He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not by Bunny-chan

Anticipated Return

-I do not own Inuyasha-

“Kagome, breakfast is ready!” she heard her mom call to her from downstairs.

“Coming!”

She quickly brushed the last few strands of her raven hair and examined herself in the mirror. I guess she looked like she did every day. She grabbed her book bag, shoving her homework notebook from her desk in it as she swung her bedroom door open. Kagome hummed as she made her way down stairs and entered the kitchen. She saw her mother dishing out some scrambled eggs, Souta buttering his toast, and Ji-chan reading a newspaper. She sat down happily, pouring some juice into the empty glass sitting in front of her. Her mother placed the full plate of hot food in front of her daughter, before sitting in her seat across from her.

“Itadakimasu!” Kagome said as she picked up her chop sticks and began eating.

Mrs. Higurashi sipped her coffee before remembering what she was going to tell her daughter.

“Kagome, I was just on the phone with your grandma. She and your cousin are returning from their ‘holy henro’ and will be living with us from now on. They will be here tonight.”

“Eh?” Kagome gaped as she gulped down her eggs. “Kaede-ba-chan and Kikyo? Why?”

Kagome’s grandpa folded his paper and put it aside, crossing his arms and closing his eyes.

“Well, it seems they do not want to return to their shrine because Kaede-san wants Kikyo to get a quality education. They were going to move into an apartment until they could find somewhere better here in Tokyo but your mother and I talked it over and decided to have them live with us. Not only that, they will be an excellent addition to this temple because they have completed their Junrei across all of Japan. Very soon I expect you do to the same, Kagome. After all, you will be taking over the shrine once I’m gone. I also expect you to take care of all my ancient treasures that has been passed down from generation to generation.”

Kagome rolled her eyes as her grandpa continued to go on and on about his artifacts. Her mother and Souta had started a conversation as Kagome tried to recall her grandma and cousin.

How long has it been since she last seen Kikyo and Kaede-ba-chan? Has it really been five years? They were in Elementary school, 6th grade at the time. Memories of their childhood spent together came flooding back to her. They’d play hide and go seek on the temple grounds, dress up, dolls, and the fondest memory of all was when they had first met Inuyasha. They were seven years old at the time but Kagome remembered it like it was yesterday.

***

“Kagome, let’s climb this tree!” Kikyo told her cousin as she ran towards what Kagome knew was a tree that was off limits.

She peered up at the Goshinboku Tree and gulped nervously.

“But Ji-chan said not to…”

Kikyo waved her off and grinned mischievously.

“Don’t be a scaredy-cat. We will be able to see the whole world from up there.” She told her as she struggled climbing the tree.

A slight moan came from Kagome before helping her cousin up the tree. Kagome watched nervously as Kikyo climbed higher and higher until she reached about halfway up the trunk. Kikyo reached out to grab another dent in the bark of the tree before her foot gave way. The bark cracked as Kikyo started to fall backwards, a small sound escaping from her.

“Kikyo!” Kagome cried in horror as she reached her arms out to stop her fall.

Suddenly, Kagome saw white before hitting the ground with added weight on top of her. She opened her eyes and found a boy with white long hair laid on top of her with Kikyo in his arms. She blinked a few times, pushing them off of her in embarrassment. They each pulled themselves from each other and recovered before both cousins gawked questionably at the peculiar boy. His white hair fell below his lower back and his golden eyes sparkling in the summer sun. The girls watched as he rubbed the back of his head with a scowl.

“Girls aren’t supposed to climb trees. What are you, stupid or something?” he grumbled, lifting himself off of the ground.

Kikyo frowned at the boy who brushed himself off.

“Um, who are you and where did you come from?” Kagome asked him, ignoring the glare she received from him.

“ Why should I tell you?” he spat.

“Because you’re at my house!” Kagome retorted, her voice squeaking at the end.

The boy folded his arms across his chest in defeat and eyed Kagome and Kikyo.

“Keh…I still won’t tell you.”

Just when Kagome was about to demand it from the boy, they heard a name being called by an unfamiliar woman.

“Inuyasha!”

The girls watched as the boy flinched in terror. He looked around and sighted a beautiful woman with the same colored hair and golden eyes. The girls both stared on in wonder, suspecting her to be his mother.

