InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Fancy Meeting You Here ❯ The Board ( Chapter 12 )

Hello you lovely, wonderful, fantastic, patient readers! I'm so sorry that this took two months to get out! Please forgive me @_@

Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews!


I guess the following has slowed down for this one (though it's understandable conisdering the awful update times). So a special thank you to the two reviewers, this chapter is especially for you!

Thank you to my friend Sunset Miko for editing; LOVE YOU!

Enjoy!

 

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The Board

 

Kagome sat eyeing the people in front of her and discretely twiddled her thumbs underneath the desk she was sitting at. Her eyes moved back and forth, following the person who was talking at the moment and she was vaguely aware that many people were doing the same thing as she. `It's like we're watching a tennis match,' she thought idly.

 

Kagura was doing her best to play the part of an exploited student, done in by the cruel masterminding of her teacher. She had dressed the part, wearing her hair in low pigtails and school uniform. She strategically put on her make-up as well, being sure to add a bit more blush than usual to make her cheeks a nice rosy pink, and she went lighter on the eye make-up than she usually did. Kagura made sure to pout out her lip a bit and tried her hardest to give her most innocent and sad eyes. From the looks of the crowd, her efforts were well worth the time and working in her favor.

 

The long table in front of the room was filled with all the board members in attendance. They were currently listening to Naraku rant and rave about Sesshoumaru and his misgivings and about his indecent seductions of female students. Kagome watched as a few people shook their heads in disapproval and inwardly cringed at the prospect of Sesshoumaru losing his job and possibly going to prison over this. She looked over to where Sesshoumaru was sitting, at a table near that of the council.

 

He felt her eyes on him and briefly caught her glance. It was a quick movement of the eyes, but in that short expanse of time she conveyed to him her love, her trust, and her support for him. Sesshoumaru looked back to where Naraku paced about the expanse of the floor, flailing his arms as he described exactly what happened the night before when he struck him.

 

“Mr. Onigumo,” one of the board members stated. “Although I do not condone the actions of our own Mr. Taisho, we cannot tolerate violence at our school. You will be punished justly for striking a teacher, is this understood?”

 

Naraku growled and narrowed his eyes. “You're punishing me for sticking up for the girls this pedophile takes advantage of?!” he yelled while pointing at Sesshoumaru. Everyone instinctively followed Naraku's finger to where it was aimed and saw Sesshoumaru looking calm and collected, though on the inside he wanted to rip the little codger to shreds.

 

“There are witnesses to Mr. Onigumo's actions last night that wish to give their recounts of the incident,” a young male board member stated trying to placate the student. “Why don't we let them share their stories before we make any hasty decisions?”

 

Naraku sneered, but took his seat and allowed a couple of his team members to approach the podium. Hojo and Bunpei, the two that had dragged Naraku out of the dojo last night, were the ones who volunteered to recount the incident.

 

“Naraku came in when practice was over and Sensei Taisho was talking with a couple members of our team. With no warning he tapped Sensei Taisho on the back and then punched him when he turned around,” Hojo stated.

 

“Is this also what you remember Bunpei?” a board member asked. Bunpei nodded his head and added his side also.

 

“Yes, that and he started yelling at sensei about touching Kagura because…um…well…” Bunpei trailed off.

 

“Because what?” the superintendent asked a little impatiently. Bunpei signaled for the superintendent to come over to him, so she did and he leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Because Kagura screamed sensei's name when they were…yeah…you know.” The superintendent's eyes went a little wide.

 

“I see. Is that all you would care to share with us?” she asked the two boys.

 

“Well, actually…he did verbally attack a student as well,” Hojo informed them. Kagome closed her eyes tight. She was hoping that no one would mention her in any part of this, but it looked as if that was not going to happen.

 

“He made it a point to direct his yelling at Kagome, since she's the only girl on our team. He asked sensei if he was doing her too, and told her that once he got what he wanted that he would leave her like he did Kagura. To be honest, he was a bit hysterical last night-”

 

“I was NOT hysterical! I have every reason to be mad at this pervert, as do all of you! He seduces high school girls and you call me hysterical?!”

