InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Syndrome ❯ As Close to Poetry as You're Gonna Get ( Chapter 42 )

I do not own Inuyasha and Company, no matter how happy it would make me. Rumiko Takahashi does. I make no money from these fics.

 

@@ About 2 Years and Seven Months Ago/February - Kagome's Junior Year of High School

(after the Christmas, skiing adventure chapters) @@

 

Chapter 42 - As Close to Poetry as You're Gonna Get

 

Sesshoumaru scowled as he walked through the noisy, crowded halls. In a place where the only focus should be education, gaudy decorations were everywhere reminding him of the upcoming day of hell. Really, he didn't need to be reminded about the lack of romance in his life or how alone he was. He certainly didn't need a whole day dedicated to nothing but mushy poems, stinky flowers, and an overabundance of public displays of affection. Valentine's Day always sucked.

 

His scowl darkened as he passed one of the many tables that had been set up around the school by the student council. As if the decorations weren't annoying enough, they had to sell flowers that would be delivered during classes on Valentine's Day. This he especially hated. He couldn't understand why the female population thought this was a good idea. What in the world could possibly make them think that sending him flowers would earn them his approval?

 

As annoyed with them as he was, he also couldn't help but be intrigued by their behavior as well. He'd always been amused by how a female walking down the hall holding hands with her boyfriend would lock eyes on him and be unable to drag her attention away. They usually didn't even care that their boyfriend noticed. He didn't doubt that girls like that would ditch their chosen male in an instant if he so much as showed an inkling of interest in them.

 

It wouldn't surprise him a bit if girls were purchasing flowers for both their boyfriends and him, in the same transaction even. How must it feel to know that your girlfriend would drop you without a moment's hesitation if something better were to come along? How could one have a relationship knowing of their significant other's less than admirable level of loyalty?

 

Loyalty… that was one of the things he loved about Kagome. Though she'd never had a boyfriend, a fact for which he was abundantly grateful, he knew that she would never ditch one if she had one for the chance to upgrade. It simply wasn't in her nature. She was loyal to a fault, the fault being who she chose to be loyal to. Sesshoumaru was well aware that dating him and being friends with the half-breed were mutually exclusive, guaranteeing that she'd never give him a second glance.

 

Why did she have to choose Inuyasha as a friend? Why did she commit herself to such a disgusting creature? Why could she not have chosen him instead? Sesshoumaru couldn't restrain the snarl that escaped him at the thought of what Inuyasha had stolen from him, the sound causing all the students in the hall within earshot to scatter like birds flying from their perches at the sound of a gunshot. No one wanted to be around to find out what was pissing him off.

 

The taiyoukai glared darkly at his surroundings as his mind began to formulate possible ways to make the half-breed pay. Though many ideas were wonderful in theory he knew that actually following through would only damage Kagome's image of him further. He needed a way to hurt the whelp without her finding out, a way to cause pain without it being traceable to him. This would take some pondering but he was certain there was a way. He just had to find it.

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

Kagome heaved a mental sigh, knowing that if she made the slightest sound it would be picked up by the hanyou walking beside her. Though they tried to make sure she wasn't lonely this time of year it just wasn't the same as having a boyfriend, or so she'd imagine since she'd never been allowed to have one. Valentine's Day always sucked. The last thing she wanted was everyone else's romance rubbed in her face and it made for a rather cranky Kagome, no matter what her friends did to try and cheer her up.

 

It didn't help, of course, that Valentine's Day always resulted in whatever relationships the guys might be in ending rather abruptly. She told them not to, that they needed to focus on their girlfriends, but they never listened. Really, what girl would put up with her boyfriend spending more time with, and paying more attention to, another girl instead of them? Add to that the fact that they always spoiled her rotten and you have some very jealous girlfriends that don't hang around too long.

 

Of course the guys never seemed to mind, but that didn't stop it from bugging her. She hated being the cause of their breakups and besides, the girls at school didn't need any additional reasons to hate her. They had enough as it was.

