InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Shadow ❯ Stirring More Conflicts ( Chapter 7 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
A/N: I'm so glad to have new readers! Thank you so much to those people who bother reading my story AND leaving a review afterwards!
Disclaimer: Honestly, do you think I own him? (I sometimes do.) But sadly, Inuyasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. I'm just a fangirl having some fun.
Chapter 7
Stirring More Conflicts
`WHAT IS HE DOING?!?!' Kagome's mind erupted as she continued to glare at Inuyasha, trying to put some sense into his thick head. “Inuyasha, what do you think are you—”
“I can't help it, baby.” Inuyasha cut in, smiling sappily at her. “They just have to know the truth. It's fucking hard to hide our relationship.” He was starting to get the hang of this. He could tell by now that she wanted to purify him badly. Again, he was thankful that she still couldn't.
`Did he just call me `baby'?!' Kagome felt her stomach being pushed to her throat. She looked at her hand which was being held by Inuyasha then back at his face. `You jerk! You're getting us into trouble!'
Everyone stared at Inuyasha and Kagome in confusion and surprise. Kagome could feel their eyes burning at her even though she had her back turned to them. She silently thanked Inuyasha for doing her that little favor so she couldn't see the anger and hatred in the ITOFC's faces.
Inuyasha studied Kagome for a while then cleared his throat to snap everyone out of their own thoughts—including Kagome. “Now that that's clear. Let's finish our business.” He spun Kagome around so she was facing all of the members of ITOFC and placed one of his hands on her shoulder so his arm would be wrapping her back. “Apologize now.” He was looking straight at Nazuna, eyes looking rather menacing.
Nazuna clasped her hands into tight balls once again, finding it hard to say the apology Inuyasha wanted her to say. She looked at Kagome's face to see her reaction and was surprised to see that she didn't look smug like she had expected her to be—in fact, she didn't look happy at all.
Kagome knew it was hard for Nazuna to say sorry and she didn't want to make her suffer, even though she did many nasty things to her. `Besides, if I want an apology from her, I don't want someone forcing her to say it…' She thought, looking at Nazuna's eyes. “It's okay, you don't need to a—”
“Say it.” Again, Inuyasha disagreed with her. He really wanted to make Nazuna pay for everything she had done. He wanted to embarrass her and teach her that she shouldn't be messing around with him—or Kagome. `She had no right to hurt Kagome.' That was the sole thought in his mind at that moment. `Kagome's too forgiving for her own good. She has to act tough from time to time.' Luckily, Inuyasha was there to do that for her.
But somehow, Kagome didn't feel moved anymore by the way Inuyasha was treating Nazuna. Deep inside, something was telling her that Inuyasha wasn't doing this for her. `He's doing it just to annoy Nazuna… To make her pay for bothering him.' Kagome didn't want to believe it but she couldn't help but doubt. Was Inuyasha really doing it for her? She still hoped he was.
Nazuna hated Kagome even more. She blamed her for all of this. For Nazuna, Kagome was the one who made Inuyasha treat her like that. `If she didn't follow Inuyasha around, Inuyasha would have treated me nicely. It's all her fault.' She thought, hatred for the girl in front of her increasing every minute that passed by. She locked her eyes with Kagome and took a deep breath. Then she let it out with one word, “Sorry.” But the words she really wanted to say to Kagome were, `I hate you dearly and you'll pay.'
Kagome could see it clearly in her eyes. Her mouth and eyes spoke two different things. She barely gave a nod to acknowledge her so-called apology.
“You too.” Kagome heard Inuyasha say to Chisa impatiently. “Apologize.”
Unlike Nazuna, Chisa didn't need any more convincing. “I'm so sorry, Kagome. I promise I won't do it again!” She said, looking totally ashamed that Inuyasha remembered her for insulting Kagome earlier.
“It's okay…” She found herself saying to Chisa then looking towards Inuyasha's direction. He still had that menacing, serious look on his face. `He really wants to make a big deal out of this…' She thought, looking at Inuyasha's hand that was resting comfortably on her shoulder. `Jerk.'
Looking contented with the apologies given by the two, Inuyasha smirked and pronounced happily, “Okay, you can fuck off now!” He pulled Kagome closer to him making their shoulders touch and added, “And don't bother us again.” His eyes still looked threatening even with the happy tone he used to dismiss them.
Everyone looked hesitant to go, looking at Nazuna for her instruction. After all, she was the leader. Nazuna stood still, looking at Kagome with anger still evident in her eyes.
Kagome wanted to break the eye contact she had with Nazuna but she stood firm, not wanting Nazuna to know that she was able to intimidate her with just one scary look. The miko looked back at her determined to glare back this time. But Kagome didn't get to glare at Nazuna when she heard Inuyasha's words.
“Or maybe you need further proofs like… a kiss perhaps?” With that said, Inuyasha swung Kagome so speedily that she didn't have time to react anymore. She just found herself leaning diagonally with Inuyasha's hands supporting her back and the most shocking thing of all, Inuyasha was staring back at her.
His lips hovered just a couple of inches away from hers.
And it was closing in more and more.
Kagome had gotten over her shock only to be replaced with panic. If she pushed Inuyasha away from her, that would mean that he couldn't support her anymore and she was going to fall on the floor, her head cracking open for all of them to see. She didn't have any time anymore to debate if Inuyasha's kiss was worse than dying.
One more second and he would be kissing her.
`Inuyasha, don't you dare—!' She closed her eyes tightly, held her breath and prayed hard that this was all just a terrible nightmare.
“Hey,”
Kagome cracked one eye open to find herself still in Inuyasha's arms and much to her horror—Inuyasha's face was still in a uncomfortable distance from hers. A smirk lit up Inuyasha's features and for one split-second Kagome thought he was still planning to kiss her.
“Too bad we didn't get to kiss, huh?” Inuyasha's smirk still lingered as he slowly returned her to an upright position. He didn't know why he loved playing around with Kagome. `Maybe because she is cute to annoy?' He thought to himself before he could even stop his train of thoughts. He mentally hit himself for that thought and adjusted his mental censors. He repeatedly chanted in his head that Kagome was not cute.
Kagome looked around to see that the ITOFC members had all gone. She fixed her eyes back to Inuyasha and stared at him incredulously. “I can't believe you just said that.”
