InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Time After Time ❯ Race Against the Wind ( Chapter 7 )

Time After Time

 

By RosieBird

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, but I like playing with him. What can I say, I'm a puppy person. ^_^ You might notice that I'm trying to leave the good guys with their original names (calling Inuyasha Inuyasha still, even though he's Chiko) The bad guys are “dead”, so I'm going to use their new names most of the time.

 

Chapter 7 - Racing the Wind

 

Kagome and Inuyasha strolled into school together early the next day. They had decided to meet early to discuss the events of the previous night with their friends. It didn't take long to find Sango and Miroku in the cafeteria.

 

“Must you always do that?” Sango was shouting at Miroku.

 

“I wasn't aware I'd done anything wrong.” Miroku said calmly. It was evident to the contrary as another girl stood nearby, blushing and protecting her backside, keeping it as far from Miroku's reach as she could. Sango had obviously witnessed the lecherous motion and was prepared for a fight. Few of the other students paid any attention. Like Kagome, they seemed far too used to this particular couples' fights and behaviors to care much for watching it.

 

“No woman enjoys some strange boy touching them there.” Sango said, her face red and her eyes teary.

 

“I'm simply admiring one of nature's finer handiworks.” Miroku shrugged. Sango seemed to have reached her limit and drove her hand across Miroku's face, leaving a smarting red welt on his cheek. Then she stormed away.

 

“She's as feisty as always, isn't she?” Inuyasha whispered to Kagome.

 

“Seems to be that way.” Kagome said, but Inuyasha was a little surprised at her coldness. She had been very distant since the previous evening. Was what Shiho said about his presence in her life enough to upset Kagome to this point?

 

“What's wrong with you?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“Nothing. I'll go find Sango, you talk to Miroku and we'll meet up later this afternoon.” Kagome marched away, leaving Inuyasha to stare after her in confusion.

 

***

Sango was sniffling when Kagome came into the girl's bathroom. She pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and handed it to her.

 

“Thanks.” Sango said with a sad smile. She dabbed at her eyes and nose before returning it to Kagome.

 

“I swear, if I didn't love him so much, I would have nothing to do with him.” Sango said, her voice breaking against unshed sobs.

 

“I know what you mean.” Kagome said. “Boys just don't seem to get the idea of what girls expect from a relationship.”

 

“Inuyasha isn't that way though.” Sango said. “He's as loyal as a puppy, no matter what happens.”

 

“Tell me about it.” Kagome said, trying to hide her frustration. Inuyasha's loyalty was never an issue, she knew that. But it still hurt that he still was loyal to Kikyo.

 

“Did you have something to tell me?” Sango asked. If she was aware of Kagome's feelings, she didn't ask. Kagome told her the events of last night and Sango listened, her eyes going wide.

 

“Wow!” she said. “You were really incredible it sounds like.” Kagome smiled at the compliment. Inuyasha had said nothing about her abilities. The first bell rang.

 

“Better get to class.” Kagome said. “It's only my second day.”

 

“Yeah, same here.” Sango said. “Want to meet at lunch? Or do you eat lunch with Inuyasha and your other friends?”

 

Kagome smiled brightly. Not so long ago, her life was divided into two separate groups of friends. It was wonderful to think that the two groups could join.

 

“Please join us.” Kagome said. “If you're feeling up to it, Miroku might join us too.”

 

Sango nodded, although Kagome sensed she wasn't sure about Miroku joining them right now. The two women hurried to their first class.

 

***

 

“Was that absolutely necessary?” Inuyasha asked as he joined Miroku at the table. He was still rubbing his smarting cheek, made only worse by the other girl's imprint. He was certain that one of the attacks had drawn blood.

 

“Chiko, you know as well as I do that old habits die hard.” Miroku said. “It's hard to forget about something that's become such a large part of your life.”

 

“Right, fondling women's asses definitely falls into the category of “life changing.” Inuyasha smirked, but he had to admit that even he'd fallen into an old habit last night with Mika. Suddenly, Kagome's cold distance seemed clear and Inuyasha felt as though he could kick himself.

 

“Look, what's going on between Sango and you has to wait.” Inuyasha said. He told Miroku about last night and Miroku listened intently.

 

“Their final piece.” he said thoughtfully. “I wonder what they meant.”

 

“Whatever it is, Shiho said it would give them limitless power.”

 

“You said Kagome was able to ward off Mika's attack?”

