorful vocabulary. It didn't bother me at all. But for you to actually try and apologize about it? You of all people?"

"Hey, you don't have to laugh at me!" Kyo shouted with a scowl on his face, but he was still very glad to see Kagome smile.

"Sorry about that," Kagome said with her laughter down to a few faint giggles, "but I am glad you stood up for me, Kyo. I guess you like me a whole lot more than when we first met, huh?"

Kyo smiled despite himself.

"Yeah, I guess," he said.

"So come on, buddy," Kagome said and held her arms out towards Kyo beckoning him in her direction.

"Now, what the hell are you talking about?" Kyo asked.

"Come on," Kagome said, "You've known me long enough. Come over here and give me a hug. Isn't this always what the knight in shining armor gets in the end after he saves the damsel in distress?"

Kyo immediately blushed though he had really wanted to hug her again since the last time he did, "You…you sure that's a good idea? Where here at school were anyone could see us?"

"Why not?" Kagome said, "We got nothing to hide. People are going to talk about me anyway."

"If that's what you want," Kyo said and walked towards Kagome and let her embrace him with her outstretched arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him. Kyo loosely put his arms around Kagome's waist and rested his head on hers breathing in the scent of her hair.

"You know," Kagome said with her warm breath hitting Kyo's neck causing him to shiver a little, "I really wasn't too sure about liking you either when we first met."

"Hmm…" Kyo said finding himself not able to speak again but also finding these circumstances much more enjoyable than before.

"Yeah, but I really like you now," Kagome said. Kyo smiled into Kagome's hair.

"I like you too," Kyo whispered softly.

"Kyo!" Kagome exclaimed and slightly pulled way so she could look Kyo in the eye, "That made me so happy."

"What?" Kyo said in a soft uncharacteristic tone.

"It would make anyone happy to here someone say they like them," Kagome said, "No one has really said it to me since I got here. Tohru and Momiji may have; I don't really remember, but Yuki hasn't nor has Haru."

"Yuki? Haru?" Kyo said trying to keep his temper in as he thought of his two relatives.

'It's not like she is thinking of the two of them while it was just me and her,' Kyo thought, 'She just said that they didn't tell her that they liked her yet.'

"Yeah," Kagome said, "but let's not talk about them now." That comment made Kyo forget his anger.

"We'd better get to class," Kagome sighed, "Too bad. I really don't feel up to going right now."

"We don't have to," Kyo said.

"Are you suggesting we ditch, Kyo Sohma?" Kagome asked in mock shock but playfulness could be heard in her voice.

Kyo shrugged his shoulders, "Why not? You have a better idea?" He held out his arm to Kagome and she hooked it with hers with a smile and a giggle.

"Lead the way, my shining knight," Kagome said. The two of them walked out of the school carefully sneaking by the office.

-O0o0O-

"Umm…Yuki?" one of the other members of the student council asked the class president.

"Yes?" Yuki responded. He had sent him on an errand. He was assuming by his tone that he was unsuccessful.

"I'm sorry, Yuki, but Higurashi Kagome isn't in her class this hour," he answered and quickly added, "I could go to the attendance office and see where she is on campus."

"That's fine," Yuki said, "It's better that you don't tell anyone about what I asked you to do."

"Right," the student replied and walked away. Yuki put his hand on his forehead and sighed.

'I better find Haru,' Yuki thought and went to Haru's classroom and requested that he be pulled out. Haru walked into the hall and closed the door behind him.

"What's up?" Haru asked, "You know Kagome didn't come back to class?"

"I do now," Yuki said, "but I do have an idea where she might be. Turns out that Kyo is missing from our class as well."

"Hmm…" Haru thought, "Knowing him, he probably found out about those rumors about Kagome and took her to the roof or something to make her feel better."

"We really don't need to worry about Kagome then," Yuki said, "I really don't like it, but Kyo is pretty stable when Kagome is around."

