InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Double Life ❯ Forceful Victory ( Chapter 6 )

And also, I'm thinking of starting this little section for Double Life on my website (you know, character profiles, art, etc.). So for all you talented artists out there, feel free to send me some fanart that you'd like to be posted on my site. ^_^

Sorry for a slow update though. I was busy planning out the outline for this story. Yeah, for the first couple chapters, I was blindly writing it. ^^" But never fear! I know how this story's going to go now! Kinda.... And I'm also writing out a outline for another story, a very special story. Hehe...you'll find out when it comes out. ^_^

And no, it's nothing perverted.

The square root of eighty-one plus twenty-one squared divided by two more days till Dad goes home--GAH!

Kagome pounded her head for fifth time. She shoved her math book and papers away from her in frustration. No matter what she did, she couldn't keep it out of her mind. Her thoughts always trailed back to her father.

The last two days had been fine so far. Her father had been busy with the medical convention but Kagome was always on the edge of her seat, pondering when he'd suddenly pop up for a surprise visit. She would occasionally visit Doctor Izumi for some comfort, but of course, he'd always chase her out ("This is a Health Room, not a teen consolation room!").

She turned in her seat to face the empty room.

Inuyasha had been training for hours on end, ever since he entered the spring competitions a couple of days ago. She rarely saw him nowadays, mostly in class or in the late hours of the evening. So she wasn't exactly a very happy bunny right now.

Kagome glanced at her watch. Well, it was time to take Jirou on a walk anyways. Walking the furry dog was one of the favors she'd promised to Inuyasha since he started on his intense training. It wasn't too bad, really. Knowing that he was trying really hard to catch up was a comforting thought already.

She collected her stuff and put it aside before walking out to the caretaker's office. After receiving the dog leash, Kagome sauntered outside to the doghouse where she was greeted with the barks and yips of an excited dog.

Kagome smiled as she approached Jirou. She gave him a good scratch before clipping on the leash. From there, they started their long trek around the school campus.

It wasn't long before Kagome found herself sweating and panting. She nearly toppled over when Jirou pulled the leash, very eager to continue down his walking course around the campus. But Kagome pulled the leash in retaliation.

She pointed at the too-energetic dog. "Five times, Jirou (pant, pant). We circled (pant) the school five times (pant, pant). I'm only human, you know."

Jirou ruffed in disappointment and sat down as Kagome collapsed onto the grass. She wiped her forehead with her sleeve and looked at her watch.

7:30. Inuyasha should've finished practice by now, but Kagome was, at the moment, too tired to care. She leaned backwards and fell onto her back...

Only to bolt right back up with a yelp of surprise when she saw violet eyes staring straight down into hers. She scurried back but she didn't have enough balance to stay upright. So she fell back onto her back again. Jirou barked joyfully at their new visitor.

Inuyasha chortled as he witnessed Kagome's reaction to his chosen entrance.

"Stop scaring me like that!" she hissed but his grin slowly grew broader.

He knelt down to scratch the jumping Jirou. "Good boy," he murmured as the Jirou calmed under his hand.

Kagome pulled herself up to sitting position. "What brings you here?" she asked. "This route doesn't lead to the dorms."

"Yeah, I know." Inuyasha shrugged. "But I heard Jirou and you and it's getting dark so I figured that it'd be safer if the two of us-" Jirou barked. "- the three of us, go to the dorms together." He stood up and adjusted the duffel bag on his shoulder. "So shall we go?"

Kagome nodded and stood up with him as she tugged the leash; and made their way to the dorms with Jirou trotting at their heels.

"So I heard there was some commotion in the cafeteria today during dinner."

Kagome looked up at Inuyasha in surprise. Oh, that's right. He left early to go practice. She had stopped being surprised at his attempts to start conversations days ago.

She smiled. "Yeah."

"Chiaki and Toji?"

"No, that was yesterday. Today was Miroku and the lunch lady."

Inuyasha raised his eyebrows. "Really?"

Kagome nodded as her smiled grew wider. "Apparently, Miroku went out with her niece and he promised to call her back but never did. The girl really liked him so she got pretty distraught; also Miroku never knew that she was the lunch lady's niece. So when Miroku went up to get seconds, she refused to give him some."

"The poor ass."

"So the two got into a huge argument. They even pissed Daisuke off too when he tried to break them up. So he gave up, went outside to eat, and acted as if nothing had happened."

