InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Shadow ❯ Its True Purpose ( Chapter 10 )

A/N: Yay! Thanks for all the reviews! This chapter contains more fluff but beware of hidden angst! Maybe I should change humor into angst since I tend to put a lot of angst already… Oh well, on with the chapter!

 

Disclaimer: Alas, the Shikon no Tama is still missing a few more shards! I can't wish for Inuyasha yet…

 

 

 

Chapter 10

Its True Purpose

 

 

 

 

“That was the best date I ever had in my whole life!” Nazuna exclaimed emotionally and loudly, making sure all of the people passing by the school entrance would hear her.

That very moment, Inuyasha and Kagome had walked by silently, heading towards the school building.

“Oh good morning, Inuyasha!” Nazuna greeted cheerfully, smiling at him. “Thanks for the wonderful date yesterday! I had so much fun!”

Inuyasha walked away, not even sparing a glance at her. She wasn't worth his time and attention.

“Oh well! He's just trying to spare his girlfriend's feelings.” Kagome heard Nazuna say to her friends, who were currently sighing dreamily as they looked at Inuyasha.

“Spare my feelings, huh?” She muttered to herself as they entered the building. Somehow, a small part of her was shouting and nagging her to turn back and well—speak her mind out.

“If you want to act as the jealous girlfriend, we can go back and you can slap her all you want,” said Inuyasha indifferently, not looking at her as he spoke. “She's such a sore loser anyway.”

Kagome looked sideways at Inuyasha, her left eye twitching involuntarily. `He heard me again!?' She made a mental note to herself that she should stop muttering to herself. “Well that's an idea,” said Kagome with a small smile on her lips. “But I don't think she's worth my time and effort. Let her continue weaving made-up stories…” She continued walking towards the shoe lockers.

“You're always too kind,” commented Inuyasha with a scowl.

Kagome stared back at him for a while, thinking about his words. “You're ignoring her too.” She pointed out coolly. “So that means you're kind too, right?”

Inuyasha's eyes narrowed at Kagome's comment. “No, that means I don't care.” He told her while gnashing his teeth together.  

Kagome couldn't help but giggle at the way Inuyasha looked. `He's really trying hard…' She thought, meeting Inuyasha's eyes for a moment. “We're the same then.” She said with a soft smile.

Inuyasha looked away and went to put his outdoor shoes inside the locker. “I'm still not kind.” He said with conviction and started to leave.

“Sure,” said Kagome smoothly, following Inuyasha and walking beside him. “Whatever makes you happy.” She turned her head to look at him and smiled brightly. She was definitely happy that day. Maybe it was all because she slept well last night—plus the event before she fell asleep.   

“Keh!” Inuyasha scoffed, crossing his arms in front of him as they headed to their classroom. `Why the hell is she so happy anyway?!' He wondered, glancing at Kagome's smiling face. Instead of getting pissed off, her smiling face did something he never expected.

Kagome's smiling face calmed his heart.

And when your heart was calm and peaceful, didn't that mean that you were happy as well? Inuyasha couldn't believe it but he couldn't deny it either. Somehow, he did feel nice and warm.

Inuyasha stole another glimpse of Kagome's face. It seemed that her smile was permanently plastered on her lips. That thought unconsciously brought a small smile on the hanyou's own lips.

Kagome Higurashi was really a weird girl.

 

Inside the classroom, the major talk seemed to be the same as the one at the school gate. Kagome rolled her eyes inwardly and trudged slowly towards her seat. Why is it that they loved talking about Inuyasha and her?

“Kagome!”

Oh no. There they went again…

Kagome sat on her chair and greeted her friends good morning. By the way they were looking at her, they obviously heard already about the issue Nazuna had been spilling all around the campus.

“Have you heard already?!” Yuka asked urgently to Kagome, her hands slamming on Kagome's desk that made Kagome jump a little.

“Heard what?” She blinked her brown eyes, feeling Inuyasha's eyes on the back of her head. `I bet he's listening to this. Well, he doesn't actually have a choice since he's a DOG hanyou.' She thought, fighting the urge to look at Inuyasha to see if he was indeed listening to them.

And not only Inuyasha seemed to be interested in her answer.

She looked around suspiciously at her classmates. Why did she have a feeling that every one of them was listening to her every word? She mentally shrugged and told herself that she was just too paranoid.   

“About Inuyasha and Nazuna's date!” Eri answered for Yuka, looking as troubled as her.  

“What of it?” Kagome continued to look calm even though her environment was anything but peaceful.

Sango frowned a little at Kagome's unconcerned expression. `Is she trying to hide her true feelings?' She thought curiously, looking at her friend closely. “Aren't you jealous?” She finally asked her, wanting to know Kagome's answer. 

Kagome's forehead cringed at the question. “Why should I?” She looked at her friends in confusion.

The four of them exchanged worried looks with one another. “Kagome… Aren't you worried that maybe he's cheating on you?” Ayumi looked pretty worried, taking a glimpse of the boy seated behind Kagome.

Kagome's answer was instantaneous. “No.” She told them with complete honesty.

“No?” They all said in unison, looking all of a sudden interested in Kagome's explanation for saying no.

`Well, I can't say I was there so I need not to worry about him cheating on me.' Kagome thought as she looked back at her friends. `Besides, I shouldn't be worrying! I'm not really his girlfriend!' She took a deep breath and said the only reasonable reason she could think of.  “I trust Inuyasha.” She was relieved when she found out that she didn't lie.

She truly trusted Inuyasha.

All of them seemed too speechless to utter a word. The four of them looked dreamy, amazed and even close to joyful tears. 

“Wow…” Ayumi was the first to recover from her shock, trying to wipe away the happy tears that threatened to fall.

Yuka followed, looking pretty satisfied with Kagome's answer. “We sure did some influence on her, didn't we?” She beamed proudly at her friends.

“You bet.” Eri agreed with a grin.

Sango didn't say anything but only smiled widely. She was happy for her friend. At first, she thought Kagome and Inuyasha were far too different to be able to work out a relationship. But she was proven wrong. Kagome had found someone she could trust completely and that was Inuyasha.

Kagome sighed inwardly. So their love was getting stronger and stronger huh?

