Insatiable

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. Rumiko Takahashi does.

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Chapter 18: Dense as a Rock


Nothing could beat a mother’s comforting embrace; there was no question about that in Kagome’s mind, as she hugged her mother that night.

“Mama?” she whispered meekly.

“What is it, dear?”

“You’re the best,” Kagome said almost shyly that her mother chuckled in response.

“Is it just me, or my little Kagome is acting more strangely now than earlier in the night? I certainly recall having a quirky daughter, but not someone this shy,” Korari playfully told her.

“Mama, stop teasing,” Kagome retorted.

Korari chuckled and sat up on the bed. “Come on, Gome. It’s not every day that I get the chance to share a laugh with you and taunt you a bit. Besides, I find it odd. I’ve never seen you act so shyly before, especially in a conversation with me. Although, we seldom get the chance to talk to each other nowadays, but… this is a quite a surprise.” She giggled. “And there’s really no need to tell me I’m the best because… well, I am – no question about that,” she said cockily.

Kagome chuckled. “I didn’t know you were so cocky, Mama.”

“I’m not being cocky - just self-assured,” Korari responded flipping her hair to the sides.

Kagome’s eyes widened. “Oh my God! You grew your hair!” she exclaimed and swiftly bolted up, immediately examining her mother’s long new-do. It wasn’t that it looked unusual; it was just unlikely for her mom to wear her hair long that it surprised her.

“See what I mean about acting strange?” her mother declared. “I was a bit disappointed that you hadn’t noticed them earlier in the night, but I understood that you were completely distracted because of a certain someone.” Korari’s teasing tone was back again.

Kagome frowned. “Totally not true. I hadn’t seen them ‘coz you had your hair up all night.”

Korari shook her head and chuckled humorously. “I had my hair down since dinner, Kagome.”

“No, you didn’t,” Kagome retorted frowning.

“I did.” Korari smirked, playfully tapping her chin with her finger. “Hmmm… perhaps that statement ‘Love is blind’ has some truth after all. Come on, Kagome. Say it. You were distracted,” she chuckled, “to the point of acting all clumsy and stuttering almost half the night. Oh God, you were so funny… and quite adorable to watch, too.”

Kagome, on the other hand, still frowned stubbornly. Korari giggled relentlessly, holding her middle as it was starting to hurt. “I’m so sorry; I just can’t help it. I’ll stop now; I promise. Uhmm… wait,” then she giggled once more, “I swear; I’ll stop any minute now…. Wait a sec. Oh damn! I can‘t stop!”

Kagome stared at her mom disapprovingly. She suspiciously quirked a brow. “Are you really my mother?”

Korari was still recovering from her giggling fit. She beamed. “Of course, I am your mother. Such beauty can only come from another that is more beautiful,” she said smugly, mimicking the playful tone of a poet.

“All right, impostor. Bring me back my mother, right now!” Kagome snapped with a hard, yet humorous tone in her voice.

Korari guffawed. “Good one, dear.”

“I swear to God, Mama. It doesn’t suit you,” Kagome told her, nevertheless, still smiling.

Korari laughed. “I think Souta’s style of conversing has rubbed in on me. It‘s your fault though, you haven’t been here for quite a while. Souta’s a lot to put up with, you know. Even your Grandpa tells me I’m starting to sound like your brother.”

Kagome leered tucking her chin against her bended knees. She teased her mom. “You should be careful, you know. I’ve heard that disease is fatal, especially to sharp people like you, Mama.”

Unexpectedly, her mother smirked. “I would like you to know that I’ll tell your brother you’ve said that.”

“You wouldn’t,” Kagome exploded immediately. However, her mother only beamed at her, her eyes dancing with mirth. “I might. You never know, dear.”

“Mama, don’t! Or else, I’d never hear the end of Souta’s teasing tomorrow,” Kagome whimpered pouting like a puppy.

Korari cooed. “All right,” she replied. Kagome grinned.

“But on one condition.” The grin instantly dissolved from Kagome’s face replacing it with a frown.

“You’ll cook for us, tomorrow,” Korari declared watching Kagome with laughing eyes. Kagome sulked; her mom had manipulated her without her even knowing it. “Swift sneak,” she whispered thinking it wasn’t loud enough to be heard. Yet, it was…, unfortunately for her.

“And you’re quite slow, dear. I can’t believe you fell for that one,” her mom teased some more and all Kagome could do was get a pillow and groaned in it. “And don’t tell me you have forgotten that tomorrow’s your Grandpa’s birthday. Surely, he’ll be disappointed if you have.”

Kagome stilled bringing her head further down into the pillow. She sighed deeply.

“You have, haven’t you?” her mom asked.

“I’m sorry.” Her voice came out muffled. “I knew there was something I had missed. I’m so sorry, Mama,” she answered looking up to face her mother’s disappointed face. However, Korari smiled and held Kagome’s shoulder. “I’m sure Grandpa forgives you… and will definitely enjoy his birthday, since you’re cooking tomorrow.”

“I hope so. I don’t want Papa showing up in my dreams tonight and scolding me because of it,” Kagome joked causing her mother to laugh.

“I doubt that… but I have my fingers crossed, of course. I have been praying that he teach you a lesson about memory and remembering one of these days, since you have been forgetful about special occasions lately.” Then for some reason, Korari couldn’t contain her giggles to herself with the thought of her next statements came to mind. “Besides, he might visit you in your dreams. Knowing your father‘s over-protectiveness of you, he’d surely fuss. He wouldn’t pass this chance of speaking with you about a certain man you brought home… and he’d be extremely jealous.”