He shook his head in disbelief. "It must've been pretty bad since it pissed Daisuke off. So what happened afterwards?"

Kagome shrugged. "I don't know. I left because it was getting too loud."

She cocked her head skeptically at Inuyasha as he laughed. Usually conversations like this rarely ever happened with him. She hadn't had such a nice conversation with him since...well, a very long time.

"Something happened today, huh?" she asked with a suspicious tone.

Inuyasha blinked. "What makes you think that?"

She grinned as she counted off. "First off, you're acting way too nice. We're having a decent conversation and you're all smiley and happy, which is scaring me a bit." Kagome paused. "You broke a personal record today?"

Inuyasha's chest huffed out in pride. "I actually passed the second mark today."

Kagome glanced at him from the corner of her eye as Inuyasha looked forward in an unusually happy mood. His speedy recovery sparked a light and she was happy for him. But something still bugged her. That something was the accident Inuyasha was recovering from.

To stop an athlete completely and demolish his desire to try a second time, it must have been something harsh. It couldn't have been only a physical injury that had affected Inuyasha. Despite the small details that Daisuke had reluctantly given her, she figured that this Kikyou person must've been part of the reason why Inuyasha stopped the high jump. Maybe she died in the accident, causing Inuyasha to totally lose any desire to do anything he liked. Or maybe she died while he was trying to recover from the accident and he lost all desire to give high jumping another chance because she was his inspiration.

Kagome looked down at her feet. To be a inspiration to someone, Kikyou was no doubt a very important figure to Inuyasha. Well, girlfriend and all. Would she ever be able replace such a person?

Her breath caught in her throat.

What?

What in the world was she thinking? Replacing someone? Why was she thinking that? And of all people, to Inuyasha? Sure, they had pretty much established they were friends, but Kagome had never felt anything more than that (and hopefully, the same with Inuyasha).

Or did she?

Kagome mentally slapped herself. This was craziness. She came here for educational reasons, not to become a lovesick moron. But before she could do anymore mental abuse to herself, Kagome heard herself called.

"Kagome!"

Kagome froze. That wasn't Inuyasha's voice. It was too deep, too familiar. And it sounded angry. She felt Inuyasha tap her shoulder.

"Hey, Kagome," he muttered. "Someone's calling you."

She squeezed her eyes shut. This couldn't be happening. Oh no, no, no.

Miroku tapped his knuckles lightly on the door with "205" on it before slowly opening it. He peered inside to see Daisuke on the floor with a washcloth in one hand and a black stone in the other. In front of him were the goban and two small pots filled with stones. Next to the goban were two small piles of stones, one black and the other white.

Daisuke looked up in mild surprise before flashing a smile. "When did you start knocking?"

Miroku shot him a wry grin before settling himself across from Daisuke. "Cleaning stones again?"

Daisuke nodded. "Gotta keep them in mint condition."

Miroku swiped another washcloth from the small table from behind him and took several stones to clean. Daisuke paused to watch his every action before he blinked and resumed cleaning the stone.

"So what did you come here to talk about?"

Miroku stopped. "I didn't say anything."

Daisuke shrugged. "Yeah, but you knocked before coming in. You're helping me do something and you haven't started on how hot Sango is so I'm figuring there's something troubling you."

He blinked. It had only been over a year and Daisuke had already been able to comprehend that much. "I don't like you."

Daisuke only grinned in response. Miroku flicked the cleaned stone into the pot before reaching for another. He started to wipe the dust off it before pausing. He looked up at the dorm head.

"Have you noticed anything, I don't know...strange about the new guy?"

Daisuke's eyes flickered upwards but his rhythm didn't seem to be disrupted. "Who? Kagome?" Miroku nodded. "What do you mean by that?"

Miroku shrugged. "I dunno. I mean, there's been this thing bugging my head every time he's around. Like, something's not right."

"You too, huh?"

He straightened. "You've noticed?" He flicked the white stone into the pot filled with black stones. He gave a hint of smile when his friend's hand flashed out to catch it with his excellent reflexes.

"A little." Daisuke looked at Miroku with slight annoyance. "I guess it started when he started to ask about Inuyasha. Seemed pretty curious about him. And he seemed a little upset every time Inuyasha blew up at him."

"Well, I guess anyone who didn't know him that well would be upset." Miroku shook his head slightly. "When he first came, I always felt he was keeping something to himself. Like, he was carrying around this big secret."

