Well heloooooo peoples! I watched Titanic last night and cried, so disregard any tear-stains on this… *sniffs dramatically* I LOVE LEONARDO DICAPRIO!!!! Please read!
Oh, and to my wonderful old readers- I am so, so sorry about deleting the previous chapters and then changing them- please don't kill me! I have an explanation!
You see, first I accidentally deleted all the chapters because I thought I was on the document uploader, not the actual story. And then I reread my story and got really annoyed at how short the chapters were, so I decided to clump them all together. And then I was almost halfway done when I had SCIENCE FAIR and went to Disney World, and then I was just depressed in general because I didn't do so great. And now I finally have the time and the effort. So sorry! {
Oh, and I don't own any of the characters except some of the teachers. And Kaoru and Kenshin are from Rurouni Kenshin, they're not mine either. (waaah)(
Chapter 4
The second she was gone, I spun around and started to run as fast as I could, which was pretty fast. There was no mistaking what I felt this time. It was the aura of Shikon shards. And not just one this time- many more. My pulse quickened as I raced through the dark abandoned streets. How on earth did this keep happening? The jewel had been shattered and the pieces scattered in the other world, I knew that for certain. The portal had been closed for fifty years. And yet somehow the shards kept popping up everywhere I went. How was that possible? I just didn't get it… I remembered the day, so long ago I couldn't count the years, when my mother had given the jewel into my keeping. As the wind whistled past me, speeding legs bringing me ever closer to another mystery, I recalled the past…
I looked up at my mother with huge trembling golden eyes, puppy ears twitching, tears coursing past the scrapes and livid bruises slowly fading on my plump cheeks. I must have been about 5 in human years. My mother knelt down gracefully on one knee and stroked my long silvery hair with a pale, slender hand, tear-streaked face inches from mine. In her other hand she held the jewel, shimmering gently in the candle light. Her golden and white kimono fell gently around her wasted frame. Even in her last moments she was beautiful.
"Inuyasha…" she whispered, her once vibrant voice sounding like the merest whispering of wind in dead leaves, as if it took her a great effort just to make out the words. "My darling, you are so precious to me. You know that right?"
I forced myself to nod my head, glistening tears making shining tracks on my small pale face.
"Inuyasha, I… want you to have this. It will become your heart and your power. Guard it with everything you have, for… for it will be your very soul. Never give it to someone unless… Unless you truly love them,… trust them with your heart… Your father… he… he gave this to me, and I have protected it… always. It is called the Shikon Jewel. Please, my love, take it. You know I will always… Always love you…"
And with that she fell into my arms, lifeless, long raven hair spilling like water over the dirty ground of the deserted hut in the forest, skin white as the snow that fell from the sky onto the roof of the rough shelter, muffling the heart-broken cries of a baby hanyou as he curled a tiny fist around the jewel that was to be his new heart.
With a blink, I shook my head, sniffed, and skidded to a halt. It wasn't good to bring back old memories, I knew that. What had gotten into me? The powerful aura brought me back to reality. I was in the middle of an empty, moonlit square, surrounded by collapsing houses on all sides. And before me…
My breath caught in my throat as I slowly raised my eyes. Towering above me was the largest tree I had ever seen. It's massive, gnarled brown base, which would have taken at least 20 humans with outstretched arms to span it, was hung with a strange rope, grown into the tree in many places, around which hung 5 huge wing-chime looking objects, each bigger than the last. It soared so far up into the star-sprinkled sky that I couldn't see where it ended. There was no mistake. The aura of the shikon shards was coming from inside it.
I cocked my head to one side and stared up at it, puzzling. It seemed to stare back down at me, like some giant wild beast frozen forever in place among dwarves by some malignant demon. How was I supposed to get the shikon shards? I didn't want to have to cut such a huge tree down- it would take forever, if it fell it would crush all the houses around it, and besides… it seemed sacrilege to touch such a lofty, ancient giant. A gust of wind swept my hair back, carrying trash and fallen scarlet leaves in a tiny tornado, and I heard a strange noise that seemed to make the very ground vibrate, like the sound when you blow across the top of a bottle, only an incredibly immense one. Then it clicked in my head. Of course! The tree was hollow!
