DISCLAIMER: Sadly, I don not own Inuyasha. I just like playing with them.

Relinquished Destiny

Ch. 15

By: Lara Winner

The cafeteria was a virtual maelstrom of motion and noise and Kagome didn’t bother with polite overtures while maneuvering her way through the unruly mass of hungry teenagers. The entire scene reminded her, strangely enough, of a documentary on sharks that she had watched not long ago. The creatures were reasonably calm until they encountered the scent of blood, then it was a mad frenzy of feeding. Which was not at all unlike the reaction of her fellow classmates when the lunch bell sounded. In fact it was eerily similar and Kagome shook her head sadly.

"And the food here isn’t even good." she mumbled under her breath as she was nearly trampled for the third time since attempting to reach her friends at their tale.

Through the corner of Kagome eye she caught the telltale flip of dark sable hair to her left before she could stop herself she spotted them, Inasho and Yuka. She tested the names again in her mind. Inasho and Yuka… It was wrong. The sound of their names, the sight of Yuka trying to be coy, Inasho giving her that cute grin, and the way they were almost touchy-feely with each other was just plain wrong. There was no other way for Kagome to describe the miserable pit that suddenly opened in her stomach.

She eyed the pair discretely as possible until someone bumped into her causing her to push into someone else and nearly suffer a trampling for the fourth time. She pushed the queasy feeling to the back of her mind refusing to let something so trivial, something that she should be completely used to after the past week, crush her confidence and diminish her good mood. It was harder than it seemed but by the time Kagome made it to her seat a semblance of her smile had returned.

"Now that Kagome’s here I can tell you guys the newest thing that’s going around in gym class." Jori bubbled happily, "I have class with Tomiichi and he told me that Ijrou said that Gennosuke and his older sister Eiko are throwing this huge party for the end of school."

Ayumi looked up from her lunch unimpressed. "They always have parties when their parents are away."

Jori nodded enthusiastically. "Isn’t it great. I bet Gennosuke’s dad is going to Hong Kong again, or maybe even Singapore. He told me his mom is in Italy right now with some kind of medical residency and she’s not coming back till mid July."

"How do you get all this information?" Eri asked with a laugh.

"It’s called socializing. I talk to people and if I talk long enough they tell me what I want to know."

"And you’ve been keeping this bottle up all last period. It must have been killing you." Eri sighed.

"I’ve been dying to tell somebody. Seriously, this could be the event of the year." Jori chirped as she twirled a lock of hair around her finger.

Kagome listened to the exchange with a half-hearted smile and felt compelled to participate by pointing out, "That is if we’re invited."

"Well duh!" Jori winked, "What do you think I’m working on? If Tomiichi is telling me the truth and Ijrou isn’t still mad at me because of what I told Tsuri about him then I may be able to get us invites."

Once again Ayumi spoke softly, "I don’t know if this is a good idea. Everybody knows they have alcohol and stuff at those parties. I don’t know about you guys but I don’t think it’s going to be much fun watching Naokazu and his gang get all messed up."

"Ayumi relax, if I can hook this up we’ll have a blast. Just think, we’ll actually be going to one Eiko’s parties. This is our chance to mingle with the high school crowd. Besides, wouldn’t you love to see their house? I heard from Chiyoko that they have a rug in the dining room that cost over five grand. Then again, they live in the same subdivision as Yuka and that’s mega money, ya know."

"Well I guess I should confess." Aki spoke up with a secretive smile. "I know about the party because Gennosuke invited me yesterday after the game."

Kagome was hardly surprised and having seen the two interact it was only a matter of time before Gennosuke was bound to get over his shyness and ask Aki out. It was still comical to see Jori’s eyes go wise as saucers as she squealed, "And when were you going to tell us?"

Aki shrugged. "I just did."

"Well?"

"Well what?"