“What?” Inuyasha asked and before he could catch himself, he did it again. “You mean the kissing part or the—”
Kagome wasn't that receptive to Inuyasha's teasing. She was vexed at the moment and she would very much like to let Inuyasha know about it. “Everything!” She cut him, placing her knuckles against her waist. “Can't you see the way they looked at me a while ago?! I'll be the talk of the whole campus tomorrow!” She hid her mortified face behind her hands, thinking that her whole life was going to be ruined. Her reputation was now in the mud.
“That can't be helped.” Inuyasha cocked his head a little, a boyish grin on his lips as he watched Kagome sinking in despair. “Your boyfriend's famous.”
`Why does he have to rub it in like that?!?' The miko thought, clenching her hands again and glaring at the hanyou standing before her. “You're not my boyfriend!” She jabbed a finger on his chest, looking furiously at him. “I don't even remember a time when I agreed to be your girlfriend!”
“That will be right now,” said Inuyasha simply, looking back at Kagome with a composed expression on his face.
“No, it won't.” She said between gritted teeth, eyes burning terribly.
“Yes, it will.”
“You can't make me!”
`Stubborn to the core, aren't you?' He thought, sighing inwardly. `It's a good thing I've got a plan.' His amber eyes glinted with a promise to Kagome that she wouldn't have any choice left. He opened his mouth and let her have it. “That's the favor I'm going to ask from you.”
“Blackmailer!” Kagome shot back, unable to believe the extent Inuyasha's evilness had reached. She looked around them and was grateful to find that nobody was paying attention to their not-so-quiet fight. Well, except for a few teenagers like themselves who glanced at them curiously. And an adult couple sitting on a nearby bench who was also watching them from the corner of their eyes. Also, there was two girls giggling madly and talking about young lovers' quarrels. Okay, so a lot of people noticed them but at least they weren't staring openly. Kagome tried to ignore them just like Inuyasha was obviously doing. She gave the young lad another biting look. How she wished she had claws that very moment—and fangs to bite him literally.
“Oh come on!” Inuyasha rolled his golden yellow eyes. “It's not like I'm doing this to have fun.” He said in defense although he knew pretty well that he was telling a big fat lie—not that Kagome needed to know that.
Just like Kagome had read Inuyasha's mind, she instantly retaliated with the words, “But you are!”
The girl was pretty clever to Inuyasha's utter disappointment. “Well, besides that,” said the hanyou, running a hand to comb his long silvery white hair. “We both gain benefits from this arrangement.” He smiled mentally when he saw confusion in her eyes. `Good,' He thought victoriously. `She's finally catching on—well, soon anyway. I hope.' Okay, so he wasn't sure yet. He knew she needed a bit more convincing—maybe a little bit more than a bit.
`Benefits?' She thought, unable to grasp the exact meaning of Inuyasha's words. She raised one eyebrow to show that she was a bit intrigued. “Benefits like—we are so not going to make out soon, okay?!” She spun around to face the adult couple seated near them, her whole body sending signs that she was going to explode any minute now. “Stop betting on how long it will take before we do it! We're not doing it!”
The pair looked at her with mouths hanging open and eyes as wide as saucers.
Feeling like they needed some more convincing, Kagome went on saying, “He's not even my boyfriend to start with!” She pointed at Inuyasha, who was currently watching the scene in stunned silence. “Is it clear now?! He's not my boyfriend!” She repeated for good measure.
The traumatized pair—obviously older than them by three to four years—nodded dumbly, scrambled to their feet and ran for their lives.
Kagome closed her eyes, took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. `Calm down, Kagome. Calm down. You're a cultured, sensible, young woman and you will handle this in a peaceful way.' She reminded herself before she turned on her heels to face Inuyasha again. “As I was saying,” She paused to clear her throat, giving the other people staring explicitly at them by now time to return to their respective businesses before she gave them the same dreadful treatment. “Benefits like what?” She asked Inuyasha sternly, her voice only enough for Inuyasha to hear. This was a private matter they were discussing.
Inuyasha closed his gaping mouth just in time as Kagome turned back to him. He hated to admit it but the girl was very scary at times. He was amazed at how easily she had intimidated the two adults a while ago. `She is truly a bitch at times.' He thought with a sneer then proceeded to answering her question. “Like we can use this as an excuse on why we are always together.” His previous amazement in her sudden temperamental outburst didn't show in the way he spoke. No way was he going to give her an idea that she had actually amazed—not amused—him. He talked like he hadn't even seen a thing.
And Kagome was thankful for that. `At least he didn't give another smart comment on that one,' thought Kagome, her eyes lingering on Inuyasha's eyes for a brief moment before looking away. What was she trying to see in his eyes? What exactly? She discarded her thoughts and went back to the task at hand. “That's it?” She said, sounding unconvinced. “You call that benefit for both of us?” `Selfish bastard.' She muttered in her head.
Inuyasha smirked to hide the alarm he felt in his heart. The way her eyes looked at him for a moment. What was she trying to find? Or better, what did she want to see? He didn't want to think at the moment so threw the thought in his mental trash bin and told himself that he had just imagined it. “No,” He said smugly. “That will be my benefit. Your benefit will be no more friends pestering you to ask if we're together or not.” He looked like he had just given her the greatest part of the deal.
She couldn't stop the blush that spread on her cheeks at Inuyasha's said profit. “You knew!” She gasped, shock evident in her wide eyes. “I thought you were sleeping!”
“Who could sleep with all that chattering you've been doing?!” He was hanyou after all. His sense of hearing was very sensitive that even footsteps could have woken him up. What more if it were five noisy schoolgirls not bothering to lower their voices?
“I can't believe this…” Surprise was soon replaced by misery and hopelessness in her eyes. “After all the effort I've given to insist that you're not my boyfriend, you want me to tell everyone that we are actually having a relationship!” She bowed her head in near defeat. She had a very bad feeling that Inuyasha had bribed good luck to leave her in his evil clutches.
A victorious smile was tugging ever so slowly at Inuyasha's lips. He knew she was going to fall shortly and admit defeat. “That means you agree, right?” He asked hopefully, tilting his head to see her face.
Kagome's head shot up again with renewed hope in her chocolate brown eyes. “Wait! I thought you won't make me do something stupid, embarrassing, evil or deadly?” She asked Inuyasha with scrutiny. “That one falls under the four of them!” She objected.
`Can you just fucking admit defeat and agree?!' He wanted to growl at her but stopped himself. `Give her more time.' He wisely advised himself, although it was so hard for him to do so. He was never patient with anything. “How can it be under all four of them?” He asked her instead, daring her to prove her point.