 

“Mr. Onigumo, please calm your self. You are making some very severe claims; would you explain to us how you came across this piece of information regarding Mr. Taisho?” an older woman on the board asked.

 

Naraku quickly nodded his head and walked over to where Kagura was sitting. He took her by the hand and led her to the middle of the room. Kagura had her face down and Kagome could tell she was willing the water works to start before she lifted her head up to look at the board members. Naraku gently put his hand on her back and whispered quietly in her ear so that not even the demons in the room could hear him, even with their extraordinary hearing.

 

“Now's the time to put that dog in his place Kagura,” Naraku whispered gently to her. “He made a fool of me and you so let's get this over with.”

 

Kagura slowly nodded in obediently in silent agreement to his direction and lifted her face. Sure enough, tears were streaming down her eyes unabashedly, making her appear all the more heartbreaking. Kagome rolled her eyes at the shameful display and cast Sesshoumaru another sympathetic glance to which he nodded slightly. Little did they know their discrete glances were being observed closely by someone in the audience.

 

Kagura walked up to the podium and awaited the questioning she was about to receive. Naraku patted her on the back and then went to take his seat in the crowd of parents, teachers, and a few students.

 

The superintendent cleared her throat and looked at Kagura over her spectacles. “Miss Wind…you claim that you know something about the goings on of Mr. Taisho. Would you care to enlighten us?”

 

Kagura nodded her head and then began giving the best performance she could muster. “Well, for while now I've noticed the way he looks at different girls in the school. He drops subtle hints to them with a glance; I was one of them.” Kagura looked over to Sesshoumaru for effect and saw that his facial features had not changed in the slightest. It set her nerves on edge, but she maintained her composure and continued her tale.

 

“It was when those looks became more frequent that it started to get to me. I admit that I was not immune to his charm and easily fell under his spell. We began talking casually during breaks and he would offer to help me study after school. That was when everything went bad.”

 

Kagome was livid listening to Kagura's false story. She was close to coming out of her seat and beating the witch again, this time within an inch of her life. However, standing up now and bringing attention to herself would not help Sesshoumaru in the least. It would only raise more questions and Kagome didn't think she could handle watching Sesshoumaru's life, personal and otherwise, picked apart by their interrogation.

 

“Do we actually have to sit here and listen to this?!” an irate parent shouted as he stood up. “The dirt bag is obviously twisted, just look at him! He doesn't give a shit that that he's been caught and his disgusting habits revealed and my poor daughter's up there reliving the nightmare he caused! How can you make her go through it again? Why should she have to detail everything she's been trying to forget?!”

 

“Sir, please calm down. We are just trying to gather as much information as possible. When a decision is reached tonight, then any further disciplinary or legal actions will be decided,” another board member spoke up. The gentleman now identified as Kagura's enraged father sat back down in his chair and crossed his arms.

 

Kagome once more looked towards Sesshoumaru and could see the anger flaring in his eyes, though on the outside he remained ever impassive. She was pretty sure that he was clenching his fists underneath the table as well, though he gave nothing away.

 

“Please continue Miss Wind.”

 

“Well, one day after school, I was just leaving the library when I ran into him again. He led me to his classroom where he…he…” she trailed off as she let the waterworks run. “He said that he had always liked me and respected me as a student, and I believed him. As soon as he got what he wanted he turned me away and never gave me another passing glance. I LOVED him!”

 

Oh how Sesshoumaru wanted to pinch the bridge of his nose at that moment. The small room was in an uproar at Kagura's declaration, and although there were not many people, it was easy to become overwhelmed with the noise. The moderator was trying to get everyone to calm down and Sesshoumaru took that moment to look towards Kagome for some support. It seemed she was two steps ahead of him and was already waiting for him to make eye contact with her.

 

Their silent conversation was as tangible to them as if they were speaking directly in front of each other.

 

`Are you okay?' Kagome's eyes conveyed.