With a huge leap, I cleared about 15 feet and reached the first branch. It sagged alarmingly under my weight. Aaagh! I wasn't gaining weight, was I? It must have been all that ramen… Before you could say, "Shishkabob!" I was on the next branch, which was quite a bit sturdier than the last, and then on to the next. I must have looked quite a sight to any curious passerby- a boy with a red backpack jumping like a giant overfed squirrel from branch to branch of an enormous tree that seemed to look on in derisive amusement! It took quite a while, but at last I had reached the uppermost branch and was standing, shoulders heaving, looking in amazement at the twinkling lights of the city spread out below me in an intricate, teeming web of life. Tiny multicolored lights shone bravely against the overpowering darkness which swept up to the towering mountains soaring darkly far in the distance. They looked like the foreboding body of a sleeping dragon enfolding the tiny stronghold of humanity, ready at any moment to wake up and snuff out the lights without a second thought. I shivered. This world might not have been my home, but I had grown used to it, even attached to it over the years. I sighed, and turned to the yawning hole in the tree below me. I had a new problem now- how was I supposed to get down there without breaking my neck? Besides, it was rather… creepy looking. How was I gonna see down there, anyhow? I shook myself. I couldn't possibly turn back now! Especially after that climb… I would get what I came for. Besides, if there was… something down there, surely I would have felt it, wouldn't I? Pushing away my fears, I crawled down into the hole and vanished into the darkness.
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"Kagomeeeeeeeee!!!!! Time to get up darling!!!"
I glanced at the clock. 5:30 AM to the dot. But somehow, instead of an evil scowl spreading across my sleep-heavy face, a jaw-cracking grin turned up my lips. I would get to see Inuyasha again today!!
"Coming, dearest mother!" I sang, bouncing out of my bed in my footsie barnie pajamas and skipping over to the bathroom. Downstairs 3 jaws dropped into their cereal.
Humming, I brushed my shining black hair back and paused. How should I wear it today? Up, in a high ponytail? Or down, so it could cascade over my shoulders and maybe catch Inuyasha's attention? Down, I decided. I added a little daisy pin just to spruce things up a bit. I splashed cold water on my face, brushed my teeth with mint toothpaste very, very thoroughly, and bounced back into my bedroom for the most important part of my morning ritual- choosing my clothes.
I think I've forgotten to tell you about my bedroom. This is what it looked like: Sunshine yellow walls with pink and orange polka dots, (just seeing them made me feel warm and fuzzy inside), a gigantic blue and pink striped-covered bed, a chest of drawers, a gigantic collection of stuffed animals (mainly adorable little white puppies) some pictures of my old friends, a desk, a book shelf, and a laptop. All of this was crammed into such a small space that the effect was rather overwhelming for anyone but me.
Anyhow, clothes. I was torn between a daisy-patterned long-sleeved shirt to match my hair clip with a bright-yellow pleated mini skirt with white woolen leg warmers, and a long dark-green sweater and a lacy black skirt and green tights. (Hey, it was really getting cold out!) I chose the daisies. Next I sprayed some Morning Rose TM perfume on myself, put on lip gloss and a light coat of sky- blue eyeliner to match my eyes, and was ready to go. And it was still only 5:45! I checked my plan book. Yep, there was an honor society meeting today. Time to put my plan into action!
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I rolled over in bed, mumbling. The 7 shards, now joined seamlessly into one rather bigger whole, clinked and glittered around my neck. Tossing and turning in the cruel sunshine, I recalled last night:
I crawled down into the tree, holding fast with my fingers to the bumpy surface of the tree, searching with my conver-ed feet for ledges. It was like extreme mountain climbing, except in the pitch-dark. The circle of stars above me shrunk by degrees. Several times I stumbled, and was sure I was going to fall into the gaping maw of darkness below me, and that would be it. My puny barely-more-than human body would shatter like a pane of glass. For the 50th time I cursed my decision to bring the backpack with me. The heavy textbooks seemed to drag me down. School really would kill me!
However, I survived the descent. At last I reached the bottom. I saw a purple glow on the other side of the massive hollow and walked over to it.