 

Inuyasha nodded. He was still impressed with Kagome's skills as a fighter. But if what Shiho said were true, Kagome would need to grow in strength.

 

“I'm not sure what sort of training Kagome could get though to increase her abilities should the attacks grow.” Miroku said. “Club meeting still on for after school?”

 

“No, I've got track practice.” Inuyasha said. “We'll go from track over to Shore Diner and meet.”

 

The first bell rang and the two men stood to go to class.

 

“As for you and Sango, I'd say try and break old habits.” Inuyasha said. “You're clearly not helping the situation. Join Kagome and I for lunch, okay?”

 

“What if Sango is there?” Miroku asked.

 

“If she is, all the better.” Inuyasha said. “You can patch things up and maybe talk. No, scratch that. You listen while she talks.”

 

“And maybe I'll be able to talk some things out with Kagome.” Inuyasha thought as he strode away.

 

***

 

At lunch, Inuyasha found Kagome sitting with Sango and the two other girls. They were laughing about something and Inuyasha suddenly felt as though he'd rather face another demon.

 

“Hey Kagome,” Yuka said. “There's Chiko. Think he'll join us?”

 

Kagome shrugged, trying to seem cheerful so as not to make things worse with her two busybody friends or to make Sango feel bad about her own relationship problems.

 

“Hi Kagome, may I join you for lunch?”

 

The request came in stereo. Kagome looked up to see Inuyasha and Hojo standing on either side of her and glaring daggers at each other.

 

“No, not Hojo, Kouga.” Kagome reminded herself. Hojo was the reborn embodiment of Kouga, the young wolf-demon tribe leader that had fallen in love with Kagome. Kouga was dressed in the uniform of the school, but it seemed to have been ruffled and beaten into shape, as though a dog had shaken it. The sleeve arms were rolled up and the tie loosened. Kouga had also taken the liberty of restyling Hojo's hair to a spike mess and had pierced an ear with a tiny hoop with what looked like a wolf fang charm.

 

“What are you doing, mutt-face?” Kouga snarled. A few curious onlookers, including Emi and Yuka stared curiously between the two men.

 

“Kouga, please, don't make a scene.” Kagome whispered. “Everyone here thinks you're Hojo and that Inuyasha's Chiko. Don't spoil that.”

 

“Perhaps we can try to eat lunch quietly together.” Miroku suddenly appeared. He glanced at Sango, who lowered her head to hide a hurt gaze. Nevertheless, she scooted over to allow him to sit beside her. Emi, or rather Ayami, who was on Kagome's right, slide over to allow Kouga to sit between her and Kagome. Inuyasha made a motion to sit on Kagome's left, but Kagome rose.

 

“Please don't think badly of me everyone, but I need some air.” She marched out of the cafeteria and out the door. The table stared after her. Inuyasha set his own tray down and stormed out after her. Kouga eyed them warily but remained seated.

 

“Kagome, stop walking already.” Inuyasha shouted across the schoolyard. Kagome stopped and Inuyasha suddenly felt his skin shiver.

 

“SIT!” Kagome yelled and Inuyasha hit the ground. Growling, he no longer found Kagome's submission spell as amusing as before.

 

“Would you just talk to me?” Inuyasha said. Kagome whirled and Inuyasha felt himself cower underneath her angry glare.

 

“Why?” Kagome hissed. “What do I need to say? That I understand that you're still not over Kikyo? That you'll still try and put her to rest because it's your duty and that you can't be happy because of your past? Am I just supposed to smile and act like it doesn't hurt me?” Kagome was crying now and Inuyasha slowly got up.

 

“I'd never ask you to do that.” he said.

 

“Do you have any idea how hurt I was when you asked me to watch you and Kikyo be swallowed up into the earth? How much it killed me to know that I'd never see you again, only to have you suddenly reappear in my life. And what happens? Kikyo returns and I have to feel my heart break all over again. I can't do that!”

 

Kagome sank to her knees and began to sob. Inuyasha made no move but he understood now. He felt some shame, but he also felt joy. She did love him. But she obviously didn't know that he loved her as well.

 

“I don't want you to do that.” Inuyasha said, smiling. Kagome looked up at him. “I won't let you do that. I refuse to let you suffer like that.”

 

He pulled Kagome to her feet and embraced her tightly. Kagome wanted to scream in fury as he toyed with her heart.

