Chapter 9: Threat

Goodness, Inuyasha, that idiot! Is he retarded?!

Doing this to me in a classroom, during lunch—when anybody could have just walked in.

Anybody.

Well, I wouldn't have cared so much about this 'anybody', but no—anybody—except Kouga-senpai!

I don't know how many times I've prayed mentally to let time stop or—let a hole open up and swallow me, or—or—let a lightening strike me dead on the spot or anything, but no. God didn't hear my prayers. I was facing these two—troublemakers, I would have described them—these two most popular guys at school. And in the most awkward position ever.

Had there been nothing between me and Kouga-senpai, I wouldn't have cared as much, but now, seeing the (malicious) glare he was sending us, I wasn't too sure.

But hey, is it my fault that Inuyasha suddenly decided to 'attack' me?

"Neh, Kagome-chan, I'm hurt," Kouga said sourly, in obvious feigned grief, "You let this,"—he pointed at Inuyasha—"thing, get himself all over you and rejected me?"

Inuyasha released his grip on my wrist, which I started rubbing immediately (there were even finger marks left on them), and whipped around to face Kouga with that sneering look of his, "Excuse me? Why don't I feel surprised that she should reject you?"

("Same goes for you, idiot," I muttered under my breath.)

"Well, you obviously possess slow—abnormally slow, at that—reactions then," Kouga replied, sarcasm written all over his face.

"Ah?" Inuyasha glanced at him, prompting to crack his knuckles, "Is it really just my reactions that are slow? Do you think that a retard like you, are in the position to criticize me?"

Kouga huffed with indignation, grinning with mockery, "Oh, of course, of course, if your reactions weren't so fucktastically slow, you wouldn't have said that fucktastically idiotic piece of crap."

I bit my lip as I watched the two: things are beginning to get ugly. How in the world did this turn out to become a word fight? I'm afraid if this continues, it might turn into a fist fight. Oh goodness, these two seem so absorbed in their seemingly childish argument—

Inuyasha glared, "I guess I'll have to give you a piece of my mind!"

Kouga sniffed with contempt, "I'm afraid you don't have much to spare."

I think I should—

"Stop," I stepped in between them.

Yikes! I could feel two burning glares directed at me!

I cleared my throat, trying to give myself courage, "Uhh, I—don't really understand the cause of your argument, but, um, well, I certainly don't see any reason for you guys to continue this pointless bickering. So, um, if you please—Kouga-senpai? I-I do think that the classes are going to begin soon, so, you might want to return to your classroom?"

It sure felt awkward to talk to Kouga-senpai...

"Oh, of course," Kouga shrugged, "I'll let this slip."

I breathed a sigh of relief.

"—only if you let me do what he did to you."

Now I wasn't expecting that.

"Oh, jealous, are you?" Inuyasha sneered, obviously trying to return Kouga's look of contempt.

"Me, Jealous?" Kouga raised an eyebrow, "Of you? Oh, how you do flatter yourself!"

I rolled my eyes, is this glaring contest going to start all over again? Goodness knows how I managed to get myself into this mess! If it weren't—if it weren't—for Ayame-senpai! Yes! If it weren't for her, I wouldn't even end up in this kind of troublesome situation! I groaned inwardly.

"Kouga-senpai, you know that I couldn't accept that sort of request," I said weakly, trying to sound as polite as I could, which I am finding very difficult to do right now.

"So how come you've let that thing do it?"

("Don't call me 'that thing', you varmint!" Inuyasha shot back.)

I feel a headache coming on. "I didn't accept it, obviously," I huffed out, "I was forced."

"Indeed," Kouga narrowed his eyes.

I couldn't read his expression... but I don't sense anything good.

At last, I heard the distant humming and tapping of footsteps in the corridors: lunchtime was over, and the students are returning to their respective classrooms. Saved! I blessed God. However, the words that Kouga threw at us before he left sent chills down my spine and left me anxious and restless for the rest of the classes that followed—

"Stay afterschool—both of you, if you wish—and meet me in the Second Music Room," smirking, Kouga stepped through the doorway as he cast a last glance back at us, "I assure you'll regret it if you don't."

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My brain must be malfunctioning.