“Inuyasha?! You better get your butt over here or else!” the woman called again.

“Where can I hide in this place?” he asked urgently, looking around frantically.

“Why should we tell you?” Kagome spat, sounding exactly as he did.

“Please?” he begged, fidgeting as he hid behind the tree trunk.

Kikyo and Kagome both looked at each other with grins on their faces.

“Over here.” Kikyo instructed as she grabbed hold of the boy’s wrist and tore off into the direction of the well house. Kagome followed close behind and closed the well house door before the woman could see them enter. The three had barely noticed the older boy who appeared to be around 10 years old with the same features following the woman. His facial expression was uncharacteristically blank for a child which made Kagome wonder just what was wrong with him. His long white hair swayed in the wind and golden eyes too sparkled in the sunlight, giving him an other-worldly appearance. The three of them sighed as they passed them and went further away on the temple grounds.

“Phew…” they let out in unison.

Both girls stared on at the boy and waited for an explanation. He pouted his lips and closed his eyes with a huff.

“That was my step mom and my half brother…they both are really mean.”

“So your name is Inuyasha? I’m Kikyo and this is my cousin Kagome. It’s nice to meet you. Do you wanna play with us?” Kikyo piped up.

Inuyasha lifted a brow, a stand-offish demeanor settling in.

“I don’t play with girls.”

“We just saved you! Now you have to play with us!” Kikyo demanded playfully.

Inuyasha sighed in defeat, his pride hurt.

“Fine…”

“Yay! Come on then! Let’s play tag!” she exclaimed while opening the doors of the well house.

Kagome watched as the boy followed her cousin into the light, fading from view.

***

“Kagome, aren’t you going to be late dear?” her mother asked while washing the dishes.

The raven haired girl snapped out of her trip down memory lane and frantically looked at the clock. She quickly carried her plate to the sink, downed her orange juice, and raced towards the door. Kagome started a steady pace down the steps to the street below, cursing her luck of living at a shrine. She rounded the corner and skidded to a halt as she noticed a familiar figures leaning against the wall with his arms folded over his chest.

“I’m sorry I’m late, Inuyasha!” she apologized, clasping her hands together.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes and shook his head, obviously irritated.

“Feh, when are you not late? It’s the same every damn day…”

The two began to walk down the street towards their school, Kagome giving Inuyasha a dirty look.

“You don’t have to wait for me if it bothers you that much, you know.”

“Whatever. Just don’t come crying to me when that old geezer Hosenki-sensei gives you detention for being late all the time.”

Kagome pushed down the urge to knock him upside the head and simply waved him off. He was an ass, rude, foul mouthed, rash, and hot headed yet she couldn’t help but love him. Ever since the first day she met him, he had captured her heart one bit at a time throughout the years. She knew he cared for her in his own way and reminded herself every day that he was with her for a reason. They had barely started going steady for 3 weeks now. Confessing her feelings for him was the hardest thing she had ever done in her life and the baka didn’t realize what she had said at first. He was clueless or at least he acted clueless because he was the type to easily become embarrassed. She had to delve deeper to make him understand that she loved him and wanted to be his girlfriend. After about a couple of tries, he finally understood and had to think about it for a couple of heart wrenching days. But it all worked out because he had finally told her that he wanted to go out with her, and they were now almost a month into their relationship. They hadn’t done much as a couple. Inuyasha would wait for her every day to walk with her to and from school, and they pretty much did the same things they always did when they were just friends. Kagome tried to remain calm and collected when they went out on their first date to the amusement park, yet he seemed to be nonchalant about it. They hadn’t done anything that normal couples would do besides the hug they had when she heard him say he wanted to be her boyfriend. That was just a reflex on her part. Other than that, she felt they were just the same as they normally were. But she wasn’t that bothered by it because she was his girlfriend. None of it mattered as long as she was able to stay by his side and love him.

“Kagome-chan!” she heard her best friend call from behind as they neared the school.

She turned around and smiled brightly at Sango who now jogged her way over to her.

“Good morning, Sango-chan!”

“Good morning, Kagome-chan, Inuyasha. Did you guys do the homework Hosenki-sensei assigned?”

