InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Guilty As Charged ❯ Artificial Light ( Chapter 4 )

Guilty As Charged

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Chapter Four:

ARTIFICIAL LIGHT

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Tiny grey drops of water pelted down from the sky in an unending downpour. Kagome wiped her dripping bangs off her forehead. Her hair was plastered to her scalp. How fitting that it would rain the one day she decided to walk home.

She had walked into the student parking lot after school per usual, nearly bent over double with the weight of her backpack, and noticed a figure standing next to her car. Expecting it to be Yuka or someone hoping to bum a ride off of her, she didn't slow her pace until she recognized the woman to be Principal Johnston.

Standing watch to make sure Kagome drove her car to juvy. The woman probably even planned to ride along with her.

"Like hell," Kagome ground out, in one of her rare moments of cursing. She turned on her heel and stormed off to the sidewalk. She'd walk home today.

A normal walk home took half an hour. A walk home in the rain when she couldn't even see three feet ahead of her took over an hour. She wondered if her mom was home yet. If she was, Kagome was totally screwed.

She shivered, cold, wet, and miserable. But at least she was away from that half-demon murderer named Inuyasha. She gave a short laugh. And her friends were fantasizing that they'd fall in love?

A light suddenly shone through the grey sheet of water. Kagome squinted into the downpour and realized it was the light shining out a car door. She gave it a curious glance, and then continued on her way. A person climbed out of the car, the rain splashing beneath their feet. The person was yelling something. "Flowing!"

Flowing? Thought Kagome.

"Flowing!" the person shouted again. "Flow in May!"

What the heck?

She felt a hand on her shoulder and Kagome screamed, whirling around. "Get off me!" She wrenched herself out of the person's grasp, but the person only grabbed her again.

"Kagome!"

Kagome only struggled harder.

"Kagome!" the voice said again. "It's me-Takeda!"

Miroku?

Confused, Kagome stopped fighting and looked at the face of the person standing next to her in the downpour. Sure enough, a dripping Miroku Takamura was standing there, using his hand to shield his eyes from the rain. What did the captain of the wrestling team want with her?

He must have read the question on her face, because he presently explained, "Principal Johnston sent me."

"Did she?" Kagome said icily. "Whatever for?"

"She was worried that you'd get lost in this damned hurricane, being on foot and all." He caught her look and laughed a bit. "Okay, she didn't use those exact words, but you get the idea."

"She was worried?"

"Is that so surprising? How would it look if one of her top students was killed on the way home from school because she had been scared away by the principal?"

Kagome considered. Put that way…

"Or maybe she was just concerned for your well-being." Miroku winked. "Contrary to popular thought, she's not an evil witch."

"Heh."

"Seriously. She may be overbearing and manically obsessive with her school, but she does care about her students."

"Right."

Miroku shook his wet bangs out of his face in a rather dog-like manner. "Look, why don't we discuss with all in the car? I could argue with you for hours, but I'd rather do it in a dry area."

"What does it matter? We're wet already."

"And getting wetter. Do you want to die of pneumonia?"

"Maybe I have a death wish?"

Miroku laughed, flashing her that killer smile that most girls swooned over. "You, Higurashi? A death wish? That's the funniest thing I've heard all week. I wish Lady Kaede could have heard you say that. She'd do a victory dance."

Kagome gave him a puzzled look. "Who?"

"Lady Kaede: the secretary whom you constantly try to thwart. The woman who would just as well see all the students die in a phenomenal catastrophe."

"You mean Mrs. Wharton?"

"That's her name, huh. We all just called her Lady Kaede-like that old hag in the poem from the Japanese feudal era."

Kagome shook her head.

Miroku used that brief moment when she let her guard down to steer her toward his car and shove her in the passenger's seat. He ran around to the driver's side, threw himself onto the seat, and slammed the door closed. "Whew!"

Kagome giggled at his appearance. He was almost as wet as she, his clothes plastered to his frame, and his hair had fallen out of his customary ponytail, the wet strands hanging limply around his face.

He sensed the object of her amusement cracked her a smile, leaning onto the steering wheel of his car. "So, Higurashi. Care to tell me why you decided to walk rather than drive home today?"

She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. "I thought you already knew."

"I know it has something to do with Principal Johnston and community service-but I'm in the dark as to why you have this community service phobia. I would have thought a girl like you would enjoy helping people."

"'A girl like me' huh?" she said scathingly. "What would you know about me? You know what I absolutely hate, Miroku Takeda? People who make judgments because they think they know a person's type. Just because I'm quiet and studious, I'm a good person, right? Yeah? Well what if I'm a drug pusher? What would you say to that?"

Miroku didn't even flinch at her sudden outburst. He just regarded her calmly. Kagome tried to slow her breathing down. What had made her explode like that? She wasn't even sure where the words came from…but once they left her mouth she felt like a total hypocrite.

"My opinion of you wouldn't change in the least," he told her truthfully. "Drug pushers can be good people."

"Have you ever met a drug pusher?" she snapped.

"Sure. One of my friends. Another one is a pothead. Idiot that he is, he's addicted to the crap now. He's still a good person-a little confused, but he has a pure heart."

"Even though he's ruining other people's lives?"

"Higurashi. What's this all about? You're contradicting yourself?"

She set her eyes downcast. "I'm…confused."

"About what?"

She looked up into his purple-blue eyes that all her friends lost their voices over. She was a little confused about the guy she was presently spilling her heart out to-she'd heard that he was a perverted lecher who felt girls up at the drop of a hat, a player, a "potty-mouth" (as Ayumi called him), and generally a "bad boy" that "good girls" such as herself would not want to associate with. What was with this intellectual conversation?

"I don' t know. Life. I went to juvy to help out, and there was this guy there-oh, you probably know him-" she laughed a little at the look on Miroku's face-"rather, know of him. Inuyasha Takahashi; the guy that's been all over the news."

"And?"

"I didn't know who he was at the time, and when I went to clean his cell, he was really rude, and somehow ended up on top of me…"

Miroku's eyebrows flew upward. "Are you okay?"

"Nothing happened, he just scared the shit out of me." She glared at Miroku's strangled-laugh-turned-sneeze. "What?"

He was still trying to cover chuckles. "I wish your mother could have heard you just now."

