InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Clumsy ❯ A Week and One Half Spent ( Chapter 6 )

Clumsy

Note: As the title implies, this chapter skips ahead one week and one half a week.

It's come to my attention that I've pictured Inuyasha negatively throughout this story. Sorry about that, I do like Inuyasha, but mostly it's through Kagome or Sesshoumaru's point of view. And I really did away with Kagome's attraction to him so he's really more of an annoying friend than a crush.

Act Six: A Week and One Half Spent

"Surprising, even for you Higurashi,"

She turned to face him. Her hair was curled up in her hand and she let it go, tumbling over her shoulder. She grabbed her science book and math book, tucking them into her bag.

"Higurashi?" She asked with a small smile. "What's surprising?"

"Your choice of companions,"

She moved away slightly, picking up her bag. "You have a problem with my friends?"

He glanced over her shoulder where Miroku was once again accosting Sango, who was ignoring him as she walked toward the school doors. She had practice at Inutaisho's tonight.

"I meant the other day at the locker,"

"Last week with Kouga, you mean?"

She purposely looked into her locker to avoid staring at him. "What was surprising about that?" she looked up, directly at him as though she were expecting a challenge.

He knew what she was expecting. He'd been harsh on her before about more than one incident, but it was more likely she was expecting it not because of him, but because of Inuyasha.

Inuyasha had always been harder on her than he ever was. Of course, what was he doing now but purposely trying to rile her up?

She sighed heavily and closed her locker firmly. "Whatever it is… just save it, okay?" she started to walk away from him when he latched onto her wrist. She spun around, not angrily but not pleased. Her friends had long vacated the school hall leaving them alone.

It wasn't until then as he was staring down at her did he notice the frail edge to her countenance. Her eyes looked tired and her general cheerful expression seemed to have been sucked out of her. She sighed again looking more fatigued.

"I really have to go. I don't want to be late,"

No words were exchanged. They just started walking. It was bright, but brisk outside as they continued on together. It was quiet between them, an unnerving silence.

"You have something to say about Kouga or not?"

"Kouga? Where did you meet such a… ruffian?"

"Inuyasha,"she replied as though it explained everything.

He snorted. "Figures. What were you doing with him?"

"He just stops to see me sometimes, not about anything special." The last thing she wanted to was to discuss Kouga and his claims of her being 'his girl' with Sesshoumaru. That would be beyond embarrassing.

Something was wrong about her but he couldn't pinpoint it. It didn't appear that this 'Kouga' was the source of her problem. Should he ask her? He thought of it, asking her what was wrong, but ultimately did not. It wasn't his place to interfere in her personal issues.

When they reached the intersection she turned right, still beside him. He cast a sidelong glance down at her, but she was staring blankly ahead. Her eyes were vacant; her mind was clearly elsewhere. When they reached the house he pushed the door open for her, but she hardly seemed to notice. She stepped inside without a word until Kikyo appeared in the doorway that led to a sitting room.

The emptiness in her eyes popped like a bubble and was replaced by sharpness. As though in that one moment she suddenly felt she were in danger or that her safety net had been lost. The two girls passed by one another without a word, but the glances they gave one another were anything but friendly.

Sesshoumaru watched in silent astonishment at the phenomenal change between the two wondering what could have caused it and wondering if that had anything to do with Kagome's mood. They didn't say anything but verbal communication wasn't necessary to tell that the tentative bond they'd formed on Tuesday had been shattered by events that he wasn't privy to.

Slave to his curiosity he followed her down the hall at a reasonable distance. She either didn't notice or didn't care he was following. After all, it was his house. He paused following her when he spotted his father and backed off. The man was talking to one of his girls about something he wasn't familiar with. Form or steps or something like that.

He was close enough to tell when the topic suddenly switched to the recital in two days. It was being held this Saturday evening. That was important because the week directly following the recital practice began for the season play began. They typically began practice for major events at least six weeks in advance. They'd been practicing for the recital all year.

"Everyone ready for Saturday?"

The was voice distinctly his father's, it was the response that kept him in the hall when he was preparing to depart from it.

"Actually-"

That was Kagome. There was an unusual uncertainty in her voice that wasn't characteristic of her.

"My aunt is in the hospital, she's going to have surgery this weekend. I'm not sure I'll be here for the recital,"

The little crowd around her was stunned. Total silence replaced the quiet excited chatter of moments before. Even he was surprised. Kagome was going to miss the year-end recital? She was the entire centerpiece of her class's performance. This was supposed to be her debut as the principal dancer, and she wasn't going to be here?

