InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Playgrounds of the Mind ❯ Cartoons and Photo Albums ( Chapter 5 )

Playgrounds of the Mind

Chapter Five: Cartoons and Photo Albums

[Disclaimer: Inuyasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi]

Author's notes: Wow, thanks for the reviews! ^_^ For those of you who figured out my reason for calling the academy Aureate Winters, good job! Not that it was so difficult, but I appreciate those who took such an interest in my story. Does any one like Challenges? I was considering having a little "contest" for each one of my chapters-I would ask if anyone could identify a famous movie quote or something along those lines. Any takers in the audience? Let me know if so.

Inuyasha and Miroku rose at the loud tolling of the bell, and made their way out of the dinning hall and towards the building chosen for assemblies. Miroku tried to catch some random girl's eye as he slicked back a few loose hairs from his face. Inuyasha grimaced and held his hands over his sensitive ears.

Kagome, led by Sango, arrived breathlessly on the scene. The assembly hall was filling up quickly with students, members of the board of trustees and teachers. Sango found Miroku and Inuyasha in the middle row. She and Kagome rushed over to grab the seats next to the boys, then made a show of sitting down calmly and lady-like. Sango brushed her hair out with her fingers and Kagome smoothed down her skirt. Both girls moved to straighten out their jackets and burst out laughing when they realized they were mimicking each other's movements. Miroku and Inuyasha exchanged glances, and began to imitate the girls' behavior. Miroku grabbed a lock of Inuyasha's hair and began braiding it. Inuyasha knocked him from behind and sent him flying headfirst into Sango's lap. Red-faced, she shoved him back into his seat and sat fuming. Miroku gave Inuyasha the thumbs up sign and winked. Inuyasha had to laugh lightly at that.

A large, rounded man made his way up to the podium and waved for silence. The room was as dead as the grave in an instance. People here are really well behaved, Kagome thought in awe. In her last school it took a few minutes to shush her peers. The man cleared his throat emphatically.

"Welcome returning and new students of Aureate Winters," he boomed, taking the audience by surprise. "I am Roger Wilcox, your headmaster. I am pleased to announce some exciting new programs, classes, and projects we have planned for you fine young ladies and gentlemen this year."

Miroku leaned in towards Inuyasha, "He means he got even more money out of our parents," he stated cynically. Inuyasha nodded curtly.

"Each of you will be required to take certain preliminary courses and fundamental courses; the rest you may choose to your likings as electives. Each Friday is free dress day, with only theatre, sociology, and physical education classes to be held. Classes on Fridays will end at noon, and the weekend is yours to spend as you will, hopefully for homework," the headmaster stressed, his eyes traveling over a few certain individuals.

Kagome seemed a bit relieved. Sango squeezed her arm warmly and mouthed, it'll be fine.

The headmaster went on to introduce the teachers, staff members, and maintenance crew. He finished his speech and introduced the next speaker. A nice-looking middle-aged woman made her way over to take the microphone. Miroku blanched slightly and slouched down in his seat.

"Hello everyone, I am Cheryl Anderson-Monk, the newly-elected president of the board of trustees. Miroku David Monk, your fellow classmate is my son. Hi sweetie!" she called out, waving to her son. All eyes turned to look at Miroku, who was desperately trying not to turn red. Inuyasha shook with silent laughter, and Sango looked up at the ceiling and smiled. Mrs. Monk continued on with her speech, stating new projects planned and when they would be completed. "I am pleased to announce this year's second semester will be in Paris," she waited for the clapping to cease. "And next year, we will all see each other in Tokyo!" Kagome smiled, looks like next year, I'll be the one close to home.

After many more announcements, the headmaster took to the stage one final time. He dismissed the classes until Monday and wished them a good weekend. The students clapped politely and began to disperse. Miroku grabbed Inuyasha by his collar, Sango by her jacket sleeve and indicated with his head to Kagome to run outside. Shoving the trio, Miroku finally let them go halfway across the lawn from the steps of the building. Sango hit him on the arm and brushed her jacket. Inuyasha similarly glared and straightened his collar, almost having choked to death.