Kagome nodded happily as Inuyasha grunted.

“Tch. That old geezer doesn’t even notice if you’ve done it or not. I never do the homework and I still get an A.”

The two girls shook their heads knowingly. Kagome eyed Inuyasha indifferently.

“That’s because he’s scared of you.”

“Or more likely scared of your family’s status.” Sango added.

Inuyasha snorted, throwing his book bag over his shoulder lazily.

“Keh.” He grumbled as he spotted his best friend waiting for them in front of the gated entrance.

“Inuyasha!” he exclaimed cheerfully, waving his hand in the air with enthusiasm.

“Oi Miroku, do you think Hisenki-sensei is scared of me?”

He appeared thoughtful before answering, “Of course. How else are you able to pass the class without doing any homework?”

“Why do I find myself wanting to beat your face in every single day but can’t?”

“That’s easy, because I’m your best friend.” He cooed as he set his sights on Sango and Kagome.

“Good morning Kagome-sama.” He told her with a smile before giving Sango all of his attention. “And good morning my dear Sango. You are looking as beautiful as ever.”

Sango closed her eyes in irritation and continued walking along side Kagome, ignoring his every day routine. Kagome couldn’t stop the grin that always came whenever Miroku tried to hit on her friend.

“Sango my love, this cold demeanor does not suit you. Why don’t you just give in and be my girlfriend?”

She sighed as she turned to face him, her pony tail swishing behind her head.

“I’ve already told you that I do not want to date a lecherous playboy who is only looking for a girlfriend for one thing.”

Miroku frowned, trying his best to look sweet and innocent. Kagome and Inuyasha both rolled their eyes at his sad attempt, the group entering the school building.

“What makes you think that, my love? You know that you are the only one for me.”

“Right, that’ll be the day.” She muttered under her breath.

Kagome slid their class room door open and entered along with her friends.

“Minna!”

They saw Ayame had already taken her seat, waving with a big smile on her face. Kagome waved back happily and walked towards her with Sango. The two girls sat down in their desks—Kagome in front of Ayame and Sango to the read head’s right. Inuyasha and Miroku sat a few desks away but still within hearing distance.

“Good morning, Ayame-chan.” Kagome told her, wondering why she was in such a good mood this morning.

“Good morning.”

The twinkle in the red head’s eye did not go unnoticed as she dreamily spaced out.

Sango lifted a brow questionably before stating, “Well, you’re in a good mood today.”

Ayame nodded and clasped her hands together, a slight blush touching her cheeks.

“Kouga comes back to school today.” She announced dreamily, sighing.

Inuyasha flinched at the name and grunted as the others understood why she was so happy.

“The men’s cross country team won the championship didn’t they?” Miroku questioned as Ayame’s eyes lit up.

“Mmhmm, and Kouga was the star runner. I wish I could have seen him.” Ayame rested her chin in the palm of her hand, still in her dreamy state. “I can’t wait to see him.”

“Keh, that only makes one of us. I wish that panzy would stay gone.” Inuyasha grumbled, clearly agitated.

“Who are you calling a panzy, runt?”

The group of friends turned towards the too familiar voice of Kouga, Ginta and Hakkaku at each side. He held his balled fist up close to his face and scowled at Inuyasha who shrugged indifferently.

“The only panzy I’ve ever seen in this whole school.”

“Wanna say that again?!” Kouga challenged, both men heating up.

Kagome sighed and waved her hands about, “Will you guys please stop fighting?”

Kouga in an instant forgot all about Inuyasha and held one of Kagome’s hands into both of his. His blue eyes softened, as his grip on her tightened.

“Kagome, how I’ve missed you while I was away. I hope you weren’t too lonely.”

The raven haired girl squirmed under his advances and Ayame’s scrutiny, trying to break free from his grip. She chuckled lightly, brushing it off like he was joking as always.

“Actually, I was perfectly fine, Kouga-kun.”

“Would ya get your hands off of her?” Inuyasha growled as he put himself in between them.

Kagome smirked at Inuyasha’s back thankful. Whenever Inuyasha got possessive over her, she felt happy but worried that one day the two would actually go through with the other’s threats.