"I see, is this definite?"

She shrugged uneasily. "I have to talk to my mom,"

He nodded. "We'll discuss it after practice,"

~X~

"Bye Kagome!"

He heard the shrill shout of a departing female, one of her friends obviously. He couldn't imagine why they insisted upon being so loud. He was sitting at the table, a small steaming cup of tea beside him as he scanned his physics book. His attention faltered as he heard the approach of footsteps and his father with Kagome in tow entered the kitchen.

"Is your aunt very ill?"

She bowed her head. "I think so. I haven't talked with her about it. My mother told me yesterday that she was going to be leaving for the entire weekend. She didn't say whether I could stay or not. The hospital she's staying in a few hours away,"

"I see,"

He was clearly disappointed. His father had worked hard with her, helping her, guiding her. It was natural for it to be a great disappointment.

"There's no one at home?"

"Just my grandfather but he's going with her."

He nodded grimly. "Get your things, I'll take you home,"

She did as he asked leaving him alone with his father.

"I don't believe this," he muttered settling into a chair across from his son.

"What are you going to do?" Sesshoumaru inquired.

"I'll talk to her mother. If her aunt is seriously ill it would be wrong of me to ask her to stay. If it isn't then I will ask her about letting Kagome stay with us for the weekend,"

He swallowed the scalding tea. "Here?" Sesshoumaru spat out.

Kagome had spent a great amount of time with them, but most of it at her own house. She'd never stayed the night in their home before; he wasn't ready to accept the possibility.

Sesshoumaru continued. "Isn't that inappropriate?"

His father glared sharply. "Why? Do you think you'll have a problem keeping your hands to yourself?"

Clearly his father found the situation to be humorous.

"It isn't my behavior I'm concerned with, it's Inuyasha and Kikyo's,"

"Kikyo? Really?"

He could hear Kagome's footsteps now coming up the hall.

"We'll discuss it when I get back, so don't disappear anywhere," his father warned as he stood, grabbing his car keys.

~X~

It was just past a half hour when Sesshoumaru heard the door open and conclude his father had returned. Inuyasha was still loitering about the house with his girl. They'd both had sense enough to stay clear of him.

Yamada Kikyo he didn't know very well. Inuyasha had met the girl somewhere three or four years back. As far as he knew she had just 'appeared' out of nowhere, but most of Inuyasha's friends did, the few that he had. She hadn't ever said much in his presence and when she did it was usually to Inuyasha. What they had in common, he didn't have a clue. Kikyo was much more proper and responsible. It didn't seem logical for a girl like that to hang out with an irresponsible slacker like his brother, but they apparently did like one another. After all, two years later, here she was, back with Inuyasha again.

Not that he himself was anymore the social butterfly. He knew people. Unfortunately more people knew him than he knew them. He didn't mind especially as long as no one got in his way. His popularity hadn't ever done much for him except intimidate people into staying away and draw the stupider ones closer.

He was the idol of the entire female population of his school and regarded as arrogant by everyone else. He wasn't sure how Kagome's circle of friends regarded him and didn't care enough to find out.

"I've spoken to Higurashi-san,"

Sesshoumaru primly closed his advanced mathematics book closed and looked up. "Is she going?"

"No," his father smiled. "So, should I expect more problems with Inuyasha if Kikyo will be here?"

"I don't know what happened between last week and this week, but clearly something did. Kikyo and Kagome are not going to get along and Inuyasha will antagonize the situation,"

His father sighed heavily and then yawned. "Well… I'll deal with it later. Higurashi-san is leaving Friday morning; Kagome won't be here until Friday afternoon after school. You will see that she gets everything that she needs,"

The tone didn't leave room for question but he wasn't about to be saddled with the girl without some type of protest.

"Why me?"

It sounded childish. It was and only earned him a 'you'll do what I tell you glare' from his father, who then left the room. He didn't like it one bit. Not seeing her, not guiding her here, not sharing a house with her, nothing! It was mixture of the most unpleasant of feelings and he hated that too. Damn the girl for always messing up his life!

She was always involved in things he didn't want to do. Well if he was going to be stuck with her the entire weekend, and he would, he had no uncertainties. His father would be far too busy with his students and Inuyasha would undoubtedly be with his master, Kikyo. That only left him. Granted, Kagome would be busy as well, but she only had two performances per day to get to. What would she do the rest of the time? Of course during the day she would hang out with the other girls but what about when they came home?