Jori nearly sputtered, "Well how did he ask you? Was he all romantic and sweet about it? Did he stutter? I bet he stuttered. He gets so flustered sometimes when he has to read out loud in class and then he blushes and it’s so cute. Oh you two will make the most adorable couple…"

Jori’s endless chatter faded into the background of Kagome’s thoughts as her eyes once again wandered a few tables over. Yuka was truly in her element, she decided, as the brunette smiled impishly at Inasho. They were sitting close together, so close it almost looked like Yuka was going to sit in his lap if she leaned any closer. Her eyes were sparking, wide and expectant, as she seemed to hang on every word he said. Something about them looked natural and at ease and the void inside Kagome grew deeper.

Why did this have to be so confusing?

Kagome knew she must have asked this question a thousand times and that each time the answer remained elusive. It was only her feelings for Inuyasha that sparked this attraction between Inasho and herself. Maybe if she concentrated on that and tried to remember the past she could transfer her feelings back? Not that she felt anything less for her lost hanyou but the longer she stayed here in her own era the more the Sengoku Jidai seemed like dream.

It was strange that she should have such an affinity towards this boy that she barely knew and yet when she looked in his violet eyes she felt as if she knew him a hundred times over. It was like the first time she had seen Inuyasha. It was a funny little flutter in her chest, like something was stirring or perhaps awakening. There he was asleep and pinned to the goshinbu tree, not a word had been spoken, she had not even looked him in the eye and yet the familiar feelings that stirred to life left her mildly disoriented.

Now that was a huge understatement.

Perhaps she was not entirely over Inuyasha as she has originally thought, she mused as her vision started to blur. Gods how she missed all of them for that matter. If she concentrated she could almost hear Sango fussing at Miroku, feel Shippo curled up in her arms, and smell the wonderful aroma of Kaede’s cooking. It was the simple things that she had taken for granted as regular occurrences that she now missed dearly.

Blinking back the tears that wanted to spill, Kagome forced her gaze back down to her lunch, the little appetite she had now gone. Her stomach turned and she picked at her food listlessly. Amidst the melancholy a tiny flame of irritation sparked to life in her soul. She was tired of feeling broken. She was sick of being turned inside out by her own emotions. It moments like this she wished she could forget everything.

A gentle prodding in her ribs brought her head up and Eri smiled. "Are you okay? You look a little down."

Kagome tried to return Eri’s smile but she knew the attempt was pathetic at best. "I guess."

"You were watching them again." Eri whispered.

Startled, Kagome wasn’t sure how to respond. No one knew about her feelings for Inasho… unless Yuka had told Eri the details of their disagreement. Stricken, she stammered, "I’m fine Eri."

"You like him a lot don’t you?"

Kagome’s doomed feeling grew even stronger. "Is it that obvious?"

"To the others? No. To me? Yes."

Eri’s reply was spoken quiet but none-the-less Kagome felt the blood drain from her face. If Eri could put two and two together then it was only a matter if time before the rest of their friends caught on also. The last thing Kagome wanted was to make a spectacle out of the situation and to offer her a small relief Eri seemed to understand this.

"I’m not going to say anything Kagome," she vowed, concerned, "but if I were you I wouldn’t worry. Look at Yuka. Have you ever seen her trying so hard? It should be a dead give away. If he’s smart he’ll catch on to her and if he’s not then he’ll learn the hard way. And remember, if he likes you too then there is nothing she can do to change that."

"That’s the problem. I’m not sure how he feels." Kagome whispered back miserably.

Giving her shoulder a sympathetic squeeze, Eri chuckled. "Then you have to find out."

On that foreboding note Eri let the subject drop but Kagome’s stomach was still fluttering nervously long after lunch was over and everyone had returned to class. In between scribbling notes and reading textbook paragraphs Eri’s words continued to dance around in her mind echoing over and over in a chant that reminded her of a death knell.

Eri made it sound so simple but like a snake hidden deep within a rose bush, it was a disaster waiting to happen. Sure, she could find out if Inasho’s true feelings by asking how he felt and then she could die from utter humiliation when he gave her one of his strange looks and walked away. Or even worse, he could find the question humorous and laugh directly in her face. And even better yet, he could point out all the ways that she did not compare to Yuka and add salt to the still bleeding wounds that mangled her heart.