 

Sesshoumaru blinked casually, the first motion she had seen him do since the entire meeting started. `Fine, as long as I know you do not believe a word the slanderous bitch says.'

 

Kagome sat back in her chair and crossed her arms slowly. `You know I don't.'

 

Sesshoumaru dropped his shoulders ever-so-slightly in exhaustion. `I know, but it's hard to gain credibility in your eyes, especially after everything that has happened.'

 

Kagome tilted her head and drew her lower lip into her mouth. `Don't worry about you having my trust, you do have it.'

 

Sesshoumaru straightened his posture once again and quirked his lips a little into a side smile. `That means more to me than you will ever realize, Kagome.'

 

Kagome smiled a very faint smile. `I love you.'

 

Sesshoumaru's eyes widened a bit for two reasons. One: Kagome had just said that she loved him; two: she had just mouthed that “out loud” while they were in the midst of a crowded room.

 

Kagome could hear her own heartbeat thumping loudly in her ears. She could not believe that she had just mouthed those words to him, let alone in a crowded room where many people could have seen it. She took a hesitant look around the still loud room and scanned the crowd for any sign of recognition of her slip-up. Most people were talking animatedly amongst each other, some people were screaming, some were shaking their heads and gossiping, and one idiot was just making random shouting noises to rile up the crowd.

 

`I'm gonna hurt Inuyasha when this is over,' Kagome thought to herself as she watched the half-demon make `crowd' noises.

 

Her eyes continued to travel the crowd that was trying to be calmed down by the superintendent of the schools. She lingered on Naraku for a while and watched as he smiled wickedly at Kagura, apparently quite pleased with her performance and the disturbance it caused. Kagome sneered at him although he took no notice of it and then her eyes continued her trek.

 

Once her eyes had scanned the room entirely, she heaved a great sigh and turned her sights back to Sesshoumaru. He was looking elsewhere this time so Kagome followed his gaze. He was staring intently at one of the female teachers at the school and Kagome looked back and forth between them. Although she hadn't found anyone who noticed her slip-up, Sesshoumaru had.

 

The crowd slowly became quieter as the jeers wore down and Sesshoumaru averted his gaze from the woman and settled it back on the podium where Kagura still stood. The board members all took their seats once again and the chosen moderator cleared her throat.

 

“We will not have another outburst like this or everyone except the board and the person undergoing questioning at the time will be allowed in the room. Is this understood?” There was a collective agreeing sound and the moderator sat down.

 

“Miss Wind,” a board member with gnarled hands spoke. “When you say you were with Mr. Taisho…that is, do you remember the exact dates you were with him?”

 

Kagura gulped a little and opened and closed her mouth a couple times before answering. “I-I don't remember…I mean, it was pretty recent; about a week ago on Tuesday.” She licked her lips self-consciously and waited for someone to say something.

 

“Miss Wind, you may take a seat. Thank you for sharing these details with us, we know it must have been difficult for you.” Kagura nodded her head sadly and turned to take her seat next to Naraku. He instantly wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into him, giving her unneeded comfort.

 

Kagome wanted to gag.

 

She saw that the school board members were talking amongst themselves and the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She had a gut feeling that she would soon be called on to relay the facts of the encounter; it was inevitable since her two teammates had brought to attention the fact that she was the only girl on the team. Her suspicions were correct when the board members stopped talking and each looked at her.

 

“Miss Higurashi will you please step forward?” one of them said.

 

Kagome swallowed hard and stood on shaky legs. Once she was at the podium the questioning began.

 

“Miss Higurashi, you are the only female on the Jujitsu team, correct?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“During your time on the team, has Mr. Taisho acted inappropriately in the way that Mr. Onigumo and Miss Wind described?”

 

Kagome stood up straight and answered truthfully. “No, he has not.”

 

“Has he ever made you feel uncomfortable in any situation?”

 

“No,” Kagome said with conviction.

 

Sesshoumaru took a deep unnoticeable breath and glanced at the person who had seen Kagome mouth the words `I love you'. It was a female colleague of his that he had spoken to on numerous occasions, though they hadn't spoken recently. She was watching Kagome intently, never once blinking. If he were any lesser of a demon he would have been panicking, but Sesshoumaru kept his cool and watched as the questioning continued.