"Does punching someone in the face define stable nowadays?" Haru said and Yuki just sighed.

"You know what I mean," Yuki said, "Just go back to class. Kyo's probably going to bring Kagome back to the house. If she's not there when we get out of school, that's when we'll start to worry."

"Is that an invitation, Yuki?" Haru said with a perverse grin on his face. Yuki just walked away and Haru turned to go back into the classroom amused at the gray haired youth.

-O0o0O-

Shigure smiled nervously at the crowd that had suddenly appeared at his front door and was now sitting at his kotasu.

"You'll have to excuse me," Shigure said, "I wasn't expecting to entertain today and wouldn't you know it, an entire family appears on my doorstep complete with luggage. Not to mention an older gentleman sticking sutras to my head."

"Sorry about that," Kun-loon said, taking a sip from the tea Shigure allowed her to prepare in the kitchen; the first batch he made was not quite up to par.

"We would have called but I was so excited when I would your address after seeing your number in the caller ID," Naomi said sitting next to her sister, "You must forgive my eagerness. We even picked up a few new things just for her."

"We really just want what's best for our Kagome," Grandpa Higurashi said while pouting after his sutras were taken away, "even if she is cavorting with demons." The old man jumped when he felt one of his daughters smack him in the back of the head.

"But seriously," Souta said and place down his video game, "Sis totally deserves to be happy and when Auntie told us about the offer you made her, it sounded just perfect." At the end of statement, the whole family nodded in unison.

"I admit I was a bit skeptical after seeing you," Kun-loon said, "and learning that two other teenaged boys and a teenaged girl live here as well, but I know my daughter is a respectable young woman and won't do anything inappropriate."

"And you do seem like a responsible man and quite able to take care of yourself, your home, and three teenagers," Naomi continued, "I've seem the way Kagome looks after she comes to my home after being at yours. She loves it here and would want more than anything to stay."

"I've noticed that too," Shigure admitted, "That's why I made my offer to her. I even cleaned out that room already, but she hasn't given me an answer."

"Sis isn't the one to completely pick up and move into someone else's space," Souta said, "That's why we did it for her."

"It's not too much, is it?" Kun-loon asked and Shigure saw where Kagome got a few of her mannerisms from.

"It's fine," Shigure said and stood up, "We'd better get started if we want everything settled before school lets out." The Higurashis and single Minagawa stood up and went to move in Kagome's things.

'I'm so sorry I have to lie to such nice people for Akito,' Shigure thought with a saddened expression.

"Hey, Sohma-san!" Souta shouted to get Shigure's attention, "We could use an extra pair of hands."

"Right," Shigure said and walked over to help the family.

-O0o0O-

"Kyo, this is so much fun," Kagome said, sitting on one of the swings on the park.

"I can't believe you wanted to come here," Kyo said, sitting on the swing beside her.

"It's been a long time since I was at a park," Kagome said, "Especially on a swing set."

"This isn't what I wanted to do," Kyo said and Kagome pouted.

"Well, since you are just going to be a wet blanket, get off that swing and push me!" Kagome exclaimed, picking up her feet off the ground and wiggling them around.

Kyo groaned but got out of the swing and walked behind Kagome.

"Well?" Kagome asked, "I'm waiting…"

"Yeah, yeah," Kyo said and gave Kagome a small push on the back. Kagome began to giggle.

"What's so funny?" Kyo asked.

"I'm sorry," Kagome said, "but come on, Sohma, that was pathetic! You're a big strong guy. You can do better than that!"

"Alright," Kyo said, "but you asked for it, Higurashi." Kyo pushed Kagome a little harder and the swing went up higher. She began to laugh again.

"Higher!" she shouted, "Push me higher!" Kyo laughed as well and complied with Kagome's wishes. They're laughter resounded throughout the whole park which was empty because all of the children were at school.

"Okay, I'm going to jump off!" Kagome said.

