InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Double the Trouble ❯ Prom ( Chapter 13 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: Inusfavgirl 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Comedy | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 05.03.2007 | Pages: 5 | Words: 3.1K | Visits: 354 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Comedy | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 05.03.2007 | Pages: 5 | Words: 3.1K | Visits: 354 | Status: Work In Progress
Disclaimer- I do not own Inuyasha.
Chapter 13- Prom
Christmas passed and months after Sango and Miroku still didn't get back together. They didn't talk or acknowledge each other unless they had no choice. Kagome tried everything she could think of to help them, but nothing worked. She had finally given up as it was only a month before graduation and a week before prom. She had her own problems to worry about now.
Kagome sat in art class not really listening to the teacher. She was looking at Inuyasha from her now distant seat.
'He looks so cute today. I wonder if he thinks I'm cute? No he doesn't you are just his best friend. You'll never be cute to him.'
Kagome sighed and looked down at her drawing. They were supposed to be drawing a portrait of a family member but so far all she had was Rin's nose. The teacher had told her she couldn't draw Sango because it would be just like drawing herself which they did a couple of weeks ago. Not that it made much difference since Rin looked like them too.
Inuyasha knew the instance that Kagome looked down. He had been watching her out of the corner of his eye.
'Wonder why she's starring at me again? Maybe I should ask her? No, I shouldn't do that she'll just get all weird like the last time I asked her. I'll ask Sango she'll know she can read Kagome's mind.'
Happy with his decision he went back to his picture of Miroku.
"Isn't it obvious Inuyasha?"
"What?"
"Kagome is in love with you. She has been for a long time now."
"Really?"
"Don't tell me you didn't have any idea at all."
Inuyasha thought about it. She had been acting really weird with him lately but he didn't know that was the reason.
"I think your wrong. She doesn't feel that way about me."
"Inuyasha you really are clueless when it comes to girls. Haven't you paid any attention? Almost every senior guy and even some junior, sophmore and freshmen guys have asked her out. She has turned every one of them down. She's been asked to prom buy a lot of those guys too."
"Yeah, but we already agreed we'd go to prom together."
"True, but she still hopes you'll ask her instead of you guys just agreeing to go as friends."
"Who are you going to prom with?"
"Oh, with Weslie."
"I guess you haven't talked to Miroku?"
"Did Kagome put you up tp asking me that?"
"No, I was asking myself."
"Well then no and I don't have reason to."
"Okay, I'll see you later I have to go get changed."
"Yeah me too. Couch will kill us if we're late again."
//////////////
Miroku spotted Kagome as they worked out in the weight room.
"You know Miroku Sango does still care about you."
"Is that why she's going to prom with Weslie?"
"You're going with Kayo."
"That's different."
"You are right Kayo likes you, Weslie is a gay guy."
"I don't like Kayo that way. I just didn't want to be mean and turn her down."
"Okay I'll take that answer, but that still doesn't explain why you haven't talked to Sango at all."
"I don't have reason to."
"Fine, but when this year is over and you guys still haven't gotten back together you'll regret it, because you'll both be so far away from each other at colledge you'll have no chance of running into each other."
"It'll be the same for you and Inu."
"No, we'll still talk. We both applied for the same schools because we want to study art."
"Yeah but are you sure you'll both get excepted to the same school?"
"No, but it doesn't matter. We'll still keep in touch."
"Only because both of you will want to know if the other has a girlfriend or husband."
"Just spot me."
//////////////////////
Kagome lay on her bed starring at her door. Haniging on it was her prom dress. It was white with silver shining all over it. It went all the way to her ankles and it was strapless.
Kagome went up and ran her hand down it.
'This will be one of the nights I will remember forever. I hope it goes okay. Maybe I should have decided to go with someone else. Or maybe I should have waited for Inuyasha to actually ask me. If that would ever happen.'
There was a knock on her door and Kagome moved out of the way to answer it. She figured it was Sango or Rin, but was a bit suprised to see Inuyasha there looking very nervous. She moved out of the way and let him in and then she sat down on her bed.
"What's up Inu? You don't look so good."
"I, uh, I..."
"What? What is it?"
"It's just well, uh, I wanted to ask you to go to prom with me."