There were the Shikon shards, 5 of them in all. They lay, quietly sparkling, on an altar shaped like a lotus petal. For a second I just stood there, and it seemed to me I could feel the tree breathing around me. Then I reached forward with a tentative hand… and scooped up the shards.
All at once I felt a bittersweet burning inside me. The power reared its head within me, surging through my veins like fire. I writhed back and forth as my body began to transform. Outwardly it was just my claws and fangs growing, pupils lengthening and irises starting to yellow, hair lightening up a couple degrees. But on the inside…The power was so heady, so addicting that I almost didn't notice as the towering tree crumbled around me, turning into dust, which was quickly swept away like ashes in the wind. Eyes finally focusing, I lifted my head.
The square was empty. I stood alone in a rough square of dirty moonlight, empty houses unchanged, windows staring like hollow eyes. It was like the tree had never been there. Most probably, I realized, it never was. I stood there a moment longer as the wind swirled trash around me, and then turned my back on the courtyard and flew home. The moon shone above me like a pale coin someone had lost up there in the sea of star-studded clouds, looking down coldly at a very strange world.
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I raked my hands through my once- shining hair, and glanced around the almost full, yet to me, empty, classroom. Sango sat next to me, pretending to concentrate on Mr. Viv, while actually staring a hole in the back of a certain pervert sitting obliviously in front of her. On my other side sat Kaoru, trying her hardest, which is pretty hard, to distract the stalwart Kenshin from his faithful studies. Hojo, the nice boy from the train, kept darting glances at me from beneath lowered lids. And yet the classroom still felt so empty… It was halfway through 3rd period, and still Inuyasha wasn't here. Had the gang attacked him again on his way home alone through the dark, dangerous streets? Was he at this very moment lying cold on the ground, violet eyes glassy and empty, cascading raven hair matted with scarlet blood? The very thought of it made me want to cry, to run, to tear at my hair and scream. I forced myself to calm down. It wasn't healthy to let one person have so much influence over me! And yet, somehow, I didn't care. At the moment the only thing I wanted was to see him, just once more, to know that he was okay, somewhere, even if that somewhere was another world. I forced my breathing to slow and chewed my nails the rest of the class.
Next came the Honor Society meeting, instead of lunch. I had always had pretty good grades, As and Bs mostly, so I was lucky enough to be able to join in the small group of decision-makers of the school. Inuyasha, Hojo, Sango, Yuki, Kagura, and a bunch of other kids made up the rest. I had a very important idea (to me) I really wanted the group to buy, so by the time we had all filed into the tiny classroom, my hands were slick with nervousness and my breath once again hitching in my throat. If I got what I wanted, I might be able to get that kiss with Inuyasha, and get him to ask me out. If not… it would be rather embarrassing if he found out, to say the least. It actually was kinda good he wasn't in school today… I took a deep breath and raised my hand.
"I would like to have a school ball."
…And as usual, I got my way. Well, Inuyasha, here I come!
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-3 weeks later-
"Hey Miroku! Dude, what the heck is going on?"
I stared in amazement up at the streamers criss-crossing the ceiling, the swollen multi-colored balloons, the vases exploding with flowers… and most of all the girls. They were definitely not acting normal. They skipped around in flocks, giving every guy they saw a sly look over the shoulder, blushing and giggling and whispering… All in all, it had a quite alarming effect on me. I had been "out sick" for the past week (a.k.a. sitting around my house eating potato chips, playing random video games, and going to concerts). Miroku bounced up to me, face alight with excitement.
"Wow, Inuyasha, you're back! What "unfortunate illness" did you have this time?"
"Shut up," I snapped, "And tell me what the frick is going on here??"
There was a deadly silence in the entrance hall. The girls' jaws dropped, as well as Miroku's, and everyone froze. I saw Kenshin roll his eyes, and Naraku snicker, and knew I was in for it. The girls started advancing on me slowly, like zombies from some ancient silent horror movie. The only sound was the ominous click of their high-heeeled boots on the stone floor. My knees started trembling. The girls came closer and closer. I looked desperately around for help, but none came. Then-
"Inuyasha, you retard, how could you have forgotten?"
