Disclaimer: I don't own this stuff. None of it. Well, at least not anything you've heard of... if you've heard of it, it ain't mine. Okay. Glad we cleared that up...
A/N: Well... I wrote this at 11 a.m. and it is now almost 6 p.m... why am I telling you this, you wonder? Well, kind sirs and ladies, I tell you that this hasn't been posted yet because my beta reader, Ikustioa, my sis, has been sleeping all this time... (sigh) curse my lack of editing skills... anyway... might as well move on with my shout outs! Just so you know, until such a time as change is needed, I tend to reply to every comment left. So if you comment, I'll respond (more than likely)!
ArtemisMoon: thank you so much for actually reading it! Last time I was too impatient to wait for sis to read it, so it has a lot of mistakes... but this time... uh... maybe I should ask you to beta...? How are you with editing?
And to whoever left the anonymous comment: who are you? Thanks for reviewing! You make my soul happy! So why not get credit? Eh? Speak up! (just kidding... mostly)
So here's the second installment, hope you enjoy and if there are people who are reading this but not reviewing... shame on you. Always review!
ps... there is some japanese in this chapter. i put the translations immediately afterwards and in bold. if there's something wrong with my japanese, sue me. i took it for two years in high school and quite frankly... for now, its good enough!
02-23-06 A/N: Yay for spring cleaning:) Hopefully f f .net won't screw with the format too much…
…
…
I just want to crawl into bed and never come out again...
The thought of never stepping foot in the DMV again sounded like heaven.
Although... that would mean I wouldn't get to see that guy again... he was hot... but why should I care about him! What a jerk! Nobody can be that much of a jerk and look that good... NO! Bad Kagome! Don't think of him like that! Just wait until you get home and dump all this on Sango... let her poke fun at you and move on.
Even then, Kagome knew she wouldn't get off that easily.
"So what was up with this guy?"
"Sango, I already told you! He walks in looking like a god until he opens his mouth to call me a—get this—'wench'! Honestly! Who says things like that? Anyway. He turns out to be the king of A-holes Anonymous and now he has to come back again tomorrow because the genius forgot to bring his permit with him!"
When Sango remained quiet, Kagome began to get nervous. She realized her friend was boring holes in the back of her head and quickly felt her face burning red.
"What?" Kagome tried to sound casual, she really did. But Sango knew better.
"You like him. Admit it!" Sango was beginning to circle Kagome slowly, like a predator. This did not get past Kagome, and she began to look for escape.
"What! I so do not!" She was inching her way to the bathroom door... if she could make it before Sango got her...
"You... do... TOO!" Sango knew exactly where her friend was headed and ran to cut her off. They collided when Kagome tried to out-run her but failed—like usual. And also like usual, they ended as a heap on the floor: Kagome nearly in tears and Sango tickling like mad.
Once the girls regained the ability to speak coherently, they decided to drop the issue and opted to sleep, as tickling and being tickled are very tiresome businesses.
While lying in bed, though, it seemed as though Kagome's mind hadn't gotten the memo about dropping the subject of a certain hanyou.
Ever since she started "noticing" boys, she'd developed the habit of automatically rating guys as she met them. Whether seriously or not, she would consider what kind of potential mate they were.
Sure, it was a little juvenile, but it had been fairly accurate thus far: of those she pursued, most turned out almost exactly as she'd figured they would.
And that was the problem with Inu Yasha. When she first saw him, it was like a movie or something really corny like that.
She really thought for just a moment that he was right for her.
Until he started talking... why are men so stupid? ... why am I so stupid? Why am I even thinking about him? Argh! Nope. I won't go through this again... I refuse to do this to myself. I will not go through another unrequited crush! ...but what if it isn't unrequited? NO—bad me! Kagome... just shut up and go to sleep... you'll see him tomorrow anyway.
Snuggling into her pillow, Kagome didn't even realize she was smiling as she fell asleep.
…
…
Ugh. Tuesdays. Only slightly better than Mondays...
Kagome hated waiting. She was not a patient person. She never had been.
Where is he!
Kagome glanced at the clock again.
12:12.
He's late! Of all the nerve! Kagome began tapping her foot to some unknown rhythm to vent her frustration. Mary 2 noticed this, along with the rapping of her short finger nails on the desk, added to her sighing and frequent gazes at the clock.
"HA! Look! Da partimmer's been stood-oop! HA!"
This got Kagome's attention rather quickly. But by the time she'd whipped her face around to silence the old lady, the other had joined in.
"Eh wander ef maybeh it was the fetchin' boy-o frum yestardey?"
"Chew mean de hoonk? Wit' dat long 'air? Woof!" After making a face Kagome didn't think was possible with that many wrinkles, the little Hispanic lady began to fan herself and eye Kagome critically.
