InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ All But One ❯ Play-Acting ( Chapter 9 )

All But One

Inordinately Late Disclaimer: Yeah, yeah, whatever. The same to you too, sweet-cheeks.

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Chapter Nine: Play-Acting

Kagome came back from class to find the door to her (and Sango's) room open, and Sango herself inside, in deep conversation with a strange young woman she'd never seen before. She had muddy-olive green hair with neon highlights that went strangely but well with her dark skin, black eyes, green and brown, vaguely Hindu-esque clothing, the yellow stone in her ring and on her forehead… She looked like a tree spirit version of Fuji. Weird. It also looked like she and Sango were in the middle of some sort of project that required scissors, glue, and a lot of paper.

Kagome stepped through the doorway and took off her shoes. "I'm back."

"Welcome back," Sango said, as she and the other woman looked up. "This is Ratri. Ratri, this is my roommate, Kagome.'

"Pleased to meet you," Ratri said, smiling.

"Pleased to meet you," Kagome echoed. "Let me drop off my books and I'll get out of your way, okay?"

"Where are you going?"

Kagome put her books down on her desk but kept her purse and grabbed a light jacket. "I think I'll visit home… maybe drag some people with me."

"Aww… I wish I could go too."

"But you can't, huh? What are you working on?"

"A presentation on the Hindu goddess Kali." Ratri grinned. "I'm not willing to kill for her, but objectively speaking she's my favorite."

"Ah? What is she the goddess of?"

"Destruction."

"Sounds like someone Fuji would like."

"Sango said the same thing," Ratri nodded at her. "I should meet her some day."

"She's right across the hall," Sango said.

"Nice."

Kagome put her shoes on. "I'm leaving!"

"Be safe," Sango said.

Kagome looked back and saw that they were already absorbed in their project again.

"Hey," Fuji said, when Kagome had been standing almost in her doorway for several moments. "What's up?"

"I think that I want to visit home," Kagome said slowly. "I'm trying to think who I want to come with me."

"Your home's with walking distance, yeah?"

"Yes."

"Can I come?"

Kagome blinked, startled though she didn't know why. "Sure. If you like."

"Thanks. Oh, does Inuyasha know your family?"

"Yeah, he does… That's a good idea, I'll ask him."

"Sesshoumaru's in there too."

"I'm not surprised." She moved to the other door, which was closed, and knocked. "Hello?"

"Hiten's not here!" Inuyasha called through the door.

"It's Kagome!"

"Oh." There was rustled movement - somebody tripped and cursed - and then Inuyasha opened the door. His clothing was mussed, his hair was in, and he was flushed lightly and breathing in quick gasps.

Kagome raised an eyebrow. "Is Kikyo here?"

"Not that I know of," Fuji said from her doorway. She looked distinctly amused.

"You get too involved in too many things for your own good," Inuyasha said, glowering. "No, she's not here." He stepped back, and Kagome saw Sesshoumaru half sprawled on one of the beds - also mussed, flushed, and panting - grinning like mad.

"Ah, my hero," he said. "Inuyasha was trying to molest me."

"I was not!" Inuyasha flushed harder.

"It does kind of look like it," Kagome said, then grimaced to herself. Man, talk about bad influence! Her mother and grandfather would not be proud of her informal, improper behavior. And her greatest influence, Fuji, was coming over to stand behind her right now.

"I was trying to strangle him," Inuyasha admitted. "But he wouldn't stay still."

"Of course not," Sesshoumaru said, sitting up and almost sliding off the bed. "You wanted something?"

"Yes. I'm going to visit the shrine, want to come?"

"Is your grandfather going to chase me around?" Inuyasha asked warily.

"He'll have Fuji to distract him. And Sesshoumaru, if he's willing."

"I am."

"What about Souta?"

"He's 15 now - he's not going to bother you like he did before. Sorry about that again, by the way."

"It's okay."

"Bother you?" Sesshoumaru asked.

Kagome sighed. "Grandpa has a fixation on `demons'. He accused Inuyasha of being one, based on his name, and wouldn't give up."

"So I ran with it," Inuyasha continued. "I said that I was only half demon, and then Souta started asking me for stores and made me his idol or something. Eventually, I had to resort to sneaking ideas from a popular manga."

