InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Demons Within Us ❯ Hooky ( Chapter 4 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Kagome collapsed on her bed, not even bothering to take off her t-shirt and jeans. All she wanted to do right then was black out and wake up sometime next year. It was becoming too much of a strain on her. She couldn't remember having a full night's rest anymore. It wasn't enough that she was up at the crack of dawn to help the kids get ready for school or the various activities they were in during the day, but that she was also spending her nights rehearsing under that slave driver, InuYasha.

He was going hardcore. Every night for the past few weeks he was drilling her with new songs and movements. Even after the rest of the band had stopped, he would keep her there, drumming hard and long until her body shook with exhaustion. If she even dared to stop he would insult her, threaten her and even more aggravating, just look at her without saying anything at all. She always held her tongue, always did as he said, yet nothing she did was good enough. He seemed to delight in making her suffer. If it wasn't so important, if her faith wasn't so strong, she was sure she would have cracked long ago.

A light flashed on, making her want to cry as she buried her face into her pillow.

“Kagome?” Ayame looked groggily at her from her bed beside Kagome's. “You just getting in? It's three a.m.!”

“I am aware of the time.” The exhausted drummer muffled through her pillow.

“What's that all over your pillow?”

Kagome regrettably lifted her head to look, before flopping her face back down. “Eye liner.”

“Eww, Kags, you look awful.”

`No kidding? You try playing a hundred songs over and over until some overtired Goth woman smacks an irate white haired overlord, who has all of our futures in the palm of his hands by the way, across the back of the head and tells him to get out of her warehouse or she'll castrate him, making him mad and having him say horrid things to you that would make even Satan, himself, blush with shame.' Kagome groaned. `And only two weeks until the competition.' Kagome reached up to the lamp. “Off.”

Ayame frowned and reached for the lamp to turn it off. “I hope you know what you're doing, Kagome. You can't keep up like this.”

Kagome didn't answer, her last thought as she drifted into unconsciousness was `It doesn't matter. I have to.'

- -

Kagome woke up the next day feeling oddly refreshed. She looked to the bedside table that she and Ayame shared and her eyes flashed wide in horror. “Two p.m.!”

She sat up and darted her eyes around, trying to catch her bearings. She slept in! She never slept in! She had to make the children's breakfast and lunches and help Kaede in the garden and teach Shippou a new drumbeat and meet with Hojo about fund-raising for the orphanage….

`Oh no!' She began to look around for her clothing only to realize she was still wearing her clothing from yesterday afternoon, having changed back into them after last night's rehearsal.

She jumped from the bed and thundered out of the room towards the girl's bathroom, grabbing a towel from the hall closet as she ran. She never took notice of the clean rooms or the fact there were no children near by. She jumped in the shower and within three minutes she was running back to her room for a fresh shirt, her other having been stained with black eye liner somehow.

“Lady Kaede?” Kagome called, pulling her shirt down as she ran down the stairs.

“Kaede? Ayame?” Searching the kitchen and dining room, Kagome became frantic. Twenty people just don't disappear. Where was everyone?

Laughter outside caught her attention and Kagome jogged to the back door and sighed in relief. Kaede and a few of the children were enjoying the sunshine of a beautiful spring day. Several children were pulling weeds from the lawn, while others assisted Kaede in the garden, pouring seeds and dirt everywhere. Kagome gazed around in awe.

“Kagome!” Shippou launched himself in her arms, nearly knocking her down.

“Ship? What's going on? What's everyone doing?” Kagome held on to him trying to gather her bearings.

Kaede looked up from her gardening. “We are doing what we normally do, child.”

“But, I slept in.” Kagome looked around in confusion.

“Aye, we let you sleep.” Kaede stood up slowly, stretching her sore legs. “You have been doing so much lately that we agreed to let you rest.”

“You were beginning to freak us out, Kags.” Kohaku smiled as he walked past her, carrying a few cans of drink to give to the kids.

“Yeah, the circles under your eyes had circles.” Shippou turned to Kaede. “Right, Lady Kaede?”

“Aye.” Kaede smiled.

Kagome smiled distractedly and looked around once more. “Where is everyone? Where is Ayame?”

“It's Saturday. The older ones went to the mall with Yuka and Ayume, Eri is teaching some of the girls dance in the basement, and Ayame is meeting with Hojo about getting some extra money in.” Kaede huffed as she kneeled down by the garden once again.

“But I was supposed to….”

“Kagome,” Kaede looked stern though her eye held comfort and humour, “when you go out on this War of the Bands, how do you intend to run the orphanage?”

Kagome opened her mouth and then shut it. “Well, I, uh….”

“Mhm.” Kaede eyed her knowingly. “I have been running this shelter for a long time now, and I think we can handle things quite well without you for awhile.”

Kagome opened her mouth in hurt. “But, Lady Kaede….”

Kaede chuckled. “I said we could, never said we wanted to. Kagome, you are an inspiration for this house, but everyone here knows you need to rest and relax too. You are doing too much and it's not healthy, child.”