"But we're already going to prom together." Kagome said ttrying to make it seem as though she didn't understand just so he'd have to say it.
"No, I mean, I really want to ask you. I don't want it to just be an agreement because we're friends. I really want to go with you."
Kagome didn't say anything for a minute but a big smile formed on her face. She stood up and hugged him. He hugged her back and then she pulled away.
"Took you long enough."
"Feh."
"There is no hope for Sango and Miroku is there?"
"I don't think so."
"It makes me feel bad for Sango when I am so happy and she is so sad."
"There is nothing you can do about it. If they are going to make up they will."
"Yeah your right."
"As always."
"I don't think so."
"I know so."
"I have paint over there and I will throw it on you. It's not washable either. Would you like to have pink steaks in that silver hair of yours?"
"You wouldn't dare."
"Wouldn't I?"
/////////
Sango didn't know it but only a few minutes earlier her sister had been doing the same thing she was doing now. She ran her hand down her bright red dress. I went to her knees. It had one strap while the other side had nothing. She sighed. She didn't really want to go to prom, but she knew she wouldn't hear the end of it if she didn't.
'I guess Miroku finally did move on. Maybe I should do the same.'
She smiled. She had been a lot happier now days. She still missed Miroku but things were getting better for her. She was glad to be going to prom with one of her best friends, Weslie. He was the funnest guy she knew.
She heard someone knock on Kagome's door and already knew who it was.
'Guess he finally did get up the courage either that or Kagome called him so they could figure out a way to get me and Miroku together again.'
She tuned into Kagome's mind and smiled.
'Good he did finally ask her.'
She sighed and opened her door. She went downstairs where it was not unusual these days to find Sesshomaru and Rin sitting at the table. Rin and Sesshomaru had been together for a long time now and Sango had the feeling it wouldn't be too long before the two would get mariied and move in together although she knew that wouldn't happen until Kagome, Sango and Inuyasha were all out of the house.
"Hey Fluffy." Sango said getting her a soda from the refridgerator.
"Would you stop calling him that?" Rin asked glaring at Sango who just smiled.
"Sorry I thought that he liked it."
"Indeed." Sesshomaru said. He gave her his usual 'I'm going to give you detention for the rest of your life if you don't shut up' look and she fell silent. He had given her detention a couple of times for her calling him that name.
A few seconds later Kagome came into the kitchen as well. She sat down at the table and took a deep breath. "Pinch me so I'll know I'm not dreaming." She said. Sango went over and pinched her as hard as she could. "Ow, I didn't really think one of you would pinch me."
"You said to and in any case you are not dreaming."
"What are you so excited about?" Rin asked.
"Rin don't act like you don't know. For one you have Sesshy down here and I know you knew Inuyasha was here. So I'm guessing you had Sesshy listen in on their conversation and not only that you could have found out by listening to Kagome's thoughts. She didn't exactly block them."
"I know but I wanted to give Kagome a chance to tell."
"You have him listen in on my conversations?" She said shocked and mad.
"Don't worry Kagome she has him do the same thing to me."
"I can see why they'd do it to you, but me?"
"And that wasn't a rude comment at all." Sango muttered.
"Well, I only asked him because I saw how nervous Inuyasha looked."
"Great now I'll have to put up a barrier around my room so that everytime someone is here you can't listen to my conversation or listen to my thoughts." She said and stormed out of the kitchen.
"That's a brilliant idea why didn't I think of that?" Sang osaid following behind her.
Rin sighed. "What am I going to do without them here?"
//////////////////////////
Sango waited for Kagome and then they went downstairs together. Inuyasha smiled and offered Kagome his arm which she took. They didn't have to worry about Rin since she would be at the dance with Sesshomaru. Weslie mimcked Inuyasha with a proud look on his face. Sango smiled and made herself blush like Kagome did and took his arm. They climbed into the limo after Kagome and Inuyasha and Sango was shocked to see Miroku and his date waiting. She acted as if she didn't see him and stood up so her head was through the sun roof. Kagome and Inuyasha followed with Weslie.
"This is awsome." Sango yelled as they drove off.
"Yeah, it is."
They yelled and cheered until they pulled into the school parking lot. They all got out and entered together. Kagome immediately dragged Inuyasha to the dance floor.
