Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The year: 1950

The sign on the outskirts reads:
Welcome to Our Little Town!

The town sits in a basin on the flatlands. It measures roughly one mile square. It's a modern little town with two medical clinics, one hospital, one nursing home, one elementary school and one secondary school, a roller rink, several mechanic shops, gas stations, grocery stores, drugstores, and soda shops.

Most of its population knows each other. It has been touched by the two world wars and many of its men have given their last full measure. Grief is fading as time from the last world war passes. Life rolls on.

It is the home of Toga Takahashi. Born and wed there, Toga and his best friend Jinenji run an orthopedic clinic. They operate in the local hospital and are active members of the medical community there.
Both Toga's parents and Jinenji's mom call the town home.

Toga is married to Izayoi, the high school English teacher who is enamored by William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens. They have two boys; Sesshomaru 14, and Inuyasha 6.

Our story starts on the first day of school for the 1950-51 school year. Coincidentally it is Toga's 45th birthday.

Let us drop in at 251 Sacred Tree Lane. It's a neat white house with a white picket fence and a small front yard. A sidewalk leads to the front porch, where a porch swing is surrounded by baskets of plants. There is a driveway to the left side of the house that leads to the garage in the back. A big yard awaits the occupants complete with swing set and a picnic table which will be filled to the maximum later this evening for our birthday celebrant.

The screen door opens and the camera pans into a large living room . It is comfortable and stylish. A small library lines the innermost wall. Through a short hallway one finds the stairs to the upper floor to the left, and further down the hall, a kitchen opens to the left and a formal dining room to the right. A China cabinet displays a beautiful set of dinnerware and its accompanying glassware, but the family prefers taking their meals in the small breakfast nook where the chief chef and bottlewasher holds court. Oh the many problems that are solved in that room by the petite English teacher-mother.

Currently there are lovely smells coming from the kitchen which are drawing the house's occupants like magnets. First to arrive is a handsome 14 year old male. He has long silver hair, a soft complexion, and a thoughtful expression.

"Good Morning Son," comes a light happy voice. "I have your orange juice. You may drink it while I go check on your father. Keep your brother out of the bacon, would you?"

As she turns around with a cup of tea, a flash of bacon disappears in the teenager's mouth. She laughs and smiles at him. "No more until our birthday boy arrives, okay?"

"Yes, Mom," he murmurs, mouthful of delicious maple bacon.

Izayoi navigates the stairs with a cup of tea as Inuyasha, the six year old, barrels down to the kitchen. She hears Sesshomaru say "no bacon" and Inuyasha whines and says, "you got some. I can smell it on your breath." She has no doubt that Sesshomaru will slip him one piece. She is happy they share.

In the bathroom, we find Toga reminiscing.
“What a great day to be alive!”
Toga admired his face in the mirror.
‘Looking good for a forty-five-year-old man,’ he smiles. Flexing his muscles slightly to admire his sculpted biceps, he continues his morning ablutions.

‘It’s my birthday. It’s my birthday,’ the man sings to himself, swaying, and clearly happy.

A flood of memories washes through his mind’s eye.

There's an eighteen-year-old version of him, much cockier but less muscled, with an arm wrapped around a beautiful female, smiling for their high school prom. ‘Wonder whatever became of that girl,’ he spares a thought to his high school girlfriend but quickly moves on.

Then the next image is of his twenty-two-year-old self victoriously holding up his college diploma and an acceptance letter to medical school. ‘What a grin! What a happy day.’

A variety of memories in gif form flash next. Studying in the cafeteria, working out, taking tests, grilling his study buddies, an arm around Jinenji as they celebrate getting into ortho residency together.

Competitions in the gym to lift the most weights.
‘Kami, that guy was as strong as a horse even then,’ Toga chuckles.
‘Best friend this old dog could ever have,’ Toga tells himself. ‘He was even willing to follow me out to this small town. No questions. Just grabbed his mom, packed their house and moved here.’ Toga smiles. ‘Friends like that were the best birthday presents ever.’

‘We were thirty-one when we first came here.’ Toga chuckles. ‘My thirty first was a busy year; Marrying an English teacher and having a son. I didn’t see that one coming. What a beauty too. Knocked me off my feet. Literally.’ Toga laughs. ‘I didn’t see that she was getting up from that chair when I walked behind her at the coffee shop. Next thing I knew I was on the floor looking up into the face of an angel.’ Toga smiles happily to himself.

The shower and hair grooming are nearly complete when his wife joins him.

“Your morning tea, Love,” she offers as she beams at her husband.

“Pretty good looking for a forty something year old,” Toga brags.

“Yes,” she smirks, “and still vain and searching for compliments.” Laughing she adds, “Happy Birthday Toga. Your breakfast awaits.”

“Be there in a minute.” Toga finishes putting up his long hair and follows his wife to their bedroom where he walks into his closet. There is a full-length mirror that captures his image. Again, he poses. This time he performs a body builder type pose. He does it for her.

Izayoi stands back and covers her smirk.

‘My men are so handsome,’ she turns to return to the kitchen. “Don’t be too long Adonis dear. Your breakfast will get cold.”

Toga ignores the warning and resumes dressing for the office.

He has been preoccupied with reminiscing this morning. So many wonderful things happened on and around his birthday through the years.

Any reminiscing would have been negligent if he misses the most important moments in his life.
The beautiful bride on his arm.
The thrill of seeing his first son born.
And more recently, the birth of their second born.
Everything else pales to the joy he felt from those moments.

He finishes dressing in his khaki pants and office shirt, grabs his shoes and walks downstairs to breakfast with his family.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY FATHER!”

Toga smiles. ‘What a great day!’

Inuyasha looks up and makes eye contact. “How old are you, Dad?”

“Forty-five, son,” he smiles proudly.

“Wow! That’s OLD!” the six-year-old proclaims loudly.

Sesshomaru quickly scolds his little brother.

Izayoi covers her smirk and begins to pass the breakfast dishes.

Toga deflates. ‘So much for a great day.'

They enjoy their breakfast. Izayoi reminds them that the entire family will be over this evening for a birthday party so they need to be home on time.
They finish their meal, and wash their plates. Everyone cleans up after the meal and they start their day.

Chapter Text

Chapter Two

In another part of town a hot-blooded, hot-tempered gorgeous Latina high school girl sashays into her boyfriend’s garage like she owns the place.   Her liquid chocolate orbs survey the amazingly spotless garage searching for her beau. 

Her father can’t figure out what she sees in that “hooligan”, but Kagura loves him regardless.   They started dating the year previous when he was a senior in high school.  He gave her a ride on his motorcycle to get out of the rain.   It was exhilarating, so fast, so much power.   She felt like a renegade as she hung on to his leather clad body.   When he dropped her off he escorted her to her door, like a gentleman.    

The following day when she saw him at school, he winked at her. 

She blushed. 

Next came notes in her locker, followed by single flowers, and eventually he had the nerve to ask if he could give her a lift.   After that he simply swept her off her feet.  He honored her culture and made her his goddess.  He is faithful, devoted, and adores her.   Gods, she loves him. 

And his motorcycle – it is big and vibrates at just the right – 

“Hey Babe!” 

The grease-covered monkey calls out from behind a hanging engine. 

Her eyebrows rise.    

“Is that safe?” 

He looks confused.  “Huh?” He looks around him to see what she is talking about. 

She raises a perfectly manicured nail and points to the engine heist. 

He nods.  “Oh, yeah.  This is the new engine heist I purchased for my shop.   Really expensive but invaluable to keep me from hurting my back.  I want to keep my body in good shape,  you know.” 

She looks at him like he is a piece of prime beef. 

“You do that, hot stuff.” 

The man blushes when she blows him an air kiss. 

He notices the clock on the wall and realizes she is running late for school.   He decides he’d better send her on her way. 

“Got ta get back to it, Mi novia.   If I get my work done and get paid, we have more money to party with.” 

“Okay, I get it.  I’ll be late for school.  But speaking of partying made me remember,” Kagura smiles winningly, “Don’t forget the “Sadie Hawkin’s” dance.  I’m telling you now.” 

The man takes on a goofy expression.   “I don’t know.  I might be busy.” 

Kagura stomps her foot. 

“Oh No You Don’t.   I’ve been planning on this and bought a hot dress and everything.”  She is frowning. 

The grease monkey knows he is lighting a short fuse but kissing and making up with his hot little Latina is so worth it.   He pushes a little more. 

“I don’t have a calendar handy.  I might be busy,” the man has to turn his head so she wouldn’t see him laughing. 

She squints her eyes as her hands move to her hips.  Leaning forward she articulates carefully, “I told you about the dance weeks ago.   You should remember from last year.” 

“Ah, last year.  Such a delicate little flower I was dating then –” he moans wistfully. 

Her fuse is ready to blow.   He knows it.  Just one more push— 

“Just put the date on a note and I’ll double check—” 

BOOM!  She explodes into a diatribe of Spanish and English curse words that would cover the entire room if it been in a manga frame. 

Pulling a pink stationery note from her purse she quickly writes, 

Dumbass,  Don’t forget the dance.  Be there or you’re dead!  

                                             K 

She throws the small pink paper in his direction and then stomps out of the garage toward school.  Her luscious hair bounces with each step. 

The man enjoys watching her stomp away.  In time he turns back to his work.   His fellow worker shakes his head.  His mohawk holds fast in place. 

“Dude, she’s too good for you, you know,”  Hakkaku mutters. 

“Yeh, I’m aware.   One of these days, she is going to wake up and realize I’m just a grease monkey and she really is a goddess.” He sighs and turns to look at his friend completely.  “But until then I’m going to treasure her company and worship her. I haven’t told her that I’ve been working extra hours just to buy a proper car to take her to that party.   I don’t want to ruin her new dress.   I got a peek at it.  So pretty and she’ll make it look even better.”   The man sighs happily.   “She's so worth it!” 

Chapter Text

Inuyasha 6 and Sesshomaru 14 on the first day of School 1950 at Our Town

Chapter Text

Morning Coffee

In the teachers' lounge at school, two bachelors meet up.   They have started their day together for more years than they can count. 

Mr. Totosai had been a young man when he rode into town on a cow.  It was prior to the turn of the century.  Not just anyone could afford a car back then.   Now, he is the oldest teacher on the staff at the grand old age of 65.   Sometimes he wonders how that happened. 

The school had one room then.  He was hired by Mrs. Kaede’s father to teach every subject to every student.  The town grew larger, a new building was constructed and Kaede’s father hired more teachers.  Eventually he told Mr. Totosai that he was retiring and passing the leadership of the school to his daughter.   She had been teaching out East and was knowledgeable about many modern things.   

Mr. Totosai nodded.  He didn’t want to be principal, but he did want to teach trade shop.    Kaede’s dad agreed, and a contract was signed that allowed Mr. Totosai to teach shop until he quit or retired. 

Mr. Totosai enjoys teaching trade shop.   He molds those young men predominately and gives them marketable skills.   He has taught enough students to realize they all don’t learn the same way and not all are book smart.    

He smiles.  Look at that Ginta boy.  Not the sharpest tack in the group, but he was the best in shop.   Ginta started his own motorcycle repair right out of high school.   Even hired some men.   He is a talented mechanic, and good with his hands.   That boy won’t be a delinquent.  He'll be a productive member of society. 

So are several others that had been his students.     Coach Kyōkotsu and his older brothers were all his students.  Kyo was an athletic kid.   To teach him, Mr. Totosai just had to make it an athletically oriented problem.  Five footballs plus five footballs equaled— yep — a teacher just has to know how to capture their students’ attention.  Look at the kid now.  Coach and physical education teacher, and still deferring to his old teacher.   Good kid. 

Kyokotsu has been the only one of those boys to go to college.   Mukotsu is with the police force.  Suikotsu works downtown.  What was it he did, Totosai scratches his head, oh yeah, car mechanic.  Ginko and Renko  take care of the family farm.   They occasionally do some welding of their farm equipment.   

Mr. Totosai figures he should drop by and visit the lads one of these days.  Maybe even take some of his students on a field trip.   Probably should run that by the principal….    Totosai finishes his coffee and paper and wanders to the shop. 

Mr. Myoga listens as his old friend ruminates.  Mr. Totosai doesn’t even know he’s talking outloud sometimes.   He’s said these things before.   He reminds Mr. Myoga of a skip in a record player, just repeating the same things over and over.  He’s harmless and good company.   Mr. Myoga polishes off his cup and rushes to his first period.  He can finish the paper during the second period.  

Chapter Text

Chapter Four

Several days ago, Kimi stepped out of her slick car and looked around the neighborhood.   The tall, slender model in her stylish clothes and fancy car looked out of place in the little town.  She was dressed for Europe or a major big city.   

“Home again,” she sighs.  “I never dreamed I’d be back here.” An aura of sadness threatens to surround her, but she straightens her back and pushes it away.   “I am Kimi Rossi!   I am in charge of my destiny!” 

Kimi has always been that way, master and commander of her life.   Good things, bad things, she takes it all in stride.   Two steps forward in her career, one step back in her personal life, it doesn’t matter, she makes the best of her situation. That’s what her now deceased husband was attracted to. 

Amil Rossi, a rich, famous Italian designer, fell for his model.   The design world scoffed.   A model – they were a dime a dozen.  What did this model have that was any different than any of the others? 

Kimi showed them.  When the paparazzi quizzed her, she was ready.   Fluent in multiple languages, Kimi articulately explained commerce and design trends predicting accurately the following two years fashion trends and needs.  She quickly proved she wasn’t just a pretty face who could prance on the catwalk.   

Kimi was an influencer. 

Their love was hot and passionate.  They married and started a family.   Three children later, Amil died of a heart attack  leaving Kimi with a fashion brand and three small children.   Although quite capable of handling the business, the model had not learned how to design and soon the company was yesterday’s news.  Her work visa was no longer current, so she had no recourse but to return to America to the little town she came from.  She just needed some time to figure out the next step. 

