InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Simple and Clean ❯ Tandem ( Chapter 7 )

Errrggg… I'm in so much pain!!! See, I'm like a magnet to bad things. In the same month that I managed to get sick, I also sprained my ankle and acquired a needle-like pain in my head… migraine… I also threw my back out (aren't these kinds of things supposed to happen to you when you're 80??). Thank you to my reviewers, you're the best pick-me-up an author can have!!! ^^

 

Chapter 7

 

Tandem

 

Kagome breathed a sigh of relief as she and Hojo got out of the stuffy bus. It dropped them off on one side of the highway. On the other side of the burning strip of molten (it was hot…) tar was the beach. Kagome looked at it in longing, the crisp water taunting her burning neck.

The cool water slapped against the shore and shouts of children and the sound of the ocean was refreshing, yet like something close, but far enough that, to a very hot Kagome, it seemed she never would actually be able to reach it. Her thoughts scattered as she laughed at a particular little girl, her hair down except for a small pony tail on the side of her head, wearing a tan and orange checkered dress, chasing after a small green dog. Her eyes strayed and then did a double take.

Small green dog? Since when were dogs green??? Kagome stared at the little thing to and admitted to herself that it looked a lot more like a giant frog than a dog. Then the realization hit her like a stab in the back. It was the little green dude who hung around with Sesshomaru, Inuyasha's half brother.

What's he doing here, Kagome wondered, unaware that Hojo was trying to talk to her. She scanned the beach for a tall, silver haired man with puff pants and a furry cape thing. Nope. Nada. No sign of the infamous Sesshomaru. Kagome finally realized that Hojo was talking to her, and rubbed her head for she was beginning to feel very dehydrated.

“Um, Kagome, do you want to go now?” Hojo asked uncertainly, probably wondering why his date was staring off at the beach with a glazed expression. Kagome nodded and smiled uncertainly. If Sesshomaru wasn't at the beach, then she was perfectly fine. But if he was, she might have to convince Hojo to take her somewhere where they wouldn't be trampled by rabid fan girls.

Looking both ways like her mother had drilled into her head; Kagome sprinted across the highway (this part her mother hadn't mentioned), not particularly caring that she was leaving Hojo behind her. Her mind was set on that great blue expanse and the feeling of the water as it flowed over her searing body. Hojo ran after her, catching up on the other side.

The two walked down to a good spot and set down their towels and beach bags. Then Kagome realized yet another thing. “Hojo,” She asked worriedly, “You don't by any chance have a surfboard, do you?” Kagome fidgeted. How were they going to surf without a surfboard? Kagome wasn't too worried though, she just wanted to get into that water, and fast!

“Don't worry Kagome,” Hojo said in his bubbly, annoyingly happy voice, “Were renting a surfboard.” Kagome mentally slapped herself. Duh. She was so stupid sometimes. Why would Hojo cart a surfboard around with him everywhere he went?

Kagome stripped off her sarong and shirt, folding them neatly in her bag. Hojo took off his t-shirt, revealing, to Kagome's surprise, very nice abs. Who knew? Kagome slapped on some sunscreen, politely refusing Hojo's offer to do it for her. His abs weren't that nice.

Leaving Kagome to twiddle her thumbs, Hojo went to go rent two surfboards from a vendor. Kagome relaxed in the sun, wishing she had an umbrella. She didn't want to be rude, so she decided to wait for Hojo before going into the water. I'm too nice for my own good, She thought to herself sarcastically. Hojo came back fifteen minutes later with only one surfboard. “Sorry Kagome,” He said, “I used the money I was going to use to get a surfboard to pay for your bus fare, so I could only afford one surfboard.” He didn't look too sorry to Kagome, besides, how could a measly two dollars be enough to rent a surfboard? She didn't buy it for a minute.

Kagome rubbed the back of her neck uncomfortably. It looked like she wasn't going to get to go surfing after all. “So I guess you'll just go out then?” Kagome forced a strained smile as her hopes of ever learning to surf in her lifetime vanished like a diamond ring down the garbage disposal. Hojo looked confused, he shook his head.

“No, it's okay, we can go tandem!” Kagome had no idea what he was saying, but she nodded her head anyways, “It'll be fun” Hojo looked at Kagome a minute, sensing that she hadn't understood what her had said by the clueless, but happy-go-lucky look on her face.

“You do know what tandem is-don't you?” Kagome shook her head hopelessly, feeling totally stupid. Hojo smiled kindly, oblivious to Kagome's embarrassment. “Tandem is when you surf together on one board.” Kagome let out a little `oh' and smiled back at Hojo. God, she was such an idiot. “Or,” he added on second thought, “It also means you ride on the same wave, with different boards, but since we only have one…yeah.”