She felt her cheeks stain instantly when she understood. The lady was seeing if they would make a "good match." She did it to all the couples that came into the office. After a moment, she shook her head, her many chins swaying furiously at the movement.
"No weh. Chee's too skinny!"
"Are ye outta yar mind? Too skinny? It's 'er hips' eh'd warry 'bout meself!"
Kagome did not appreciate this. "Excuse me. But no, I have not been 'stood up,' because I do not have a date! I am irritated because that young man made an appointment and didn't keep it! And that is all! Now will you please stop discussing ... that!"
The two ladies were absolutely dumbstruck.
"An ah-pint-ment, eh?"
Kagome breathed audibly in relief. Thank heavens. The last thing I need is for those two to think that...
"So dat's wat dey call it dees deys!" The other one cut into Kagome's thoughts and began cackling loudly.
She was really starting to dislike this country.
With the two crones giggling madly and whatnot, Kagome didn't have to mutter under her breath what she thought of this situation... they were so loud, they couldn't even hear her anyway! She needed to vent her frustration in the easiest and most childish way she knew: name-calling.
"Baka. Inu Yasha wa totemo... totemo baka desuyo! Kakkokunai! Sutekijanai! Baka! Baka! Baka!"
"Stupid. Inu Yasha is so... so stupid! He's not cool! He's not attractive! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!"
"Oi! What crawled up your butt today?"
Kagome froze. Even her blood seemed to stop momentarily.
"Wench. I asked you a question! Or didn't you know? Boku mo Nihonjin desu."
"I also am Japanese."
Even through her shock at his speaking Japanese—and standard, polite Japanese nonetheless, Kagome caught the vanity in his tone. That did not serve to ease her temper.
"Nani! Chigau! Eigo wo hanashimasu! Soshite, Anata wa gaijin desu!"
"What! That can't be! You speak English! Besides, you're a foreigner!"
"You thought wrong. My family is originally from Japan. I moved here about 50 years ago. Sorry to disappoint you, but you can't make fun of me in Japanese unless you're spoiling for a fight. Now, will you tell me why you were yelling at me?"
"Eetoo... gomen—choutomatte, kudasai!"
"Umm... sorry—wait a second!"
"English, woman! Where do you think you are!"
"Sorry. Wait. Not sorry! You idiot! Your appointment was for 12 o'clock! 12 o'clock!"
Inu Yasha stared at her like she'd sprouted another head. "And?"
"And it is past 12 o'clock. By about 15 minutes! In another 15 minutes somebody—on time—will come to take their test!"
"Go on..." His look acknowledged that she was trying to convey a message to him, he knew it... but for the life of him, he couldn't figure what she wanted to get across.
"Inu Yasha! It takes 20 minutes to go through all the paperwork and the test! You don't have time to do it today! You lose! You have to come back again another day." And with that, she turned on her heel, chin in the air, and marched back to her desk.
As she began to fill out some arbitrary paperwork, curiosity got the better of her and she ventured a look at Inu Yasha.
Her gaze was greeted by two golden ice cubes aimed for her head. She winced slightly as she noted he was still in the same position as when she'd walked away. He hadn't budged, except to glare at her.
Not good... "So... when's good for you to come in next? Tomorrow, usual time?"
"Keh."
"I'm sorry... you've said that several times now, but I'm sure I don't know what it means. 'Keh'? Is that a certain dialect? I'm afraid they didn't teach us that in school."
From the look on his face, it was more than obvious that he had no clue whether she was serious or just messing with him. "Whatever, wench. Tomorrow is fine." He turned to leave, but Kagome pursued.
"No, I mean it! What does 'keh' mean? Or were you just clearing your throat? If that's the case, are you sick?" She placed a hand on his forehead, brow furrowed in mock concern.
Inu Yasha pulled away like she was infected with Ebola.
She ignored his reaction and continued her musings aloud. "Nope. No fever... what could it be?"
Kagome was really enjoying this. It was obvious that he was painfully uncomfortable. He was practically squirming under her gaze. And she was loving every second of it!
As a matter of fact, she'd forgotten why she'd started looking at that toned, defined body in the first place...
"OI! Earth to wench!"
"ACK! What?"
"Heh. You were staring!"
"Was not!"
"Was so!"
"Not!"
"So!"
Kagome remembered arguing with her brother back home and decided it was time to bring out the big guns.
"So!" She had to try to not smile... she knew exactly what he'd say to that...
"Not!"
"Indeed. Not. Oh, I'm so glad we agree! It would be a shame to wreck the lovely friendship we've developed."
"Oi! We ain't friends! And I didn't agree with you!"