"What is with you, Monk?" Inuyasha spat.

"Yeah," Sango chimed in. She turned to Kagome, asking the fellow girl to inspect her outfit, making sure there were no more wrinkles.

"We have to get out of here before my mom catches me and makes me go to lunch with her boring friends from the board!" Miroku made an attempt to grab his friends again, but they sagely stepped back and he missed.

"You should relish the time you spend with your mom," Inuyasha nearly yelled. Sango narrowed her eyes at Miroku. He felt badly, forgetting himself in front of Inuyasha. He tried to mumble something, but was cut off.

"There you are, darling! You left so quickly!" Miroku's mother adjusted the strap of her Chanel Bag and ran her fingers through her bangs.

"Oh, hi mom," the younger Monk said feebly, "I was just going to show my new friend Kagome around some more." Kagome glared at Miroku for pulling her into the fray.

"Well it's very nice to meet you Kagome," she smiled. "Have I met your parents?"

"Um," Kagome stumbled. She was not so keen on everybody finding out about her connections to the school.

"Er, this is Kagome's first year," Sango interjected, saving her friend from saying anything. Inuyasha also stepped in.

"Gee, Cheryl it's nice to see you again," he said charmingly.

"Oh, Inuyasha, you devil you! You look even more handsome then I last remember. And that gorgeous hair!" She turned sharply to her son. "Now, Miroku why wouldn't you grow your hair out like that?" she demanded. Miroku's eyes widened in pure disbelief, as he attempted to form coherent words.

"You-You made me cut it!" he stuttered, hardly knowing how to contain his incredulity. Mrs. Monk simply made a dismissive gesture with her hand and reached into her purse to re-apply her perfume.

"Sango, dear, and Inuyasha and Kagome, you won't mind if I take Miroku away for the day, would you? There are some lovely ladies on the board who are just dying to see him again."

"Of course not," Sango and Inuyasha said together, each pulling Miroku by an arm. Miroku sent them death glares as he and his mother walked off to their waiting car and driver.

"See you later!" Sango sweetly called after his retreating form. He angrily shook his fist at her in response, before being yanked into the open door by his mother.

"Now that that's over with," Inuyasha smirked, "what should we do?"

"Actually, I have to meet Kohaku later today, so I have to hang around campus."

"Oh, that's right, how's his back?" Inuyasha asked with concern. Sango smiled at her friend warmly.

"He's just fine now." She turned to Kagome. "My younger brother injured his back last spring, and he had to have some minor surgery over the summer, so he's arriving a bit later." She said in explanation.

"Oh, Sango, I'm just glad he's okay," she replied. Sango picked up a deviant daisy at her feet.

"Alright then, guys, I'll see you later this weekend," she said, as she started off at a jog in the direction of the main drive, where no doubt her brother would be arriving shortly. Kagome waved and looked back to Inuyasha. Catching her gaze, he looked at the grass and paced a bit.

"So," he started, and then trailed off. "If you want, I could show you my house. It's a pretty close drive from here. I had my car driven up for me," he grinned happily at this.

Kagome blushed furiously. "That sounds great," she said, trying not to appear over zealous. "I'll just get my bag from my room," she stated, turning around and realizing she had no idea where to go.

Inuyasha laughed good-naturedly. "Want me to show you?" She nodded. They walked over to the girl's dorm, silently, neither saying a word, or rather, unable to come up with something to say. Inuyasha stopped outside the doorway.

"I'll wait for you here," he leaned against a column. Kagome rushed upstairs, searching like a mad woman for her deeply hidden bag. She located it and ran over to the mirror on her boudoir, fixing her makeup and re-brushing her hair. She stood and took a light sweater from her closet. Okay, just relax and don't blow this, Kagome breathed, willing her heart to stop beating so hard against her breastbone.

Inuyasha rose as Kagome ran out the door. He gave her a small smile. "That was fast." Kagome's heart jumped even higher at the praise. Being told you don't take long by a guy is the ultimate compliment, she thought, smiling widely when his back was turned, so that he could not see her. After she calmed herself, she went to walk besides him. She noticed other students on the campus giving the couple stares. Kagome couldn't resist telling herself the girls were all jealous that she had Inuyasha's attention. Really, I'm such a hedonist, Kagome scolded.