 

“Argh! I really hate Trigonometry!” Kagome said in frustration, walking slowly past tall shelves of Mathematics books. “I don't think I'll pass the exam tomorrow!” She swiftly turned around and glared at the hanyou walking behind her. “You!”

“What?” Inuyasha snapped back, stopping immediately so he wouldn't run over her.

Kagome's glare softened then she gave out a sigh of defeat. “Insensitive moron.” She mumbled to herself, half hoping that Inuyasha would catch her words like he always did.

Of course, he heard her clearly. His eyes narrowed quickly as he tried to argue, “Hey! I'm not doing anything—” 

Kagome suddenly clapped her hands together. “That's the point!” She interrupted him, looking quite annoyed with him. “You're not doing anything to help me!”

“W-What?!” He burst out, growling in irritation. “You should have told me if you needed help!”

“I was sending you all the signs!” Kagome returned, walking once more in hopes of losing Inuyasha. `He's so insensitive! Can't he tell that I can't do this on my own?! At least he could have given me some encouragement or suggested some books to help me!' She walked faster and faster and turned around the corner, not noticing that she was about to bump a certain someone.

“Ouch!” Kagome's hand flew to her face, not worried that she would find herself sprawled on the floor.

Inuyasha was there to catch her just in time before that happened.

Kagome didn't know if she just imagined it but she thought she heard Inuyasha growl lowly as he helped her regain her balance. She slowly raised her eyes to see the person Inuyasha was growling at and found Youichi Houjou standing in front of her, concern evident on his face.

“Are you all right, Higurashi?” He asked Kagome, looking at her face with worry. “You shouldn't be walking too fast in here.”

“I'm fine, thanks.” Kagome answered him, flashing a reassuring smile at Houjou. “I'll be more careful next time.”

Houjou looked past Kagome and flashed a small smile towards Inuyasha. “It was nice bidding against you yesterday, Tsuzuki.” He extended his hand for Inuyasha to shake while saying, “I'm Youichi Houjou from Section B.”

Inuyasha stared at his hand but didn't make any move to take it. “Too bad you lost though.” He said with a smirk.

Houjou's smile didn't falter but his eyes were a little different from before. “There's always a next time.” He said to Inuyasha, a smirk looming in his solid gray eyes.

“Don't push your luck,” returned Inuyasha, smirking even wider even though his amber eyes were flashing with absolute dislike for Houjou.

Kagome gulped as she sensed the uptight mood hanging around them. If she wasn't standing between the two of them, maybe the two would have started breaking each other's bones by now. It was clear to Kagome that Inuyasha didn't like Houjou and Houjou too didn't seem to like Inuyasha's attitude—although he was at least trying to be nice to him. `Yet, Inuyasha is pushing him to dislike him!' She thought with a frown.

Houjou said nothing to Inuyasha's comment and turned to Kagome, smiling kindly at her. “Are you looking for some books? Maybe I can help you.” He closed the book he had been scanning and returned it on its shelf.

“Really?” Kagome forgot the tense mood around them and began to feel happy. Unlike some inconsiderate hanyou that she knew, Houjou was willing to help her pass her test. “I just need some easy to understand but good enough books in Trigonometry. If you can help me find two or three books, I'm sure that will be a big help.” She smiled happily as she was lead by Houjou back to where she and Inuyasha had been walking a while ago.  

Inuyasha followed silently, making certain that Kagome was still closer to him than the other guy. He really didn't trust the guy and he didn't want him close to Kagome. Though Kagome was walking beside him and Houjou was walking in front of them, it seemed like Kagome didn't even acknowledge his presence anymore. She was too busy talking to Houjou to notice that a certain hanyou was sulking beside her.

“Yes, the test is already tomorrow and well, I have complete notes but I think I need to have books to understand the lessons better.” Kagome informed Houjou as he began to examine books in the Mathematics section.

“What's the test's topic again?” Houjou inquired as he looked at the table of contents of a thick black book.

“Everything about circular functions,” replied Kagome immediately, looking at the books Houjou was starting to take out of the shelf.

“Well, Vance is good for beginners and it has lots of exercises for that. You can also try Lumbert's book because it has graphs and better explanations and you can get this one too.” Houjou showed her the three books on his hands.

“Thank you for the help, Houjou.” Kagome said thankfully, smiling at him.

“That's all right,” replied Houjou with a smile. “Hey! Maybe I can come over your house to help you with Trigonometry myself?”

That had done it. “No way!” Inuyasha growled out, glaring at Houjou. The two were acting as if he wasn't even there. The impudent boy was obviously hitting on Kagome—and in front of her boyfriend no less! `I mean pretend boyfriend—whatever.' Inuyasha thought, brushing the thought aside.      

“Inuyasha!” Kagome said in a scolding manner. “It's my house not yours, okay?!” Sometimes, she just forgot that they were supposed to act as a couple not enemies. She turned to Houjou but not before she caught the look Inuyasha aimed at her. He was definitely pissed off but she ignored it. “Houjou, sorry about tha—”

Inuyasha growled again and this time, he made sure that Kagome heard him perfectly. `Why the hell does she have to apologize to that annoying boy?!' He thought, getting more and more vexed with Houjou.

Kagome ignored him again. “Again, sorry for Inuyasha's crudeness. He's not really in the mood right now.” She told Houjou, sparing a glance at Inuyasha's direction to see him fuming with `This-Is-All-Your-Fault' expression all over his face. She could sense a fight brewing on their way home. “About your offer, I'm afraid I have to turn you down… Sorry.” She said softly, looking apologetically at Houjou.

“Now that that's fixed, let's get going.” He took the books from Houjou before he could even turn to escort them to the librarian's counter. “I don't think you need to go with us anymore.” He said dangerously, taking Kagome's arm with his other hand. He swiftly turned Kagome and began pushing her away from Houjou, leaving the boy alone.

Houjou looked perplexed for a second then he suddenly said, “Oh I see! Sorry Tsuzuki, I was just trying to help Higurashi. I didn't mean to... well, come between the two of you.” He looked embarrassed, scratching his cheek shyly with his finger.

Inuyasha's left eye twitched a couple of times. Was he really begging him to hit him? Surprisingly, Inuyasha managed to control himself so instead of turning around and giving Houjou a taste of his punch, he just muttered, not caring if Houjou heard him or not, “Keh, fool.” Without looking back to Houjou, he walked away, taking Kagome with him. `As if you can.'

