InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Those We Leave Behind ❯ Raising the Stakes ( Chapter 20 )

Those We Leave Behind

Chapter 20

Raising the Stakes

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“Ayumi!” She couldn't believe it. It had been over six months since she had seen her friend. She hadn't returned at all to the present when she agreed to marry Sesshoumaru, beside the trip he nearly forced her to take, not that he had to.

 

However, after she informed Mama she was getting married, he boiled at the thought of her leaving her rightful place, his castle. Before they had fallen in love, he was training her at Inuyasha's request for reasons she would rather not have remembered.

 

Despite being tackled to the ground, her wannabe linebacker best friend had never seemed more welcome than right now. Adjusting to the elation that filled her, Kagome took the time to notice the subtle changes in her friend.

 

Ayumi, who she had always been a good three inches taller than Kagome herself, was now a good inch or two shorter. Her hair, which had been far shorter, had grown to her shoulder blades and, instead of the baby ponytail she had always worn, a single curly braid ran along her spine. She still wore the green and white uniform from middle school. However, this uniform had the high school insignia, distinguishing it from the ones Kagome had worn out in the Feudal Era.

 

It felt good to be around a friend who didn't expect anything from her, who didn't know supernatural things about her.

 

“My God, Kagome! Its been way too long! You have no idea how much I've missed you.” Suddenly, Ayumi quickly shot up into a sitting position from the spot on the carpeted hardwood floor where she had toppled Kagome to the ground. In doing so, she jerked Kagome's jarred body along with her. “Eri and Yuka are gonna flip! We have to hang out this weekend.”

 

The mirth in her voice brought back memories of when her two biggest concerns were geometry and...well...geometry.

 

“Hold on a second.” Kagome stood and helped Ayumi to her feet. Then, she lead her over to where The boys (minus Hiei) were standing.

 

“Ayumi Igawa, I would like you to meet...” She then motioned to Shuuichi. “...Shuuichi Minamino...”

 

“It's a pleasure.” He gave a slight bow.

 

The color in Ayumi's cheeks grew to a nice, healthy pink color.

 

Kagome pretended not to notice and continued. “...Yusuke Urimeshi...”

 

From his leaning position against the wall, Yusuke took the less polite approach and pointed at her with his index finger toward her and his thumb in the air. However, he could no resist his famous wink.

 

“Yo.”

 

Ayumi's only response was a brief pause to process his...introduction. The first thing she did was to cover her mouth with her hand and giggle. Kagome merely shot him an annoyed glare.

 

“...and last, but most certainly not least, I would like to introduce you to my brother Kazuma Kuwabara.”

 

Ayumi's face lit up like a Christmas tree.

 

“Oh! You're Kazuma! Kagome speaks of you all the time. I thought you were just an imaginary friend she had made up! I mean some of the things you did were far too crazy and embarassing for most people to do.”

 

This was the snippet Yusuke really took interesting. “Don't stop there. Fill me in. I'd like to hear about Kuwabara's childhood. What kind of juicy stuff are we talking about?” Kagome could see his mouth practically watering.

 

“No stories tonight Yusuke! Oh! I gotta tell Mama you're hear. You have to stay for dinner! You can meet my sister and-”

 

Kagome's entire thought process shut down for a second. Something utterly confused her. From the way Ayumi trampled her, she was shocked to find Kagome there. “Ayumi, as much as I love the fact you're here, why are you here?”

 

An anxious, petrified look crossed her face. “Well,” she started out slowly, “I was on my way home from a shopping for the summer festival, and...” This pause accompanied by the look of guilt that crossed her best friend's face scared her.

 

“Ayumi, what happened?”

 

“Well, it was rainy and there was a lot of traffic. And...I almost killed your brother!” Ayumi started bawling. Kagome thought Ayumi was way overdramatizing it but, knowing how Ayumi hated even accidently killing a bug forced tears in her eyes, she could forgive her.

 

“Well, when Souta walked in he looked okay. At least as good as someone can when they're hopping and squirming all the way to the bathroom.”

 

“You don't get it!” Ayumi was a little tweaked. Something could have happened. “I just barely missed running over your brother.”

 

“No, you don't get it. Souta was probably stupid enough to jump in the middle of the road without looking. Also, You didn't hit him. He is perfectly fine, except he might need to work on his bladder control.”