Kagome looked over at the kids. “You all feel this way?”

If Kagome was expecting any response she was sorely disappointed. It seemed no one had even heard her, and few even noticed she was standing there. Looking at all of them, Kagome sighed. “I'm not sure what to do now.”

Kaede chuckled. “If you are that lost that you cannot even think of what to do on a day off then you surely need more days off. Take Kohaku and Shippou and get groceries if that will ease your soul.”

“Ulgh, groceries?” Kohaku grimaced. He cast his nutmeg eyes at Kagome. “Leave me out of that. I'm going to practice the guitar some more. Ayame mentioned something about putting on a concert to raise funds.”

“A concert?” Kagome looked stunned. Who knew Ayame had such great ideas?

“Yeah, she's gone to talk to Hojo about it now. It'd be great to finally get the band off the ground.” The brown haired teen smiled before sauntering in the house. “Later, Kags.”

Kagome looked around numbly. `Do they really not need me?'

“Um, Kagome?”

Kagome looked down into Shippou's dark blue eyes.

“Are we getting groceries?” He smiled.

Kagome smiled back. `They may not need me, but I need them.' “Yeah, Ship, let's go.”

- -

Kagome strolled casually down the boardwalk, looking distractedly at the various stores that lined the walkway. She and Shippou didn't pick up very much, a few loaves of bread, jam and suckers for the both of them. She knew grocery shopping was a pointless excuse, since they had an arranged shipment of groceries brought to the house every week. But she had to admit going out was what she needed.

Pulling the sucker out of her mouth, she grinned down at Shippou who was idly sucking on his own candy while looking curiously in a shop window. “What are you looking at, Ship?”

Shippou glanced up at her before pointing at the window. “Look.”

Kagome followed the direction of his finger. “Oh wow.” Her eyes roamed over the picture of a large estate for sale. Its domestic style three story house was soft and alluring, but more so the setting on which the house was on. Acres of forest and field surrounded the house and Kagome could see an outline of water in the distance. It was beautiful.

“I'll live in a house like that someday.” Shippou said quietly.

Kagome looked down at him, her eyes grew sad by the longing on his face. Shippou, like most of the orphans that came to Shikon House, was witness to the destruction and brutality of war. His mother died when he was young, so Shippou was raised solely by his father. That is until he saw his father shot and killed outside their house during a gang war. He had nightmares for several months, and he was openly hostile for a long time. But they refused to give up on him. They refused to give up on any of them.

Sadly, they had lost a few children through gangs and drugs, but none were ever refused a home. Unfortunately, Shikon House was not a stable home. They struggled daily to keep the contract going in order to keep the orphanage open. But a lot of the money spent to keep it open was needed to upkeep the house. It was in a terrible state of disrepair, most of which she and the others tried to fix on their own, but it was a lost cause.

Looking at the beautiful house in the picture, Kagome felt a dull ache. She knew what Shippou felt. Everyone wanted a home and a family. Everyone needed a stable place, especially one not threatened to be taken away.

Kagome hugged Shippou's shoulders. “Yeah. One day, Shippou, you'll have a house like that.”

The red head smiled softly. “Will you come live with me, Kagome?”

“Of course I will, Shippou, if you promise I can have my own room.” Kagome grinned, ushering him away from the window.

Shippou chuckled. “Yeah, me too. Kohaku stinks.”

“Shippou!” Kagome laughed. “That's not nice, besides, what about me? I have to share a room with Ayame.”

Shippou laughed and popped his sucker back in his mouth.

“Kagome?”

The raven-haired woman turned around and smiled brightly. “Hey, Sango!”

Sango and Miroku moved through the crowd to catch up to them. Kagome noticed their hands were joined before Sango quickly let go. Grinning to herself, Kagome waited for them to draw up beside her.

“What're you guys doing here?”

Sango shrugged. “Miro, Ko and I needed to get out, so figured we check out the market.”

“Kouga's here, too?” Kagome glanced around.

“Yeah,” Sango flicked her head over her shoulder. “He's checking out bootlegged disks.”

Kagome laughed. “Someday he'll find ours there.”

Sango grinned. “Someday soon, for sure.”

“So, Kagome, I see you're into younger men?” Miroku winked.

Kagome looked down to see Shippou blushing at Sango, and with just cause. The woman was wearing a form fitting tank and tight jeans. Her long brown hair was loose today and she had a hint of pink eye shadow on. Kagome smiled. Sango never realized just how beautiful she was, but she knew Miroku noticed Sango quite well. And by the looks of things, they were finally coming to terms with their feelings, though it was already obvious to the rest of the group. “Sorry, this here is Shippou.”

“Hey, Shippou.” Miroku grinned. “And how do you happen to know our fair Kagome?”

“She lives with me.” Shippou stated simply.

“Oh?” Miroku gave Kagome a lecherous smile.

Kagome's mouth opened in disgusted horror before Shippou replied.

“Yeah, at the orphanage.”