Before she was dragged away completely, Kagome looked back at Houjou and said hurriedly, “Thanks for the help again, Houjou. See you aro—” Her words were cut short and her eyes turned to Inuyasha.

Inuyasha's grip had tightened on her arm—not that it was hurting her but…

`What's his problem?' thought Kagome as the two of them went to the librarian's counter.

 

“Inuyasha, are you all right?” Kagome finally asked as they climbed up the stairs of the shrine.

During the whole trip, Inuyasha had never said a word to Kagome and he seemed to be annoyed and ill-tempered the whole time. Even when Kagome expressed her surprise when Inuyasha carried the books for Kagome, Inuyasha didn't even mutter a `Keh!' Something was definitely wrong with him…

“Are you angry with me?” Kagome asked uncertainly, knowing that she had something to do with Inuyasha's current behavior. This was one of the moments when Inuyasha was easy to read. It was like his whole body was fuming in anger and his eyes clearly read, `I am sooooooo mad right now.'

Inuyasha gritted his teeth together, stopping himself from growling at her. `Does she really have to ask that?!?' He thought in exasperation. Before he could stop himself, he had already grumbled to her, “Why shouldn't I?!”

“You're angry with me?” Kagome suddenly looked upset with Inuyasha's confession. “Is this because of Houjou?” She raised her eyes to look at his face.

`Of course!' Inuyasha nearly yelled but instead he averted his eyes away from her. “You were fraternizing with my enemy.” He scowled.

“Enemy?” She repeated, feeling like she was talking to a little kid who just lost the attention of his mother to his younger brother. “Since when was Houjou your enemy?”

`Since he started hitting on you.' He wanted to answer but he chose to rephrase it and it came out as, “Since I first saw him.” Finally he decided to look at Kagome, his eyes looked somewhat hurt and rejected. “You already know that I don't trust him yet you act so friendly with him. You make it look like you prefer him over me.” He mentally smacked himself in the head for sounding so jealous. `There's no turning back now. The cat is out of the bag…'

Kagome looked taken aback by Inuyasha's words. She looked away from Inuyasha as she felt her cheeks slowly turning hot. `Is he jealous?' She thought, looking at the steps as they climbed up. Her heart was beating furiously inside her chest while she spoke, “Inuyasha, I was nice to him because he was nice to me.” To know that Inuyasha was jealous of Houjou made Kagome feel good. She didn't know why but she felt like hundreds of butterflies were fluttering in her stomach. 

“Well, you can at least act more like my girlfriend than his!” Inuyasha couldn't believe what he was saying. He was really acting like a jealous boyfriend, wasn't he? “I mean you're making it less believable with the way you're acting!” There. Now he didn't sound so pathetic. He sighed in relief at that thought, not noticing the sudden change of expression on Kagome's face.

Kagome stiffened for a second at Inuyasha's words. `So this is all because he was worried about OUR ACT?!' She thought incredulously, staring at Inuyasha for a moment. `And I thought he was jealous of Houjou…' “Fine! Next time I'll act more like your girlfriend.” She snatched the books from Inuyasha, opened the door and slammed it shut on Inuyasha's face. “Inuyasha, you're such a jerk.” She muttered and walked away.

Inuyasha glowered at the door. `What's her fucking problem?!'

    

Kagome sat in front of her desk, books and notebook open in front of her. “This is all Inuyasha's fault!” She groused, breaking the tip of her mechanical pencil for the nth time. “I can't concentrate!” She slumped forward on her desk, resting her head on her upturned palms.

Knock! Knock!

Her head turned towards the door's direction and she said abruptly, “Mama, don't worry! I promise I won't stay up too late!”

“Oi, Kagome…”

That didn't sound like her mother. Kagome stood up and went to open the door to find herself face to face with Inuyasha. “Inuyasha…?”

“Just why the hell did you think that I was your mom?!” Inuyasha complained as he entered her room.

“Well… you knock—never mind.” She closed the door and went back to her seat. “So what do you want? Hurry up because I still need to study.” She told him, returning to the book exercises she was trying to answer.

“Stupid, that's why I'm here.” Inuyasha walked over to her desk and snatched the exercise she had been solving. “I bet the books he got for you aren't even that good!” He scoffed, looking at her solution closely.

“You came here to help me?!” Kagome didn't hide the surprise in her voice. Her eyes went down to the notebook and writing materials on Inuyasha's left hand. `He planned this out, didn't he?'

“You're lucky you're going to be taught by a Math genius.” Inuyasha smiled down at her boyishly, looking like those young male models in front of a teenage magazine.

Kagome had to admit that even though Inuyasha was only wearing plain white shirt and red shorts, he still looked attractive. `Great, he's turning me into one of his fangirls.' She mentally mumbled in her mind. “Prove it to me before you start boasting, Mr. Know-It-All!” She challenged, allowing him to help her and forgetting that she was currently annoyed with the said hanyou.

Inuyasha accepted her challenge wholeheartedly. “You bet I will.” He pronounced, returning the exercise to her. “You had numbers three, four, five, six, seven and ten wrong, by the way. Four out of ten?” He shook his head disapprovingly then smiled deviously at Kagome. “I think we'll be staying pretty late tonight, Kagome…” 

 

“I got to admit you're a great tutor, Inuyasha!” She smiled cheerfully, walking their way back home. “That test was easy compared to the exercises you've given me last night! I feel so great even though we did sleep very late last night!”

“Told you I'm a genius!” Inuyasha smirked boastfully. “You owe me big time for that one.” He reminded her.

“Okay, I'll think of some—hey!” Kagome cried out when she was all of a sudden pushed harshly towards Inuyasha by a running teenage boy that was barely older than her.

`That boy!' Inuyasha's eyes quickly noticed that he had taken Kagome's bracelet but he let it go, making sure that Kagome wasn't hurt first. `It's just a bracelet. I'll just ask for another one from Kikyou.' He thought to himself as he watched the speeding boy disappear around a corner. “You all right?” He asked his miko companion, checking her for any injury.

“I'm all right,” answered Kagome as she stood upright again. Then she let out a gasp at the realization of her lost bracelet. “Inuyasha! He took my bracelet!” With that said, she quickly ran to the direction the boy went off to.      