 

“You really are an idiot, you know that?” Inuyasha chuckled and Kagome stiffened beneath his embrace, trying to pull away. “Don't start. You're gonna listen now. You really must be an idiot if you can't see what's so obvious to the rest of the world.”

 

Kagome looked up and Inuyasha wiped the tears from her eyes.

 

“Didn't you know why I kissed you that day I left?” Inuyasha asked. “I wanted to prove to myself and to you that I loved you.”

 

Kagome was sure her heart had stopped beating. He loved her?

 

“B-but, Kikyo…?” she whispered. Inuyasha shook his head.

 

“I still do care about her.” Inuyasha said. “Like I care about all those I've protected and protect. But my life has no binding to her anymore. Kikyo is dead and that creature who's walking around in her skin is just a shell, a puppet.”

 

Kagome bowed her head but Inuyasha raised it to meet his eyes again.

 

“I told Kikyo once that it was her spirit that I loved. Her spirit is in you. And it's grown and blossomed into someone that I can call not only a friend, but a partner and a love.”

 

Kagome laid her head against his chest as Inuyasha took her hand in his. With his free hand, he tipped her chin up so that his lips descended upon hers in a sweet kiss. Kagome raised herself up on her toes.

 

“HEY!” Kagome pulled herself back as Kouga's shout broke the mood.

 

“Get your hands off her!” Kouga was enraged. Kagome saw Miroku and Sango standing just behind him. The fact that they held hands told Kagome that they'd made up. Yuka and Emi stood together. Emi looked hurt and about to cry.

 

“I warned you, Tekeshi!” Kouga said, this time using Inuyasha's public name. “Now you'll pay.”

 

“Any time, I'll gladly take you on.” Inuyasha said. “But let's settle this in a way that will be least likely to get us detention or expelled.”

 

“What did you have in mind?”

 

“Track practice after school. A race as soon as practice is done.”

 

Kouga took time to consider before giving a nod and a grin.

 

“Should be easy enough. I was always faster than you.”

 

“But this time, you don't have any jewel shards in your legs for that extra power boost. Better go inside and eat hearty. You'll need your strength.”

 

Kouga snarled, but went inside. Emi followed but she gave Kagome a look of hurt and jealousy. Kagome knew it would be pointless to argue with the girl, especially since Ayami had been so loyal to Kouga. Besides, she had her own macho man to deal with.

 

“You're going to race for me?” Kagome was clearly not happy with the chosen answer to the problem.

 

“Beats me having to beat the poor boy up.” Inuyasha said. “Besides, no matter which of us wins, he probably won't give up. But neither do I.”

 

Kagome sighed and shook her head. The end of lunch bell rang and Kagome discarded her tray. Inuyasha walked with her to class and gave her hand an encouraging squeeze. Kagome smiled. She would never admit it, but she was looking forward to seeing what would happen after school. She was so caught up in her thoughts that she never noticed the gleam of green eyes.

 

***

“You say that the one they call Kouga is jealous of the girl and the half-breed?” Shiho asked the hunched figure of what had been Onigumo. Now called Satoshi, he raised his eyes to meet those of his mistress.

 

“He and Inuyasha prepare to race for their honor this very evening.” he said.

 

“Perhaps this may be useful to us.” Shiho said, and smiled wickedly.

 

***

 

Inuyasha and Kouga stretched out on the track as the rest of the team gathered their things to leave. Miroku and Sango joined Kagome in the stands. They'd changed from their uniforms into casual clothes. Sango styled a pair of khaki capris and an oversized sweatshirt that bared one shoulder. Miroku wore jeans, with a purple silk shirt over a tight black muscle tank. Shippo had joined Kagome as well, wearing overalls and a t-shirt with a fox face on the front. Kagome too had changed and was now wearing boot cut jeans and a plain white shirt. The four friends watched as the two young men limber up.

 

“Kagome?”

 

Kagome turned to see Emi coming towards her. She looked unusually upset and angry. Kagome looked at her in confusion.

 

“I want to say that I don't like this idea and I think you're to blame.” Emi said, with no hint of hesitation. Kagome stared in surprise. Emi had always been her closest of friends. But she'd also learned of Emi's former life as Ayami, the young she-wolf demon that had fallen so in love with Kouga.

 

“Emi, I don't like this, but both boys are determined to go through with it.”

 

“Stop calling me Emi! I know exactly who I am!” Emi shouted and Kagome saw the highlight of red hair and the narrowing of wolfish eyes. Ayami was surfacing.

