The Skaters Edge

Chapter 2 Mystery Men





We roll up in our usual fashion, eyes on us as we head to our usual spot. We have had the same spot for the last few years. No one dares move near it. We are considered the best human skaters in our little tri city area, male or female. We hang out with only the best skaters possible, youkai, human and hanyou. We do not discriminate, unless you are too slow.



As we approach, my ever present best friend is checking herself out again in the mirror of her compact.



“KAGOME!!!! Why didn’t you call to tell me you were going to be late?” Shippo jumps at me and almost knocks me over. He is a beautiful Kitsune youkai that is about 2 feet shorter than me. Curly red hair tied up in a high ponytail, I eye him up. He is in his normal denim bibs that have holes all over them, with a black t shirt. He is at the age that if there is ever a reason to throw yourself into the arms of a beautiful woman, you would do so. Especially considering where his head lands, right between my breasts.



“Shippo love, I have missed you. How was your trip to Mt. Fuji?” I haven’t seen him in 3 weeks and I have really missed the squirt.



“It was awesome; I learned some really kick ass new tricks from the old fox tribe up there. I also got the chance to check out some other rinks there and let me tell you, those people suck compared to you.” He looks to me with a huge grin in admiration.



“Why are you buttering me up Shippo? What do you want?” I ask with my eyebrows raised.



“Nothing much.. I was just… wonderingifyouwouldliketobemygirlfriendnowthatHojoisn’tyourboyfriend” He blurts out so fast I can’t figure out what he says.



“Slow down, I didn’t understand a word you just said except for Hojo”



Shippo huffs and slowly says, “I was just wondering if you would like to be my girlfriend now that Hojo isn’t your boyfriend.” He looks down at the ground expectantly.



I lean down to him and bring him into a loving hug, “Shippo, you know I love you very much right? There is just no way that I could be with you that way. You are Kohaku’s age and you are not exactly old enough for me”



“I know but I had to take a shot, what’s a Kitsune to do?” He sighs dejectedly.



I bring him back into another hug and kiss to of his fire red hair, “There is no way that I would ever not have you around me Shippo. You know that you are one of my important people. I consider you just as much a part of my family as I do my own brother.”



“I know…Are you ready for tonight” He asks excitedly changing the subject quickly.



“Of course I am, did you think otherwise?” I look around the lot and see a lot more cars than usual. It doesn’t surprise me since this is the tri city try outs for The Rockets. I see all manner of people. Humans all huddled together in their cliques. Youkai looking over at said humans with distain. Most of them anyway. I notice another group off to the right and as I continue to want to inspect the competition, Sango grabs my arm before I can do anymore than just glance at them.



“Come on, just because you don’t have to work tonight doesn’t mean that you can just go mental here. Shippo told me that Kikyo was out here a few minutes ago looking for us. That gives me an in before everyone else so maybe I can have Yura play Don’t Stop the Rock before all the slow people get in so you and I can jam.” She grins expectantly.



“Ok, Ok… I’m coming...” I look over again and notice the black hair of what looks like a man dressed as a Buddhist monk and then just the faintest note of silver just beyond. Not knowing at the time that little hint of silver would change my life forever.



I walk passed the lines of people, youkai and hanyous on my way to the front doors with Sango in tow. We get a lot of hoots and hollers from them since they have to wait. One has the gall to grab my arm.



“Hey baby!! How the hell do you think you rate? Are you sucking some dick to get in early and get a bead on the best spots on the teams? I’ll let you suck my dick anytime you want if you would give it out so willingly.” He cackles evilly to his brother looking away from me. His brother gives a sadistic look and licks his lips in my direction as I suppress my gag reflex.



I raise my hand, that is now just slightly glowing pink, and grab his wrist. He cries out in pain and drops to his knees on the concrete, his brother looking on in terror. He cringes as I dig my nails into his skin. I have only put a slight bit of purification into my hand, I mean; I don’t want to kill a youkai tonight if I could help it.



“I’m sorry, did you say something? I didn’t hear you over the inane babble of some idiot youkai who thought to say something to one of the strongest Miko’s in the area.. Oh yeah, that’s right, that’s me...” I unceremoniously drop his appendage from my person.