Her mother welcomed her home and gladly took over childcare of her three grandchildren.   That gave Kimi some time to herself.  

This morning she decides to go on a walk.  On her outing, she passes by her old high school and by chance decides to see which of her old teachers are still employed there.     

Mr. Myoga, the history teacher, is just coming out of the teacher’s lounge when Kimi walks by. 

“Young lady!  Where’s your hall pass?” he calls out. 

“Why Mr. Myoga, you know I don’t have it,” Kimi laughs as she recalls the last time they said these words. 

“Then  I’ll have to take you to the Principal,” he smiles.   “Welcome back, Kimi.   Mrs. Kaede will be happy to see you.  You were her favorite student.” 

“Well, you took me to her enough,” Kimi laughs.   According to Mr. Myoga she was such a rebel in high school, always sneaking out, always late, chasing that boy – what was his name? 

The two walk down the hall to the principal’s office where Mr. Myoga knocks on the door. 

“Mrs. Kaede,” Mr. Myoga calls, “I have a truant student I know you want to see.”    

“Coming,” comes the soft reply. 

Mr. Myoga and Kimi giggle softly as they wait for the principal to answer her door. 

A moment later, the door swings open, and the imposing figure of the principal stands in the doorframe, the light at her back. 

Kimi smiles winningly. 

Mrs. Kaede gasps.   Tears of joy well in her eyes, and she reaches forward to the young woman. 

“Kimi!  My dearest child!   Welcome home!” 

Mr. Myoga toddles away leaving the two women to reminisce. 

Kimi spends a half hour with Mrs. Kaede, catching her up on her post-high school life and why she is back home.  Mrs. Kaede listens attentively.  When Kimi stops, Mrs. Kaede speaks. 

“I have a proposition for you.  I need a language teacher and I know you are fluent in multiple languages.   Why don’t you teach languages here for a bit while you decide what you are going to do.  The school board offers a modest employment package.  Nothing compared to what you are accustomed to…” 

“I’ll take it!” Kimi butts in.   “It sounds perfect!” 

“Good,” Mrs. Kaede nods.  “Let’s get you settled into your new classroom, Mrs. Rossi.   After that’s done we can get your children registered for school.   What were their names again?” 

“My oldest is in high school.  Her name is Kanna.  She's 17 and looks like her father.     Then Kikyo is thirteen  and Kagome is six.  They look like each other but have my hair color.”  

Mrs. Kaede takes her to the registrar.  The registrar is rather star struck with the beautiful woman, and equally intimidated with the presence of the principal.  The result was that the girls are quickly enrolled.  Then they walk to the teachers’ lounge.

Chapter Text

Chapter Five

After getting her men fed and ready for the day, Izayoi grabs her things.   A book by Shakespeare, tagged with multiple stickies and a sizable purse accompanies her as she steps out the door and onto the front porch.   Taking a deep breath and standing up straight she steps off the porch and down the three stairs. Surveying the yard, she notes it had been mowed and the toys had been picked up. 

“Sesshomaru, good work mowing the yard.    Inuyasha, I’m pleased you picked up your toys.” 

Both boys nod.   They are standing near the car ready for the Mom-mobile to take them to school. 

Toga walks his sports bicycle from the back of the house. 

“See you after work, Honey,” He kisses her as he pulls by on his way out the front gate. 

“Hope you have a wonderful birthday at work, Dear.  And let me know if you are going to be late.   I don’t want to burn the steaks.” 

All three men look starry eyed at the word “steak”. 

“Yeh Dad, don’t be late,” Inuyasha chirps. 

Sesshomaru bops him on the ears.  Inuyasha starts fighting back. 

“Now boys,” Izayoi chides, “Be nice.  It’s your Father’s birthday.” 

The boys drop their arms and resume their position next to the car, cherubic expressions on their faces. 

Toga laughs.  Dawning his bike helmet, he heads for his clinic. 

When he was out of sight, Sesshomaru clears his throat.   “Mom!  We’re going to be late for school.” 

Izayoi pulls out her keys and reaches for the driver’s door. 

Inuyasha starts another skirmish with Sesshomaru by teasing him about his girlfriend Rin.   Before Sesshomaru can respond, Izayoi inserts herself in their argument, “I can’t wait until you can drive us to school Sesshomaru.  I can’t believe you are old enough to learn how to drive.  Why just yesterday I was dropping you off at the grade school.” 

“MOM,” Sesshomaru huffs, “I’m fourteen years old!   I’m old enough to get a driver’s permit if we lived on a farm.” 

“I’m glad we don’t live on a farm,” Inuyasha mumbles. 

“Why would you say that, Darling.   Jinenji and his mom used to live on a farm,” Izayoi asks as she looks out the rear-view mirror and backs out of the drive. 

“I dunno,” the six-year-old says, “I just like it here.” 

“I do too,” Izayoi agrees.  “Both your Grandmas and Grandpas love having you near too.   Speaking of them reminds me, they are dropping by for dinner tonight along with Jinenji and his mom.” 

“YAY!” Inuyasha hollers.  “Hope Grandma brings candy!” 

Sesshomaru tries to cover his ears in time, but it is too late.  Inuyasha’s yell is still ringing.  He mumbles, “Hope it’s that toffee stuff that sticks in your teeth.   At least we’ll have a moment of silence.” 

Izayoi bit her tongue.  Sometimes she has to agree with her oldest, but she is supposed to be impartial. 

She changes subjects. 

“You do have your homework and lunch, right?” 

The boys grunt yes. 

“Good,   I look forward to your interpretation of Shakespeare, Sesshomaru.”  Izayoi’s eyes sparkle. 

Sesshomaru slumps in the passenger seat.   He turns and looks at Inuyasha. 

“Nothing worse than having your mom be your home room teacher and your English teacher,” he confides  to his brother. 

“I’d love to have Momma be my teacher,” Inuyasha beams.  “She’s the prettiest.” 

Sesshomaru nods, “She is the prettiest, that’s true.” 

Izayoi struggles to keep a straight face. 

“You know it won’t help to flatter the teacher if you haven’t got the assignment done, Sesshomaru.” 

The remainder of the trip to school, Sesshomaru is silent while Inuyasha chatters nonstop about everything. 

The elementary and secondary schools share a parking lot.   Izayoi pulls in a parking slot and all three get out.   Inuyasha has been instructed to wait until one of them is ready to walk him to the elementary school ground since the parking lot is busy, so he stands with his back to the car waiting. 

Sesshomaru grabs his backpack and lunch and after situating them on his back he calls out, “Alright, Squirt.  Let’s go.” Sesshomaru grabs his brother’s hand, and they navigate the parked cars to the safety of the playground.   Once there, they drop their hands like they are hot potatoes, but not before Sesshomaru whispers, “Have a good day.” 

Inuyasha smiles.  “You too,” he chirps and off he runs, his short legs carrying him as fast as they can. 

The tall teenager strides off in search of his buddies Koga and Bankotsu in hopes to find a quick answer to the Shakespeare homework. 

Izayoi watches as she gathers her monster purse.  Sesshomaru had been instructed to hand hold his brother in the parking lot after another child had suffered a particularly scary hit-n-run two years previous.  At first it had been a real fight to get them to act congenial, but the roller skating incident last year had smoothed the brothers’ relationship and now she didn’t even have to tell them to hold hands. 

She looks at the educational complex. The buildings hadn’t changed since she went to school there.   There is new playground equipment and new paint but otherwise the facilities are the same. On the opposite side of the parking lot are the sports facilities.  She sees the facilities manager setting up the irrigation for the football field.  The grass is luscious and green, all ready for the new school year. 

Privately she wonders if the football coach would let the band practice on his new field.   She always finds their annual arguments humorous.   The band will probably end up practicing in the parking lot. The parking lot is well used.    She remembers marching from the band room across the parking lot to the sports field.  Such a fun memory. 

She walks into the high school.   She was an eighth grader when Toga graduated.  She thought he was very handsome but was sure he didn’t even know who she was.  She did remember his girlfriend Kimi.  She was beautiful and had such long legs.  Izayoi was jealous. 

Izayoi was awkward when she was young.  Quiet and reserved, she preferred her books to her classmates. She didn’t come from money, so she wore hand-me-downs,  and out of style clothes.   She was very intelligent and worked hard to be an “A”-honor roll student.   She won many scholarships to help pay for her way to college. 

When she graduated she went to the local teachers’ college to become a high school English teacher.   Her teacher in high school was her role model and had made her fall in love with Shakespeare, Austen, and Dickens.  They were her companions and she loved them.  She only hoped she could relay that appreciation to her students. 

   ‘I can’t wait to hear what my students say about Shakespeare today.  Oh William, hope you aren’t listening.  I’m afraid you would be mortified.’ 

She laughs at herself.  ‘Still talking to William after all these years.  Don’t worry Anne.  I only have eyes for my man.’ 

She was reading Shakespeare at the coffee shop when she pushed back her chair and tripped  Toga.   ‘Poor man,’ she thought, ‘he hit the ground hard.   I almost didn’t recognize him; he’d put on muscle.’ 

Their romance was whirlwind like something from one of those corny paperback romance novels.  She had to admit those crazy plots were possible.  Perhaps she should try and write one.   She’d definitely pick a pseudo name.   

By this time, she has walked into the teachers’ lounge, read the noticeboard and gone to her classroom.  A few students are waiting outside the classroom mingling in groups.   When she opens the door they file in and flop in their seats. 

Walking to her desk she looks over the group and smiles.   She loves teaching. 

Her day is entertaining.    Sesshomaru surprises her by saying something inspired about Shakespeare. He even looks proud of himself.   She spares a glance at Koga and Bankotsu.   One of them is picking his nose and the other is checking out a young lady in class. 

She calls Shiori next.   Shiori has thought much more about the assignment and offers a counter to Sesshomaru’s thought.   She elaborates.    Bankotsu follows her every word. 

Izayoi smiles. 

“Good job class. The key points I want you to pick up ….”  She summarizes the assignment and the answer and then looks at the students.  None of them are paying attention. 

  “One, Two, Three.  Eyes on me.” 

All of the students look up. 

“I don't see any of you taking notes.  You should.  These points will be on the test, and since I am giving you the answers, I expect you to get a perfect score.” 

 All of the sudden there is a rattling in the classroom as students grab their papers and pens and start writing in a frantic.  One of the students, however, raises his hand. 

“Why do we have to worry about this guy Shakespeare?  I mean he's like dead and gone.  All that we have left of him are a bunch of his writings.” 

“A very good point,” Izayoi replies, “Why should we care about some old English writer?  Anyone?” 

A hand rose. 

“Well, we don't have a bunch of writings of everybody.  Somebody must have thought he was important.” 

The class laughs. 

“You’ve made a very good point Koga,”.  Izayoi nods, wondering if Koga had more to his thought. 

Ayame looks surprised at Koga’s response.  She raises her hand. 

“Ayame?   What do you think?  Why is Shakespeare important to the English language?”  Izayoi gently rubs the cover of her copy of Shakespeare. 

She blushes.  “He’s romantic,” she whispers.   The girls next to her giggle and blush. 

“I’m sorry I didn’t hear you,” Izayoi replies.  “Can you repeat it for the class?” 

A boy calls out, “She said he’s romantic.” 

Izayoi smiles widely.   “I agree with Ayame.” 

Sesshomaru groans. 

The class laughs. 

Izayoi clears her throat.  “Now that you have paper out and you are ready to take notes, write this down.”   She summarized the points she wants again.   “Oh, and for extra credit, name five things that we can attribute to Shakespeare, reasons why he is important to the English language.  I look forward to your thoughts.  Class dismissed.” 

Once the students file out, Izayoi picks up her tea mug and walks to the teacher’s lounge. She is looking forward to a nice mug of spearmint tea.  ‘Dear William, they may understand how important    you are after all.’ 

She opens the door to see the back of a tall woman talking to Mr. Myoga and Coach Kyōkotsu.   As soon as the door opens, Mrs. Kaede walks toward her. 

“Izayoi, dear.   We have a new language teacher!   I’d like to introduce you to her and then I’d like you to take her around and get her oriented.   Isn’t it wonderful!   We have a full language department now.”   

 Mrs. Kaede is nearly bubbling over with enthusiasm. 

Izayoi smiles at the principal.  It is nice seeing her so happy. 

Just then the tall woman turns around. 

Izayoi recognizes her immediately and schools her face. 

Kimi doesn’t recognize her at all.  She smiles congenially, sticks out a hand and introduces herself.   “Hello, I’m Kimi Rossi.   I’ll be teaching Italian, Spanish, and French.  And you are?” 

Izayoi stares at her, her brain frozen. 

Coach Kyōkotsu laughs boisterously and pats Izayoi on the back.  “Yep.   Same response us guys had.   She’s really breathtaking.  That’s Izayoi Takahashi, English teacher.  She’s got a son in high school and one in grade school.   Her husband’s my doc’s best friend.  His name is Toga.” 

Izayoi blushes.  “I apologize.   I was caught off guard.  You were my husband’s high school girlfriend.” 

Silence and then laughter fills the room. 

“Toga!” Kimi laughs.   “That was his name.   You know I was trying to remember that this morning on my walk to school.  Whatever became of him?” 

Mr. Myoga cackles, “Well, our little Izayoi knocked him off his feet.  Next thing all of us knew was they were married and expecting.” 

Izayoi is mortified.   By that account, it sounds like she abducted Toga and had her way with him. 

Kimi’s laughter chimes through the room. 

“I’m so glad.   He deserves a good woman. I did a similar stunt to my Amil.  Well, maybe a little more devious —-“, a mischievous glint flashes in her eyes and then she seems lost in a memory. 

The room is quiet. 

