InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Not Another High School Fanfic ❯ Halloween ( Chapter 9 )

Chapter 9: Halloween

 

Hana's POV

With the Halloween party only a week away, I knew I had to get busy like a little worker bee in order to finish Aoi's costume. Mine was already done and before knowing that Aoi would be wearing it, the other costume was just a work in progress. Aoi didn't know that I was designing her dress but it was a surprise so she didn't need to know. Anyway, after finding out that she wanted to be a dark angel (even though I technically gave her the idea), I went home and instantly got to work. Wanting to get as much as I could done, I stayed up until 3:00 in the morning working on it. When I woke up I was glad Aoi would be picking me up because I was dead tired. As soon as I got in the car I went to sleep.

 

Aoi's POV

 

I was thinking about telling Hana what Sesshomaru told me but before I had a real chance to consider it she went to sleep.

She must have been staying up all night watching anime. I just hope she doesn't fall asleep in class today. I thought.

Once we got to school I realized I had the unfortunate task of waking Hana up once we got to class. In the short time that we had known each other I discovered she was a very heavy sleeper. As I thought, shaking her didn't work. I tried pinching her but that didn't work either.

“AH! If you don't wake up…!” I said out loud.

“Mmm…Sesshomaru…”

“Huh? Are you awake?” I asked.

She turned her head but her eyes were still closed. I groaned. She was still asleep…

“Sesshomaru…I…love…”

Wow…she talks in her sleep…I thought. But she said `Sesshomaru I love'…so…she does love him…

“Please…don't leave me…”

Aw, poor baby.

“Aoi…Aoi…” Hana continued sleep-talking.

Is she dreaming about me now?

“No…stop talking about me in your head!”

She was awake now, apparently. I was sure of this when she pinched me.

“Ow! Scutmuffin what did you do that for?!”

All she did was shrug her shoulders. She stretched and yawned and she plunked back onto the desk.

“Hanamori-san! Class is about to begin, so sit down in your seat!” My teacher yelled at me.

“Hai, Gomen.” I said walking over to my seat and sitting down like a good little girl.

Unlike a good little girl however, I continued to talk to Hana during class. Telepathically of course…

So missy, what exactly were you dreaming about when you were actually asleep?

I had a dream that I confessed my feelings to Sesshomaru and he rejected me.

Ooh.

Aoi what if it's an omen? What if that really does happen when I tell Sesshomaru how I feel about him?

I must say it's very annoying being the median between two people who know they like each other and won't admit to each other that they like each other. It makes it very difficult to talk about the other person when they happen to come up in a conversation.

I really don't know Hana. I knew that wasn't a very good response. I wanted to help my sister as much as I could but honestly, I didn't know what else to say. I'm sorry.

For what? Hana asked.

For not having anything more comforting to say.

Oh it's okay…

Hana and I were quiet for a moment. Sensei was talking about Japanese proverbs of some sort. I lost interest quickly and continued talking to Hana.

So why are you so tired anyway? What were you doing all night, watching anime again?

No! I was actually working on a…project. Yeah, a project.

Really? When's it due?

Mm, by the end of this week.

What is it?

Why are you asking so many questions? If you must know however, it's something for…Home Ec. It's a sewing project.

Cool, can I see it when you're done?

Of course! Definitely…

 

Hana's POV

 

Even though she may not look like it, Aoi sure can talk a lot. I had never really seen her as the talkative type. Either way no matter how many questions she asked, I refused to tell her any details about the `project'.

During lunch Aoi and I asked everyone what they were going to dress up as at the Halloween party. Kagome was going to be Alice from Alice in Wonderland; Sango was going to be the bride (Beatrice Kiddo) from Kill Bill, and Miroku was going to be a `pimp'.

“Why am I not surprised?” Sango said in a monotonous voice.

“Yeah, I mean you're supposed to be out of character for Halloween. Be someone that you're not.” Kagome said.

“What are you implying Kagome?” he asked.

“Do we really need to say it Miroku?” Aoi asked.

“No…” he sighed

Suddenly a deadly silence covered us. “Okay…well…” I said trying to think of something to say.

“Anyway…” Kagome said speaking up. “I won't be at the party until about 9:30 because I have to take Shippo trick-or-treating.”

“Who's Shippo?” Aoi and I asked at the same time.

“Oh he's my kistune brother. He's adopted like you guys.”

“Really?” we said.

“Well that does make sense. It'd be kinda odd if two human parents had a fox demon offspring.” Aoi said.

I laughed and said “Yeah it would be.”

“Yeah, Well I'm going to go get some chips. I'll be right back.” Kagome said getting up.

 

Kagome's POV

 

After getting out of line I just so happened to run into him…He started talking to me when he saw me, “S'up Kagome.”

“Hey…” I said looking down.

It was weird. That was the first time I talked to him since I saw him with her. Ironically enough, she came out of nowhere and grabbed his hand. “Oh, hey Kagome! What's up?” she said in her false sweet voice.

“O-oh…Hi Kikyo…” I said.

“You know its sooo nice running into you.” She said. “Oh! I forgot to tell you that Inuyasha and I are going out now! Aren't you happy for me?”

Choking back the tears, I said “Yes…I'm happy…”

Suddenly I ran away and the last thing I heard Inuyasha say was, “What's her problem?”