 

The miko barely held back a snort as she spotted the flower sales table set up in the hall. Speaking of reasons to hate her… Kagome absolutely despised the flower thing. It wasn't her fault that guys bought her so many! She wasn't encouraging them. Really, by now they should have learned that even if they got in good with her with a nice gift, it wouldn't get them past Bank, and yet still they continued to do so.

 

Every single class would be interrupted so another dozen or more flowers could be delivered and every time it happened Kagome could feel the anger, jealousy, and hatred in the room. It was so thick she could choke on it. She was too nice to just throw them away, though the thought was tempting. Instead she had to walk from class to class carrying a giant advertisement of the male student population's obsession with her all day long, and that wasn't even counting the gifts her guys got her.

 

The shrine would be absolutely covered in vases full of flowers, and while her mother enjoyed it, she didn't. If only they would quit it already and leave her alone! She knew a majority of them were only interested in her in the first place because she was off limits. If she was obtainable she wouldn't have half the admirers she did now but because she was guarded like treasure by her friends she was elevated to a pedestal in most boys' eyes.

 

Even guys who had girlfriends sent her flowers! What were they thinking? Were they trying to get her killed? Girls did not like it when they found out their boyfriends bought flowers for her and them at the same time; that was certain. Why they acted like it was her fault she didn't know but it made her insane and most definitely made her a Valentine's Day Grinch.

 

She reached her locker and began spinning the combination lock, ignoring when Miroku and Bank arrived to stand with the waiting Inuyasha. Kagome opened the metal door to her little storage space and audibly sighed. Usually her locker was pristine, organized in order of classes and without a single loose scrap of paper. This week, however, it was a mess every time she opened it.

 

With an annoyed sigh and a roll of her eyes, Kagome began collecting the little white, pink, and red envelopes that had been slipped through the vents into her locker, straightening them into a neat pile. How she wanted to just toss them away, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She couldn't just throw away something someone had given her and later tonight she would spend hours reading through them one by one.

 

Of course there was another reason why she read them as well, besides the feeling of duty, a reason she wouldn't even admit to herself. She was looking for something in the little love notes, looking for something from him…

 

Every Valentine's Day since his first appearance at the Halloween dance she'd carefully scanned every gift and card, every single word of every little note in search of some sign that it had been sent by him. Of course she'd never found anything, but that didn't keep her from looking.

 

She couldn't be sure, of course. She didn't imagine he would sign `Your Mystery Vampire' or something equally obvious, but she had a suspicion that she'd know if a gift or card was from him, that it would feel different somehow. So far, nothing had stood out from the crowd, nothing screamed `Your Especially Special Secret Admirer' in her mind. She knew better than to expect miracles but still she searched. It broke her heart every time, but she couldn't stop herself.

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

Kagome was so absorbed in her task of gathering the depressing valentines that she was oblivious to the conversation occurring behind her.

 

Inuyasha couldn't keep from growling as he saw her open her locker and spotted the unwelcome notes and cards. She was depressed enough, just like she was every year at this time, and she didn't need a million guys chasing after her reminding her that she didn't have a boyfriend.

 

He'd dump his current girlfriend in an instant if only he could be her boyfriend, but he knew that while she loved him, she would always love him only as a friend and that friendship wasn't something he was willing to risk. He wished that the perfect guy for her would suddenly appear, someone they could trust to treat her well and keep her safe, but he knew it wasn't possible. The perfect guy just didn't exist. They were all disgusting sex-driven animals unworthy of licking the soles of her shoes on a muddy day.

 

When Bank and Miroku showed up, the hanyou was glad for the distraction, though his mood didn't show it. A glance to the side had him irritated again in an instant. “What the fuck do you have to be grinning about?”

 

Bankotsu's smile only widened at his friend's caustic tone. “I've only solved all our Valentine's Day problems in one shot.”

 

Miroku narrowed his eyes at Bank. “And how did you do that?” he asked suspiciously.

 

Bank tilted his head to the side, drawing their attention to an approaching male. “Just watch.”