Mrs. Kaede takes charge of the conversation. “Gentlemen, Let’s leave our language department staff to get acquainted.   I have some things I need you two to look into for me.” 

“Anything for you Coach Kaede,” Coach Kyōkotsu replies as he pulls Mr. Myoga out of the teachers’ room.     

Coach Kyōkotsu is the only teacher who refers to the principal by the name “Coach”.   In his mind, there is no title greater than “Coach”. Mrs. Kaede doesn’t mind.  It keeps her connected to her start in teaching. 

Kaede can tell Kimi needs some time to grieve.  Izayoi will be the perfect counselor.  The women need a little time to get acquainted too and the others won’t help a bit.  Plus, she did need them for an errand.   This year they won’t be fighting about who uses the football field.  She has acquired some land for football practice and marching band, and she is about to lay down some rules. Mr. Myoga can get the band instructor and then act as witness. His habit of gossip and nosiness will work for her today. 

Now all alone in the teachers’ lounge, Izayoi has a chance to really see Kimi.   Kimi’s eyes well with tears. 

“Kimi, I’m sorry.   I don’t even know what I said wrong but I’m sorry.” 

Kimi fights back tears.   “I just miss my husband.   I try not to think about him, but I miss him so much.” 

Izayoi waits.   ‘Where was the guy?’ She thinks.  ‘Was he lost in the war or something?’ 

Kimi looks through her tears at the confused expression on Izayoi’s face. 

“Amil had a heart attack last year.   He died before he even sat down.   I had to bring the girls back here so my mom could help us.   We all miss him so much.”   Kimi sobs the last words out one at a time in between breaths. 

Izayoi wraps her arms around Kimi.  “You poor girl,” she cooes.  “I bet you’ve been keeping it all together for them, haven’t you?” 

Kimi nods and sobs harder. 

Izayoi guides them to a sofa.   “Let’s sit down.” They sit and Kimi continues to cry. Izayoi holds her and allows her to mourn. When the tears slow, Izayoi catches Kimi’s attention.   “I came in here to get some tea.   Let me get you some too.” 

“That would be nice,” Kimi sighs. 

Izayoi fixes two mugs of spearmint tea and brings them back to the sofa. 

“What brought you to school today?” Izayoi blows on her tea to cool it down. 

“It’s crazy, but I felt like Amil wanted me to come here,” Kimi stares at the tea. 

“Not crazy to me,” Izayoi clasps Kimi’s free hand.  “I talk to William Shakespeare all the time.   Have done that since I first read him.   He inspires me.”  Her easy-going manner relays she is serious.  “Clearly Amil knows you need us.  William said “Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak knits up the o-er wrought heart and bids it break.” (MacBeth)   Well, Amil knows you need to grieve, and you can reassure him, we are here for you!” 

A lump catches in Kimi’s throat. 

“Thank you, Izayoi.”   Kimi starts crying again. 

Izayoi pats her back and sips her tea.   ‘Thank you dear William,” she thinks as she comforts the young widow. 

Fortunately for Izayoi this is her one class period that she doesn’t have to teach.   She had hoped to use it to grade papers and prepare for other classes, but it is okay.   She has gotten ahead on purpose so she could throw her husband’s 45th birthday party that evening. 

She will invite Kimi and the girls to visit on the weekend after she talks to Toga.   Tonight is his night.   Kimi needs some time to grieve. 

In time she gathers Kimi up and suggests she go home today.   She can start teaching tomorrow.  Kimi nods. After washing her face and adjusting her makeup, Kimi checks out with Mrs. Kaede and heads home to tell her girls about their new school.   It was also time she shares her grief with them and lets them know she misses their father too. 

Chapter Text

As a young girl Kaede enjoyed sports even though women weren’t typically allowed to participate.   When Matilda Howell won three gold medals in archery at the 1904 Olympics, Kaede rejoiced.  Since Matilda had opened the door for women in sports, Kaede could just waltz right in.  She found her way into the world of athletics and flourished.   Her father encouraged her interest in the sport.   He was a firm believer that a healthy body ensured a healthy mind. He was not surprised when his daughter told him she was moving to the Eastern USA to teach physical education, specifically archery.   Back East, she married a fellow archer and settled in to teach and compete.  Unfortunately, her new husband was called to help out in World War I.  When she saw him off, she had no idea that was the last time she would see him.  Several weeks later, she received a war telegram telling her that he had died in a maritime offense. Broken-hearted, she was more than willing to return to her home when her father asked her to take over in his place.    The sadness that she never have any children of her own soon disappeared as the children at the school filled her heart.  However, none of them filled her as strongly as Kimi Rossi.  

Mrs. Kaede saw a bit of her in Kimi and knew that she would never be satisfied in their little town.  When Kimi started modeling in New York, Mrs. Kaede knew it wouldn’t be long until she took the world stage.  Kimi’s mother kept Mrs. Kaede in the loop of her daughter’s life.   Kaede followed Kimi Rossi’s modeling career, making a photo album of fashion news and photo spreads that her mother shared. Although they didn’t stay in contact, Mrs. Kaede was sure Kimi would reach out to her if she needed anything. 

Now they were more alike than Kaede would have ever wanted.  Both were young widows. 

There is a knock on the door and Mr. Myoga calls out. 

“Bring them in,” Kaede directs. 

“Have a seat gentlemen.” 

Mrs. Kaede stares at the male teachers before her.    

She spares one last thought on Kimi.  ‘She will find her place like I have.  All will be fine.’ 

“Gentlemen. We have purchased a football, marching band practice field.   These are the new rules.” 

Kaede commands the room.  She lays down the rules and she lays out her expectations. 

“Finally, I realize that both of you will have to practice on the true field periodically in order to test your teams out. These will be your time slots.   Unless we have weather issues, it will not change.” 

She regards their expressions.  Coach Kyōkotsu nods.   The band teacher bites his lip.   Mr. Myoga rubs his hands together. 

“Now to more pleasant subjects. We have a new language teacher.   Many of you taught her.   She has had an exciting career as a model in Italy but now returns to us, a young widow with three daughters. She has not taught before, but I imagine she will fare well enough.   Offer advice and assistance as asked.   There will be some jostling of schedules for students who want to learn languages.   We will allow a two-week trial and if the student does not adapt to language class, they may return to their original class.  Offer them after-school lessons to catch up if needed.   Any special situations will be addressed to me.” 

The bell rings.  The men wait for the principal to release them.  

“You are released.” 

They file out of her office and into the stream of children bustling to get to their next class.    

Mr. Hachi sees them all file out of the principal’s office.   He drops in. 

“Mrs. Kaede?   Did I miss a teachers’ meeting?”  Hachi trembles.  As the youngest on staff, he worries about missing something. 

“Hachi, I just need to say how happy I am that you continue to stay with us.   I hear it all the time from parents about what an exceptionally good teacher you are.   Continue doing what you do.  Even consider sponsoring an academic club if you have some excellent students this year.”   She smiles at the young teacher.   She knows he is still young and unsure, but he is solid, and she wants him to know she trusted him. 

The small man beams.  “I look forward to the new year, Mrs. Kaede.” 

“Great! Just want you to know we have a new language teacher.   Don’t you speak a little French?” 

“Umpth pew,” the math teacher replies, the accent and pronunciation not quite right. 

“Very good,” Mrs. Kaede nods.  Then she adds a gentle reminder, “Class should be starting soon.” 

“OH right,” the small man runs to his classroom. 

Chapter Text

It's just before the beginning of third period, Mr. Myoga settles into the leather sofa in the teachers’ lounge and props up his feet.  What fun it is to listen in on that band – sports thing.  He can't wait to catch them arguing. 

His mind runs through today's events. 

 Sure was good to see that young Miss Kimi.   Wonder how her conversation with Mrs. Izayoi is going. 

Mr. Myoga teaches history but loves gossip.   The man knows a little about everything.   He remembers catching a number of now prominent citizens of the town kissing behind the gymnasium.   He smirks.  He wonders if their spouses know about their high school extracurricular activities.    

The bell is going to ring in ten minutes.  He should get to his next history class.   He is going to touch on European history leading up to World War I.  He just loves history.   He is a big fan of Winston Churchill.   “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.".  The quote is posted on his chalk board at the beginning of every school year since Churchill said it two years previous.   He loves quizzing his students on it.   Only a handful knew that it is actually attributed to someone else. 

Time to see if any of these kids listen to their grandparents talk about the “good old days.”  Perhaps he should give them some extra credit for discussing how current events become history. 

He rubs his hands together.   “I love watching them squirm.  I think I have Izayoi’s boy this quarter.  Wonder if he takes after his mom or dad?” 

Chapter Text

Chapter Eight

As Sesshomaru walks toward the front of the high school he reviews his class schedule. 

First period English with Mom 

Second period Music appreciation 

Third period Math with Mr. Hachi 

Fourth period History with Mr. Myoga 

Lunch 

Fifth period Science class 

Sixth period Study Hall.   

Seventh period—PE with Coach Kyōkotsu.    

Sesshomaru sees Bankotsu and Koga mingling at the front of the school. 

“Hey, we almost gave up on you.  What took you so long?” Koga asks. 

“I’m on time,” Sesshomaru replies calmly as he folds up his schedule and puts it in his pocket.  

Studying them closely he asks, “What answer did you get for your English assignment?” 

“Hey!  I have a bug to pick with you!” Bankotsu chimes in, “What’s with your mom sending summertime homework assignments!” 

“Not my fault,” Sesshomaru replies.  “I got the assignment too!” 

Bankotsu mellows a bit.  “Darn.  I feel for you buddy.” 

Sesshomaru sighs dramatically, “Yeh and I can’t even ask her about it cause she’s the teacher.   Sucks.”  Then as an afterthought he adds, “but like my brother says, at least she’s the prettiest teacher.” 

Koga and Bankotsu nod their agreement.    

Koga pipes up, “Did you ask Rin?   She probably knows the answer.” 

“She was away for the weekend with her parents.   Some family reunion thing.”   Sesshomaru drags his foot across the dirt. 

“Dude, you look pathetic.   Here, I’ll give you what my brother said to say, but you owe me.  I wanted to start my English class looking smart for Shiori, but I can’t stand looking at your pathetic puppy eyes.   Is that how you got Rin to be your girlfriend?   You gotta teach me that.”    Bankotsu pulls a folded-up paper out of his back pocket and gives it to Sesshomaru. 

Sesshomaru opens it and reads the note. 

“That’s it?” 

“Yep,” Bankotsu nods. 

Koga looks over his shoulder.  “Huh?” 

All three shrug. 

Sesshomaru reads it several more times and then gives the note back to Bankotsu.   “Ok, I’ll only use it if she calls on me.   Otherwise, you say it.” 

Bankotsu nods.   “Deal.” 

Koga shrugs his shoulders.   “The guy’s writing still exists.   I don’t have any of my writing from grade school, so he must have been important somehow.” 

Bankotsu and Sesshomaru stare at him and then start laughing.   “I can see it now.   Kids in the future talking about the great Koga’s crayon drawings of his family — Blahhahahahahah” 

“Go ahead and laugh it up, but someday I might be famous,” Koga raises his chin and looks down his nose. 

His friends only laugh harder. 

The warning bell rings letting them know they have five minutes until first period starts. The boys walk to the English room.  

“Any plans for tonight?” Bankotsu asks. 

“Yeah.  It’s my dad’s birthday so we’re having a birthday party for him.  All the grandparents, Jinenji, and his mom will be there.   I got him his favorite candy bar.   He always complains that he had to share it with everyone so this one is his only,” Sesshomaru looks content. 

Bankotsu nods, “Good thinking.   No sharing.   I have to share everything with my brothers.  It would be nice to have something of my own.” 

Koga appears to think about it.   “Does your dad eat candy?” 

Sesshomaru gives him a “duh” look.  “No ‘cause he has to share it with everyone.” 

“Oh.” 

“Time for class,” Mrs. Izayoi says as she opens the classroom door. 

The boys file in and flop in their chairs. 

Rin walks by and smiles at Sesshomaru.  He sits up straight and waves at her. 

“Sesshomaru?   Did you want to answer the homework assignment?” 

There are certain things that are predictable.   One of them is that teenage boys like to show off in front of their girlfriends. 

Forgetting what he said to Bankotsu, Sesshomaru clearly articulates the thought that Bankotsu’s brother gave him. 

Rin beams at Sesshomaru. 

He basks in her unspoken praise. 

Koga picks his nose and wonders whose bloody parts he will have to pick up in the gym during PE. 

Bankotsu stares at Shiori and wonders if she will ever look at him like Rin looks at Sesshomaru.   He also prays to whatever deity watching over Freshman English to please not call on him today. 

Shiori raises her hand and Mrs. Izayoi calls on her.  Bankotsu is amazed at the information Shiori has on Shakespeare. He is still mesmerized by the lights on Shiori’s hair when he hears Mrs. Izayoi say “Eyes on me.” 

All three boys stare at their teacher.   Then they hear “test question” and they rush to get out paper and pencil and try to remember what she said. 

If it hadn’t been for the slight delay from a boy in their class, they wouldn’t have gotten their paper out in time. That kid was honest.  Koga agrees.   Shakespeare is just a dead old guy.   Since Koga is ready before the others, he throws out his observation that Shakespeare’s papers had been saved so someone must have thought they were important. 

Getting the class to laugh is Koga's whole purpose of the statement but Mrs. Izayoi’s delighted expression makes Koga proud of himself. 

He feels like the world is revolving around him. 

Then he hears Ayame say something. 

“Icky,”  Koga shivers.  ‘What's with Ayame being mushy?’ 

All three boys make faces when the girls giggle and blush. 

Then Mrs. Izayoi agrees. 

‘Ugh’ 

At least he wasn’t in Sesshomaru’s shoes.   Koga feels like groaning with his buddy.   Having your mom as your English teacher has to suck. 