 

Hana's POV

 

I had watched part of the little `love triangle' scene but after a minute I got fed up.

“Where are you going?” Aoi asked but I didn't answer. Just as I walked up to them Kagome ran off and I heard Inuyasha say, “What's her problem?”

“What do you think her problem is?” I said angrily.

Inuyasha and Kikyo, (a.k.a the worst couple ever!) turned around and looked at me.

“What?” he said.

“I mean seriously Inuyasha…I can't believe that you would believe one syllable that comes out of this woman's mouth.” I said pointing to Kikyo.

“What are you talking about?” he said.

“What do you think? Kikyo has been lying to you!”

“What is she talking about Kikyo?” Inuyasha said looking at her.

“Who knows?” Kikyo said shrugging her shoulders.

“Oh for goodness sake stop acting innocent! You lied to Inuyasha about Kagome not liking him that way because he's a half-demon. You're only going with him so that you can make her miserable!”

Inuyasha stepped in front of Kikyo and said “Stop lying on her Hana!”

“I'm not lying! You know why? Because I'm your friend and friends don't lie to each other. Whores on the other hand deceive people to get what they want! They sleep around with other people's boyfriends and even the boy their cousin is in love with!”

“Wait a minute! Who the hell are you calling a whore!?” Kikyo said stepping from behind Inuyasha.

“You! I mean, you talk like one, you walk like one so you must be one.”

Interjecting into our little argument Inuyasha spoke up, “What do mean `the boy their cousin is in love with'?”

I sighed out of frustration, “Man you're dense sometimes…if you really paid attention you'd know that Kagome has had feelings for you since middle school. Naturally she was too afraid to say that up front so she wanted, at least, to start out as being your friend.”

Kikyo frowned and then dragged Inuyasha away. “C'mon Inuyasha! She's the one who's lying!” Inuyasha went with her but looked back at me, which gave me a sign that he was at least considering what I said. But when he left with her, even after I said that, it showed me that he was still unsure…

Oh Inuyasha…Kikyo is not the one for you. When are you going to realize that? I thought.

Suddenly the lunch bell rang and Sango, Miroku, and Aoi walked up next to me. “What was that about?” Sango asked.

“I'll explain later…” I sighed, and I walked away with them.

 

A couple days later…

 

Aoi's POV

 

I admit I was excited about the Halloween party. To be honest, it was the first one I had ever gone to in high school. I didn't go before because I just wasn't motivated or just didn't feel like it. But this time I actually had a reason to go. I'd get to have fun with my friends, my sister, and my boyfriend. Thinking about that, I giggled. I was still getting used to calling him that.

 

After getting my nails done (like Hana told me to) I headed to her house. She told me, or instructed me I should say, to get them painted black with red designs and get pointed tips. I had already figured they were supposed to go with my dark angel costume. When I got to her house I was happy to find that her dad's car wasn't there. I didn't know what I would do if I had to deal with him. When I knocked on the door, Kazuke answered. He surprised me at first with his almost realistic vampire costume.

“Hey it's Little Girl Blue!” he said.

“Ha-ha, Omigod you are a riot,” I said sarcastically, “Now where's your sister?” I asked.

“Upstairs.”

I came in and went straight upstairs. Now you're probably wondering how I knew who he was. Well, a little after we all started going to Sunrise, Hana introduced me to her brothers. And of course, being in the same school, even if it was big, it was impossible not to run into them from time to time.

Anyway, when I got to Hana's door I knocked and I heard her say “Come in.”

I did so and gasped when I saw my costume on a headless mannequin. It was a long black strapless dress. From top to bottom it was decorated with red rhinestones. On the neck of the mannequin was a black choker with a small bloody metallic cross chain dangling from it.

“Wow! It looks HOT!” I said.

Hana laughed and said “Man, other than `succulent' that's like your favorite word. But anyway, I'm glad you like it.” At the moment she was combing her hair.

I walked up to it and felt the smooth fabric along with the stones. “Where'd you get this from?”

“Nowhere, I made it. Why else would it be on a mannequin?”

“That's true, but really that's freakin sweet! I didn't know you designed clothes…”

She shrugged and said “Well it's just a hobby. I mostly do it because it was something my mom did…and as you know she was like my biggest role model.”

“I see…well you did a very good job! Arigato Gozaimasu!” I said giving her a big hug.

“You're welcome.” She said. After I let go of her she continued primping her hair, “Well I think my hair is okay, I'm going to go put on my dress. I'll be right back.”

“Okay.” I nodded.

Just before going to the bathroom (she had her own) she poked her head through the door and told me that I could go ahead and put my costume on.

“Okay.” I nodded again.

Closing the door behind her I quickly changed into my dress and put on the choker. Looking at myself when I was done I smiled. A few minutes after I was done Hana came out of the bathroom and I smiled even more. Her dress was the same as mine only is was white and she had silver rhinestones. “Wow! You look so pretty!” I said.

She smiled and said “Thanks, you too!”

Finally noticing my nails she gasped and said “Ah! They look perfect!”

It took me a minute to realize what she was talking about but when I did I said “Oh thanks.”

She then grinned and said “Now its time for the make-up!” She suddenly sat me down in front of a mirror but course I wasn't facing it at the moment. I sat quietly while she applied different things from lipstick, to eyeliner, to mascara, to eye shadow. When it got to the point where my face felt caked with makeup I asked “Is this much make-up really necessary?”