"She knows I cuss…occasionally. I've heard her too. Don't go into the kitchen during Thanksgiving or Christmas, the words are hotter than the flames that engulf the charred turkey."

Miroku was really having a hard time composing himself now. "You really aren't what I expected you to be."

"Well, that goes both ways. I heard you were a hopeless pervert and an insensitive hottie. You haven't even groped me yet."

Miroku's infamous grin returned. "That's a problem easily solved…"

She swatted his hand out of the way. "I wasn't asking to be, moron!"

"Sure sounded that way to me."

"It would," she muttered, shoving herself onto the door, as far away from Takeda as possible.

He sighed. "I promise to behave myself."

"Yeah, how many girls heard that before they were raped?"

Miroku gave her an indignant look. "What was it you were saying about judging people?"

"Actions speak louder than words," she snapped back.

"For your information, I am a virgin."

Kagome gave him a hard look.

He smiled innocently. "What?"

"Why do I get the feeling you're using that word on extreme technicalities?"

His smile only grew. "You're quicker than I thought, Higurashi. It's too bad we didn't know each other better these past years."

"Yeah. Shame." She was practically smashed against the window.

He settled himself against the drivers door so that he and Kagome were facing each other. "Anyhow, let's continue the story."

"The…story?" Kagome struggled to find her train of thought.

"You were saying that Inuyasha was rude to you and ended up on top of you…"

"Oh. Right. Well, he wasn't just rude, he was almost threatening. So when he fell on top of me, I absolutely freaked and stormed out of the place. And then yesterday at lunch, Yuka, Ayumi, and Eri were talking about him because they'd seen him in the newspaper…and then I found out that I'm the splitting image of his murdered lover. The prostitute."

"Kikyo Ito?" Miroku said in surprise, looking at her more carefully. "I hadn't noticed before, but now that you mention it… you actually do bear a resemblance."

"Yeah. See why I'm afraid to go back? I obviously remind him of Kikyo…and he had no trouble murdering her. He would have even less trouble killing me, someone who he has absolutely no connections or attachment to."

"Kagome, I highly doubt he would be able to do you mortal harm in the center. For one, there are guards roaming around the hallways day and night. And two, if he did somehow manage to harm you, he would be put in confinement faster than you could say 'help.'"

Kagome sent him a dubious look. "How do you know that?"

Miroku smiled. "I hear a lot. Recall the crowd I hang out with."

"Oh." She sighed and leaned her head back against the headrest. "So, anyway, Principal Johnston is practically forcing me to go back and get my hours in. But not because she's worried about me-she thinks it would be a great reflection on the school if I worked there. Personally, I think my working there would do more damage than harm. All those uppity parents will be saying, 'dear me, they send their children into that awful place? How perfectly revolting.'"

Miroku gave her a sideways smile. "Don't forget that you would be classified into one of those uppity families, Miss Higurashi. Your family is hardly the proletariat."

"What are you implying?" she said in annoyance.

"Nothing, nothing."

She sighed again. "So what do you think I should do?"

"You're asking my opinion? I'm just the dumb groping jock, remember?"

"Takeda…"

"Honestly, Higurashi, you don't even know me. Well. I mean, sure, we've been in each other's classes for four years now, but…"

"You're here. You're available. I need help. Talk."

He smiled charmingly. "As you wish."

Kagome cringed. "I have heard that line way too many times."

"What, you don't like The Princess Bride?"

"Loathe it."

Miroku gasped in mock shock and slumped against the car door. "Kagome! That is an offense against humanity! How can you not like that movie?"

"I presume it is one of your favorites."

"I have it memorized."

She arched a brow. "Really now."

"'Buttercup was raised on a small farm in the country of Florin. Her favorite pastimes were riding her horse and tormenting the farm boy that worked there. His name was Wesley. But she never called him that. Isn't that a wonderful beginning?'"

"God…I think that was the scariest thing I have ever witnessed."

"Do you still want my opinion?"

"Now that I know you're loco, I'm not so sure."

"Well, I'll tell you anyway. I think you should go back."

"You and the rest of the world!" Great. Just great. Even Miroku was against her.

"Hear me out. I see no reason why you shouldn't return. One, you need hours desperately. Two, just avoid Inuyasha the next time you go. They can't force you to clean his cell, or read him bedtime stories, or whatever the hell they have you do there. Three, it will spare you the wrath of Johnston-and all the red tape that follows."

Kagome was silent for a minute. The guy actually had a point. Several good points, actually. Who would have thought he'd turn out to be so smart?

"You know, Takeda, those are the most logical words that have ever left your mouth."

He smirked. "You don't know me well enough." He cracked his head. "Now. How bout I give you a lift over to the center? That sound good to you?"

She returned the smirk. I don't know you well enough? She moved her hand so it covered the door handle. "A little lesson for you, Miroku: just because I ask for and consider advice…doesn't mean I have to accept it."

She was getting fed up with this whole situation. She just wanted to go home and sleep and forget about Principal Johnston, Inuyasha, and juvy in general.

Which is why a moment later, want overpowered reason, and she opened the car door and stepped out into the rain. She smirked to herself as she heard Miroku yelling at her from inside the automobile. "Thanks for everything, Takeda!"

"Kagome!"

She slammed the car door and resumed her walk. She'd gone no more than five paces before she was cut off by a scowling Miroku. "You know," he said, "that if I die of hypothermia, I'm blaming you?"

"So I can be convicted of murder and sent to juvy to share a cell with Inuyasha?"

Miroku ran a hand over his face. "Lord, woman, do you never give up?"

"Nah…"

"Fine. Out of good conscience, I will drive you home. Happy?"

"Very. It's not safe for a young, unprotected girl to walk home by herself."

"Agreed." He linked his arm through hers and led her back to the car.

She stopped short, jerking Miroku back.

"What now?"

"No funny stuff, Takeda." She sent him her most chilling death glare. "If by some supernatural force we 'magically appear' in the parking lot of the juvenile delinquent center, I promise I will tell the entire school that we are dating."

Miroku raised and eyebrow and gave her a lazy grin. "And this is supposed to threaten me how?"

"I will 'dump' you the next day."

His grin disappeared.

"And tell them that you're a horrendous kisser."

He shuddered and opened the door of the car for her. "Ladies first."