Daisuke dropped the stone into the pot. "You could sense the burden."

Miroku was silent for a moment. "You don't think he's gay, do you?"

Silence.

"No. I think we'd know if he was." Daisuke frowned at the stone that had a nick on its side. "You don't happen to know how this happened, do you?"

Miroku stared at the nicked stone before averting his glance to Daisuke. "Nope," he said in a calm tone.

Daisuke shrugged and tossed the damaged stone into the trash.

Miroku became silent again as he pondered more. Another thought came to him, yet he was hesitant to voice it.

"Hey...you don't he's a...she, do you?"

Daisuke's head snapped up in surprise. The two exchanged disbelieving looks before chorusing, "Nah."

Crickets chirped.

Suddenly, as if on cue, the door slammed opened to reveal Inuyasha and a glum-looking Kagome behind him. Daisuke shot Inuyasha an irritated look.

"What is it with you people? Do you not know how to knock?"

"I need to talk to Coach."

Daisuke blinked. "What?"

"I need to talk to Coach," Inuyasha repeated irritably. "Where is he?"

Miroku crossed his arms as Kagome sunk gloomily into Daisuke's desk chair. "Really now? Seriously, Inuyasha, be more specific. Do you want our martial arts coach, basketball, soccer, hockey, track, sewing -" Daisuke cocked an eyebrow ("We have a sewing club?"). "- kendo and -"

Inuyasha's eye twitched. "High jumping, dumbass."

"Ah, well then you'll find Mr. Toshiko in his office." was Miroku's calm reply.

Daisuke turned his head to Miroku. "I thought he was in the teacher's lounge."

"No, I saw him walking to his office."

"But I talked to him a while ago when he was about to go into the teacher's lounge," Daisuke pointed out.

"Office."

"Teacher's lounge."

"Office."

"Teacher's lounge."

"Off--"

"I'll just go to them both," Inuyasha scowled. His expression changed slightly when he caught Miroku picking up Daisuke's nicked stone and mouthing, "He knows." He paled before giving a slight nod. He stalked out of the room, careful to slam the door behind him.

After a moment of silence, which was abruptly broken by Daisuke's ignored questions ("Since when did we have a sewing club? What do they do?"), Miroku turned to Kagome.

"So, any ideas as to why Inuyasha wants to talk to Mr. Toshiko?"

It took a couple of moments for Kagome to realize she was being spoken to.

"Hm? Oh, I'm sorry. What did you - oh. It's nothing important, really."

Miroku blinked. He was on the brink of breaking into rounds of laughter. It was probably just a new guy thing. Miroku was someone who even the greatest liars would have trouble with.

"Something happened today, no?"

Kagome's gaze drifted out to the window. Daisuke followed her gaze before bringing his eyes back to her face. Slumped shoulders, limp arms, sagging posture, and depressive eyes; something was definitely wrong. "I don't know what's bothering you but I know one thing for sure. And that's sitting there like a depressing dimwit isn't going to solve your problem. Problems tend to resolve when you take actions. I know that I probably sound clichéd and that I don't know what the hell's going on, but it's the truth. Giving up and losing determination really don't get you anywhere."

Kagome looked at Daisuke with slight surprise. The atmosphere around him when he talked seemed to radiated a familiar feeling. A feeling that came from the simplicity and causalness of his words. It was almost as if it was Doctor Izumi who was giving her advice. No pressure or stress seemed to weigh more onto her already heavy shoulders.

Miroku smiled knowingly. "Giving up and losing determination mean the same thing." But the quirk on his lips showed hints of admiration and pride.

Daisuke glared at Miroku briefly. "Point being, don't just sit around and let things happen." He turned to Kagome. "Make things happen around you," he said as if it was the simplest thing in the world.

Kagome's eyes dropped to the chair cushion and picked at the loose threads. It probably was time to tie the knot to her problems. Daisuke was right, lingering in the shadows would never get her anywhere. She lifted her head and flashed a genuine smile. "Thanks."

Daisuke watched quietly as Kagome left the room before turning to Miroku. "So do you know?"

Miroku grinned widely. "Yup. I overheard them by the gym."

"Uh huh, and?"