"What? But you said, 'not'... didn't you?"
"...Maybe I did, but I didn't mean it! You tricked me into saying it!"
Kagome was officially fed up. Attractive or not, she could only put up with his jerk-aura for so long.
"Oh, for crying out loud! You... you SUCK!" And a hand immediately shot to cover her mouth. I cannot believe I just said that to him! Stupid, stupid Kagome!
A smile had come over Inu Yasha's face. "Heh. Is that so?"
"I... I'm sorry. I really didn't mean that."
"But didn't you say it?"
"But I was ... that is... you just were making me so angry that it just came out!"
"So now we're even." Kagome looked into his eyes to see what he meant. Or just to look, it didn't really matter...
He's being sincere... he means it!
"Wait... what do you mean, 'we're even'? Even for what?"
"You tricked me into saying something I didn't agree with. I tricked you into saying something you didn't mean. Even."
"I..."
"See you tomorrow, wench. Same time?"
"Uh... yeah... sure."
And he turned to walk out the door, throwing a vague but intentional wave over his shoulder at her in the process.
Kagome slumped into her seat, stupefied and in utter defeat. Not only was he really just too attractive, but he could play mind games as well as she did...
This is not good... must not fall for asshole... must not fall for asshole... must not fall for asshole...oh, crap! This isn't good.
She began filling out the paper work she'd put off while waiting for him to arrive, still mulling over how to suppress these urges to jump on him every time he walked in...
I read that book in an English lit class... it was just a few years ago that it came out over here and they made the movie... oh what was it? ... Ah! Bridget Jones's Diary! Right! Now what did she say when she was trying to not fall for her dreamy but jerk of a boss? ...oh, yes... I am an ice queen... I am an ice queen... hey, that really works! If I can keep my cool, then I think I'll be okay...
Suddenly, Inu Yasha poked his head in the door, spoke and left.
"And yes, you were staring!"
The two older ladies had been watching the entire time and now busted out in outrageous laughter.
"Tell meh, lassie, whun's the wedden?"
"Si! Wen choo going duress chopping?"
As her embarrassment and anger levels rose, her face flushed crimson, which only made the matrons cackle all the louder.
"Oh! Mek way fur the blooshin bride!"
That did it.
"CHIGAU!"
"YOU'RE WRONG!"
And with that, mortified, Kagome excused herself and clocked out a little early. She needed to relax. She could practically feel the stroke coming now...
I think I'll see what Sango is up to about now. She always knows what to do in these situations...
Kagome IMed her friend, telling her she'd be home soon.
Looking at her watch, she saw that she'd just missed the bus and the next wouldn't be here until she usually took it. And that was about three hours away...
Sigh... I guess this means I'm walking! It'll be faster than waiting...
An unusually cold gust of wind nearly toppled her over during her musings. Muttering curses to herself, she wrapped her jacket tighter and started walking the ten blocks to home.
Why oh why didn't I buy a car? Oh... no money, right, right... sigh... Sango has a car, but she worked her butt off to get it. She has been here longer than me, I suppose.
Kagome was nearly frightened out of her wits when someone on the busy street honked angrily out of the blue. Seeking to find the cause of the noise, she turned, expecting to see some greasy, fat, middle-aged man shooting the finger to another greasy, fat, middle-aged man. Instead she saw a shiny red motorcycle cutting across three lanes of traffic with a shock of silver-white hair flowing from underneath the red helmet.
If I didn't know any better... I'd say that looked like Inu Yasha... hmph. Now I'm seeing him where he's not. He doesn't drive a motorcycle! He drives a 1968 candy-red mustang. Not a stupid bike. Besides, Inu Yasha left ten minutes ago. And how could he take a test on a motorcycle? Ha! He couldn't. Not even he's so stupid as to bring a bike to a driving...
The bike was headed for her. She stood there, gaping at the leather-clad figure on his bike.
When the figure stopped the bike on the side walk next to her, she considered running, but her legs didn't seem to want to move.
The man still was wearing his helmet with its tinted face, so she couldn't see him, but he could see her.
Then she heard a muffled shout originating from behind the visor.
"Oi! What? I got the plague?"
"Inu Yasha!"
"Duh!"
"What...? You... bike... but left... a ...huh?"
"Brilliant, Holmes. Yes, this is a motorcycle." He said it slowly, as if she was a child. Bristling at the insult, Kagome found her tongue.
"I can see that! I was surprised to see you riding one, though, seeing as how you were just in the office to take your driving test!"
"Oh. Yeah, I guess this would be pretty confusing, huh?"
"Indeed."
"Keh. Don't be so touchy, wench."
"Kagome."
"What?"