“Oi, Kagome! Get back here, bitch!” He instantly went after her, gritting his teeth as he ran. `Why the hell are you running after him!?' Now running beside Kagome, he glared at her and scolded her, “What the hell is your problem?! It's just a stupid bracelet! Let it go!” He told her, reaching for her to stop her.

But Kagome only ran faster to escape him. “No!” 

Inuyasha sighed in frustration, increasing his speed as well. “Stubborn girl! I'll just get you a new one, okay?!” He swiftly snatched her arm and pulled her to a stop. “Let's go home.” He told her.

“I don't want a new one!” Kagome pulled her arm hard, hoping to break away from Inuyasha's grasp. Inuyasha wasn't letting her go. “Inuyasha, let me go!” She stared at Inuyasha with full determination, her brown orbs told Inuyasha that she wanted so much to recover that bracelet.

Inuyasha stared back at her the whole time she looked at him. When he finally broke the eye contact, he scooped her from the ground while complaining to her, “Why the hell are you so stubborn?!” He adjusted her weight on his arms, balancing her properly so she wouldn't fall off, and started running again.

After the boy who stole the bracelet.

“Wha-what are you doing?!?” Kagome managed to say at last when she overcame her shock of being suddenly lifted off the ground and carried away. Her hands fisted on Inuyasha's black top, afraid that she might fall off with the speed Inuyasha was going.

“Isn't it obvious?” Inuyasha answered her as he used his nose to detect the boy's location. “We're going to go after that damn bastard who took your precious bracelet!”

Kagome's eyes widened after hearing Inuyasha. He was helping her…? A soft smile was tugging at the corner of Kagome's mouth but she suppressed it, not wanting Inuyasha to see her.

“Wow, that's new…” said Inuyasha in mild shock, looking down at his charge. “You shut up.” `Why do you want that bracelet so much anyway?!'

“I can't believe you're actually helping me!” said Kagome in return, her eyes looking appreciatively at Inuyasha. `Thank you, Inuyasha.'

“Yeah, me too.”

“Jerk.” Kagome gave Inuyasha a light smack on his chest. “There he is!” She suddenly shouted when they finally caught sight of their target, turning around yet another corner.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes as he began to decrease his speed. Soon, it would be all over. `What a moron. Why do they always love turning on a dead end when they're being chased?' He gave out a sigh.

At least, Kagome would have her bracelet back…

 

“I can't believe you just let that sick loser go!” Inuyasha griped, his arms crossed over his chest as they continued their trail back home. “At least you should have let me beat the crap out of him.” He muttered, looking very disappointed with the way things turned out.

“That's why I let him go. If he stayed one more second with us, you would have started maiming him.” Kagome said with concern, touching the cold metal around her right wrist unconsciously.

“Hey, it's his fault! Remember? He took your beloved bracelet!” Inuyasha said in defense, his eyes briefly looking at the piece of jewelry around Kagome's wrist.

“He probably needs some money, that's all...”

“Sheesh, you sound like a saint just now.” Inuyasha muttered, scowling like a little kid who wasn't able to get his favorite lollipop.

“I'll take that as a compliment, thank you.” Kagome said calmly, smiling at the way Inuyasha was pouting. `He's so childish at times.' She thought, watching Inuyasha's face closely. `Not to mention, unpredictable.'

“Stupid, it was an insult!”

Kagome sighed. “Yes, a compliment.”

“Wench.”

“Anyway, I have the bracelet back so everything's fine.” Kagome looked down on her bracelet and smiled softly. She turned to look at Inuyasha and smiled again. “Let's hurry so we'll be in time for dinner.” She told him as she walked faster, waiting for Inuyasha to catch up with her.

“We would have been home by now if you didn't run after that creep, you know.” Inuyasha informed her when he was walking beside her once again.

Kagome studied Inuyasha's face for a moment and frowned a little at what she saw. “You don't look happy that we got my bracelet back.” She told him about her observation, looking a little upset.

`Why should I?' That was the first thing that entered Inuyasha's mind. It was her bracelet after all—not his. But seeing that she was already upset as it was, he decided to resort to acting innocent and said with one of his eyebrows raised, “Huh?”

“You should be, you know.” She began, walking a bit slower. Her eyes were trailed on her shoes. “You should be happy because I treasure what you have given to me.” Her eyes went towards her bracelet.

Inuyasha also slowed down, watching Kagome silently from the corner of his eyes. `She really thinks I gave that bracelet as a gift, doesn't she?' Guilt began to surface in his heart as he realized what he had been doing to Kagome. “Kagome, actually that bracelet…” His words died away when her eyes met his. `But this is for her own good. If she knew about the tracking device, she'll just take it off…' He thought, deciding against telling her the truth. It wouldn't hurt to tell a lie to protect her, right?    

“Hm?” Kagome looked at Inuyasha with interest, waiting for what he had to say.

“Nothing.” He averted his eyes away from hers, contenting himself with the thought that he was protecting her better if she didn't know the truth. `Besides, she'll be mad as hell if she did.' He added in his head, fearing her wrath when that time came.

Kagome shrugged, forgetting Inuyasha's weird words. “So back to the topic,” She continued, glancing at Inuyasha to see if he was listening. She was contented with the way his eyes looked. To her, he looked like he was listening so she went on. “I treasure this bracelet because it was given by a friend.” There. She had finally said it. She didn't know exactly why she wanted to let Inuyasha know but she was relieved. Now that Inuyasha knew that she treated him as a friend, she felt fulfilled. `You're all alone deep inside, aren't you Inuyasha?' She thought, wanting to look into Inuyasha's eyes and see those deep golden yellow eyes. Inside those orbs, she knew he needed a friend. `I don't know if I'm worthy enough but I want to be your friend.'

Inuyasha was currently muddled by Kagome's words. `What is she trying to get from this?' To escape confusion, he turned to Kagome and tried to change their conversation. “Who?” He asked, feigning curiosity in his eyes although he knew the answer already.

“Who else? Of course it's you!” Kagome asked then quickly bowed her head when she realized her sudden outburst. She could feel herself blushing slightly and the feeling that Inuyasha's eyes were still on her wasn't helping her blush vanish. 

“That's nice…” Inuyasha remarked with a smirk, amused at Kagome's sudden admission. 

