Clumsy 3

Author: Profiler120

Email: profiler120@hotmail.com; p_120@yahoo.com

Rating: G

Genre: Romance/ AU (Sesshoumaru/Kagome)

~X~

Act Three: Running in Circles

By Monday, Sesshoumaru was relatively gone from Kagome's main line of thinking. The weekend had been relaxing and overall pleasing. She'd relaxed, listened to some music, done some reviewing in her textbooks, and done various other leisurely activities. Overall, the entire weekend had been great.

Now it was early afternoon. School was over for the day. Her homework was half finished. Now, sitting in front of her vanity with a spray bottle, a comb, hairpins, and several elastic bands for her hair she was running the risk of being late for class! She misted her hair with the water bottle before grabbing her brush and combing through the long, tangled waves. She pulled it tight at the back and quickly spun it into a tight bun that would stay for the duration of her upcoming ballet class.

She quickly ran about her room throwing items in her duffel bag.

"Oh, did I forget anything?" she asked herself aloud. "Who cares!" she exclaimed, grabbed the bag, zipped it up, and skipped quickly down the stairs. Only to drop her bag at the bottom and run back up after a forgotten item then run back down and zoom out the door.

Only to step back inside to shout to her mother she was leaving. She stepped back out and dashed across the shrine courtyard and down the stairs. She glanced once at her watch before picking up in a jog, hoping she wouldn't be late. She sped up when the building came into sight, hauled the heavy glass door open, and stepped inside, panting. A few of the people she knew smiled at her. One girl called out a greeting as she turned down the hall toward the classrooms and disappeared from Kagome's line of sight.

Sesshoumaru was sitting at the front desk, gaze turned downward in a way that didn't invite comment or inquiry. He was probably reading, she deducted. Sesshoumaru had always liked books as far as she could remember. She walked past the desk without his notice and toward the back of the studio where the advanced classes were being held. On the way there she past the beginner ballet and an intermediate jazz class, smiling to herself.

She took jazz herself but didn't enjoy it. It wasn't as beautiful as ballet; of course ballet had been her first love for years now. Ever since her father had died it had become an inseparable part of her life. She pushed the sad thoughts away and dropped her bag outside the room. Her instructor was still with his class before hers. She sat down on the bench, checking over her things at the last minute before she went in.

"Kagome!"

She looked up, Sango was coming up the hall, hair loose, and half dressed with her top removed revealing her leotard beneath.

"Can you help me with my hair? My mom wasn't home and I had to deal with Kohaku," she grumbled as she sat next to her friend.

"Sure,"

Kagome took the brush from her hand and began combing through her long tresses as they chatted aimlessly about nothing. Even when the distance notes of classical music faded and the door clicked open they remained. Twelve or more girls walked past, the instructor following suit but neither girl moved from the bench until a few minutes before class began.

"Chisato said Kikyo would be back in school Wednesday."

"Why is everyone so interested in Kikyo anyway?"

"Well I know the archery club is hoping she'll join. She has a reputation for being skillful with the bow. " Sango replied. " It doesn't really matter to me one way or another but I keep hearing the rumors. I just thought you'd like to know,"

"Hello there! My name is Miroku-"

They both looked right, peering down the hall where she saw the astute upper-class man holding the hand of a startled young dancer. He was grinning good-humoredly as he poured on the charm oblivious to his surroundings or the curious stares people were throwing at him.

Sango turned sharply. "What a playboy!" she exclaimed and stalked into the practice room.

Inuyasha stomped in after his friend, pushing past him and all the girls and taking a detour toward his father's office. Kagome shook her head wearily and grabbed her things making her way to the practice room as the other girls slowly trickled in. A few minutes later the instructor himself appeared and called everyone's attention and class began.

Kagome was just short of stunned when the moment the clock chimed the end of the class, it was her teacher who was the first one gone. It was Inutaisho's last class of the day; still, he usually wasn't in such a rush. She removed her pointe shoes and placed them back in their box, tucking them away in her duffel bag before slipping out into the congested hallway. There wasn't really a time when the dance hall was empty unless no classes were being held.

She had a short ten minutes before she had to continue with her jazz class. As time went by she felt more and more compelled to drop her jazz classes. After all, it was Sango not she, that was an expert dancer when it came to jazz. She wasn't in the advanced class in jazz. Partly because she wasn't that skillful, but mostly it was because she didn't enjoy it. The movements were too quick, the music too loud. It didn't have the same beautiful grace that ballet did and if she were truly being honest, her clumsiness had a way of creeping up on her in jazz. She'd tripped up more than once and that was just short of unbearably embarrassing.

And if she were to look at it in a responsible light, it was expensive as well. Taking dance classes, two ballets and two jazz, cost her mother an average of one hundred dollars per month. Not to mention the fact that she spent upwards of two hundred dollars on miscellaneous supplies such as her leotards, pointe shoes, ballet slippers, jazz shoes, tights, skirts and makeup. It didn't include the ninety to one hundred dollar costumes for the seasonal plays, the competitions, recitals or any other special exhibition performance they did along the year.