“It sure is! It'll give you your evil look.”

When she was finally done she turned me around so that I was facing the mirror. I gasped. The make-up was…a bit scary but it still looked good. It did indeed give me my evil look. My mascara was black with red glitter on it. My eye shadow was black but it still wasn't done too dark. My eyeliner was curved up which gave me a semi-Egyptian look. To top it all off, I had on red lipstick. “Wow…well aren't you just the little make-up artist?” I said.

“Oh I try. So what do you think?” she asked kind of nervous.

“I think it looks spiffy.”

“Third favorite word…” she said, fake-coughing, “but anyway you're almost done.”

“You're not done with me yet?” I asked exasperated.

“Nope there are two more things I need to give you.” She went to one of her little white container thingies and got something out. When she came back to me I was surprised to see a small clear case with red contacts and a temporary tattoo paper with a black crescent moon on it. I looked at her and said “Wow you're going all out for this thing aren't you?”

“Yep!” She nodded, “They're going to have a contest for the people who have the best costume and we're going to win!”

I took the contacts and the tattoo from her.

“So…these things don't have medicine in them, right?” I asked looking at the contacts.

“Aha, no sweetie, I got them from an anime convention earlier this year.”

“Just checking,” I said. “Um…can you show me how to put these on?”

She nodded and said “Surely.”

After helping me put the contacts on I asked her where to put the tattoo.

“Here,” she said pointing to her forehead, “Just make sure you put it on upside down.” While I waited a few minutes for the tattoo to apply, Hana quickly did her own make-up. Of course, her make-up consisted of only white eye shadow, silver glitter on her eyebrows and clear lip gloss which gave her a `pure' look. After a few minutes elapsed I removed the paper and looked in the mirror. “Wow…I really look evil.”

“That's the point!” Hana said. She then put a similar tattoo on her forehead only it was white and facing up. After that, she went into her jewelry box and pulled out a few things. She gave me a pair of long dangling earrings (one was red and one was black). Meanwhile she had on a pair of dangling diamond earrings with a diamond necklace.

“Wow,” I gasped, “That necklace is so pretty. Where'd you get it from?”

“It's an heirloom of my mom's, she passed it down to me in her will.”

“Oh…”

Suddenly I noticed something that was out of place. “Hana?”

“Yeah?”

“You know we're going to have to take off our lockets. They kinda don't go with our costumes.”

She looked down at her locket and said “Yeah…”

We took off our lockets and placed them next to each other on Hana's dresser. I admit it felt kind of weird taking them off. We had always worn them so I guess you could say they were a part of ourselves. They were a part of our past…

Suddenly, I noticed something else. “Hey, don't we have wings?” I asked.

“Oh they're in my closet but I don't think we should put them on until we get to school. It might be…uncomfortable with them in the car.”

“Good point.”

We grabbed our shoes so that we could put them on at the door. Other than that we were completely dressed and ready to go. Just before leaving out we looked at our lockets one more time.

 

 

Hana's POV

 

I was so relieved when we finally got to the school. First, Aoi had forgotten her cell phone at home. I told her that she could use mine if she really needed it but she insisted that she get hers. So we drove back to her house so she could retrieve her cell phone. It wasn't too soon after that her Aunt Risa had decided to give us the `it's Halloween night and shit happens so be careful' speech (not her exact words but that was the jest of it), that kept us occupied for about ten minutes. Then, though it didn't take as long, she snapped a few pictures of us.

We were relieved when she finally let us go, but only to be confronted by even more time-consuming obstacles. On our way to the school, we caught every single red light (each one of course, lasting a lot longer than it normally does) and there was an accident so we had to take a complete detour.

So yes, when we finally did get to Sunrise I was very relieved.

 

Aoi and I stepped out of the car looking pretty awesome. That is until I tripped over my dress. Luckily no one was around to see. I was also lucky because Aoi was there to grab my arm before I totally fell flat on my face.

“Thanks.” I told her.

“Of course! We wouldn't want your week's worth of sweat and blood to get ruined now would we?”

“Mm-hm.” I nodded in agreement.

We approached the outside entrance to the gym, where the party was being held.

“So Hana are you ready to totally dazzle and amaze our peers with our super special awesome sexy costumes?” Aoi asked me as if she had drank ten cups of coffee in one sitting.

“'Dazzle and amaze'? What are we now, animals in a circus?” I asked.

“Oh let's just go,” she said pulling me inside.

 

When we entered the gym it looked nothing like the place where we got pummeled with volleyballs, basketballs, tennis balls,( golf balls too according to Aoi, I reminded her that you play golf outside but she said she didn't care)etc. on a daily basis. It was totally transformed! A red carpet was laid across the floor so that the wood wouldn't get scuffed up, an orange dark light (sort of like the lights used for developing pictures) was the source of illumination along with a spinning disco ball in the center of the ceiling. Fake cobwebs, spiders, and other Halloween icons decorated the walls and along the far side of the gym was a black banner with kanji written in red saying: `Sunrise Halloween Social'

“'Halloween Social?'” Aoi yelled over the music, “The last time I checked, this was a high school and not a senior citizen home. Come on!”

