November 3
Once more do I find myself questioning my sanity. I haven't slept at all since I kissed Kagome. Just what in all the hells did I do that for?! She left yesterday, and I haven't seen her since. She is more thank likely just as stunned about that incident as I. To be honest, afterward, she just took a long shower and went into a deep sleep that lasted the entire time she stayed. I hadn't even known she was gone until I came home from school and no longer felt the telling presence of another.
Oh, well. No skin off my nose. Or so I thought, until Monday morning, when I walked out to go to school...
"Inuyasha!" The female voice hissing his name startled him, and he looked in the direction of it, shocked to see Kagome standing outside her apartment doo in all of her disgruntled, vampiric splendor.
"What's up with you?" Inuyasha frowned slightly.
"The hell if I know!" She huffed, flustered. "I woke up, expecting to look like my adorably cute human self, and I'm still my unbearably sexy vampire self!" Inuyasha smirked.
"Someone's got a high opinion of herself."
"But that's not all!" She continued, ignoring his remark. "I remember everything from my human life—Houjou, Gingitsune, even Kouga!"
"Oh?" This vaguely surprised Inuyasha. "That's good! Now I can tell you what Kirara told me about Houjou."
"No, it's not GOOD! I can't walk amongst humans looking this irresistible! They'll stare, and I can't stand all that attention!
"What?!" Inuyasha laughed incredulously. "How can you stand here and tell that boldfaced lie with a straight face, girl?!"
"I'm not lying!" Kagome harrumphed.
"Bullshit. You love attention—hell, you get off on it!"
"You don't know what I get off on, asshole!"
"Don't I?" He smirked again, this time more suggestively. "I happen to know for face that, aside from attention, you get off on your nipples being bitten, your toes sucked, and blood drawn from your stomach, of all places." Kagome colored faintly. "You're a total masochist at heart, though."
"Okay, okay! Jeez...I sometimes tend to forget we fuck."
"I guess that's easy enough when, after all, I did blow your mind." Inuyasha grinned, nudging her. "Now c'mon, stupid. We need to get to school." With a theatric sigh, Kagome went with him to the elevator.
"Any idea why this is happening?" He asked once they were out of the complex.
"Nope. But I'm pretty sure it's more or less to do with the reason I smell like you." Inuyasha blinked, alarm welling up in the pit of his stomach.
"What?"
"Could've sworn you'd be the first to notice." She shrugged, as if this was no big deal, but in truth, this was a bigger deal than either of them could fathom—in Inuyasha's mind, anyway. He leaned close to her, burying his nose in her neck. It was as if someone had taken his skin and pasted it onto her; that was just how strong his scent was on her.
"Uh...I-I guess it's just the constant fucking we've been doing, that's all." He cleared his throat, feeling uneasy, as well as unsure of who he was trying to convince, her or himself. Obviously, Kagome sensed his unease and asked, "Is there something going on here that I don't know about?"
"Nah." Inuyasha shook his head, but mentally, he was aflame with thought.
This is not true. There is no possible way this can be happening. I don't WANT her to be my n... He actually choked on the word even in his mind. Fuck. I knew I should've stayed away from this bitch—then maybe Gingitsune would be with me now instead of the half-breed.
"Did you just call me a bitch?" Kagome blinked, peering curiously at his now frozen form.
"I didn't...say anything." He mumbled, cursing himself.
"Oh. Damn, I must be hearing things." Again, she shrugged, and suddenly, Inuyasha was thankful of her disinclination.
Great. Now my thoughts aren't even my own anymore. What a fucking gyp this is!
"Seriously, dude, you seem pissed for some reason. If there's something I need to know, I'd really like to hear it now, and from you, not from another vampire." Inuyasha opened his mouth slightly, actually debating whether or not she absolutely had to know this, when he wasn't all too sure of it himself.
Of course it's for sure, dunce, he chastised himself. You know your instincts are never wrong. You're just in denial.