She was more than willing to attest her stand. In fact, she had anticipated this from Inuyasha so she had her defenses planned out. With a soft sigh, she began. “Stupid because it is the most clichéd excuse anyone can think of.” She gave Inuyasha a sarcastic look and added, “Don't you know that they use that a lot to get a girl and a boy together in a romance movie?!”
“Keh! You're just watching too many romance movies for your own good.” Her defenses won't beat him.
`Time for reason number two,' thought Kagome, knowing Inuyasha wouldn't easily be persuaded with just one alibi. “Embarrassing because I'll be the talk of the whole school—”
“You should be happy. You're going to be famous because I'm your boyfriend.” He shot her another boyish charming smile that sent the two girls, who were eyeing them from time to time, to sigh dreamily.
`Oh please! His fans club has more than enough members!' Kagome wanted to say to them but she preferred to glare at Inuyasha dearly. “Evil because it is a big fat made-up story and deadly because your precious fangirls will be killing me now that you have verified their hunch that I am your girlfriend.”
“As if! They won't be able to kill you as long as I'm around.” Inuyasha rolled his golden yellow eyes that were filled with conviction.
“Wow, I feel so much safer.” She muttered scathingly. But she knew she would have felt safer if only he had said it in a different way and situation. She dismissed the thought quickly as it had appeared in her mind. “How about your favor being evil?” She questioned him.
“No arguments for that.” He said sheepishly then smirked. “It is evil.”
“See?” She clung desperately to her last hope.
“But at least it's only one out of four!” Inuyasha tried to pry her loose from her last hope.
“Am I supposed to be glad with that?” She looked at him with suspicious eyes.
`Just fucking agree with me!' Inuyasha was more than frustrated. How hard was it for her to say that she would agree with his deal?! “You're supposed to agree.” He told her the obvious result he wanted from this talk.
She cocked an arched eyebrow, smiling challengingly at him. “If I don't?”
`The hell! Just try saying no and you'll see!' He was itching to say but luckily he was able to control himself so it came out as, “I don't think you have much choice left. It's my word against yours. I already said that we are together. If you're willing to spend time—and I mean lots of time—just to convince the whole school that you're not my girlfriend. Go ahead. I'm not going to stop you from making yourself suffer even worse.” He could see that she was now tempted to make an agreement. “Also, I still need to think of something to settle your debt to me. Believe me, it will be more dreadful.” He knew there was no escape for her now.
Kagome knew Inuyasha would surely see to it that she would be left with no other choice but to concede. She gave a sigh in surrender and said, “Why do you want to make me suffer?”
`Finally!' He cried out in exhaustion. “I'm doing both of us a favor here.” He said in an attempt to console Kagome's mind. “It's not like I'm dying to be your boyfriend!” He added to make sure she knew that he only meant business with this arrangement.
Kagome fell silent for a while, mulling things over. Maybe it was for the better? `I just hope I don't regret this sooner or later.' She thought, looking up at Inuyasha and smiling a little at him. “As long as you don't call me `baby'. I felt like throwing up when you did that.” She made a face of disgust as she said that.
“Keh!” Inuyasha sneered, not believing Kagome's words. “I bet you loved it, wench.”
Kagome's eyes narrowed at Inuyasha as she spoke bluntly, “Seriously, what kind of boyfriend are you, calling your girlfriend `wench'?!”
“It's a term of endearment.” He told her with a smirk on his lips.
“How very unusual.” She replied dryly, not bothering to look touched by Inuyasha's comment.
“I want to be unique.” He turned his back to her and walked towards the nearby counter to get his bag.
“Not to mention an annoying jerk too.” She commented, following him to collect her own stuff. `And he's going to be my boyfriend now—well, not true but people will now think of it that way.' She thought, finding herself staring at Inuyasha as he fixed something inside his bag.
“You talk too much.” Slinging his backpack over his shoulder, he placed one of his hands inside his pocket and looked back at Kagome. To his surprise, she was looking at him but she quickly shifted her gaze when his eyes were about to meet hers. `What's wrong with her?' He decided not to make any comment about it this time so he pretended that he didn't notice her. “Let's go home.” He said instead, walking past her.
“Mom must be worried about us,” said Kagome as they headed for the exit.
“Your fault,” returned Inuyasha coolly. “If you agreed immediately, we wouldn't have stayed long here.” His eyes caught sight of the two girls giggling a while ago and wondered why they were approaching them. At first he thought that they were going to attack so he readied himself to pull his gun from the back of his pants but he thought different when he saw something in their hands.
Cell phones with cameras.
“You can't expe—” Kagome was cut when the two said girls blocked their way. “Do you need anything?” She offered, looking bemused at them.
“You go tell him!” The one with wavy brown hair said, nudging her smaller companion lightly.
“But I thought you were going to tell him!” The other one blushed furiously.
“No,” said the girl with the wavy brown hair. “You tell him!”
The other girl glowered at her friend but gave in, looking timidly at Inuyasha. “Can—well… um, you see…” She couldn't complete her sentence as she felt her heart beating wildly inside her chest. She wanted to shout, `He's looking at me!!! He's so hot!!!' She swallowed and blurted out, “Can we take a picture with you?!”
`What the hell…?' Inuyasha thought, staring at the girl in front of him and then at her companion. His face went completely blank from the shock.
Kagome had the same expression on Inuyasha's face although her eyes had gone wide in the sudden proposition. `Just what exactly do they see in him?!?' She asked in aggravation. She turned to look at Inuyasha to see how he would handle the situation. `I just hope he doesn't give them Nazuna's contact number so they can become part of ITOFC. Oh wait, ITOFC is al—' She stopped when an arm wrapped around her and pulled her sideways to Inuyasha.
“Can't,” said Inuyasha with a cool smile, making his two admirers swoon. “Girlfriend gets jealous easily.” He pertained to Kagome, squeezing the miko's upper arm gently with his hand. He could feel Kagome bristling against his arm but he ignored it. “Right, Kagome?” He added, signaling her to participate.
Kagome's eyes immediately darkened when she felt Inuyasha's hand on her arm. She had to exert so much effort just to smile pleasantly and say with fake sweetness, “Right.” She smiled at Inuyasha, feigning affection, and took his offending hand carefully so the two wouldn't notice.
“I thought you weren't her boyfriend,” said the smaller girl, looking at Kagome with distrust. “You were saying so a while ago.” She even added.