I turn to him, lying on the ground in pain and speak up for all to hear, “Just because I am a Miko, does not mean I get access first. It is because I am an employee of this rink and my boss’s are looking for me. Not like that is any of any of your fucking business. So the lot of you can just PISS OFF!!!” My anger is rising as my whole body starts to glow pink. The demons in the crowd start to retreat and I hear hissing coming from all sides. My purification energy is starting to get out of control and I know it.



Sango places a gentle hand on my shoulder, “Kags please calm yourself down. You don’t want to purify every demon here. That would be bad for Kaede and Kikyo. Please calm down”



I take several deep meditative breaths and find myself calmed down and the purification around my body dissipates. Unexpectedly, I hear applause surround me. Totally shocked I turn around to see the rest of the line clapping at me.



“What is this all about?” I ask truly stunned since I didn’t do anything but lose my cool and yell at the lot of them for no damn reason other than the fact that the dick of a youkai pissed me off and I am still having a bit of a hard time curbing my temper.



A small neko youkai comes to the ropes, “Those assholes have been hitting on everyone in this line and they needed to be put in their places and we all appreciate it. Especially considering none of the males seemed to want to do anything about it.”



The men in line shrink back a bit and I laugh, “No harm, no foul. I can’t wait to see what you all got on the floor. Later” I flip my straight hair over one shoulder and stride off.



We continue on to the bouncers’ chair. Jinenji turns to me, “Kagome, I am so pleased to see you tonight.”



“Hey Jinenji, I heard the sisters were looking for me” I look up at his towering figure as he grabs me and pulls me up his 7 foot figure and hugs me. I lean into him and close my eyes at his gentle touch. So much more gentle than you would expect from such an imposing presence. He has always had a calming effect on me that way.



“They are waiting for you at the DJ stand.” He blushes and puts me down to the ground.



“You know you can hug me whenever you want Jinenji, I love being in the arms of such a strong hanyou” Jinenji blushes at me again turning the color of crimson. I don’t think I have ever embarrassed him that much.



“Bye Jinenji, good seeing you” Sango tosses over her shoulder as we walk through the door.



The first thing that hits you as you walk in is the smell of feet. Yes, I know that is horrible to think of, but it feels like and smells like home to those of us who thrive on the atmosphere. We walk over to the skate counter to deposit Big Betty and proceed on. We move past all of the pool tables and video games and right through the concession stand. My old friend Ayami calls out as she is making the popcorn for the night, “Kags, you working tonight?”



“Nope, tonight is all about a little bit of fun and then me and Sango get down to business and kick the crap out of all the new skaters showing up at our rink thinking they are faster than us!” I high five Sango and we bump hips together in a gesture that shows we are the best and we know it.



“Good luck and I will be watching you on the projection later” Ayami runs out to start setting up the tables as we continue our journey.



As we head out of the concession stand area to the DJ booth, I run across Yura.



“Hey Girl... I need a big favor. Would you be able to play our jam before the crowds start in? Sango and I need to get pumped up and can’t do that very well when there is a crowd of people around us that don’t know how to skate” I ask bringing out my best puppy dog eyes.



“Anything for you Kags, you know that. I will get it on once you two come out of the booth with the sisters”



“Thanks Hon... Kisses” I blow a kiss her way and she catches and pockets it with a wink. I do believe Yura goes both ways when it comes to men and women. Youkai or not, she is totally hot and would take a human in a second if she thought they were a good fuck.



I open the booth door with Sango on my heels only to meet the eyes of Kaede. She is scrutinizing the playlist that Yura has provided for the 1st part of the night. Kikyo is sitting with a bored look on her face aimlessly flipping through CD’s until she sees me enter.



“Kags, I wanted to talk to you two before the night begins.” She gives me a solemn look that makes me wary and I look to Sango who has the same look of apprehension on her face.



“Now, now Kikyo. Don’t go and scare the poor girls.” Kaede turns to us with her matronly presence and puts on her softest smile, “What we wanted to talk to you about is the try outs.”



I breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that Kikyo is far too serious for her own good sometimes. I look over to see Sango do the same thing. We should have been born sisters, I swear.