"N-no." He finally sighed, jamming his thumbs in his pockets. "There's nothing."
"You're positive?"
"Heh...yeah." Inuyasha chuckled a little, then a thought, impulsive though it was, made its way through his lips all of a sudden. "Kagome, what do you consider our relationship to be?" She seemed a little taken aback by the question, but thought about it nonetheless.
"Well, I consider you a good fuck, and even somewhat a friend, but I don't really have an interest in dating you or anything, if that's what you're driving at."
"Right." Inuyasha grinned, but was only minimally relieved. "Wait—what's wrong with me?"
"Huh?"
"I mean...I'm not so fucked up a halfling couldn't date me, am I?"
"You do have your faults, Inuyasha." At this, he snorted.
"Somehow, I severely doubt that."
"That's one of your many issues, dude. You're so conceited, it's annoying. You should really stop thinking the world's in your hands or something."
"I...think that?" Inuyasha intoned.
"You sure seem to. I don't care how good you fuck—arrogance is a total turnoff, even when it's justified."
"Well, hell, if it's justified, don't I deserve to be a little self-confident?"
"Sure—a little, not as much as you are." Inuyasha pursed his lips, annoyed by this off-putting information, but strangely curious for more.
"Okay...let's say I actually value your opinion. What other so-called "faults" do I have?"
"You're prejudiced."
"How so?" He demanded.
"You just called me a halfling, like, twice."
"No, I d—it was only once!"
"Whatever."
"Well, so what? It's just a few things, and they shouldn't even count." Inuyasha crossed his arms. "How does being "arrogant" and "prejudiced" make me undateable? I ask you!"
"I believe you just answered your own question." Kagome replied smoothly, as they came to the school gates. Inuyasha rolled his eyes, sucking his teeth.
"Yeah, well, at least try to act normal, huh?"
"Have I ever not been normal?"
"I believe you just answered your own question." Inuyasha mocked, and Kagome grinned. They went into the building, deftly ignoring the stares and awed murmurs of their peers. "See, you big drama queen? You survived all that attention."
"What attention?" She blinked innocently, going to her locker.
"Oh, don't try to play naïve, girl—you know damn well you were getting stared at like a circus freak."
"A what?!" Kagome laughed. "More like a model, you jealous bastard!" Before Inuyasha could playfully retort, the conversation was cut short by Houjou's appearance into the hallway.
"Kagome? Is that you?" He questioned, his voice concealing something that Inuyasha didn't particularly like.
"I--"
"No." Inuyasha cut her off rather curtly, making her blink in confusion. "This is my friend, Byakuya."
"Oh. My apologies." Houjou's lips stretched into a thin smile as he approached the two, holding out his hand to Kagome. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Byakuya."
"Right...pleasure's all mine." Kagome faked a smile, extending her hand and mentally grimacing when Houjou kissed it. The bell to begin first period rang.
"I certainly hope to see you around later, Byakuya." Inuyasha's defensive instinct flared up at the implication, but he held in his anger until Houjou was far out of range.
"That adulterous fucker!" He fumed, while Kagome frowned at her limp hand, having lost the desire to move it. "How dare he flirt with you when he's supposed to be with Gingitsune?!"
"Well, be honest, Inuyasha. From what you apparently know of a devourer, is it that hard to doubt his fidelity?"
"Mm...I guess you're right." Inuyasha grumbled, crossing his arms.
"Plus...if I'm not mistaken, I think you were jealous!" Kagome smirked, taking her books out with her left hand; she didn't want to use the right until it was properly sanitized.
"You're mistaken." Inuyasha deadpanned.
"Aw, don't be that way."
"Actually, I'm glad the idiot made his way over here. It reminded me of what I had to tell you."
"Oh, yeah..." Kagome sobered, and her ears swiveled slightly. "Hold on, he's still around. We're gonna have to go somewhere he can't hear us." She murmured, and Inuyasha looked at her strangely.