She sighed as she slipped past the charming Miroku, still engaged in a mostly one-sided conversation with a girl. Inuyasha was out of sight. She walked forward to the front, dropping her bag by her feet as she stared out the window. Maybe it would be easier on her and her family if she dropped the jazz classes, especially as she didn't particularly enjoy them.

Her schedule was rather hectic. Ballet classes with her classmates on Monday and Wednesday while she took jazz classes after ballet on the same nights. Tuesdays and Thursdays she had ballet classes with Inutaisho at his home. Those classes at least didn't cost any money.

"Kagome, wasn't it?"

She blinked in surprise.

"Y-yes,"

"You remember me, don't you? We know each other, don't we? You look familiar. I mean, from besides a few days ago,"

"We go to the same school," she provided helpfully.

"Do we, really? I am most astonished! That I didn't notice such a beautiful girl-"

"Hey Miroku!"

The dark haired boy paused in his speech. "Ah, hello Inuyasha. You know Kagome, do you not?"

"Of course I know her idiot!" the light haired boy snapped back. "What are you even doing here?"

Kagome promptly glared. "I take classes here!"

"Not you, stupid! Him!"

"Oh," she blushed lightly.

"Haven't you noticed how many girls there are here? I wonder why I never thought of this before," Miroku replied, turning back to Kagome. "How have you been? How's your friend? Sango?"

"I'm fine as for Sango, you should really ask her yourself."

He suddenly brightened. "Where might I find her?"

"She's probably in the back, but you can't go back there."

He started to head in that direction and promptly stopped. "I can't?"

"No. She's in the girls changing room, and boys aren't allowed in there,"

"There's a changing room!? Where?"

"Stupid! You shouldn't have told him that!" Inuyasha suddenly piped up glaring full force at Kagome.

"Nobody asked you!" she snapped back. "Forget this,"

She grabbed her bag, stepping out the door. She had six minutes left. If she hurried she could get to the store, buy a few things, something to snack on and a bottle of water, get back and change before class began. Lucky for her the store was just two lots over and she should have plenty of time.

It was another hour later before the class was done. When Kagome emerged from her classroom Sango was chatting with another girl, who quickly waved her over. They both greeted her warmly and then shared with her the news that one of the other girls had seen their jazz teacher, Toshiki Naru, with Masaharu Inutaisho, their ballet instructor.

"Toshiki-san and Masaharu-san are dating?" Kagome gaped, shocked. "No way!"

"Well I don't know if they're dating exactly. I just know they had dinner together. Aiko and I saw them two days ago!" the girl exclaimed excitedly but in a furtive whisper.

"Haiko, come on! We need to get home!"

Sango and Kagome peered back where Haiko's twin sister Aiko was waving at her.

"I better go. I'll see you guys later,"

"Dating, do you believe it? I didn't think he dated at all," Sango replied, glancing around to see if anyone was listening.

"Me either," Kagome replied. "How was your class?"

"Great! Yours?"

Kagome groaned. "Not so good,"

Sango laughed patting her shoulder reassuringly. "You just need to dedicate yourself more,"

"Actually," Kagome replied with a growing smile. "I think I'm going to quit,"

Sango's merry expression vanished. "What?"

"Just the jazz classes. I'm going to keep my ballet classes." Kagome sighed. "Besides it's not like I'm all that great at it and I don't really like coming to this class. It keeps me an hour later from going home than I really need to be,"

"Oh. Well, if that's what you want. What does your mom say?"

Kagome laughed. "I haven't told her yet,"

"You think she'll be angry?"

"No, I don't think she'll mind," Kagome replied as they reached the front of the dance hall. They both took a seat at one of the tables while they shed their jazz shoes.

"You're not going home in that are you? It's a little cold outside," Sango noted.

"Hmm," Kagome picked up her purple duffel bag and began digging through it eventually coming across a navy blue turtleneck and pulled it over her leotard. She pulled out a folded yellow skirt and slipped it up over her waist. It was now past five o'clock and both girls needed to be going home.

They stood and walked to the door. Kagome's gaze traveled unwilling to the desk, but the one she had sought there was now gone. The front desk was now occupied by Toshiki-san who smiled at her as she walked past.

"See you Thursday Kagome,"

Kagome nodded enthusiastically even though she didn't feel it. The girls shivered slightly in the cooling air. Unfortunately they didn't live very close. Kagome lived down a few streets by Sango lived much further and wasn't really in reasonable walking distance. Usually when Sango came on foot she brought her bike with her or sought transportation.

"Are you walking?"

Sango shook her head. "No, my mom is coming to get me. Oh, there she is! I'll see you tomorrow!"

Kagome waved, smiling as her friend dashed off and got into a car a distance away. She herself had to walk. Her mother never picked her up from anywhere, but she didn't really mind. She liked the alone time. She didn't even notice that Sango was long gone now as she started toward the sidewalk to make her way home.

She began her lonely walk homeward listening absently to the sounds around her. Her mind was twisting and twirling around thoughts of dropping the unnecessary classes. Her mother wouldn't be upset would she? What would she do if she didn't take the jazz classes?