“Mama, please don’t scare me like that. You know I’m scared of ghosts,” Kagome shouted shrinking on her seat.

Korari hit Kagome’s head. “Dummy!”

“Aww!” Kagome rubbed her bruised head and pouted.

“It’s your father. Why would you be scared of him?”

“Exactly… He’s my father, and that fact scares me – to some degree. Oh God, I can imagine his expression right now.”

Korari laughed lightly. “Oh, how I wish to see it – the stubborn frown, the unyielding and jealous look – all towards Inuyasha. Poor guy. ‘You have sneaked in stealthily into my Kagome’s life and steal her mercilessly away from me. You will pay, Silver Boy!’ I just know your father would say those words. Kagome, do you think your Papa will wear his brass knuckles to give him a more dangerous look?”

Kagome chuckled. “I bet he would – for effect.” Then with a dreadful tone, she added, “And I’m sure he would scold me first for not having visited the shrine for so long and more often.”

Tittering, Korari replied, “There’s no doubt; you’d get tons of scolding from him.” She paused to smile to herself, and then raised her head to look at Kagome. “But I bet your Papa would have liked Inuyasha,” she whispered giving Kagome a teasing wink.

Kagome smiled.
For a moment, Korari thought her daughter had blushed, seemingly pleased that she thought her father would likely be pleased.

“Kagome?”

Kagome raised her head swiftly to look at her mom.

“You know I have never pried with any of your relationships in the past, right? That as much as I can, I will not meddle with any of them in the future. But…,” she groaned exasperatingly, “Oh… Damn your father for making me promise that I won’t meddle when it comes to your personal life!” Korari exclaimed and rubbed her temples annoyingly.

“Papa made you promise what?” Kagome asked incredulously.

“No prying,” Korari replied chuckling fondly at the memory. “Your Papa’s a silly person, Kagome; you know that of all people. Remember your first ‘date?’”

“The official one?”

“No… The one when you were still six.”

“You mean the one with Kenta who eats mud-pies, and follows me around asking if I have a vagina?”

“Yes, that was the boy… and, unfortunately, that was the time when your silly father made me commit to that dreadful promise.”

Kagome sweat dropped. “But that was a long time ago – way too long.”

“I know, right? So, it shouldn’t matter now that you’re 24 – an independent woman with a personal life of her own. Not that the promise mattered in the first place, after all, it was just a silly one. But you see, no matter how stupid that promise was; it was still one. And it mattered… because I gave my word to your Papa…,” Korari said thoughtfully, “… and it sucks that way, by the way.”

Kagome laughed to herself. “I can just imagine,” she said. Her mom was a very considerate woman and quite unconventional. But, oh, she would pry and would be quite a pain if she could. Just ask Souta.

“Nevertheless, I still can’t help it, you know.” Korari continued. “I’m your mom, and I’m supposed to know these things. God, I don’t even know how many boyfriends you have had. I’ve met two. Or how many men you have slept with. I mean, are you still a virgin, dear?”

“Mama!”

“See what I mean, dear? I’m completely clueless that I can’t help but worry, you know, and then my mommy-instinct kicks in and it’s pretty damn curious to know everything. I mean, you must have had a dozen boyfriends, right?”

“That’s too many, Mama. I’m still 24,” Kagome exclaimed wide-eyed.

“I know! I become so worked up just thinking about it,” Korari replied, then sighed. They both stared at each other. Kagome suddenly laughed.

“I can’t help but think this conversation is long overdue,” Kagome told her mom. “We should have done this years ago, Mama.”

“I’m such a dummy,” Korari said crinkling her nose.

“We’re both dummies,” Kagome corrected, and they both giggled like teen girls on a slumber party.

Korari watched her daughter with a smile. “It’s good to see you smile, Gome. Just like that, Honey,” she uttered. “I was worried about you, you know. You were so tense half the evening. I kind of had a hard time watching you, and it didn’t ease my mind that I was clueless what was bothering you.” She sighed deeply. “Well, I still am… clueless, as a matter of fact. But… you will tell me if there’s something wrong, right? Promise me, dear. You know that I’m always here for you.”

“I know that. Mama. I just don’t want to be a burden to you; that’s all,” Kagome replied.

“And you’re not,” Korari answered with a smile. She cleared her throat. “Well, it’s late. I better go. We still have a lot of work to do tomorrow. Make sure to wake up early, okay?”

Kagome nodded, as Korari kissed her good night and stood up.

“Oh, wait! Before I forget,” she exclaimed and handed Kagome a leather-bound book. “Here. I think this can help.”

“What - It’s…”

“Your Papa’s journal. I’m lending it to you for the night. Perhaps, you’ll find good sense from his words. I know they matter to you more than mine,” she said and smiled sadly.

“That’s not true, Mama,” Kagome told her.

Korari only smiled in response. “Well, I’m off now. Good night, dear.”

“Night,” Kagome whispered as soon as the door closed. She stared at the journal, her hand brushing its leather spine with light touches. Then, it came to her. She quickly ran off from the bed opening her door to find her mom walking on the hallway back to her room.

“Mama,” she called stopping Korari from taking a step further.

“How did you know?” Kagome asked panting.

“Know what dear?”

“That Papa was the one.” Kagome whispered.

Korari was surprised. She chuckled thoughtfully. “Well, that’s simple. Because he felt like home run to me,” she replied.

Kagome frowned at her mother’s reply. “What?”