“We want to put our best feet forward with the try outs and show them what the girls from Tokyo can do for The Rockets. We have Shippo also trying out for the youkai team for the junior league. We are only sorry that we do not have any hanyous from our area to join. Please, for the love of Kami, do your best. I don’t really want to let the cat out of the bag, but there are scouts from local colleges looking for skaters to start training for the Nationals.” I let out a gasp at the startling news.



“Wow, no pressure there Kaeda-baba. I mean, I know we are good but that is really scary” I say with my best impression of a scared child.



“Calm yourself young one, we are here to give you support and all we want from you is the very best performance that you can give us. We know that you will both make the speed team but it would be great if one of you could make the Nationals as well”



“Don’t go falling down and hurting yourself either.” Kikyo spit out between clenched teeth. It didn’t surprise me that she acted this way; after all, she had to retire too early because of a bad injury to her knee and was never able to perform again. I hold pity for the woman having to be so bitter. It seems like she is just pissed at the whole world. Too bad for her.



“We will kick ASS!!! You can believe it. Do you mind if we warm up a bit so we can just have a good time before this all goes down?” I ask politely. They are still my boss’s so it is always better to ask than assume.



“Of course child. Enjoy yourselves for awhile tonight, you deserve it.” Kaede hooks her arm around Kikyo’s and they proceed to exit the booth. I grab the microphone and turn it on, “Yura, get your pretty butt up to the booth, you promised me a favor!” I practically screamed. I look over to find Ayami with a look on her face that looked like she was questioning my sexuality. “You have it wrong Ayami; that is not what I meant.” I blush pretty and Sango grabs my hand.



We head out of the booth and down the stairs to our permanent locker. The sisters gave it to us after the 3rd year of us coming to the rink the way we did, on a nightly basis. I open the decorated locker that has pictures of Luke Perry, Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp in it. Every night they were open, we were here. After I turned 16, they offered me a job as a DJ and floor guard. Not too bad for a kid like me. I mean, having a job that you can only wish for. Doing something that you love is the best, and then getting paid for it on top of it. Now after just over a year, I still can’t believe it.



I take off my Doc’s and threw on my extra pair of socks and my skates. Sango does the same and removes her see through shell. I apply my bandana as a makeshift headband to keep my hair from flying away. Sango takes a rubber band and puts here hair into a high ponytail.



“You ready there slick” I ask as I make my final adjustments to my skates. I loosened up my trucks just for this one song. Putting my feet on the floor completely, I sway side to side to make sure they are free enough for what I am about to do.



“You got it Kags, lets jam” Sango pumps her fist and heads for the floor.



Yura looks out of her glass perch, “Hey girls, you know you are the only two I do this for right? Here it is honey!!”



I hear the tell tale synthesized beat of our favorite jam song, Don’t Stop the Rock by Freestyle. My heart starts to speed up as the adrenaline starts to kick in as I hear my song start to play.





There’s a party in the house and we’ll be rockin tonight

So bring your body with you baby and we’ll make you feel right

It’s a freaky celebration of a natural kind

And the pleasure you’ll experience will blow your mind







I take the lead as Sango and I pick up speed to hit the first corner. I tuck down to my knee with my left leg out to the side and pop back up to a standing position as I pump my right skate and move even faster. Sango is following me step for step, we have had this choreographed for the last 2 years and we are at our best with this song. We sway from side to side moving at a pace that no one could imagine possible with the intricate foot moves we are accomplishing. We hit the corner and start a series of 4 turns all leading to the last corner where we link hands and I pull Sango through my legs. I smirk as we round the next corner and do it again, putting me back in the lead.



Freestyles freakin in the house tonight

Move your body from left to right

To all those freaks don’t stop the rock

Cause Freestyles freakin and you know we’re hot





Looking on, in complete shock, is most of the line of people that had just been waiting outside. The man in the monks robes comments, “Holy shit, InuYasha! Do you see this?”



“Huh?” That was all he had to say to his friend Miroku. Pure genius. He watched intently with molten eyes, the sheer radiant beauty of this woman. She looked so much like Kikyo, it was scary actually. This goddess appeared to be so much more than Kikyo though, in all senses of the word. She was so much more beautiful. She looked to have some kind of inner glow that he had never seen in Kikyo. It was warm and completely calming to his beast. Her smell… Oh her smell as they passed was totally intoxicating and he had to control himself from just launching himself onto the rink and taking her in his arms to bury his face is that luscious hair of hers. He did not understand why just after seeing this Athena, he would have such a reaction. He had never had this kind of reaction to any woman in all his years. She was a hell of a lot better of a skater too, from the looks of this little demonstration. InuYasha had never seen moves like this done by a woman, and a human at that. If she was youkai, he could understand. The other girl was just as good. He knew he had one hell of a night ahead of him and he could not wait to show off what they came here for.



