InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bad Influences ❯ Bad Influence # Twenty-Four: Missing Someone ( Chapter 24 )

Holy Cow, had it really been THAT long since I updated this fic? I guess it has…sorry. It's was all Chemistry's fault! I never had to work so hard for one class, but I passed…with a B. Shocking. Merry Christma-hanza-kwanzaka and Happy 2009 from Jian! ^_^

 

Anyway, this chapter is just filler, but I hope you enjoy it either way.

 

 

Disclaimer: I don't have the genius or the right to say that I own Inuyasha. The idea belongs to Romiko Takahashi alone!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bad Influence # Twenty-Four: Missing Someone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kagome threw her bag onto the carpet before flopping down on her bed. Track practice in the morning, followed by the college preparatory classes she'd taken over the summer, had worked up such exhaustion that she could already feel her eyes closing. Unwilling to move from her bed, she didn't even have the will to turn off her bedroom light. At least tomorrow was Saturday, which meant she had no evening classes.

 

It was times like these that she'd envy Inuyasha for his laziness, and photographic memory. Kagome turned over in bed and punched her pillow. It was nice of him to tell her that he had to go overseas with his family, but he could have picked a better time to do it. The first day at the beach house had been so wonderful, she should have known that it would have had to end with unlucky news.

 

“TWO MONTHS!” Kagome had gasped.

 

“Yeah.” Inuyasha sighed, leaning his head back.

 

“Did you refuse?”

 

“Of course I did!” Inuyasha huffed. “But the old man wouldn't hear it! He thinks I'll get into trouble if I stay here for the rest of the summer. Trust me, I can think of a thousand things to do then to go overseas with him and my brother.”

 

“So when are you leaving?”

 

“In two weeks. I managed to get my old man to wait until after Maki goes back to school.”

 

It had been hard to have fun when she kept thinking about how Maki and Inuyasha would be in a plane when it was over. The trip to the airport had been an ordeal and an experience. Maki, though upset that she was leaving, still wanted to have a mini-party while checking in her luggage. She had challenged Inuyasha to a race of sorts. They had taken luggage carts and were zooming across terminals while Satoshi and Miroku cheered. It had been fun until security threatened to have them removed. Kagome giggled at the memory. She had been against their race from the start. After the security had given Inuyasha and Maki a warning, Kagome scolded them. Maki had leaned into Inuyasha's ear and whispered, “I see what you mean about the bossiness.”

 

Before Maki had gotten on her plane, she'd given all of them a hug including Miroku. It ended with Sango and Maki slapping him for his wondering hands. “Why did you even do it?” Inuyasha had asked.

 

“I felt bad that I left him out. Guess I learned my lesson.”

 

It had been a little depressing for Kagome to go with Inuyasha to the airport just two days after Maki had left. She had been a little surprised when he said he would have been alone if she hadn't come with him. Thinking that Inuyasha's father and brother would be waiting for him in the terminal, Kagome was surprised when Inuyasha told her that he'd purposely asked for a different airline then the one his family was taking. “There's no way in hell I'm going to be sitting between my old man and my gay brother for hours.”

 

Kagome sighed. It would be nice if Inuyasha were here to liven up her dreary week. Things just seemed a lot duller without him around to tease her, not that she'll ever admit that to him. It wasn't like he was her only outlet to fun. When she wasn't studying or running, Souta helped her practice playing videogames so she could beat Maki in a fighting game tournament. At times, Sango came over and insisted on dragging her out of the house for summer fun. Even Satoshi made an appearance. She'd been out helping Souta get around on his crutches when she saw him shopping at a grocery store. He gave her brother some nice tips about soccer.

 

Even though she was having a decent summer, Kagome still wished that she could have spent the whole thing with her new boyfriend. She wasn't one to believe in romantic superstitions, but the idea that some break-ups happen because of long distance relationships, or weeks away from one's partner, still hovered in Kagome's mind.

 

“What's wrong with me? I'm acting like a ninny!” She threw her pillow at the wall.

 

When did she become so hopeless? Sure she missed him, but it was easier to face the summer when he wasn't on her mind and it was really hard not to focus on him when she was bored. Unless Kagome kept herself busy with work, she'd find herself sighing wistfully and waiting for the summer to be over.

