Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha

AN: These prompts were written for the Fanfic Bake-Off theme #20 Absent and the Bonus, Masquerade.

Scientific Method

Chapter 45

The next day Hojo talked to her amiably, but carefully. He was feeling somewhat reluctant of her feelings and she absently beamed at his careful attentions. Apparently he was engaged, something very uncommon in Modern Japan, but he still cared about her enough to consider her feelings.

He would have been a nice husband. Well…the lucky girl would not be her.

Still, she couldn't help but glance at him every so often. His brown eyes never left her, not even in the classroom, and there was something gleaming behind him. She was starting to get real nervous. It was as if he was amused by something. She highly doubted, and hoped, it wasn't because of her forward declaration of yesterday. Seriously, that scared her too…she didn't know she had it in her.

No… it felt different. As if… he knew something she didn't and was enjoying it very much.

After a last glance, and confirming he was still looking at her, she snorted and turned to the board full of equations… "Kami," she groaned morosely.

Words: 175

xxoOoxx

The end of class came and it was Kagome's turn to help clean the classroom. It was one of the drawbacks of being healthy again, but she guessed it was alright. At least people stopped treating her like glass and as if she was poisonous.

Poison…claws.

She sighed and proceeded to wash her cloth and once again went to the desk. Behind her Hojo cleaned the board as he hummed a strange song. It was slow and hypnotic. In little time Kagome found herself with a small smile and absently following the song's tune with a happy bounce of her head.

A sudden chuckle made her squeak and she turned to Hojo with a blush upon her cheeks. She tried to explain something, anything that would make the situation seem less ridiculous, but she didn't know what to say. She didn't have to worry though.

"My mom always sang that to me as a kid," Hojo shared with a soft smile, "I'm glad you are going to the Birth Ceremony, mom will be happy."

Kagome's eyes squinted out, "Bi—Birth?"

Hojo nodded his head, "Yeah, I have a sister now. Her name is Kaede."

"Sorry, I didn't know. Congratulations on your new sister," the high-schooler said and bowed politely, feeling somewhat uncertain. Kaede.

Hojo did the same, "We hoped to take her to your Shinto Shrine after a small, simple tea ceremony."

Kagome nodded, "I'm sure the Kami will be happy to meet her."

Hojo nodded proudly, "I also hope she gain their favor, and protection."

Kagome rolled her eyes, "Believe me; our Shrine is in good graces with the Kami."

"That's what mom always says," confessed Hojo, "That's why I always esteemed you, Kagome. You are…purity."

Kagome's heart jumped and a she smiled gratefully, "Thank you, Hojo."

Words: 300

xxoOoxx

The walk to the Shrine didn't feel as long today. Hojo insisted on accompanying her, and to be honest, she wanted him to. It was strange. Lately she had become a mess…and a traitor.

She never went back to Inuyasha, or Sango, Miroku and Shippo. But…Inuyasha never came either. She should go back and give them the five shards she had in her possession…but if she's here then Naraku wouldn't be able to reach her and steal her shard. Furthermore, he would never complete the Jewel. That would definitely give her friends a bigger chance of defeating him…besides, Kikyo is there…and she's miko, an excelling archer and she can feel the shards.

"I'm glad you are well now, Kagome," Hojo suddenly commented and he smiled down at her, "Don't get sick ever again, yes?"

Kagome's eyes widened and turned from one side to the other while the feeling settled down inside of her. Guilt…was not an emotion she wanted to feel, and Hojo was right. She deserved to live this life, her life here. She had been absent from her world, family and friends because the Feudal Era needed her. Now, she wasn't needed. She hoped she isn't…

"I promise Hojo," Kagome said with a sad smile, "I won't get sick again."

Her classmate nodded, as if relieved, and then after a short wave of his hand saw her off at the bottom of the endless, stone stairs of the Shrine.

Words: 241

xxoOoxx

Kagome stood in front of the Bone Eater's well too afraid and too indecisive to touch it. The portal's familiar magic seemed to swirl around her, softly trying to usher her into its dark interior again. It made her shiver absently. While the magic soothed her miko powers, she knew it to be a deception, a lie.

The pass would help her, but once she reached Segoku Jidai again… it will be hell. She would have to face Inuyasha and the others, explain why she hadn't come back. It was too much, it was too late now.

She reached for the bottle and the shards hidden inside her skirt's pocked and glanced at them. They gleamed dimly in the otherwise dark room. Their pulse was stable and pure. She was doing her duty. She was protecting the shards.

She sighed, knowing it was futile to rationalize something which involved magic and time travel and went up the three steps and to the shogi door. After a last glance at the Well that had given her so many things and had taken so many others, she closed the door and left it in its natural darkness.

Words: 195

To be continued...

JeniNeji's Note:

3/3! Good night everyone!