I nodded in agreement and said “Yeah! I mean they could have tried to come up with something else. Like Halloween Bash…Halloween Jam… or somethin'!” I then looked up at the big clock on the opposite side of the room: 9:20

“We didn't get here that late. I wonder where everyone is…”

As if on cue, I heard a high-pitched, familiar voice from not too far away, “Aoi! Hana! Over here!”

We turned around to see Kagome in her frilly `Alice in wonderland' costume (bonnet and all) along with Sango as `The Bride' in her bright yellow jumpsuit with a katana in her hand. Kirara was also with them, riding on Sango's shoulder (she had on a little eye patch, it was so cute!). Both of them were waving to us as they were approaching.

“Oh my gosh, you guys look so cute!!!” Kagome exclaimed while circling around us, looking at our costumes.

“Thanks!” Aoi and I said. “You and Sango look great too!”

“Tch, not as great as you two!” Sango said. Kirara jumped from Sango's shoulder to Aoi's. “Oh my gosh, the cute kitty isn't burning me!”

“Yeah!” Sango said smiling, “She likes you now.”

“Sweet…” Aoi said petting the cute fire-cat demon.

“Yeah, they look like…Chii and Freya from Chobits!” Kagome said continuing to talk about the costumes I had made.

Sango rolled her eyes, “You read too much manga Kagome…”

Kagome made a pouty face at Sango's comment and Aoi and I laughed.

“Anyway, I'm sure you two are gonna win that contest at the end of the night…”

“I hope so,” I said “I've worked so hard on these costumes…”

“Wait-you made these?” Kagome asked.

I nodded.

“Wow, that's cool…”

“Yeah…hey Sango, where's Miroku?” Aoi asked.

Sango shrugged her shoulders. “I don't know. He was just with us, but you know how he has `ninja skills.'”

As soon as Sango finished her sentence, someone wearing a fur coat, a silk shirt, a Rolex watch and other expensive looking items bumped into her.

“I'm so sorry, I really can't see with these sunglasses on but they make me look sexy so I'm gonna keep wearing them…”

“Sure Miroku, do as you do…” Sango said.

Now that I'd had a closer look, I noticed that it had been Miroku who bumped into Sango.

“Sango! That is you! Why did you and Kagome leave me? I was looking for you girls this whole time…”

“Yeah Miroku, of course you were…”

He ignored the irritation in Sango's voice and turned his attention to Aoi and me. “Wow, you two look gorgeous.”

“Thanks Miroku. I'd say the same for you but, this is sort of what you're like every day.” I said.

“What are you talking about? I would never wear my Rolex during school…”

“You know what I-oh nevermind…”

“Hey, you guys wanna see my super special awesome belt?”

“Uh-sure.” We all said.

Miroku was wearing an LED scroll belt. `I'm A Flirt' scrolled across the screen in white letters over and over again.

“Ha, that's cute but I think I'm gonna have to tell R.Kelly that you're taking his stuff.” Aoi said pointing at Miroku's belt.

“No way, I was a flirt long before he was.”

Sango and Kagome nodded their heads in agreement.

“I'm parched,” I said, “Let's go get something to drink.”

“Yeah.” Everyone said in agreement.

We all went and got refreshments (Aoi and I both got bubble tea, by twin coincidence).

We were all talking and laughing and enjoying ourselves, when of course the new arrivals had to spoil the mood.

 

Aoi's POV

 

“Aoi, don't look now, but Skankity Slut-Slut just arrived with her `pet' following right behind her.”

I looked out of the corner of my eye to see Kikyo and Inuyasha together with interlocked arms. “Crap, we can't just enjoy one moment without them can we?” I asked.

“Nu-uh…and what is she wearing? Better yet, what are they wearing?”

When I got a chance to fully look at them, I noticed that Kikyo was wearing pink bunny ears, a Playboy bunny necklace, a pink and black corset dress, and black stilettos with black lace stockings. Inuyasha was wearing a white Oxford shirt with a black vest, black slacks and a pocket watch. He also had white bunny ears overtop of his normal dog-ears.

“Hm, I don't know what's up with Inuyasha. But Kikyo- I mean Thing- it's like she's never celebrated Halloween before. I mean, doesn't she know she's supposed to wear a costume?”

Hana just shrugged and shook her head. Just then out of my peripheral vision I could see that Kagome was beginning to transform into `Super Emo Kagome'.

Oh no…Kagome is going emo again…we've got to get away from those two…I thought.

I've got an idea…Hana said.

She directed our attention to the rear end of the gym where the photographers were. “Let's go take some pictures!”

Sango, who immediately caught on, said “Yeah! Good idea!”

We all began walking but when I noticed Kagome was still standing there I had to grab her and drag her to come with us. Surprisingly we didn't have to drag Miroku away (who in a normal situation would have been drooling over Kikyo's revealing `outfit'). After pushing our way through the huge crowd we finally reached our destination only to find that we had to wait in a long line. While we were waiting Kagome sighed and said “I don't feel like taking any pictures…”

“Yes you do because if you don't I'm going to tickle you.” I threatened, remembering her weakness (though unfortunately I too shared the same weakness).

“Okay! Pictures sound great!” she said suddenly perking up. “Jeez…you really are evil Aoi.” She said giving me a scared look.

“I know...” I said smiling innocently.