I felt a strong pull on my arm and suddenly I was being swept through the crowd, down a hallway, and into an empty classroom. I heard the door close with an ill-omened click, and felt scared allover again. I looked around to see the face of my savior/captor - and was met with a pair of impossibly enormous, sky-blue eyes. For a second I was speechless.
"K-K-K-K-Kagome??? Uh, watsup?"
Her face brightened even more, if possible, with a sweet, shy smile.
"Um, well, it looked like you were in trouble, so I just kinda had to help you…"
A touch of pink tinged her cheeks and she looked down.
"Uh, thanks! I was really freaked out! Just tell me if there's anything I can do for you in exchange, okay?"
"Really? Do you really mean that?" she breathed. Her rosy face was very close to mine now, and her eyes, despite their beauty, had a somehow... scheming look in them. I backed away.
"Y-yeah, sure. Anyhow, can you please tell me what's going on outside?"
She snapped out of it, cheeks flooding with scarlet.
"Um, yeah. Well, there's gonna be a ball the day after tomorrow, and everyone's really excited… It was my idea, you know," she added, as and afterthought, and then turned even redder.
Meanwhile, everything had clicked in my head.
"Ohhhh… so that's why all the girls were acting weird…" I mused. I noticed that she was inching towards me again, perfect face bashful, long black eyelids lowered.
"So, um, I was, uh, wondering…. You know how you just said you'd do something for me?" she whispered, pausing as if waiting for me to agree, fiddling with the bottom of her shirt. When I just stood there like a wooden statue, she continued, quickly and haltingly: "W-well, I was just wondering if you- if you might want to go with me. I know I asked you before, but, um…"
I stared at her, momentarily speechless, gathering my wits. Had Kagome- had she actually just asked me to the ball? The gangster-bashing, tomato-faced, sky-eyed Kikyo-look-alike??? What was I supposed to do?
As the seconds wore on in utter silence, Kagome's glowing cheeks paled into the icy color Kikyo's had been, her eyebrows knotted unhappily, and she chewed on her lip until I was afraid she would make it bleed. Well, I had promised… She started to stammer something apologetic out, but I, once again without thinking, placed a gentle finger on her scarlet lips. She started.
"Shhhh…" I said. "Of course I'll go with you. A promise is a promise. And besides…" I looked down, my own cheeks flushing. "Well, I'd, uh, really like to go with you to." I looked up uncertainly, and saw her whole face shining with the light of her little shy smile once more. She reached down and grabbed my hand, and we walked, hand in hand, down the teeming corridor, off to History class.
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I stared intently into the mirror as I forced my twitching hands to be still, applying my eyeliner for the 14th time today. It was the day of the ball, and I had to look perfect. There was only an hour left before Inuyasha came to pick me up! My carefully curled hair lay in shining, perfumed black waves over my shoulders. I had on soft red eyeshadow, just barely visible, and eyeliner which emphasized my long lashes. There was the faintest touch of blush on my porcelain cheeks. My lips were a deep, not too obtrusive crimson. I had a single blood-red ceramic rose clipped in my hair, looking terribly realistic, I thought, another on a black chain around my neck, and a third, larger one on the black satin sash I had wrapped around my waist. My dress was floaty and scarlet, rather simple, low- cut with the bottom at an angle, with ruffles. All together it looked very pretty, if I dared say so myself. But not perfect enough…
"HEY WATSUP SIS????"
I jumped up with shriek, smudging the eyeliner all across my cheek. Sota stood right behind my, deceptively innocent smile plastered across his annoying little face. I growled deep in my throat.
"Soootaaaaa…."
He wasn't looking so cocky now! He gulped.
"Y-y-y-yes Sis?"
"You poor, sweet darling… I'M GONNA KILL YOU!!!!!!"
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-At the Ryukotsai apartments complex, Inuyasha wasn't faring so much better-
"So, Yash… who was it you said you were going with again…?"
"Get
out, Miroku."
"Aw, you loser. We've all told you who we're
going with. Spit it out."
"You too, Koga. I never invited either of you over here."
"Oooh, does that mean you invited me? Cool!"
"No, I did not invite you either, Kenshin. Go away already, will ya???"
