Chapter Four
"Good Night"
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There were a few knocks on Kagome's room door and she gave permission for the guest to enter.
"Ready to go, Kagome?" Sango asked. She was dressed in a light purple sundress with thin straps and white flip-flops and her white shoulder bag was crossed over her chest. Her dark brown hair was tied loosely at the end by a short purple ribbon.
Kagome was wearing a short yellow summer dress with a thin sky blue over jacket. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail and a simple diamond necklace sat on her chest. "Yep." She strapped on her white goddess sandals and pulled her shoulder bag over her head. "Let's go."
The two girls walked off of their school campus and into the mildly busy streets of the city. Sango invited Kagome to come have dinner with some friends so she could get out and meet more people. This was a ritual done every year since Sango attended the University. All of her friends would gather for dinner the night before the start of their classes and again after each of their exams. Sango was excited to introduce Kagome to all of her friends.
"So, where are we going?" Kagome took in her surroundings and memorized landmarks so she would know where she was and remember how to get home.
"Only the best restaurant in the city! The Akabeko. It's owned by a woman named Tae. She's really sweet. This also serves as one of the more popular hangout spots."
"Neat. Who all will be there for dinner?"
"Hm, well, I know Misao will be there, Sanosuke and his girlfriend Megumi. Ryoko might show up so Sesshomaru and his best friend Aoshi will too. I'm not sure about Inuyasha just yet. Never know what mood he might in."
"Inuyasha?" Kagome echoed.
"Sesshomaru's hanyou half-brother."
"Is he always in a bad mood?"
"Not really. You should just always be cautious about dealing with him. He can be a hot head."
Kagome looked to the sky. "Hot head, huh? Sounds like a pretty interesting guy."
"Ya know, I think you two would be great friends, actually." Sango schemed.
"Me? Friends with a hot-headed guy who I should always be cautious around?" Kagome stopped at a crosswalk behind some people and waited for the light signal to turn to a green figure walking from a red figure standing by. "Just because I said he was interesting doesn't mean I was actually interested in becoming friends with him." She half joked.
"You need a little danger in your life." Sango laughed, causing Kagome to roll her eyes but still crack a smile.
The people they were waiting behind started walking quickly across the street and the girls followed in behind them.
"No, thanks. I could do without."
"He can be a real sweetheart, though. He's very helpful."
"Sango, are you really trying to set me up with this guy?"
Sango put her hands up in defense. "Haha, no way. Look, we're here, come on!" She drug Kagome into the restaurant.
"Sango, how are you this evening?" Tae greeted with a southern drawl as soon as the girls walked inside.
"Hello, Ms. Tae. I'm well. This is my best friend Kagome. She's new to the island."
"Hello, Kagome. Nice to meet."
"You as well." They bowed to one another.
"Your friends are upstairs waiting on you. They haven't ordered yet but Tsubame will be up shortly to see what all you'd like." Tae bowed again and went to help some of her customers.
Kagome followed Sango upstairs and it seemed as if the whole second floor was reserved just for the friends' ritual dinner. It was a nice size space and beautiful art hung on the walls. There were tall windows facing the front side of the restaurant and square tables sat right by all three of them. The lights in the ceiling shone bright and the whole atmosphere made Kagome feel very welcome.
"This place looks amazing." Kagome smiled.
"Sango, Kagome! You made it!" Misao stood to greet the both of them.
Sango and Kagome walked over to the group of people. "Hey, everyone." Sango smiled. "This is my best friend Kagome. Kagome this is Megumi, Kaoru, Kenshin, Ayeka and Tenchi. Of course you know Sano already." Sango introduced Kagome and gestured around the pushed together tables at everyone else.
Kagome noticed another long row of combined tables behind them and figured a lot more people would be coming. She greeted everyone and she and Sango sat across from Tenchi and Ayeka at the right end of the table, closest to the stairs.
"So, Miss Kagome, Sango has told us a lot about you, that she has. How are you liking Feudal Island so far?" Kenshin asked, sitting on the same side of the table as Tenchi.