"Miroku, I'm going to say hi to a few of my friends. I'll be right back."
"I'll be here." He said a little annoyed.
"Uh, yeah I have to go say hi to some of my friends too." Weslie said winking and leaving when Sango opened her mouth to protest.
The two stood in silence.
"I think I'll go find Weslie. And your girlfriend will be wondering why you haven't come and joined her yet."
"She's not my girlfriend."
"She seems to think so."
"She's a bit annoying."
"Then why did you ask her?"
"Because you already had a date by then."
Sango turned and faced him. "You were going to ask me?"
"Yes, I was. I actually had it planned out for awhile, but then I heard about you and Weslie."
Weslie returned at that time and grabbed Sango's hand. "Come on the dance floor is waiting for us." He yelled over the music. Sango looked back at Miroku before going with her friend.
"Look they are talking." Kagome said dancing close with Inuyasha to the slow song that was now playing.
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean they are having a nice conversation."
"No, I know that, but Sango looks happy."
"I guess, she always looks the same to me."
"That is because you don't know her like I do."
"May I cut in?" They heard a cold voice behind them. They turned and saw Kikyo standing there. She had been trying to get back at Kagome for many months now since they had gotten her sent home, but so far nothing had worked.
"Sure." Kagome said moving out of the way. Inuyasha looked like he was about to say no but Kagome mouthed 'it's okay' to him. She went of to get drinks and watched them from afar.
"You know Inu you should have asked me to come."
"Why would I do that?"
"I know you still love my. Otherwise you and that Kagome wench would have already gotten together by now."
"You have nothing to do with me and Kagome. I only agreed to dance with you because she wanted me to."
"Noone can hear us you don't have to lie."
Kikyo leaned up and pressed her lips to Inuyasha's. Kagome saw this and ran out of the building. She didn't wait to see Inuyasha oushing Kikyo away and glaring at her.
"So this is how you thought you'd get back at her?"
"Worked, didn't it?" She said pointing to where Kagome had been standing.
"Damn it." He said leaving the building too.
//////////
Thirty minuted after being dragged to the dance floor Sango managed to pull herself away to get a drink. She found Miroku already waiting for her with one held out to her.
"Thanks."
"No problem."
"You want to go outside and talk?"
"Okay."
They went outside together where the loud music could still be heard.
"You look very beautiful, Sango."
"You look very nice yourself."
He laughed and the grabbed her hand. He hugged her close to him.
"I have missed you."
"Then why didn't you say anything."
"You told me you needed time and I didn't know what I would say. I was wrong to doubt you and it was stupid for me to get mad."
"No, I should have told you. Really it should have never happened."
"No, it's good that it happened that way we could realize we were with the wrong person."
"You have a point. Could you imagine me and Inuyasha here together tonight?"
"No, but I can imagine you and me."
///////////////////////////
Kagome was glad to find Rin had left her keys in her car. She knew where she would go, but she didn't really know why.
'Why are you running? You should go back and find out what's going on.'
Her head and her body seemed to be thinking two different things. She kept on driving until she came to the spot Inuyasha had taken her before everything bad had happened. She snuck in and looked at the huge painting on the wall. It reminded her of all the fun times she and Inuyasha had had andit made her sad to think maybe none of that would happen again. Seeing Kikyo kiss him had given her a reason to run away. Which was something she had already wanted to do. She couldn't help but think about the fact that after graduation she and Inuyasha may not talk anymore. She heard running footsteps and didn't have to turn around to see who it was.
"Kagome, let me explain Kikyo she did it to get back at you."
"I know."
"You do? Then why did you leave?"
"How did you know I'd come here?"
"Well I had a hunch and I was right behind you. You drive really slow."
She laughed and turned around to face him. "Inuyasha have you ever thought about what might happen if we don't get into the same college? I mean we're only friends, what if we grow apart."
"We won't."
"I need more than that. I know I lied to you, but I can't wait anymore."
Kagome let the breath out that she had been holding in that whole sentence. Inuyasha stepped closer to her and bent down and kissed her. She out her arms around his waist to deepen the kiss. They pulled apart to breath and Kagome smiled.
"I beleive we have a prom to get back to."
"By the time we get back it'll be over." Inuyasha said. Kagome looked disappointed but smiled anyway.