"Okay!" Kyo responded and stopped pushing her. He ran in front of the swing and stood in front of Kagome careful not to get hit in the face or called a pervert for sneaking a peek up Kagome's fluttering blue skirt.

"Here I go!" Kagome shouted and lifted herself off of the seat. She landed in front of Kyo, stumbling a little. Kyo reached out and grabbed her shoulders to steady her stance.

"That was fun," Kagome said, "Let's do something else!"

"Do you want to go get a smoothie or something?" Kyo suggested.

"Sure!" Kagome said and took one of Kyo's hands from her shoulder and lead him away from the park, "Shigure brought me to a great ice cream place around here."

'Shigure!' Kyo thought. He was about to ask when was she with him, but focused on her laughter and trying to weave their way through the walkers on the street instead.

-O0o0O-

"I hope Kyo and Kagome are okay?" Tohru said holding her hands together nervously.

"She'll be fine," Momiji said to reassure the troubled teen, "I bet Kyo is taking good care of her."

"Yeah, I'll bet," Haru said and Yuki hushed him.

"Don't make Miss Honda feel any worse," Yuki said somewhat bitterly.

"You don't sound too good," Haru commented, "You jealous Kyo took Kagome on a date? Can't say I'm not a little envious. I'd like to talk with Kyo as soon as he and Kagome get back."

Yuki nodded. Haru had been right; he was jealous. As far as he knew, he was the only one who had spent a decent amount of alone time with Kagome. Long enough to be considered a date of some sorts.

'I shouldn't be so jealous,' Yuki thought, 'It wasn't really a date, but we did say that we would be able to do it again.'

The group of four reached the house and opened the door. After walking inside, the noticed Shigure was passed out on the floor in front of his office.

"Shigure?" Momiji asked while Tohru rushed over to his side.

"Are you okay?" Tohru asked and Shigure sat up.

"I'm fine," Shigure answered, "and all the better for seeing you."

"What were you doing?" Haru asked.

"Just making so minor adjustments to the office," Shigure said and stood up, "It's all done. Do you want to see it?"

Shigure slide open the door and everyone gathered to the door to see the new changes. There was no sign it had been an office at all. There was a twin-sized bed against the wall with mint green and brown comforter with a small wooden desk and chair on the opposite wall. There was an end table next to the bed with a lamp with the same pattern as the bedspread. There was a modest sized dresser with a suitcase on the side of it.

"So what do you think?" Shigure asked, "Is Kagome going to like it?"

"Oh, this is going to be Kagome's room!" Tohru exclaimed.

"Kagome agreed to move in?" Yuki asked.

"Not exactly," Shigure said, "I really don't know how it happened really. I answered the door and they all just come in here and started putting up furniture."

"They?" Momiji asked.

"Kagome's family," Shigure answered, "very nice people. They wanted Kagome to be surprised."

"She's going to love it!" Tohru said.

"By the way," Shigure said, "Where is Kagome? Did she not come after school today?"

"No," Momiji said, "She has been missing since lunch time, but Yuki and Haru said not to worry about it because she's probably with Kyo."

"Kyo?" Shigure asked and Tohru and Momiji nodded.

-O0o0O-

"Today was great!" Kagome said as she and Kyo walked in the woods towards the house. She was sipping on her mango peach smoothie while Kyo had a strawberry milkshake and was also holding a carton of Neapolitan ice cream in a plastic bag.

"Why did we have to get the ice cream?" Kyo asked.

"We have to bring something for everyone else," Kagome said.

"But did we have to use my money to do it?" Kyo asked.

Kagome just shrugged, "I didn't have my wallet today and you had offered to buy my smoothie already. I'll give you the money back for that and the ice cream tomorrow."

"Just forget about it," Kyo said and took a big gulp from his milkshake.

"You sure?" Kagome asked and Kyo nodded.

"Okay," she said, "I'll just have to pay up for our next date, right?"

"Umm…sure," Kyo said and continued to drink his milkshake.