Imagine, being alone at school, walking down the empty corridors, with a guy who has 'attempted to rape you'—going to meet another guy who's 'attempted to rape you'. No matter how you look at it, it is an utterly—and I mean UTTER UTTERLY—beyond idiotic thing to do. So it's either I am a completely brainless idiot, or I've just totally lost it.

Yes, see? The years of bullying by Inuyasha did manage to drive me insane after all!

I totally blame everything on him.

I glanced at said person, who was currently walking on my right, his beautiful eyebrows locked together in a light frown. Woah—he looks—damn it! I whipped my head around to look at the floor. Why is my heartbeat racing?! Calm down... calm down... take deep breaths...

I walked quickly: so Inuyasha wouldn't see my expressions. I definitely must not let him sense anything—arhh—but my increasing heartbeat seems so loud in this silent corridor!

"Oi, idiot."

I turned around slowly, "Wh-Who are you calling an idiot?!"

Inuyasha didn't seem to hear my words; he leaned against the wall, his hand placed on a door handle. "You missed the classroom, stupid."

"O-Oh," was all I could say as I retraced my steps.

The door opened with a swish, and we stepped into the empty classroom. Music sheets were lying everywhere—and under the orange afternoon sunlight, the grand piano that stood in the middle of the room seemed solitary and gloomy—the tables and chairs were scattered around. This was an unused classroom, as the First and Third Music Rooms are located in the more busy parts of the school—where students are more likely to gain access to.

"I wonder if our lovely usher is going to be here anytime soon?" Inuyasha's words dripped with sarcasm.

"At your service, sir," and equally sarcastic voice sounded at the door.

I turned from the piano and looked towards the doorway, where Kouga standing, his eyes filled with indignation and triumph.

Did I mention that I didn't sense anything good?

Inuyasha tilted his head, motioning for Kouga to continue his talk.

The latter walked into the room, "As I was saying—during that fateful lunch—I'd let this event slip if you, Kagome-chan (he added with slight mockery), would let me do whatever he was doing to you."

"And as I was saying, Kouga-senpai," I couldn't hold back the glare, "I couldn't accept such a request."

"You might want to rethink that, sweets," Kouga smirked.

I winced despite myself.

Inuyasha's gaze darkened, but he didn't say anything. It was a wonder... I actually found Inuyasha's presence reassuring—is my subconscious mocking me?

Kouga fished out his phone and stared at it—his gaze never left the screen since.

"I figured that Kagome-chan wouldn't really prefer for this kind of photo to be published?"

My whole body stiffened. "What," my lips quivered, "are you talking about?"

Kouga shook his head in feigned innocence, "I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself. The scene of you two so intimate was too tempting."

"You—" I glared daggers at him, "Y-You couldn't have—"

I only received the beeping on Kouga's phone as a reply.

I dropped my gaze to the floor. What am I supposed to do now? Comply to Kouga-senpai, and throw away my virginity and innocence? Or letting the whole world misunderstand me and Inuyasha's relationship, and be humiliated for the rest of my life?

...why me?

Kouga hummed, "Are you reconsidering my offer now?"

Oh, how I even hate his voice! 'Offer'?! My foot! It's obviously a threat!

"How underhanded." I muttered.

"Life is never fair, my dear. I will be waiting for you, no more than three days!"

I didn't look up as I heard his footsteps fade away.

I felt my hands clench into fists and I bit my lip.

Tears threatened to spill out. But I mustn't cry... I mustn't cry...

All this time, Inuyasha was silent. Even his breathing was so soft, it was inaudible in the deathly still room. Only the breeze still blew—rustling the leaves outside the classroom—and the birds still chirped—a melancholic melody in my ears. I don't know how long I remained that way.

But when those pathetic tears finally streamed down my face, I looked up slowly.

The setting sun cast a golden light into the classroom; eerie shadows covered the floor.

What met my eyes was the lonely piano, the music sheets, the scattered seats and desks—not a person in view.

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Woah, is this story really that well-loved? XD

I would have tried to update faster if I knew so many dear readers were waiting for this fic. Your reviews are very supportive! I really need them to keep me going. (Especially with semester exams coming up. DX Argh, the stress!!)

Remember that criticism is always welcomed! :)

~mysteriously . mesmerized~