 

A muffled voice permeated the bathroom door to reach the living room.

 

“I heard that!”

 

“Good!” she shouted back.

 

Just then, Mama walked in behind them. They turned to face her as she came in the room. “Kagome, what's all the yelling- Ayumi! Oh my.” Mama came over to hug the girl. “how nice it is to see you! You must stay for dinner.”

 

“Of course I'll stay.”

 

“Excuse me dears. I have to go set another place at the dinner table.” Mrs. Higurashi's smile and attitude left Yusuke really puzzled.

 

“Hey Kagome?” Kagome turned around once again, this time to face Yusuke.

 

“What is it Yusuke?”

 

Yusuke's voice grew soft and non-threatening. She liked it a lot. He unintentionally acted tough far too often for her taste. In some ways, he was very much like a certain hanyou.

 

“Is your mom always like that?”

 

Kurama and Kuwabara knew what Yusuke meant. Kurama refrained from speaking. It was not his place. OR, maybe he was still a little put out that there had been two girls on top of each other on the floor and they didn't invite him. It didn't bode well for his over inflated male ego. Either way, his lips were sealed.

 

“I don't know what you mean, Yusuke.”

 

“She's so...nice. Is she like a robot?”

 

How dare he? Mama didn't do anything wrong. “A robot? You think my mom's a robot?! And what is so wrong with her being nice?!”

 

Kuwabara cut in, not only preventing Yusuke's intelligent retort, but Kagome's tirade as well. “Kag, that's not what he meant. Urimeshi, don't start.”

 

“What do you mean that's not what he-”

 

“His mom ain't like Mama. No one is like Mama.”

 

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Dinner had been pleasant and filled with laughter. Gramps had stayed in his room, saying he needed to rest. Mama decided to eat with him.

 

So it had just been the five boys and Kagome, Shizuru, and Ayumi. They spent a majority of the time telling stories and making fun of Kagome.

 

“I can too sing!” refuted Ayumi's claim that Kagome sang like sick coyote.

 

Ayumi simply giggled at the protest. “Yeah, if you think being tone deaf and off key will get you a recording contract!”

 

Kagome crossed her arms and stuck up her nose. “Well, some people, who actually appreciate talent and aren't too jealous to admit it would disagree.”

 

“Prove it.”

 

“Alright. We'll pick a song and take turns singing it and, we'll both be in another room. That way we can ask these guys to pick the better singer. The loser will have to...um...”

 

The first thought that came to Yusuke's head was “Strip...” Yusuke received hard glares from the three girls and Souta and Kuwabara. He knew what was coming but, he tried to divert the attention on him to someone else. “So, Souta you almost peed in you pants right? Hehe. Don't look at me like that Kagome. Why are you-”

 

“She just knows she's gonna lose. That's why she wants lower stakes. She has no confindence at all.”

 

Kagome now glared at Ayumi. “I do too have confidence! I'm gonna win!”

 

“You don't sound like it.” Ayumi retorted coyly. “As a matter of fact, I think you know you're gonna lose, but you don't want anyone to see your fat butt.”

 

`Damn. Girls get catty.'

 

“You've got a deal. Loser strips to her underwear.”

 

“Deal.”

 

Yusuke's blissful was visible. `YES! I get to see an almost naked girl and I don't get yelled at! This is the best day ever.'

 

“Ladies, shall we begin?” `Maybe he had some opportunity for later. Those two girls will learn the hard way that they can't live without me.'

 

“We'll have to wait.” Kagome began hesitantly. “Afterall, Ayumi is going to have to go home soon and Mama and Gramps are just down the hall.”

 

“Kagome,” Mama called as she entered the room as Gramps leaned on her. “I'm taking your Grandfather to the hospital because I can't get his fever down.”

 

“But-” Kagome tried to interject.

 

“And,” Mama stopped her. “I want you all to stay here, including Ayumi. That storm is getting terrible. I wouldn't even be taking your grandfather if I wasn't so concerned. Well, bye kids.”

 

Kagome was left staring at the door for fifteen seconds after Mama had closed it behind her. Her brain hurt and the way her mouth moved made her look like a fish.

 

`Shit! Why did I make that bet? I am so screwed!'