I was in my room, trying to adjust my suit into something slightly comfortable and a little less than totally ridiculous. I had a black coat and pants, rented for 20 dollars from Ryoga's Suit Smart Store (ugh) and a rather baggy scarlet button-up shirt. My hair, now more of a dark gray, another thing my friends saw fit to tease me about, was slicked back and tied with a piece of red leather, into a low ponytail. There was a red rose in my buttonhole. I felt like puking.
Miroku, Koga, and Kenshin had let themselves in and were now seated in a semi-circle around me, each in pretty similar outfits. Except Miroku's shirt was dark blue, Koga's was green and Kenshin's was white. Unless they were lying, Miroku had asked out Sango, Koga Ayame, and Kenshin was, obviously, going with Kaoru. And they just wouldn't stop bugging me!!!
"I didn't know you were old enough to drive, Inuyasha. Do you have license?"
"AAAAAAAARRRRRGGHHHH!! I've been driving the Bananamobile since I was… um…13! When I… moved here! You know that! Now, if you want a ride, shut uppppp!!!!"
That did it. They sat there stupidly with there mouths hanging open like someone had hit them over their heads with a dead chicken. I smirked and swaggered out the door. Time to pick up Kagome!
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5 minutes left… 4…. I reapplied my makeup as fast as I could, cursing all little brothers violently under my breath. God, was I gonna kill that little brat Sota when I got back! He couldn't hide from me for long!
DINGDONG
I froze. Ahh god he was early! What was I gonna do???? My hands were blurs as I dabbed the last bit of blush on my cheeks, adjusted my hair, sprayed on a little more Rose-of-the-Mist TM perfume, and then sprinted down the stairs and… opened the door.
"Hey, Kagome!"
I could have fainted.
There was Inuyasha, hotter than ever, standing at my very doorstep, a bouquet of crimson roses in his hands, smiling that perfect smile of his. And behind him… it had to be the strangest car I'd ever seen!
It was a brilliant, lurid, yellow, a yellow that dazzled your eyes and made you want to run for a pair of sunglasses, and sunblock while you were at it. It was covered with dents, scrapes, smashes, and rust, and it was huge… At least as long as a stretch limo. Painted sloppily on the front was "The Bananamobile" and an evil smiley face. And sticking out from its windows were the shocked-looking heads of Sango, Ayame, Kaoru, Miroku, Koga, and Kenshin. For a second it was just too much. Then I recovered myself.
"Oh! H-hi Inuyasha! You're, um… you're a bit early…!"
He looked down at his watch, an adorably puzzled look on beautiful face. If he was a puppy, his ears would have been drooping.
"Ohhhh… s-sorry…"
I gave him most brilliant smile, feeling courageous.
"It's fine. C'mon let's go before my cat attacks you."
Giggling at his shocked and rather scared face, I slid my arm through his and led him out the door, slamming it behind me. This was going to be a wonderful night!
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I let her ride shotgun. She was my date after all. All throughout the Bananamobile there was an awkward silence. This was the first time I had ever been on a current-day, American date, and the silence pressed on my ears. I fidgeted in my worn seat, hands fiddling with the wheel.
"So, um, this your car?"
"Uh, yeah. I've had it for the 2 years I've lived here. Got it at Ranma's Road-Wreck Recovery. She's a good old girl," I said, slapping the dashboard with false heartiness. The radio fell out.
"OOOoops… heh… that happens a lot…"
I reached over her legs and shoved it back in.
"Well, why don't we have some music!" I stammered brightly. "What do you listen to?"
"Ummm… whatever you like…"
"Oh no! You tell me what you like!"
"No, you!"
"You!.... wait.. whatever. This is stupid."
"I-I-I'm
so s-s-s-sorry, I don't know what came over me…"
"It's
okay…"
More awkward silence.
"Hey look, a dead cow!"
"Shut up Miroku." We all yelled. And for the rest of the drive… there was silence.
-20 minutes later-
"Oh wow this is so beautiful! C'mon, Inuyasha! Let's dance!"
Kagome dragged me by my hand into the hall, long black hair swaying, face illuminated with an excited smile. I felt a corresponding smile break out on my own face.
"Let's!"
I didn't know how exactly the evening would turn out… but it was looking up. Oh yes... It might turn out to be a perfectly good ball after all.