 

This was ridiculous! She wasn't the type of girl that was fixated on her boyfriend like her whole world revolved around him. Why couldn't she get him out her mind?

 

“He could at least have given me a number to contact him by so I could yell at him.”

 

Tired of sitting on her bed fuming, Kagome left her room and headed for the kitchen. She had been drinking her third glass of water when Mama appeared from hallway.

 

“Something wrong dear?” She watched Kagome chug down another glass of water before setting the glass down and rubbing her hand against her forehead.

 

“Brain-freeze.” Kagome groaned.

 

“Something on your mind?”

 

More like someone on my mind, Kagome thought as she glared at her cup.

 

“I know you want to be prepared for the entrance exams, but try not to study yourself into a coma.” Mrs. Higurashi placed a warm hand on her daughter's forehead. “And please don't increase your study time so you won't thinking about missing someone.”

 

“Mama!”

 

“Well you miss him don't you?”

 

“It would be nicer if I didn't miss him this much. I can be fine without him, I know I can, but I wish he wouldn't invade my thoughts when he isn't here.”

 

“It's just the first stages of the relationship sweetheart. It's natural. Give it a few weeks and missing him will only become a nagging feeling in the back of your mind.”

 

“I sure hope so because this is getting really annoying.”

 

Mrs. Higurashi smiled. She knew Kagome too stubborn to admit that she wished to see him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Brain-freeze!” Kagome pushed her ice cream away from her as the pain pierced her head.

 

“That's what you get for eating so fast.” Said Sango from her seat across the table.

 

“Oh whatever.” Kagome rubbed her forehead. “So, what's the wonderful news you wanted to tell me?” She had just come home from running her laps in the morning when Sango called and asked her to join her at their usual restaurant (WacDonalds).

 

“I managed to get a late admissions into your summer classes. Surprise! I'm going to be sitting next to you on Monday night.” Sango smiled.

 

Kagome lowered her spoon slowly. “I thought you said you wanted a peaceful summer.”

 

“Well, that wasn't the reaction I thought I'd get.” Sango said as she pulled her cherry out of her chocolate sundae.

 

“No. I mean, I'm happy that you'll be there with me, but why the sudden change of mind?”

 

Sango bit into her cherry. “Well to be honest, the classes for winter were cancelled, and I'm a little worried about you.”

 

“Oh come on! It isn't that obvious that I'm bored out of my mind since Inuyasha left.” Kagome began stuffing large spoonfuls of ice cream into her mouth to calm down her annoyance.

 

“That's not just it.” Sango frowned.

 

Sensing something wrong in her friend's tone of voice, Kagome put down her plastic utensil and looked up. “What is it?”

 

“Have you been watching the news?” Sango asked.

 

“You mean the gang violence that's been going on? It's not like it's never happened before.”

 

“Yeah, but it still worries me. I mean, I know you can handle a few jerks, but your classes being at night…it just never hurts to play it safe you know. Besides, I really need that class and I'd feel a whole lot better if you weren't going home by yourself every night.” Sango smiled.

 

“Thanks for worrying about me, Sango, but I think I'll be okay. The school isn't far from my house.” Kagome's reassuring grin did not remove the nervous expression from her best friend's face.

 

“What?”

 

“It's just that, Miroku was the one that told me to be careful. He jokes around a lot so I was really surprised to see him so serious. He told me to tell you to take extra care too.” Sango squinted at her ice cream. “I mean, there have been reports of these types of things in the past. They're almost impossible to avoid in a big city like this, but to see the looks on their faces…”

 

“You mean Satoshi was upset too?” Kagome asked.

 

“Yeah. I would just feel a lot better if you weren't alone at night. Maybe I'm being paranoid.”

 

Kagome reached across the table and put a hand on Sango's shoulder. “Listen, if it makes you feel better, that's fine with me. Besides, the class would be less boring if you were with me.”

 

“Thanks Kagome”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kagome stood in front of her class on Wednesday night tapping her foot and glancing at her watch. Sango was late and the class started in fifteen minutes. It was a lot easier to deal work with when the two of them were together. Having someone to be with her before and after class also kept her focused on the material, and it wasn't so bad to have someone she could study with, but it would be nicer if Sango weren't tardy all the time.

