Supreme Conquest
By Danyealle
(MMF/FanFiction)
Chapter 12
Walking back to where the miko’s mother was waiting for them, neither daiyoukai was at all happy. In fact, Sesshomaru was growling softly, fists clenched.
Eyes narrowed, the younger inu spit out through tightly clenched teeth, “I believe we need to talk to Kagome when she gets home so a debacle such as that never occurs again.”
“I agree,” Togaou told him with a nod. “But I doubt any of those present, especially the whelp, knew what an insult that was.”
Putting a reign on his skyrocketing ire and pulling it back, the younger daiyoukai nodded. “True, they may well not since things are done so differently,” he concluded.
“But there is another problem that may be more pressing than that one. It appears that Hojo boy has designs on our Kagome. Since we can’t go about things here how we would at home we’re going to have to come up with another way to go about things and make our intent known in a way beings here will understand.”
“Agreed,” Sesshomaru said with a nod.
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By early afternoon, the two inus, the hanyou and the miko’s mother were once more sitting at the kitchen table after several hours of running errands and shopping for what was needed. By that point, the three visitors from the past heads were spinning from all they had seen and the places they had been. Yes, the little miko’s mother had done her best to explain everything they had seen and answered all the questions they asked but it was still all very overwhelming for them.
When they had returned to the shrine, they all sat down at the kitchen table to relax and calm down while Mrs. Higurashi washed their new clothes. They also discussed various other things they had questions about. From the two daiyoukais, many of those questions were about school and why she had to attend it.
The more she explained things, the greater they understanding both daiyoukais had of the situation and why she had to study the way she did as well as return home for tests.
“It must be hard for her to maintain things and keep up with as much as she’s been away since she was first pulled through the well,” Togaou observed quietly.
“It is,” her mother agreed with a nod of her head. “She’s struggling a bit to keep up with the rest of her class. None of the subjects she’s taking are easy and with her not being able to attend class all the time to get the help she needs is making it all that much harder to maintain her grades.”
“Isn’t there any way around the situation?” Sesshomaru asked.
“I’m trying to find something that will help,” she told him with a sigh. “Because this can’t go on the way it has. It isn’t just falling behind that’s an issue at this point. There’s also the problem of the amount of schools she misses. So far, they’ve accepted the excuses we’ve given for her absences but we can’t keep coming up with something and have them believing what we tell them without proof. Soon they’re going to start asking for doctor’s excuses and we won’t be able to provide them. When that happens she’s going to get unexcused absences and her grades are going to really suffer. In fact, if she gets enough of them there will be no way, no matter how good her grades are, she’ll be able to pass. She will end up failing all her classes.” She said with a sigh and a shake of her head.
“That’s not acceptable,” Togaou said with a shake of his head. “Normally I would insist on providing her what she needed myself but, from what I’ve seen of her school books, any tutor I would be able to find would be out of their depths. Some of the subjects she studies I’ve never even heard of and I consider myself to be reasonably intelligent. But I can ensure she had time to study each day. That’s the best I can do. But I agree, another solution has to be found for this. Fairly quickly to.”
Nodding, she agreed. “Yes, it does. During this next chunk of time where she’s gone, I’m going to see if I can’t come up with a better way to go about things. I have a couple ideas in mind that may work but I need to look into them before a firm decision is made.”
Nodding, Togaou said, “Understood. Whatever you come up with, we’ll work with on our end.” After a couple minutes of quiet, he then launched into the topic that both he and his eldest pup were most interested in. “This morning, when we walked her to school, we noticed that there seems to be a young man that seems to have taken a liking to her.”
“Really? Who is that?” She asked, a bit bewildered. Racking her brain, she tried to think of who that could be. As far as she knew there wasn’t any boy Kagome had an interest in or that was interested in her.
“I believe she said his name was Hojo,” Sesshomaru said smoothly. Though his tone was mild, his eyes hardened more than a little bit.
“Oh… him,” she said quietly then a bit of a worried look crossed her face.
“I take it you’re familiar with the young man?” Sesshomaru asked, eyebrow quirked. Nor did he miss the look on her face or like it.
Sighing, she nodded. “Yes, I’m familiar with him. They moved here a couple years ago. His mother runs a little holistic health store not far from here. I’m more familiar with her than I am him though. From what I’ve seen of her she’s a really sweet lady.”