'She wants to do this again?' Kyo thought, 'I was just doing this to make her feel better, but it was kinda fun spending time with her.'

"Here we are," Kagome said and opened the door finding it unlocked, "I hope we didn't worry everyone too much." The two of them walked into the house and something immediately latched onto Kagome's waist.

"Hi, Momiji," Kagome said, patting the blonde on the head and setting down her smoothie.

"Kagome, come here," Momiji said and pulled Kagome away from the door and Kyo, "You have to see this!" Kyo groaned when Momiji took Kagome away, but instead of following the, he went to the kitchen to put up the ice cream and throw away the cup his milkshake was in.

"What is it?" Kagome asked. Momiji stopped and let Kagome go. He gesture towards the door.

"Go on in," Momiji said.

"But isn't this Shigure's office?" Kagome said and Momiji shook his head.

"Not anymore!" he said in a singsong voice.

Kagome sighed seeing as the little blonde boy was making much sense and opened the door.

"SURPRISE!" the occupants of the room shouted. Kagome looked in to see Tohru, Shigure, Yuki, and Haru standing in what used to be Shigure's office.

"What's all this?" Kagome asked.

"It's your new room!" Momiji said.

"You're family came in and set it all up during school," Tohru explained, "Won't you please move in?"

"Of course," Kagome said, "How can I not?" Kagome smiled and drew Tohru into a big hug. Then Shigure and Momiji and finally Yuki and Haru.

"I'm going to make a special dinner tonight to celebrate," Tohru said and went to the kitchen and Momiji followed to help her.

"Great!" Kagome said, "Kyo and I got some ice cream on our day out. We can have it after dinner."

"That's nice," Shigure said, "Was it that place I took you?" Kagome nodded.

"Well, I better go work on my manuscript," Shigure said and left the room wanting to avoid the looks Yuki and Haru were sending his way.

"So how do you like it?" Yuki asked Kagome. He really wanted to talk to her since he hadn't gotten a chance to today.

"Yes," Kagome said, "I hope you don't mind. You're the only one I hadn't asked about it. Sorry if this got sprung on you."

"It's fine," Yuki said, "I really wanted you to come live with us. I'm glad Shigure come up the suggestion."

"How was your day with Kyo?" Haru asked, "He didn't do anything, did he?"

"No," Kagome said, "We went to the park and went to get smoothies. We had a lot of fun."

"Great," Haru said, "I was worried about you after this morning."

"I was too," Yuki said, "Haru told me about it. I could tell the teachers excuse you're absence if you want. It's really no trouble."

"No, I can take care of myself," Kagome said, "but thanks for worrying about me."

"We're just glad that you're alright," Yuki said and Haru nodded in agreement.

"We'll be doing our homework upstairs in a little bit," Haru said.

"Man," Kagome said, "I forgot about that."

"Don't worry," Haru said reassuringly, "I covered for you. Told sensei that you went home during lunch because you weren't feeling well."

"You settle in for a while and then you can come up to my room and we'll work on everything together," Yuki suggested.

Kagome nodded and the two boys left the room to give her some alone time. Kagome smiled and sat down on her new bed.

'I can't believe they did this for me,' Kagome thought and sighed, 'I better call my mom and Aunt Naomi to thank them.'

"Kagome!" Tohru shouted from the kitchen, "Come in the kitchen! Dinner is ready!"

"Great, I'm coming," Kagome said. She stood up and went over to her door.

'It's good to be home,' Kagome thought and walked out of her room.

-O0o0O-

punkish furball—If that isn't the greatest thing you read today, slap me and call me yo' momma! (sorry, more movie influences) Next time, morning mishaps, moving adjustments, club meetings, alone time, and dog-eared hanyous in old dry wells. Maybe even a kiss or two! (No, Yuki won't miss this time...maybe...)

Well, that's all I got to say and I got a bowl of Neapolitan ice cream waiting (good stuff).

L83RN355!

(edited 3.09.08)