 

The past few days, she'd barely made it into the classroom. Speak of the devil, Kagome thought as Sango rushed up to her, gasping. “I don't know how you stand it! I wish I had your legs, Kagome.” Sango puffed.

 

“Where were you? I was starting to worry. What you said on Saturday has me paranoid now.” Kagome shook her head.

 

“Sorry.” Sango smiled apologetically.

 

It took a moment for the class to start, mostly because another girl had come bustling into the classroom with her clothing disheveled. Kagome had been doodling on the edge of her notebook when she heard the girl speak. “Is it still too late to join the summer preparatory classes?” She asked the instructor.

 

Looking up, Kagome squinted at the girl in front of the class. The last day to register was Friday. Did she not know?

 

“The deadline was last Friday.” The teacher said stoically.

 

“Can you please make an exception? I registered for the classes at my old school. I was supposed to transfer in to this school in September, but we moved earlier then I thought, so I thought I still had time to get in with a late application.” The girl said quickly.

 

“Hmm.” Kagome watched the girl bite her lower lip as the teacher considered. “I suppose we can let you in. Bring in your application from your other class and we'll make a late entry.”

 

The girl beamed. “Take a seat. We'll be starting in a few minutes.” The teacher said. Noticing an empty seat next to Kagome, the girl rushed to grab it, throwing her bag on the floor. She sat with a relieved sigh.

 

“Welcome to the class.” Kagome said politely.

 

“Thanks. Do you go to this school?” She asked.

 

“Yes. I'm actually the student council vice president for senior class B.” Kagome smiled. “And she's treasurer.” Kagome pointed at Sango behind her. The girl waved to her.

 

“I'm Haruhi. My folks just moved back here from Hokkaido.”

 

“Nice to meet you,” said Sango.

 

“Same here. I'm really glad I know some students from the senior class. I hate being the new kid.” She smiled.

 

Try as she might, Kagome couldn't help thinking about Inuyasha. Did he also hate being new to her school? Trying to remove him from her thoughts before she felt that familiar and unwanted tingly feeling in her stomach, Kagome shook hands with Haruhi saying, “Welcome to our school.”

 

Over the next few days, Kagome fell into a routine. She practiced track in the morning and spent most of the afternoon either studying or keeping Souta company. He was recovering well, especially since other kids from his class came to visit him and help him walk on his crutches. The rest of Kagome's day was spent in her night classes with Sango and Haruhi.

 

It turned out that Haruhi was going to transfer into Kagome's school before her family moved three years earlier. “Why did you move back?” Sango asked.

 

“My dad got a good job offer. Plus my mom started to miss her family here.” Haruhi had shrugged.

 

Despite the fact that she'd made a new friend, Kagome's summer was going by monotonously. It wasn't that she couldn't enjoy herself. It was the fact that there was this hovering feeling of restlessness over her. The same feeling had started one night while she was doing homework. Thinking that the room was too hot, Kagome had stood from her desk to open her window.

 

It would be the summer festival soon, Kagome thought as she leaned against her windowsill, staring out into the back yard. She had wanted to go with Sango and maybe Inuyasha to see the fireworks, but now she was too busy. Besides, she wasn't in the mood.

 

The sound of her bedroom door opening pulled Kagome from the window. Mrs. Higurashi came in holding some tea and carrying a piece of paper under her arm. “Working hard?” She asked as Kagome took the cup from her.

 

“Too hard.” Kagome sighed.

 

“Well maybe this will help you feel a little bit better. It came for you in the mail yesterday.”

 

Kagome took the letter and stared at it with wide eyes. She didn't open it until her mother had left the room. She turned the envelope over. It was from Maki. It looked like a really thick letter. Ripping the seal, Kagome pulled out the contents. Surprised, Kagome repressed a groan. Of course he wasn't the type to write something like this. Sitting back down at her desk, Kagome began to read.

 

“Hi, Kagome. How's your summer? Don't ask me how I got your address, I have my ways.”

 

Kagome laughed. She even sounded like herself while writing. It was then she realized that she missed Maki too.