Her mother chuckled some more, worrying her lower lip to stop herself from laughing at Kagome’s bamboozled face. “You know… the kind of feeling the moment when you hit a baseball, and in that split second when the ball leaves your bat, you know that the ball’s going out of the fence and out of the park and might probably hit some grumpy old man watering his lawn somewhere out there. Yet, you won’t feel guilty about it because you’re already lost in thought that you’ve hit a home run. And to you that moment seems to last forever - timeless, priceless. It‘s a winning moment.”

“Huh?” Kagome looked completely lost.

Her mom chuckled loudly. “This is just so bizarre. You’re too slow tonight, Kagome. Anyway, it’s hard to explain really. It’s different to most people. I remember…,” she smiled thoughtfully, reminiscing, “I only realized it happened once it did. I didn’t bother myself putting further thought on how, when, and why it happened because it simply did. After that, I was completely swept away.”

Kagome stared blankly at her mom. “Like a home run, huh?” she whispered.

Korari smiled quirking a brow and nodded. “Yeah, like home run.”


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Excerpts from a Journal

Late this afternoon, my daughter revealed something to me that proved to be the biggest shock of my life - one, which I dreaded ever since her age had been two digits. Kagome, just 12, told me that she was in love - and that she was serious and sure that she would marry this guy she had fallen for. It was a horrific thought for a father, as protective and loving as I, to hear something like that from his only girl. My dear Korari had only chuckled in response to my utmost horror. I could never take something relatively alarming this lightly. No sir, never.

I refuse to see my little girl broken-hearted. Stop rolling your eyes, if you are. I am a father… and a rather protective, fretful and jealous one to boot. I mean, what’s the matter with kids these days? They are so early in growth and development. At twelve, they are already falling in love? What the heck is the matter with that? I should examine this phenomenon. I remember, I only thought about toy cars, flying kites, and aliens when I was 10. And I, basically, hated girls even when I was 12. I only realized girls were so interesting when I was 15 when I accidentally grabbed hold of my female classmate’s boobs. For months, I theorized they were a distant cousin of some E.T. life because of their bosoms.

I reckon Kagome watches these sappy things on TV. Perhaps, they are the culprit I have been searching for - this TV crap. Yet, I can’t do anything about it. Kagome’s so in love with this contraption it’s irritating. I better teach my little girl how to throw a decent punch instead, so that she can punch the lights out of this boy she’s in love with. God, I feel like strangling someone even with the thought about some boy stealing my little girl away from me. I am an evil father. But who cares? I love my daughter so much and if I can keep her all to myself for what? 20? 25 years? Then, I consider myself lucky.

It had been a month, since then. Kagome and I spent the rest of the afternoon painting under the Goshinbuko tree. She told me the guy she liked went out with another girl from her class. It hurt, she said; however, not as much when she got a nasty cut in the knee. She had asked me how it was to fall deep in love, and if it was something “nice.” I was completely taken off guard. I had not expected such question from a 12 year old, especially from my daughter. That was when I realized, she was a romantic after all, even if she had unusual sharpness and coarseness in her that contradicted such quality. Note: She wrestles with Souta and acts like a tomboy.

“She was a home run,” I answered her. Of course, she did not understand, so I had to spill - a lot - about the first time I saw her mom. The first time I saw Korari was during a college baseball match between our schools. She supported the team I was playing against. It was the final inning. My team was down by 3, with full bases, 2 outs and on the final pitch. I was the clean up and my team’s victory rested on my hands. On the final moment when I searched the crowd for something that was beyond my knowing, my gaze caught her beautiful face. Perhaps, I had been searching for strength… and did find it. Well, let’s just say that it was Korari’s undoing that her team lost that championship… because I hit the home run, and I knew that I surely would the moment my eyes met hers.

Kagome suddenly bolted up from her position on the bed to be greeted by the bright morning. She groaned. What time had she slept last night? She had stayed late reading her father’s journal.

“What time is it?” she whimpered and almost fell out of the bed when she had seen how early it was in the morning.

“Oh shit! Mama’s going to cook me instead of breakfast - er - lunch,” she hollered and scampered from where she sat and ran out of her room.

Loud thuds could be heard as she rushed downstairs, never making a stop or a turn of the head until she had reached the kitchen.

“Mama, why had somebody not woken me up? I thought I was going to he…lp you to-d-ay,” Kagome shouted as soon as she entered the kitchen only to stutter when he saw Inuyasha wearing an apron instead of her mother. “Inuyasha?”

“Hi, sleepy-head,” he greeted moving passed her to get the salt.

“Where’s Mama?” she asked incredulously, watching him go about in her Mom‘s kitchen with inexplicable ease.

“You‘re mom has gone out for a while,” he replied without even looking at her.

Kagome frowned at his inattention of her, fixed her shirt and hair and cleared her throat. “Okay. So… why are you in my mom’s kitchen… and cooking?” she asked opening the refrigerator to get a water bottle. She peeped at him, even as she poured water on her glass.

Inuyasha paused from what he was doing and turned about to face her. He leaned unto the kitchen counter and smirked. “Hmmm… Let’s see. I’m here in your mom’s kitchen as a substitute because a certain someone who has supposedly promised her mom that she’s going to help her this morning has forgotten about it, slept in and missed breakfast.”

“Oh, I – I have a good reason why, I promise,” she replied. “But, why had somebody not thought of going upstairs to wake me up? It wouldn’t be a bother.”

“Yeah, right! Like waking you up is not a bother,” Souta bellowed sarcastically snatching the water bottle away from Kagome’s grasp. She hadn’t noticed he was even standing next to her. She glared at her little brother.