“Kagome, when are you going to dump his ass? He’s a pitiful excuse for a man. If I was your boyfriend, I would act like one.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Inuyasha retorted.

“Nothing’s changed between you two besides your relationship status. You guys don’t even hold hands. I bet you haven’t even kissed either.”

The couple blushed a deep red as the others chuckled lightly. Inuyasha fists shook in anger, still embarrassed from his comment. “Why don’t you just mind your own business?!”

Kouga rolled his eyes and put his hands on his hips pridefully. “The day you get tired of this mutt, Kagome, let me know? I’ll show you what a real couple is supposed to be like.”

Kagome cowered in embarrassment and sighed as the two continued their ranting. From the corner of her eye, she saw Ayame staring out the window—her good mood obviously turning sour. Kagome felt really bad for her friend and sort of guilty that Kouga didn’t want her. But to her surprise, it never affected their friendship. She was glad to have such a good friend like Ayame.

The door slid open as Hosenki-sensei came in the room. All the students swarmed around to their seats and waited for the cue to bow and sit. The funny looking old teacher cleared his throat and plopped his books down on his desk.

“Good morning class, first I shall take roll and then we will start off where we were yesterday.”

***

“See you guys tomorrow.” Sango told them, waving.

Both Inuyasha and Kagome nodded, watching Miroku and Sango leave in the opposite direction. Kagome giggled when she heard a slap noise from behind them. Miroku the lecher was at it again. When were those two just going to admit that they loved each other?

Kagome and Inuyasha walked in comfortable silence. It was always like this--every day after school, they’d walk home together. Kagome recalled the comments Kouga had made earlier that day and sighed inwardly. What he said was true. She hoped that maybe they’d go on to the next step; at least hold hands or something. Was Inuyasha too embarrassed to or was it because he didn’t feel the same as she did?

“Kagome…?”

She popped out of her trance and met his uncharacteristic serious gaze. His golden eyes softened a fraction and instantly met the sidewalk.

“Do you wanna go somewhere with me right now?”

Kagome couldn’t hide her surprise as she watched a small blush come across his cheeks. She smiled lightly and nodded appreciatively.

“Where would you like to go?” she asked him, her excitement not contained.

His demeanor calmed, shrugging like he always did.

“I don’t know. How about we go see a movie? I wanted to see that new samurai movie.”

Kagome beamed at him in recognition, “Oh yeah, you mean the one that’s about the samurai travelling with a miko?”

He nodded and cocked his head to the side when he saw the thoughtful expression Kagome now wore.

“Actually Inuyasha, I forgot to tell you. Kikyo and Oba-chan are going to be at my house tonight.”

She didn’t know what it was but something lit up in Inuyasha--flame she had never seen before burned in his golden eyes.

“Kikyo and your grandma are back from their Junrei?”

She nodded and replied, “I guess they’re going to start living with us from now on. Did you want to come over and greet them with me? Kikyo will be happy to see you after all these years.”

Inuyasha frowned, shaking his head solemnly.

“Naw, that’s okay. I actually forgot I have something to do tonight too.”

“Oh…okay.”

They rounded the corner and stopped at the foot of the temple stairs. Inuyasha gave a nod and turned on his heel towards the direction they came from. He waved, not turning to look back at Kagome who now stare on questionably at him.

“I gotta go. See ya tomorrow.”

Kagome shrugged after he disappeared and proceeded up the steps. His behavior just now was a little weird but she quickly forgot about it and brushed it off. Her mind went elsewhere and reflected on how excited she was to see her Oba-chan and cousin again. She missed them terribly when they first left and looked forward to the day when she’d see them again. She only hoped that they’d pick up from where they left their close friendship and that Kikyo still thought of her as her best friend.

~Long chapter is suiting for the new fic, is it not? So no Sesshy in this chapter -_-;   I know but don’t worry, you’ll see him in the next chapter or so. Kag’s world is about to get complicated and Sesshy will no doubt become a part of it. ^^ A 'Junrei' is a pilgrimage just in case you didn't know. Many monks and mikos have done so to enlighten themselves and train. Hope you like it and please tell me what you think? Also if you haven’t already, you can check out the fanart I put out for this fic on my profile. Review and thanks for reading! –Bunny-chan~