"It's my name, genius! Now use it! I'm not 'wench,' and I never have been! I do not serve you food or drink, and have a perfectly fine name, and henceforth, you will use it!"
Inu Yasha looked shocked. "'Henceforth'? Who talks like that!"
Kagome's death glare wiped the grin off his face. "Oi! Fine! Whatever, alright? Now did you want to hear why I'm riding this bike or not?"
"Yes, please."
"Keh. That's what I thought. Anyway, I don't have my license yet, so I can't drive my baby. So I keep her parked about a block away from the DMV in a nice garage. I normally just take out my bike. Its much easier, but I'm gonna have to drive a car someday. Following me so far?"
"Yes. Thank you," she said tersely.
"Hmph. So... I usually ride the bike, but for the past two days, at noon, I've come to the garage, left the bike, taken my baby and gone to the DMV. Happy?"
"So why were you late if you're only a block away?"
"..." His silence was intriguing. Kagome pursued. "What? Did you get lost or something?"
"NO! I did not get lost!"
"So what, then?"
"... I didn't have enough change to go through the toll bridge I usually take. I had to turn around to go home and get it, alright!"
Kagome was doubled over with laughter.
"OI! Wen— dammit! Ka-go-me! It's not funny." The ears atop his head were flat in irritation. "Dammit, your guffawing is hurting my ears, woman!"
"So...rry... hee hee..."
"So. That's my story. Now let's hear yours. Why are you walking alone in this neighborhood? Don't you drive?"
"Yes, I drive! I just don't own a car, thank you very much!"
"Touchy, touchy! But that doesn't explain why you're walking. Why don't you take the bus?"
"I just missed it. I ...uh... took the afternoon off, so I'm not used to catching this one, but the next isn't coming until I usually get off of work, so I thought it'd be wiser to just walk the ten blocks and defrost at home. Happy?"
"Happy? Whadda'ya mean, 'happy'?"
"I told you why I'm walking. Are we through? Its chilly out here and I want to just go home. I missed my lunch waiting for SOMEBODY to show and there's a packet of roast beef ramen with my name on it."
Inu Yasha twitched when she said the word "ramen."
"...you like ramen?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm poor, so it's all I really can afford!" Kagome smiled. "I don't mind, though... it's almost as good as back home, in my opinion. My roommate hates it. She's such a purist."
Inu Yasha turned to his bike and grabbed the extra helmet, thrusting it at Kagome's middle. "Put it on."
"WHAT? What is going on? Inu Yasha, what do you think you're doing?"
He was in the process of taking his leather jacket off and handing it to her.
"Put it on. You'll freeze to death. Can't have that! Then who'd I bug at the DMV?"
Dumbstruck, Kagome silently did as instructed. She couldn't help herself, and inhaled the jacket on an impulse. Oh god, he smells good!
"Oi! Freak! Quite sniffing my clothes and get on the damn bike!"
"What!"
"Did you think I was gonna let you walk home? Now ... GET... ON!"
Sitting behind him, Kagome tentatively reached her hands out to either side of his waist, but decided to go for the shoulders, just to be safe. Hot or not, he was practically a stranger! So why was she taking him up on his offer?
"Keh. You'll fall off like that. Here." And he took her hands and placed them firmly around his waist. "Just hold on. And don't get any ideas, back there!"
"Heaven forbid." Kagome sarcastically retorted.
"Now where do you live?"
Kagome was still shell-shocked. He had been so nice to her...
He had rescued her from having to walk, given her his own jacket off of his warm, toned back... put her hands around his firm, muscular middle... AARGH! ICE QUEEN! ICE QUEEN! ICE QUEEN!
When they'd gotten to her apartment building, she didn't know what to expect.
"So... can I come up?"
"WHAT! YOU PERVERT! YOU THINK THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU GAVE ME A RIDE HOME I'LL SLEEP WITH YOU!"
"OI! WENCH! KEEP IT DOWN! And who said I wanted to sleep with anybody! You said you had ramen!"
"... Yeah, so?"
"SO... I told you, I'd give you a ride in exchange for lunch! Didn't you hear me?"
"Apparently not."
Things deteriorated from there and their lovely little "date" ended with Kagome throwing a few packets of ramen from her window to a hungry and impatient Inu Yasha on the street.
She refused to let him know exactly where she lived, and he refused to leave without compensation.
It was the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
…
…
A/N: Wow! 11 pages! That is so a record for me! Happiness to all who read this fic! I like it and I have a feeling it really is gonna get good! So ask me questions or stuff if you guys want... anything, really! Just review. That's all that matters. Seriously. ;) (Beta note: I like sleep, but don't fret, Artemis, I got 'er covered. ;D –Ikky)