“Shut it, Souta. It’s too early in the morning,” Kagome bit back heatedly.

Souta guffawed while he drank his water. “If 10 in the morning is early for you, Sis, what’s late then?”

Kagome growled and was about to retort, but Souta was already on his way out of the kitchen waving a lazy hand at her. She glared at the kitchen entrance instead. Suddenly, she heard Inuyasha’s light chuckle.

“He’s a tough one to handle, isn’t he?” he said.

She groaned, and then, smiled lopsidedly, still staring at the kitchen door. “Yes.”

“Here.” She heard him say followed by a clank of the plate. She quickly turned her head and was completely astonished at what was in front of her - her breakfast.

“It’s only bacon and eggs. I took the liberty of cooking it, since Souta ate your breakfast this morning,” he said wiping his hands with a towel waiting almost nervously for her reaction.

“Thanks,” she whispered, her lips instantly forming a wide smile. She didn’t even care if Souta ate her breakfast. Surely, this was a far better one, right? She stared at the plate. He also made her fruit juice. Her heart fluttered crazy. She worried her lip and continued to stare. This is so sweet. She thought.

“Um… Kagome?” She was taken out of her reverie when he called. “Aren’t you gonna eat? I mean, it’s okay if you don’t want to. I completely understand if you won’t.”

“I said ‘thanks,’ didn’t I?” she told him.

He nodded a little too shyly that she beamed at him. She took a bite of the egg and nodded approvingly. “It’s delicious.”

He sighed in relief and smiled widely at her. Stupidly, he had to open his mouth and say something idiotic, “Thank God. I can see that you’re clearly starving.”

“I am? Why have you thought so?”

“Your stomach has been grumbling since you arrive. I can hear it from way over here.”

Kagome’s sweet face dissolved to a scowl.

“Ahahahaha!” Souta hollered. He had been standing at the kitchen entrance for a few minutes now. Grandpa was beside him sniggering, while Mama Korari was trying her hardest not to laugh, as she spied from their back.

“Why are you here all of a sudden?” she snapped glaring fiercely at her family.

“I thought Kagome’s already cooking my birthday feast, and I wanted to ask Inuyasha how the couch was - again,” Grandpa replied.

“I was about to spy. I knew something interesting was going to happen; but I didn‘t expect it to be hilarious,” Souta told her grinning all the way up to his ear.

“Mama?” Kagome asked impatiently.

“I was thinking you would kiss each other good morning, dear,” Mama Korari said thoughtfully, as she tapped her chin.

Kagome groaned and cringed in her seat. Setting aside her embarrassment, she retaliated, “All of you! Damn you! And stop laughing, Souta! Inuyasha, I’m going to get you for that comment! Grandpa, Happy birthday! Mama, sorry for sleeping in. But still, damn all of you!”


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”Grandpa’s turning 65 today, and he’s still kicking like a young stallion,” Souta uttered, as he and Inuyasha picked up the last of the boxes to arrange. They could see Grandpa waving an impatient stick towards them pointing at the old well house and yelling something they couldn’t comprehend.

“What’s your Grandpa saying?” Inuyasha asked.

“I don’t know.”

Inuyasha raised a brow at him.

“What?” Souta exclaimed.

“Shouldn’t we go and ask what he wants?” Inuyasha replied.

“Nah… Just leave him be. If my guess is correct, he just wants your attention.”

“Don’t tell me…” Inuyasha trailed off.

“Yup! Got that right! He’d ask you again how was the couch you had slept in. You answered quite brilliantly this morning. He’d want to hear it again surely.”

“Not the whole 30 minutes of it, right?” Inuyasha asked dreadfully.

Souta laughed. “Of course, he’d want to hear the whole 30 minutes of it.” Then, he sighed and masked a sorrowful look on his face patting Inuyasha’s shoulder. “I feel sorry for you, aniki. You’re about to experience the sweet wrath of my Grandpa’s sweetness.”

Inuyasha groaned. “I can’t say I’m looking forward to it.”

Souta guffawed at him. “That’s because you’ve made a good impression with him. I should tell you, you’re very lucky. Grandpa’s hard to impress. He’s just like Papa; although, Papa’s a lot harder to please.”

“Hey, Souta. Mind if I ask what’s inside these boxes we’re carrying?” Inuyasha inquired.

“Oh, these?” Souta frowned at the box he was holding. “I don’t remember. Do you want to open one of them?” He smirked mischievously, and Inuyasha beamed back showing a fang.

“Let’s open this one,” Inuyasha said. He was carrying the box with Kagome’s name on it.

“Oh, I see now,” Souta teased him giving him a sly look. “You‘re a smooth sneak, aniki.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Inuyasha pretended as if he didn’t hear him.

“Yeah, right! And my name is Barney. Wanna be friends forever?” Souta bit back sarcastically.

They both set down the boxes on the wooden floor and sat down opening the box Inuyasha carried.

Once it was opened, Souta immediately bellowed. “What the hell is this? I can‘t believe it!”

“What’s wrong? I see nothing but pictures,” Inuyasha cluelessly asked. He did see nothing but pictures… and a few other things.

“I knew it! I knew she took this! My sister’s a thief!” Souta roared and grabbed a handful of cards. “My baseball card collection! She stole it,” he hissed.

“What’s your brother yelling about outside? Kagome, can you hear that, dear?” Korari asked Kagome who was murderously chopping a cabbage.

Kagome glared at the helpless vegetable. “Perhaps, he came across a rat and the nasty animal scared him to death. You know how he hates rodents,” she snapped with a malicious glint in her eyes.