If he was going to be stuck with her in the house he was going to find out what was going on with her and Kikyo before it turned into something nasty. Or loud, he hated noise, especially when emitted from arguing females. It was convenient then when Inuyasha stomped into the kitchen to raid the refrigerator.

"Sit down,"

"Eh? You talking to me?"

"No, idiot, I'm talking to the refrigerator,"

Inuyasha grumbled but did what he told him to. He always did. Inuyasha always folded, one way or another when he challenged him.

"Well? What do you want?" He appeared more tired than argumentative.

"Something happen between Kagome and Kikyo?"

Inuyasha, in a rare moment, looked contemplative. "Like what?"

"Anything," he provided helpfully.

"No… except that one thing with Kouga,"

Kouga, now that name he remembered, the boy standing entirely too close to Kagome by her locker. He waited, but no response was forthcoming.

"Such as?" he almost growled. Why couldn't this be easier?

"Feh! He was bothering Kagome again, so I told him to get lost. They didn't actually say anything to each other but Kikyo was sort of glaring at her, although Kagome really didn't do anything. After that, well she has sort of been avoiding me,"

It didn't escape his notice when his brother's gaze suddenly switched off to the left and Sesshoumaru followed it to the doorway. There was Kikyo. There was no way to tell how long she'd been there and in all honesty he could care less. Let her listen, he repressed the scoff. He scooped up his notebook and textbook under his arm, and stood up straight. He started toward the door and paused.

"Kagome will be spending the weekend with us,"

"The whole weekend? Here? At our house?"

He didn't bother looking back but rather turned his gaze downward at Kikyo. She gave no obvious outward reaction, and even looked up at him boldly. He met her gaze openly but ultimately decided a reaction that would give him any more answers wouldn't be forthcoming and stepped by her silently continuing on to the stairs. He watched her step into the kitchen but didn't lower himself to eavesdropping and continued on upward to his room. He still had homework to finish.

It was intriguing though, he thought as he sat down to his desk. From what little Inuyasha had told him it appeared that perhaps Kikyo was jealous over Inuyasha's intervention between Kagome and Kouga. And from what he'd seen of Kouga, he could be imposing, perhaps he'd been standing too close to Kagome and Inuyasha given his rash personality was all too quick to put a stop to it. Despite all else, Inuyasha did have some sort of thing for her, he always had. Even if he would deny it until his face turned blue. It was interesting, how things were turning out.

For the moment he had other things to think about, namely, his math homework, which was still unfinished. Yet throughout thoughts of Kagome kept surfacing over the remainder of the night. She didn't invade his dreams however. There, at least, he was safe from her influence.

~X~

Sango was at her locker after classes that Friday afternoon, as Kagome expected to find. They met more often by their lockers than anywhere else.

"So, how did things work out? Are you going to be there tomorrow?"

"Well, I'm not sure. What's your definition of 'working out'?"

"Are you coming?"

Kagome nodded wordlessly in ascent.

"Then what's the problem?"

"I'm spending the entire weekend at Sesshoumaru's house,"

"Sesshoumaru's house? Don't you mean Masaharu-san's?" Sango grinned slyly. "Been keeping secrets have we? No wonder you're not interested in Inuyasha when the older brother is so much cuter!"

"Shhh!" Kagome clamped a hand over her mouth. There were other students milling about. "Quiet! Someone will hear you!"

"Are you excited?"

"No I'm nervous. I spent hours last night looking through my stupid wardrobe considering a million different scenarios. Oh, what will he think if I wear this, or that or… it's been terrible! Plus, Inuyasha's going to be there, I'm already dreading that,"

Sango laughed. "Wow, you're going to have a great weekend. Imagine spending the weekend at-" She stopped abruptly and leaned forward whispering. "He's coming this way,"

"Hmm?" Kagome immediately glanced back, but he was already upon them. His visage wasn't blank as it typically might be, instead he looked displeased. "Hi," she greeted him uncertainly.

"Are you ready to go?"

"Excuse me?"

"Are you ready to leave?"

Leave? Here? He was going to walk her to the house? Not that the idea was shocking they'd done so just yesterday but it was different then. She had been going there for practice and that was just where he lived but this was all together different.