 

“Ayami, you know how Kouga and Inuyasha are.” Sango said. “They have to sort this out themselves and will talk ourselves hoarse trying to change their minds.”

 

“If Kagome had just been more clear about her affections and leading Kouga on, he wouldn't have been chasing her this long.” Ayami said.

 

“Ayami, I have made it clear to Kouga.” Kagome defended. “He just refuses to listen.”

 

“Deny it all you want.” Ayami said. “But I will make this very clear. If you continue to lead Kouga on, I will make your life a living hell.” She stormed away down to the other end of the bleachers and sat resolutely facing towards the track where Inuyasha and Kouga had finally seemed to finish their warm ups.

 

“You ready, mutt-face?” Kouga asked. Inuyasha bristled at the old insult, but smirked with familiar arrogance.

 

“Ready to beat the pants off you, wolf-boy.” he said and took his position.

 

“Hey Kagome!” Kouga called over to the stands. She came down the bleachers and joined them on the field. “Would you mind counting us off?”

 

Kagome looked at Inuyasha. He was focused straight ahead, but his golden eyes flashed briefly at her.

 

“Fine.” Kagome said and took her place at the starting line. “Ready. Set. GO!”

 

The two young athletes took off like bullets. Kouga certainly was still fast as the wind, but without the aid of his jewel shards, Inuyasha was clearly not left with a disadvantage. They sprinted together, legs seeming to move as one. Occasionally, either would take a small lead, but lose it. Kagome watched them round the track as the rest joined her on the field.

 

“Inuyasha's holding back.” Shippo said. “I've seen him move faster than this.”

 

“Don't forget who he's racing.” Sango said. “Inuyasha knows that he has an advantage because he still has some of his demon strength, but Kouga doesn't. I think Inuyasha's trying to see what Kouga's capable of now.”

 

“That all you got, you mangy wolf?” Inuyasha shouted. Kouga glared at Inuyasha and sped up. Inuyasha kept up with him. Kouga was sweating and he seemed to be losing his breath.

 

“Come on, I thought you were fast?” Inuyasha taunted. “I'm not even glistening.”

 

Kouga snapped. Something inside him clicked and he suddenly felt as though he were riding the wind. Inuyasha watched as the form of Hojo seemed to vanish and Kouga remained.

 

“Eat my dust, filthy mutt!” Kouga howled and let the wind carry him away. Inuyasha grinned and allowed his strength to reach its peak. Kouga watched as Inuyasha caught up and passed him.

 

“It is good to see you again, Kouga!” Inuyasha shouted behind him. “But can't let some first year beat me!” Inuyasha laughed as he rounded the final curve of the track and headed for the finish. Kouga strained his legs to catch up and Kagome knew that it would be very close. Almost a photo finish.

 

“Come on!” Kagome screamed despite her annoyance. “Come on Inuyasha!”

 

Suddenly the earth rumbled beneath her feet and she was thrown back onto the field. The sky filled with black clouds and lightning jumped across them.

 

“What's going on?” Emi screamed and hid beneath the bleachers.

 

“AH!” Miroku was screaming, clutching his right hand. “Help me!” Sango clung to him, her eyes wide with fear. Shippo cowered to the ground. Inuyasha and Kouga, their race forgotten, stared up at the sky.

 

“NO!” Miroku screamed as the palm of his right hand seemed to suddenly bleed black. Kagome watched as she seemed to be pulled toward it.

 

“The Wind Tunnel?” Sango asked, looking at Kagome. “But how could it be?”

 

Inuyasha ran towards Kagome and helped her to her feet.

 

“Kagome!” Inuyasha shouted over the storm and wind. “Are you alright?”

 

Kagome wasn't able to answer. The track seemed to break apart and from the crack rose the familiar body of…

 

“Naraku!” Kagome screamed.

 

Naraku laughed and raised his monstrous clawed hands over them.

 

“It's been too long.” he cackled. “Prepare to die!”

 

To Be Continued…

 

Boy, that was a long chapter. So, how many do I have hooked now? I'm working on the next chapters, but before I post chapter 8, I want to have at least 20 more reviews. I want to try and reach 75 reviews total before I post my next chapter. I hope you're all enjoying my story. I'm really on a roll and all I have time for now is writing, so keep `em coming. Until next time though,

 

Stay cool minna! From here on in, this will be fun! ^_~