Korari chuckled. “That’s highly unlikely, dear. But I’m amazed by your treacherous imagination.”

“And it will stay that way until I think of something to get back at all of you for earlier,” Kagome seethed carelessly waving the chopping knife in the air.

“You’re still not over it, dear? My… you’re a sore loser,” Korari told her chuckling, turning to face a scowling daughter.

“I’m not.”

“Okay, you’re not. But you’re still sore. I guess we shouldn’t have barged in on you and Inuyasha like that. I feel like we have interrupted something,” Korari said giggling. “Nevertheless, it was so sweet of him to cook for you.”

Kagome immediately blushed and covered her face by turning it to the side and away from her mother’s gaze, which caused Korari to laugh loudly. “I still haven’t taken this all in… that you can be this shy in front of me, dear. It’s refreshing to see – and a bit funny to see you so meek.”

“I’ll let that comment pass,” Kagome muttered under her breath, as she continued to chop the cabbages more brutally.

“Dear, please have pity on the poor vegetable,” her mom implored.

She scoffed. She was still bitter over what had happened earlier. Perhaps, it was exactly what her mother had said, that they had interrupted something when they came in the kitchen. To her, her morning was somehow incomplete; it lacked something, but she couldn’t get her finger on it.

“So, how was your reading?” Korari asked all of a sudden.

Kagome raised her head and watched her mother’s back. “Insightful,” she replied.

“I’m sure,” her mom said knowingly.

“So, you and Papa met in a diamond?” Kagome quirked a curious brow and watched her mom’s reaction.

As expected, her mom smiled dreamily. “The home run,” she whispered.

Kagome giggled. “I thought when you told me about the home run last night you were only making an analogy. I didn’t expect that it was exactly what happened between you and Papa. Had he actually asked you to marry him when he first talked to you?”

“Yes, it was so wonderful,” her mom answered. “I actually told him off that first time. I thought he was chauvinistic. The nerve of the guy to ask me if I would marry him; I didn‘t even know him. He cut his classes for the whole afternoon and went to my university just to meet me and follow me around. It was creepy, Kagome.”

“Talk about stalker,” Kagome teased.

Korari giggled blushing. Kagome looked at her incredulously. “Don’t tell me you enjoyed the stalker-ish attention.”

“Dear, your Papa was a handsome man, and he was terrific with words. Besides, he was popular even in our university because he was an excellent baseball player and a dean’s lister in his college to top that. Of course, I enjoyed the attention - not only from him but from the others as well. Who wouldn‘t want to be the envy of many girls in the university?”

“That’s so vain, Mama,” Kagome announced smiling slyly at her mother. Her mom smirked.

“So, did you accept Papa‘s proposal?” she asked.

“I did not at first. I initially thought he was a pig. It turned out, I got it wrong and thought he was wonderful the next. But I was no retard. Who would accept a marriage proposal from a stranger you only met for the first time? Even if he was so dreamy, I still wanted to get to know him a lot better.”

“So you played hard to get?”

“If two months is hard-to-get, then…”

“What!” Kagome exclaimed cutting Korari off. “You mean…”

“I accepted his proposal 2 months after we met,” Korari replied as casually as she could. “In my mind, I told myself ‘Why wait? I’m in love.’ Besides, I hit home run, remember?” she told Kagome. “Now, thinking about it, I consider myself lucky. I’ve met your Papa early in my life and I’m glad I have not wasted time in deciding whether I should be with him or not. Borrowed time is precious. You have to know that the only way to spend it is to make the most of it.”

Suddenly, the back door banged open with Souta barging in unceremoniously, followed by Inuyasha. They were both dusty, dirty and very much hungry.

“Hey, Sis!” Souta greeted with a smirk. He twisted and stood beside his mom, examining what she was cooking. “Mama, is the food ready yet?”

Korari chuckled and ruffled his bangs. “Not yet, sweetie-pie.”

“Gross! Don’t call me that, Mama! That’s for 6 year-olds. I’m 17. I am not sweet and definitely not a pie,” Souta complained fixing his disheveled bangs. Korari pouted like a puppy.

“Oh, don’t do that!” Souta exclaimed, and then, groaned dejectedly.

Kagome watched her little brother’s sweet torture with much satisfaction. Payback was a bitch, and it would be sweeter if she could have laughed manically at that moment. Nevertheless, she chose to hum a song while she now sliced a carrot, completely ignoring the wails of her little brother when he asked for her help. She knew that behind those embarrassed and irritated exclamations of her brother, he was enjoying himself. If she was Papa’s little girl, then Souta was Mama’s boy. Of course, it didn’t help that she was currently self-conscious even with only the thought of Inuyasha sitting closely at her right, the sound of the deep tone of his laughter filling her senses, and the heat of his stare on her skin. It seemed that he had put a spell on her - only by letting her eat bacon and eggs.

“By the way, sweetie, where’s your Grandpa?” Korari asked Souta. Souta had noticed how Kagome had suddenly stilled, sat up straight, and then, cleared her throat before resuming on her work.

“He’s still outside speaking to some guy I don’t know,” he replied and sat across Kagome in the table. “He had this serious look on his face.”

“Souta, Grandpa always has a serious look on his face,” Kagome corrected him.

“Well, this one’s serious - seriously,” he retorted making a face at Kagome. “Anyway, he asked me and aniki to run an errand, and we were hoping that before we go, we could have a bite to eat.”

“I’m sorry, sweetie; but there’s no food yet - not if you want leftovers.”