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"Okay", whispered Fangirl #1 to the crowd of fangirls and Jakotsu behind her. "The coast is clear. Stage 1 of our plan starts… NOW!!" The girls (and solitary boy) slipped into the laughing crowd and vanished.
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"So…" I whispered giddily in Inuyasha's ear as we danced gracefully through the shining ballroom. "This isn't so bad, is it?"
"Actually, no!" he laughed softly. "This is kind of… fun, actually!"
We were in the exact middle of the room. I admired the way our hair flowed together, black and dark gray, and the way his long slender fingers were placed so delicately on my waist. He barely touched me, and yet I could feel every detail of his fingers against my hip. They seemed to be burning, but maybe that was just me. I leaned closer to him, so that my head was resting on his chest, just below his chin. I heard suck in his breath nervously. "….Kagome..?" he asked softly. I closed my eyes and smiled, nestling up to the smooth silk of his shirt. I felt happier than I ever had in my life. But then-
"SURPRISE!!!"
Suddenly I was covered with a wet sticky purple substance from head to toe. Dripping and livid, I looked up into the eyes of a crowd of girls (and a girly-looking boy), all holding empty buckets of purple paint and laughing their heads off.
"That's right, barney-girl! You keep away from my Inuyasha!"
"I hope that taught you a lesson you evil little girl!"
"Now bug off! I'm dancing with Inuyasha now."
I looked down, sighed heavily, and cracked my knuckles.
-Later-
"Kagome, you didn't have to beat up ALL of them!"
"I didn't. A couple escaped. But I'll find them, mark my words. And when I do-"
"Noooo! Kagome, please just calm down! You're all washed off now, you've got a new dress that was just sitting around randomly somewhere and-"
"But don't you SEE, Inuyasha?!" I wailed, bursting into tears, "they've ruined everything! That dress cost $10! And even worse, now everyone thinks I'm stupid! You saw them! They all laughed!"
"There there now… hush… it'll be okay…" he murmured tenderly, putting his arm around my shoulder and stroking my hair. We were sitting on an isolated bench in the middle of the school garden. I had washed myself off with a garden hose- probably the second most embarrassing moment of my life- and changed into a pink flowered summer dress we had gotten from the lost and found. My perfect, shining hair, which had taken hours to perfect, was stuck against my scalp in a VERY unflattering fashion. My make-up had been washed clean off. And I think I was scarred for life. But Inuyasha was holding me close! He hadn't laughed at me! He had done everything he could to help me! The gentle bluish-white moonlight played across his handsome features and glittered in his beautiful amythest eyes and shone on his long flowing hair. It emphasized the unworldly perfection I had come to adore so much. So close to him, I began to notice even more details. His pupils were long and catlike. His hair was so much lighter. His canine teeth seemed a substantial amount longer. His fingernails had grown into razor-sharp, cut-glass talons. And I could feel the incredible strength locked inside the warm arm about my shoulders, though it cradled me like I was as fragile as a butterfly. This boy, I knew, was not human. At least… not any longer. And it only made me love him more. Without thinking, I leaned toward him and ran a finger across his porcelain cheek. His eyes widened. Our noses were almost touching. I could feel his soft breath tickling my face. Slowly, our lips came closer and closer together and then-
"SURPRISE AGAIN!!!!"
This time the paint was green, and there were only 4 girls and 1 boy. I beat them all to a pulp, except the one who escaped. But I would get my revenge on her. I always did.
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Fangirl #1, stood alone in the field of groaning, defeated bodies. She was the last survivor. All of them had failed in their sacred cause, except for her. She alone had proven herself worthy of The Hottest Hotty of All Time. And there was no way she was giving up now.
Sure his date could knock out a couple weaklings. After all, they were mere fledglings in the field of Love. But she, she was the grand master. She had been a fangirl for a staggering total of 18 incredibly hot boys. And she, through any method and every method, had dated all of them. Now Inuyasha was the next guy on the list. But in this case… Well, let's just say she had finally found someone worthy of her. She cracked her knuckles and strode off into the random mist, long blond hair streaming behind her like a flag of warning. She would get what she wanted, no matter WHO stood in her way.