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"Yes, Sango?" the receptionist said. "What do you is it you want?"

"I would like to speak with the director."

"Have a seat, please. This will take just a moment."

"Thank you."

Sango sat down in her usual place-the last metal folding chair in the row, right next to the door, just like she always did. It was almost like she and the receptionist were playing a game-reciting the same words back and forth to each other with similar cordiality, although they both held dislike for the other.

Sango thought the woman was unhelpful and overly blunt; she was sure the woman thought Sango was an annoying, persistent kid.

Sango jiggled her foot, staring at the fraying hems of her jeans. They didn't make inmates wear ugly orange jumpsuits like they did in jail, but they also didn't give them a change of clothes. She'd been in these clothes for three days now-and the shirt wasn't even hers: it was an old rag Charlie had found in the Lost and Found box. She didn't really want to know how a woman's shirt had gotten into the Lost and Found box, but she'd been in a fix at the time.

Her face darkened at the turn of her thoughts, and she stubbornly shoved them out of her mind. Don't think of them…think of the impending task at hand… She frowned slightly. That sounded like something out of a movie or book…where had she heard that before? She spent the next five minutes trying to figure it out, and by then the receptionist had returned.

"The Director will see you now."

"Thank you." Sango stood and walked through the doorway, nodding her thanks to the receptionist, who held the door open. She entered the hallway and knocked on the fifth door.

"Come in," the voice called.

Sango pushed open the door and shut it with a resolute click. "I'm back."

"Ah, Miss Taijiya. Have a seat, please."

"I'd rather stand, thanks." Anything to annoy the man.

"Now, what brings you here today?"

Maybe the same thing that's brought me here seven times the past three days? "I just wanted to see if you'd learned anything more about obtaining a lawyer for me."

He sent her a look. "It has been exactly forty-eight hours since you requested me to do this favor for you-lawyers work on scheduled hours. I work on scheduled hours. I am a very busy man. Do you know how hard it is to find good, honest lawyers nowadays?"

"Have you even tried?"

The Director ignored her implications. "I'm working on it, Miss Taijiya, I really am. But lawyers are expensive, and I'm not sure your bank account can cover enough time for the lawyer to do an adequate job."

"As long as he gets me out of here, I don't care how many acclamations he's won," she snapped.

"You don't have anyone else to back you up?"

"As I said before: Charlie MacLachlan."

"And he is a relation to you?"

"My father's best friend." Did the man have a memory condition, or was he just retarded?

"Your late father?"

"Yes," she ground out. "In his will, he left Kohaku and I under Charlie's care. Charlie took over the bar in my father's place. He's like my godfather."

"He's like your godfather. But he isn't actually your godfather?"

"No."

"Miss Taijiya, I cannot randomly call people up and ask them to support you in order to buy you a lawyer."

"Charlie isn't some random person! He would support me-I'm like his daughter!"

"He has enough money to do this?"

Sango glowered. "If we pooled our money-"

"Let me tell you something, Miss Taijiya. It is very rare that people are put in this center under mistake. If you were completely innocent, there is no doubt in my mind that you wouldn't be here."

Sango suddenly felt lightheaded. "Are you-are you saying that-"

"I am saying that it is extremely unlikely that an newly-turned eighteen-year-old charged with attempted murder will be released from this center easily."

"It-was-self-defense!" she shouted. "How much louder do I have to say it so it penetrates your skull? IT WAS SELF-DEFENSE!"

"I heard you quite clearly the first-and second-and third times, Miss Taijiya. Unfortunately, with no witnesses, and the word of the prominent president of Bank of America-whom you attacked and accused of rape-your prospects are rather bleak."

"You-you-"

The director glanced at his watch. "Four-forty-five. Isn't it time for your meeting with the psychiatrist?"

"I don't need a shrink," snarled Sango.

"Your teacher tells me you need a shrink, so you'll get a shrink," the director snapped back. "I don't need your attitude, young lady. You're lucky enough to be here at all. By all rights you should be in a regular jail-only by the kindness and goodwill of the judge are you here at all. But be assured," he said, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper, "I will have no trouble at all arranging a transfer for you."

"To bad you can't arrange me a lawyer with as much facility," Sango shot back. "But then…that would actually be helping someone, now, wouldn't it?"

With that, she turned on her heel and slammed the door behind her.

The director simmered before picking up his cell phone and speed-dialing a number. "Bankotsu? Yeah, it's me… Renkotsu. I think there's something you should know…"

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"Hey," Kagome said, squinting through the fogged windshield of Miroku's car. "There's someone in my driveway."

"Imagine that."

"You could lose the sarcasm."

"Sorry. Maybe you have a visitor."

"A visitor? Me? You're joking, right?"

"Well what do you call those three friends of yours?" he asked, parking on the side of the road. "Sorry, we're going to have a make a run for it-your visitor's car is blocking the driveway."

"That's okay. It's not like we're not saturated already." She opened her door and dashed out of the car, shielding her backpack from the rain, Miroku not far behind. "And Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi are hardly classified as visitors. They would fall under the 'indefinite residents' category."

"I see." Miroku had already reached her doorstep and was shielded from the rain by the overhang. He waited for her to reach the doorstep before reaching for the doorbell.

"Don't bother-I have a key." Kagome fished her key ring out of her backpack and inserted it in the lock. Before she turned it completely, she paused. "Would you like to come in? Get something to drink?" Her mother had drilled the rules of politeness into her head at a young age. She was expected to recite these lines to her playmates at the age of four, who found Kagome's manners quite amusing at the time.

Miroku smiled. "Thanks, but no. I have to get to practice-I'll already be late as it is."

"You're sure?" She finished the turn of the key and cracked open the door. She wasn't too disappointed by his answer: if Miroku had accepted her offer, the entire student body would know that Miroku Takeda had stepped inside Kagome Higurashi's house the night before.

"Yeah. Thank you, though."

"No problem." Awkward silence. "Well-see you at school tomorrow."

"Right. Bye, Higurashi."

"Bye, Take-"

The door suddenly swung open fully, jerking Kagome's hand, which was still holding the key inserted in the door, with it. "Sota! What's the big id…ea-" She cut off abruptly when she noticed the person standing in her doorway.

Principal Johnston.

Oh. Crap.