‘Maybe Freshmen English will be okay,’ Koga thinks.  ‘Everything’s going okay.’ 

But then Mrs. Izayoi adds to the assignment.   Extra credit or not, it's still extra work. 

Class is dismissed. 

“Guys, I'm so glad to get out of there,” Sesshomaru wipes the imaginary sweat off his forehead. 

“Bankotsu, I’m sorry I used your answer.”   Sesshomaru turns his puppy eyes on his friend. 

Bankotsu stares at him. “How do you do that!   I was mad, but one look at that expression and I just want to pat your head and give you a treat. Teach me, oh master.” 

Koga laughs. “See you guys third period with Mr. Hachi.   I’ve got shop next.” 

“Oh yeah, me too,” Bankotsu  races after Koga. 

Sesshomaru shrugs and heads for the music annex. 

In the music annex, there's a choir area, a band area, room for instrument storage, the music staff and their offices and a soundproof room. Students would make up stories about the use of the room.   The stories ranged from private practice to hidden torture room.   Each year the stories would get crazier.   The teachers were aware of the tales so last Halloween, they turned down the light, and put a skeleton in the room with a sign that read, “Help.  The teacher forgot me.”  The sign was written in a dark brown-red color.   Got a lot of screams.  The music teachers all had to explain themselves to Mrs. Kaede, who told them privately it was a good prank, but she wished they had warned her first. 

Naturally they were listening for this year’s tales so they could one up last year’s prank.   

The students mingle in the choir area, some sitting on the raisers, others clumped together in small groups until the vocal instructor comes into the room. 

“Good morning Students.   Welcome to second period, music appreciation.  Shall we get started?   Have a seat on the raisers.” 

The gaggle of students sits down. Rin sits next to Sesshomaru.  Shiori and Ayame sit on her other side.    

“What is music appreciation?” The teacher asks. 

A number of hands go up.  They offer a variety of answers from simply appreciating the music on the radio to studying specific composers. 

The teacher appears happy with their answers. 

“What is music anyway?” The teacher asks. 

That question is a bit harder and only one or two hands go up. 

“Music is the combination of notes that may or may not sound good.” 

The teacher laughs.   “Best answer yet.   I’ll have to write that one down. Tell you what.   For one extra credit point right now, pull out some paper and write your name at the top and then answer to the best of your ability what you think music is.   All answers will be accepted. I’ll gather them up and then at the end of the course I’ll ask you again what you think music is. You’ll impress yourself with the answer.” 

The class quickly does the assignment and Shiori volunteers to pick up the papers. 

The class continues with a whirlwind tour of the world and music.  Just before class ends a boy raises his hand. 

“Teacher, will you be playing any Bing Crosby or Perry Como in class?” 

The teacher appraises the student. 

“Do you want me to?” The teacher asks. 

The boy shakes his head no.  “Please no.   I hear it all the time at home from my older siblings. I want to hear something different.” 

“I promise I won’t let you down,” the teacher replies with a hint of a laugh.  “Until then, Class dismissed.”  

Sesshomaru allows Rin to led him out of the class.  They walk side by side to Mr. Hachi’s math class. 

Ayame and Shiori follow a step or two behind.     

Sesshomaru hears them whisper. 

Shiori asks Ayame what she thinks of Bankotsu. 

“He’s a guy.  I guess he’s okay.   Why?” 

“Well, he’s been looking at me weird for a while now.   I’ve known the guy all my life and all of a sudden he’s looking at me weird.   It’s creepy.” 

Ayame pats her hand.   “I thought you always had a crush on him.” 

“Well, yeh, but it’s just weird now.” 

“I know.”  Ayame jumps in front of her.  “Ask him out.  Like on a date to the soda shop.   You can talk about Shakespeare or something.” 

“I can’t do that,” Shiori squeaks.   “I’m not that kind of girl.” 

“You can do it this next week because the Sadie Hawkins Dance is next Friday!” 

“Huh?” 

Now Sesshomaru is listening even more closely. 

Rin is amused.   The three of them had talked about doing this, but she didn’t think they would do it.  They need to talk faster, or they will all be at Math class too fast.   She taps Sesshomaru.  “I need to tie my shoe.   Please stop for a second.”   He stops while she bends down to tie her shoe.   The four of them form a boulder in the flow of students dashing to class. 

Ayame whispers to Shiori.  “Sadie Hawkins is the dance where girls get to ask boys out.  I’m going to ask Koga.   You ask Bankotsu.   I’m sure Rin already asked Sesshomaru.” 

From her bent position, Rin blushes.   She hadn’t mentioned it yet, but she is going to ask him.   She stands up slowly and faces him. 

“Sesshomaru, will you go with me —,” but before she can finish, he replies, “It would be my greatest honor, my lady.” 

Rin twinkles with joy.  She is so happy that she appears to be walking on air.   

Sesshomaru brushes his hand against hers, then he turns to the other girls.   “Better ask them soon.” 

And he grabs Rin’s hand and rushes off to class. 

Ayame and Shiori are frozen in place.  A second later they run after their friends. 

Period three was Math.  Mr. Hachi appeared slightly flushed as he dashed into the classroom.  Looking at the children he took a deep breath and faced the chalkboard.    On the chalk board he wrote a complicated appearing equation.

Turning he looks at them.   Shock, fear, and surprise met him. He nods. That’s what he expects. None of them should be able to answer that level of math yet.  But by the time they graduated High School they would be able to. 

“By now you are thinking, you have no idea what’s on the board.   You are right.  This is senior level math.   By the time you graduate High School you will be able to solve this problem and even harder ones.   Let’s start!   Time to do some math!” 

He walks by the front row and has them pass back a face down paper to each classmate. He steps back. 

“Turn it over and follow the instructions.” 

The class looks at the page full of math equations.  Some immediately start working on the problems but Bankotsu puts his pencil down. He reads the instructions carefully. 

Sesshomaru notices that Bankotsu put his pencil down and now looks at his paper. 

Read these instructions carefully before you write on this paper. 

Sesshomaru puts his pencil down too.  He takes his time reading every question.   At the very end of the paper he reads,  Now, write your name and turn this paper over.  Your teacher is waiting for you to make eye contact with him. 

Sesshomaru picks up the pencil, signs his name and turns the paper over.   He looks up to see Mr. Hachi smiling at him. 

He looks around the room.   Only two other people have read the instructions, Bankotsu and Shiori. Even Rin jumped the gun and started answering the equations.     Bankotsu and Shiori are just looking up when Mr. Hachi puts a finger to his lips.  The three of them sat silently. 

Five minutes later, Rin groans.   She looks up at Mr. Hachi. 

“Bring me your paper Rin,” Mr. Hachi asks. 

She stands up and walks to the front of the class.   Embarrassed, she gives Mr. Hachi her paper. 

He looks it over and nods. 

By this time other students have come to the same realization. 

   READ THE INSTRUCTIONS! 

“Students, In math it is important to read the directions.   But this is a life lesson as well.”   For the remainder of the class Mr. Hachi shows examples of math problems that lack directions.   “Directions are often simple things like parentheses or long-winded word problems.   Pay attention.   Now in parting I offer my six-year-old’s favorite joke.   Railroad crossing.  Look out for the “R”s.  Can you spell that without any “R”s. 

Sesshomaru groans.   T-H-A-T.   Inuyasha tells that joke all the time. 

“Sesshomaru?  Do you have something to say about my son’s favorite joke?”   Mr. Hachi appears disappointed. 

“No sir.  I’m sorry.   It’s my little brother’s favorite joke too.” 

Mr. Hachi nods knowingly.  “Well now I know where it came from.” 

The rest of the class looks confused. 

“Well then, go ahead, Sesshomaru, tell them.” 

“T-H-A-T,” Sesshomaru articulates. 

The class groans. 

“The lesson today is read carefully, listen carefully, be observant.   See you tomorrow.  Class dismissed.” 

The freshmen file out of the classroom and head for Mr. Myoga’s history class. 

In bold letters at the top of the chalkboard are the words,  

“Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." 

Mr. Myoga is resting in his chair watching the students file in.   The last student enters the room just after the bell rings. 

“Today you were the last, so you will get the first question.   Remember and be on time. Tell me what that means.”   Mr Myoga points to the sentence on the chalkboard. 

The freshman stutters and eventually says, “I don’t know.” 

Bankotsu whispers to Koga.  “Never say that to Mr. Myoga.  According to my older bros that’s a fate worse than death.” 

It is.  The poor freshman is so frightened he throws up. 

“Go to the school nurse,” Mr. Myoga directs.   He walks to his bottom desk drawer and pulls out a cleaning cloth.   After wiping up the emesis and throwing the cloth in a bag, he turns to another student.    “I’m still waiting for an answer.” 

That student stands and clears his throat nervously.   “I think it’s pretty clear, sir.  If you don’t know about something, you’re likely to walk right into it. There’s a pasture on our farm that all the animals use as their bathroom.   If you didn’t know that you might just walk through that pasture thinking, what a pretty green pasture this is and whammy, you stepped in it.” 

Mr. Myoga blinks several times. Then he looks over the student carefully to see if he was being pranked.   The student stands properly. 

“You have an interesting interpretation of that sentence.   Have a seat.” 

The student sits. 

Mr. Myoga walks slowly back to the head of the class.  That interpretation catches him off guard.   It isn’t wrong.  It just isn’t quite what Mr. Myoga wants. 

“Class, Winston Churchill said that to the British house of commons just two years ago.   It was actually paraphrased from a Spanish philosopher. His point was you have to know your history!   This year we will spend time talking about the last 100 years of American history.  Before I start, anyone want to guess how and when current events become history.” 

A hand rose.  The newspaper man’s daughter answers, “Daddy says history is written by the victor.” 

“Interesting.  What if there isn’t a victor?” 

She scratches her cheek nervously.   “Well then by the majority?” 

“What if the majority don’t really know,” Mr. Myoga continues. 

“Then by whomever wrote it down,” she declares. 

“And it can be a correct version or an incorrect version.”     

The girl thinks about that for a moment, “Yes, that is possible.  It’s sad, but possible.” 

Mr. Myoga nods. 

He talks for the remainder of the class period about history and the importance of having all the facts. 

While he is talking, Sesshomaru considers passing Bankotsu a note.   He gets out the paper, but Bankotsu starts making small no gestures.  Sesshomaru takes some class notes instead.   It is a good thing too because Mr. Myoga walks by right then and takes the paper. He opens his mouth to say something and then closes it and puts Sesshomaru’s paper back down.   Still surprised a student is taking notes, he pats the boy on the shoulder and walks on. 

Soon the bell rings for lunch period.   Mr. Myoga dismisses them, and they fly. 

The cafeteria is physically in between the grade school and the high school.   Every class is filtered through the line every ten minutes, so all twelve grades are served from 11 am to 1 pm.   Izayoi fixes her men lunches in order that they have plenty of time to eat, however, they both prefer to stand in line with their friends and then eat with them. In previous years, Sesshomaru, Bankotsu and Koga have traded parts of their meals.   Today the cafeteria serves pizza. 

“Bet your little brother didn’t like that,” Bankotsu laughs.  “He’s about the biggest pizza lover I’ve ever seen!” 

“I’m sure I’ll hear about it later,” sighs Sesshomaru.   “Mom did say she had something special for us though.  I haven’t looked yet.” 

Koga jumps around him, “Come on, open it and look.  Aren’t you curious?” 

“I’m not a cat,” Sesshomaru snorts.  “I can wait a few more minutes.” 

Koga, on the other hand, can’t.  He keeps trying to take Sesshomaru’s lunch bag. 

In an effort to distract Koga, Sesshomaru whispers.  “I’ve got a secret.” 

Koga stops bouncing around and looks at him.  “What?” 

“Ever heard of Sadie Hawkins?” Sesshomaru whispers. 

“Ya mean the ugly girl on Li’l Abner whose daddy set up a contest so she could get married off?” Bankotsu asks. 

Sesshomaru raises an eyebrow.  “I hadn’t heard that one.” 

My oldest brother used to read that cartoon to me.   I didn’t understand much but I remember Sadie was mighty ugly.   She chased all the eligible bachelors and tried to catch one to marry.” 

Koga shakes his head, “poor guy.   Forced to marry.” 

“What do you have against marriage, Koga?” Sesshomaru asks. 

“Nothing if she’s pretty and rich.   I ain’t settling for anything less.   I’m going to date only pretty rich girls.” 

“Oh-ooh-Kay,” Sesshomaru decides he’d keep his secret to himself. 

“What about Sadie Hawkins?” Bankotsu circles round back to the original question. 

“Nothing.  Never mind. I need to check my information,” Sesshomaru dodges the question. 

“Whatever,” Koga mumbles.  “I’m hungry.   Let me eat your lunch and I’ll give you, my pizza.” 

“We’re almost there.  You can wait.  You won’t die.” 

Koga sways and hams it up.  “I’m dying of hunger.  Feed me.” 

Sesshomaru pushes him away and gets out of the line.  “Meet you over there.” 

He strolls over to the freshmen table and sits down.   His mom waves at him from the teachers’ table. 

He waves back.   She points to his bag.   He opens it.   A large grin covers his face, and he blows her an air kiss.   She smiles and returns to her company at the teacher’s table. 

Mr. Myoga is praising Sesshomaru for being such a good listener and even taking class notes.   Mr. Hachi is telling all the teachers about the instruction exercise.   He also mentions that he is impressed by Sesshomaru for following directions so well.   He mentions that a young woman named Rin got the hardest equation correct even if she wasn’t supposed to do it. 

Izayoi blushes and covers her lips. “She’s Sesshomaru’s girlfriend. They are so cute together.” 

Mr. Hachi continues.   “He said his little brother had told him a joke —,”.  

“The Railroad one, right?”   Izayoi groans. “We hear it every day.” 