How did she know that? I couldn't even detect him...
"Right." He mumbled, shaking his head. "But where are we going to go?"
"Follow me." Kagome took his hand and led him up the stairs to the second floor. They went into the double doors of the library and sat at a table near the back. Kagome peered over a bookcase to see if Houjou would follow, then settled back into her wooden chair. "Okay, we're good. Now spill all."
"Okay. So. Kirara is psychic. That's the first thing that needs to be out of the way. She confirmed that Houjou is a devourer, and a potentially dangerous one at that. Apparently, he's working under a woman named Kanna, to assassinate you." Kagome stared at him.
"Did you say Kanna?"
"What? Did you not hear me?! I just said this vampire is trying to kill you and you're concerned with names?!" Inuyasha hissed.
"No, you dolt—don't you remember what I told you?"
"...Refresh me." Inuyasha said dryly, making Kagome sigh in annoyance.
"Kanna is my father's boss." Inuyasha thought a moment, then his eyes widened.
"Now I remember!" He punched his palm. "I knew that name sounded familiar!"
"Of course it—dude, you're a fucking idiot."
"I'm not talking about what you told me, stupid!" Inuyasha lowered his voice before he murmured, "I've known Kanna since before I even came here. Or, at least, I feel like I have. I think I wrote about her once or something."
"Yeah?" Kagome rubbed her chin in thought. "From what I know of her, she's an enigmatic entity shrouded in mystery, but this might all link together in a significant way. The Kanna I know is the commandant of the entire yakuza, but who's the Kanna you know?"
"I don't know. And that's pretty crappy."
"Exactly." Kagome nodded fiercely. "Thus, we go to your house and peruse your many journals for mention of her." This idea made Inuyasha a little uneasy.
"Uh...I'm not all too sure I want to go back through all that." He cleared his throat. "I've been through some things that might stun you."
"Inuyasha." Kagome put a firm hand on his shoulder. "Remember when I told you that same thing? Trust me, nothing can shock me. So stop worrying about me and let's do what we have to do!" Inuyasha was still a little hesitant, though he knew she was right. Kagome sighed, biting her lip as a hard look crossed her eyes.
"Okay. This is something no one's ever known before. There...have been a few times when I was untransformed...that I, um, fed. From humans. And ended up killing them...intentionally." She confessed, wincing at Inuyasha's slack-jawed stare.
"What?!"
"Alright, get it through your system."
"Have you no self-control?!"
"Look, damn it, I was young and stupid! The point is, nothing you've experienced is a factor for me, so we need to just go, okay?"
"I...okay." Inuyasha shook his head, seeing her differently now—in somewhat of a impressed light. They got up and left the library, just as the tardy bell rang.
Just before they could get out of the building, a lightly amused voice behind them called, "Going somewhere?" Neither had to turn to know who it was.
"I don't think that's any of your business, Houjou." Inuyasha scowled.
"Oh, Inuyasha, why so hostile? Our kind should stick together, right?"
"Fuck you!" Kagome snarled, whirling around to face the devourer. Houjou's smile widened.
"Now that's an interesting choice of words. It can certainly be arranged...though I suppose that would conflict with my assigned task..." He hummed breezily, and Inuyasha stepped protectively in front of Kagome, crossing his arms.
"Then fulfill your task. I dare you."
"Come now, Inuyasha—daring? You've been around these humans for far too long. I harbor absolutely no ill will towards you." Houjou held up his hands with a chuckle. "I merely desire the half-breed." He paused deliberately for a moment, feigning embarrassment. "My, now, that didn't come out right, did it?" Inuyasha narrowed his eyes, but refused to show too much anger. Kagome, on the other hand, was livid, and obviously didn't care who saw.
"Yeah? Then why are you with Gingitsune?" Inuyasha demanded, his blood boiling when Houjou shrugged indifferently.