“I mean, yeah, I see it... What of it? So what if a couple of wenches can jam? They ain’t got nothin on us.” He scoffs offhandedly to his friend, secretly in complete awe at the beauty of the lead jammer as he continues to nonchalantly watch Athena from a far.



All you ladies interested in the words I speak

We will be rockin like every night of the week

And all you fellows tell your ladies don’t stop the rock

Because you know that we’ll be jamming all around the clock



I make another set of moves and we do a jump for a slide on the wall, together of course. As the song starts to come to the climax, I turn my head slightly to Sango and nod. This was the one part of the jam we had issues with but I felt like tonight would be our night to pull it off without a hitch. Sango nods her reply and at the sound of the last crash comes to the pinnacle of the song, I throw my right hand up and left foot out and I do the most perfectly executed spin jump you have ever seen. I hit the floor and drop to my right knee and do another spin in a tucked position as I move to the center of the rink with Sango. I wish I could have seen it, when we both landed and came to a stop in the middle of the rink with our arms raised.



My chest was heaving from the pure adrenaline and exertion of one of the best jams I have ever had in my life. Sango and I look at each other and grinned like Cheshire cats. I launch myself at her and we fall to the ground giggling. All of the sudden, for the 2nd time tonight, there is clapping. I look over past the wall to our right and notice that the whole rink is filled to capacity. I don’t think one person was doing anything but watching my best friend and I hug in the middle of the floor.



Yura comes on the mic with her eyes on us mischievously, “Hey girls, I forgot to tell you we opened 30 minutes early and by the time the 1st chorus was started, we were already packed! Don’t tell me you didn’t notice 150 people gaping at you.” She turns her attention to the large crowd of onlookers and exclaims, “Alright everybody, keep giving it up for our girls, the best the Skaters Edge has to offer!!!”



“Oh My KAMI!! Sango!!” I release Sango quickly and I put my head in my hands blushing furiously pulling my knees to my chest. Sango just laughs and takes my hand to help me to my feet. I take the bandana out of my hair and wipe it across my sweaty brow and turn to Sango and do the same for her. “EWWW, Kags yuck”



“Shut up, you’re sweaty.”



I shove the bandana in my back pocket and pull out my compact. I check myself to make sure my make up is still ok and hand the compact to Sango who does the same.



I look over at the sidelines on the left side of the rink and see more than just the bristling bunch of people going about their business with their attention no longer on us. I see the monk from earlier, with his rapt attention on Sango. More importantly, her ass.



“Anyway, you seem to have an admirer.” I incline my head to the left side of the rink. She looks in the direction I am looking to take in the features of the monk. He is a little over 6 foot tall with black hair and the most wonderful sapphire blue eyes. He is in traditional monks robes of black and violet, which causes me to wonder ‘why would this guy be hanging out at a roller rink on a Friday night?’



“Hey you! What the hell are you gawking at!?” Sango yells from our spot in the center of the rink, not caring that anyone else can hear.



I shake my head and make my way towards the booth to thank Yura. A little kid jumps in front of me and I have to quickly move to avoid him. I do a spin to the left and I stop. I look down to make sure the kid is ok and as I look up I am given a different angle to view our monk…



There just next to the monk in front of me is a hanyou, not just a hanyou, but what appears to be a god. I don’t believe I have ever seen a creature this beautiful in my whole life. He is standing with his hands tucked in his oversized sleeves in an ‘I don’t give a shit’ stance. As I examine him, I take note that he is wearing a traditional hakama and haori in red. I had only ever read about this sort of outfit, robes of the Fire Rat if I remember from my miko training. They are quite rare and I wonder of the heritage of this particular hanyou.