`We're caught!' thought Kagome, looking at Inuyasha for some help. “Well, you see…” She began, still not having any idea what she would tell them.
“We had a quarrel.” Inuyasha filled in for her, placing his hand—this time—on her waist. “But now it's over and we're okay again.” He quickly added to cover Kagome's small gasp of surprise when he touched her waist.
Kagome gnashed her teeth hard inside her mouth to prevent herself from shouting at Inuyasha. `Why does he always have to startle me like that?!' She grumbled inwardly, smiling awkwardly when the two girls looked at her for confirmation. “Yeah, that's it.” She forced out, maintaining the smile she was having a hard time to keep. She turned her head towards Inuyasha and said quietly with a hint of annoyance in her voice, “Can we go home now?”
He also thought going home was a very good idea that moment so being the man he took responsibility of dismissing the two girls. Meaning they weren't dismissed very nicely. “You two, we're leaving. Move out of our way or you'll both regret it dearly. ” That was Inuyasha's parting words to them.
The girls eagerly did Inuyasha's bidding and stepped aside, whispering to each other dreamily.
“Isn't he so sweet? So protective of his girlfriend!”
“How I wish I'd have a boyfriend like him…”
`Sweet?!' Kagome thought outrageously, letting Inuyasha usher her towards the exit. `He was downright mean to you! Just what are these two thinking...' She believed they had serious problems in their heads. When they were finally out of the two girls' sight, she pinched Inuyasha's hand that was still resting comfortably on her waist and dropped it at his side. “What was that all about?!” She demanded, all sweetness stripped off to show her irritation.
“Ouch! Bitch, what the hell was that for?!” Inuyasha retorted, matching her irate mood very well.
“Before we go on with this agreement, I just want to clear one thing with you.” She pointed out, glad that there was nobody around to eavesdrop on their conversation. The street was completely deserted much to Kagome's wonder.
“What?”
“Just because we're acting like we're together that doesn't mean you can do whatever you want to me!” Kagome stated resolutely. “That means no physical contact whatsoever!”
“Keh! I'm not even planning to try it!” Inuyasha snorted, crossing his arms over his chest with arrogance hanging around him.
“You were about to kiss me a while ago!” She accused. “Also, you suddenly seem to love to touch me.”
“That was just for show.” He defended himself, scowling.
“Show or not, just don't do it!”
“Oh, I don't know…” A sudden smile spread across his lips, eyes looking different—in a bad way. “Some people are hard to convince that they need visual proofs.” He went on, watching Kagome closely.
“We are not giving them visual proofs!” She said firmly, looking unbothered by Inuyasha's suggestive smile.
“Why not?” He asked, looking oh-so-innocent with his soft golden eyes on Kagome. “You looked like you really wanted to be kissed a while ago.” But the smirk always gave him away.
“I do not!” Her eyes looked at Inuyasha defiantly, willing to defend her stand.
“You even closed your eyes.” Inuyasha tucked his hands inside his side pockets and stepped closer to her, invading her personal space. He could see panic starting to rise in her brown orbs.
“That was because I can't stand seeing your face, moron!” Kagome resisted the great urge to step back. She wasn't going to let Inuyasha scare her just like that.
“Really?” Another step closer then he inched his face closer to hers, seeing the way her eyes sparkled with mixed emotions of anger, fear and panic clearly now. His smile only seemed to widen even more at her reaction.
“Inuyasha, you're not supposed to do this...” Kagome's alarm was going berserk. She didn't fight it anymore and backed away slowly.
“Why not?” questioned Inuyasha with high interest as he inched nearer. “We could use some practice.”
“P-practice?” She wasn't able to stop herself from stammering, a faint pink staining her cheeks.
“Yes, practice.” He said in a low voice, eyes looking predatorily at Kagome. “We do want this to look real, don't we?”
They were very very close now. Kagome's mind was screaming `Run! Hit him! Scream!' over and over again but she had another idea in her head to make get even with Inuyasha. After all, she believed that the hanyou wasn't really serious but plainly fooling around. Clinging to that belief, she also leaned forward and said in a whisper, “Of course we do.” She smirked a little when Inuyasha instantly took a step back, looking surprised at her. “Cold feet?” She asked curiously.
`She's just playing. She'll chicken out soon,' thought Inuyasha, looking into the young schoolgirl's eyes. “Nah,” He moved closer again, replacing his smirk as he loomed over Kagome. It was pretty easy since he was basically taller than the miko. “Just a bit surprised.”
“Good.” She forced to maintain her own smirk as Inuyasha's face leaned some more. She could almost feel his warm breath fanning her face and her heart was thumping very loudly in their hushed environment. Her mind was screeching in full volume now.
Inuyasha could see the turmoil running in Kagome's head through her eyes. He could see the desire she was trying so much to control—desire to push him away, that is.
“Aren't you planning to back out?” Kagome asked in a small voice, eyes connected with Inuyasha's.
“No.” He looked seriously into her eyes.
“You sure?” Kagome's panic increased at Inuyasha's answer. “We are about to kiss.” Maybe he didn't know what they were about to do.
“So?” He enjoyed stirring Kagome's emotions some more.
“You pervert!” She cried out, pushing Inuyasha with all her might and placing at least two feet distance between them. She glared at Inuyasha, breathing heavily like she had been released from being suffocated. “Don't come near me!”
Inuyasha allowed her to push him away while asking, “Where the hell did that come from?!” He gladly returned all of the angry stares his charge was throwing at him.
“I'm going to report you for harassment!” Kagome said crossly, turning around and walking away from him.
“Hey, you were a willing partner!” Inuyasha shot back, going after her. `How dare she act like she didn't play with me too!'
Kagome spun around quickly to face Inuyasha again. “Forget it! I don't want to be your girlfriend anymore!” She retorted then walked away once more.
“What the hell?!” growled Inuyasha, walking faster to catch his charge. “Bitch, stop right there!” He ordered her.
Kagome ignored his command. “I don't want to!” She increased her pace to put more distance between them then started running.
“Stop running!” He also ran, cursing annoying schoolgirls who were always hard to understand.
“I'm not listening!”
“You better start listening or you're dead!” Inuyasha threatened, looking furiously at the girl running in front of him. He wanted to spring at her but he knew he'd just make her angrier if he did that.
“La la la la la…” Kagome began singing an unknown tune that she had made up to drown Inuyasha's voice.