"Uh…H-hello, Principal Johnston." Kagome was cringing under Johnston's hard glare. Do you know how scary it is to have your door opened by your manipulating Principal who is currently P.O. at you? "Eh…Won't you…come inside for a bit?" Oh that was brilliant thinking, Kagome.

"No, Miss Higurashi, why don't you step inside for a minute." She glanced towards Miroku and beckoned him with her finger. "You too, Takeda."

"Me?" Miroku looked like a guilty schoolboy.

"Yes, you. I've already phoned Coach Khan, he'll excuse you for today."

"Uh…great…"

"Both of you. Inside. Now."

Kagome and Miroku practically jumped in the house. For even if a student has done nothing wrong, when the you're-in-major-trouble tone is used, even the most innocent of persons will suddenly feel guilty.

The two students followed Principal Johnston through the hallway, towards Kagome's sitting room. Kagome felt weird having a teacher lead her through her own house…but what the heck.

"Please, Miss Higurashi, have a seat. Uh…Miroku, you can do whatever."

"I feel so loved," Miroku said under his breath.

Mrs. Higurashi was sitting in the chair opposite Kagome, looking deadly serious. Kagome swallowed. As Principal Johnston began to speak, Miroku took an unobtrusive seat on the floor.

"Kagome," she began, "your actions greatly disappointed me today."

Kagome stared back stoically, determined not to be roped into a guilt trip. "How so?"

"You gave me your word that you would go to the center, and then you shirk your duties to go do who-knows-what with Takeda; this is not the behavior I would expect from a girl such as yourself."

Mrs. Higurashi was now shooting death glares at a confused Miroku. Kagome could literally read her mother's look: If you've done anything to my baby…

"But that wasn't how it was at all!" said Kagome, already losing her cool. "I decided to walk home today, and then I got caught in the rain and was soaking wet before Miroku showed up and offered me a ride. Hey-and you were the one who sent him to go pick me up!" she added, glaring at Principal Johnston.

"Kagome!" her mother cried. "Watch your tone!"

Principal Johnston arched a brow. "I sent Miroku to fetch you nearly an hour ago. It should have taken him less than fifteen minutes to find and bring you home."

"Well…we talked a little…and-I dunno, we just talked and then he brought me home."

"Just talked?"

What the hell are you trying to insinuate? "Yes-just talked."

"I see." She turned to Takeda. "Is this the truth?"

Kagome's jaw went slack. "A-are you calling me a liar?"

Principal Johnston ignored her. "Miroku?"

"Yeah, that's what happened. It took a little convincing to get her into the car, so maybe that's what took up so much time."

"Fine. Still, Higurashi, there is the issue of skipping out on your duties."

"I never said I would go back there," said Kagome defensively.

"On the contrary-"

"You decided that I would go back there and you made that call to the director, assuring him I would arrive. I don't remember consenting to actually go."

"Kagome!" her mother cried again. "You are being so disrespectful!"

The chastised girl just glowered.

Principal Johnston sighed. "Despite popular belief, Miss Higurashi, I am not an evil witch." (Kagome shot Miroku a suspicious; Miroku looked like he was trying to figure out where he'd heard those words before.) "I only want the best for my students. I want you to graduate on time; and this isn't possible unless you achieve the required number of hours. I believe that you have the ability to touch the lives of some of these less fortunate children in the juvenile delinquent center. Please, go back for this week and if it still isn't working out, I'll find you another situation. Does that sound fair to you?"

Put like that, how could she refuse without sounding like a spoiled brat? "But-but-I-"

"And as for you, Takeda-" Johnston turned to Miroku.

"Huh?" he said, his eyes widening. "What'd I do?"

"It has come to my attention that you also are lacking in community service hours."

"Uhhh…" Miroku had the hand-in-the-cookie-jar look on his face. "But only one or two…"

"More like four or five. Here's the deal: if you escort Kagome back and forth from juvy every day after school until graduation, I will sign the paper saying you have completed your hours. Even if you are short by a couple."

"Um…" He shot Kagome a glance. "No offense, but I think I'll just stay after school and help coach out with training new-"

Johnston sighed. "Would you like me to rephrase my statement? Takeda, you will escort Higurashi to and from juvy every day until graduation, or I will not sign the paper you need."

Miroku gave Principal Johnston a horrified look. "But-"

"This is a reasonable request on my part. Miss Higurashi, this is not a personal attack, but judging by your past actions, you need a chaperone. Miroku, you need to spend less time worrying about your hair and 'checking out chick's legs' and spend more time serving your community. I think this experience will be good for you both."

Kagome and Miroku looked at each other in mortification, and then back to Johnston. "But-!"

"It's settled then. The director won't mind if you're a few hours late, Higurashi. Miroku, do you have enough gas to get Kagome to the center?"

"Uh-yeah-"

"Good." Johnston smiled brightly, her dimples flashing. "Now run along, you two, while Mrs. Higurashi and I have a nice little chat." She wiggled her fingers at them in wave-like fashion. "Tootle-loo!"

Rather freaked out, Kagome jumped to her feet and dragged Miroku out of the house. As she was closing the door, Johnston's voice floated behind them: "And don't forget: be home in exactly two hours and thirty minutes or else you both have detentions for the rest of the week!"

"God-damn-it." Kagome slammed the door shut.

Miroku winced at the reverberations of the door and Kagome's language. "I didn't realize you were such a violent girl, Higurashi. Had I known, I would have paid attention to you more often-"

"Shut up and get into the car. Let's get this damn thing over with so we can graduate and kiss Johnston goodbye."

"I have a voodoo doll at home," offered Miroku.

"Later, Takeda, later." She yanked open the car door and pulled it shut, the force of her grasp causing the car to rock back and forth .

"Take it easy, this car wasn't cheap!"

Kagome mumbled something under her breath in response.

Miroku turned the ignition and roared down the street.

"Hey…about that voodoo doll…"

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Fifty-one…fifty-two…fifty-three…

"No fair," a pale, freckle-faced kid whined. "I think we should have separate competitions for humans and demons."

"Yeah?" Inuyasha threw over his shoulder as he pulled himself into his fifty-fourth pull-up. "And just which category would I be in, huh? Human or demon?"

"Human," Koga shouted. "Pathetic blood belongs with pathetic beings."