Kagome was naturally born with an Inuyasha-spoken insult radar so she quickly raised her head, forgetting completely that she was blushing just moments ago. “Was that sarcastic?” She asked skeptically at the hanyou, watching his features closely.

“Suit yourself.” Inuyasha answered her, knowing pretty well that he was annoying her even more with his words. `I can never get tired of teasing her…'

Kagome pouted her lips and complained to him, “You're very misleading at times, you know.” That was the truth. She hated it when Inuyasha did that. She didn't know what to think of him and more important, she didn't know what he was thinking at that moment.

“Was that supposed to annoy me?” Inuyasha looked like he was trying hard not to laugh.

Kagome didn't know what was so funny with what she had said. `Probably he finally lost it.' She thought, rolling her eyes mentally. Wanting to get back at him somehow and make him feel what she was feeling whenever he said that to her, she answered him like he would. “Suit yourself.”

The effect, however, to Inuyasha was quite the opposite from Kagome's. He even looked touched by Kagome's words. “Wow… you're sounding more and more like me day by day.” He beamed widely, looking proud of himself.

“Now that definitely annoyed me.” Kagome said petulantly at Inuyasha.

Inuyasha couldn't help it this time. He burst into laughter. He really enjoyed this kind of talks he had with his charge. She was witty and entertaining. Never boring and passive—well at least when she was not being a bitter bitch. But at the back of his mind, the question that arose just a while ago still lingered.

`Kagome, what do you want from me? What?'

 

Kagome smiled as she handed the packed food her mother had cooked. “Thank you, Houjou for the help last time. I'm not good in cooking so my mother cooked that, by the way.”

Houjou smiled back at her, accepting the package gratefully. “It was nothing, Higurashi. I'm glad to be of help to you.”

Inuyasha couldn't take the sweet talk Houjou was putting on in front of Kagome. “Don't flatter yourself. The books were the ones helping her, not you.” He commented gruffly, uncaring if Kagome scolded him again for his impertinence.

And truly she did scold him, uttering his name in a disapproving manner. 

He only sneered and said a `Keh!' in reply.

Kagome knew Inuyasha was ticked off again because according to him, she was once again fraternizing with his enemy. But that wasn't going to stop her from thanking Houjou for doing her a favor. “I'm sorry for Inuyasha's rudeness.” She told him in an apologetic manner, feeling Inuyasha bristling beside her.

But that also didn't mean that she wasn't going to do what Inuyasha wanted her to do.

“Well, you can at least act more like my girlfriend than his!”

“We'll be going now, Houjou.” She turned around and the moment Inuyasha turned as well, she linked her hand with his hand and squeezed it lightly. She was sure Houjou was still looking at them but if he wasn't, she actually didn't care. As long as she met Inuyasha's demands so he wouldn't be angry anymore…

Inuyasha was surprised for a moment but he didn't pull away. One look at Kagome and he knew what she was trying to do. `She's acting like my girlfriend.' Inuyasha squeezed her hand softly in return to tell her that he got her message. In one way or another, holding her hand dissolved some of his irritation but he still couldn't forget something.

Kagome thanked Houjou—even gave him a gift—and all he got from her was a comment that he was a good tutor? `That is outright unfair!' Inuyasha griped repeatedly in his mind. No way was he going to let her get away with that.

Yet still… he got to admit that her hand was soft and warm.  

 

Inuyasha and Kagome got out of a stuffed toy shop after Kagome bought something. Inuyasha was still acting like a little kid who was having a tantrum and Kagome couldn't ignore it anymore. It seemed like Inuyasha didn't want to be ignored either.

“Come on, Inuyasha! Stop that!” Kagome complained, getting miffed with Inuyasha's unchanging sullen mood. She thought he wouldn't be angry anymore because she had acted more like his girlfriend already. `He acts as though we really are in that kind of relationship. He really is acting like a jealous boyfriend, doesn't he know that?!' She thought, a little tempted to tell him just that but she decided against it. Knowing Inuyasha, she knew he'd probably deny it—if ever it was true—and mope even more. She just couldn't stand the way he was acting. She preferred to have the rude Inuyasha—at least she knew he was perfectly fine.

“Stop what?” He drawled, not looking interested in having an animated conversation with her.

Kagome slapped her forehead lightly. “You're sulking again!” She pointed out, looking both peeved and worried at the same time. “I didn't take too long in that shop, did I?” `Maybe that's his reason this time?' She wondered, looking tentatively at the paper bag she held on her left hand.

“I'm not sulking because of that!” As if to prove that, he sulked even more, staring pointedly at the path ahead of them.

`So he does admit that he's sulking...' Kagome thought in realization. “Don't tell me I didn't act like your girlfriend again.” That was the only other reason she could think of at the moment and he did start sulking just after their meeting with Houjou.

“Keh!”

“Was that a yes or a no?” Kagome really needed to buy an Inuyasha dictionary soon—that was, if there was one available. `He just loves to use that particular word.'

Inuyasha smirked. “Su—”

“Don't tell me to suit myself or I'm going to step on your foot really really hard!” She warned, cutting him immediately. Her brown pools sparked dangerously at his direction. `Can't he just answer me directly?! For once?!'

Of course, Inuyasha wasn't to be stopped by a mere threat from her so he said it again. “Suit—”

“I mean it!”

Inuyasha's lips formed a knowing smile—which was also very evil-looking by the way. He opened his mouth slowly, eyes fixed on Kagome just like a predator would to its prey. “Suit yourself.”

“Argh!!! You're so frustrating!!!” Kagome exclaimed while she glowered at him with all of her might. When Inuyasha only seemed to be more delighted with her words, she looked away and pouted her lips like a small kid having a tantrum. “To think that I came through all that trouble to get you a thank you gift!” She muttered to herself, crossing her arms over her chest.

Inuyasha's ears twitched a couple of times. Did he just hear what he thought he heard? His expression went from smug to plain wonder. “A what?” He asked hesitantly.

“A thank you gift.” Kagome smiled shyly, handing the big paper bag she held to Inuyasha. “Here.”

“This is a stuffed toy, right?” Inuyasha looked down at the paper bag he was now holding. “The one you bought in that shop.” He remembered the stuffed toy Kagome had bought just a while ago. It was another puppy stuffed toy. Just as big as the white one and it even looked pretty much like that one—except for the color because this one was black instead of white. He took a small peek inside the paper bag. Yup. Definitely black fur.