"You're right."
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean we can't have our own prom." He held out his hand and drew her close again. They swayed to their own beat in their head. They danced like that for a long time until they knew they had to go back.
//////////////////////
Chapter 13- Prom
Christmas passed and months after Sango and Miroku still didn't get back together. They didn't talk or acknowledge each other unless they had no choice. Kagome tried everything she could think of to help them, but nothing worked. She had finally given up as it was only a month before graduation and a week before prom. She had her own problems to worry about now.
Kagome sat in art class not really listening to the teacher. She was looking at Inuyasha from her now distant seat.
'He looks so cute today. I wonder if he thinks I'm cute? No he doesn't you are just his best friend. You'll never be cute to him.'
Kagome sighed and looked down at her drawing. They were supposed to be drawing a portrait of a family member but so far all she had was Rin's nose. The teacher had told her she couldn't draw Sango because it would be just like drawing herself which they did a couple of weeks ago. Not that it made much difference since Rin looked like them too.
Inuyasha knew the instance that Kagome looked down. He had been watching her out of the corner of his eye.
'Wonder why she's starring at me again? Maybe I should ask her? No, I shouldn't do that she'll just get all weird like the last time I asked her. I'll ask Sango she'll know she can read Kagome's mind.'
Happy with his decision he went back to his picture of Miroku.
"Isn't it obvious Inuyasha?"
"What?"
"Kagome is in love with you. She has been for a long time now."
"Really?"
"Don't tell me you didn't have any idea at all."
Inuyasha thought about it. She had been acting really weird with him lately but he didn't know that was the reason.
"I think your wrong. She doesn't feel that way about me."
"Inuyasha you really are clueless when it comes to girls. Haven't you paid any attention? Almost every senior guy and even some junior, sophmore and freshmen guys have asked her out. She has turned every one of them down. She's been asked to prom buy a lot of those guys too."
"Yeah, but we already agreed we'd go to prom together."
"True, but she still hopes you'll ask her instead of you guys just agreeing to go as friends."
"Who are you going to prom with?"
"Oh, with Weslie."
"I guess you haven't talked to Miroku?"
"Did Kagome put you up tp asking me that?"
"No, I was asking myself."
"Well then no and I don't have reason to."
"Okay, I'll see you later I have to go get changed."
"Yeah me too. Couch will kill us if we're late again."
//////////////
Miroku spotted Kagome as they worked out in the weight room.
"You know Miroku Sango does still care about you."
"Is that why she's going to prom with Weslie?"
"You're going with Kayo."
"That's different."
"You are right Kayo likes you, Weslie is a gay guy."
"I don't like Kayo that way. I just didn't want to be mean and turn her down."
"Okay I'll take that answer, but that still doesn't explain why you haven't talked to Sango at all."
"I don't have reason to."
"Fine, but when this year is over and you guys still haven't gotten back together you'll regret it, because you'll both be so far away from each other at colledge you'll have no chance of running into each other."
"It'll be the same for you and Inu."
"No, we'll still talk. We both applied for the same schools because we want to study art."
"Yeah but are you sure you'll both get excepted to the same school?"
"No, but it doesn't matter. We'll still keep in touch."
"Only because both of you will want to know if the other has a girlfriend or husband."
"Just spot me."
//////////////////////
Kagome lay on her bed starring at her door. Haniging on it was her prom dress. It was white with silver shining all over it. It went all the way to her ankles and it was strapless.
Kagome went up and ran her hand down it.
'This will be one of the nights I will remember forever. I hope it goes okay. Maybe I should have decided to go with someone else. Or maybe I should have waited for Inuyasha to actually ask me. If that would ever happen.'
There was a knock on her door and Kagome moved out of the way to answer it. She figured it was Sango or Rin, but was a bit suprised to see Inuyasha there looking very nervous. She moved out of the way and let him in and then she sat down on her bed.
"What's up Inu? You don't look so good."
"I, uh, I..."
"What? What is it?"
"It's just well, uh, I wanted to ask you to go to prom with me."
"But we're already going to prom together." Kagome said ttrying to make it seem as though she didn't understand just so he'd have to say it.
"No, I mean, I really want to ask you. I don't want it to just be an agreement because we're friends. I really want to go with you."