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

Kagome was still buried in her thoughts while she rummaged through her locker, exchanging books and notebooks from her morning classes for the ones for the afternoon. She didn't notice as he approached. She didn't even notice when he softly said her name. It wasn't until he reached out and gently poked her arm that she realized someone was standing beside her trying to get her attention, someone who apparently wanted to lose a hand because she could hear Inuyasha snarling over the usual racket of a busy high school hallway.

 

“Can I help you?” she asked, less than interested to hear why this particular guy wanted to talk to her.

 

He was nervous, shifting his weight from foot to foot, and he cleared his throat before once again gathering up the nerve to speak to her. “Hello, Kagome. I… I was wondering if perhaps you'd like to go out this Friday for Valentine's Day.”

 

The miko scanned the almost shaking male from top to bottom before turning her attention back to her locker. “Go see Bank,” she said in an annoyed tone. Really, how many times in her life would she have to say those words? Certainly the message had spread throughout the entire school years ago. Was this boy so dense as to have missed it?

 

“I already have,” the boy replied proudly.

 

Now that got her full and complete attention. “You what?”

 

“I have already spoken with Bankotsu and he has given me permission to ask you on a date this Friday.”

 

“He did?” Kagome looked around, spotting Bank. The look on his face told her that what this boy said was the truth. Bankotsu had finally approved a boy! Oh, but why this boy? She had absolutely no interest in him and now she was in a pickle. She had no idea how to turn down a request for a date. She didn't want to hurt his feelings or anything and he looked so thrilled that he'd been approved that she hadn't a clue how to even begin.

 

“Well, Hojo, I… I'm not sure I…” she glanced around in desperation while mentally grasping at straws for some gentle way to let him down.

 

Inuyasha was at her side in an instant, more than willing to help her out. “The wench isn't interested. Sorry,” he said, though his apology sounded less than genuine, mostly because it was.

 

“But…” Hojo started only to be cut off.

 

“You like this guy, Kaggie?” Inu asked, wrapping his arm around her waist for comfort and support.

 

“No, I'm sorry Hojo, but you're… I'm just not interested.” She watched as Hojo turned, looking absolutely dejected, and walked away. “Thank you,” she whispered to Inuyasha, turning in his arms and burying her face in his chest. “I'm going to kill Bank.”

 

“Not if I get to him first.”

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

“I know you meant well, Bank,” Kagome said while playing idly with her french fries, “but you put me in a really awkward position.”

 

“I don't get it. You're always complaining that I never approve of anyone and now when I do you don't like who I picked? What was wrong with Hojo?”

 

“I don't know. He just creeps me out. He's too nice. I guess he's just not my type.”

 

“Creep is right,” Inu interjected. “There's something wrong with that guy. I'd have never approved him. He looks like a serial killer.”

 

Bankotsu sighed. “Alright, so what do you want me to do?”

 

“I want you to ask me if I like a guy before telling him he's approved. That way I won't have to turn someone down after they get all exciting thinking they're in,” she replied.

 

“What about us?” Inuyasha asked in a frustrated tone. “Why is he the only one that gets any say?”

 

“I hate to say it, but I agree with Inuyasha,” Miroku said with a nod. “I do not think I would have approved Hojo either.”

 

“Alright, fine! If there's someone I think is alright, then I'll consult with you two, and if you both approve, then we'll ask Kagome. Does that sound alright?”

 

Kagome laughed. “Yeah, with three screeners I'm certain to never ever get a date.”

 

“You had a chance and you didn't like the guy,” Bank teased.

 

“Well then why did you approve such a weirdo?”

 

“I believe we are in agreement,” Miroku said with a grin. “Kagome will never have to turn down another prospective date again.”

 

“Kagome will never have a prospective date again,” she said with a laugh. “I'm going to die a virgin in a house full of cats.”

 

“No cats, Babe,” Inuyasha laughed. “I'm sure we can find you some nice dogs, a hamster or two… hey, maybe even some ferrets!”

 

“Yay, I can be the crazy ferret lady!” she said sarcastically while rolling her eyes. Why was she friends with these three again?