"Please, no need for formalities." She said nicely, feeling he was being way too respectful towards her. They were peers after all. "But, it's so different with all the species walking around." Kagome responded, looking into his violet eyes. She thought that his red hair complimented his looks a great deal. He was very handsome and the cross-shaped scars on his left cheek added mystery to his gentle personality.
The girl beside him was just as gorgeous with raven hair similar to Kagome's that was pulled into a high ponytail and decorated with a large indigo ribbon. She had big blue eyes and an innocent smile just like Misao's. "Trust me, you'll get used to it in almost no time."
"I'm sure I will. It's nothing I'm that worried about, though." She shrugged.
"What are your special abilities, if you don't mind me asking." Megumi wondered, further on down the table on the same side as Kagome.
"Oh, I'm a priestess. I come from long line of priests."
"That's nice." Megumi smiled.
"What about you?"
"I'm actually an aspiring doctor. I take a few meditation and science classes and this year I'm taking spiritual classes for the heck of it." She brought a glass of water up to her red painted lips and took a sip at the end of her sentence.
"Neat. What do the rest of you guys do?" Kagome was curious.
"Well, category wise, Sango, Sano, Ayeka and myself excel in strength. Kaoru, Kenshin and Tenchi excel in swordsmanship. And Tenchi also falls in the spiritual bank, such as yourself." Misao explained.
Kagome nodded in awe. She couldn't remember the last time she was surrounded by such a diverse group of people. She would have a grand time really getting to know them during her time here. "That's pretty interesting."
"Will you be participating in the Tamashi No Gemu?" Ayeka asked in an elegant voice.
"The Soul Games? I'm not sure if I'm even qualified to." Kagome twisted her lips.
"But, you're a priestess. Isn't that why you've come?" Kaoru questioned.
"Well, yeah. My grandpa kept going on about me becoming sole proprietor of the Shikon Jewel and honestly I wasn't sure if I should even participate. Even if I didn't compete I figured I could still progress by developing my powers. I have been thinking about it and it means a lot to my grandpa and ancestors."
"I think you would be a great candidate for competition. If you'd like, I could take you to visit Lady Kaede to see if you qualify." Ayeka suggested. "Do you have any classes tomorrow?"
Kagome thought for a second. "I have Computer Science from 10a-11:50a."
"My first class is also during those times. I'll give you my number before I go and you should call me so we can meet up afterwards."
"Sure thing. Thanks for the offer."
"Hello, everyone." A young girl greeted with three men coming up the stairs behind her. She had short brown hair and was dressed in the same orange and brown kimono Tae had on. Kagome figured she was Tsubame but had no idea who the people were behind her.
"Hey, Tsubame. Fellas." Sanosuke nodded towards his friends.
"Who are they?" Kagome whispered to Sango.
"Okay, the tall one with dark hair and icy eyes is Aoshi. The tall one with the long silver hair is Sesshomaru, Inuyasha's older brother, and the last one with black hair and dark blue eyes is..."
"Excuse me, Miss. I don't believe I've seen you around before. Your beauty is impeccable. Would you do me the honor of bearing my children?" The man Sango last described was by Kagome's side gripping her hands in a matter of seconds.
"What?!" Kagome yelled, causing all eyes to turn in her direction.
Sango, facing Miroku's back, smacked the left side of his head a red hand print behind. "This lecher's name is Miroku." She popped a vein.
"Well, Miroku, no, I will notbear your children. I just met you. What kind of girl do you think I am?" Kagome spat, snatching her hands back.
"You're right. My apologies." Miroku gave a nervous smile and sat at the end of the table beside Sango, who gave him a furious look.
Sanosuke and Megumi relocated to the second row of tables where the Seniors would sit. Kenshin moved as well and Aoshi and Sesshomaru greeted Kagome and welcomed her to the island. Before sitting, Aoshi pulled Misao into a hug which she obviously enjoyed.
"Hey, Sesshomaru, will Inuyasha be coming?" Sango made sure to ask.
"He said he'll be stopping by soon."
Sango nodded. Just then, Ryoko appeared, standing behind Ayeka and Tenchi. "Hey, Ayeka, you're at the wrong table, aren't you?" She questioned.