Hojo hefted the board under his arm and beckoned Kagome to follow him with his free hand. Kagome walked next to him as they made their way down the beach where the surf was cleaner. Kagome followed Hojo into the water until they were submerged to mid thigh. She shivered, the water was colder than she expected. It bit at her unprotected stomach, but it was a relief from the smoldering sand of the beach.

“Get on the board and use your arms to paddle out,” Hojo instructed her. Kagome swung herself onto the fiberglass board. It felt wobbly and unsafe and the wax stuck to her bare stomach uncomfortably. Then Hojo climbed on after her. He steadied the board, and Kagome's felt less afraid.

Then Hojo rested his chest just a few inches higher than her bottom. It is an odd sensation to have someone lay on your legs (and for that matter, your backside), especially if that someone is the hottest boy in your grade and has no shirt on. Kagome knew that Hojo wasn't being perverted; the board just wasn't long enough to stabilize it any other way. Not that she minded.

She started to paddle out, and she felt Hojo's muscles tense as he pumped his arms as well. She held her breath and prayed to the gods that she wouldn't drown as an onslaught of whitewater came rushing towards her.

Luckily, Hojo's powerful arms pushed the board and a very frightened Kagome through the waves out to a place where the waves weren't breaking. Kagome peeled her white fingers one by one off of the side of the board, where she had clutched, fearing for her life.

“It's okay Kagome, it's only water you know.” Yeah, she thought, ever heard of a thing called death by drowning??? Kagome nodded her head stiffly as she sat up on the wet board, only to fall off. She almost screamed in fright as she floundered in the water until she realized that she knew how to swim.

Hojo pulled her out of the water and onto the safety of the surfboard once more. Though she could have done it on her own, she had a feeling that Hojo was just trying to be nice so she let him tug her out. “Thank Kami for swimming lessons.” She mumbled under her breath.

* * *

Kagome spent the rest of the morning learning the basics of surfing. By the time noon had swung around, Kagome was standing up, riding the small waves. She found that it was peaceful to surf. It was also beyond anything she had ever imagined. Surfing, even on the little waves, felt like flying. The satisfying sound of the board slicing through the water formed its own music unlike anything Kagome had ever experienced. Having Hojo's hands around her waist made her feel safe and invincible. Nothing could ruin her serenity then, not even a certain silver-haired Hanyou. That was a good thing, considering that he had been watching her, sunglasses low on his nose; waiting.

Kagome paddled back out to the lineup to get ready for another go. Sitting up on the board she swung her legs around so that she could face Hojo. Smiling sincerely, she told him, “This is so much fun! We should totally do this again!” Hojo wasn't returning her smile. To be honest, he wasn't even looking at her face. He was looking at her chest.

Kagome looked at him in horror as he stared at her. He was completely oblivious to Kagome's shock. Kagome looked down as well, hoping to God that her bathing suit was securely fastened. Looking up, he pointed at the jewel that was around her neck, and conveniently located-you guessed it-right near where her bathing suit started. “Wow, that's really pretty, is it quarts?” He asked her.

Kagome fingered the jewel. Pondering the question. What was the jewel made of anyways? For that matter, why did Kikyo think it was special? Was she missing something? “Um… I don't really know-” She paused, wondering how to phrase the next thing she was going to say, “A friend gave it to me.” Was Inuyasha a friend? Or was he just an acquaintance? Did you skip school, eat ice cream and swim in the lake in the park with an acquaintance? This was all so confusing!

“Cool!” Hojo said. Then he checked over his shoulder, looking for a good wave to catch. Kagome let her mind wander back to its safe haven; but the thoughts of the jewel, Kikyo and Inuyasha were still there, locked in a corner of her mind, struggling to come out…

* * *

By three O'clock Kagome and Hojo decided to get out to re-apply sunscreen and get some lunch. Hojo went off to find a food vendor, leaving Kagome to sit in the sun and work on the tan she didn't have. She decided it best not to put on her sunglasses, for fear of looking like a raccoon.

Closing her eyes, Kagome inhaled and exhaled slowly, savoring the smell of the sand, the sea and sun-tan lotion. After a while she rolled over onto her back to tan on the other side. This process reminded Kagome of pancakes. You flip them over and every time you flip them to a new side, the old side is a little more brown. She let out a little giggle.

Kagome felt a shadow across her face, blocking the sun. Immediately she thought it was Hojo, so she struggled to get her bikini top tied. She could feel herself growing red in the face as she fumbled. While still struggling to get all the strings on her very stringy bikini strung (say that ten times fast), she squinted up to look at Hojo.

Except for it wasn't Hojo. It was Inuyasha.

* * *

Duh duh duh duh… ^^ betcha can't wait for the next chapter now, huh?