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

He'd been searching for the perfect plot for days now and finally he'd found it. The idea had struck him the previous evening while listening in on his half brother's plans for Valentine's Day. It was too perfect and could never be blamed on him! He'd found a way to hurt Inuyasha without looking bad in front of Kagome and he was currently patting himself on the back for his brilliance. There was no way this plan could fail.

 

Sesshoumaru turned the corner, entering the hall where he knew Inuyasha and his current girlfriend would be standing. He still couldn't understand how a female could possibly choose to date a hanyou, but he was certain she would be like all the others, attracted to him and more than eager to upgrade.

 

The thought of flirting with any female other than Kagome caused a crushing pain in his chest and the idea of showing interest in a girl that had not only dated but actually willingly touched the disgusting half breed turned his stomach. Still, he would press on. This might not be pleasant, but he was a determined taiyoukai.

 

He walked slowly, appearing to be ignoring everything around him like always, but in reality he was focused entirely on the girl standing beside Inuyasha. He knew the instant she spotted him. He could feel her gaze burning into him and he knew his plan would work. She wanted him already.

 

Sesshoumaru turned his head slightly and locked eyes with her, hearing as her heart rate sped up while the hanyou remained oblivious. He forced a seductive smirk onto his lips and watched as her breath caught in her throat. Oh yes, she was putty in his hands. He closed the deal with a playful wink before turning to once again look where he was going, knowing that Inuyasha would be dumped by the end of the day.

 

One task down, the taiyoukai set out on his next mission. He absolutely refused to receive a million flowers this year and he'd decided to put a stop to it at its source. Sesshoumaru walked swiftly to one of the flower sales tables and strode right to the front, ignoring the line of students waiting their turns.

 

“I do not want to receive any flowers this year.”

 

His abruptness startled the girl sitting at the table and she looked up at him for a moment in silence, stunned. “You don't what?”

 

“Are you stupid, girl? I do not wish to receive any flowers this year. I find them to be nothing but an unnecessary interruption of my studies. I want it to be made known to any attempting to purchase flowers for myself that I do not want them and for any such sales to be denied.”

 

The cornered girl looked around for help and sighed aloud as the teacher assisting in the Valentine's flowers fundraiser this year approached, having heard everything.

 

“This is a school fundraiser. The point is to raise funds,” the teacher said in a sarcastic tone, obviously annoyed by Sesshoumaru. “Any and all prospective sales will be allowed.”

 

“Fine, then simply do not deliver mine. Sell them twice for all I care. I do not want them.”

 

“Well that's too bad. Any flowers that are purchased for you must be delivered to you. We cannot in good faith sell something and then not deliver it. If you do not want them then you're welcome to throw them away, but they will be delivered. You will just have to get over it,” the teacher finished with an arrogant smirk that could easily have rivaled Sesshoumaru's best.

 

The taiyoukai snarled and opened his mouth to reply before closing it again. He knew better than to show a teacher disrespect. He remembered what that had gotten him in the past and even now as a senior in high school he did not desire a repeat visit from his father's very large `friend' Kyojin. His lessons on respect had definitely not been forgotten and neither had his promise to return. Swallowing the string of insults he wished he could hurl at the educator, Sesshoumaru turned and walked away, ignoring the teacher's last remark.

 

“He's a cranky one, isn't he? I hope he receives a hundred flowers on Friday. I think I might even buy a few myself.”

 

Kagome rolled her eyes and took a step forward as the line was allowed to move once more. She had a few flowers of her own to buy, payback to her guys for the gifts she was sure to receive, and had overheard Sesshoumaru's rant.

 

`Only he would be so arrogant as to not only assume he'll get a lot of flowers but to demand not to receive them. You'd think he'd like getting his ego stroked. What the heck do these stupid girls see in him anyway?' she thought to herself, fighting down the little voice inside her that whispered its interest in the taiyoukai. She didn't need to be reminded.

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

“So, I saw something interesting a little while ago,” Kagome said to her friends while they walked down the hall.