"Shut the h-"

"SILENCE!" the coach bellowed. "Finish your pull-ups, Takahashi, so the others can have a turn."

"'Kay."

After his hundred-and-twentieth pull up, Koga's snores and Freckle Face's whines were ricocheting off the walls even worse than before.

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"Miss Taijiya."

"No."

"But-"

"No."

"It's chicken teriyaki! Your favorite! You have to keep up your health!"

"For the last-freaking-time-I do not want any dinner. You can take that plate right back to your director and shove it up his ass-compliments of The Demon Slayer."

The aide winced. "Miss Taijiya, such language really isn't becoming to a lady…"

"Lady?" Sango looked away from the plump, matronly brunette standing in the doorway of her cell. Tears glistened down her cheeks and she used the ends of her lusterless hair to wipe them away. "I don't remember ever being called a lady."

"Oh, but you are, Miss Taijiya!" The woman nodded resolutely, her chubby face bobbing up and down in the most absurd manner. "Why, you're the prettiest woman I've seen in a long time. My boys back at home would jump at the chance to marry a sweet girl like you-"

"Marry?" Sango barked. "Marry? Right-they'd screw me and then leave me in the dirt." She didn't even try to curb the hateful words, and ignored the matron's gasp of horror. "Men are all the same. Don't try and tell me otherwise."

The matron sniffed. "Well! That's the last time I try and help the needy!"

"Go do your 'Christian duty' at some charity where the churchy people can record your points. No one appreciates your false sympathy here."

The gate slammed behind the affronted woman. Sango smiled bitterly. How much I've changed…what would father say if he saw me now?

She pushed the thought out of her mind. She might as well get used to it-now that she was in juvy for murder, and had nearly been raped, she'd never be respected again.

May as well fulfill people's expectations of her.

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The car engine died with a flick of Miroku's wrist. "We're here," he said unnecessarily.

"Mmm."

Miroku sighed and leaned against the steering wheel. "What's the matter now?"

"Principal Johnston."

"Smooth talker, isn't she? She should be a politician."

"Yeah," said Kagome scathingly.

"Hey, lighten up," Miroku said. "It's not so bad-just a few community service hours."

Kagome's eyes flashed. "You don't have to fear for your virginity-or dignity. All you have to do is play the chauffer for a while." She looked down at herself. "Aw…man, my shirt is soaked. Damn, it's white too…" She cast Miroku a glance. "And when were you planning on telling me this?"

"Telling you what?" he said innocently.

"I should have figured. Do you have an extra shirt in here with you?" She eyed Miroku. Sans the broad shoulders and bulging muscles, he wasn't that much larger than her…

Miroku reached back and fished a rather rumpled standard uniform oxford shirt out of his gym bag. "Here: this one actually smells decent."

"Thanks." She held the shirt in her hands for a minute before saying, "Um, can you turn away so I can change?"

He sighed and complied.

She quickly stripped off her soggy uniform shirt and slipped into Miroku's buttoning it up as quickly as possible. Her green pleated skirt was still wet, but at least it wasn't see-through.

"Cool, so…I'll pick you up in two hours?"

"Yup." Kagome made no move to get out of the car.

"You feel like getting out any time soon?"

"Not really."

"Well, hey, I still have practice to make, so it'd be nice if I could get there sometime soon…" When he received no response, he resorted to a more direct statement: "Get out of the car, Higurashi."

Kagome shot the hot violet-eyed wrestler a death glare. "You can't make me."

"Don't be so juvenile." Miroku paused. "No pun intended." When Kagome snorted, he continued: "Stop sulking and get out of the car. I have things to do, places to be, people to see-"

"Girls to grope, reflections to appraise-" Kagome continued the list sarcastically. "Fine. Pick me up at six o'clock sharp or I will permanently maim your beautiful face."

Miroku shot her a grin, his dimples flashing. "You think my face is beautiful?"

"Get over yourself." Kagome opened the door with her nose in the air and tried to climb out-

Only to find that she was still strapped in by the seatbelt.

Miroku wasn't even trying to disguise his snickers..

"Jerk," muttered Kagome, untangling herself and shutting the door behind her with more force than necessary.

Miroku revved up his engine and sped away.

"Remember! If you're late I'll skin you alive!" Kagome yelled after him, the lingering scent of gasoline polluting the air. "And I'll drag that car of yours to the scrap yard!"

"I'll get you, Dorothy-and your little dog too," a mocking voice said from behind her.

Kagome whirled around, trying to pinpoint the source of the voice. She was standing on the sidewalk in front of the doors to get into the place…there was chain-link fence surrounding the grounds next to and behind the immediate building… did someone duck behind the shadows?

She almost walked closer to take a better look (and kick the crap out of whoever was mocking her)…but then she remember that she really wanted to return home alive today.

Why me?

With a sigh that could have rivaled hurricane gusts, she moved towards the doors to the center.

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Inuyasha jiggled his foot, creating a tapping noise against the metal of the chair. He was sitting just outside the director's office, in the main waiting room. He found it rather strange that they made inmates and visitors wait in the same room-the same room that the short-tempered receptionist with that disgusting mole on her chin resided.

They either have explicit trust in us delinquents…or they want to scare away all outsiders to make visiting hours a whole lot hectic.

He was leaning towards the second option.

"Oy! Bitch!"

The perpetual sounding of the receptionist's clicking keyboard didn't stop.

"Yo, receptionist lady!"

She didn't even look up. "Yes?"

"Did the director croak while I've been waiting out here?"

"No, Mr. Takahashi, he's quite alive."

"How'd you know it was me?"

"Your voice is very distinctive-rather annoying, if you ask me. Like grating aluminum foil over sandpaper."

"You do this often?"

"Only after a day like this," she replied wearily. "First that kid's acne started throbbing…then that girl demanded a lawyer again…then that kid who wet his pants and needed yet another standard-issue uniform…now you…"

"Who wet his pants?" Was it that little red-headed runt he shared a cell with? He needed new blackmail material-that runt was such a smarty-pants.

"That," she said with sickening sweetness, "is none of your business, young man."

"Just trying to make conversation. So…when are you gonna get that mole removed?"

"This," the receptionist nearly shrieked, "is a beauty-mark!"

"To turn on blind, low-life demons? I wouldn't have thought it of you."