"Kagome Higurashi, here I come!"
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"Inuyasha?" (nicely)
"…Yes…?" (nervous)
"Can I ask you something?" (still nicely)
"Uhhh, sure….?" (still nervously)
"WHY DO YOU HAVE SO MANY BUDDHADAMNED STALKERS?!!!!"
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"
"Ohhhhhhh …. Sorry, sorry, oh I'm sooo sorry… Are you okay?"
"…I'll survive… auuughhh…"
"I am SO sorry! Did I hurt your ears?"
"It's nothing… They've just been a lot more sensitive lately…"
"Ohhhh…. I see…"
"See what?"
"…nothing…"
AWKWARD SILENCE
We were sitting, alone but hopefully safe, in Inuyasha's Bananamobile. I had changed into yet another set of Salvation Army-destined clothes- a checkered purple skirt and a black baggy t-shirt that said "NINJA QUEEN" across it in blood-spattered red. The outfit couldn't have been more ridiculous. I sighed heavily and crossed my legs. Inuyasha twiddled his thumbs. We both listened to the gentle music spilling from the warmly lighted school windows on the bluff above us. The traitorous tears started spilling from my eyes again, hot and burning like acid. I tried to hide them but they spilled through my fingers and dripped onto the rusty floor of the Bananamobile. Inuyasha reached out a hand as if to comfort me, but I stopped him.
"No," I sniffed. "This is all my fault. I'm ruining this for you. Go up there and dance with one of your groupies. Have a good time. I don't want to wreck your evening. Go on, leave me!"
His eyes widened in surprise.
"Are you kidding me, Kagome?! You're the only reason I came to this stupid ball in the first place! I could never leave you!" Then he seemed to have a sudden thought. "Come on, Kagome," he said, excitedly, starting the engine. "There's a place I want to show you- Oh, please stop crying!" And he leaned over, kissed me softly on the cheek, and started the engine. I was sure the tears on my face froze in shock. My heart welled with happiness and love for the whole world. A feeling that didn't last long.
With a thump, someone fell from a tree overhead and onto the hood of the car, a figure swathed in black, crouching like a panther just before it pounces. The figure smiled, revealing perfect white teeth, and flipped back its long blond hair. "Going somewhere?" hissed Fangirl #1.
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I stared out the windshield in disbelief, lips still tingling from the touch of Kagome' cheek. Not only had the insane, butt-ugly fangirls (and boy) ruined my poor date's outfit and her reputation twice, but now they were pretty much out to kill her. From my battle experiences in the other world, it was easy to see that this evil little specimen of the terrible effects of obsession was a ninja, and a skilled one, too. Nothing I couldn't destroy easily. But Kagome… Would I be quick enough to protect her? My new battle skills had gone so far untested, and I was unsure of my limits.
The blond, black-dressed girl stood up from her feline crouch and in one swift movement, had her face pressed against Kagome's window. Kagome squealed, "Meep!" at the ghastly face the fangirl/ninja was making and I felt an instant need to protect her.
"Kagome Higurashi, you filthy little man-stealer," hissed the fangirl, "I challenge you to a duel. The winner gets Inuyasha. Do you accept? Or are you too chicken? Bwak bwak bwak bw-"
"I accept, you little freak," growled Kagome, pretty face hardening into a ferocious scowl. "Prepare yourself!"
And with that, she was out of the car and leaping after the ninja/fangirl, cackling madly. For a while, I was too paralyzed with shock to move. Then I came to my senses. As I have mentioned before, I hate girl-fights- there have been so many of them during my time on this world, and back home, that it gets REALLY frustrating after a while. And it's even worse when they're about me. It makes me feel… guilty. So anyhow, back to the present, and the dangerous war-cries of the two powerful adversaries. I cut the engine and jumped out of the Bananamobile, pausing only to fume over the dent the fangirl had made in the hood, and bounded, with my preternatural speed, after the girls.
They were at the banks of the Takahashi river, which shone a brilliant silver in the moonlight, trading punches and kicks and curses. But even I could see that Kagome was losing. The ninja-girl leapt into the air and kicked Kagome in the stomach. She staggered, livid, and raised a fist to punch the fangirl, but the girl stopped her hand and slapped her across the face.