"Oh?" This time it was Fuji. "Which one?"

"I don't remember, but the subtitle was something like `A Feudal Fairytale'." [1]

"Nice," Sesshoumaru said. "So are we going? It's almost 3:00."

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[1] Some of you may know that this is Inuyasha's own subtitle: Sengoku o-Tougi Zoushi translates roughly to `A Feudal Fairytale'.

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"I'm back!" Kagome called cheerfully, once she reached the top of the steps to the shrine. "Mama, Souta, Grandpa!"

"Ah, welcome back!" Mrs. Higurashi said. "Your grandfather is by the god-tree."

"Hey Kagome!" Souta yelled from his window. "Hey Inuyasha!"

"Hey kid!" Inuyasha waved. "Hey, Mrs. H. Remember me?"

"Inuyasha, of course! How are you doing?"

"Fine, fine. Kagome moved into my hall, so I'm keeping watch over her for you."

"How nice."

"Your hall?" Fuji muttered.

"Oh my! Kagome, who are your friends?"

"Sorry, Mama. This is Fuji, and this is Sesshoumaru. They are also my best friends."

"Not your boyfriend?"

"Mama!"

"Well, I can't help but want to see the next generation, and now that you're living on your own…"

"Mama!"

"Yeah, my dad's grandchildren-happy too," Inuyasha said, rubbing at the nape of his neck. "You said gramps was in the back, Mrs. H?"

"Yes, he is. Why don't you pay the tree a visit too?"

"Sure."

"Come on," Kagome said. "It's this way." She led them out. "Grandpa?"

"Ah, Kagome, welcome back. Inuyasha? You're back?"

"Just for a visit, grandpa."

"Alright then." He looked beyond them. "Demon! Stay back!" He rushed forward and slapped an ofuda on Fuji's forehead.

She blinked, and her eyes crossed to look at the piece of paper. Then she reached up and took it off. "Sorry, I'm a vampire. These don't work on me."

"Ah. My apologies, Miss Vampire."

"My name is Fuji, grandfather."

"Miss Fuji, then."

Kagome grinned at Inuyasha behind her grandfather's back as Fuji joined them. That had worked surprisingly well.

Then the old man's attention was caught by the last of their group and reached for his ofuda again.

Sesshoumaru, prepared, caught the stack and the paper in his hand before the old man could move far, and tossed them to the side.

Inuyasha grinned. He would get revenge! "That would be the demon lord of the west."

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow. "This Sesshoumaru does not need your meddlesome words, dear little brother." [2]

"I was going to say he's a Celtic demi-god," Fuji whispered to Kagome, "but this works better."

Kagome nodded.

Missing the exchange, Grandpa looked at his scattered ofuda, then at Sesshoumaru. "A pleasure to meet you, m'lord."

"Indeed."

Inuyasha snickered.

"Kagome! Soura! Grandfather!" Mrs. Higurashi called. "Tea is ready!"

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[2] I couldn't resist. ^_^

For some reason, I feel like adding in here: Tomo is sort of a female (in body) version of Seiryuu's Tomo (Fushigi Yuugi) and Pantyhose Taro (Ranma 1/2) combined. He wasn't supposed to be, but the previous chapter made it so.

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Kagome sat across the table from her mother. Outside, she could see Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha near the well house, in quiet conversation (a little sullen on Inuyasha's side, since Grandpa was not chasing Sesshoumaru around the shrine as expected) and Fuji, who seemed to be trying to communicate with the god-tree and having success.

It was a stupid thing to bring just them to visit. Inuyasha, of course, her family already knew, so it was fine. But he was considered half-foreign now, and Sesshoumaru and Fuji were complete foreigners, and… Well, she should have brought along at least one fully Japanese friend, so it wouldn't look like she was `falling in with a bad crowd.'

"Kagome," her mother said quietly.

Kagome looked back at her. "Yes?"

"Are these really your best friends?"

She sighed. Great, here goes. "Yes, they are. Inuyasha - well, you know Inuyasha! And Fuji lives right across the hall from me, and Sesshoumaru is mentor to both Inuyasha and Fuji. I see them a lot."

"They're not Japanese."

Kagome winced. "I know."

"Do they even understand what this place is?"

"I believe so."