He flicked each stone into the jar with his thumb with careful accuracy. "Well, Kagome, Inuyasha, and Jirou were heading towards the dorm when I was coming back from soccer practice. I was gonna come over when this foreigner dude came and started yelling at Kagome." One of the stone he flicked missed the jar. Daisuke caught it with his fingers and motioned him to continue. "He was yelling something about how he couldn't believe Kagome went to an all-boys' school and how he was going to take him back to America."

Daisuke's eyebrows rose. "Relationship?"

"Dad, I think. I caught snitches of a "otou-san" here and there."

"Reactions?"

"Kagome seemed pretty upset," Miroku replied. "He started protesting and stuff. They pretty much had a big fight over something I'm not quite sure what about."

"And Inuyasha?"

"He seemed kinda lost and confused, at first. It wasn't until the foreigner focused his attention on him did he actually do anything. He basically stepped in between the two and it seemed to make the foreigner a bit angrier than he already was. I guess Kagome's dad knows about Inuyasha's status as a high jumper." Miroku glanced up. "Oh, and you were right on one thing. Inuyasha still is recovering."

Daisuke wore a slight frown as he gathered the small piles of stones and poured them into their proper jars. Ever since the accident, it had taken nearly a month to get Inuyasha out of his room and another half-month to get him talking again. The impact of the accident was so great that it was almost expected that Inuyasha would still be recovering, in his physical and mental state.

"Well, now Inuyasha's in the September competition," Miroku continued.

Daisuke's frown deepened. "What bugs me is why Kagome's dad is bothered by him going to an all-boys' school. It's not like we're infested with gays."

"Well, the guy didn't seem homophobic so I doubt that's the case," Miroku paused as he thought. "Well, Kagome is studying overseas so maybe he's attending a school different than the one he said he'd attend."

Daisuke cocked his head doubtfully. "Why would he do that?"

Miroku's shoulders slumped in resignation. "I don't know, but Inuyasha better make it 'cause if he can't high jump by the time of the competitions, Kagome's going back to America."

"Alright, then, I'm here for two more days. If you can high jump within those two days, Kagome can stay here. If you don't, sh--he comes with me when I go back to America."

Kagome rubbed her eyes wearily. She wished it was all a dream and that it would all disappear at the snap of her fingers. Unfortunately for her, life would not work that way.

Despite the close call, the humiliation that her father had put her through yesterday was nearly unbearable. She still had no idea what Inuyasha was thinking. Not only that, he had less than a day to make a successful jump and from the news she had been hearing, such a feat seemed miles away.

Of course, there was always that option of avoiding all confrontations and just follow along with her father's intentions. But she couldn't do that. She was too deep in the hole, and backing out would make all her previous efforts futile. In the mix of all these things, she was still confused. These were the times where she wished she had a female friend with her. Someone who she could talk to about all her secrets. But apparently, Aki practically on the other side of the world.

She definitely couldn't talk to any of her male friends. Definitely not. And as gay as Doctor Izumi could be, it wouldn't be the same as talking to a female. All these emotions that she had to keep inside her were becoming a heavy burden. Who could she find who could lighten her load?

A small knock on her door interrupted her thoughts. Her stomach fluttered. If it was Inuyasha, she'd jump out the window right now. The silence that stretched between them on their way to Daisuke's dorm the other day had made her extremely nervous.

Flustered, Kagome opened the door.

"--see? I knocked. Take a lesson from it, Miroku," Daisuke was saying.

Miroku glowered. "Drop it, will you?" His expression changed when he realized the door had opened. "Yo!"

"Hello," Kagome drawled out hesitantly.

Miroku smiled pleasantly, "We know about your current situation and we wish to provide you company since that is the most we can do."

Daisuke grinned. "In other words, we're bored and there's nothing on T.V. to watch."

Kagome blinked and stepped aside. "Come on in."

The two boys sauntered in, hands in pockets, and looked around the room thoughtfully as if it was the first time they had ever seen it. Miroku chose to sit on the floor as Daisuke made himself comfortable on the lower bunk of the bed.

After a long awkward silence, Kagome finally spoke up. "Would you guys like soda? I found some in my closet."

Miroku clapped his hands suddenly. "Oh! So that's where I stashed them. You see, I sneaked them from the cafeteria and completely forgot about them. But yeah, give me one."

It was probably better not to ask him how he got into her dorm in the first place.