Togaou too hadn’t missed the look either. But he was picking up on the fact that she was uncomfortable as well. “Is there something wrong?” He asked quietly.
Sighing, she looked down at the table and tried to figure out the best way to articulate what she wanted to say. In the end, she decided that she was going to be honest about the whole thing and give them everything she knew. “First, let me say all I really have is a gut feeling and rumors about Hojo, nothing more.”
“Understood,” Togaou said with a nod. From past experience, he knew gut feelings about a being were very rarely wrong and should be listened to.
“Well… Hojo, from what I’ve seen of him, is a very sweet, good looking and polite young man. He treats everyone well and seems concerned about those he likes. I also know, from listening to things Kagome’s friends have said about him, the girls at school adore him. In fact, they call him Hojo the hunk.” Then she trailed off.
“But that isn’t all, is it?” Togaou prompted, trying to get her to continue.
“Like I said, most of this has no proof to it, it’s just a feeling and some rumors I’ve heard.
“Since I first met him I’ve been wary of him. No, it wasn’t anything he did. In fact, he has always acted perfectly, like very mother’s dream. But there’s something about him that I just don’t like or trust. I don’t know why. The more contact I’ve had with him, the more that feeling seems to be re-enforced. I don’t like him; I’ll be honest about that.” Then she stopped and frowned a bit. After a couple minutes, she picked up again. “What I’m going to tell you now is just rumors. I haven’t looked into them personally but the sources I heard them from are reliable and I tend to believe them.
“First thing I heard was he and his family moved away from where they used to live because they had to. From what I was told Hojo got into a bit of trouble where he used to go to school for basically stalking some girl. They had gone out a few times but she didn’t want to see him any more after that. But he apparently didn’t want to take no for an answer and wouldn’t leave her alone. He kept calling her, showing up at her house, cornering her at school, stuff like that, trying to get her to change her mind. Eventually, he apparently really scared her because she was taken out of that school and transferred to another one and had an order of protection put on him.” Seeing a confused look on their faces at that tern, she stopped and briefly explained what it was. When they understood, she pressed on. “Even then, he really didn’t stop, he just changed the way he went about it is all. Her friends apparently adored him and helped him by getting a hold of her for him or tried tot talk her into going back to him. Because he didn’t violate any of the terms of the protective order, there wasn’t anything they could do to him. Nor do the police have the time or manpower to watch him all the time because of something he might do.
“Eventually, from what I was told, he did give up on her because he had begun to fixate on someone else. Apparently, at that point, his mother began to notice there was a problem because he moved the family away from there.” Looking at both inus, a bit of a worried look on her face, she asked, “What did you see today?”
Quickly, they told her about the brief encounter.
When they finished, she let out a sigh. “That in it’s self doesn’t mean anything but considering what I’ve heard about him, I don’t like what it could lead to. But time will only tell about that.” She concluded with a heavy sigh.
Brow furrowed, Sesshomaru thought over what she had just said. He didn’t like it, not at all. Nor did he want his future mate to be put in a situation with someone like that. But, from the sound of things, there really wasn’t much that could be done to change it. However, there might be something that they may well be able to do. Gazing at the onna, he asked, “Would it be acceptable to you if father and I made it clear to the boy that Kagome is with us? That way, if he keeps it up or attempts something foolish in the future, he would have to deal with us rather than Kagome.
“I’m well aware that she’s very capable of standing up for and defending herself, and should do so in this case, but father and I cut a far more imposing presence than she does. We may be able to make anything stop before it goes too far and becomes a disturbing situation.”
Listening to what his pup said Togaou nodded in agreement. “Yes, that may well work. It might defuse the situation before it progresses too far.”
Taking a sip of tea, Kagome’s mother thought about what was just offered. Though she wasn’t entirely pleased with the relationship between the two males and her daughter, in this area it might prove useful. Perhaps if Hojo realized she was already involved, then he wouldn’t get too fixated on her. “Aright, I agree.” She said with a nod. “Just don’t do anything physical to him. That would lead to problems in another area.”
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By the end of the day, Kagome had never been happier to hear the final bell. It had been easily defined as the day from her from her point of view. Yes, part of it had been the tests she had to take, they were murder. But the other part had to do with her friends. In fact, she was certain that they had been worse to deal with than the tests.