"Mr. Takahashi, if I hear one more word out of that foul mouth of yours, I swear I will-"

The intercom on the receptionist's desk whined to life. Both the smirking hanyou and the seething receptionist turned to look at the screeching appliance.

"Ms. Urasue, is Mr. Takahashi ready?"

"Yes!" the receptionist practically shouted. "Inuyasha-you can go in now."

"Right." Inuyasha stood and strode towards the director's office door. "Hey-" he turned to face the receptionist once again. "Do me a favor and skip my cell at dinner hour? I'm actually hungry today, and I don't feel liking chucking my food."

The receptionist's eyebrow started to twitch madly.

With one last smirk, Inuyasha disappeared into the director's office.

Less than thirty seconds had passed before the front door banged open and a dark-haired girl in a private school uniform skipped in, the smile on her face so fake that it could have plastered Inuyasha to the wall in fear.

"I'm ba-ack!" she sang. "Did anyone miss me?" Her phony perky attitude fell when the receptionist started banging her forehead against the desk. "Are…you all right?" she asked hesitantly. "I was only joking…"

The receptionist started mumbling what sounded like a list under her breath. "…then him…now you…"

"Bad day?" Kagome said sympathetically. "I understand."

"No, I don't think you do." The receptionist still looked like she was in her own little dream world. "Trust me, the loony bin is more sane than this place… Higurashi, is it? I'll alert the guards…"

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"You called, milord?"

Renkotsu looked up to find the troublemaking hanyou leaning causally in the doorway of his office. "Please, come in, Mr. Takahashi."

"Thanks. Don't mind if I do." The hanyou took a seat. "So. You called?"

Director Renkotsu Shichi folded his hands and rested them on the desk. "I've heard," he said slowly, "that you have been causing problems within your school classes, Mr. Takahashi."

"Have you really."

"Shall I read them off for you?" Renkotsu shifted the yellow sheet of paper in front of him so that it was within Inuyasha's line of vision. "Neglecting homework…distracting schoolmates…fights during P.E.-at least once a day-rude towards aides…" He looked up. "How long have you been with us, Mr. Takahashi?"

"Two weeks as of today."

"I see. Twelve days and you're already labeled a troublemaker. Not a good beginning, Takahashi."

"Have I disappointed your expectations in me? I'm so sorry." Inuyasha pulled a sad face.

Shichi sighed. "It's hard to believe that you're really seventeen years old."

"Yeah? I can be serious if I want to. Like now. Why the hell has my lawyer not visited me yet?"

Shichi raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps he is…busy?"

"He promised me he'd get me out of this mess," growled Inuyasha. "It's not like him to stay away for so long."

"He probably has other work to do."

"I'm his godson-I think that I would be first priority."

"Inuyasha…let me tell you something." Shichi leaned forward and stared the hanyou straight in the eye. "The world does not revolve around you. A few years in this center will do you no harm. If anything, it will teach you respect and a good work ethic-if you take advantage of your opportunities. If you continue to slack off and goof off like you have been, I can assure you that the future will not be bright."

"What, are you my guidance counselor now?" Inuyasha stood, his eyes sparking in anger. "I was put in this damn place on a fluke-I neither deserve nor want to be here. I'm sitting here, rotting away, nearly going crazy with the knowledge that Kikyo was murdered…when the real murderer is probably prancing around a bar right now, reveling in his good fortune!"

Renkotsu's face remained expressionless. "So you want us to believe…"

Inuyasha restrained himself from clobbering the director right then and there. "Bastard," he swore softly.

"That will be all, Mr. Takahashi," Renkotsu said mildly. "Behave yourself, or else I'll have to schedule you for another talk sometime soon."

"Keh." The hanyou stalked out of the office, barreling straight into the receptionist, knocking her to the ground. He didn't even stop to help her up as he stormed down the hallway.

"Ohhh…" Urasue rubbed her temples as she picked up the scattered papers. "Young ones these days…"

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Sango stared out the small, barred window in her cell. Her cellmate was napping quietly on the cot, her forgotten homework crumpled beneath her sleeping form. Sango sighed. She didn't even know the girl's name. She didn't know anyone's name in this place…

A bird chirped outside and the wind resulted in the trees. A lump formed in Sango's throat so quickly she didn't have time to push it down. How she longed to be outdoors again-to see the sky, hear the crunch of St. Augustine grass under her feet, scowl in disgust at the discarded gum wads on the public sidewalks.

There were a million things she wished to do. She wanted to stroll down the aisles of Publix again…she wanted to sit in the dusty old school library and curl up in one of the itchy chairs…she wanted to look up at the stars out of her window, to be able to turn on the radio as loud as she wanted without having an aide yell at her, or another inmate criticize her taste in music. She wanted to be able to listen to music in her room, not trudge down to the small library with a single short-wave radio on one of the desks.

She wanted to be able to go to a real school again, to have some privacy…

She wanted to see Kohaku.

Kohaku… Tears blurred her vision and she turned over on her stomach, so that her cries were muffled by the hard bedding of the cot. How are you doing? How are you surviving without me? What's happening with that little friend you made…the young girl?

Sango wished to get out of this place with all her heart. She was wasting time in here…she could be finishing her education, earning money, arguing with lawyers to get her brother out of that foster home…

What did she do to deserve this?!

She remembered a song that she'd heard on the radio a lot while working in the storerooms of K-Mart…and the words suddenly came back to her, like a door in her brain opening to reveal a memory. Through her teary haze she began to sing quietly: "Well, all she wants and all she needs are reasons to survive; a day in which the sun will take her artificial light…"

.

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"Inuyasha!"

"Leave. Me. Alone."

Shippo froze, his tiny body poised to jump onto Inuyasha's still form…but at the ferocity in the hanyou's tone, he thought better of it. "Geez…what's your problem?"

"Mind your own damn business."

"Hey-no need to get touchy. I'm just askin'."

"And I'm tellin' ya to bug off." Inuyasha rolled on the other side of his cot, facing the wall.

"Fine then. I'll entertain myself. I don't need you." Shippo bounced on his bed and pulled out his cat's cradle.

Inuyasha didn't answer.

Shippo sighed in annoyance. His new cellmate wasn't any fun. His last cellmate had been closer to his age and the two of them had hit off at once. They conversed over breakfast, went to "school" together, ate lunch in the library, returned to "school", spent their free time together, played "Eye Spy" during dinner, and so on and so forth.