“Bitch, I said STOP!” He was now running beside her so he grabbed her wrist to force her to halt.
“La la la—Hey!” Kagome tried to pull away from Inuyasha's grasp but he only tightened it even more. It was almost painful that she winced.
“If I say stop, you stop. Got that?!” He said in irritation, still not releasing her wrist in case she decided to run off again to tick him off all the more. “It's dangerous! What if Hell's Gate was lurking around here somewhere?!” He sighed then loosened his grip although not completely loose for Kagome to escape when he saw pain on Kagome's face. “Come on.” He started walking again, pulling Kagome lightly behind him.
They walked silently for a few minutes. Inuyasha still had his hand safely clasped around Kagome's wrist. Kagome didn't seem to mind anymore but she was extremely quiet, making Inuyasha tense. “So…” He glanced sideways to find Kagome staring straight ahead. “About the arrangeme—”
“It's off.”
Only two words but it was enough. Inuyasha knew he had pissed her off tremendously—again. He let the silence remain between them.
“You know what? I can't believe him! He just told Nazuna and those girls that I'm his girlfriend!” Kagome strode across her room in her light blue pajamas while she continued to let her anger out, not minding that she only had her cat as her audience. Buyo looked at Kagome silently with his wide funny eyes. “He's so reckless! Not to mention he's got a lot of nerve too! As if I'd agree to be his girlfriend! He thinks that all girls are dying to be his girlfriend! He's annoying, aggressive, rude, selfish, insensitive—what do you want?!” She quickly looked at her door's direction and found Inuyasha standing before her, wearing some loose jeans and a red shirt. `Red looks good on—wait! I'm mad at him!' She thought, not letting herself forget that he was manipulating her to do his will.
“I want to ask you one question.” Inuyasha walked closer to her, looking composed and cool. He must pull this off.
“I'm busy.” Kagome said coldly, turning her back to him. Buyo stood from his position and sauntered towards Inuyasha's feet. “Buyo, get back here!” She whispered to her cat, feeling betrayed that her own pet was siding with Inuyasha and not with her.
`Busy talking to your cat?' Inuyasha wanted to say, bending one knee to pet the cat's head. The chubby cat purred in delight at the hanyou's gentleness. “I'll leave after you answer me.” He said, turning his attention back to Kagome.
“Since you leave me no choice,” said Kagome with a sigh. `Like always.' She walked slowly towards her chair and sat down, facing Inuyasha with her frosty eyes. “Go ahead.”
`Interesting eyes.' He commented, almost wanting to start vexing her again. He got to his feet and met her icy eyes with his—but his eyes didn't return the coldness, only will to have an answer. “Why won't you agree with our deal? Give me one reason.” He asked straightforwardly.
Kagome could have given him more than one—even more than ten reasons. She didn't know Inuyasha's scheme this time but she decided to go along with him. “Because I don't want to act as your girlfriend.” She said almost calmly, changing the words she had used last time.
“Forget it! I don't want to be your girlfriend anymore!”
“Why?” asked Inuyasha again, his eyes not changing their expression.
“I thought you only have one question.”
“Why?” Inuyasha repeated his question, ignoring Kagome as if she hadn't spoken.
Kagome sighed in surrender. Inuyasha was not the type to give up so easily. “Because it's hard to cope with you. What more if we pretend to be close?” That was the true reason she didn't want to agree with Inuyasha's deal. She didn't want to pretend in order to reach Inuyasha. If she and Inuyasha were going to be friends, she wanted it to be from their hearts—not because they were forced to be close.
It was time. He began to take his first step. “Keh! I think that's not it.” He scoffed, watching Kagome's eyes spark once again with irritation.
“What?!” She exclaimed, standing from her seat and clenching her hands on her sides. “Then tell me, what do you think is it huh?” She demanded hotly, glaring at Inuyasha and hoping he would leave soon.
Inuyasha smirked as if to say, `I know your secret.' He took one step closer but nothing more, still holding Kagome's gaze with his eyes. “You're afraid of being close to me.”
“Afraid?” Kagome repeated uncertainly, wanting so much to laugh at the word Inuyasha had used. “And why would I be afraid of that?” There was a hint of amusement in her voice when she asked her question.
He knew that this was ridiculous but he had to make her agree—one way or another. “Being close to me might cause something you really don't want to happen.” He stated it like he could predict Kagome's every action.
“Which is?” She raised one eyebrow, waiting for Inuyasha's answer.
“Falling in love with me.” Inuyasha knew this would surely get Kagome's attention.
“Me?” She pointed a finger to herself, making sure she heard Inuyasha right. “In love with you?” She stared at him incredulously, waiting for him to laugh and say, `Hah! It's a joke!' But it didn't happen. Inuyasha didn't say anything else. “Oh yeah, that will mean I'm out of my mind. That's so impossible!” She said firmly.
`Got you!' He looked at her with his amber eyes, silently challenging her. “Prove it then.” He said casually, preparing himself for the long convincing he had to do ahead.
`Why won't he just drop this topic?' Kagome thought in exasperation. “You're just doing this to get me to agree!” She accused, seeing through Inuyasha's plan. “I won't do it. No way! Get out!” She pointed to the exit while glowering at Inuyasha.
Inuyasha didn't move from his place. He wasn't going to stop until he had her consent. “So you admit that you're scared.” The way he had said it, he was sure Kagome would think that he was mocking her. He intended it that way to fuel Kagome's anger even more, knowing that strong emotions caused her to think less and act on instinct.
Kagome clenched and unclenched her fists, trying to control her temper. How come Inuyasha could always make her angry in just a few minutes? “No,” She said evenly with a frown. “I simply said I won't do it.”
“Scared because you will fall for me—eventually.” He said smugly, paying no attention to her words or her evident disapproval.
“No, I will not fall for you—ever.” Kagome disagreed, refraining from shouting at Inuyasha. It would only give her a sore throat if she did. Inuyasha never listened to her anyway. Like what he was doing right now.
“Then why are you scared to prove me wrong?” His eyes continued to sneer at her silently, a smirk creeping on his lips.
Again, her emotions took over. Before she could stop herself, she had shouted already. “Because I'm not here to do your every bidding!” Kagome swore she had heard that somewhere, she just couldn't remember who said it.
“I'm not telling you to do my every bidding! I just want you to do one thing for both of us and agree.” Inuyasha argued back, smiling victoriously in his mind as Kagome's control slipped.