 

“Yeah? Do share,” Miroku replied.

 

“I was at the flower table and you won't believe who came up and demanded not to receive any flowers.”

 

Inuyasha laughed. “Who?”

 

“Your brother.”

 

“Half-brother,” he growled before laughing again. “What'd they say?”

 

“That anyone who wanted to buy flowers would be allowed and any flowers purchased for him would be delivered. The teacher literally told him to get over it.” Kagome watched in amusement as Inuyasha stopped in his tracks, began digging through his pockets and counting his money.

 

“Quick, Miroku, you got any cash on you?” the hanyou asked.

 

“Why?” the monk inquired while pulling out his wallet.

 

Inuyasha smirked. “I have some flowers to buy.”

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

It had finally arrived. The dreaded Valentine's Day was here and Kagome didn't even want to get out of bed. Of course her friends had expected such and were there to drag her through her morning routine and all the way to school if necessary.

 

Inuyasha was digging through her closet in search of an acceptable outfit while Bankotsu talked her through her shower and Miroku gathered her things. All three, along with Kagome, froze in curiosity as the doorbell rang. A minute later, Kagome's mother could be heard coming up the stairs.

 

“Kagome, dear? It seems your holiday is starting early this year.”

 

“What, Mama?” Kagome asked, coming out of the bathroom in a robe, freshly showered.

 

“Look what just came for you. They're beautiful!” Mrs. Higurashi exclaimed while holding up a bouquet of lavender roses.

 

“Ugh, guys!” Kagome groaned in annoyance. “Really, now you're having them delivered here too? Embarrassing me at school isn't bad enough?”

 

All three males, who had congregated in the hall, exchanged looks before Miroku spoke. “I do not believe that we had anything to do with this. Perhaps there is a card?”

 

Now she was slightly more interested and the miko accepted the bouquet from her mother, plucking a card from it. She ripped open the envelope and took in the printed text.

 

The lavender rose symbolizes enchantment and love at first sight.

 

You enchant my every thought and have from the moment I first laid eyes on you.

If only you could be mine.

 

Kagome's heart skipped a beat. Something was different about this card than all the others she'd received and though she didn't want to admit it, she was thrilled. For once it felt possible. Could it be? Could this be from him?

 

The guys exchanged looks once more. This was suspicious and they didn't like it. Kagome got secret admirer gifts all the time so why did this one have her looking like she was floating on a magical cloud above a rainbow, watching a flying unicorn that shit cotton candy? They knew they would have to keep a close eye on her today.

 

Inuyasha smirked. His girlfriend getting a bug up her ass and dumping him yesterday couldn't have come at a more perfect time. Now he could focus his attention completely on Kagome and ensure that no one got too close to her. “Come on, Wench. We're gonna be late for school if you don't hurry it up. Your mom can take care of those.” He took the roses from her hand and passed them off before guiding Kagome into her room. It was going to be an interesting day.

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

Inuyasha was waiting outside Kagome's first class, ready to escort her to her second, and a frown pulled at his lips when he saw her once again holding a bouquet of roses he knew none of them had sent her.

 

“Pink, eh?” he asked in irritation. “There a card with these too?”

 

“Yeah,” she said with a blushing grin that only pissed the hanyou off further. She was really enjoying the roses and didn't seem bugged by them in the least, which wasn't her usual reaction to gifts on Valentine's Day. What was so special about this particular gift? “I think these might be from the same person. The card looks the same.” She handed it to Inuyasha who read it quickly.

 

The pink rose symbolizes admiration and appreciation.

 

There is so much about you to appreciate and admire.

If only you could be mine.

 

He had to fight the desire to crumble the paper into a ball or rip it to shreds, handing it back to Kagome instead. Whoever this mystery guy was, he was definitely getting on Inuyasha's nerves. “Anything else interesting happen?” he asked her, careful of his tone.

 

“Nah, a bunch of school flowers but nothing interesting. We didn't do a damn thing in class though. It was nice.”