“Nah. We better go as soon as possible,” Souta replied.

“But where to, sweetie?” Korari asked.

“At Masahi Tsubaki’s liquor store.”

“But you’re still 17.” Korari told him.

“That’s why, Inuyasha is coming with me. I’m just a guide, really. He’ll be the one to do the errand,” Souta answered when his mother’s cell phone rang. Korari frowned answering the call. “I see. Um… Kagome, dear, please watch the broth for me, okay? I need to answer this call,” she said and excused herself out of the kitchen.

All three pairs of eyes followed her with their gazes as she made her exit. Souta leaned against the chair he sat on and watched the couple sitting on the table. Kagome was still slicing the carrot, while Inuyasha busied himself with a glass of water. He recalled his short conversation with the silver-haired sitting beside her.

“Who’s this guy?” Inuyasha asked curiously, as he pointed at a blue-eyed man in the picture with Kagome.

“That’s our Dad,” Souta answered. “He passed on many years ago.”

“I’m sorry.”

He chuckled. “There’s really no need to be so polite, aniki,” he told Inuyasha. “Anyway, aniki… Can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” Inuyasha replied still going through with the several picture albums inside the box.

“Are you really ‘just a friend’ to my sister?”

Inuyasha snapped his gaze to him, surprised at the sudden frankness and the critical tone underneath his voice. Souta looked back seriously at him. He had a thoughtful look on his face. “You must know by now that Kagome bringing you here is pretty much a big deal to us… because it is. My sister has had three serious relationships in the past but she has not brought any of those men here. I’ve met the first two though despite that. Kagome’s not too communicative about the last one, so I bet he’s no good at all. You see, my sister might act dense as a rock and seem strong enough to take on a bull with her stubborn streak - she’s moronic that way - but earnestly, she’s the most sensitive member of this family. So you see, she would never have brought you here if you’re only ‘just a friend.’ Well, are you?”

Inuyasha smiled. “Coming from me… No, I’m not just your sister’s friend. Well, at least, that’s what I hope I am to her.”

“Do you love her?”

Inuyasha paused and stared back at the younger man. He understood how Souta felt; he only wanted the best for his only sister. He could clearly see that he wanted a straight answer from him, and he would give it to him.

Souta knew the answer would be a “Yes.” But he needed to hear it from Inuyasha that was why he had asked. His gaze went back to his sister. What was wrong with her? Acting all shy, meek, and stubbornly dense…

Scoffing, he then turned towards Inuyasha, but not after peeping at his sister for the last time. He smirked inwardly - time to give his beloved sister a little push, and some amusement for himself. “Anyway, before I forget, I have to warn you, aniki. Masahi Tsubaki has a lot of sly store representatives. My friends say that most of the reps there exploits good looking and unsuspecting male customers. They tell me the reps bring unsuspecting customers at the back of the store, and then there, they seduce them ravishing them and taking away their innocence.”

“What?” Inuyasha exclaimed.

All right. That was stupid. I shouldn’t have stretched it so much. Souta scolded himself in his thoughts. He cleared his throat maintaining a calm demeanor. “It’s a talk among my peers that these things do happen in that store. In fact, I have seen this one rep. What’s her name? Aiko, I think. I have to say, she is a hottie with a nice package, and super hot at that. And she seems like the girl next door - really nice - so it’s not impossible for her to be able to seduce men like a druid temptress.”

“Really? A druid temptress…”

“Yeah. You’re quite interested, aren’t you?” Souta told him slyly.

Inuyasha chortled. “A bit… you got me quite intrigued, little brother.”

Souta kept on peeping at Kagome’s expression. She had stiffened on her seat when Inuyasha had replied almost too enthusiastically. He sniggered to himself. Kagome had not changed. She was still too easy to rile up, so she was the perfect target to pick on.

Korari came in. “Souta, you and Inuyasha going already?” she asked seeing that the two of them were getting themselves ready to go.

“Yeah, Mama,” Souta replied. He turned his attention back to Inuyasha. “Hey, aniki, can you please go get Grandpa’s list of things to buy? I think I’ve forgotten them. Just wait for me outside. I’ll catch up with you, okay?”

Inuyasha nodded and exited the kitchen. He was about to invite Kagome to come with them but never got the chance because Souta spoke up first. He had wanted to finish the tour that she had started yesterday hoping she could show him around. However, he sensed that she was still in a foul mood. She was killing the carrot - poor vegetable - so he opted not to go through with his invitation.

“But what about leftovers?” Korari asked.

“We’ll buy something down the street and eat it on the way.”

“You’re walking?”

“Yeah, aniki wanted to see the sights,” Souta informed and smiled sweetly at his mom. “You know, aside from the shrine.” He deliberately glanced at Kagome. She glared at him; she had been throwing imaginary daggers at him for a while now.

He sniggered.

“Souta? Are you even listening to me? I said, don’t be a burden to Inuyasha. He’s a guest after all… and look at what he’s been doing so far in the day? I have to say, at the very least, I’m embarrassed how we have treated him. Last night, he has slept on the couch, and now, he is doing errands for Grandpa. So, Souta, check your manners, okay? And make sure he, at least, enjoys that bit of sight-seeing,” Korari instructed her only son, who only smirked winking at her. She rolled her eyes. How could she make sure that he had all of those instructions jotted in his memory when all he had done was wink at her?

“I’m making sure of that, Mama,” Souta replied and passed Kagome a meaningful glance.

“So then go already,” Korari urged on.