`This is getting me nowhere!' She thought furiously. “Fine!” She snapped at Inuyasha, giving him the answer he wanted to hear.
“Fine?” Inuyasha pretended to look uncertain although he had heard her well.
“Fine, I'll agree to your beloved deal!”
“Finally!” Inuyasha let out a sigh of relief. “Now I'll leave you to yourself, we go to sleep and tomorrow, we face the music!” He grinned boyishly, heading to the door to give Kagome her wanted peace.
“Inuyasha?” She was mad at him because he was forcing her to do some things she didn't want to do but that didn't mean that she wasn't grateful to him. She knew Inuyasha had some kindness in him, he showed it to her from time to time. `I don't care what his real motives are for making them say sorry, there's still a slight chance that he actually did it for me.'
“Hm?” Inuyasha stopped and looked over his shoulder.
“Thank you.” She smiled a little, playing with her fingers absentmindedly.
Inuyasha didn't bother to hide his surprise. He turned around to face her and asked, “For what?” Kagome never stopped astonishing him. One moment she was throwing fiery looks at him and the next she was thanking him?
Kagome smiled more freely after seeing Inuyasha's dumbfounded face. “For the times you weren't being a jerk at Sougeki's.” She answered.
“Keh!” Inuyasha looked away from her, not understanding the way his heart was acting. He felt better hearing Kagome saying thank you than her saying that she agreed with his proposition.
“I appreciate it.” She meant those words. The doubt she had felt before was now forgotten. There were plenty of possibilities and Kagome chose to believe that Inuyasha did it for her.
That certain feeling in his heart seemed to increase when Kagome said those words. Confusion filled him but he hid it from Kagome by teasing her again. “That's too soon, don't you think?” He gave her a smirk, acting arrogant to mask his true feelings.
“Too soon?”
“You're already in love with me.” He said it with certainty in his voice.
“I said thank you not I love you.” She said, clearing her words to him.
“Prove me wrong tomorrow then.” He walked towards the door and opened it.
“You bet I will.” Kagome had a smirk on her own lips saying that she was ready to take Inuyasha's dare.
Inuyasha looked back once more and said to Kagome with a small smile, “You can continue insulting your boyfriend now.” The door closed softly behind him.
“Wait, you mean—he was listening.” She concluded, going to her bed. She pulled the warm blanket up to her neck and smiled to herself. “Sometimes he's just so…” Her words died into a yawn as she felt her eyes slowly drooping close. “Cute...”
It was dead quiet. Kagome was sure that the room was not this silent when the two of them were still standing in front of the door. It had gone quiet the moment she slid the door open. Everyone's eyes were on them. `Relax… You can do this!' She ignored their silent questioning eyes and entered the room, Inuyasha walking behind her.
She reached her seat with no problem but that was just the beginning. Once she was seated, her four friends immediately crowded around her to demand some answers.
“You're really together! I knew it!” Yuka exclaimed gladly, smiling widely at Kagome. “When did you two get together?!” She looked very thrilled like she had just won a spectacular prize from the lottery and she was asking when she could possibly get her prize.
“Just recently…” She heard herself say, wanting to change it into `Actually, last night to be exact.'
“That's so wonderful, Kagome!” Ayumi looked just as happy as Yuka.
“I think so too.” She said, imitating their happy faces. `Do not.'
“But how come you didn't tell us earlier?” Sango asked, looking at the subject in a new angle.
“We kept on asking you!” Eri agreed with Sango, wanting to know more details on how it came to be.
“I'm sorry. It's just that…” What was she going to say? `I can't say I learned it yesterday myself so I didn't have any chance to tell them.'
“I told her not to tell anybody about us.” Inuyasha talked out of nowhere, catching Kagome's friends' attention.
Kagome looked back at Inuyasha, smiling gratefully at him for saving her. “Yeah, that's it.” She turned back to her friends to confirm Inuyasha's words and added, “Sorry…”
Her friends assured her that they understood but Kagome was barely listening when she caught Miroku and Inuyasha's conversation from behind her.
“So you're really together now?” Miroku asked, sounding very interested with the sudden turn of events.
“Keh! You know the reason why I did this!” Inuyasha said defensively.
“How about Kikyou?”
`Kikyou…? Inuyasha's boss?' Kagome thought, not understanding the connection Inuyasha had with Kikyou. `What does she have to do with this?'
“Shut up!” Inuyasha barked, looking away from Miroku and towards the window. `She knows my true feelings, that's enough.' He thought, eagerness for tomorrow coming back to him at the mention of Kikyou.
“Kagome, they need you for a meeting with the Student Council.” A girl standing by the door said.
“Okay.” Kagome stood up to follow the girl.
Inuyasha hurriedly got to his feet and said, “I'll go with you.”
“Really, there's no need—”
“You know I'm coming whether you like it or not.” He interrupted stubbornly.
“They won't allow you inside.” She reasoned out to Inuyasha.
“I know,” said Inuyasha, scowling at her. “I'm going to wait outside, wench.” He didn't wait for Kagome anymore and walked towards the exit.
“Fine!” Kagome said, looking pissed off but following him. “And stop calling me `wench'!” She added, complaining about annoying hanyous who loved to call her names except for her own name.
“Whatever.” Inuyasha muttered, dismissing Kagome's protests.
“They're just so cute together!” Ayumi sighed, watching the pair leave the room.
After the meeting, Kagome stood in front of the classroom to catch her classmates' attention. As the class president, she had the responsibility to inform her classmates of the coming event in their school. “As you all know, we're having our culture festival on Monday. Classes have been cancelled today to give way for the preparations.” She announced to be followed by the loud cheers of her classmates.
“Yay! We'll put up a booth again!”
“This is so exciting! I can't wait for Monday anymore!”
“We did an auction booth last time! That was fun! Let's do that again!”
“Won't that be boring? We're doing the same thing again!”
“How about we change what we're auctioning? We auctioned pieces of jewelry and other collection stuff last time. How about we auction electronic gadgets this time like an iPod and cell phones? I want to have a new cell phone!”
“How about human auction this time?”
“Yeah, let's auction Inuyasha! I'm sure lots of girls will bid for a date with him!”
The room was full of the girls' squeals of excitement.
“It's impossible. Kagome will not agree…” Chisa said when the screams had died. All girls turned to Kagome as if begging her to let them have a piece of Inuyasha even just for a day.