Inuyasha was too moody to do anything with. What was this guy's problem? Couldn't he see that juvy was better than being out on the streets? Shippo sighed. He actually enjoyed being in juvy. People here fed him, clothed him, educated him, and there were plenty of kids to talk to-those that didn't try to kill him, that was. This was much better than the foster system.

Shippo's ears suddenly perked as he heard a sniffling noise. He glanced at the cell across from him: the two girls were both asleep on their cots; one face-down, the other crushing her homework. He sniffed the air. Yep, he smelled salt water. Tears.

His eyes wandered over to Inuyasha's form. The hanyou wasn't moving…except…were his shoulders shaking?

Shippo's eyes widened in disbelief. No…Inuyasha crying? Unthinkable.

Naturally, he had to go check it out.

He carefully crept off his bed and tiptoed over to the other side of the cell. If he could just lean over Inuyasha's form and take a good whiff-

A terrified scream interrupted his sleuthing activity. He jumped a mile and landed on top of the hanyou, who in return, flung him against the wall with a "I told you to leave me alone, dammit!"

Shippo rubbed his sore head and scowled in the direction of the scream. "Curses…"

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Kagome's scream reverberated off the hallways throughout the center. The blue-eyed demon flinched, but didn't move. Kagome was leaned up against the wall, her hand against her chest. "Are you t-trying to scare a few years off my life?"

The blue-eyed demon just stared at her. "What are you doing back here?" he asked.

"I told you. Working."

"I thought Dog Crap had scared you away last time."

"Dog…Crap…?" Why did he think she'd been scared away by excrement…?

"That pitiful excuse for a half-demon. Inu-boy."

Enlightenment dawned on her. "Oh-Inuyasha?"

The demon's scowl only deepened.

"Scared? Me? Who do you take me for?" Ignoring Koga's look, she rambled on, "I had a-meeting…that I'd forgotten about."

"Uh huh, right. Whatever you say, sweetheart."

She glared at him. "Don't call me that."

"What? 'Sweetheart'? Do you find that offensive?"

"N-no, just…" Just that's a special name that I would only want my boyfriend…if I had one, that is…to call me. "Never mind."

"Okay."

Suddenly self-concious, Kagome returned to the filthy window. They'd relegated her to cleaning again, and somehow this cell seemed to have gotten a whole lot dirtier in the time she'd been gone…

"Didn't I clean your cell just the other day?"

"Yes."

"Then how did it get so dirty again?"

"This isn't my cell."

Kagome finger froze on the trigger of the Windex bottle. "It's not?"

"Nope."

"Then…um…what are you doing here?"

"Visiting," he said simply.

"Don't you have somewhere to be? Like…school or the psychiatrist or something?"

His eyes darkened. "It's after dinner. We're supposed to be in our cells right now."

"But I thought…you had chores?" Isn't that what the receptionist had told her?

"It's Thursday. They shut us all up in our cells after dinner."

"So what are you doing out of yours?"

"I slipped out," he said with no hint of remorse.

"H-how?" Kagome started wiping the windows faster. "And where is the guy that's supposed to be in this cell?"

"Nurse. Lice. And I cut the bars with my claws."

Kagome shrieked and dropped the Windex bottle on the ground. "This cell…is infected with lice?" That was one her she and her mother hadn't thought of…

"Don't worry, nursie whisked him out of here before any little buggers had time to escape, I'm sure."

"Yeah…" Kagome said absently, patting down her hair. She moved backwards out of the cell… "This one looks pretty clean, now that I think about it…maybe I'll move on to the next cell now…"

Koga handed her the bottle of Windex with a gallant bow, which she took absently before hurrying out of the cell.

The wolf demon smirked at the girl's retreating back, his fangs showing slightly. Little private school girls were so fun to play with…

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.

Wolf whistle's and hoots filled the hallway as Kagome self-consciously walked towards the waiting room again. The last time she'd been here, the cells had been empty; how was she supposed to clean with a bunch of rowdy boys hollering about her legs? Was it her dang fault that the uniform skirts showed so much leg?

She burst through the door that led to the reception area…only to find the secretary's desk to be deserted. "Great…" She then noticed a sign taped to the overhang counter. Hoping that it would provide an explanation for the receptionist's disappearance, she moved closer to read it.

If you are a visitor, please come back tomorrow during regular visiting hours.

If you are a volunteer, please report to the classroom area and ask a teacher for direction. Do not bother The Director.

If you are an inmate wandering the place without permission-go to hell!

"Looks like they don't have a resident psychiatrist for nothing," Kagome murmured. She turned around and stared at the door, wishing for an alternate route to the classrooms. From studying the floor plan, the only way to get to the classrooms was to pass through the hallways of cells. It made it simpler to keep kids under control this way.

"But it sure makes life hell for me." She cast a glance towards The Director's office door. He wasn't to be disturbed…but surely he wouldn't mind if she asked him to chaperone her to the classrooms? If this was her safety in question, shouldn't he be more than willing to comply?

She raised her fist to knock on the door-

Only to have the door open before she could rap her knuckles on the wood. A tall, bald man with cold eyes and a turban-like…thing…stared down at her. "Yes?"

"I…I…" She swallowed and started again. "I'm Kagome Higurashi and…um…I was wondering if I could do something else besides clean because-not because I'm lazy, that's not it!-but the inmates make me feel-uh-uncomfortable…"

"Completely understandable. Go to the classrooms and find a teacher-they'll find something for you to do. Give my regards to Ms. Johnston." He closed the door.

Kagome blinked. "Well then…" She took a deep breath. "Into the gauntlet!"

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.

.

What was this, a freakin' circus?

Inuyasha flattened his ears against his head, trying to tune out the noise. Why was everyone shouting? Had they just admitted a hooker as an inmate…still in costume?

He groaned and yelled, "SHADDUP OUT THERE!" a the top of his lungs.

Only to be ignored.

"They're not listening to you, Inuyasha," Shippo said. "They're all ogling at the girl."

One point for Inuyasha. "Poor sods. Haven't they ever seen a loose woman before?"

"That's not very nice," scolded Shippo. "Poor girl-she's probably scared out of her wits."