Ayeka flinched. "I wish to be by Tenchi."
"Us seniors agreed to sit at one table this time around. Let's go, spoiled princess." Ryoko pulled a reluctant Ayeka from her seat with a smile and sat her down at the next table over and she herself sat between her and Sesshomaru.
Kagome really enjoyed herself during dinner and took her time getting to know her new friends more. She couldn't wait to tell her mother all about it. It was getting late in the evening and everyone had pretty much finished their meals and were just talking among each other.
"Alright, you guys, a toast!" Ryoko's voice over powered everyone's chatter. She stood in her seat so she could be seen and see everyone else. They all poured sake in their shot glasses and passed the bottle around to make sure everybody had their fill. "I'm not good with speeches and all that sh-" She was interrupted by a soft nudge on her leg from Sesshomaru.
As a result of being trapped in a cave for 700 years as punishment for destroying some of the galaxy, Ryoko was kept from society and therefore lacked knowledge of what was socially acceptable when in public. Sesshomaru was surprised by her story and now knew that even though she was a natural hot-headed, free-spirited rebel, she could still work on her manners. He was more than willing to help and had been very patient with her.
"Tsubame is present." He answered her silent question.
Ryoko looked around and saw the small girl collecting plates from the Junior table. "Stuff." She corrected herself. "I just wanted to say good luck during the new quarter and best of luck training for the winter games. Here's to a new school year!"
The group cheered and partook in their drinks.
"Miss Kaoru, it's getting pretty late, that it is. Would you like for me to walk you back to your dorm now?" Kenshin slid close to her in his chair from the Senior table.
Kaoru nodded. "Sure. Let me pay for my meal and I'll be ready."
"Himura, you can ride with us. Aoshi's going to drive me back." Misao stood and stretched. The four of them bid farewell to their friends and said hello to someone on their way out.
"Yo," Inuyasha greeted who was left of the group.
"Oh, Inuyasha," Ryoko sang, flying over to him. "You just missed the group toast. You know what that means."
Inuyasha looked down at the shot glass that was placed in his hands. He sighed and quickly gulped the sake down. "Ugh." He shivered, his ears flattening against his head like last time.
"Where have you been?" Miroku asked him.
"Kikyo wanted to have dinner with me tonight." He mumbled.
"Inuyasha!" Sango tried to end their conversation, hearing him mention his girlfriend.
"Hey, Sango." He rounded the table and sat beside Tenchi, right across from her. He was in a rather relieved mood if you asked her.
Sango gave Kagome's arm a small tug as she laughed at something Sanosuke had said. He and Megumi made their way back to the previous table as space became available, as did Ayeka, who sat on the other side of Tenchi. "Inuyasha, this is my best friend Kagome Higurashi. She'll be attending the University with us."
"Hey, Kagome. Nice to meet you."
"Boy, I knew your brother was a looker but to have the two of you at one school must get a little crazy with all the women, eh?" This comment earned an amused look from Sesshomaru who was still sitting at the Senior table, waiting for Ryoko to rejoin him. Sango and Inuyasha flinched as Kagome went on. "You're gorgeous and those ears are to die for."
"Uh," Sango covered her best friend's mouth. "She must have had just a little too much to drink. I wasn't expecting that."
Inuyasha blushed and scratched the back of his head, smiling shyly. "Don't, uh, don't worry about it." Ryoko laughed from behind him. "Of course with Ryoko here I'm almost not surprised."
"Seems like Kagome is the honest drunk type." Ryoko commented.
"Get this, Inuyasha, she's also Ryoko's new roommate." Sango informed him.
"Wonder how the hell that happened. Would it have anything to do with the destruction of the science lab last semester why you would still be in a dorm room instead of upgrading to a suite?"
"Bringing that up again, huh? Why couldn't you wait until your brother wasn't around?" Ryoko narrowed her eyes at him as she stood behind his chair.
"Bed..." Kagome sighed. "I need a bed." She wrapped her arms around Sango's neck, giggling softly.
"She wants to leave already? Aw man, my night isn't over yet." Ryoko pouted, feeling like she had a responsibility to watch after Kagome since she was her new roommate.