 

She smiled brightly at him and all of the hanyou's irritation melted away. What was he worried about anyway? This guy obviously had no chance with her because there was no way he'd get approved by all three of them. His Kagome was safe.

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

By lunchtime, Kagome was struggling to carry all of her gifts. She'd only received one other mystery bouquet, yellow this time, but with the fundraiser flowers and a large bouquet from the guys her arms were full. Inuyasha carried her bag and books while she handled her own personal flower shop as they located a table and sat down.

 

“I'm glad Bank and Miroku are going to spend lunch with their girlfriends today. Maybe their relationships will make it through this day for once,” Kagome mused aloud. “What happened with you and your girlfriend again?”

 

“I don't have a fucking clue. One second, Tamara was all over me and the next she was dumping me with for no reason and with no explanation.”

 

“I'm sorry, Inu. That sucks.”

 

“Nah, I don't mind. She was getting on my nerves anyway. Besides, it freed me up to spend the whole day with you,” he said with a grin. “I'd rather be with you than any other girl anyway,” he said in complete and total honestly. “You wanna hang out here and make sure no one steals our table and I'll go get food?” he asked. Kagome nodded and he was off like a shot, just as eager as she was to eat.

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

He'd been waiting to get her alone and now was the perfect chance to give her his gift. Her perpetual bodyguards were really beginning to get on his nerves, blocking any and all contact he might have had with her and Kouga couldn't help but be relieved that her personal army was cut down to one today. The fact that it was the loser hanyou bugged him but, at the same time, it gave him a reason to fight the disgusting creature if he caused any trouble. Sure, he didn't need a reason to attack the half-breed but Kagome didn't seem to appreciate it much when he did.

 

The wolf demon slipped into the open seat across from his prey and grinned widely at her. “How's my woman today?”

 

Kagome jumped, startled for a moment, before sighing heavily. “Kouga, for the love of god, I'm not your woman,” she said flatly.

 

“Someday, babe. Someday you'll admit how bad you want me. I got you something.”

 

For a moment Kagome's heart fell. Was it possible that the wonderfully romantic roses and notes had come from Kouga? Before she got a chance to consider it, a bouquet of interesting looking flowers was thrust in her face. She took it hesitantly and began examining the strange, shiny blooms.

 

“I figured we could make good use of them,” he said slyly, winking at her suggestively.

 

“What the hell are these made of?” Kagome muttered to herself, picking at a `petal', surprised when it came off in her hand. “Oh my god, Kouga! Have you lost your fucking mind?” It had taken a moment for her to identify the strange, oddly square petal but after a moment it dawned on her that she was holding a condom packet. In an instant she was on her feet, throwing the condom at him before proceeding to whap him over the head with the entire bouquet.

 

Inuyasha was at her side in the blink of an eye, having abandoned the quest for food at the sound of her distress. The hanyou watched in amusement as the annoying wolf was beaten by his own gift. As she hit him, the flowers broke apart, sending `petals' flying everywhere and once Inuyasha realized what they were he was done just watching.

 

“Condoms?! You gave her fucking condoms?” he snarled, picking the surprised wolf up out of his chair and slamming his back against the brick wall.

 

“And then he said we could make good use of them!” Kagome yelled, moving to continue smacking Kouga with his gift. “Get out of the way, Inu! I'm going to kill him!”

 

Everyone in the cafeteria was watching the show as Inuyasha gently pushed her back. “Oh, no. He's mine,” he growled before punching the wolf as hard as he could. The crack of bone breaking echoed in the large and otherwise silent room, causing both laughs and groans of commiseration. That had to hurt. The hanyou punched him again before Kouga had a chance to even try to get away, sending out another loud crack. Only then did Inuyasha step away, leaving the wolf stunned and in pain.

 

No one even saw her move as Kagome took his place and kneed the obnoxious wolf in the nads full force. “Bastard,” she hissed at him as he fell to the ground. “You ruined my appetite!” She gathered her things, leaving the offending bouquet behind, and stalked away with Inuyasha at her side. “He's just never gonna learn, is he?”