"Give me one, too," Daisuke said as he slipped out a magazine from under Inuyasha's bed. It took only glance before Daisuke abruptly snapped his head away and flung the "Playboy" magazine into Miroku's lap. "I think that's yours."

"Hey, I've been looking for this for at least a week! You know, I--" Miroku was cut short when Kagome shoved a soda bottle under his nose. "--Oh, thank you."

She nodded and tossed another bottle to Daisuke. As she opened her own, Miroku asked, "So, you okay?"

Kagome paused before answering as she sat down. "I've been better."

"Look, I know he's on a really harsh time limit, but he'll make it."

Kagome's eyes flicked to Daisuke, her attention now directed towards him.

"He's never made a promise that he couldn't keep and he's as reliable as a person can get. He's not the type to let people down." Daisuke popped open the bottle before stopping. "Well, actually, there was that time when I asked him to watch over my goban while I--"

"No ones cares about your goddamn board," Miroku said with a glare.

Daisuke glared back. "I do."

"You don't count."

Boys. To them, it seemed starting arguments daily was as vital as breathing. But these two...they made her want to laugh. She knew they were trying to set her into a better mood and well, they were good at it.

Kagome drew up her knees. "So are you guys gonna watch?"

Daisuke blinked. "Of course. We're not gonna miss Inuyasha's big comeback. After he backed out, I'm pretty sure many of his competitors' prayers were answered. Bet they're all anxious and nervous now that Inuyasha's coming back."

Miroku grinned. "Yeah. Well, we should start heading towards the track," he said as he glanced at his watch.

Kagome frowned. "But it doesn't start for two hours."

"Well, yes, but in order to avoid long food lines and get good seats, it's good to go extra early. Now that Inuyasha's coming back, good seats are gonna run out fast."

Daisuke nodded in agreement and stood up. "I'm going to go get my jacket. You guys meet me outside the dorm."

Kagome absentmindedly went to get her own jacket.

"Now that Inuyasha's coming back, good seats are gonna run out fast."

She had nearly forgotten how famous Inuyasha was. Would he change from the sudden burst in popularity? Certainly there had to be tons of his fans still out there. Tons of female fans. It just felt uncomfortable seeing girls ogling him and his nice fine body. They probably only wanted him for his looks and status. But then again, it wasn't like she should care. She was supposed to be a guy.

Kagome took the jacket from the hanger and closed the closet. Now that she thought of it, would she ever get to actually go out on a date with someone? With the current state she was in now, she couldn't go out to have a nice romantic dinner with a guy. She wouldn't be able to go out to walk on the beach hand in hand with a guy or go gaze at the stars at night with him. She would hear her friends chatter about their boyfriends and their romantic moments. Would she ever get to share those kinds of things? Back then, she didn't care and thought that her studies should be her first priority. But now, things seemed different.

Things that she pushed away back then, she wanted now. When she had come to the decision to attend this school, she was aware of the fact that she wouldn't be able to date anyone for the three years she went there, but back then, it didn't seem like a huge loss.

She sighed. Well, she was here now, and there was no way she could back out. Kagome pulled on her jacket. She'd just cross that bridge when the time came. Besides, it was only the beginning of the year and her teachers hadn't struck her with anything harsh. So maybe when they did, her regret will probably disappear further into the year. Hopefully.

"Seriously, how long does it take for you put on your jacket?"

Kagome looked up and saw Miroku waiting patiently at her door. She muttered an apology and followed him out.

Miroku was right. The seats did run out fast. The first seven rows were crowded with people holding support posters and banners. They had come an hour early (the other hour they spent trying to pry Miroku off of Sango) and yet the rows continued to fill rapidly. After about fifteen minutes, they finally found a row closer to the front, but much to their despair, there were only two seats.

Daisuke turned to Miroku. "I think you should go."

"Why me?"

"Well, the whole time we were trying to find decent seats, you were complaining how you couldn't sit next to Sango."

"Yes, well you see I would," Miroku pointed out. "But apparently, she is nowhere in sight."

"After being groped by a guy like you, any girl with common sense would be too," Kagome grumbled as someone rudely shoved her forward. She grabbed the rim of the bleacher to regain her balance.

"Why don't you go find another seat, Daisuke?" Miroku frowned.

"Because I'm dorm head and I don't want to."

"Hey, you can't--"

"One of you could sit down on the sidelines."

Three heads turned.

"Inuyasha?" Kagome asked hesitantly. It was hard to tell since he was wearing a hooded sweater with the hood up and a pair of sunglasses.