While we continued to wait I couldn't help but wonder where Bankotsu was. I guess Hana noticed that I was looking around (or maybe she read my thoughts) because she asked…

You're looking for Bankotsu aren't you?

Yeah…I wonder where he is…

Don't worry. He'll turn up eventually.

I nodded. He did say he was going to be there.

When we finally got to the front the photographers asked us which background we wanted. We got to choose between a graveyard, a haunted house, a full moon and a spooky looking cave. After briefly debating, we agreed on the one with the graveyard. After taking a group picture, we all took individual pictures, then all the girls took a picture, then Hana and I took one but we chose the full moon background. I was happy that the picture idea worked. In all of the pictures we did these ridiculously scary faces and Kagome couldn't help but laugh.

After paying for our pictures, we all went to the dance floor. I didn't want to go but Hana insisted (We were able to leave our pictures on the table they had set out until we were ready to get them.) I admit, I wasn't much of a dancer but I was in such a good mood I didn't care if I looked like a bamma with no rhythm. Hana actually complimented me. I guess I didn't look too bad because I wasn't thinking so much about how I looked.

Suddenly, a few minutes after the next song had just come on; I felt a pair of strong arms wrap around my waist. I quickly turned around, surprised. I gasped when I saw it was Bankotsu. I hugged him and said “Oh! You came!”

He hugged me back and said “Yeah. I told you I would.”

I let go and him and said “Yeah you did say that…” Then I stepped back, so I could get a good look at his costume. It didn't take long to figure out what he was. “You're a samurai!” I said.

“Uh-huh, and you're an evil angel of darkness.” He said in a funny creepy voice. I laughed and said “Yes. And Hana's the little goody-goody angel of light.”

“Huh?” Hana said, hearing her name. She turned around and said “Oh it's you! I see you finally decided to show up.”

“Yeah…I got held up by some…things…but I was finally able to come.”

When he said that, my eyebrow went up in suspicion. Exactly what things held him up?

“Well I'm glad you were able to come. It would have been bad if you missed the `social'.” Hana said making air quotes with her fingers.

Bankotsu laughed and said “Yeah. I was wondering what was up that.”

“Yeah, we were too.” Hana said. She then looked at me and said “Hey I'll be right back. I gotta go to the bathroom real quick.”

I nodded and said “Okay.”

Just as she left, a slow song came on. Alright all you ghouls and goblins it's time to slow it down…The DJ said.

“'Ghouls and goblins, though?” I said questioning the DJ's corny choice of words, “Taking the Halloween thing a little bit too seriously now are we?”

“Yeah,” Bankotsu said laughing. He looked at me and said “May I have this dance?”

I nodded, smiling at him, and said “Of course.”

He took one of my hands into his own and I placed my other hand on his shoulder while his went on my waist. “So…did I miss anything?” he asked as we rocked side to side.

I shook my head and said “No, not much. Kikyo and Inuyasha showed up not too long ago…”

“Oh. It's kind of weird…he doesn't really seem like her type, if you know what I mean.”

“He isn't, he just refuses to realize it. Besides, she's just going with him because she wants to make Kagome miserable.”

“Huh? Oh yeah…you did tell me Kagome liked Inuyasha…that really sucks.”

“It does…” I said. I then began looking around. Kagome was no longer on the dance floor and Sango and Miroku looked like they were arguing about something…

Oh man…

 

Sango's POV

 

I groaned when I heard the slow song come on. I was just walking away when I felt Miroku grab my hand.

“What are you doing?” I said snatching my hand away.

“Would you…like to dance with me?” he asked.

“Of course not! Why would I want to dance with you?” I said.

For a moment he didn't say anything. He just looked at me with those beautiful brown eyes that I thought I fell in love with. “I see you're still mad at me…”

“Of course I am! How can you expect me to just suddenly recover from getting my heart broken so many times?”

“But Sango I…”

“Just shut up Miroku. I'm sick of your lame excuses. I'm sick of you saying `oh I can't help it' or `don't worry Sango, you're the only one I love'! You're so full of it!”

I noticed a few people were staring at us but I was too angry…and too upset to really care at the moment.

“Sango I…I really am sorry. I know I messed up but I promise you that if you take me back I'll never look at or touch another woman ever again. Please…I do love you…”

I closed my eyes and shook my head. “I can't Miroku…you've apologized a thousand times, and each and every time, you never really meant it. Even though I knew that'd you'd probably go back to your old ways I still believed in you…and I gave my hopes up every time. I'm sorry but I don't think I can take having my heart broken again. It's over…”

I then walked away, my heart hurting more and more with every step.

 

Hana's POV

 

When I came out of the bathroom the first thing I noticed was that out of our little troupe only Aoi and Bankotsu were on the dance floor. Just as I began to look for everyone else I suddenly bumped into someone. I looked up and realized it was Sesshomaru.

“Oh…um…hey.” I said a bit surprised.

“Hello.” He said.

I noticed that he didn't have on a costume. He just had on plain white button-up shirt and a pair of black slacks. “How come you don't have on a costume?” I asked.

“I don't do costumes.” He said nonchalantly.

“Oh…right.” He really didn't seem like the type to wear costumes.

“You look…beautiful.” He said.

“Huh? Oh…thanks.” I said slightly blushing.

“Though I admit, that costume doesn't look like something that you'd be able to afford.”

“Well dang what are you tryin to say?”