Souta guffawed. “All right! All right! I‘m going!” He made sure that he walked passed Kagome and bid a, “See yah, Sis.” He was already at the kitchen door when Kagome stood up and stopped him.

“Stop right there, little brother.” She had gritted her teeth and her lips were on a thin line. She walked to him.

Souta knowingly smirked before turning around.

“Carrots for you,” she told him handing him the knife.

His grin widened. “I knew I’d be able to get through that dense brain of yours, Sis.”

“I concede then, little brother,” she bit back a whisper.

“You owe me,” he drawled and accepted the knife before pushing Kagome out of the kitchen. He chuckled lightly and sat on Kagome’s chair giving himself a pat on the back on how brilliant he was.

“Souta, where’s your sister gone to?” his mom asked.

“On an errand,” he answered.

“But I thought…” Korari frowned crossing her arms. “Souta, what did you do?”

“Nothing, Mama.” Souta only grinned lopsidedly.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


In uyasha turned his head taking a glimpse of Kagome walking by his side. She had a tiny smile on her lips and an excited glint in her eyes, as they marched down the street.

“Excited?” he asked snapping her awake from her thoughts. She quickly twisted her head to look at him.

“A bit,” she answered. “The last time I remembered walking along this street was when I was in high school.”

“That long?”

“Yeah.” She grinned sheepishly

“You will not get me lost in this street, will you, Kagome?” Inuyasha pretended to be frantic looking at the surroundings suspiciously, fearfully.

She chuckled. “Don’t worry, Inuyasha. I know this street like the palm of my hand,” she roared raising her right hand fisting it up in the air.

He chortled. “I hope so. I don’t want to ask for directions later on.”

Kagome scoffed rolling her eyes playfully. “What’s with men and asking for directions?”

“They just don’t complement,” he replied.

“Why?” she asked halting to a stop.

“They just don’t, Hon.” He stopped turning about to face her. She had a puzzled look on her face. He frowned. “What’s the matter?”

“I don’t remember this street,” she told him pointing to her right.

“What?”

“That shop is not supposed to be there. And how come there’s a huge building blocking the view of the shrine here? And the park is supposed to be on my left, not on the right! And there should be a small alley here. Oh shit, it’s gone,” she ranted; she was frantic.

“We’re not lost, are we?” Inuyasha asked chuckling amusingly.

“Don’t laugh! And no, we are not lost!” she snapped. “I know where we’re going. Masahi’s store is right this way - to the left. Step it up, Takahashi,” she announced and grabbed his hand dragging him with her.

“Yes, Ma’am!” He laughed jogging behind her.

After long minutes of getting somewhat lost and retracing their steps and finding their way in the crisscross alleyways, they finally made it to the liquor store.

“We’re here!” Kagome exclaimed with much relief. On the other hand…

“We’re here?” Inuyasha uttered unbelievingly.

“Please try to sound more grateful, Inuyasha,” she chided him.

He smirked and pulled her flushed in his embrace. “How’s this?” he whispered kissing her.

“That’s better.” She sighed into the kiss snaking her arms around his neck allowing him to deepen it quickly.

“Hon? People are staring,” he whispered smiling, kissing her for the last time. She smiled blushing and hid her face against his chest. He chuckled. “What are you doing?”

“Cover me,” she groaned burying her head further against his chest.

“Hon, stop that. It tickles,” he whispered against her hair starting to feel embarrassed, since every person that passed them by would stare at them.

“Are they still staring?” she muttered and Inuyasha could only laugh against her hair. “Of course, they are, since you’re still clinging unto me, Hon.”


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


&# 8220;Welcome to Masahi’s! How may I help you?” a young woman with green highlights greeted once they went inside the store.

“Hi!” Inuyasha smiled. She looked innocent - he thought - far from how Souta had described the representatives of the store to be.

“Hi,” the woman muttered under her breath looking dazed under Inuyasha‘s attention - well, inattention.

“Um…” Inuyasha frowned twisting his head to see where Kagome had gone to. She had gone straight to an isle when they got in.

“Can I get you something, Sir?” the young woman eagerly said.

“Yes, I’m looking for a-”

“I’m Aiko, by the way,” she cut him off and offered her hand smiling teasingly at him.

Inuyasha raised a brow at the sudden intrusion. “Oh… uh… Hi, Aiko.” He cleared his throat loudly. “As I was saying, I’m looking for this,” he said and handed her the piece of paper he was carrying instead of shaking her hand. He didn’t shake hands with people he was "weirded" about.

Aiko looked unfazed even answering enthusiastically, “Oh this! This is from our rare stock. I’m surprised you know we have this brand, Sir. We don’t advertise that much, especially this. You see, only close relations to Tsubaki-sama know that we even have this stock. Do you, by any chance, know my mistress?” She had asked the last question with caution in her voice. Was she hoping that he wasn’t of relation to Tsubaki, the owner.

“No, I don’t. I’m only here for an errand,” Inuyasha answered. This woman was starting to annoy him, especially when she almost pounced at him when he had replied. In addition, her wide-eyed grin was giving him the creeps. Where was Kagome anyway? He turned around trying to look for her in the isles, but didn’t find her.

“Shall we go, Sir?”

“What?” He had failed to hear what she was saying all this time.

“The wine you’re looking for is stored at the back of the store. Let’s go get it,” she simply said and ushered him to follow her.

“There’s no need,” someone said loudly from his back. He turned and smiled widely, seeing Kagome carrying a bottle of wine.

“I’ve already got it,” she said smiling back, while she raised the bottle for him to see.

“Who are you?” Aiko asked heatedly, frowning at the sudden intrusion.

