The Better Man

Chapter Seven


Kagome pulled into the parking lot, today she was early. She grabbed her book out the car and headed over to the building. Her headache was finally leaving, so the pounding in her head was only a dull ache now. Keiko was standing around talking to Kuwabara as she walked up. "Hey guys."

"Kagome, hows it going?"

"Hi, ready for class?" Keiko smiled at her.

"No, I got a terrible headache this morning. It won't go away." She placed her book on the ground.

"Really, I can help you with that." Kuwabara offered.

"Um okay, what?" She laughed, hoping it wasn't something disgusting.

"A good ole temple massage, here I'll do it." He stood behind her and placed his fingers on her head. "Tell me how this feels."

Kagome tried to relax as he began to massage, she had to admit it felt good. The tension in her head began to recede, "That actually feels good, don't stop."

"That didn't sound right." Keiko laughed at Kagome's blush.

"You're worse than Yurameshi." He stopped and pulled away from her. "Well, I hope that helped."

"It did thanks."

"Alright, I'll see you later you two." He picked up his books so he could head home.

Kagome watched him leave, feeling much better. Her eyes landed on his back as he walked. "Might not be much to look at but he's got a nice ass."

"You noticed that too? Don't tell Yusuke I said that, he'd freak."

"No problem, has skilled hands too. My headache is finally gone." She picked up her book, turning back to Keiko.

"Oh before I forget, Yusuke told me that someone has taken a liking to you."

"If you are refering to the red head, spare me. Not my type." Sure the red head was very cute, too cute. Someone like that had to be use to girls fawning all over him. The last thing she needed was too compete for someone else. She'd already had enough of that to last her a lifetime. Looks weren't everything, if she ever found someone else she'd just want someone to love her.

It would be nice not to be compared to someone else. To be accepted for herself, not because she was someone's reincarnation. Even if Inuyasha had loved her, in the end he had left her. She'd lost to someone that wasn't even alive. He had once commented that it was Kikyo's soul that he loved. But hadn't it been a small part of Kagome's soul that gave her life. She'd lost him to a piece of her own soul that had been inhabiting a fake body, all because she looked like the dead woman. Now her soul was complete, the soul that Inuyasha had said he loved was back inside where it belonged. So what had he gone to hell with?

"What is your type?"

"Hmm, I don't know to be honest but he isn't." Not too mention he was a youkai.

"He wanted me to make sure you got invited to the cook out this weekend. I was going to invite you anyways. If you decide to come just be on the look out."

"Thanks for the warning. Who's all going to be there?" The teacher came up smiling at both girls while she unlocked the door.

"Yusuke, Kuwabara and a few others. Should be fun, you should come."

"I'll think about it."


Kagome pushed the cart down the isle trailing behind her mother. She hated shopping with her mom, it was boring. For the little bit of stuff they picked up it took forever. They had to go down every aisle, it was tedious. She began humming softly, anything to occupy herself.

Laughter caused her ears to perk up, she knew that laugh. "I'll be back Mom." She made sure she was heard before taking off. Making her way back down the bread isle, she took a left. Her target was spotted standing next to a display of tuna cans. He had his back turned to her talking to a tall woman. She snuck up quietly, tip toeing across the floor.

The other girl saw her, Kagome raised her finger to her lips. She got up right behind him and grabbed his side. "Gotcha." He jumped and stumbled into the display. The other girl broke out in laughter as the cans fell to the floor and began rolling.

"What's the matter bro?"

"Dammit, you scared the hell out of me." Kuwabara had been expecting Keiko or Yurameshi, his eyes fell on Kagome.

"Sorry, too good an opportunity to pass up."

"Don't apologize, I thought it was funny." Shizuru looked at the girl, she'd never seen her before. How did she know Kuzuma? "I take it you are a friend of his."

"Oh kind of, Kagome." She extended her hand and the other girl took it.

"Shizuru, his older sister; thats not going to help him clean that mess up."

"Yeah yeah, I'll do it." He started picking up the cans he'd knocked over. Why hadn't he sensed her coming up behind him? He was usually aware of everything around him.

"Well, I'm going to finish shopping. Nice to meet you Kagome."

"You too Shizuru." Kagome started helping him pick up the cans. She blushed when they both reached for the same can. "Oops, there its all yours." He waited for her to remove her fingers. He didn't say anything as they cleaned the mess up.

"Thanks." He placed the last can back, "Looks better this way."

"I think you're right." She smiled at him, "So are you going to the cookout tomorrow?"

"Yep, Yukina is going to be there."

"Ah, so is that your girlfriend?" She saw the look of adoration on his face.

"Yes, you'll like her. You are coming aren't you?"

"I would but my mom is borrowing my car tomorrow so I have no way."

"That's okay, I can come get you. Can you be ready by ten?" He offered, he wanted her to come.

"Okay, sounds great. I'll see you then." She spotted her mom waving to her. "Gotta go, see you tomorrow."

Shizuru watched the girl take off down an isle then rammed the cart into his ankles. He howled in pain, "Got a date bro?"

"That hurt. No, she's just a friend and I'm giving her a ride."

"If you say so." She noticed how his eyes followed the girl into he could no longer see her.


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