The two teens arrived at the parking lot reserved for students. Inuyasha pulled out his keys and opened the door for Kagome. She once again blushed furiously at his chivalrous acts, and tried to figure out what kind of car it was so that she might make a comment about it. Like I know anything about cars, Kagome grumbled internally. Why couldn't she have listened more carefully to Souta and her Grandfather talk about cars and racing? Inuyasha slid into his seat and adjusted the seat belt. Kagome moved to do the same, but could not quite get the buckle to snap in place. Inuyasha carefully took the two ends from her and snapped it in place. He smiled at her. Kagome meekly thanked him, feeling stupid. I've got to think of something to say! She tried to think her way out of her mental turmoil.

"This car has a really nice interior." Kagome blinked. What did I just say? Oh lord, how much lamer can I get??

"Yeah, it's a great ride for a hard-core race car. My brother still can't believe it's mine and not his." He grinned and gunned the car, swerving past a slower moving vehicle. Kagome lurched in her seat. He drives like a maniac, she thought. She signed to herself, how romantic is that? Kagome blinked again. I'm turning into a babbling buffoon, and I haven't even started classes yet, she mentally groaned.

"So, you have a brother?" she decided to make some small talk. But Inuyasha's features darkened instead.

"Yeah, but I don't want to talk about him. He and I don't get along, period." His words came out harsh and almost cruel. Kagome shrank back a bit.

"Sorry."

"Don't be. It's not your fault he hates me. So what about your family?"

"I have a little brother, Souta. My mom and grandfather and Souta and I live right outside Tokyo, actually."

"Wow, so you'll be home next year," he smiled. "I guess you can show me your house, then." Kagome nodded enthusiastically. The car was speeding over a bridge. Inuyasha had a look of intense concentration as he attempted to drive as fast as possible, yet not turn the car over as it took to the bends. Kagome found herself unconsciously holding on to the door handle. They appeared to be in a suburban setting. She looked at Inuyasha's profile. He had a perfectly sharp jaw and a cute, perfectly shaped nose. His eyebrows arched masterfully over his golden eyes, framing his face, adding the perfect balance of angular elements. He could be a model, Kagome realized. Not that he needs to get by on his looks. Apart from coming from one of the riches families in the world, Sango had told her earlier, he had the highest GPA in their class. And add the best martial artist to that list, and we have ourselves a winner, Kagome told herself, feeling slightly flushed.

"Are you too hot?" Inuyasha asked. "You know, the top goes down on this thing!" He gleefully pressed a button, and before Kagome could protest, seventy mile-per-hour winds were hitting her in the face, slamming her body back against the seat. She cracked one eye open and observed Inuyasha. His hair and bangs were widely thrown back and his eyes blazed with joy.

"Guys and their cars," Kagome mumbled, although he wouldn't have been able to hear her if she used a bullhorn.

The newly transformed convertible came to a sudden stop outside huge wrought-iron gates. Inuyasha was about to punch in a code, when a voice came on over the intercom.

"Master Inuyasha, you're home early! Please come in." The gates slid open slightly, to Kagome's surprise. She figured they would have creaked open, like in those horror movies.

Inuyasha brought the car around to the side and parked beneath an extend carport. He slid out and ran around to assist Kagome. She found it hard to walk upright at first, as her body subsided from the momentum. It was like being in a space shuttle, she thought. A short man ran out to greet them.

"Master Inuyasha! Ah, I see you have a charming guest." He walked over. "May I take your bag and sweater, miss?"

"Just put them in my sitting room, Myouga," Inuyasha instructed. He motioned for Kagome to follow him.

"I'm guessing you've had enough tours today," he smiled and pushed the door open, "so I'll just show you my room, and maybe the dojo."

Kagome perked up, "You have a dojo?"

"Yep. I train here when school's gym is closed, although that's not too often." He led her into a spacious chef's kitchen. He ambled over to the refrigerator and looked inside. "Would you like a drink? There's sparkling lemonade, tonic water, left-over Champagne," Kagome cut into his rambling.