"Bad kitty," she crooned. "So, ready to give up, yet, like the bone-less little chicken you are?"
"Never!" Cried Kagome valiantly, and, with one last effort, raised her other fist and punched the fangirl on the face so hard she flew across the clearing. There was silence, except for the quiet, regular drip of blood from the fangirl/ninja's ruby lips to the dirty ground. Her eyes were shrouded with shadows, her face expressionless. Then,
"You're gonna regret that, you little bitch! I never meant to kill you, but… CHAAAAAAA!!!!!" She whipped back her arm and threw a handful of needle-tipped shuriken straight at Kagome's neck.
Everything seemed to suddenly slow down and grow silent. As if in a dream I saw them: the deadly metal stars glinting as they flew towards Kagome's slender, vulnerable neck, the Fangirl's slow, evil smile, crimson lips curled up, blond hair swirling, fingers outstretched, and Kagome's pale moonlit face, surprised, cerulean eyes widening, mouth a small o. She was really going to die!
Without a second thought I sprang across the clearing in front of Kagome, my body forming an impenetrable shield, face determined, arms spread wide. I managed to catch a shuriken with each hand, fingers darting out impossibly fast, and a third in my sharpened teeth, but the rest thudded into my body- my thigh, my stomach, my shoulder, my chest. But instead of feeling the sharp, cutting pain as metal sliced flesh, I felt… nothing! Merely a slight impact as the shuriken hit my rock- hard body and clanged to the ground. The fangirl and Kagome just sat there for a moment, and then another, and another, just sitting with their eyes wide, mouths wide, faces white. Then the fangirl knelt and sprang off into the disappeared like a ghost into the night and Kagome stood shakily, trembling mouth pulling up at the corners ever so slightly. Then her knees wobbled, and before I knew it, she had fallen into my arms and was, for the third time that night, crying.
"Oh Inuyasha! Thank you, so, so much!" I really could have... could have… If it weren't for you I… Oh, how could I lose to that witch?! I'm just so weak! And how did you…DO that??!!!"
Still shocked by my own actions, it was a while before I could reply. I had gained back more of my strength then I had thought… I didn't even notice as the silence stretched longer and longer, as I stood stiff and unmoving, staring up at the stars, thinking, slowly grinding the shuriken to dust in my hands, ignoring Kagome's upturned face and huge, frightened eyes. Then finally,
"Eh? What? Sorry, I wasn't really paying attention. I was just thinking about how I managed to do that…" I spat out the shuriken, and absentmindedly let the shining dust run like liquid silver through my long taloned fingers.
"S-So… so you don't know? You don't know how you're so s-strong and so fast and… s-special?" she asked timidly.
"Well, actually, I do, kind of," I said, smiling gently and wrapping my arms around her, "But it's kind of a long story and I still haven't taken you to that awesome place I wanted to show you. Do you mind if I tell you there?"
"Not really…" She murmured, staring up at me in wonder, but sounding insanely curious. I slipped my arm through hers, and we walked back to the Bananamobile in the moonlight, still recuperating from a very, very strange experience.
NEXT CHAPTER YOU GET TO KNOW THE SECRET OF INUYASHA'S MYSTERIOUS PAST! SEE INUYASHA AND KAGOME FINALLY KISS RIGHT! AND MAYBE… FIND MORE JEWEL SHARDS?? WHO KNOWS? So keep reading and reviewing and I'll update! Please? Maybe? No? Well, I'll update anyways, because it gives me an excuse to go on my computer and play Fate! Super-special thanks to Tegan12, Maia, Petpeeves12 (yes I put up a disclaimer, see?), Scorpio, Kitkatka, Eve (I started reading Lord of Light just because of you and I really like Sam!XD), CanYouTurnMyBlackRosesRed (yes I know what ASAP means), HispanicInuyashaLover (my most faithful reviewer!XD) and Zmiley (my other most faithful reviewer- so so so sorry 4 greatly editing the story). REEEEEEEEEEEEVIEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWW PLEAAAAAAAAAAAASE!!XDD (for all u folks out there who fav my story and then never review- not that I don't love u for it, of course).XD