Normally, she liked the fact that she and her friends shared classes but today it had been a nightmare to death with. From the start of the first period, they had been bombarding her with questions and notes about Sesshomaru and Togaou. Knowing that they would just get more persistent if she ignored them or just tried to fob off their questions, she fed them bits and pieces of information all morning long to keep them at bay at least a little bit.
Then came lunch… All day long, she had been dreading it, knowing what was bound to happen. As she expected, Eri, Yuka and Ayumi grabbed her; frog-marched her to a quiet table in the corner then began to interrogate her in a way that would have done any self-respecting CIA agent proud. Knowing them the way she did she was well aware that it was less than useless to try to wiggle around so she gave up most of the information. Though she did some creative dancing around things related to the feudal era and didn’t mention anything relating to the fact that they were father and son, or even related in any way.
When she was done, she sat quietly and shoveled food into her mouth as fast as she could; knowing what was coming very quickly. She wasn’t wrong.
After several minutes of stunned silence where the three teenagers sat and stared at their friend in awed silence, mouths hanging open, eyes almost falling out of their heads, they started to pepper her with questions in such fast, rapid-fire succession that it felt as though they were fired from a machine gone. Between mouthfuls of food, she answered them the best she could, making the answers simple so that she didn’t say anything that might expose her duel life. She also did her best to not give away too much about either of the males.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they ran out of questions. While they took a drink and ate a bit, they stared at her, eyes wider than normal. Finally, it was Yuka that spoke. “Does you mom know about this Kagome?”
“Mom and gramps both know,” the little miko admitted. Though she wasn’t looking at her friends when she said it, she knew them well enough to know that they were each wearing an identical expression of shock.
“And they have no problem with this?” Ayumi asked quietly.
“Well, yeah, they have a bit of a problem with it.” She admitted, thinking that was probably the understatement of the century. “But mom laid down some pretty strict guidelines for the whole thing for Togaou and Sesshomaru. After a year’s time we’re going to see where everything stands then work from there.”
For the first time since the trip had become her friends, they were stunned into silence. Knowing the issue was going to be beaten to death with her over the next couple days anyways, Kagome stayed quiet and dint’ elaborate. When the next bell rang, signaling the end to lunch, she was relieved. The four girls then grabbed their books and headed off to their next class.
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By the time the last bell ran, Kagome was relieved. She was sure that she had never been happier to see a school day end in her life. Yes, the tests had been killer but the stress she was getting from her friends wanting to know every detail about her relationship with the two daiyoukais was enough to make her want to pull her hair out. No, she couldn’t fault them for their curiosity. If it was one of them she would probably be doing the same kind of thing. But, because she wasn’t entirely comfortable with the whole thing herself, she didn’t want to answer some of the questions they were asking. Nor did she want to say too much and give away something that might reveal some detail of her duel life. With all she had on her plate to deal with, this wasn’t something she needed at this point in time.
As usually, when they were walking out the front doors the trio pressed her to come to WacDonalds with them so they could hash everything out more thoroughly, an offer she instantly declined. She told them she was supposed to meet the two inus after school so she couldn’t. Yes, it was true, they were going to meet her, but she also didn’t want to delve into the whole thing any deeper with her friends. All she could really think about was going home, heaving a soda then taking a nice, hot bubble bath before she had a breakdown of some kind from the stress of the whole thing.
Though disappointed, her friends understood. In fact, they were grinning and giggling about the whole thing. Since they were all for romance of some kind in Kagome’s life, they actually gave her encouragement and suggestions about a few things they could do together.
Just as she was saying goodbye tot hem and was about to make her escape for the day, she was detained once more. This time it was Hojo that stopped her. Knowing both daiyoukai’s were bound to be around by now, this most certainly wasn’t something she needed and was sure to lead to nothing good. Giving him a bit of a nervous smile, clutching her books tightly to her chest, she said, “Hey Hojo!”
“Hey Kagome!” He told her enthusiastically, flashing her that winning smile that all the girls seemed to like so much. “I was wondering if you would like to go to the movies or something this weekend? I keep asking you but somehow it just never seems to work out, does it?”
Tensing up a bit, she looked at him then shook her head. “I can’t Hojo, I’m sorry. I’m kinda’ already seeing someone right now. But thanks for asking me.”
“You’re seeing someone? Really?” He asked, looking a bit crestfallen at the information.