“I'm saying that with your low-paying job you honestly wouldn't be able to afford that kind of costume.”

I gasped and said “For your information, `Oh God of Money and Long Hair' I made this dress. And just because you make like a trillion yen a year doesn't mean that my job is `low-paying'!”

He rolled his eyes at me, in my mind I hoped that they would get stuck inside his skull as punishment for being so arrogant, but of course it didn't work.

I huffed and put my hands on my hips, “You know I have to ask... how come you were being so nice to me before but now you're mean to me?”

“I'm not being mean, I'm being honest.”

“Whatever.”

There was suddenly an awkward moment of silence. “Anyway…how come you're just getting here?” I asked.

“I took Rin trick-or-treating.”

“Did she have fun?”

“I suppose.”

“You suppose? That was a yes or no question buddy.”

“Well that's my answer, `I suppose'.”

“Do you have to make everything difficult?”

“Do you have to ask so many questions?”

I admit it was kind of weird arguing with him. I had never really argued with him before.

It was sort of like arguing with the sky, impossible to win.

I just sighed and said “Look I really don't feel like arguing with you anymore. I came to this thingamajig to have fun and neither you nor anyone else is going to stop that.”

Just as I was walking away I felt him grab my arm and pull me back.

“Wait…the only reason I really came was because I wanted to talk to you.” He said.

“Okay, well talk!” I said snatching my arm from him.

“No not here, outside...” He began walking away and I assumed he wanted me to follow him. A part of me didn't want to go with him but the other part was really curious to know what he wanted to talk to me about. So I went on and followed him.

 

When we got outside, he sat on one of the benches and I followed suit. “So…what did you want to talk to me about?” I asked.

“I've been doing a lot of thinking lately and I've been wondering…are you still bothered by what I said?” he asked.

“Well…wait…why are you bringing this up out of the blue?”

“Because…ever since then, things haven't been the same between us since.”

“Ha, no kidding, what do you expect? You give me this amazing kiss and then suddenly tell me that you're not even sure if you like me like that. You can't just expect me to act normal.”

He sighed and said “A part of me was hoping you wouldn't dig too deep into that…It's just really complicated, okay?”

“What's so complicated about it? If you don't like someone then you shouldn't lead them on, especially the way you led me on.”

“You're right…I shouldn't have led you on.”

“No you shouldn't have.”

“Look…how about we just forget about what happened…can't we just be…I dunno, friends or something?”

“What?” I said standing up, angry. “No! I can't just forget about that! And no I can't just be your friend. You wanna know why? Because when you feel as much love for someone as I do for you, you can't `just be their friend'.”

And then I walked away, not wanting to hear another word he had to say.

 

Aoi's POV

 

“Where in the blazes is my sister?!” I asked loudly. It seriously seemed like she'd been gone for hours, even though it probably had only been thirty minutes. The winners of the costume contest were going to be announced soon and she was nowhere to be found!

“Relax!” Bankotsu said looking quite scared of me. “She's probably…I dunno.”

“You're so helpful Kotsu-chan…” I said sarcastically. “But seriously though, where could she be…”

While I was looking around for Hana, who was currently MIA, I just so happened to look at the doorway and I gasped when I saw more new arrivals…

Little Miss Sayo and her Sesshy-lovin' clones arrived `fashionably late', for lack of a more sarcastic phrase.

Each and every one of the ten ASF members (including Sayo) were wearing blue jeans, black tennis shoes, and a black shirt, each with a different letter on it. It took me a while to notice, but when they stood together in a line, the letters on their shirts spelled `Sesshomaru'. And that's not even the best part, they all had silver highlights in their hair to impersonate Sesshomaru's hair color.

“Wow, those girls are so pressed.” Bankotsu said.

“Yeah, and they clearly are not ashamed of it.” I said.

Sayo saw me and started walking toward me, she finally stopped when there were about two inches of space between us.

“Hello-Twin…” Sayo said looking me up and down. “It's been a while; you haven't been around Sesshomaru-sama again lately, have you?”

“Oh sorry precious, that's the other twin.” I said fake smiling.

“Oh…” she said looking to her feet.

“Are you embarrassed?” I asked with intentional malice.

“No,” she said with ferocity, “It's just that-“

“You know I wonder how you knew about that. You know, about Sesshomaru and Hana meeting in the park? Were you with him that day? Did you just happen to walk on by and see them together?”

“No,” Sayo said starting to look more nervous, “Someone else saw them together and told me about it.”

“Someone else like who?”

“Why do you need to know?”

“Oh I `need to know' because I think I have a right to know who tried to kill my sister, don't you think Sayo?” I asked her.

“I don't know what you're talking about…” She said narrowing her eyes at me.

“Oh yes you do! Hana told me everything Little Miss…no point in trying to deny it.”

Sayo looked at me for a moment, and then started laughing at me.

“Who's joking? Girl you need to check yourself, jealousy is no reason to try and light someone up!”

She continued to laugh at me and then said, “And what are you gonna do about it?”

I looked at her for a moment, and then decided that I had no reason to stoop down to her level. “You know what? You aren't worth my time, just watch yourself. You'll get yours soon enough.”

“We'll see about that. But how about you do yourself a favor and stay out of our business? You know what they say about curiosity and cats...” She said unnecessarily flipping her hair around. That cliché is so old…

Just before leaving she looked Bankotsu up and down and smiled.