“I think he might be the one who taught my son Miroku,” Mr Hachi says. 

“You're Miroku’s dad?  Inuyasha loves him,” Izayoi gushes. 

“Inuyasha is Sesshomaru’s little brother? Now I understand,” Mr. Hachi quickly explains what happened in class. 

“They are so much closer now than a year ago,” Izayoi begins.  “I’m sure it’s hard on an only child to suddenly have a little brother, especially one as active as Inuyasha.   But I think Sesshomaru is just doing a great job.”

 

“What happened a year ago?” Mr. Hachi asks. 

“Sesshomaru took Inuyasha roller skating for the first time and there was an accident in the skating rink with several bigger boys.   When they fell on Inuyasha, it broke his arm.   Sesshomaru felt so bad about it he rushed Inuyasha over to the clinic and sat with him while my husband fixed his arm.   After that they were more accepting or tolerant of each other.   Don’t get me wrong.  They still fight.  Just this morning I had to stop them.  But I see them smile at each other when they think we aren’t looking.   They’re just so cute.”   Izayoi gushes. 

Meanwhile Koga and Bankotsu join Sesshomaru.  They sit down their trays and look at Sesshomaru.   He is guarding his lunch bag.   Koga starts to reach for it, but Sesshomaru actually growls at him. 

“Did you seriously just growl?” Koga makes a face. 

“Mine,” Sesshomaru replies. 

“Whatever,” Koga picks up his pizza and takes a big bite. 

Once Sesshomaru is sure Koga’s mouth is otherwise busy, he pulls out his ham and cheese sandwich and admires it.  Layers of thin sliced ham, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and cheese on fresh bread appear to glisten as though light from heaven is shining down on it.    Sesshomaru smiles and takes a large bite. It is good.   It may be Dad’s birthday, but he isn’t the only one getting some love.   He looks over at his mom again.   She is smiling and talking to her teacher friends.    Inuyasha is right.  She is definitely the prettiest teacher in the whole school. 

Bankotsu and Koga drool as they look at the master sandwich. 

“You’ve got the best mom ever, Man.” 

Sesshomaru nods, mouth still full. 

The rest of Sesshomaru’s  lunch is soon retrieved from the bag.   Homemade deviled eggs, carrot strips and an apple complete the feast. At the bottom of the bag is a note. 

“I love you.   Mom” 

Sesshomaru folds the note and puts it in his pocket next to his heart.  He will carry it there all day and at the end of the day, he is going to hang that note in his locker. 

He opens it again and puts it to his lips and nose. 

It smells like a ham sandwich and that is his most favorite sandwich in the world! 

From across the room, Izayoi sees her son kiss the note.   She sighs happily.  Her firstborn is so thoughtful. 

Fifth period Science class turns out to be everyone’s favorite class.  Their teacher is a huge fan of Einstein, imitating his accent as well as his clothes.   They get into a lively debate about science versus magic, which gets even the post lunch sleepy kids interested.   By the end of the class everyone is excited about taking freshman science class. 

When they file out of the classroom, Rin, Sesshomaru, and Kouga walk toward study hall.   It is their free period.  When they set up their schedules, the three boys planned this free period.  Bankotsu had insisted they get all their homework done or as much as possible so they could sign up for sports.  Kouga agreed.  Sesshomaru just went along with them. However, Totosai had requested Bankotsu be his student assistant, so the gang was broken up.   Rin had been hoping to get into advanced cooking however at the last minute the class was cancelled, so she was placed in the study hall instead.     

The rest of their friends scurried off to their other classes. 

Then an overhead announcement stopped everyone. 

“Final period is cancelled today.  Instead, everyone will meet in the gymnasium for an all-high school assembly.” 

Sesshomaru shrugs. 

Kouga moans. 

Rin smiles. 

As the three look at each other, a lively discussion commences. 

“Why are you smiling?” 

“Why aren’t you?” 

“What’s with the moaning?   It’s just for today.” 

And so forth. 

Sesshomaru gets his homework completed during the period.   

Rin reads a book. 

Kouga fidgets. 

The bell rings and the friends fly out the door. 

Only to themselves do they admit the study hall is boring. 

They join the mass of humanity that is walking to the high school gymnasium and quickly meet up with their friends.   The six teens sit together to listen to Principal Kaede’s speech. 

Mrs. Kaede stands behind the speaker’s podium quietly watching all the faces.   This was one of her favorite moments of the school year.  As she looks she can see the eager and unknowing Freshmen unsure of what was to come but excited about it.  She focuses on Sesshomaru’s little group. 

Her eyes roam. There are her sophomores, casually flopped in their seats.   They are familiar with the environment, experienced with the routine, and yet still newish. 

Then there are the jade juniors who know everything but aren’t at the top yet, and the Seniors, seasoned with experience, authority, and kings of their castles. 

All of them with their dreams and expectations for the upcoming year  are just waiting for her to give the word. 

“Students.” 

The room becomes silent. 

“I am your Principal, Mrs. Kaede.   It is my pleasure to welcome you to the first day of school for the 1950-51 school year.” 

The majority of the audience clap politely.   The senior class roars with exhilarated noise. 

Kaede nods. 

“My congratulations to each class for making it this far. My staff of teachers,” she points to the teachers who file in from either side of the stage, “intend on instilling you with all the information you need to be successful in whatever you chose to do with your life.” 

The lecture drones on regarding careers, lifestyle, and more.   Finally, she gets to the notifications. 

“Students, I am excited to let you know of a new curriculum being introduced tomorrow,   Languages!   Mrs. Kimi Rossi has consented to teach Italian, Spanish, and French. You have the option of trading one period for language.   Talk to your home room teacher about how the class transfer will work.   Also, the Sadie Hawkin’s Dance is next Friday.   The tradition is for women to ask men to the dance; however, everyone is welcome to come.” 

“Now join us as we sing the school fight song.” 

Go Our Town, Down the Field.  Fight on Forever. 

Touch, Pass and Make That Goal.  We'll Win Fair or Stormy Weather. 

This is our Battle Cry: Fight on Forever. 

Our Town Our Town go for a Touchdown For our School. 

The teachers all clap and stomp their feet enthusiastically especially Coach Kyōkotsu. 

The volume nearly rattles the roof. 

In their group, Bankotsu is the only one who knew the entire son.   He sings it loudly. 

When the crowd dismisses, Koga turns to him. 

“How’d you know all the words to the fight song, man?” 

Bankotsu smiles. 

“I have five older brothers that all went to school here, remember?” 

He points to Coach Kyōkotsu.   “He really likes the fight song.   I hear it all the time.   I even made an arrangement for it on my electric guitar.   I’ll play it for you some time.” 

Shiori looks at him with renewed interest.   She loves music. 

“I didn’t know you could play an instrument,” Shiori says. 

Bankotsu responds without realizing who he is talking to.   “Oh yeah!   I play the electric guitar in our family band. I love it!   It’s so much fun when they can all relax and hang out.   We get to playing and we play for hours.” 

“What kind of music do you play?” 

“I like jazz rips, but rock and roll is the cats pajamas.”  Bankotsu keeps talking, as Shiori  listens and hangs on every word. 

Sesshomaru glances at Kouga who just shrugs and adds, “Betcha he doesn’t even realize he’s talking to Shiori.   Once he starts talking about music, he could be talking to the President and not even realize it.” 

Rin looks at both of them.  “Why didn’t he take music appreciation with us?” 

“Only shop class Freshmen can take is second period and his brothers told him to take it.   He adores his older brothers, so he does what they suggest,”  Kouga scratches his head.  “I think they told him they would teach him music appreciation at home. ” 

Ayame butts into the conversation. 

“But two of his brothers work on the farm,” Ayame interjects. 

“Yeh.  So?” Kouga glares at her. 

Ayame backs up a little.   “I mean, how is farming and music related?” 

Koga bats his eyes like he was trying to get out dust.  ‘Was she really that prejudice?’ 

“Anyone can play music anywhere, anytime.”  He glares at her. 

Ayame is silent and embarrassed. 

“Music was important to their parents.  Their mom taught them.  Their dad played with them.  It was like a family music thing for them.”  Koga continues glaring at Ayame.   She has managed to annoy him even more than usual now. 

Rin is leaning forward into Sesshomaru’s personal space to hear Koga’s story.   Sesshomaru can smell her body spray.  She smells good.   Her skin glistens.  He wants to touch it.  He is so focused on Rin that when she speaks, he jumps. 

She spares him a glance, a smile and then repeats her question. 

Sesshomaru wonders if she has bewitched him. 

Koga smirks.  Rin has bewitched his friend.   He replies to her question. 

“That’s Bankotsu’s story to tell.  You can ask him. I’ve got to go.  Kohaku’s waiting to take me to Ginta’s shop and introduce me to him.  Cross your fingers.  Maybe I’ll get a part time job.   See you guys tomorrow.”    

Koga rushes toward Kohaku’s motorcycle, flagging him to get his attention.   

Once he arrives at the bike, he grabs the spare helmet and jumps on the bike behind Kohaku. They are out of the parking lot in seconds. 

Sesshomaru looks around. 

Bankotsu is 20 feet ahead of him – talking -- actually talking to Shiori. 

Ayame is alone by the street waiting for her mom to pick her up. 

Rin is watching him.  When he looks at her, she says, “Sesshomaru?  Um?  Aren’t you supposed to pick up Inuyasha?” 

Sesshomaru’s eyes widen. 

The 14-year-old rushes to the other side of the school campus. 

“See you tomorrow,” Rin calls out.  “Have fun at your Dad’s party.” 

Sesshomaru waves and then resumes running and scanning the crowd for his little brother. 

Inuyasha is standing hand in hand with Miroku when Sesshomaru finds him. 

“Sesshomaru!  Sesshomaru!   This is my friend Miroku!”  The little boy smiles happily as he swings their hands back and forth exuberantly. 

Sesshomaru nods and then asks, “Is your Dad, Mr. Hachi?” 

“Un-huh,” comes the muffled voice of the little boy.   The big boy scares the little six-year-old.   His dad isn’t even that tall. 

Sesshomaru kneels so he can look at the boys’ eye to eye. 

“How was school, little brother?” 

“It was GREAT!” Inuyasha whoops.  “We’s had so much funs and got to do so much stuffs.   I like school!” 

“Oh?” Sesshomaru laughs internally, ‘Just wait til you get tired of it.’  But he didn’t say anything to Inuyasha. 

Inuyasha decides that the questioning “oh” is permission to tell his brother the most detailed possible version of his day. By the time their mother pulls up, they have only reviewed up to 11 am. 

“What did Mom make for you today?” Sesshomaru asks. He had put up the note from Mom in his locker and his locker smelled fantastic now. 

“It was good,” Inuyasha wiggles his mouth as he thinks, “but it wasn’t pizza.” 

“True,” Sesshomaru agrees, “my ham sandwich was way better.” 

“Did she give you deviled eggs too?  They was yummy,” the little boy rubs his tummy. 

“Yes, they were yummy,” Sesshomaru attempts to correct Inuyasha’s grammar, but Inuyasha has already turned to Miroku.  

“I told you my brother and me, we’s likes deviled eggs,” Inuyasha put his hands on his hips. 

“Still icky,” Miroku sighs. 

“No they’s not,” Inuyasha replies. 

“Icky,” Miroku returns. 

But before that conversation can go any further, Izayoi pulls up. 

Sesshomaru appears relieved. 

“Come on boys,” Izayoi calls.  “We have a few things to get for your Father’s birthday.” 

“Coming,” they call and off they go to the Mom-mobile. 

Inuyasha repeats the first four hours of school again this time to his mother.    

Sesshomaru wonders if he had been so wordy when he was a first grader.  As he recalled they didn’t do much except color and read, “Go, Spot, Go.”   He remembered feeling sorry for Dick and Jane having to chase that dog so much. Just then Inuyasha said, “And we got to read a book together!   Dick and Jane…” 

Sesshomaru smiles.   Good book.  Wonder if Mom would consider – never mind.  He rolls his eyes at his own silliness. 

“And I have homework,” Inuyasha stops to rumble around in his backpack. 

“You have homework?!” Both Izayoi and Sesshomaru ask incredulously. 

“Un huh,” replies Inuyasha as he pulls out a sheet of paper.  “I have to make the aqua-aint-ence,” Inuyasha struggles with the pronunciation, “of five new friends and have them sign this.   I have one week.   Will you sign?” 

Izayoi giggles into her hand.   What a clever way to get the class to know each other. 

“No sweetie.   It’s for your classmates.  You need to make friends with them.” 

“You sure, Mom?” 

Izayoi glances at Sesshomaru.   Sesshomaru turns in the car seat to look at his brother.   “Do you know what acquaintance means?   It means make friends with.   Your teacher wants you to make friends at school.   Now, do you understand?” 

Inuyasha tilts his head and makes a funny face as he thinks about it.  Then he says, “I’ll just get our Grandmas and Grandpas to sign it.” 

It is a good thing they had arrived at home because Izayoi and Sesshomaru both had to stifle their laughter. 

Inuyasha jumps out and runs into the house.    

As soon as he is out of sight, the  two laugh heartily. 

Chapter Text

Across town Kohaku is introducing Koga to Ginta. 

When Kohaku got his driver’s license he went directly to Ginta’s garage looking for a motorcycle. At the time Ginta had only just set up business and he needed employees.   He did have a collection of old bikes that needed work and parts.   He made a deal with Kohaku that if Kohaku would work eight hours a week, Ginta would teach him and help him tune up one of the old motorcycles in the heap.  Kohaku jumped on the opportunity. 

Now Kohaku is a senior in high school.  Koga is his next door neighbor and has been eyeing his bike.   He got up the nerve to talk to the older boy  because he liked the bike. 

Now Koga wanted to get a job at the garage so he can have a bike too. 

“I can’t swear that he’ll hire a 14-year-old,” Kohaku murmurs.  “There are age limits, you know.” 