"Well, I wasn't going to stick around long. I was just stopping by. I could walk her to her room." Inuyasha offered with a shrug.
"I was about to head out too." Sango said, leaving money on the table for both her and Kagome's meals.
Miroku placed money on the table as well. "I'll accompany you."
...
Kagome wrapped her arms around Inuyasha's neck as he carried her piggyback style back to her dorm, falling a few paces behind Miroku and Sango.
Inuyasha crossed the street with the other pedestrians and chuckled as Kagome started humming to herself. "You must have had more than just a little too much to drink." He said low enough for her to hear.
"The night is still so young!" She suddenly shouted, throwing her hands into the air for a brief moment then back around his neck. "Let's go bowling or to a bar for some Karaoke!"
Inuyasha looked down at the watch on his left wrist. "It's actually going on midnight. The night isn't as young as you think."
"Oh man, that's not good."
"Why not?"
"I have school in the morning." She pouted.
"No, that's not good at all. You're gonna have one hell of a hangover."
A smacking sound rang through the air and Inuyasha and Kagome stared ahead as Miroku smiled and rubbed his stinging face.
"What a pervert." Inuyasha shook his head.
"You smell pretty nice." Kagome shifted which made Inuyasha lock his arms tighter around her legs.
"Thanks. You smell pretty nice too." He returned her compliment with a soft smile and a light blush. He imprinted the scent of Cherry Blossom lotion into his mind and from that day on he would associate her with it, also finding her natural body odor underneath. She smelled heavenly.
"Oh, Inuyasha." She blushed herself, burying her face into his hair with a smile. "You're so sweet. Sango was right."
"Huh? Right about what?" He questioned, making a right turn. They were only one block away from the school's dorms.
"She said one should always be cautious around you because you can be a hot head. Then she said you could be a sweetheart and that you were very helpful. I don't know about the hot head part yet, but so far, you've proved her right."
"She is one hundred percent correct. But I'm a nice guy most of the time." He said in a contrasting tone, feeling he wasn't as hot-headed as people made him out to be. "Hm?"
"I've been waiting to do this since I laid eyes on you." Kagome muttered as she lightly scratched behind Inuyasha's ears while simultaneously pinching at them softly.
A noise emitted from his throat and he tried to suppress it as much as he could. A darker blush spread across his face as he enjoyed the feeling but Kagome had no idea what she was doing to him and he couldn't let her know. Considering he was in a relationship, to let her continue would be inappropriate.
"Uh, K-Kagome..." He forced out.
Kagome stopped scratching and threw her arm back around his shoulder, halfway closing her eyes. "Sorry. That was rude. It probably made you uncomfortable...for all I know, you probably have a girlfriend." She sighed, resting her head at the base of his neck. "Ah!" She screamed after a few seconds of silence.
"What?" Inuyasha checked their surroundings, not sensing any danger. Sango and Miroku turned around on alert.
"A bug!" She let go of Inuyasha's neck and fell backwards onto the ground, trying to swat the bug away while he still had her legs in his arms.
"Kagome!" They all screamed. Inuyasha looked down at her and was thankful for her dress being long enough to fold down in the middle, but he still blushed at the thought of what he would have been faced with.
Upon entering Kagome's dorm, Inuyasha held her to his front with an arm under her knees and the other behind her back. Sango fished Kagome's door key from her shoulder bag and let Inuyasha inside. He set Kagome's bag on the desk near the head of her bed and peeled the covers back, lying the sleeping girl on her cool sheets. He then unstrapped her sandals and sat them on top of the trunk at the foot of her bed and lastly covered her up and tucked her in. He gave her one last once over and joined Sango and Miroku in the hallway and they headed out of the building.
"I'll bring her some breakfast in the morning. I hope she doesn't feel sick." He said, thoughtfully.
"Ryoko will be coming back tonight to keep an eye on her. Thanks, Inuyasha. You've been a big help." Sango said as they crossed the courtyard to get to her own dorm.
"No problem. See you guys around." Inuyasha parted ways with them and Miroku did the same after making sure Sango was safe in her building.