With possible outcomes like that Kagome found herself less than eager to know Inasho’s answer. Yet no matter how she tried to concentrate one thought kept returning with hopeful persistence.

If he isn’t interested then why did we almost kiss?

*****

Numbers were swimming in a blurry haze, playing happily in a sea of white. Equations danced to a mocking tune as their logic remained just beyond the threshold of understanding. Various symbols lifted up from the paper sea and began marching to a nonexistent drumbeat, slowly conquering the sheet of loose-leaf as the smaller numerals tried to flee in terror…

"Kagome! Telephone!"

Gray eyes shot open unfocused with confusion. Blinking, Kagome slowly lifted her head from the pillow of her arms and yawned. Unfinished math homework was tucked beneath her folded limbs and the corner of her textbook was poking her ribs uncomfortably. With groggy movements she rubbed her eyes and sat up wincing at the stiffness of her muscles.

"Kagome! Get the phone!"

Realizing that Souta’s shouting was what had woken her up, Kagome groaned softly as she pulled herself up from her seat and stumbled across the bedroom to her phone. Stifling another yawn, she answered sleepily. "Hello?"

"Hey Kagome. What ya up to?" Inasho greeted, insanely cheerful.

This is the second time he’s called and woken me up, was the first inane thought to cross Kagome’s mind and right on the heels of that came, Oh gods he actually called. A rush of adrenaline sent her stomach into a series of giddy flip-flops and any remains of sleep disappeared the second she heard his voice. She twisted the phone cord around her fingers nervously, practically stuttering. "Uh... nothing really, just some homework."

"Ahh dreaded homework. I just finished the last of mine. I think my brain is going to combust if I try to cram anymore information in there tonight." Inasho laughed. "Oh yeah, I wanted to ask you, by some miracle of a chance are you in one of the advanced science classes?"

It was Kagome’s turn to laugh, "Me? In advanced science? I can barely keep up with standard science."

"Damn." He sighed. "I was hoping you could help me."

A sympathetic smile crossed her lips. "Sorry. Ayumi is in advanced classes. I can give you her number if you want?"

"Nah, don’t worry about it. I just wanted to double check some answers I came up with, that’s all."

"Oh."

Kagome tried to curb her disappointment as the conversation fell silent. As she had suspected he was only calling about schoolwork. Not that she had a reason to get her hopes up in the first place. She hadn’t really expected him to call at all. She refused to think about it as had done her homework and then she had fallen asleep at her desk…

She glanced sharply at the clock. To her surprise it was not even time for dinner yet. Fighting off a sigh she tried to think of something to strike up the conversation again, only to have Inasho beat her to the punch.

"So-"

"Well-"

They both spoke at the same time Kagome couldn’t help but smile when Inasho laughed. The tenor of his voice was smooth and deep and his laughter was an infectious sound. It made Kagome realize that she’d never heard Inuyasha’s laughter. Feeling more than a little guilty but curious just the same, she wondered if it would’ve sounded as carefree as Inasho’s laughter. Their voices were very similar but sometimes she could detect a difference, or perhaps it was the emotions that Inasho had no problems showing filtering through in his voice.

Kagome’s smile faded as thoughts of the hanyou filled her mind and before they brought up the unresolved sadness they harbored, she said softly, "You go first."

"Um..well," he paused and she could almost hear the embarrassed smile in his voice, "the reason I called was to see if you felt like coming over to my house. See, I got this really cool idea for our history presentation and I wanted to show you, ya know, see what you think. I was thinking now might be a good time so we can get a head start on it. Plus I’m bored out of my mind and I could use the company. So what do ya say?"

The nervous tension that had been steadily building inside Kagome suddenly exploded. Her mind was racing just as fast as her heart with Inasho’s unexpected offer rushing around inside her head. Okay, so it was still about schoolwork but he had also invited her to his house. This put a slightly different light on the situation. After all, he could just tell her his idea over the phone and get her opinion. But instead he was asking her to come over. Did she dare? If she didn’t it wouldn’t be polite since had come to her home when requested. She had to calm down. Oh now she was blushing, she could feel it heating up her entire face. Mentally she chanted, ‘get a grip’ over and over.