"Yeah. Who else?"

"Why are you all dressed up like that?" Miroku asked. "I mean, you're not that ugly."

"Shut up." Inuyasha grumbled. "A girl jumped me before and I don't want it to happen again."

"Was she cute?" Miroku asked blandly.

Inuyasha looked at him with disbelief. "Sorry, but I don't look to see if the girls who jump me are cute or not." He shook his head incredulously. "Anyways, there's one seat down there. Actually, it's one of the reserved seats...it's just not reserved for anyone at the moment. So if you want, one of you could come down..."

Daisuke nudged Kagome. "You go."

Kagome stared at him, along with Miroku. "What?"

Daisuke looked at Miroku. "Well, he's never seen Inuyasha jump live before and we've seen it before so--"

"Yeah, but we've never seen it from sidelines!" Miroku protested.

Daisuke frowned. "We've seen him practice. It's really the same thing." He gave Kagome a slight shove. "Go."

Kagome turned to look at Inuyasha who shrugged and motioned her to follow him. She glanced at Miroku. He looked reluctant at first but then gestured her to go. She smiled gratefully at him and hurried down the stairs after Inuyasha.

They left the bleachers and onto the track where all the equipment and benches for the coaches and competitors were. Inuyasha pointed to an empty spot one of the benches.

"You can sit here."

She quietly complied. Inuyasha took off his sunglasses and tossed them next to Kagome. He pulled off his sweater revealing his long dark hair and quickly tied it into a ponytail. That was when she felt she was being watched.

Kagome snapped her head to a side and saw a tall boy staring at her from the high jumping platform. He had dark eyes and long wavy hair (was long hair suddenly a trend for guys these days?)that was currently held also in a ponytail. His dark eyes were...scary. She couldn't discern any emotions or anything. Finally after what seemed like a very long moment, he broke his stare and started to walk away.

"Who is that?" she asked suddenly.

Inuyasha turned and saw who she was looking at. For a moment, Kagome could've sworn she heard a growl rumble in his chest. "Onigumo. After I left, he broke the record for highest jump."

She looked up at him. "Rival?"

He looked down back at her and blinked before turning his back to her. "You could say that."

She wanted to ask more and he knew that. She hated when he did that. But who was she to force him to answer her every question. Kagome turned away, crestfallen.

Inuyasha looked over his shoulder. He wanted to tell her, he really did. He wanted to tell her everything, about the accident and all, all of it. But he was afraid. He couldn't help it. The way she looked at him, especially when it was emotionless, it would stop his heart. He knew she didn't know, but she...looked like her. And it scared him.

Kagome looked up at the bleachers and her eyes grew even sadder. He followed her gaze and saw why.

Mr. Higurashi had arrived and was now sitting behind Miroku and Daisuke. He talked to Daisuke for a moment and suddenly jerked his head down towards where Kagome was sitting with a hard glare. Kagome cringed and turned away. Inuyasha absentmindedly walked in front of her, blocking her from her father's view.

She could feel his shadow and as shaken as she was, she didn't look up. Instead, she stared at her knees. What was she going to do? She didn't know if Inuyasha had recovered yet and wouldn't her father be putting more pressure on him? If Inuyasha didn't do well, she'd have to go back to America. All her dreams and hopes would be shattered and all her efforts to get here would suddenly be futile. She picked at the lint on her pants.

Life sucked.

"Makino Yasha. Please approach the platform."

Kagome's head snapped up. She hadn't realized two high jumpers had already jumped. If she hadn't been so busy griping, she would have seen them. She looked up at Inuyasha, who straightened up. He caught her gaze and flashed her a confident smile. Even after all that had happened, he didn't have any doubts. She couldn't help but admire that. She smiled back weakly and watched him trot off towards the platform where his coach was waiting, ignoring the sudden burst of female screaming from the bleachers.

"Up next, on the running high jump. Number three from Yusako High School. High school sophomore, Makino Yasha."

The crowds on the bleachers went into louder uproar. Girls screamed their love while others cried their surprise or support. But Inuyasha ignored it all and concentrated on his breathing. He had to make this one. This had to the perfect jump because there was someone out there who was depending on him and he wasn't the one who would let her down.

Kagome bit her lip as Inuyasha approached the high jump poles at a sudden burst of speed. She placed her hands over eyes.