“You don't like it?” The schoolgirl asked him uneasily. 

Inuyasha stared at her blankly for a while. “You gave food to Houjou and you gave me a stuffed toy?” He told her evenly as if mulling things over. `Am I supposed to feel happy?' Actually, he thought food was better since it could fill your stomach.

Kagome smiled at Inuyasha's blank expression. “You should be happy!” She told him encouragingly. “A stuffed toy is better because it doesn't disappear. Food only lasts for a few days…” In her opinion, it was better to give things that would not waste away.

But Inuyasha seemed to prefer food than anything else. “You get to eat food though.” He said nonchalantly, ignoring Kagome's deadly looks aimed at him.

“Stuffed toy is more special!” She insisted, her eyes sending deadly `Agree-With-Me-Or-Else' looks at Inuyasha.

“Okay okay…” Inuyasha said in defeat, feeling her miko aura strengthening. `She really looks scary at times.' He thought as he put two more inches between them just to make sure she wouldn't purify him accidentally. “Sheesh… I've never seen someone give a thank you gift as pushy as you.” He looked at her thank you gift as if inspecting it for any weird traps or tricks.

“That's because you're ungrateful.” She put on a frown as they started climbing the shrine stairs. `I can't believe I spent half of my allowance savings just for this unappreciative jerk.' She had expected Inuyasha to be at least a little touched by her action. She knew Inuyasha wouldn't actually jump in joy nor would he say thanks but she still expected a small sign that he appreciated her gift.  

Inuyasha opened the paper bag and took the stuffed puppy out from it. He examined it closely, touching the black fur and running his claws to feel its soft and smooth texture. Its round sparkly marble-like eyes stared back at him as if examining him as well. Inuyasha thought it was kind of cute. “… I guess it's okay.” He finally said after a long silence. “Since I like puppies…” He added in a small voice. `At least, Kagome picked this one herself…'

Kagome couldn't have been happier at that moment. That was the small sign she had been waiting for! “You like puppies?” She questioned, also looking at the puppy she had bought. She really liked the color of the puppy and its eyes looked as if it wanted to talk to you. Then a thought struck her. `Of course Inuyasha likes them! They are sort of related, right?' She giggled mentally at the thought, her eyes straying to the furry triangles on top of Inuyasha's snowy white hair. 

“Yeah.” Inuyasha answered briefly, giving Kagome a weird look when he caught her looking at his ears.

Kagome lowered her eyes to meet his eyes and grinned like a little girl. “Me too.” She chirped, petting the head of the puppy Inuyasha was holding at the moment.

 

“No suspicious events happening so far.” Inuyasha confirmed, taking a seat in front of his desk as he talked on his cell phone.

“Good then.” Kikyou said from the other line. “I guess Hell's Gate is trying to be more careful this time. Still, don't let your guard down.”

“Yeah, I know.” Inuyasha replied, looking at the black puppy stuffed toy seated on his desk. It was hard not to notice it since it was taking nearly one third of his desk's space. He ran his claws through its fur lightly, enjoying the feel of its fur on his hand. `Sort of like black silk.' He thought sleepily. Now sleep sounded like a very good idea to him…

“Inuyasha? Are you still there?”

“Y-Yeah.” He managed to answer, unable to believe that he spaced out while taking to Kikyou.

That never happened before…

“So do you have anything more to say?” Kikyou asked curiously, as if expecting him to say something more.  

“Not really.”

“You didn't forget anything?” Inuyasha could detect slight amazement in her voice as she spoke.

“Why?” He inquired, sounding perplexed. He couldn't recall anything that he had missed…

“That's odd,” said Kikyou after a moment's silence, sounding amazed again.

“Odd?”

“This is the first time you didn't ask me if you could quit this mission.” The Solferis leader pointed out softly. “Does that mean you're starting to like this mission now?” She sounded quite interested to hear Inuyasha's answer to that specific question.

“Why bother to continue asking? You'll never allow me anyway.” Kikyou could detect that Inuyasha was scowling by the way he sounded on the phone.  

“So about tomorrow, do I need to send a car there?” She asked, changing the topic abruptly.

“No, we'll be coming through my motorbike.” Inuyasha replied, taking something out from his drawer. It was a gold necklace with a small oval locket as its pendant. He held the pendant between his fingers and looked at it thoughtfully.

“Inuyasha, if Kagome doesn't like—”

“Actually, she was the one who wanted that.” He interrupted gently, turning the locket between his fingers swiftly like some kind of coin but making sure he wouldn't drop it.

“So she likes motorcycles?” Kikyou asked with high interest.

“She didn't like to ride one before but I guess she changed her mind.” Inuyasha answered indifferently. He opened the locket carefully, never getting tired of seeing the same two letters engraved inside.

KH

There was a brief pause on Kikyou's side before she said her good-bye. “See you tomorrow then?”

“Yeah.” Inuyasha dropped his mobile phone on his desk and focused his attention again on the necklace. `I told her I would sell this necklace but why can't I find it in my heart to let this piece of jewelry go?'

“I thought you didn't care.” Kikyou said in awe, looking shocked at Inuyasha after he had just jumped to save her from being run over by a truck—which had ten wheels and was currently carrying lots of tons.

Inuyasha rolled his amber eyes at her, irked by the way she was looking at him. It was like she was telling him, `See? You do care!' He mentally groaned and erased the thought from his mind. “Do you really think I want to see someone get squashed by a ten-wheeler truck in front of me?!” He yelled at her. Inuyasha thought it was better to get mad than stay quiet at times like this. He couldn't just let her think that he actually cared—because he didn't.

But Kikyou seemed to see past his pretense. “You care then.” She said simply, sitting on a random bench on the sidewalk. 

Inuyasha followed but didn't sit beside her. He just stood near her since it was his duty to protect her that day. He cursed his guardian Myouga for volunteering him to be Kikyou's temporary bodyguard for the day. `Just because she can't go out on her own.' He scoffed. “No, I just did that because it's my job to protect—”

“Here.” Kikyou took his hand quickly and placed a golden necklace on it. Then she smiled again. The smile Inuyasha hated so much.