"Are you certain? Look at the girl - leaning up against the tree like that, touching it, instead of giving it proper respect"

"Fuji," Kagome stressed, which made her mother's mouth quirk with displeasure, "is not very Japanese, true, but she does believe in the god-tree. She's showing respect by being friendly."

"Friendly!"

"Yes." Kagome knew she was digging herself a bigger hole, one large enough for Fuji as well, but she had to make it clear that her friend wasn't `just another barbarian'. "She told me once that sacred trees are made different from the other trees, so they must get lonely."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, she said… It's like, for example, before when the spirits roamed freely, if a shrine attendant manifested strong powers and was able to purify the spirits and protect her village, the people of the village would revere her, but they would also be a little frightened and in awe, and they wouldn't feel they were really worthy to be near her, so she would become lonely because her responsibilities and her powers would keep her from really having a family. See?"

"I think so."

"Fuji says that it's the same with any living thing. So, because the god-tree's holiness keeps it separated from the other trees, she thinks someone should come and be with it every now and then, so it won't feel so alone and can stay happy and healthy."

"How unusual."

"Well, it is, but she still understands."

Her mother nodded. "I suppose. Still, though we're very proud of you for making it into college, you should consider your friends and your potential husband very carefully. We don't expect you to marry before you graduate, but you are the heir until Souta reaches age, and your children may still be called upon if he does not have any."

"I understand, Mama."

"You have always taken your duty seriously. I am proud of you, daughter."

"Thank you, Mama."

"Now, why don't you - goodness! Visitors!"

"Oh! Kagome stood up. "Hiten, Mayu! Mama, these are two more friends who live in my hall."

Mrs. Higurashi quickly took in the more traditional clothing they had donned to visit the shrine, and the proper way they held themselves, and smiled warmly. "Welcome to Dusk Shrine."

"Thank you," Hiten said, bowing. "We came to pay our respects, and to deliver a message from lady Miru."

"Lady Miru is the Buddhist nun at the college, Mama," Kagome put in quickly.

Mrs. Higurashi nodded.

"She requests that her advisee return to discuss a possible mentorship in spiritual ability."

"Kagome, don't you already…?"

"My advisor is Professor Myoga, in history," Kagome said. "Fuji is lady Miru's advisee."

Her mother's eyes widened momentarily, before she smiled again. "Certainly, you must return to the college. Best wishes, Kagome."

"Thank you, Mama. We'll be going."

"Be safe."

Kagome got up, put on her shoes, and made her way out to the others. She took Fuji by one arm (startling her somewhat) and Inuyasha by the other and smiling at Sesshoumaru before pulling them away. She said nothing until they reached the bottom of the steps and were on their way back. Then she dropped their arms and said, in a tight voice, "Fuji, your advisor wants to talk to you about getting a SASMP mentor. My mother was most pleased to discover that, despite your foreignness, you are not a complete barbarian."

"What?" Sesshoumaru asked, quickly taking Inuyasha's place and putting an arm around her shoulders.

"I never felt so divided before," she said, miserable. "What does it matter if someone is Japanese or not? Why do I have to choose a husband based upon what our children would be?"

"Come on," Fuji said, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Let's get you back, and then you can talk to Tomo. He'll understand."

"Yeah," Inuyasha said. They led her gently back to her room. Ratri and Sango had left, and Sesshoumaru stayed with her while Inuyasha went to look for Tomo, and Fuji hugged her quickly before going off to find her advisor.

Tomo came in and sat beside her, shooing Sesshoumaru out of the room. "I know how you feel," he said. "Let's talk."

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Much as I wish otherwise, there is a lot of prejudice in the world. The pressure on Kagome is much the same as on Ranma - honor, duty, family, and all that. Tomo, remember, is in a similar situation: he has to choose either himself or his family but cannot have both. Although I didn't intend it like this originally, it leads nicely to the scene with Naraku, if you people still want it.

1st place: Sess/Kag (15)
2nd place: Fuji/Kag (5) \ Sess/Fuji/Kag (5)

I'm still taking votes, you know…

I got a review complaining that I'm twisting the plot around! Thank you! *bows* You have noticed that I don't have just a series of events, but a life!

A question for my readers: Should the valentine's day porn cookies be a thing of the present or of the past?