Kagome didn't say anything for a minute but a big smile formed on her face. She stood up and hugged him. He hugged her back and then she pulled away.
"Took you long enough."
"Feh."
"There is no hope for Sango and Miroku is there?"
"I don't think so."
"It makes me feel bad for Sango when I am so happy and she is so sad."
"There is nothing you can do about it. If they are going to make up they will."
"Yeah your right."
"As always."
"I don't think so."
"I know so."
"I have paint over there and I will throw it on you. It's not washable either. Would you like to have pink steaks in that silver hair of yours?"
"You wouldn't dare."
"Wouldn't I?"
/////////
Sango didn't know it but only a few minutes earlier her sister had been doing the same thing she was doing now. She ran her hand down her bright red dress. I went to her knees. It had one strap while the other side had nothing. She sighed. She didn't really want to go to prom, but she knew she wouldn't hear the end of it if she didn't.
'I guess Miroku finally did move on. Maybe I should do the same.'
She smiled. She had been a lot happier now days. She still missed Miroku but things were getting better for her. She was glad to be going to prom with one of her best friends, Weslie. He was the funnest guy she knew.
She heard someone knock on Kagome's door and already knew who it was.
'Guess he finally did get up the courage either that or Kagome called him so they could figure out a way to get me and Miroku together again.'
She tuned into Kagome's mind and smiled.
'Good he did finally ask her.'
She sighed and opened her door. She went downstairs where it was not unusual these days to find Sesshomaru and Rin sitting at the table. Rin and Sesshomaru had been together for a long time now and Sango had the feeling it wouldn't be too long before the two would get mariied and move in together although she knew that wouldn't happen until Kagome, Sango and Inuyasha were all out of the house.
"Hey Fluffy." Sango said getting her a soda from the refridgerator.
"Would you stop calling him that?" Rin asked glaring at Sango who just smiled.
"Sorry I thought that he liked it."
"Indeed." Sesshomaru said. He gave her his usual 'I'm going to give you detention for the rest of your life if you don't shut up' look and she fell silent. He had given her detention a couple of times for her calling him that name.
A few seconds later Kagome came into the kitchen as well. She sat down at the table and took a deep breath. "Pinch me so I'll know I'm not dreaming." She said. Sango went over and pinched her as hard as she could. "Ow, I didn't really think one of you would pinch me."
"You said to and in any case you are not dreaming."
"What are you so excited about?" Rin asked.
"Rin don't act like you don't know. For one you have Sesshy down here and I know you knew Inuyasha was here. So I'm guessing you had Sesshy listen in on their conversation and not only that you could have found out by listening to Kagome's thoughts. She didn't exactly block them."
"I know but I wanted to give Kagome a chance to tell."
"You have him listen in on my conversations?" She said shocked and mad.
"Don't worry Kagome she has him do the same thing to me."
"I can see why they'd do it to you, but me?"
"And that wasn't a rude comment at all." Sango muttered.
"Well, I only asked him because I saw how nervous Inuyasha looked."
"Great now I'll have to put up a barrier around my room so that everytime someone is here you can't listen to my conversation or listen to my thoughts." She said and stormed out of the kitchen.
"That's a brilliant idea why didn't I think of that?" Sang osaid following behind her.
Rin sighed. "What am I going to do without them here?"
//////////////////////////
Sango waited for Kagome and then they went downstairs together. Inuyasha smiled and offered Kagome his arm which she took. They didn't have to worry about Rin since she would be at the dance with Sesshomaru. Weslie mimcked Inuyasha with a proud look on his face. Sango smiled and made herself blush like Kagome did and took his arm. They climbed into the limo after Kagome and Inuyasha and Sango was shocked to see Miroku and his date waiting. She acted as if she didn't see him and stood up so her head was through the sun roof. Kagome and Inuyasha followed with Weslie.
"This is awsome." Sango yelled as they drove off.
"Yeah, it is."
They yelled and cheered until they pulled into the school parking lot. They all got out and entered together. Kagome immediately dragged Inuyasha to the dance floor.
"Miroku, I'm going to say hi to a few of my friends. I'll be right back."
"I'll be here." He said a little annoyed.
"Uh, yeah I have to go say hi to some of my friends too." Weslie said winking and leaving when Sango opened her mouth to protest.