“Why are you giving this crap to me?” He asked, glaring at the piece of jewelry as if it was going to kill him somehow.

“It's a thank you gift,” said Kikyou succinctly and when she saw Inuyasha was going to protest again she added, “Okay. So you don't care. But thanks for saving me anyway.” 

Inuyasha still didn't like the way Kikyou was looking at him because he still thought that she really believed that he truly cared for her. “I only did that because I will get into trouble if your parents found out you died and I didn't do anything.” He said in an emphasizing manner.

Kikyou didn't seem to hear him or if she did, she didn't want to comment on it anymore. Hands on her lap, she sat in a very refined way, looking very mature and graceful for a sixteen-year-old girl. Being raised in a first class family like the Hijimas, that was to be expected from her. Her family made sure of that. She looked at the cars passing by, her eyes looked serene and contented. “I can't believe we're actually talking...”

“Yeah, I can't believe I'm stuck with you either.” Inuyasha countered, studying her demeanor through the corner of his eyes.

“It's a good change actually. I can talk to you freely. My bodyguards always seemed too cautious around me. It's like I will be breaking into tiny pieces any minute.” Kikyou also watched Inuyasha silently from the corner of her eyes, wondering what possible sufferings Inuyasha could have gone through that made him so distant to people. 

“Well too bad `cause I'm not applying to baby-sit you.” He could feel her watching him and he didn't like the feeling of being watched. Feeling uncomfortable standing near her, he moved to sit on the bench, startling Kikyou with his action.

Then she smiled softly.

“And I'm not keeping this thing either!” He said stubbornly, remembering that he still had Kikyou's necklace with him.

Kikyou shrugged, her eyes returned to watch the people walking by and the cars passing by absentmindedly again. “It's yours now. I don't care what you do with it.” She relaxed on the bench, feeling glad that Inuyasha was slowly letting her in. That was what she wanted to believe. If she could have a friend like Inuyasha, she wouldn't be that lonely anymore.

“Good because I'll be selling it to get some money.” He said scathingly, whirling the necklace's chain around his index finger. “This locket must be worth something.”

Kikyou didn't say anything. She just kept on smiling.

“You love to smile even when you're insulted?!” Inuyasha didn't get her. She seemed to know nothing else but smile. `Is she dense or something?' He wondered to himself, looking at Kikyou in disbelief.

Kikyou slowly turned her head and looked into Inuyasha's eyes, the smile had vanished all of a sudden. “Do you want me to cry instead?”

Inuyasha fell silent the moment her eyes met his. There was something familiar in her brown eyes. Then he heard himself saying in a low voice, “...no.”

“I also don't want to.” Kikyou looked away from him and resumed to smile once again.

Just a while ago, Inuyasha saw something in her eyes but he couldn't describe what he saw exactly. Was it anger? Was it loneliness? Was it sadness? Was it boredom? But he knew that it was familiar because he felt it too.

Somehow, at that moment, he had seen past her pretense and realized something.

He and Kikyou were alike in one way or another.

He placed the necklace in his pocket. “Just tell me if you want to leave already.” 

 

“Inuyasha! Wake up already!” Kagome knocked again but there was no sound coming from Inuyasha's room. “I'm coming in, okay?” She turned the knob and pushed the door open.

“He's not here…” She looked around the room but the hanyou was nowhere inside the room. `Where is he?' She wondered, taking a closer look at Inuyasha's room. Now that she thought of it, this was the first time she had entered this room ever since Inuyasha moved in their house. `He's pretty neat for a guy…' She thought, looking at the fixed bed and the organized desk. She smiled when she found the black stuffed toy she had given to him sitting on the desk. Then she found a glinting necklace neatly resting beside the black puppy. 

`A necklace…?' She thought with curiosity, taking the necklace to have a closer look at it. `It's a girl's necklace.' She observed, seeing the floral design in front of the locket. `I wonder who owns this locket…' She opened it, hoping to find a picture inside. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the letters engraved inside. `KH? Kagome Higurashi?' She mentally kicked herself for even considering the thought. `Yeah right… Dream on, Kagome!' She told herself but she couldn't stop her heart from speeding up.

“Oi, Kagome!”

Kagome jumped in surprise, quickly returning the necklace where she had seen it. “Oh hi, Inuyasha!” Now she knew she was going to get it. `I'm doomed!'

Inuyasha's eyes immediately darted to the necklace lying on his desk then back to Kagome's not-so-innocent face. He decided to let it pass.

Kagome looked startled for a moment. She knew Inuyasha knew but he wasn't bursting into one of his usual tirades of her being so nosy. Now that was weird. She decided it was better if she didn't ask anymore because she might just remind him that he was supposed to be mad at her for entering his room without his permission. “So you took a bath?” She said instead.

Inuyasha looked at himself. He was wearing a white bathrobe and his silvery white hair was dripping wet. He smirked at her. “No, I threw myself in the toilet bowl.” 

“Eewww. That's gross.” Kagome scrunched her nose in disgust.

“Okay, that's enough morning sarcasm,” said Inuyasha as he went to his closet to grab some clothes. “So why are you here?”

“I thought we would be leaving by now.”

“We will be if you'll just give me a few minutes to dress,” answered Inuyasha as he looked back at Kagome arrogantly. “Or if you prefer to stay and watch me, I don't mind.” He started to undo the knot on his bathrobe.

Kagome was gone in a snap, the door quickly closing behind her. “Never mind,” said Kagome behind the door. “I don't think there's anything worth watching anyway! I'll be in my room if you're ready!”

Inuyasha raised an arched eyebrow, facing the door. `Really huh?'

 

“So what made you change your mind?” Inuyasha asked inquisitively, looking over his shoulder to hand Kagome her helmet. They were inside the parking lot of Inuyasha's apartment to get the motorbike that they would use to go to Kikyou's place.

“About this?” She looked down on the motorcycle she was sitting on and took the helmet from Inuyasha but didn't put it on yet.

“You looked pretty scared during the first time.” He said over his shoulder, placing his key in the keyhole and starting the engine.

“You're expecting me to say that I changed my mind because you're a great rider, aren't you?” Kagome's chocolate brown eyes watched him cautiously as he made the engine roar louder and louder. She clutched Inuyasha's shirt lightly, preparing herself before Inuyasha started accelerating their vehicle. 