 

“Miss Higurashi, are you friends with Miss Wind?”

 

Kagome shook her head. “No, we're not friends.”

 

“Then I guess you would have no idea if these accusations are justified or not?” Kagome wanted to scream out loud that Sesshoumaru would never touch Kagura and that she was lying through her teeth, but she held her tongue.

 

“No, I don't know if she's telling the truth or not.”

 

The panel nodded to each other. “Thank you, you may have a seat.”

 

Kagome slowly let out the breath that she had been holding and reclaimed her chair. Her eyes darted to Sesshoumaru who wasn't looking at her, but he gave her a nearly imperceptible nod, signaling that she did well.

 

“Mr. Taisho, I hope you realize what a serious offense it is that you have been accused of,” the superintendent stated harshly. “Our code of ethics clearly states that you will hold your job in the highest esteem and conduct yourself in nothing but a professional manner.”

 

Sesshoumaru bristled a little bit, but held his composure. “I am well aware of the code of ethics of this establishment. I am nothing if not professional when it comes to my job; I take it very seriously.”

 

“That may very well be, but we can't just ignore the claims of Miss Wind and Mr. Onigumo. I'm afraid without proof of your whereabouts this will have to be taken to a higher cour-”

 

“I can vouch for him,” someone in the small audience said.

 

Sesshoumaru looked towards the female colleague of his that spoke up in veiled surprise. That had been the last thing he was expecting, but nonetheless it was a welcome reprieve from possibly having to take this problem to court.

 

“Ms. Okimoto, would you care to step forward?” said the tired superintendent. The feline demoness with blue hair made her way to the podium and waited. “Toran, you say you can vouch for Mr. Taisho?”

 

“I can.” She turned towards Kagura and asked, “Miss Wind, when did you say you were with Sensei Taisho?”

 

Kagura fidgeted in her seat and rolled her shoulders. “I was with him last week; Tuesday if I recall.”

 

“Hmmm, is that so?” Toran said before she turned back to the panel. “I can tell you that I was with Mr. Taisho every day this week. We went out every night after he finished his duties on campus.”

 

“Why do you just bring this up now? Why not save us from all this questioning?” the superintendent bit out in frustration.

 

Toran sighed and shook her head. Kagome wanted to run up to her and kiss her for giving them the out they needed, but stayed as in her seat. Instead, she bounced her leg up and down in anticipation of Toran's continuing theatrical performance.

 

“I apologize, but our relationship was developing and I did not want it to be out in the open for fear of what it would do to my professional career or to the aspect of a deeper relationship. We have done well with keeping it a secret thus far, but I felt this was definitely the right time to bring it forward.”

 

The board members looked to Kagura who had the `deer caught in the headlights' look. “Miss Wind, were any of your accusations true?”

 

“I, uh…I…” Kagura stammered. Naraku looked to her in shock. He had thought for sure that she was telling him the truth when she said that Sesshoumaru had taken advantage of her. However, seeing her clam up made him realize what a mistake this had all been.

 

“You lied to me Kagura?” Naraku asked angrily.

 

“Naraku, I…I didn't want to hurt you,” Kagura tried to rationalize to him. Naraku shook his head and shrugged her hand off his shoulder.

 

“Don't talk to me. Ever.” Naraku stood up and pushed aside his pride to walk over to Sesshoumaru. He stood up as Naraku approached him and waited. “Sensei Taisho, I apologize and I hope that you can forgive me for making hasty judgments,” Naraku said as he bowed low in apology.

 

“This will not be easily forgiven, but you will start to make it up to me at practice tomorrow.” Naraku looked up at him in shock.

 

“You're allowing me to stay on the team?” he asked incredulously.

 

“Hn.”

 

Naraku bowed profusely and thanked Sesshoumaru every time. He stood up and walked quickly out of the room, not sparing a glance towards Kagura even as she called out to him. Sesshoumaru looked towards the school board and waited for dismissal.