The two stood in silence.
"I think I'll go find Weslie. And your girlfriend will be wondering why you haven't come and joined her yet."
"She's not my girlfriend."
"She seems to think so."
"She's a bit annoying."
"Then why did you ask her?"
"Because you already had a date by then."
Sango turned and faced him. "You were going to ask me?"
"Yes, I was. I actually had it planned out for awhile, but then I heard about you and Weslie."
Weslie returned at that time and grabbed Sango's hand. "Come on the dance floor is waiting for us." He yelled over the music. Sango looked back at Miroku before going with her friend.
"Look they are talking." Kagome said dancing close with Inuyasha to the slow song that was now playing.
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean they are having a nice conversation."
"No, I know that, but Sango looks happy."
"I guess, she always looks the same to me."
"That is because you don't know her like I do."
"May I cut in?" They heard a cold voice behind them. They turned and saw Kikyo standing there. She had been trying to get back at Kagome for many months now since they had gotten her sent home, but so far nothing had worked.
"Sure." Kagome said moving out of the way. Inuyasha looked like he was about to say no but Kagome mouthed 'it's okay' to him. She went of to get drinks and watched them from afar.
"You know Inu you should have asked me to come."
"Why would I do that?"
"I know you still love my. Otherwise you and that Kagome wench would have already gotten together by now."
"You have nothing to do with me and Kagome. I only agreed to dance with you because she wanted me to."
"Noone can hear us you don't have to lie."
Kikyo leaned up and pressed her lips to Inuyasha's. Kagome saw this and ran out of the building. She didn't wait to see Inuyasha oushing Kikyo away and glaring at her.
"So this is how you thought you'd get back at her?"
"Worked, didn't it?" She said pointing to where Kagome had been standing.
"Damn it." He said leaving the building too.
//////////
Thirty minuted after being dragged to the dance floor Sango managed to pull herself away to get a drink. She found Miroku already waiting for her with one held out to her.
"Thanks."
"No problem."
"You want to go outside and talk?"
"Okay."
They went outside together where the loud music could still be heard.
"You look very beautiful, Sango."
"You look very nice yourself."
He laughed and the grabbed her hand. He hugged her close to him.
"I have missed you."
"Then why didn't you say anything."
"You told me you needed time and I didn't know what I would say. I was wrong to doubt you and it was stupid for me to get mad."
"No, I should have told you. Really it should have never happened."
"No, it's good that it happened that way we could realize we were with the wrong person."
"You have a point. Could you imagine me and Inuyasha here together tonight?"
"No, but I can imagine you and me."
///////////////////////////
Kagome was glad to find Rin had left her keys in her car. She knew where she would go, but she didn't really know why.
'Why are you running? You should go back and find out what's going on.'
Her head and her body seemed to be thinking two different things. She kept on driving until she came to the spot Inuyasha had taken her before everything bad had happened. She snuck in and looked at the huge painting on the wall. It reminded her of all the fun times she and Inuyasha had had andit made her sad to think maybe none of that would happen again. Seeing Kikyo kiss him had given her a reason to run away. Which was something she had already wanted to do. She couldn't help but think about the fact that after graduation she and Inuyasha may not talk anymore. She heard running footsteps and didn't have to turn around to see who it was.
"Kagome, let me explain Kikyo she did it to get back at you."
"I know."
"You do? Then why did you leave?"
"How did you know I'd come here?"
"Well I had a hunch and I was right behind you. You drive really slow."
She laughed and turned around to face him. "Inuyasha have you ever thought about what might happen if we don't get into the same college? I mean we're only friends, what if we grow apart."
"We won't."
"I need more than that. I know I lied to you, but I can't wait anymore."
Kagome let the breath out that she had been holding in that whole sentence. Inuyasha stepped closer to her and bent down and kissed her. She out her arms around his waist to deepen the kiss. They pulled apart to breath and Kagome smiled.
"I beleive we have a prom to get back to."
"By the time we get back it'll be over." Inuyasha said. Kagome looked disappointed but smiled anyway.
"You're right."
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean we can't have our own prom." He held out his hand and drew her close again. They swayed to their own beat in their head. They danced like that for a long time until they knew they had to go back.
//////////////////////