He decreased the noise and turned to face Kagome, a conceited smile gracing his lips while a fang poked out from the corner of his mouth. “No,” said Inuyasha, looking like a motorbike gangster with his red sports jacket. “I'm expecting you to say you changed your mind because you like being this near to me.” He looked suggestively at Kagome, her body was currently very very close to him.

Kagome quickly removed her hands from him and put on a put out look, wishing she could push the hanyou off the motorcycle as a bonus. “That's it! Tell Kikyou to send a car.” She planned to jump off Inuyasha's motorcycle if not for the clawed hand holding her.

Inuyasha smiled cockily at her, enjoying the way her eyes looked at him. So brave and deadly. She looked like a deadly assassin from hell when she did that and Inuyasha simply loved the way she looked. “So you admit you're guilty.” He challenged her openly, knowing that she didn't turn down a challenge especially if it was a challenge made by him.

“I'm not guilty!” Kagome objected instantly, glaring at Inuyasha's hand that was holding her arm.

“Prove me wrong then.” Inuyasha released her arm and waited for her. He was sure that she wouldn't go down now that the challenge was up.

Kagome growled lightly to herself but she accepted the challenge. As if she could turn it down and admit that she really did like being this close him. “Fine.” She returned her hands on their previous position and even tightened her hold. “Why do you always get what you want?” She complained to his back as the motorcycle began to gain speed.

“Because I'm charming and irresistible?”

“You never get tired of being an egotistic jerk, do you?” She narrowed her eyes at his back.

“Not for you.” He merrily replied as he made a smooth swerve.

“I'm honored.”

“You should be.”

“Why should I?”

“Exactly.”

Kagome's head was starting to ache with the conversation they were having. She gently pulled on Inuyasha's shirt to catch his attention then she said evenly, “We're not making sense already.”

Inuyasha tossed a grin over his shoulder. “You figured out too?” It was really fun to play games with Kagome. Noticing that he was still looking behind him, he looked back at the road, making sure that they wouldn't get into an accident just because he was playing around with Kagome.

Kagome didn't know how each of their conversations started and ended. Most of the time, they seemed to change all of a sudden without any of them noticing.  Sometimes they would talk seriously and some other time they would talk without any sense at all. This was one of those times when they would just pull each other's leg and try to outwit the other. She wasn't going to let Inuyasha win this one that easily. She quickly came up with a revenge plan. “Perfect!”

 “Huh?” Inuyasha spared a look at his charge to show her that he didn't get her.

Kagome grinned triumphantly and answered him again. “Right.”

Inuyasha would have rubbed his temple if he wasn't presently driving. “I'll just pretend I can't hear you.”

“You're welcome.”

Another point for Kagome.

 

“There Kagome… Just focus so you don't end up blowing the bow and arrow.” Kaede instructed as she watched Kagome, who was currently holding a bow and arrow and aiming at a target. “Concentrate your miko energy on the arrow. Transfer your power in the arrow and… release!”

Kagome did as she was told. She released the arrow and was delighted when the arrow hit its target, blowing the target with his miko energy. “Finally!” She cried out happily, smiling contentedly. That was the first arrow she managed to shoot with her miko power. The other arrows she tried to shoot blew off before she even released them.

“I think you just need more practice so you don't end up blowing your own weapon.” Kaede said gently, nodding approvingly at Kagome's improvement. “We'll continue this tomorrow.” She paused and looked at her back to call on the girl that had been watching them for quite some time now. “By the way, this is Hanako. She is also a miko but she is four years older than you. If you want, you can ask for some tips from her. She is good in archery too and she knows a few tricks in sword handling. I bet you'll learn some things from her.” The elderly miko advised, smiling at Hanako gently.

The older girl gave out a smile at Kagome, her lively black eyes looking at her with high interest. “I'm Hanako Kashimoto.” She bowed her head a little after introducing herself. She was wearing faded blue jeans and a red shirt and her long black hair was tied back into a high ponytail with a white ribbon.

“Kagome Higurashi. Nice to meet you.” Kagome also bowed in return and smiled. It was nice that she would have someone else to talk to about her training besides Kaede.

“I'll be leaving the two of you already. I'll see you tomorrow, Kagome.” Kaede bade farewell and left the two younger mikos to themselves.

“I didn't notice that you were here,” said Kagome honestly, loading her bow with another arrow. “Do you come here often?”

“I came to receive my training too but not every week.” Hanako answered, watching Kagome as she practiced. “You're pretty young. When did you start noticing that you were a miko?”

“When a Solferis agent came to my house.” She stretched the string some more with her right hand and focused her energy into the arrow.

“I've been a miko for more than a year now,” said Hanako as she took a bow and quiver for herself. “But Solferis only spotted me two months ago. I got my training from another miko besides Kaede but she's dead now.”

Kagome stopped. “You mean Hell's Gate…?”

“Yes.”

“I'm sorry to hear that…” Kagome regained her concentration and aimed once again. She needed to be stronger fast. She wouldn't let Hell's Gate get her without a fight. Never.

“That's a pretty tracking device you've got.” Hanako commented, noticing the silver bracelet on Kagome's right wrist when Kagome stretched the string of her bow once more.

Kagome lowered her hands, her forehead cringed in befuddlement. “Tracking device?” 

“That's a tracking device, right?” Hanako asked, pointing to Kagome's bracelet. “See, I've got one too but yours is prettier.” She raised her right wrist and revealed a silver bracelet as well but much simpler than hers. 

“A tracking device huh?” Kagome stared at the piece of jewelry around her wrist.

“Because that's expensive, I want you to wear it always—and I mean don't ever take it off, understood?”

“Kagome, actually that bracelet…”

She wanted to laugh at herself that very instant.

`Kagome, you're such a fool.'   

 

 

 

 

  

 

A/N: There! Much shorter than the previous chapter and with a cliffhanger. Okay, that wasn't exactly a good thing… But I bet you'll be thanking me next chapter because I'm going to give a special action-packed chapter next time plus some drama. Imagine if you had to read a cliffhanger from that chapter… So yeah, this is better. Anyway, to those who still haven't experienced submitting a review, why not try it now? Just push a button and type your heart out! Easy, right? (Of course, don't forget to push the submit button after typing the review.)