“I’m with him,” Kagome replied with a tight voice. She levelled the heated glare of the woman behind the counter with an indifferent, yet, intense stare. Then, she smiled. “You were not about to bring my husband at the back of the store and seduce him in the presence of his wife, were you?” she joked.

Aiko’s eyes widened.

Kagome laughed tauntingly. “I was just joking.”

Suddenly, a tall middle-aged woman came walked in from the back of the store and stood before the three of them. Aiko bowed immediately. “Masahi-sama,” she greeted. The woman nodded to her greeting and paid her attention to Kagome, who smiled at her.

“I thought you weren’t coming out,” Kagome told her.

“I did not intend to, but someone was laughing hysterically like someone I knew from the past, so I had to come and see for myself. Hello, Kagome,” Masahi Tsubaki greeted hugging her.

Inuyasha frowned thinking over what had happened over at the store. First, this weird woman whom from what he had heard from Souta was supposedly a hottie, which she was not, tried to bring him to the back of the store to seduce him. Well, that was what he assumed. Second, Kagome claimed he was her husband. Third, she introduced him as her husband to the storeowner, Masahi Tsubaki. Fourth, he was confused because she had introduced him as her friend first, and now, her husband. Fifth, she was acting as if nothing happened after that, as they walked back to the shrine. They were already taking on the endless shrine steps by the way, and he couldn’t shake off this feeling that something was going to happen again to them.

“You knew the owner?” he inquired with slight annoyance.

She smiled. “Yeah, she was Papa’s friend… and my Godmother.”

“And ‘your husband?’” There was amusement in his voice. Kagome tensed and stopped walking just as they reached the top of the stairs. “Was that a joke, too?” he asked grasping her shoulders to face her.

“I was annoyed,” she whispered. “That girl was all over you. It infuriated me.”

“So you introduced me as your husband just to spite her?” There was less playfulness in his voice. Instead, she would bet there was hurt underlying the tone he had used. “What am I really to you, Kagome?” he asked with slight desperation.

“Inuyasha… I know there’s something between us. I know it’s there… but-”

“Is it that to hard grasp?”

She nodded slightly.

“Tell me, then. Why did you bring me here? Why hadn’t it been Shun?” he asked with a hard tone in his voice. She inhaled a sharply.

“Do I need to have reason to bring you here?” she replied stubbornly. “But if you were looking for one, then you lucked out because I decided on a whim.”

“I see,” he said bringing his hands down from the grasp on her shoulders. Clearly, he was upset. “I forgot you wanted to take it slow. It’s my fault, then. I misinterpreted the signals.”

Kagome was about to retort, as she had sensed his distress. However, he cut her off.

“But next time, Kagome… quit giving me mixed signals, okay? It’s hard playing that game,” he said, gave her a strange smile and walked ahead of her and towards the house.

“Shit,” Kagome whispered, lingering on the spot. What the fuck was wrong with her?


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Earlier in the morning (before anyone in the Higurashi shrine was even awake)…

“What is she up to?” Sango exclaimed. “And where is she at?”

“Sango… dear… Please keep it down. I’m trying to sleep here for ah… about the whole night?” Miroku almost whimpered, as he covered his head with a pillow. Sango had been wide-awake ever since… well… ever since he had seen her awake in the day. “What’s with you today? It’s… almost two in the morning and you’re still up and about. Give it a rest, dear. Don’t you think Kagome’s not answering your calls because it’s too late in the night and she’s probably still sleeping?”

Sango sighed. Perhaps, he was right and she was just over-reacting. But…

“Miroku, if you think Kagome’s doing something…”

“Something?”

“S omething that you think might hurt her. You will stop her, right?”

“Why? Is Kagome in trouble?” he asked worriedly.

“No… No… It’s not like that. It’s just… hah,” she sighed. “But you will stop her, right?”

“I’ll try to, of course. I don’t want Kagome hurt. She’s like a sister to me, and if someone dares hurt her, I will kick that someone’s ass,” he answered.

“But… what if that someone’s your friend?”

“Why? What did Shun do?” Miroku asked furiously. “I swear if he has…”

“It’s not Shun. I mean… maybe, it is; but that’s not the point. I bet he can’t even cause this reaction from her. But I haven’t talked to her yet, so I have no fucking idea!” God, she was worried that she was blabbering. “But how come she looked so impassive earlier this afternoon? I found it hard to believe.” She groaned dejectedly and slumped on the bed. “I’m exhausted.”

“So just sleep already,” Miroku mumbled. Within her monologue, he had gone back to slumber.

“Miroku, aren’t you even concerned?” Sango asked robotically. She had no strength to put effort even into talking.

“Dear, I did not even understand half that you were talking about,” he said lazily. “As for the other half, I am too sleepy even to comprehend a word of it. So how can I be concerned? Perhaps in the morning, I will when I know what I‘m dealing with.”

Sango smiled closing her eyes. “I forgot I did not tell you. Kagome and Shun broke up, Roku. And I think Shun’s back with Shizuru again.”

Comfortable silence… Then…

“They WHAT? He WHAT?” Miroku roared bolting up the bed. Sango had turned to her side and moaned sleepily. Miroku shook her roughly. “Sango, wake up. Let’s talk!”

“I don’t want to. I’m sleeping already. Let’s talk about this tomorrow,” Sango moaned swatting his hand away from her shoulder.

“But dear…”

“Go to sleep, Roku.”

He groaned and dropped to the bed non-too-gently. Now, he was slightly concerned.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

R&R!