 

“Mr. Taisho, thank you for your time. We're sorry for this inconvenience, but rest assured that there will be punishment,” the superintendent said to him then looked over to Kagura. “Miss Wind…a word.”

 

The room emptied out slowly as Kagura was handed her punishment; suspension for a month and detention for the remainder of the school year.

 

In the hallway, the few remaining people were making their way out the door and Toran was waiting casually by a locker. Sesshoumaru walked up to her and wasted no time in giving his thanks.

 

“Toran, I would like to-”

 

“I swear if you thank me I will rip out your throat,” she spit out quietly. “You are incredibly stupid Sesshoumaru! Just what in the hell are you thinking?!”

 

Sesshoumaru did not try to play ignorant; he knew she saw Kagome tell him that she loved him, and was now quite sure that she knew all she needed to know to put two and two together. “The situation is…different.”

 

“That's what they all say. You're lucky you didn't lose your job tonight; I almost didn't step forward. Be thankful that you had my friendship, but know this…I am NOT going to be your cover up again. If you insist on keeping up this relationship with…well, just know that I will not bail you out if you get into trouble,” Toran said sadly.

 

“I understand completely Toran. Know that this will not be forgotten, your assistance tonight will be repaid. And I always pay off my debts.”

 

Toran shook her head wearily. “I hope you know what you're doing.”

 

The door to the room opened once again and Kagome stepped out into the dark hallway. Sesshoumaru stood up a little straighter and looked at her with a small smirk playing across his face. Without looking back to Toran he answered, “I do know what I'm doing.”

 

Toran once again shook her head and stepped away from the lockers to leave the building. When she passed Kagome she looked down at her and gave her glare. “Do NOT get him into trouble. If you do, the school board will be the least of your problems.” With that, Toran exited through the doors, leaving behind a slightly miffed Kagome.

 

A hand on her shoulder made her start, but she calmed when she realized it was just Sesshoumaru. “What did she say?” he asked her.

 

“Nothing. Are you okay?” she asked as the walked out the doors

 

“Indeed. I am ready to put this debacle behind me however. Would you like a ride home?” he asked as they stepped up to his car.

 

Kagome looked around her and made sure no one was watching. She quickly hopped in his car and he chuckled lightly, “I'll take that as a yes.”

 

The drive was mostly silent on their way to the shrine and Sesshoumaru thought of many ways to approach the topic of what she had said. When he pulled up along the curb at the shrine steps, Kagome moved to get out of the car.

 

“Kagome,” Sesshoumaru called to her. She turned around in the seat and did not look him in the eye. She bit her bottom lip and willed her self to become invisible. “Kagome,” he called again.

 

She looked up at him and he kissed her gently on the mouth. When he pulled away, she had a slight smile on her lips. “Do not be embarrassed for what you said.”

 

“I can't believe I said that to you then, right in the middle of everything! What was I thinking?! I'm so sorry…”

 

“I'm not.”

 

“You…you're-huh?”

 

He chuckled again and pulled her in for another kiss, this one more demanding than the last. His lips were warm and soft against hers and she sighed happily as his arms wrapped around her. Their shared kiss was slow and passionate and left them both breathless.

 

“I love you Kagome,” he said when they pulled apart. Kagome looked at him, dumbfounded, before a bright smile tugged on her lips.

 

“I love you Sesshoumaru,” she replied. He gave her another quick peck on her mouth and then lightly pushed her away knowing that if he didn't stop himself he would happily hold her in his arms all night.

 

“It's time for you to go inside. I will see you tomorrow at practice.”

 

Kagome nodded and opened the door. She leaned back in quickly and kissed him once more before she shut the door and bounded up the shrine steps. Sesshoumaru watched to make sure she made it all the way up and then pulled away from the curb. He looked at his reflection in the rear-view mirror for a moment and then brought his eyes back to the road.

 

“I know what I'm doing.”

 

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...I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry! Thank you for being patient with me, it's been a hard month or so, I was really meaning to get this out A LOT earlier.