 

“I'm doing fine. Is it as hot there as it is at London? I bet it is. Tell Satoshi and Miroku I said hi, if you can. I wanted to send you a letter, because I was so sure that a certain someone wouldn't. Don't tell Inuyasha I sent you this. When I was unpacking back at my dorm in London, I saw I my camera, and I remembered that I still had to get our pictures developed. I sent some copies to Satoshi and Miroku, and I thought it might be nice if you get the photos too. Could you give some of the doubles to Sango for me? I would have sent them to her, but Miroku refused to give me her address. Maybe he thinks I might tell her some dirty secrets about his old girlfriends.”

 

“Anyway, I'm sending you some pictures the other's aren't getting. Think of it as my summer present to you. Besides, I felt bad that I gave Inuyasha a picture of you when you don't have any pictures of him.”

 

Kagome almost dropped the envelope. She looked up for a moment before re-reading that last sentence and then finishing the rest of the letter.

 

“I hope you like them. I can't wait to hear what you have to say when I come back in the winter. My year aboard is almost up, so I'm going to be moving back to Tokyo. It might be a little hard to get back into my old university, but I think I'll manage. I hope to see you and the guys soon, and I hope you and Sango are doing well. Tell her I said hi too. If you feel like sending me a letter filled with complements, or complaints (I hope not), about my photography, my address is on the other paper. Best wishes, Maki.”

 

Kagome pulled out a small packet of photographs. She set the envelope and the letter itself down on her desk before she sat down on her bed to look at the pictures. There was one with the six of them in front of Jun's beach house. There was a picture of her and Inuyasha playing videogames and a picture of everyone, including June, playing volleyball. Kagome laughed when she looked at the picture of herself. She was sitting on a surfboard with Inuyasha waist deep in water.

 

There were some pictures of Sango, Maki, Jun and herself when they were cooking pizza. Kagome wondered when Maki had taken these pictures. Did she carry her camera everywhere? There was even a photograph of Inuyasha and Satoshi competing to see who can eat a slice pepperoni the fastest.

 

Kagome flipped to see the last few pictures. It was a picture of her boyfriend. Attached to it was a piece of paper that said, in Maki's handwriting, “Surprise!” Kagome stared. When had she taken this? It was nighttime in the background, and Inuyasha was standing with his bare feet at the edge of the shore, watching the waves. Setting the picture down, Kagome looked at the second photo of her boyfriend. He was sleeping in this one. Kagome blushed when she looked at the last picture.

 

When and how had Maki taken that? It must have the last night before they drove back from the beach house, because there was no way that Maki could have taken this picture beforehand. In the picture, she was kissing Inuyasha on the patio of Jun's beach house with the ocean in the background. Kagome blushed. It wasn't because of the picture. It was the idea that Maki had been watching.

 

Despite the fact that looking at the last photograph made her giggle nervously, Kagome took her three special presents and put them on her desk, intent on scrap-booking them later. She separated the doubles and put them aside, thinking that she'll give them to Sango when she saw her in class the next day.

 

Feeling a little chilly, Kagome closed her window. She stood in her room for a moment, thinking, and then locked her door. Pulling out her old photo album from under her bed, Kagome put two of her presents into empty photo holders. She then put the album back and lied down on her belly while staring at the first picture of Inuyasha that Maki had sent her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kagome jumped and then settled down when she realized that it was only her mother knocking at the door. Had she fallen asleep? She must have fallen into a light doze since she felt slightly groggy. “Are you changing?” Her mother called.

 

“No. Hang on, I'll open it!” Kagome hid Inuyasha's picture under her pillow and rushed to open the door.

 

“What is it?” She asked her mother.

 

“Phone call.” Said Mrs. Higurashi before she handed Kagome the phone and walked away.

 

Blinking Kagome walked back into her room. “Hello?”

 

“You sound as bored as an atheist in church on Sunday morning.”

 

Kagome sat down on her bed. “Hello? Kagome, are you there?”

 

“Yeah, I'm here.” It took a few moments for her mind to awaken and understand the voice on the line.

 

“Why do you sound like that? I call to ask you how you're feeling and you…”

 

“I'm a little pissed.”

 

“At?”

 

“You! Why didn't you call me sooner? It's been weeks!”

 

“Aw, did you miss me?” Inuyasha chuckled.

 

“Maybe.” Kagome said as she pulled his picture from under her pillow.

 

“Ouch. That's really nice. Maybe I shouldn't have called if that's how you feel.”