The world around her faded and narrowed only to the sidewalk in front of her. She heard nothing but her own thoughts and saw nothing but her pathway. So engrossed was she that the sudden warm pressure of a hand on her shoulder, startled her greatly. She whirled around, with wide startled eyes.

"Don't do that Inuyasha!"

"Feh!" he crossed his arms and she hurriedly turned away and began walking.

"Hey wench I wanna talk to you!"

She stopped and turned to him. "Wench? Did you just-"

"Ahhh, listen! Are you leaving the stupid dance place?"

"What?" her anger faded.

"Are you leaving my dad's classes?"

He seemed impatient and fidgety as though he were seriously interested in her reply.

"Of course not," she replied. "Why would I?"

"I heard girls whispering that you were leaving and the position of lead dancer was open,"

"Principle dancer,"

"Whatever, I don't care about stupid girly words,"

She narrowed her eyes. "Is that all you wanted, louse?"

He blinked. "Louse?"

She smiled suddenly and brightly before she took of running.

"See you later,"

He remained where he was sputtering insults.

"Inuyasha," a soft voice broke his concentration on the fading female and he turned his gaze off ward.

~X~

"Mom, I'm home!"

"Ah, Kagome,"

Her grandfather sauntered in slowly from an adjoining room.

"I'm glad you're home." He thrust a broom in her hands. "Sweep the shrine steps,"

She frowned but proceeded outside anyway. There was probably an hour or more time before dinner anyway and it wasn't quite dark outside yet. She dropped her bag inside the door, slipped her shoes back on, and proceeded with the assigned task. She frowned as she worked. Apparently someone in the studio had overheard her conversation with Sango. Not surprising.

What was disturbing about the whole matter was that now rumors would be spread all over about her and they weren't even true. She sighed. Worst of all was that Masaharu-san would think she was quitting on him. She half expected him to call or even to show up personally to-

"Kagome, there you are,"

She looked up and almost rolled her eyes on how precise she'd been. There he stood.

"Masaharu-san, how nice to see you,"

She felt dumb for saying it and expected she looked just as pathetic. As though she hadn't seen the man two or more hours ago. She almost scoffed at herself when she noticed another figure coming up the shrine stairs and promptly paled. Sesshoumaru had come with him!

"Kagome. You are all right aren't you?"

Inutaisho's deep voice brought her eyes back to him.

"Yes, I'm okay. Um…" she glanced back once more. "What brings you here?"

"I heard the girls discussing an open place for principle dancer. Were you planning on leaving?"

Kagome hung her head, momentarily forgetting about Sesshoumaru who showed no signs of approaching them quickly. Rather he was languishing by the stairs, looking around as if trying to refresh his memory of the place where he'd spent many childhood hours.

"I was thinking about dropping my jazz classes, but just those, really!"

"I see,"

She looked up, he didn't sound happy.

"Are you sure everything's all right?" He was now leaning down closer to her, a hand on her shoulder. "Inuyasha hasn't been bothering you or anything has he?"

She laughed. "No, I actually don't see him very much. But nothing's wrong. I was just thinking that I should just give up the jazz classes because they don't really help with my ballet and I don't really like going,"

He nodded.

"That's okay, isn't it?" she asked doubtfully.

"Yes it's fine. If you're going to continue with me it's going to be a trying year, perhaps it would be easier for you without the distraction of another dance class," he smiled and she sighed, very much relieved. He stood straight up ahead, turning slightly to glance back. "It's been a long time since we were last here,"

She wasn't sure whom he was addressing, so she didn't say anything at all.

"Do you remember this place Sesshoumaru? You used to play with Inuyasha and Kagome here when you were children,"

Sesshoumaru turned toward them, and leveled a cool gaze upon them. As though the memory was unwelcome and forgotten, but Kagome doubted he had truly left the memories behind.

She herself had tried to leave certain memories but they plagued her still.

"I remember coming here," was all the reply he would give.

Light footsteps on the stairs drew their attention and a dark haired woman appeared.

"Oh!" she stopped promptly her gaze traveling from one person to another where it landed upon her daughter. "Masaharu-san! I haven't seen you in so long!" she exclaimed.

The silence cracked under the jovial pleasantries that were exchanged momentarily afterwards. The two adults shuffled into the house while Kagome lingered on the path. Sesshoumaru had yet to move from his place by the stairs.

"Aren't you going to go inside?" she dared to venture.

"Aren't you?" he countered.

She grimaced. "I have to sweep,"

Without further comment, she continued, and he remained still. He turned away from her, she noted and stared down toward the street. She wanted to say something but didn't dare. When the last of her sweeping was finished she turned back toward him.

"Where is Inuyasha?"

"Disappointed?" was the curt reply.

"Just curious. You don't have to get all snappy!"

"He went out,"

"Oh," she paused a few moments, still clutching the broom. "You want to come in now? It's kind of chilly out here,"

For a moment she didn't think he would even look at her, but after a fleeting moment of silence he complied and she led him inside.