"Actually, Sesshoumaru I can get there on my own you know. I manage to stumble my way there two days a week,"

She could hardly believe the words coming out of her own mouth. Sesshoumaru was the type of person that would take your word and leave you, instead of trying to convince you to come with him!

He simply raised an eyebrow and said nothing. Sango patted her on the back reassuringly.

"Hey, you've got the most popular guy in school going to walk you to his house. Don't be so modest, go for it! I'll see you tomorrow Kagome!"

Sango was already halfway down the hall fearing what kind of reaction her words might bring.

"Well thank you very much for running off my friend. I did want to talk to her, you know,"

"You have all day tomorrow to amuse yourself with useless chatter. Let's go," he spun on his heel gracefully and began walking without her.

"Have you ever considered dancing Sesshoumaru? You are rather graceful for a guy,"

She was only saying it because he was being more difficult than usual. She tagged along behind him listening to him ignore her.

"I'm sure ticket sales would go way up if you were on the program. Just think, the entire female body of our school would come to see you. Now that's something," she was nodding proudly as though she'd accomplished something but he wasn't looking at her. He was still walking ahead of her. He stopped and turned back suddenly.

"Do you have all your things?"

Setting aside her humorous agenda she replied seriously. "No, I thought I'd just grab them after school was over. Which I can do by myself,"

"Find my company to be offensive?"

"No, nothing like that but it's weird. Besides… you're… mean half the time. I get snapped at enough without having to purposely inflict myself with your particular brand of dialogue."

He began walking again, toward her house, she concluded when he didn't turn at the intersection. Again, ignoring her. It was one of the things she didn't like about him. Talk when he wanted to and not when he didn't. Everything went according to what Sesshoumaru wanted, when he wanted it and how he wanted it. He was so self-centered! Not that it mattered; it didn't dim Sesshoumaru's appeal to her in the least.

She scampered along behind him until she reached her front door. Even then he'd only stopped to wait for her because he couldn't get in the house. She unlocked it and stepped inside half wanting to slam the door smack in his face. She laughed aloud at the possibilities and he shot her a look of curiosity.

This time, she ignored him. "I'll be right back,"

The bag was just inside her room and she grabbed it along with her dance bag that was unusually full. She grabbed them and started back downstairs. Sesshoumaru was standing just inside the doorway, arms crossed across his chest.

"I assume you'll cease this strange vigil when we get to your house, right?"

"Yes," was the dry reply.

"Good, its just too weird," she exclaimed and stepped out and waited for him to follow. He did. She quickly locked the door and followed him, although he didn't walk as briskly as before.

She didn't feel as up for conversation as she had before. She'd be without her family for the next two days. In all her years of dancing they'd always been there for her. Now, her most important year they would be away. It was… sad. She felt lonely without them, without their support especially her mother. But she just as quickly scolded herself for being selfish. Her aunt was seriously ill and she could easily look upon the situation different. She, Kagome, wasn't supporting her aunt by instead passing her up to go on to a performance. She sighed and perhaps it was filled with misery because Sesshoumaru looked down at her with that look that almost bordered on concern.

When she noticed it she smiled weakly. "It's nothing,"

He didn't believe her, she knew it, but he didn't challenge her on it either. Inutaisho was at the door when they arrived on his way out.

"Good, you're here. Sesshoumaru will make sure you have everything and all. I'll be back in a couple of hours, some last minutes arrangements for this weekend. Everything okay?"

His smiled always made everything okay. She nodded happily. At least if he was here, maybe things wouldn't be so bad. She waved to him as he left, and Sesshoumaru cleared his throat rudely reminding her she should go inside.

"You're a little impatient aren't you?"

"That's because you're standing on the steps waving like you'll never see him again. He'll be back later!"

She shook her head. "I don't know how you and Inuyasha stand one another,"

"Come with me," he stated in a tone that clearly told her he wasn't listening to anything she said, but she followed anyway.

He led her up the stairs and to a bedroom. The door was already open and he motioned that it was hers, with his hand.

"Thank you,"

She dropped her bags onto the bed when something occurred to her. She rushed to the door just in time to catch Sesshoumaru before he disappeared into another room a couple down from hers. She called out to him sharply.

"Um… does your father have tutoring sessions on Friday's?"

"No,"

"Do you think he'd mind if I went down to practice?"

"Go ahead," was the prim reply before the door clicked closed.

She sighed heavily. So it had began.