“I love motorcycles,” replies Koga.   “Just knowing the guy that takes care of bikes —that’s my dream, man.   Maybe he just let me hang around." 

Hakkaku and Ginta have just finished a motorcycle rebuild when Kohaku pulls in with Koga. 

“Great job Buddy!” Ginta shakes his employee’s hand and offers him a soda pop. 

“You too, Boss!” Hakkaku pumps the handshake and grabs the soda.   “Doesn’t it feel great when you finish?” 

“You know it!” Ginta nods.  

Kohaku walks into the garage. “Hi boss.   Guess you finished the rebuild.” 

“Yes, we did,” the two mechanics wrap their arms around each other, beaming proudly. 

“I’d like to introduce you to Koga.   He is crazy about motorcycles.” 

Ginta walks toward Koga and looks him over. 

“What’s so cool about motorcycles Koga?” 

Koga steps up to him with a grin on his face.  “Motorcycles are sleek, sexy and powerful.  When you are on them, you own the road!   It’s thrilling and girls think you’re cool.” 

Ginta snickers. 

“Can’t disagree with you on that last point. Why did you want to meet me?” 

Koga looks up at the older boy.   “I want to do this when I graduate High School.  I want to work with you and make beautiful machines and test ride them.” 

Hakkaku watches.   It looks like the boss might hire another kid like Kohaku. 

“How old are you, Koga?” Ginta looks over the young teen. 

“I’m 14.   I’m a freshman.” 

“Lucky you.   You are the minimal age to work.   Are your parents behind you in this adventure, or do I need to beware of angry parents?” 

Koga laughs.   “No problem.  My mom used to ride with my dad before I was born.  I can get a note from her if you want.   I’d like to learn from you and work for my own bike, just like Kohaku did.” 

Ginta glances at Kohaku.  “I thought we had a discussion about keeping deals secret.” 

Kohaku blushes. 

“Yes, Boss.   But Koga has been admiring my bike and telling me how beautiful she is and I — I — told him I got her from you.” 

The 19-year-old new boss sighs.  “Can’t deny she is a beauty.   This has got to be the last time. We’ve got to make bikes for money, am I understood?” 

Ginta puts his hands on his hips and looks from Kohaku to Koga.   “That applies double for you. I’ll fire you if you slip one word about this deal.” 

“I’ve got an idea,” grins Koga, “How about we start a biker gang that does good things?  We can brag about that instead.  Cool, huh?     We can be the Wolf Pack.  Bet it’ll attract women in leather too. Aah Roooh!” 

The wagging eyebrows and devious smile are contagious. 

At the sound of Koga’s wolf call, the others joined in.  Then laughter fills the garage. 

“You know, Whelp, I think we’re going to be great pack mates.” 

“Just keep up, old man,” Koga winks. 

As the men bond and Ginta gives him the expectations he has for his new worker, Kagura wanders into the garage. 

“Aah Roooh!” Koga admires the Latina beauty.   “Now that’s a woman!” 

Ginta makes a low growl.   “Yeah, Mine.   Back down.” 

Koga backs up.  “Don’t blame me for admiring a fine piece of art.” 

Kagura studies the two posturing men and walks to Ginta’s side.  Giving him a kiss on the ear, and a hug, she laughs happily, “I missed you today.  It was the first day you weren't there with me.” 

Ginta turns toward her and gives her a quick peck.  “I’m glad you dropped by. Look what Hakkaku and I finished.   Isn’t it a beauty?” 

Kagura looks over the motorcycle in question.  Then she turns and smiles, “Is this one for me?” 

“Si, Mi novia,  Only the best for my goddess.”  

Kagura squeals. 

“I have to get a leather jacket and helmet…,” the girl starts making her shopping list. 

Ginta smiles contently, slipping his arms around his girlfriend and breathing in her sweet fragrance. 

“Well, we’ve got the first girl for the Wolf Pack,” Koga says as he turns to Kohaku and Hakkaku.  “Who are your girls?” 

Kohaku coughs. 

Hakkaku snorts. 

Noticing their blushes and absent responses, Koga shrugs.   “I’ll have to pick up some women for you then.” 

Both men pile on to the brash 14-year-old.   Ginta doesn’t even notice.  He only has eyes for Kagura.

Chapter Text

Soon Bankotsu and Shiori are the only ones left at school. 

Bankotsu has been talking non-stop about music since school got out. 

“Uh.  Sorry I talked your ear off,” Bankotsu suddenly feels super awkward. 

“Nay,” Shiori smiles sweetly, “I just think it’s cool you like music.  I like music a lot too, although I just play the piano, nothing cool like being in a band.” 

Bankotsu notices her blushing cheeks.  ‘So cute,’ he thinks. 

“Well maybe you’d like to hear us sometime,” he blurts before thinking about it. 

“YES PLEASE,” the young lady squeaks gleefully.  “I’ve never seen a band practice before.” 

“Want to come over Saturday?   I imagine we might be practicing on Saturday,”  Bankotsu asks her before even considering talking to his brothers.   Suddenly he realizes he asked a girl over to his place and didn’t clear it with his brothers first.   “Well, I mean if my brothers are okay with it,” he adds quickly. 

Shiori smiles at him.   Her face glows.   “Well, I’d love to hear you anytime even if the whole band can’t be there. 

Bankotsu blushes.   This was a dream, right?  He pinches his arm. 

“Ouch,” he murmurs. 

“Are you okay?” Shiori asks him, concern written on her face. 

“Yeah, yeah, just a silly thing,” he laughs nervously.  “Don’t worry about it,” then quickly changing subjects he says, “it’s late.  Do you want me to walk you home?” 

Shiori laughs.  “No,  I just live over there.   You can see my front porch from the entrance to the parking lot.   How are you getting home?” 

“My brother will be making his rounds soon.   I’ll get a ride with him.” 

“Okay.  Well, see you later,” Shiori smiles again, the glow back on her cheeks.  She runs off toward home, turning to wave every so often. 

It isn’t until she is out of sight that Jakotsu steps out from around the corner. 

“It’s about time you talked to her,” Jakotsu rolls his eyes and waves his arms about.  “Shiori this and Shiori that.   Oh Bankotsu, you’re so cool,” Jakotsu mocks, flipping his hair and imitating the petite girl.   “It’s like she’s already a fan girl for the world-famous guitarist Bankotsu!”

 

At first Bankotsu blushes but soon Jakotsu’s teasing gets to him, and the boys start fighting. 

The boys are in the middle of a wrestling match when a police siren goes off and Mukotsu pulls up in the police car. 

Bankotsu and Jakotsu pull apart and walk toward the car. 

“What on Earth!” Officer Mukotsu growls.   “I got a call from the teacher’s lounge about two boys fighting on the school grounds and here I come to find out it’s my own precious baby brothers!   Have you no shame.   You’re bringing embarrassment down on our family.   I’m so mortified!” 

Mukotsu would have gone on for several hours if it isn’t for Jakotsu blurting out, “He finally talked to her!” 

Silence. 

Mukotsu turns to Bankotsu and smiles broadly. 

“I knew it!  You did it!   Way to go, Little brother!   I’m so proud of you!” 

‘Bipolar?’ is all Bankotsu can think before he is pulled into a hug and given a nudgy. 

While they are close together, Mukotsu whispers, “Don’t fight on school grounds – ever.  We don’t want to make big brother look bad.  Am I understood?”   The armlock becomes tighter, the air thinner, and now there is an impending feeling of doom. 

Bankotsu wheezes out a “yes, sir.” 

A millisecond later Bankotsu is on the ground panting for air and Jakotsu is in a similar choke hold. 

Jakotsu gets off a “yes,” before he is also on the ground panting. 

‘Bipolar,” they both think. 

Meanwhile Mukotsu heads back to the car.   When he opens the car door, he looks back at the boys lying on the ground.   “You comin’ or not?” 

They scramble on hands and feet and pile into the police car. 

In the teachers’ lounge, a disappointed Coach Kyōkotsu looks around to assure he is alone and then walks out, turning off the lights on his way out the door. 

Ordinarily Jakotsu loves riding in his brother’s police car.  He likes to play cops and robbers with his brother.  He remains quiet today though.  The choking thing is a little too real. 

The three brothers are quiet all the way home.  As soon as the engine is turned off, the brothers race out of the car, Mukotsu yelling at the top of his lungs, 

“He did it!  He talked to her! It’s feast time tonight!”  

Renkotsu peeks out from the animal barn.   “He talked to the girl finally?” 

Mukotsu hollers back, “YEP!” 

Renkotsu lets out a loud cheer. 

“What’s happened?” Ginkotsu rolls out from under the tractor.    

“The boy talked to her!” Renkotsu hollers. 

“Kami be praised!” Ginkotsu stands up and grabs an oil rag to dry off his hands. As soon as he gets to his frozen little brother, he pats him on the back and gives him a big bear hug.   “So proud of ya, Ban.   You did it!   Ya spoke to that little girl that stole your heart. You’ve been pining for her for years.   Good job! What’d you say?” 

Jakotsu rushes over and starts repeating back the conversation with a little teasing. 

“Oh Bankotsu,” he flutters his eyelashes, “You’re so cool.” 

Ginkotsu steps between Bankotsu and Jakotsu at that point. “He is cool,” Ginkotsu says.  He turns and looks at Bankotsu and adds, “I’m happy for you.  So, you going to ask her out?” 

Bankotsu takes a deep breath.   “I did already.” 

Mukotsu, Ginkotsu, and Renkotsu look surprised. 

Bankotsu twists his foot in the dirt and worries his lip before speaking again. 

“I asked her over Saturday to hear us play.” 

“Oh?” Comes the collective answer.   “Shouldn’t you have consulted us first?” 

“Yes, I should have,” Bankotsu rushes, “but it was out of my mouth before I thought and then once I said it, I realized I shouldn’t have without your permission, so I told her I had to clear it with my brothers first.”  Bankotsu pants having said the entire apology in one breath.   

He looks at his brothers, fearful of their response. 

Silence and then laughter fills the air. 

The three older brothers are still laughing when Suikotsu pulls into the farm a few moments later. 

Opening the car door, he  watches his older brothers patting each other, laughing hysterically, glancing at Bankotsu, and then laughing harder. 

Suikotsu walks up to Bankotsu and puts his arm around his distraught little brother. 

“What gives?” 

Jakotsu tries his imitation of Shiori again, hoping this time to get some praise for his acting. 

Suikotsu stares at him. 

“Tough crowd,” he mutters.  “I’m cooking dinner.  Get cleaned up.” 

Suikotsu guides Bankotsu into the farmhouse.    

“Want to tell me about it?” 

“Can I wait until Kyōkotsu gets here?”     

“Sure kid.   Let’s play some music in the meantime, what you say?” 

“You’re the best.” Bankotsu sighs in relief and allows his older brother to lead him into the house. 

They walk through the kitchen to the large music room/living room and pick up their instruments. 

“I’m feeling like playing rock and roll.   Is that good with you?”  Suikotsu asks as he grabs Jakotsu’s guitar. 

“That would be outstanding,” Bankotsu smiles as he grabs his electric mandolin.   “Key of D, two sharps.  Hit it.” 

A catchy beat rolls through the house a moment later. 

Jakotsu taps his foot as he finishes up dinner.   Covering it and pulling it off the heat, he wanders into the living room.  Sticking his hand out expectantly for the guitar, Jakotsu frowns at Suikotsu and mouths the word, MINE. 

Suikotsu laughs and moves to the keyboard where he adds a flourish and starts hammering out chords. All the time he sings without interruption. 

Mukotsu wanders in next.   Grabbing his drum sticks he sits down at the drum set and eases into the song.    Suikotsu nods. 

“Your verse, Ban.” 

Bankotsu nods and starts singing as well as playing. 

Outside the farmhouse Coach Kyōkotsu briefs Ginkotsu and Renkotsu on the fight at the school.   He is still upset about seeing his brothers rolling around in the dirt.   However, when Ginkotsu mentions that Bankotsu finally talked to the girl and Jakotsu had been teasing him about it, Kyōkotsu cools off.   

Renkotsu adds the “date to hear his band” part. 

“So, our little bros were fighting because Jakotsu was teasing him about finally talking to the girl?” Kyōkotsu repeats to make sure he understands. 

“Yeah, and we laughed at him because he got flustered by the girl,” Ginkotsu adds sheepishly. 

“Well then, we had better play for them on Saturday,” Kyōkotsu says with finality.  “I’m proud of him for talking to her.  She’s a nice girl.”

 

Just then they hear Bankotsu’s voice singing. 

Kyōkotsu nods.  “Mom would have loved to hear him sing.  He’s got “good pipes”. Let’s get some practice in.   Might as well invite some of our friends too.  We’ll just have a little old fashioned “jam”. 

The brothers walk into the house and through the kitchen to the music.  Assuming their instruments they join in the song.   Each brother gets a chance to solo before Bankotsu sings the last verse again. When they finish, Suikotsu pats Bankotsu on the back. 

“Good job Ban!  You sound great!   Mom would have really loved it!” 

At the mention of his mother’s approval, Bankotsu glows. 

Kyōkotsu clears his throat. 

They all turn to listen. 

“Time to eat.   Our youngest brother is a great cook, so let’s enjoy his hard work and then plan what songs we’ll play Saturday.   It’s time we have friends over to jam with us.  Bankotsu, invite your friends, got me?” 

Ginkotsu and Renkotsu agree. 

Suikotsu claps his hands enthusiastically.   “It’s been too long since we celebrated anything.   I love it!” 

Mukotsu scratches behind his ear.  “I don’t think we need a permit since we’re just outside the city limits, but I’ll talk to the boss tomorrow.  Better to be sure.” 

Kyokotsu nods. 

“I’m not cooking for thousands.  You hear me?”  Jakotsu adds his two cents. 