"Scared? This is probably the most business she's gotten in months."

The kit frowned. "Are we talking about the same thing?"

"I really don't-" He just then caught sight of the girl and bolted straight off his cot. "You again!"

Kikyo's double jumped and looked into his cell. A dismayed looked crossed her face-

-right before she took off running…

…straight into Koga.

"Well, hey there, sweetheart," he said, giving her his heartbreaker smile, while enfolding her in his arms. "Missed me that much, hmm?"

"Uh…" Kagome was discreetly trying to push the demon away. "Koga-I really have to be somewhere…"

"Aw, honey, we just found each other again!" He shot an unidentifiable look towards Inuyasha, and tightened his embrace.

A grin suddenly broke across Inuyasha's face. Was the stupid wolf actually trying to make him jealous? Over that bitch that dared to show up with Kikyo's face? He lazily leaned back on his cot and watched the scene before him in amusement. The schoolgirl in the short, wet skirt wasn't trying to hide her attempts to detach herself from Koga's embrace anymore…all while Koga was pulling her closer, watching Inuyasha intently.

Inuyasha smiled and sent Koga a thumb's-up. "Way to go, lover boy!"

The stupid wolf looked confused.

"Too bad you're too slow to realize you'll both be busted in a few minutes."

The girl was on the verge of panic now, resorting to hitting Koga's back and yelling, "Let me go! Let me go now!"

Inuyasha winked at his rival before bellowing at the top of his lungs, "FIGHT!"

Koga let go of Kagome as if she'd burned him. She fell to the ground with a yelp, inadvertently showing more leg than should be exposed in a hallway full of lustful young males…

"Bastard," Koga snarled to Inuyasha before speeding down the hallway.

"Hey!" Inuyasha ran to the bars of his gate and leaned on them, catching only a glimpse of a rapidly retreating Koga. Dammit, this wasn't how he'd planned it! "Coward! Get back here! You wimpy wo-ooolf-"

His gate had somehow become unlocked in the period from when Shippo had entered to when Kagome was attacked. The barred door swung open and with no resistance to hold him up, Inuyasha tumbled down on the ground-straight onto Kagome, who had been trying to pull her skirt farther down on her legs.

(Back in the cell, Shippo was twiddling a hairpin between in fingers.)

She shrieked and shoved him off of her. "You-you-pervert!"

At that exact moment, an guard skidded around the corner. "What's all the ruckus about?" His eyes widened as he took in a near-tears-Kagome and a rumpled Inuyasha, both sprawled on the floor within inches of each other.

Aw crap… "This isn't what it looks like!" Inuyasha yelled, scrambling to his feet. "That wolf-Koga-was trying to rape her and my door swung open and…"

"Yeah, try another." The guard snagged Inuyasha by the arm and Kagome by the other, hauling them both down the hallway. "The Director's not gonna be too happy about having his dinner break disrupted…"

"Wait! You've got the wrong man, dammit!" Inuyasha jerked his arm out of the guard's grasp. "I didn't do anything!"

"Right-that's what they all say." The guard's face didn't event change expression. "I imagine this young lady would be happy to tell her side of the story to the Director, wouldn't you, Miss-uh…oh, blazes."

Kagome slumped to the floor in an unconscious state.

"She…passed out?" Inuyasha asked rhetorically.

"Guess all the excitement was too much for her." The guard scratched his dead.

"What a pansy." Inuyasha snorted. Nothing like Kikyo. Kikyo would have beaten the crap out of Koga the minute that filthy pointy-eared wimp laid a finger on her…

"And you!" The guard grabbed Inuyasha again, and this time swung him around so the hanyou's arms were twisted around his back. "You have got a lot of explaining to you, young sir."

Inuyasha made a growling noise in the back of his throat as the guard forcibly pushed him down the hallway, towards that wooden door with "EVIL" written all over it.

He must be cursed…

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Miroku showed his school ID to the guard at the entrance gate and squealed into the parking lot of the juvenile delinquent center, not bothering to find a parking space. He put the gear shift into park, yanked the keys out of the ignition, and leapt out of the car, leaving it smack dab in the middle of the fire lane.

He pushed his sweaty hair out of his face-his hair tie had broken sometime during wrestling practice-and sprinted for the entrance doors It was exactly 6:03…and counting. Kagome was probably pacing in the waiting area, just waiting for him to enter so she could scream her lungs out at him…

Not to mention her mother and Principal Johnston, whose faces were probably pressed against the front window of the Higurashi house, watching the clock tick towards 6:30.

He reached the entranceway and wrenched the heavy doors open, bursting into the waiting area. "Kagome, let's go! It's already six…oh…three…" His words trailed off into silence.

Before him was a red-faced guard who was twisting the arms of a scowling white-haired hanyou behind his back, an old hag with an ugly mole on her face shrieking about reputations and liability, and a tall bald man in a suit holding an unconscious Kagome bridal-style.

The people paused their argument briefly to see who had suddenly burst into the room, though when seeing it was only a sweaty teenaged boy, resumed their bickering at full volume.

With a forlorn glance at his wristwatch, Miroku heaved a deep sigh.

Just how was he supposed to explain this?

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A/N: o__0 Has it really been a month already? Heh heh…oops. Sorry bout the delay…

Wow, longer chapter than I expected. But this'll compensate for any short chapters, ne? And sorry about the lack of action b/t Inuyasha and Kagome…thirteen pages size 9 font and that's all I got. -huffs- this chapter turned out to be longer than planned…I promise there'll be more interaction in the next chappie. And some Mir/San stuff too. ^_^

And just to say: I have never been to juvy, so I have no idea what a standard compound would look like, but this story gives my interpretation of it. I asked a friend (who has been there) about scheduling and they said that yes, inmates were on a strict schedule and had to complete specific chores at a certain time, have meals at specific times; or just have days where they'd sit in there cells and do nothing (although they did have education of some form there). So. This is my interpretation of juvy. I realize that it's a probably much darker place than this story makes it out to be… but I have artistic license, right?

Hey, I heard the series is ending in September! In Japanat least. I can't believe it… dang, we only have 18 measly books out in the US… -sigh- being patient is so hard…

Hope you enjoyed chapter four. Stayed tuned for more drama in the coming chapter five…

And…review, onegai!

^_^ Ja ne.