Not realizing that she had taken precious moments to sort out each thought coherently, Inasho answered for her. "Hey if you can’t it’s no big deal. I’ll just show you tomorrow-"

"No!" she cried and blushed even more deeply at the unusual high pitch to her voice. "I mean yes. Yes, I’ll come. Uh.. where... where do you live?"

As Inasho gave the directions Kagome wrote them down with one hand while cradling the phone between her head and shoulder and cooling her cheeks with her other hand. In a daze she hung up the phone not sure what to think, what to expect, or what to feel. Should she be excited or would she only end up building herself up for a fall if she read too much into this? And why did he ask her to come over? He said it himself, he could show her his idea tomorrow. Did he really enjoy her company enough to want to be around her away from school? He said he wanted her company and also said he was bored. Not exactly a declaration of love but it was an improvement. Then again maybe she was a last resort? Was she the last person he called after everyone else was busy? Had he called Yuka first?

Caught up in the whirlwind of innumerable questions that bounced back and forth like a tennis ball in middle of a match, it didn’t even occur to Kagome to change out of her school clothes. Instead she stuffed the directions into her backpack, told her mother she was going to study and left the house without paying attention to her actions.

The closer Kagome came to her destination the harder her nervousness became to control. Seeing Inasho in school was one thing but to go to his house and meet him on his own turf was quite another. What if she said something completely stupid? It would be just her luck to make a fool out of herself when they were finally getting somewhere, if you could call this "getting somewhere".

This is about school and nothing more. But if so then why not wait to they were in school tomorrow morning? He’s bored. Then obviously he likes being around you. He didn’t say that. He didn’t have to…

By the time Kagome reached the modest house bearing the same address as written in the directions she was at a near panic. Her heart was pounding and the butterflies in her stomach had turned into a flock of birds sometime during the last block. Her face was burning, her hands were ice cold, she told herself that this reaction was ridiculous, she swallowed hard and still felt as if there was a rock lodged in her throat, and on top of everything her history text book was still sitting on her desk at home.

Biting the inside of her lip hard enough to draw blood, Kagome pressed the doorbell. What she expected was Inasho to answer the door. She expected to choke out a greeting while trying not to blush. She expected to follow him to the living room or maybe his bedroom.

But that was not what happened.

As fate would have it, Inasho was not the person to greet her. Instead a young woman, no more than eighteen, opened the door with her face set in a polite smile. Kind blue eyes sparkled from beneath perfectly styled bangs and long midnight hair fell over her shoulders. She was taller than Kagome by a few inches and she was wearing an outfit that looked as if it could be a work uniform.

Yet none of this registered prominently in Kagome’s mind. Instead she felt lightheaded as one word, a name really, burned across her brain along with a multitude of emotions that flooded her heart threatening to drown her.

Kikyo.

Tbc…  

A.N.- I bet you were thinking you’d never get to see this chapter posted huh? Well here it is. I’m not quite satisfied with it but there’s nothing new with that. From this point on character transition becomes a key factor in each chapter (for good or bad you’ll have to read to find out) and for me as a writer I find this rather tricky sometimes. I also have this story outlined but as I continue ideas are forming that is hopefully shaping up the story and giving it more of a polish as it comes long. This however takes time because if the idea fits but is not a part if the outline then to fit it in I may have to rearrange some things and it gets very tiresome. But as fellow authors you know all of this so I’ll quit blabbering.

So how’s that for a cliffhanger? How many of you guessed it was Kikyo? I tried to give as many hints as I could without spelling it out beforehand. Don’t worry, everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, will be explained by the end of the story. So for those of you confused by the dreams and the whole reincarnation thing, it will make sense eventually. Hint: if you reread the chapter about reincarnation then you just might figure out what is going on here.

I am sorry for such a long delay. Emotional trauma is hard to deal with, especially when it’s not you going through it but someone very close to you. But now that the rocky time has passed, somewhat, I shouldn’t have my time so divided. I’m already working on ch.16 so it should be out shortly. *Hugs* Thanks for taking the time to read! Luv ya guys!!