Kyōkotsu thinks for a second.  “I hear you.   How do you feel about snacks and soda?” 

“I can do that.”   Jakotsu walks into the kitchen and sets the dishes to the table.   

The brothers file around the table, find their seats and sit down.   Seconds later, dishes and silverware clank against each other and low mumbles of "pass the pickles" and "pass the bread" filled the air. 

Bankotsu eats in silent reflection.   He really has a great family. 

Chapter Text

 Inuyasha retells every moment of his first day of grade school to everyone that steps into the house. His grandmothers hang on to every word.  His grandfathers nod pleasantly.  Sesshomaru excuses himself to help in the kitchen and complains to his mother.  

Izayoi giggles.  “Oh, Sweetheart, you were just as excited.   Don’t you remember?”  

Sesshomaru looks surprised. 

“I stood right here, finishing the decorations on Toga’s cake and you stood right here,” Izayoi walks around the kitchen bar and gently moves Sesshomaru to a different spot in the breakfast nook.   “See, there’s the notch on the door frame.  We mark them for your birthday usually but this one we marked for your first day of school.”  

Sesshomaru studies the mark.   He was much shorter then.   He bends down to study the mark a little closer. While he is at that level he looks around.   The world seemed much bigger when he was smaller. 

Hnnn.  

“Mom?   Should I go get Inuyasha so we can put his mark on the door frame too?”  

Izayoi smiles, “What a great idea!   How thoughtful of you Sesshomaru.”  

Sesshomaru races off to get Inuyasha, his only thought, ‘I bet I was taller.’  

Toga walks in just then.    Inuyasha rushes to greet him and hugs his legs.  When the boy releases his grip, Toga pulls him to his side and hugs him.   Then carrying Inuyasha, he greets his father and father-in-law.   The fathers both stand and walk to him to shake his hand and wish him happy birthday. Then he proceeds to his mother and mother-in-law and offers them kisses on the cheek.    

Inuyasha remains attached to his side, not unlike a koala bear.   He squeals in delight as his father bends over to offer kisses to his grandmothers.   When they right, Toga catches sight of Sesshomaru rushing into the living area.  

“What’s the rush, son?” Toga smiles, reaching his other arm out to hug his oldest.  

“Happy Birthday Dad.”

 Sesshomaru has been focused on proving he was taller than Inuyasha at the same age, but the sight of his little brother hanging on his father’s side has put a bit of a kibosh on his excitement.   He doesn’t get to do that anymore because he is too tall.   Life wasn’t fair.  

Toga gives Sesshomaru a warm, strong hug and kisses the top of his head. 

“I hope your day went well,” Toga hasn’t let go of his sons yet.  

Before Inuyasha can start again, Sesshomaru blurts, “Dad, we’ve got to measure Inuyasha on the door frame!”  

Toga grins.   He knows his oldest well enough to guess the motivation behind it, but he humors him.  

“You’re right!   Come on everyone.   Let’s carry on the family tradition!”  

Toga enters the kitchen and greets Izayo with a kiss.   As the entire gang wanders into the kitchen, they all gather in a half circle around the door frame.       

Toga puts Inuyasha down.   

“Alright Inuyasha.   I want you to stand up against the door frame so we can measure your height on your first day of school.” 

Inuyasha bounces with excitement. 

The grandmothers beam.  

The grandfathers put their arms around their wives.  They are lost in their memories of measuring the heights of their children.  

Izayoi brings the marker and ruler from the kitchen junk drawer to give to Toga.  

“Sweetie, put your heels to the door and stand up straight.  Look over here.”  

Inuyasha does as requested.  

Sesshomaru cranes his neck to see if he had been taller, but he couldn’t see because Inuyasha  keeps twitching. 

Toga puts the ruler flat against Inuyasha’s head and makes a mark.  

“Okay, step away,” Toga takes a step back so Inuyasha can move.   The boy turns around to look, blocking everyone’s view.  

“Where’s Sesshomaru’s mark?” Inuyasha asks, concern in his tone.  

Sesshomaru pushes in to see.  

The marks are side by side, almost impossible to see where one starts and the other began.  

Sesshomaru seems disappointed.  

Inuyasha jumps up and down excited about being Sesshomaru’s size.  

“Now it’s Big Brother's turn!” Inuyasha pulls on Sesshomaru’s arm.  

“Okay, okay,” Sesshomaru backs up to the frame.   

Inuyasha tries to jump high enough to see the top of Sesshomaru’s head.  

The grandparents find that amusing.  

Toga has to go to tiptoes to make sure the ruler is flat.  Then he makes a mark.  

Sesshomaru steps away from the wall. 

“Your boy is catching up with you,” Toga’s father comments.  

Immediately Sesshomaru’s mood improves.  

The doorbell rings. 

Izayoi, with a tea towel in hand, greets their guests. 

“Come in Jinenji and Mom,” she smiles.  “We’re so glad you could join us.”

The gaggle of family filters back from the kitchen area and greetings are all exchanged.   The mothers all gather and start chatting.   The men mingle.  They talk about sports, and politics. After a pleasant moment of fellowship, Izayoi leads them to the backyard, and they all sit at the picnic table.   Grace is said and then the food passed.   When all are served, they dig in. 

Dinner conversation is light.  Reminiscing, laughter, and thoughtful thoughts are exchanged.   Light table noise from glasses clinking to silverware on the flatware cast a delightful spell on the diners.   It is during one of the lulls in conversation that Inuyasha pipes up.  

“Most kids in my class only have two grandmas, but I have three.   How’d I get so lucky?”  

The elder generation at the table smile benevolently. Grandma Takahashi speaks first.  

“We are very blessed, my dear grandson.”   She smiles at Jinenji’s mom.  

“Years ago, when your dad went off to college, he met Jinenji in his very first class.”  

Jinenji nods.  

Grandma continues.   “They became good friends, even close like brothers.  Like you and Sesshomaru,” she motions back and forth between the two of them.   “Once when Toga came home on school break, he brought Jinenji and his mom with him to introduce us. We’ve been close friends ever since.”    

Grandma Takahashi is sitting next to Jineni’s mom.  She reaches out to squeeze her hand.  They beam at each other. 

Izayoi’s mother spoke next.  “Inuyasha, we didn’t meet Jinenji and his mom until after your mom and dad started dating but we love them like family too.   We’re so happy to have such good friends.” Her eyes glisten with happiness.  

The three women beam. 

Inuyasha scratches his head.   “When the kids say I can’t have three sets of grandparents…”  

Sesshomaru pats him on the head, “You just say, well, I do.  And if you have a problem with it, talk to my brother about it.  I’ll straighten them out.”  

Inuyasha seems content with that answer.  

As Izayoi adds that family doesn’t always have to be blood related, Jinenji processes this conversation into his heart.  

As a child Jinenji had been a quiet boy.   He and his mom had lived on a farm where they took care of a few horses, a cow, and a small flock of hens.      

When he was a small boy, the farm had been active.  After the Spanish-American war in which Jinenji’s father had been a Rough Rider, the captain settled down to farm.   He worked hard, nurturing the land, caring for animals and growing crops.   Before long he had established quite an inheritance for his son.  But before Jinenji was old enough to learn farming skills, his father had been recalled to the army to fight in the first world war.  Jinenji’s mom hung a blue star out to signify that someone from this house was serving in the war. The day two men in dress uniform had showed up on the doorstep was the day Jinenji and his mom had become a gold star family.  

Jinenji’s father had lost his life saving his fellow soldiers.  That’s what gold star means.  The captain of his patrol, he had guided his men to an evacuation point and was loading them onto the truck.  Suddenly an enemy soldier started firing at them.   Bullets ricocheted around them, but Jinenji’s father kept his cool and fired back, ending the enemies’ lives.   The last bullet the enemy fired lodged in the captain’s leg.   The men grabbed their captain, but by the time they arrived at a medical tent, he had bled to death.   

One of the men that showed up to tell his mom had said it was a heroic thing the captain had done but if they had had better medical support, he might still be alive that day.  

It was that day that Jinenji decided he would become a doctor.  

Jinenji’s mom understood.  She had been a nurse when she met her husband.   She separated from the service and gave up her nursing career to be a homemaker.  

It was a hard life for just the two of them but when it came time for Jinenji to go to college, the government reached out and offered Jinenji a Gold Star scholarship.  Jinenji had great grades and would easily do well in college but was hesitant to leave his mother behind at the farm.      

She patted his face.  “Such a good boy, you are.   What do you say if I tell you I want to go with you?   Let’s sell the farm and get an apartment near the school.  I wouldn’t mind being a nurse again.   I was a pretty darn good one once, you know.”  

Relieved that his mom would join him, Jinenji took the government scholarship and started college.   Unknown to him, it was the same university Toga Takahashi attended. The two met in their first class and became best friends.   They studied together, challenged each other to be better, and enjoyed similar interests.   Jinenji’s mom became a second mother for Toga while they were at school.   When there was a school break, Toga brought Jinenji and his mom to his little hometown where they met his parents. They all became fast friends.      

The boys went on to medical school and Jinenji’s mom worked at the university hospital.  Many med students called her “mom”.  Her home became a medical school study center. Many a late night, Jinenji’s mom would put a blanket on a sleeping student or scold a noisemaker to study or get home.  

The boys got accepted into residency together and Jinenji’s mom went with them.   The residency had horrible hours and oftentimes the boys ended up missing meals.   Jinenji’s mom wouldn’t stand for it and made sure they were fed.  When the boys didn’t have enough sleep she caused a ruckus in the dean’s office. The dean heard her and amended the surgery curriculum.  She made a feast to celebrate.  

In their final year when they were to choose where to set up practice, Toga asked Jinenji and his mom to meet with him.  

“My mom and Dad have met with city officials of my little town.  There is a need for an orthopedic clinic in my hometown and they are willing to loan me the start-up funds.   I’d like to but I’m hesitant to part from your company.”   Toga’s anguish was palpable.  

Jinenji’s mom leaned over and patted his face.  “Such a good boy, you are.   What do you say if I tell you I want to go with you?   Your mom already invited me.  I wouldn’t mind being a nurse at your clinic.   I’m a pretty darn good one, you know.”  She winked.  

Toga and Jinenji cheered as relief flashed across their faces.  Both hugged the old woman.  

“I have one request,” she said when they stopped cheering.  “Name the clinic the Takahashi clinic.   I like the sound of that.”  

Jinenji nodded.  “I agree wholeheartedly.”  

Toga cocked his head to size and stared at the two.   He blinked several times before he finally asked, “Why?”  

“Because” was the only answer he ever got from his friends.     

Privately Jinenji and his mom had talked about it.   They both felt Toga was the force that kept them moving forward.   Both of them had strength and will but no specific direction.  Once Jinenji became a doctor, he had no idea of how he could help.   The older he got the more he discussed why he wanted to be a doctor with his mother.   She understood his motivation but didn’t want him to serve in the military. As far as herself, she just wanted to be a good nurse.   But with Toga, they both felt he had a direction and they wanted to go with him.  

Toga clears his throat.

“Jinenji?  Hey buddy?   You there?”  

Jinenji is brought out of his memories. 

“Sorry Toga.   Just some good memories,” he blinks his eyes and looks around the table.

Everyone is looking at him. He grabs his water glass and raises it.   As he looked at each person he listed the title that person called Toga.

“Here’s to Toga!   My Best Friend!” 

 He looked at Toga’s parents and his mom, “Great Son!”  

Then he looked to Izayoi’s parents,  “Great son-in-law!”   

He smiled at Izayoi, “Amazing husband!”  

He pointed to the boys and called out, “And Awesome Father!   Cheers!”  

The table of family members raise their glasses and call “Here, Here”. 

Jinenji’s mother winks at him. 

Izayoi whispers to Sesshomaru and Inuyasha and the three walk back into the house, returning moments later with birthday cake and ice cream.  

A chorus of Happy Birthday to You lilted through the outdoors.  

Birthday presents appear on the table from their hidden locations around the yard.  

Toga laughs.   “Did you get here early just to hide presents?  Thank you for a lovely party!”  

In time the party goers bid goodnight.   Inuyasha and Sesshomaru are excused to prepare for bed, leaving Izayoi and Toga to themselves to swing on the front porch.  

Izayoi snuggles into Toga’s chest.  She turns and looks into his eyes.   “Did you have a good birthday, my love?”  

“The best,” Toga squeezes her and gives her a kiss.  

“Good,” Izayoi rests back on his shoulder, content.  

They enjoy a private moment together, gently swinging.  The crickets serenade them.  

Just before they go into the house to tuck in Inuyasha, Izayoi says, “Toga, Kimi Rossi is back in town.”  

Toga turns to her.  “Who?”  

“Kimi Rossi.   Your old high school girlfriend.”  

“Oh,” replies Toga, “I didn’t recognize the last name.”  

“Her husband died, and she and their three girls returned to our town.   Her mom is able to help with childcare. Mrs. Kaede gave her a job as a language teacher until she can figure out what she wants to do.”  

Toga nods.  “Good, good,” he says absently.  

Izayoi continues, “She’s grieving.  I thought maybe we should invite them over this coming weekend to have dinner.   Would that be okay, dear?”  

Toga nods.  “Of course,” but his mind is elsewhere.  

Naraku was a pretty man in Toga and Kimi’s class, but he had some creepy habits, like catching and torturing bugs.   At the beginning of their senior year in school, Kimi saw Naraku staring at her. A day later, it appeared that he was stalking her.  Frightened, she ran into the men’s gym locker room looking for Coach Kyōkotsu to help her. Toga was showering after football practice.   He had just walked out of the shower, towel wrapped around his waist when he heard Kimi call for help.   He dashed toward the sound of her voice.  