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

Sesshoumaru glanced at his phone, blatantly ignoring his teacher's request that he either turn it off or put it on vibrate during class. It was another text from the florist of his choice letting him know that the next bouquet had been successfully delivered. At least it was good news.

 

He really hadn't thought his revenge on Inuyasha plan through very well, as today he'd noticed how it had backfired on him. Getting the hanyou dumped cleared his schedule to spend the whole day with Kagome! Why hadn't he thought of that as a possible outcome? Sure, it wasn't like the half-breed was blocking his gifts from being delivered or doing anything out of character, but the taiyoukai did not like the idea of his half-brother getting to spend all of Valentine's Day with her like he was dating her!

 

He looked up as his name was called and once again, like he'd been doing all day, he refused to stand to accept his flowers from the students delivering them. Once again, like they'd been doing all day, they brought them to him, only to receive a snarl in thanks. Sesshoumaru dropped the fistful of flowers onto the pile on the floor beside him. Usually he'd have thrown them away immediately, but something had happened in his first class that kept him from doing so.

 

When he'd been handed his first batch of flowers a weak but very familiar scent caught his attention, barely noticeable with the overpowering floral stink, but he knew it far too well to miss it. It was Kagome. Somehow Kagome had touched some part of the flowers or the little note cards attached, and he had to figure out how. Had his dream girl actually sent him a flower? Was she interested somehow and he'd simply missed it all these years?

 

He refused to sit in the middle of class and sniff each flower and note individually. He didn't even want anyone to see him reading the cards in search of one that might have been from her. Thus, he found himself in the annoying situation of carrying them all around the whole day until he could get them home and inspect them more closely. Sesshoumaru was on edge, afraid to be hopeful, resigned to the fact that it had to be some kind of coincidence, but still determined to find out for sure. He couldn't wait until the last class of the day was over!

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

By the time the final bell rang, Kagome had been forced to leave a good quantity of her flowers in a classroom with one of her favorite teachers to go back and collect on her way out of school. She'd received not only the pink and yellow bouquets and the one from the guys, but also an orange and a red, plus another beautiful mix from her friends and an assortment of school flowers as well, and she was more than thankful she would have help carrying it all home.

 

“Bank, I can't begin to tell you how happy I am you have a car,” she said with a laugh as she and all three of her friends carried their things through the school parking lot. “Walking with all this is simply not possible.”

 

“You were certainly a popular girl this year, weren't you, Babe?” Bankotsu asked her, ignoring Inuyasha's irritated growl. He knew the hanyou hated it when anyone showed interest in Kagome. It got on his nerves as well, of course, but he was much better at keeping his feelings to himself. She seemed happy about her gifts and he didn't plan on ruining it.

 

“Shut up,” she laughed. “All the big things that weren't from you guys… I think they're all from the same person. Did you guys hear about what Kouga tried to give me?”

 

“Yup,” Miroku replied. “And we heard about what you and Inu gave him in response. Did you know you broke his jaw and his eye socket?” he asked the hanyou.

 

“The fucker deserved it. I think Kagome broke his balls too.”

 

“He definitely deserved that,” the miko said darkly. “Now, let's get me to the shrine so you guys can go get ready for your dates! For once I'm not responsible for your breakups and I'd like to keep it that way!”

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

Kagome sighed as she flipped through the five nearly identical floral note cards. Each had a butterfly embossed in the upper left corner and each message was printed in the same font. They just had to be from the same person, didn't they? Still, whoever it was apparently had no desire to identify themselves, leaving the miko just as lonely and frustrated as she'd been before the first bouquet was delivered.

 

Her mother had insisted on putting them all in vases and lining them up on her dresser, so it was impossible for Kagome not to think about them. Inuyasha had thoroughly searched the cards for any familiar scents but found none. She'd called the florist to inquire about the sender but they refused to give her any information, saying it was confidential, and she had no further ideas on how to figure out who'd sent them.