 

“No!” Kagome hastened to say when it sounded like he was going to hang up. “I'm just a little annoyed that you didn't leave me a number to contact you by and you finally call me four weeks after you left.”

 

There was a pause. “Inuyasha?”

 

“I'm listening. Sorry I didn't give you a number. I forgot.”

 

“Really.” Kagome squinted. “Then why didn't you call?”

 

“To be honest, I wasn't sure if you would be home when I did. You said your summer classes were starting the day I went to the airport. Plus you mentioned track practice in the morning. I wasn't sure when to call, or if it was the right time to call.”

 

Kagome forgot that he was in a different time zone. She'd been so busy missing him, she had let out her frustration when he called. “I'm sorry I yelled.”

 

“I'm sorry you're not here with me. I'm going to go bat-shit insane!” Inuyasha whined.

 

“Why? Is Hong Kong that boring?” Kagome asked.

 

“When I'm here with my old man and my brother and there's no one to make fun or, tease or kiss, yes it is.”

 

“Oh, is that all I'm good for? For a laugh?”

 

“No. I'd rather be there with you and everyone else then here.”

 

“It can't be that bad. There's no one there to spend time with?”

 

“I do have a cousin here, but she's only nine. It's not that I don't like kids, I love Han Lin, but I can't spend all my time with her.”

 

“So what do you do everyday?”

 

“Walk around town selling drugs.”

 

“You're not serious, are you?”

 

“Nope. I've made enough money to support myself for the next ten years. The clientele here is amazing. I have to say I'm surprised people still go for opium. I thought it was a dead market-”

 

“Are you crazy! What if the cops find out and you get arrested! You're going to spend your life in a foreign jail! I can't believe you would-”

 

“I can't believe you bought that!” Inuyasha laughed.

 

Kagome glared at the phone. “That wasn't funny.”

 

“Yes it was. I so miss messing with you like this.”

 

“Is that why you called, so you can tease me?”

 

“No, I called because I miss you.” He barked. “And you don't even tell me if you fell the same way. All I get is a `maybe.'”

 

“I'm sorry. So when will you be back?” Kagome couldn't help but ask.

 

“Ah, so you do miss me. I can tell by the desperation in your voice.”

 

“I don't sound desperate.” Kagome grumbled.

 

“Sure you don't. I'll be back in September. I don't think my old man will let me miss school. I'll be there the first day.” He said before Kagome could retort.

 

“What are you going to do for the rest of the summer?” Kagome asked.

 

“I don't know. I'm bored out of my mind here. I tried to get my old man to send me back. What kind of trouble does he expect me to get into anyway?”

 

“Well you did say you have a habit of getting into trouble.” Kagome giggled.

 

“That's real supportive.”

 

“Sorry.”

 

“Do you think you can get the first flight here?”

 

“But I have track and night classes to attend to. I can't just leave when I have responsibilities to deal with.”

 

“You're such a workaholic.”

 

“Well if laziness was an Olympic sport you would be the reigning champion for eight years.”

 

“And I'd be proud of it.”

 

“Can you ever be serious?” Kagome grouched.

 

“Depends on the situation. Can you ever not nag?”

 

“Well, that depends on what you're doing wrong. You will be back when school starts? For sure?”

 

“Yeah. Until then, try to get along with you. I know you're desperately seeking my company. I miss you so my dear girlfriend!” He said dramatically.

 

“Dream on, Inuyasha. It's you that misses me most.”

 

“Oh yeah sure. I miss your red face, I miss making fun of you in person.”

 

Kagome laughed. “I'll see you in September then.”

 

“Yeah, I'll see you then. Want a present from Hong Kong.”

 

“No, just you.” Kagome covered her cheeks.

 

“I'll be sure to bring myself then. Will you make me a welcome back feast?”

 

“So long as you don't eat yourself sick.”

 

“Deal. Goodnight Kagome.”

 

“Bye, Inuyasha.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINALLY! I was starting to worry that I would NEVER get to introduce Haruhi. She does play her part later. You'll see. Huhuhuhuhu! I know I introduced her really briefly and this chapter could have been better, but since I've been wrestling with writer's block I don't think it's as bad as it could be.

 

I hope you enjoyed either way. I'll go back and fix the spelling errors later. Right now, I have to go help Mom with the New Year's preparations.