Kagome shut her mouth quickly. She hadn't told anyone where she lived yet, though she wasn't really hiding it. It wasn't that she was ashamed of it, she just didn't like where questions would lead.

“Orphanage?” Sango eyed Kagome curiously, her eyes wide and somewhat shocked.

Kagome avoided her gaze, knowing what Sango wanted to ask. “I work there.” She quickly stated.

“Oh.” Sango looked down, and Kagome couldn't help but feel she was disappointed.

“Hey, Kags.” Kouga meandered over to them, smiling slyly down at Kagome before flicking his eyes in boredom at Shippou.

“Hello, Kouga.” She smiled before looking down at the boy who seemed to stiffen beside her. “This is Shippou. Shippou, this is Kouga, Miroku and Sango. They are my band mates.”

“Yo.” Kouga gave the kid a quick nod before turning to Sango. “Tell her the news?”

“No, shit, almost forgot.” Sango grinned happily. “Sesshomaru got us in at E.Z!”

“E.Z.?” Kagome looked from Sango to Kouga and back.

“It's a rock bar. Hottest one going around. People there are hardcore when it comes to music. They don't just let anyone play.” Sango stated excitedly. “Man, Kags, if they like us there then we are set for the competition.”

“Th…that's great.” Kagome's chest began to thunder. Perform in a bar? “When?”

“Next Thursday.” Sango said and looked at Kagome's worried expression. “You have nothing to worry about, Kags. The way InuYasha's been working you, you should know

the songs better than the rest of us. You'll be great.”

Kagome rolled her eyes. “And with this concert, I'm sure he'll be working us twice as hard.”

“Not tonight, though.” Sango smirked. “We're playing hooky.”

“We are?”

“Yeah, if you left your cell on, we would have been able to tell you.” Sango winked.

Kagome flushed and looked down at her phone. She forgot to recharge the battery. Man, she really was out of it to neglect that. “And InuYasha's okay with this?” She asked, glancing up.

“I'm sure once he finds out he'd be fine with it.” Miroku chuckled.

“He doesn't know?” Kagome looked at him stunned.

“You even know what hooky is, Kags?” Sango smiled and rolled her eyes.

Kagome frowned. “He's not going to be happy.”

“Fuck him.” Kouga growled before realizing Shippou was still there. “Sorry.”

“Pfft. It's one night, and he's been working like a dog, and that's not like him at all. He needs a break, too.” Sango reasoned. “Besides, I left a message on his cell saying we aren't coming tonight, so he's been warned.”

Kagome grinned. “Well, alright then.”

“Since you're here, we may as well check out new outfits for the shows.” Sango grabbed Kagome's hand and began to lead her towards the shops.

“Aw man.” Shippou groaned. Miroku and Kouga nodded in agreement as all three followed begrudgingly behind.

- -

InuYasha read the flashing message on his cell. “Dickhead, got you the day off. Don't fuck yourself too hard.”

He smirked and clicked the phone shut. His golden eyes scanned the massive red door of the large stone mansion and he walked inside without knocking. He shut the door loudly as soon as he entered, gazing around the stark foyer in feigned boredom. He hated this place. He hated the sight, hated the smell and hated each memory this house held. More so he hated...

“I see you took the time from your busy schedule to finally come down.” Sesshomaru leered as he walked onto the foyer from his den. His amber eyes roamed to the large bay window to see a red Harley Davidson parked outside with the kanji `Tetsusaiga' marked on the side. “I see you brought the monstrosity. I could hear you arrive a kilometre down the road.”

InuYasha growled. “Shut up, you fucking fairy.”

“Language, children are about.” His brother smirked and crossed his arms. “Why are you here?”

InuYasha shrugged and looked around the foyer once more before casting his eyes on the grand staircase that lead from the foyer to the second floor. He snorted. “She still breathing?”

“She's still here, yes. Are you going to go see her?” Sesshomaru lifted a brow in question.

InuYasha studied a vase in the far corner. “Why else would I come home?”

Sesshomaru frowned and looked up the stairs. “You know where her room is.”

“Keh.” InuYasha crossed his arms and shuffled slowly to the stairs.

“Do you think you'll make it up the stairs this time?” His brother smiled hatefully and turned to walk towards the den without a second glance.

InuYasha held in the need to jump his brother and sighed. He eyed the stairs warily then up at the landing. Slowly he stepped up them, his eyes set on twin beige doors that were closed at the top. His heart began to pound heavily against his chest as if it were trying to escape. How could this one thing terrify him beyond all recognition?

He felt a cold sweat begin to form on his face and he felt suddenly sick. He stopped in the middle of the staircase. He trembled violently and shut his eyes, quickly blocking out the twin doors ahead of him. His fingers gripped the banister hard before he turned and ran down the stairs and out of the house, slamming the door hard behind him. He quickly straddled his Harley, revved it and tore out of the driveway without looking back.

Sesshomaru shook his head as he watched from the bay window. “It wasn't your fault, InuYasha.”