“Keep your eyes to yourself missy!” I said.

“Jealous are we…who cares? Sesshomaru-sama is so much better anyway.” She then walked away and went back to her loyal Sesshy followers.

“What the hell's her problem?” Bankotsu asked when she was gone.

“Oh no, the question is what isn't her problem?”

“I dunno…I just hope she doesn't run into Hana.”

“I know me too.”

 

Hana's POV

 

When I got back inside, I thought the night couldn't get any worse. But when I saw the ASF, I realized that luck was not on my side that night. I was happy to see Kagome and Sango but in order to get to them I would have to somehow get past those girls. I slowly began to walk and when I got close to them I thought they couldn't see me. But once again, I thought wrong. Before I knew it, I felt a tug at my dress and suddenly I fell. I wasn't surprised when I heard ten particular girls break out in laughter. When I got up I glared at them and said “Oh yeah, you guys are hysterical, which one of you tripped me up?”
“What are you talking about? Don't blame us just because you have no grace to match that pretty costume!” One of the girls, who I think name was Yukiko, said.

“Don't play dumb with me! I know one of you did it.”

“Well instead of worrying about who did it you should be worrying about that pretty dress of yours.” Sayo said.

“Huh?” I looked down at my dress and gasped. When I fell I thought I heard a RIP sound but I had hoped that it was just my imagination. But no, when one of the girls had stepped on my dress, making me fall, it did indeed rip. The torn cloth stretched from the bottom all the way up to a little past my knee. I grabbed the torn part and whispered “My dress…” I then looked up the girls. “You ruined my dress!”

“Oh it's not too bad. It'd be even worse if someone spilled something on it.” Yukiko said. Just as she said that, she tipped over the cup in her hand and spilled all the red juice on my white dress. I gasped again and said “You bitch!” I was about to strangle her when I felt someone pull me back. It turned out to be Sango. “No Hana! It's not worth it!” she said.

The ASF laughed and began walking away. “Guess you won't be winning the contest.” Mayu, the girl who had been Sayo's assistant in my attack, said.

When they were out of our sight I pulled away from Sango and looked at her. “Why did you hold me back?” I asked.

“Because I didn't want you to get in trouble, that's why.”

“But they ruined my dress! The dress I worked so hard on!”

“I know and I'm sorry…” Sango said putting her hand on my shoulder. “But those girls just aren't worth it, and I don't want to see you in any trouble because of them.”

Even though I understood what she said, I was still angry. They were right, I wouldn't win…

I slowly walked to an empty seat on the bleachers and sat down.

“Are you going to be okay?” she asked.

I didn't answer. I just stared down at my dress. Maybe Sango was right. Maybe it wasn't worth fighting them over.

 

Aoi's POV

After I tried looking for Hana for a little bit I finally found her sitting against the wall with Sango. I went up to her and said “Hey I've been looking all over for you.” Just then I realized she looked a bit depressed and I immediately saw why. Her dress was ripped and there was a big red juice stain on it. “What happened to your dress?” I asked.

“The ASF, that's what happened.” She said in an irritated tone.

Crap, they did find her.

“They messed up your super, sexy, awesome dress?! Oh nooo, they ain't gettin' away with this!” I was about to find those scutmuffins and give them a piece of my mind, but Sango stopped me.

“No Aoi! Not you too! Jeez…and you girls say I have anger issues…”

I heard Hana sigh, “Well you know what? I don't think I'll be having problems with them anymore. I mean, once they find out Sesshomaru's really not interested in me I won't be an obstacle to them any longer.”

“Huh?” Sango and I said.

It scared me how she said this so uncaringly. “But wait…you're not giving up on Sesshomaru, are you?” I asked, “Because you can't just give up. It'll make it too easy for them, they'll live forever with satisfaction of the fact that they tried and tried as hard as they could to break you down and it worked. You can't possibly want that…?”

She shrugged and said “Might as well let them, it doesn't matter now.”

I was starting to wonder if something was seriously wrong with her. I knew that you didn't just fall out of love with someone that quick. But when I looked into her eyes, I saw that she was hurt. She did still love him…

Oh Hana…Sesshomaru does love you…he just…

 

No…it's obvious he just wants to be friends…but we can't even be that…

 

Earlier… (Before Aoi found Hana)

 

Kagome's POV

 

When the slow music started I immediately got off the dance floor. I really didn't want to stand around like a pathetic loser in front of all those couples, and I especially didn't want to see Inuyasha and Kikyo. But just as I was about to leave someone grabbed my hand. I turned around to see that it was Koga. He was dressed as a prince. Even I had to admit, he looked pretty handsome. “What do you want?” I asked.

“What do you think? I want to dance with you.” He said as if it was that obvious.

“Thanks but no thanks.”

“Oh c'mon, what are you going to do? Dance by yourself?”

“No I wasn't going to dance at all.”

“Please?” he said almost to the point of begging now.

I swear this boy is so desperate.

“Okay.” I sighed, “But just one dance.”

“Great!”

He immediately grabbed my arms and wrapped them around him. While we were dancing I tried my best to avoid eye contact. When I saw Aoi heading our way I found it as the perfect escape. I moved away from Koga just as she reached us. “Hey Aoi, What's up?” I asked.