"Lemonade sounds fine, thanks." He poured two glasses and handed one to her. They were about to head upstairs when a phone rang somewhere. They started up the stairs, but Myouga called out.

"Master Inuyasha, a call for you." Inuyasha gave his companion an apologetic glance and told her to wait on the landing. He ran off into the parlor, searching for a phone. Kagome observed some photos on the walls. She went to take a closer look.

They were obviously of the West family, mostly authoritative looking portraits. She saw a young man who seemed to be about eighteen or nineteen, looking aristocratically bored. Must be his brother, she thought. Their resemblance was startling, but then again, so were their differences. Inuyasha had an entirely warmer and more human seeming aura surrounding him. Even from a photograph, she could tell Sesshoumaru was removed from those around him, cold and aloof. Looking at a nearby table, she noticed a photo album. Picking it up and leafing through it, she could tell how much the two siblings disliked each other. One photo showed a much younger Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha at the beach. Sesshoumaru was burying his little brother alive, waiting for the tide to come in. Another showed the family at a fancy dinner, with Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru unfortunately seated next to one another. Inuyasha was in the process of setting his brother's hair on fire with a candle, and a maid was desperately dumping a bowl of punch over the flame. Yet another captured a disastrous family outing, with the two brothers splashing and trying to drown each other in a fountain. Each was trying to get up without letting the other up in the process. Kagome tisked, flipping through the album, trying to find a single example of the two acting civilized. Here's one she thought. It was an image of Inuyasha pouring coffee for his brother. Only she noticed that he didn't stop pouring once he reached the rim of the cup. She shook her head and closed the pages. Was it always this way? How had brothers become enemies at so young an age? She replaced the books and came to stand in front of the portrait wall. Two beautiful women caught her eye, each one's portrait flanking a huge portrait of who could only be Inuyasha's father. He seemed a powerful and commanding man, who had the same stark eyes and hair as his sons. The women were very different, both in looks and demeanor; one had waving, dark red hair, sharp green eyes and pale as moonlight skin. The other, handing on the other side of Inuyasha's father, had shiny, long dark locks and the most hypnotizing violet eyes. She had delicate features, as if carved from a pearl. Kagome's thoughts were interrupted by Inuyasha's shout. He motioned for her to come back; for some reason it seemed he didn't want to go near the pictures. She ran up to him. She was about to explain what she was doing, but Inuyasha simply started up the stairs. Kagome ran to catch up.

"Here we are," he announced, opening large double oak doors at the end of the hall. It seems like this is a whole wing of the house, Kagome mused. He led her to a drawing room, the first one on the left when they entered the suite.

"This place is amazing," Kagome breathed. She stared at everything in wonder. Inuyasha seemed to shrug. He walked over to a bookshelf, and she joined him. She looked over his books and her eye landed on an artist's sketch pad.

"Oh, do you draw?" she asked, picking it up tentatively.

"Sort of," he made a hand gesture, "It's most just cartoons."

Kagome looked at them in pleasure. These were very good. She observed a particular frame. It showed a large, scraggly looking dog with evil red eyes and some kind of substance dripping out of its mouth. Where the liquid fell, it burned the ground away like acid. A thick, greenish looking mist filled the air. Sanding in front of the monstrously large dog was Inuyasha himself, wearing a red traditional kimono and holding a sword. He was yelling something: `Stand back! His breath is like poison!'

"Yeah, that's my rendition of Sesshoumaru. When we were kids and he'd piss me off I would secretly draw these cartoons of him as a smelly dog whose halitosis could kill."

"It's great," Kagome laughed. "Probably the best way to work off stress."

"Well, yeah, short of killing him myself," Inuyasha commented. Kagome just shook her head and laughed some more.

Let's see, she mentally counted, trait number 284: he's funny and talented. She groaned. She wasn't going to have any room in her head for her studies if she kept this up.

Whew, done at last. Now I'm starving so I'm going to go eat. Thanks again to all my reviewers and readers. I want to add more humor to the story. Any comments?

Reviews always appreciated!