Inuyasha glared at them in horror. He was not meat for bargain! “Even if she agrees, I won't fucking agree! Auction someone `cause I'm not interested!” He objected, folding his arms petulantly and looking away from all of them. He hated school activities like this more than sitting and listening to boring teachers. `I think History will be much better than this crap.'
“Kagome, what do we do?” Someone asked, looking at Kagome for her decision.
Kagome looked at Inuyasha for a while and sighed. Inuyasha was rude once again but she had to admit that he had a point. “I think that the idea of human auction is great but it is unfair to Inuyasha if we force him.” She said, hoping they wouldn't think that she was siding with Inuyasha just because he was her `boyfriend'.
“How cute! She's so concerned about Inuyasha!” Eri chimed in delight.
Just as Kagome thought.
“Well… with that aside, I'm saying that we can't just pinpoint someone to sell.” She said, trying to let them see her point. “To be fair, I think it's only right that everyone has a chance to be auctioned. I suggest that we have a sort of raffle. We put our names in a box and the one who gets drawn out will be auctioned. How does that sound?” She looked around to see their reaction.
“We agree!”
“Great!” Kagome beamed, clapping her hands together joyfully. “Let's begin putting up the booth then!” She headed for the door to start the setting up of the booth downstairs.
Inuyasha scowled as he followed Kagome outside. “Keh, just why do we have to put up a booth? I'd rather go to sleep.” He groused, making sure Kagome didn't go out of his sight.
It was a nice Saturday morning. Before leaving to go to Kikyou's place, Inuyasha told Kagome's mother that Kagome was going to meet with Kikyou and have miko lessons and that she would be back on Sunday afternoon. He smiled secretly at the thought that he would be seeing Kikyou that day.
“So we're going to the secret base of Solferis today?” Kagome asked, a little excited that she was going to enter a secret organization's base. It was her childhood dream to be able to enter a secret base—with the secret passages, passwords and awesome security gadgets. She looked around the place and was sure that it was not a secret base in disguise. They were standing in front of a mechanic shop.
“Kikyou wants to see you.” Inuyasha informed her, walking towards the counter where a young man stood. “I already told you about that, didn't I?”
`I'm going to see Kikyou now.' Kagome thought, wondering what the leader of Solferis was like. She followed Inuyasha, looking around the mechanic shop. There were two cars inside—one was black while the other was dark blue—and a small red van. “Then what are we doing here?” She asked, looking at Inuyasha for an answer.
“Getting something.” He said simply, leaning on the counter.
“Hey, Inuyasha! I thought you'll never come to pick it up!” The young man greeted, smiling at the hanyou. His eyes strayed to Inuyasha's companion, eyes lingering at Kagome's exposed legs. Kagome didn't seem to notice because she was busy looking at the different vehicles inside the shop.
However, Inuyasha noticed. He quickly stepped sideways to cover Kagome from the man's line of view. “I've been busy, Kaji.” He growled out the man's name threateningly while trying to remain cool. He should have told Kagome to wear pants and not a skirt.
“Dating this chick huh?” Kaji tilted his head to see Kagome again, not noticing the way Inuyasha was staring at him. “How come you always get fine girls? Your name, miss?” He extended his hand for Kagome to take.
Inuyasha scowled at Kaji's flirting and swatted his hand away roughly. “Hands off, Kaji!” He snapped crossly, giving him a `Try-That-Again-And-You're-Dead' look. “Where is it?” He asked, looking for his silver motorcycle.
Kaji sighed in defeat, backing down. He loved life far too much to waste it just because he wanted a girl's name. “Over there.” He pointed to the red van and added, “Behind that van. That's 8000 yen for you.”
Inuyasha pulled out his wallet, counted some money and tossed it to Kaji. “Here.” He pushed Kagome in front of him and walked behind her so Kaji couldn't stare at her legs anymore. `Stupid lecher.' He cursed in his mind.
“You have a motorcycle?” Kagome asked, looking at Inuyasha with disbelief in her chocolate eyes.
“Yeah, why?” He swung one leg on the motorcycle's seat and tried the engine worth 8000 yen.
“I thought you're rich! You could have bought a car!” Kagome said, examining the motorcycle with her eyes. `I like it's color though,' She thought, running her eyes on the cool silver paint that seemed to shimmer as the sunshine touched it.
“It's hard, considering my job. They love putting bombs on agent's properties.” Inuyasha explained, smiling a little when he saw Kagome's eyes flicker with admiration—for his motorcycle, that is. “This is my third motorbike.” He told her with a grin. “First motorcycle was dumped at the junk shop and the last one became ashes.”
“Poor you?” She offered uncertainly at the hanyou.
Inuyasha smiled. “Here, wear this.” He handed her the hanging helmet he had picked up on the left handle.
Kagome stared at the helmet then into Inuyasha's face. “Wait…” She started, taking a step backwards. “You expect me to ride that thing?” She asked, looking at the motorcycle doubtfully.
“Do you think we'd walk to go there?!”
“How about a car? Don't you have an organization service car or something?” Kagome suggested hopefully. For sixteen years, she had never sat on a motorcycle's seat and Inuyasha expected her to ride on one. He should have asked her to commit suicide instead—in less bloody ways.
Inuyasha gave a shrug. “They usually send a car but I told them we'll be coming through my motorbike.” He offered the helmet again for her to take.
Grudgingly, she grabbed the helmet from Inuyasha and placed it over her head. “Next time, tell them to send a car.” She muttered to him, glaring as she hitched both straps of her backpack on her shoulders and rode the motorbike. “We might get into an accident with this one.” She said fearfully, holding onto Inuyasha's waist tightly.
“Relax, I'm an excellent driver.” Inuyasha looked over his shoulder to assure her then released the break and turned on the accelerator.
Kagome tightened her grip even more. “I think I better call home first to tell Souta to take care of Buyo.”
“Wow! The sea looks so beautiful!” Kagome gasped appreciatively, looking at her right to view the magnificent blue sea. The blue waters shimmered lovely as the sun made contact with its surface. A lone yacht sailed slowly on the sea.
“Not so scared now, are you?” Inuyasha noticed, grinning at Kagome.
Kagome smiled back and said, “I got to admit, you're a good rider.”
“Keh, I'm not just good!” Inuyasha scoffed but he didn't really mind the small compliment she gave. It was still a compliment to him.