"I thought she was cute. I figured she would be good in bed, and, well..." A smirk tugged at his lips, one Inuyasha definitely loathed. "Seems I was right." Not even half a second passed before Inuyasha's hands were tightly clasped around Houjou's neck, asphyxiating the grinning kentanka.
"I will fucking murder you!" Inuyasha roared. "I will snap your neck in half, you miserable freak!"
"INUYASHA!" He thought his heart would crumble to pieces at the sound of Gingitsune's distraught cry.
"Wuh-oh." Kagome mumbled, creeping through the double-doors. Luckily, she was unnoticed by any of them. Houjou landed on the floor with a barely audible "oof" and Inuyasha stared at Gingitsune's tearful face, a caught expression on his own.
"...Gingitsune..." He mumbled.
"What the hell are you doing?!" She dashed over to Houjou and Inuyasha absently stepped back, scornfully watching Houjou play possum, though he knew much better.
"He...didn't you hear him? He wants to kill Kagome...and he's only using you for procreation. He said you were just a fuck to him, nothing more." Inuyasha explained weakly, but from the cold look in Gingitsune's bloodshot eyes, she clearly didn't believe him.
"You just can't get over your jealousy, can you? This one time, I trusted you to be mature about our relationship, and what do you do? You make up fabrications to excuse your attempt to kill the one person who truly understood me."
"But I'm not lying! How could you not have heard him say that shit about you?!"
"What Houjou and I do is no business of yours, Inuyasha!"
"Look, I have proof! Kagome--" He turned sharply to the doors where Kagome previously stood and his pointed finger fell, flabbergasted. "No, no, Kagome was just there. We were about to go to my house and--"
"And do what, Inuyasha? Screw like the beasts you are?"
"This is too—no, damn it!" Inuyasha had never felt so frustrated. Here he was, trying to set things right with this girl, while the seconds ticked by, time he could be using to expose that contemptible bullshit artist for what he was. With a calming breath, Inuyasha shook his head. "Forget it. I'm through explaining. If I can't get to you, no one can, so...I hope you've had a good life."
"Is that a threat?!" Gingitsune gasped, outraged.
"Nowhere near. I've tried my damnedest to save you from this very outcome, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be. I suggest you consult Kirara—there is no more I can say." He ran through the doors, leaving Gingitsune hurt and vexed.
Black Ice: (whistles) Building up to the climax here, huh? And how about that election thing?
Blood Rain: (sighs, shaking head) Damn, yo. This is the first time either of us have ever actually been interested in politics.
Black Ice: Seriously—we've been following the coverage damn near religiously. We even tried to cheat and fast-forward the guide, but the results still weren't very clear.
Blood Rain: From what we saw, though, it looks like Obama won, but that's probably because we were looking at BET and TV-One.
Black Ice: And on the more subjective channels—you know, the Republican news channels like Fox News--, we haven't seen anything worth seeing, not even anything about their "main man", McCain.
Blood Rain: Perhaps Obama won? We won't know until tomorrow or so, I guess.
Black Ice: Honestly, we'd like Obama to win, but it's not like we had a hand in the process. We got three more years till voting time.
Blood Rain: Because be for real, y'all—McCain is a whack-ass jackass, straight up. We were drifting in and out of the debates last month, and that asshole kept interrupting Obama!
Black Ice: Yeah; nobody would like him if he got ghetto on McCain's ass.
Blood Rain: But once more, we have to be indifferent. Whoever wins, they just win. If Obama wins, yay. If McCain wins...eh, the economy's already shot to hell. Why not pop a few more caps in America's ass?
Black Ice: (laughs obnoxiously) McCain's got the gun, but Obama's got the tweezers! Pluck, Obama, pluck!
Blood Rain: Shh! We're supposed to be impartial!
Black Ice: Right, right...sorry to all y'all Republicans out there. ^^ (whispers) Go, B-Rock!
Blood Rain: (glares)