“Well I haven't seen Hana since she went to the bathroom and I was wondering if you've seen her.”

I shook my head and said, “No I haven't seen her.”

“Oh…well I hope I didn't interrupt anything.” She said looking at Koga.

Koga grabbed my hand and said “Actually you did.”

Just as Aoi was about to say something someone interrupted her.

“Get away from my man, hoe!!” We all turned to see none other than Ayame who just so happened to be wearing a `queen of hearts' costume. Judging by her loud outburst, she had the story all wrong. Snatching my hand from Koga I said “First of all missy, I'm not a hoe! That thing dancing with Inuyasha is- but we're not going to go there. And second of all, Koga is the one that insisted on dancing with me even though I didn't want to.” She looked at Koga with big, watery eyes (totally opposite of her previous attitude) and said “Koga-kun, is this true?”

“Pretty much except for the part about Kagome not wanting to dance with me because I know she did.”

I groaned. He never listened to a thing I said.

Suddenly, Ayame blew up with anger, “KOGA-CHAN! What the hell are you doing dancing with other women?! You can only dance with me!”

“Who the hell are you to say who I can and cannot dance with? And don't call me `Koga-chan!'”

“Your future wife of course.” She said crossing her arms across her chest.

 

Aoi gasped, then raised her eyebrow in confusion, “F-future wife?! Koga, you're supposed to be getting married and you're goin' around, messin with Kagome?!”

 

“I'm NOT marrying this brat!” Koga said.

“Oh yes you are, you said so yourself Koga-chan!”

“I only said that because you'd kill me if I didn't! And dammit don't call me Koga-chan!”

 

As the two continued to argue (while catching the attention of many people in the process) I explained to Aoi who Ayame was. Like Koga, she was also a wolf demon, which was one of the reasons she felt she was so perfect for him. Currently in the 10th grade, she was a childhood friend of Koga's and when they were little she threatened him into marrying her when they got older.

“I see…” Aoi said when I finished my little explanation. “Well I'm going to keep looking for Hana.”

Wow, way to totally change the subject, Aoi.

I nodded and said. “Okay, if I see her I'll let her know you're looking for her.”

“Kay thanks!”

While Koga and Ayame were still at it, I decided to get away myself while I had the chance.

 

When I got off the dance floor, I decided to help look for Hana. After a few minutes I saw her sitting across the room with Sango. I was just about to go to her when someone stepped in front of me. I looked up to see that it was none other than Inuyasha. “Inuyasha…” I whispered.

“Hey.” He said. “Whatcha' lookin' for?”

“I was looking for Hana until you got in front of me.”

“Oh sorry…”

I moved to the side so that I could walk away but Inuyasha moved where I moved, blocking my path. “What do you want?” I asked a bit irritated.

“I wanted to talk to you.”

“About what?”

“Well…I was wondering why you haven't been talking to me since Kikyo and I hooked up.”

“I…can't say.” I said with a sigh.

“Why not?”

“I just can't!” I said speaking a bit louder.

“Kagome…you don't…”

I looked at him and said “Don't what?”

“Never mind.” He said shaking his head. “Well…anyway…um…you look beaut-I mean, really nice tonight.”

“Thanks…you look good too.”

He suddenly grinned and said “Well, with an outfit that cost this much I'd better look good!”

I rolled my eyes and said “Right…I had almost forgotten how arrogant you can be…” I then smiled. “…but then again with that bunny outfit it's kinda hard to tell.”

I knew that this comment would probably make him mad but I couldn't help it. “This isn't a bunny outfit!” he said. “Okay it is…but I didn't really want to wear it… Kikyo persuaded me…”

I frowned and said “Persuaded…for lack of a better word…but tell me, do you listen to everything that she says or what? Because last time I checked, you didn't take `no crap from nobody.' Those were your exact words.”

“What's that supposed to mean-?”

“Alright ya'll! It's time to announce the winner of the “Best Costume” contest!” The DJ interrupted our conversation with the announcement for the contest. “And the winner is…!”

I wonder who's going to win. I thought, even though I had an idea…

The crowd got quiet as they waited to hear who it was.

 

“Oh what's this? It seems we have a tie!”

 

Hana's POV

 

When the DJ dude said there was a tie, I began to think there was still hope…but when I looked down at my dress I started to think otherwise. Aoi on the other hand, still had hope.

“Oh! I think it might be us!” She said shaking my shoulders vigorously.

I shook my head and said “I doubt it…” Then I was proven wrong.

 

“Hana Miyahsita and Aoi Hanamori!”

 

Aoi and I both gasped.

We still won!

“See, I told you!” Aoi said excitedly.

I smiled and said “Sorry for not believing you.”

 

As we walked to the front, spotlights shone on us and everyone clapped and cheered for us. At that moment we felt famous. When we passed the ASF girls we both of stuck our tongues out at them. I wasn't sure if she knew that I noticed this or not, but behind my back she mouthed `Suck on that, bitches!' We then laughed and continued to the stage.

For that moment…I didn't care that my dress went from a masterpiece to a hot mess. I found out that the winners were actually chosen before the little incident. My hard work paid off after all. After receiving our cash prize the DJ put on the song “Beat of Angel” by BoA (at our request) and Aoi and I partied the rest of the night like we didn't have a care in the world.