Kagome followed the waves with her eyes as it crashed into the white sand, missing the feeling of standing on the fine sand and waiting for the water to wash your feet. A big white house stood near the cliff that overlooked the sea. “Is that the house?” She asked Inuyasha, admiring the house from afar.
“Yeah.” Inuyasha said, increasing his speed. He couldn't wait any longer.
Kagome found out that she loved riding motorcycles.
“Where's Kikyou?” Inuyasha asked the maid when the door opened.
“Miss Kikyou is inside her office, waiting for both of you.” The maid said, letting them enter the house.
Kagome walked inside the mansion with awe in her eyes. “Kikyou's so rich—more than you.” She told Inuyasha, looking at the various paintings and ornaments that enhanced the aisle's beauty. “Nice mansion…” She liked the way the house made her feel. It wasn't like other mansions that were big but hollow and lifeless even with its decorations. Kikyou's mansion made her feel welcome and it was bright since sunshine could freely enter through its huge windows. But then, she wondered where the Solferis base was inside this mansion.
“She has her own jewelry and accessory company.” Inuyasha told her, turning left and then right. He knew his way around this place very well since he had spent years inside this house. He could see the door of Kikyou's office by now.
“Wow… She must be really great.” Kagome said, getting more curious about Kikyou's identity. She could almost imagine her in business clothes. A tall, lean woman in her early thirties, looking quite respectable but gentle. “What does she look like?” She asked eagerly, wanting to see if she imagined Kikyou correctly.
`Like you.' He almost said, wanting to see Kagome's reaction. He stopped in front of a door and looked back at Kagome with a smirk. “You'll see.” He raised his hand and knocked softly on the wood's surface.
“So you do know how to knock…” Kagome looked shocked as Inuyasha lowered his hand to his side.
“Keh!” He sneered and grabbed the knob to turn it. After pushing the door open, Inuyasha smiled at the young lady sitting behind the desk. “Kikyou, I've brought her.”
Kagome entered after Inuyasha, wearing her most amiable smile. But the face she saw made her smile disappear and a gasp replaced it. “You're… Kikyou?” She blinked her eyes several times but the woman's face remained the same. Her hair was also black but hers was longer than Kagome's and straighter. Brown chocolate eyes were like hers. Same thin lips. Same shape of face. `She looks just like me! It's like looking into a mirror and seeing a more sophisticated me.' She thought, not believing the strong similarity she had with the Solferis' leader.
“We look pretty much alike, don't you think Kagome?” She greeted, a polite smile gracing her lips. “It's quite fascinating. We look alike yet we're not blood relatives. Please take a seat.” She gestured to the elegant mahogany chairs in front of her desk.
“Yes, the resemblance is weird.” Kagome agreed, managing to smile as she walked slowly towards Kikyou. “I never thought that you were this young too.” She looked at Kikyou even more closely. Her eyes even though they had the same color held something different that Kagome did not have. The only thing that Kagome got right in the Kikyou she imagined was that she was wearing a business suit. Her white business suit was very elegant but she remained to look simple despite the elegance of her outfit. Kagome couldn't find a trace of make-up on Kikyou's face and although she was may be an owner of a jewelry company, she only had one piece of jewelry attached to her. It was a golden necklace with a rectangular wine red crystal stone as its pendant. The necklace caught Kagome's attention immediately because it stood out from Kikyou's white clothes.
“Yes, all of the mikos who get to see me are surprised that the leader of Solferis is only eighteen. I don't blame you for being one—Inuyasha, where are you going?” Kikyou's attention went to Inuyasha when the hanyou opened the door all of a sudden.
“Obviously, I'm off to find Myouga. The old man said he's around here somewhere and wants to see me.” Inuyasha told her, smirking at her before he turned his back at her. `I don't want seeing them together. Their resemblance is giving me the creeps.' He said as he stepped out of Kikyou's office. Before he closed the door, he turned around again to face Kikyou, feeling dizzy when he found himself looking at two Kikyous. “Maybe I'll just see you later to talk?” He asked hopefully, his eyes trained on the Kikyou that was seated behind the desk. He really wished he could have some time with her—alone.
Kikyou looked at Inuyasha quietly, not giving any hint of emotion in her eyes. “Maybe.” She finally answered.
“Later then.” And Inuyasha was gone.
Kagome sighed, feeling a little depressed suddenly. She wasn't sure of the reason but she felt it exactly the moment Inuyasha's eyes ignored her completely—like she wasn't even there. Kagome was snapped out of her thoughts when Kikyou asked her a question.
“So how's Inuyasha as your protector?”
Kagome wondered how she would answer Kikyou's question. She didn't want to lie so she answered her truthfully. “He protects me very well.” She tried to put a smile as she said those words.
Kikyou could feel that Kagome wasn't telling her something but she respected her decision. She stood up and motioned for Kagome to stand as well. “Come, I want you to meet Kaede. She will be your teacher when you take your miko lessons.”
“Miss Kikyou?” Kagome said hesitantly as she stood up.
“Call me Kikyou like the others do.” Kikyou offered, looking at Kagome pensively. `She looks so ordinary but I wonder what powers lie on her.'
Kagome smiled and relaxed at Kikyou's kindness towards her. “I just want to say thank you for the protection you've given to me.” She said gratefully. “Mikos all around the world are lucky to have someone like you to protect them, Kikyou.”
“I only want to help.” Kikyou nodded, acknowledging her thanks. She walked towards the door to be followed by Kagome.
“So about my lessons…” Kagome started while walking on another long corridor. She would really like it if someone gave her a tour around this spectacular mansion. “Is it hard to learn how to control miko powers?”
“I'm not the one you should ask.” Kikyou told her, putting her hands together in a refined manner as she continued her pacing. “But I guess if you concentrate on your lessons, you'll learn in no time.” She said in efforts to reassure her.
Kagome admired the way Kikyou walked. `She carries herself so well,' thought Kagome, looking at the way Kikyou's feet moved like she was floating. She looked at her own feet but knew that she would never be as graceful as the woman walking in front of her. She decided not to try anymore. “So I'll learn how to purify soon?” She asked to follow up their conversation, a hint of excitement was found in her voice.
“If you train well and practice often.” Kikyou replied kindly.
“I can't wait to practice!” Kagome said honestly, picturing her perfect practice target on her mind. “Do you think it's okay if I practice purifying hanyous first rather than youkais?”
A/N: Reviews help me. Even an `I endured reading your long fanfic' is enough to uplift my spirits. Be kind and leave me a line or two.