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

Sesshoumaru sat at his desk with a pile of flowers before him, going through them one by one. He read each card carefully, scanning his memory to see if he recognized the names on the signed ones. It disturbed him, just how many names he did recognize. He tried so hard to ignore the female population, well actually the entire population, of the school, so why did he know their names?! He had much better things to be using his memory for, like memorizing the curves of Kagome's body when she wore a dress like she'd worn today. It was definitely time and brain cells well spent compared to knowing the brainless twits names' that chased after him!

 

Slowly he collected a pile of unfamiliar or strange notes and it began to dawn on him. Someone was fucking with him! He'd received flowers from males, which had admittedly happened before, but not like this. These males were named oddly and after a few minutes he realized he was the brunt of someone's joke because he was certain there were no students at his school named Mike Rotch, Oliver Clothesoff, Hugh Jass, or Homer Sexual. A quick sniff of the cards explained it all. Inuyasha. Inuyasha was behind it.

 

Somehow the hanyou must have overheard that he did not want to receive flowers and thought it would be amusing to send him some so he received even more than usual. His powerful nose detected the scent of his other friends as well, and now the taiyoukai searched more with his nose and less with his eyes. Finally he found it, the source of her scent! She'd written a few of the joke cards as well!

 

While it was crushing to have it confirmed that no, she wasn't secretly interested in him, he still couldn't bring himself to throw away the cards and flowers that were from her. He held them with care as he read them, actually chuckling at her cleverness and sense of humor. She'd signed one Amanda Hugginkiss and another Ima Ginary, but his favorite one had a whole message. It said:

 

To the Ice Prince,

I'd love to make you melt.

The Sun

 

He couldn't help but see the irony of the situation. If only she knew. If only she knew that she was the only one he'd ever melt for, that she was the sun in the darkness, the only source of warmth in an otherwise cold world. If only she knew how much that card she'd written in jest meant to him.

 

The taiyoukai opened a bottle of water and took a few sips out of it before sitting it on his dresser with the flowers that had been attached to her notes carefully places inside. The notes themselves were tucked away in his dresser for safekeeping before he went downstairs to throw everything else away. Perhaps Valentine's Day this year hadn't turned out all bad.

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

Kagome nearly ran down the stairs to be the first one to reach the front door. She threw it open and scared the crap out of the delivery man standing there with a bouquet of white roses. Maybe this one had a note identifying her admirer! Maybe she would finally find out who he was! She took the flowers from the man eagerly before slamming the door in his face and dashing back upstairs to read the note. Her heart fell as she found no signature once more.

 

“Still didn't say who he is?” Inuyasha asked softly, not wanting to upset her further.

 

“Nope,” she said with a sigh.

 

“Maybe if you read them all together you'd notice something. Maybe there's a clue,” he suggested. While he didn't really want her to know who this guy was, Inuyasha couldn't stand to see her upset.

 

Kagome nodded and gathered up all the cards to read them in order.

 

The lavender rose symbolizes enchantment and love at first sight.

 

You enchant my every thought and have from the moment I first laid eyes on you.

If only you could be mine.

 

 

The pink rose symbolizes admiration and appreciation.

 

There is so much about you to appreciate and admire.

If only you could be mine.

 

 

The yellow rose symbolizes friendship and joy.

 

The joy your smile brings me could never be described and your friendship is a gift.

If only you could be mine.

 

 

The orange rose symbolizes desire, enthusiasm, and fervent romance.

 

I desire you more than you could ever know and I would love you will all the enthusiasm I could muster.

If only you could be mine.

 

 

The red rose is the traditional symbol of love, romance, and deep feelings.

 

My feelings for you run so deeply they will never fade. I would worship you, shower you with romance.

If only you could be mine.

 

 

The white rose symbolizes honor, reverence, and remembrance.

 

I only wish that this day and these gifts may be remembered. You own my whole heart and though I know that you can never be mine, I will always honor and revere you. I will always love you from afar.

 

 

Kagome fought back a sniffle and held in her tears, not wanting Inuyasha to see just how much she was affected by these six little notes.

 

If only he knew how much his gifts had meant to her… If only he gave her a chance he would have known that she was more than willing to be his.