As I start moving off the rink towards the DJ booth, I continue looking at this ethereal creature, still trying not to stare. I take in this boy, no, this Adonis of a man. He is taller than the monk by a few inches with the most beautiful silver hair. It looks like silk and it makes me want to reach out and run my fingers through it. His hair is flowing down his back wild and untamed. This gives the appearance that he has just been running through the wilderness. On top of his head is the tell tale sign that he is hanyou, the cutest puppy ears I have ever seen. ‘I wonder if they are as soft as they look?’ I wanted to skate right up to him and touch those adorable little appendages but I took control and fought that urge. He looked to be in really good shape, but it was so hard to tell fore sure with the clothing he was wearing. ‘Oh well, not like he would give me the time of day anyway. He is far too handsome for the likes of me.’ I slowly try to chastise myself to trying to stop the slight dampness I am feeling at the apex of my legs, which has nothing to do with my skating.



Smack!! I am brought out of my thoughts as I turn to see Sango slap the houshi.



“How DARE you touch me you letch!!! I am going to rip your hand off and shove it up your Kami loving ass” I stop gawking at Adonis and skate over to my friend chuckling to myself at her violent, yet warranted outburst to this stranger.



A look of surprise, and then reflection cross the monks face, “My dearest onna, you are the picture of perfection. I am only upholding the law of the Buddha’s to cherish all things in nature, and you are most certainly one of the most precious and beautiful things I have ever had the pleasure of coming into contact with.” He raises one hand and bows in prayer.



“Bullshit you stupid hentei!!! How dare you put your hands on me!?” I look over at Sango and notice that she is blushing. This is something that I don’t recall seeing her do in a long time. I can tell just by the look in her eyes that she is attracted to this man. I can read Sango like an open book.



“Feh” scoffs the bystander next to the monk, “Monk, lets go. We don’t have time for this shit. These pretty little girls must have other men to tend to anyway. Move your ass houshi”



His words do nothing for his demeanor. His voice is like silk as he speaks in his husky baritone voice. I can barely believe that the Kami has given me the chance to see such a creature up close. My mind is reeling from my encounter with Adonis.



“Ah, my friend is as anxious as ever. My most beautiful onna, may I call upon you for one skate upon my return?” The monk bows and shows respect which was lacking just moments before.



“Can you believe these guys!?!” She turns to me red in the face and shows me a small smile. She points to the monk waggling her finger, “How dare he think that after he grabs my ass, I would allow him to skate with me?”



“Houshi, I believe that my friend will consider your invitation.” I giggle as I turn to the monk and give him a deep bow since he is showing the appearance of a houshi. Sango slaps me, hard across the back.



“Ah, thank you Miko-sama.” He turns his own deep bow my way with the same respect that I have shown him.



“Let’s go then Miss Cranky Pants” I start to turn away and notice Adonis is finally looking my way. What I see makes me melt. He has the most heavenly amber eyes I have ever seen and he is staring right at me. I just about lose my footing and it takes me just a split second to steady myself. He continues to stare at me with a look in his eyes that to me looks like he is waiting for me to approach him. Instead, I look away and blush. I take one quick glance back to see that he still has those molten orbs on me. I audible sigh and tremble slightly.



We turn to the booth to look for Yura. My heart is beating like it is about to jump out of my chest as we go for the door. I head in and start to give my thanks as new music is starting to get the rest of the patrons excited for a great night. Pump Up The Jam always gets the crowd going.



“That went well for a 1st attempt, I must say.” The monk is still rubbing his sore, red cheek from where the beautiful girl had belted him just moments before. He has a look of complete bliss across his handsome features.





“Feh Stupid monk, why do you insist on doing this wherever we go? Do you honestly think one of these wenches will actually take you seriously? Feh” InuYasha just grunts to Miroku. “You didn’t even get her name baka”



“Let’s go change and get out there. I think they need to see what the boys from Hokkaido can do on the floor now that they have seen their hometown girls have a go at it.” Miroku and InuYasha head to the bathrooms with their bag of clothes and their own skates in tow.





Review Response



ShouraiChan: So happy you have enjoyed the 1st chapter. It makes me all warm and fuzzy knowing that you seemed to enjoy it. You already know how much I love your stories. *-)

I am dedicating this 2nd chapter just for you since you were my 1st review... ever... Hope you continue to enjoy the story and please... give me the flames if something isn't good...

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