Please...please, God.

She peeked between her fingers and saw him soar. His back was pushed up in a beautiful arch, making him a few inches clean off the pole.

Kagome's heart stopped. She couldn't move and nor could anyone else. Everyone had stopped whatever they were doing to stare.

But it all ended in a moment. Inuyasha fell onto the cushioned platform below. He lay there, panting and wiping the sweat off his forehead. But he stopped and his eyes grew wide when he looked at the pole high above him. It hadn't budged. He hadn't touched it. He let out a heavy exhale. He'd done it.

He turned around, looking for Kagome. She had stayed in her spot on the bench and was frozen there, eyes wide as saucers. His lips quirked as he approached her. "So what did you think?"

Her eyes moved up to his face. As far as high jump goes, it wasn't much but, his form was better than that of anyone else. She smiled brightly. "You were horrible!"

Inuyasha snorted but his eyes showed his mild disappointment. "I can't be--"

Kagome cut him short. "No, I'm kidding." She looked at him honestly. "You were great."

He stared at her and amazingly, he found himself speechless at the moment.

"Hey, Inuyasha."

The two of them turned and saw Onigumo standing in front of them. "Quit spacing out and come back to this level." He jerked a thumb to himself. "Get up to my level and try lining your shoulder up with mine, or are you afraid you can't do it?"

Inuyasha smirked and folded his arms across his chest. "Don't kid around. You know how much I hate losing."

Onigumo smirked conceitedly and shot a brief dirty look at Kagome before walking away. Kagome pulled on Inuyasha's arm slightly as she stared after Onigumo. She was getting a ugly vibe from that guy. Inuyasha looked down at her as she grinned at him. "Let's go home."

He nodded and grabbed his duffel bag. Then, the two of them walked off the track field as everyone else around them burst into chatter about Inuyasha's big comeback.

"--and he soared! I swear, he must've grown wings and flew over that pole!"

"Uh huh," Izumi muttered nonchalantly. He fingered his coffee stick with boredom written clear on his face.

Kagome fell into her chair. "It was amazing."

Izumi gave her a deadpan look. "Yet he didn't win." He straightened. "And what about your father?"

Kagome grinned brightly and thrust a wrinkled note under his nose. He picked it out of her hand and read:

Dear Kagome,

At least come home for Christmas and New Year's.

P.S. Good luck.

"I'm staying!" Kagome bounced happily.

Doctor Izumi cocked his head to a side thoughtfully. "Funny, he didn't mention me."

She blinked. "Why would he mention you? Did he meet you...?"

Izumi tossed the note onto the table and grinned unconvincingly. "Nah, it's nothing."

Kagome would have questioned him more but she was too giggly. Even if Inuyasha didn't win in the competition, everything was going sky high and so was her mood.

"You look like a lovesick girl." Izumi leaned his chin on his palm.

"I'm not lovesick."

"But the second part is true."

"You act as if I'm not aware of that."

"Are you?"

Kagome looked at him incredulously. "Of course!"

Izumi sipped his coffee only to grimace and reluctantly swallowed his cold coffee. "So you're aware that you won't be able to date the opposite sex for the next three years."

"Yes," she said in a small voice.

"But there's always that other option of telling Inuyasha and your buddies the truth--"

"No. They can't know that I'm a girl." If they knew, what would they think of her then?

Izumi's eyes widened in surprise. Kagome frowned. What was he so surprised about? He knew that she was really a girl and...he wasn't looking at her. He was looking behind her.

Kagome gulped and slowly turned to see a very surprised and stiff Sango.

"Oh."

End of Chapter 6

AN: Lol, my chapters do tend to end with someone on the verge of knowing her real identity, eh? Well, school's starting soon so updating will be harder. So here's the deal: I'm going to try updating every Thursday or Saturday if I can't on Thursday, and of course I'll have some sort of excuse which I will give if you stay tuned with my site. But updates can be anything. It could be new artwork, story, or layout, or something. So yeah. It'll be easier for me to do these like that. Okie? Okie. (I would've updated yesterday, but I fell asleep. ^^)

After hours of tedious work (okay, maybe not hours), I finished a drawing of Daisuke for those wondering what he may look like. God, his hair is hell to draw. -_- If you guys seen Hikaru no Go, he might look like a familiar someone....

http:// spiritedaway.chaotik .net/originalart/ daisuke.html