“Yeah, I am. We just started seeing each other. I’m sorry,” She told him quietly. “But I’m sure that there are lots of other girls that would love to go out with you.” She said encouragingly, hoping to soften the blow of the rejection.
Laughing, he then smiled at her, eyes twinkling a bit. “Oh Kagome! You should know by now there is no other girl for me. This just means that I’m going to have to work all the harder to win you back is all.” As he walked down the steps with a bounce in his step, he waved back at her. “I’ll see you tomorrow Kagome!”
With a fake, frozen smile on her face, Kagome waved to him. “Sure Hojo, I’ll see you tomorrow.” She said with no real enthusiasm in her voice. Already there was a cold knot of dread sitting heavily in her stomach. Somehow, she was sure that what he just said had the possibility to be the harbinger of doom in some way and was guaranteed not to end well at all. But there was something more to it.
Sure, what he said was really flattering. It felt great to know that there were other beings out there that wanted her and thought her attractive in that way. Plus it was sure an ego stroke to know someone thought enough of her to want to try to compete with Sesshomaru and Togaou for her affections but there was something that was setting off serious warning flairs in her head and made cold chills dance down her spine as well. Something about the whole thing was not to her liking. She was also sure that no matter what happened with the two daiyoukais she was never going to go out with Hojo, ever.
Finally, she was pulled away from that creepy thought by her friends talking and giggling. Not wanting to make the two daiyoukais wait too long, she said her goodbyes to her friends then hurried down the stairs to go find them. Not sure where they would be waiting for her, she took the same route she had that morning.
When she got to the hedge that was at the school’s boundary, she found them waiting for her. Stopping, she stared at them, stunned. Unlike that morning, they were now dressed in modern clothes: jeans, t-shirts and boots, and looked great or hot as her friends would have put it. Because they both usually wore such large, billowy clothes, you really couldn’t tell about their bodies much. But like this, you could see they were both well built and muscular. As she had suspected, Togaou was built bigger whereas Sesshomaru was more willowy though still very muscular.
Grinning sheepishly and blushing a bit, she walked up them, books clutched tightly to her chest. “You both look great!” She said quietly.
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Neither daiyoukai missed the look on her face or her blush when she saw them, sending a surge of pride straight to both their egos. No, the clothes weren’t something that they were sued to or as comfortable in as what they normally wore in their opinion but if they inspired this kind of reaction in her then they were more than willing to wear them from time to time. Honestly though, before she had shown up, they had both noticed that they got appreciative looks from many of the onnas that passed by them.
Stepping forward just Sesshomaru slipped an arm possessively around her waist then leaned down and gave her a soft peck on the temple. “I’m glad you approve,” he said a bit smugly with a smirk.
Togaou waited until Sesshomaru was done then slipped over to her and did the same thing. Once he was done he took the books she was carrying then both he and Sesshomaru began to walk her towards where her mother was waiting for them in the car. “So how was your day Kagome?” He asked quietly as they walked.
Puffing out a bit of a weary breath, she admitted, “Long and very stressful.”
Looking down at her, Sesshomaru asked, “Nothing wrong I hope?”
“No,” she replied with a shake of her head. “Just the usual stress when it comes to tests and all that. Plus I had to explain to my friends who you tow were and what our relationship is.”
“Poor dear,” Togaou said with a chuckle. “When we get to your house we’ll sit down and you can tell us all about your day.”
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Standing across the street, in a darkened doorway, Hojo watched Kagome and her interaction with the two unfamiliar men. Unlike most times, his handsome face was marred by an uncharacteristic dark frown. No, he wasn’t liking what he was seeing at all. As far as he was concerned Kagome was already his, it was just going to take time to convince her of that is all. But he was sure that wasn’t going to be all that hard. When she admitted that, she should be with him he would treat her with the devotion and care she deserved.
But what he was seeing of her interaction with the two males, he thought that he was going to have to do something to get them out of the way. Yes, she had said she was seeing someone now but, from what he was seeing, it may well be that she was seeing both of them at the same time. Though that was weird to him, he could work with it. Both of them, from the look of it, were a bit older than they were. That might give him something to work with. Yes, he knew the girls his age liked older men but he was sure that he could convince his Kagome that she was better off with someone her age, specifically him.
After he watched them leave, he headed towards home, planning how he was going to go about making her realize she belonged with him.
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