Kimi was surprised to see Toga, wet from the shower.  Conversely, Toga was surprised to see Kimi so frightened.   Before Toga could ask Kimi broke down crying and telling him that she was being stalked. Toga let her cry on his shoulder. When she calmed enough that he could understand her, he let her know he would watch over her. Afraid to leave, Kimi remained in the room with Toga, her back to him so she couldn’t see.   She begged him to keep his eye on her while he finished changing his clothes.   She was certain Naraku would follow her there.  It was an awkward situation but both teens swore they would never tell anyone.   Then Toga made sure Kimi got home safe and sound.   The following day he picked her up to go to school and that’s why they were always together.   When Kimi felt Naraku was too close, she ran to wherever Toga was.   That is why Mr. Myoga thought she was always chasing “that boy”.    

On his part, Toga didn’t mind the company but invested no emotional energy in the girl.   She had made it clear to him that she planned to go to Europe and be a famous model.  To avoid questions, they decided to call each other “boyfriend and girlfriend” but that was in name only.  From Kimi’s perspective Toga was just a male model designed to flatter her outfits.   Toga could only think of getting into college and attending medical school.   A built-in girlfriend helped keep him from dealing with unwanted attention from his other classmates.  

Naraku had never done anything criminal so Kimi couldn’t bring up the situation with Mrs. Kaede or her parents.  Toga believed her because he had also felt a creepiness from his fellow classmate.  Naraku was not interested in challenging Toga and soon he found other things to focus on but promised himself he would have Kimi someday.  When he graduated high school, Naraku moved to the neighboring town and started working in the landfill where he continued to torture insects and attempt to train spiders.  

Izayoi clears her throat.  “I’m going to tuck in Inuyasha.”  

“I’ll join you,” Toga rises and follows Izayoi into the house all the while wondering if Kimi would be okay.   They had never told anyone about creepy Naraku.   Should they?  Perhaps he should talk to Kimi first.  ‘Will she be safe?’  

Izayoi wondered how Toga would take the news that Kimi was back.   Clearly it distracts him.  She hopes there were no lingering affections.   She won’t be able to compete with a world class model.   She was just Izayoi, the plain girl who loved Shakespeare.  

Chapter Text

The following day Kimi and her three daughters arrive at school.   All four of them stopped traffic and the gossip grapevine flourished.

From the windows of the faculty lounge, Mr. Myoga rubs his hands.  He sees all the people who stumble when they see the gorgeous model.  He wonders who will be the first to have their heart crushed.  This is going to be fun.

Mr. Totosai bids him a good day, but Mr. Myoga misses it, his concentration on the action outside the window.

‘Mrs. Izayoi is walking beside Mrs. Kimi,’ he says to himself, ‘Toga’s old girlfriend with his wife,  interesting.’

The night before Izayoi had contacted Kimi to arrange dinner on Friday night.  She had also arranged to meet Kimi and her family in the parking lot the following morning. Izayoi figured she could help get everyone to the right place.   Sesshomaru helped get Inuyasha to the playground but then Sesshomaru ran to meet up with his friends. Inuyasha noticed the little girl his size and approached her.

“I’m Inuyasha.  Who’s you?”

Kagome tilted her head and looked at him.  “My name is Kagome.  I’m six years old.  How old are you?”

“I’s six too!” bounced Inuyasha, excited to meet a new classmate.

Izayoi and Kimi led the grade schoolers to the recess monitor.  

Inuyasha smiled.   “I can take her to our class, Momma.   We’re the same age!”

Izayoi nodded.  “Thank you Sweetie.   Help your new acquaintance out today, okay?”

“Oh, boy,” he became even more excited, “aqua-aint-ence!  She can sign my paper!”   The boy grabbed the little girl’s hand and dragged her off through the mass of students.

Thirteen-year-old Kikyo watched as her sister disappeared into the crowd.

Kimi had just finished talking to the recess monitor.

“Ma petite choue, your class is just down the hall.”

“Oui, Mama,” Kikyo murmured.  She gave her mom a quick hug and bolted down the hall.

Kanna stood several steps apart from her mother and sisters.  Why was she stuck in this little town!   Why did her daddy have to die! She was his first born, his mirror image.  He would tell her daily in his beautiful voice that she was his greatest work of art.   He had loved her, and she adored him. She’d never hear his voice again.   It wasn’t fair.

   It was unreal.  Here she was starting her senior year in a new school, all by herself.  None of her friends, none of her favorite places to study, none of the beauties of Italy.     ‘This was the pits.   Why did Papa have to die and leave her in the backwoods of America? 

And Mama, just going with the flow like nothing happened!  She couldn’t begin to understand.  Mama always said she loved Papa but now it’s like he never existed.   Kanna couldn’t forget and it made her mad.

 And her little sisters, they just cried to her, like she was supposed to fix it.   What was she supposed to do?  If she had that power she would have saved her papa!

At least Grandma was trying to help, but she’s so out of touch with everything!  Grief!

A tear started to drop but Kanna made sure to wipe it away fast enough that her mama wouldn’t see.  

Kanna felt a hand on her shoulder.

She looked back to see who wanted her attention.

Izayoi smiled knowingly at her and stuck out her hand.   “Come with me.   Senior class is next to my English classroom.   Your mom’s classroom is on the other side. Your first period classroom is right between us, and you can come get me any time.   Welcome to Our Town school.   Both your mom and I graduated from here.  It’ll be great to have you here too.”  Izayoi’s warm aura was palpable. 

Kanna slowly reached up to grab Izayoi’s hand.   She allowed Izayoi to guide her to their hallway of classrooms before she dropped her hand.   Wouldn’t want the other seniors to think she was a baby now.   Kanna walked to the other seniors.

Izayoi looked at Kimi who was frowning.

“Don’t worry.   She’ll be alright.  There are some really good kids in that class.  I can ask one of them to keep an eye on her for you.”

Before Kimi could say anything, Izayoi approached a lovely young woman.  After speaking to her briefly, she introduced Kanna to her.   They immediately started talking, first in English and then in Spanish.

Kimi released the breath she was holding.

Izayoi smiled as she walked back to Kimi.

“Let’s go to class, alright?   We’re going to start in my class and then I’ll take you to yours.”

The two women teachers walked into Izayoi’s classroom.

The English class was immediately silent.

“Good morning class,” Mrs. Izayoi directed their attention to Mrs. Kimi,  “This is our new language teacher, Mrs. Kimi.”

“Good morning” came a chorus of voices.

“As you remember from yesterday, you are allowed to add languages now.   We will be collecting your papers in this class for the transfers.    You may discuss with each other and fill out the requests while I take Mrs. Kimi to her classroom.”

The two women exited the room and walked to Kimi’s new classroom.  As they passed the senior classroom they saw Kanna standing at the front of the class.

“She’s introducing herself to the class,” Izayoi said.

Kimi regarded her thoughtfully.  “I’m so sad this had to happen in her senior year.   I remember my senior year so fondly.”

Izayoi agreed.    Internally bit her lip and thought, ‘yeh, I bet.  With my husband on your sleeve, it would be memorable.’ But then she scolded herself.  ‘How many fond fools serve mad jealousy?’ The Comedy of Errors (2.1) 

Izayoi opened Kimi’s classroom and allowed her to enter first.

“This is your classroom.   Decorate it as you like.   All your classes will meet here.   Teaching supplies are in the teachers’ lounge.  Help yourself.  If you take the last of anything write it on the notepad there so someone can reorder.   Ink pens disappear around here so make sure you keep them on you instead of in your desk.”   Izayoi snickered.

“Ink pens seemed to have legs.  One of the kids had even drawn a cartoon of a pen with legs running from Mr. Myoga.   It was funny.”

Kimi examined her room.

“I can work with this,” she said as she envisioned making some decorative changes including a lamp and a comfortable stuffed chair as well as a musical instrument, some country flags, and various other things.

Then Izayoi touched her hand lightly. “Are you okay?”

Kimi looked her in the eye.  “Much better thanks to you.  The two youngest girls and I spoke at length yesterday while Kanna and Mom went shopping.   It really helped.   I want to talk to Kanna today if possible.”

“Don’t wait too long,” Izayoi advised, “She needs to know how you really feel.”

“You’re right.”

Kimi considered just going into the next room and pulling Kanna out to talk to her now but decided they could wait until this evening.

“See  you at lunch?” Izayoi caught her attention.

“Sure,” Kimi nodded, unsure of her schedule.

“Okay,” and with that Izayoi left to return to her own class.

The rest of the morning passed with some shuffling of classes.   Mrs. Kimi’s classes filled. Sesshomaru, Rin, and Kouga transferred out of study hall into Basic Italian.  That was sixth period.

Kanna and the girl she had been introduced to transferred out of their free period for Advanced Spanish.

Some others signed up for French.

Before long Mrs. Kimi had six of the seven periods occupied.   She frequented the school library to see what books they already had and which ones she needed to purchase.   She spent her day making worksheet exercises.   By noon she realized she hadn’t thought of Amil once.

Izayoi’s day had been smooth.  Sesshomaru had asked for a private moment to ask her thoughts on him taking a language class.  She was thrilled to counsel him.   He got her signature on his transfer slip and dropped the paper in her basket.

By lunchtime, word was flying around school that there was a prettier teacher than Mrs. Izayoi.  When Sesshomaru heard he ignored the gossipers and spoke with Bankotsu and Koga.  Both of them knew not to say anything.  They could tell Sesshomaru was angry and ready to tear out someone’s throat.

In the grade school building, Inuyasha had already gotten into a verbal fight by fifth period.  The teachers separated the boys to stop the fight.  That worked until they were sent to recess.

Inuyasha and Miroku had gone to the swings.  They were squealing and laughing and chasing each other around the set. Suddenly the other boy and his friends joined them.

“The new teacher’s prettier than your mom,” the boy taunted.

“No sir!” Inuyasha barked back.  “Takes it back!”

“Can’t.  It’s the truth,” the boy teased.

“No, it isn’t,” Inuyasha screamed.  “You’re a liar!”

“Am Not!” the boy defended.

“Are too!” Inuyasha declared.

The verbal barrage continued as the boys got closer to each other.   Finally, they were inches from each other.   That was when Inuyasha couldn’t take the insult to his mother anymore and he pushed his challenger.   The boy fell back but his buddies started slapping Inuyasha.   The “slap fight”got rougher and rougher with pushes that caused the boys to fall to the ground and rip and tear their clothes.   Sand got in their eyes.

By the time the recess monitor made it to their area, all the boys had runny eyes, bloody knees and reddened faces.  The monitor blew her whistle frantically and other adults came running.

The adults calmly separated the boys, checking the extent of their injuries and then escorted them to the nurse’s office.   As the nurse washed and cleaned the wounds, the parents started showing up. Izayoi was one of the first to arrive.

Inuyasha’s right eye was swollen shut from the dirt.   He bit his left lower lip during the fight.  It had stopped bleeding but was swelling now.   He mumbled as he greeted his mom.   “You’s still prettiest,” he winced as he grabbed his lower lip with a clean tissue to stop the new bleeding.

“What on Earth,” Izayoi murmured as she tried to keep the ice pack in place on Inuyasha’s lip.

Miroku peaked around the bed.  “He foughts the others ‘cuz they says you’s not the prettiest teacher any more.”

Izayoi cooed as she held her baby.

“Sweetie, I’m touched you’d fight for me but that’s not the right way to handle it,” she looked into Inuyasha’s good eye.

“They didn’t listen, so I slapped ‘em,” Inuyasha grunted.

Izayoi sighed.   “I think I need your father to help with this.”

She called the Takahashi clinic.

“Dr. Takahashi is in with a patient,” the receptionist said.

“Please tell him that he’s needed at the grade school.  His son was in a fight.”

The receptionist gasped.  “I’ll get Dr. Jinenji.  Maybe he can cover.”

A moment later Jinenji’s mom was on the phone.   “Do we need to send medical supplies?”

“No Mom, We have an ice pack and a tissue.  We’ll be okay.  I don’t know about the other kids.”

Jinenji’s mom grunted.  “I’ll pack the doctor’s bag for him.   Don’t worry.  I’ll send him right away.”

“Thank you Mom,” Izayoi could see the old woman’s face, full of concern and ready for action.   She was sure Toga would be there soon.

Shoes running in the hallway caught her attention just as Sesshomaru flew in the door.

“Is he okay?” Sesshomaru panted, voice tempered by fear.

Inuyasha peeked out from behind their mom.

“Sessho,” he mumbled, “They was talking bad about mom. It wasn’t right.  Momma’s always the prettiest.”  Now there were tears pouring down the boy’s face from the indignation along with a renewed bleeding of his lip.  Sesshomaru reached out to embrace his brother.

Once tucked into Sesshomaru’s arms, Sesshomaru whispered, “That’s right.  Mom is the prettiest.  I’ve got you.  I’ve got you.”

Sesshomaru rocked his baby brother to his chest, ignoring the tears and blood that were getting on his shirt.

Izayoi got up and walked to the nurse.   “Are the other kids okay?”

“Just cuts and scrapes, mostly,” the nurse replied.   “No broken bones, or sutures needed.  I think Inuyasha got the worst of it.   I’m keeping all the boys here separately until the principal and their parents get here.   Mrs. Kaede will want to interview everyone and figure out what happened.”

Mrs. Kaede had already interviewed the teachers that had separated the boys prior to recess.   She had to school her face as to the cause of all the ruckus. As soon as she heard who started the physical fight she would be able to make her decision on punishment.  

The other parents had settled in with their kids and made sure they were alright when Toga came running in, black bag in hand.

Kaede put a strong hand on his shoulder.   “Give me one minute.”

Capturing everyone’s attention, she told the parents what the teachers had told her.

Izayoi blushed.

Toga kept his face blank.

The other parents covered their faces in order not to snicker out loud.

Sesshomaru continued to cuddle his baby brother.

“I just need to know who pushed who first,” Mrs. Kaede commanded, her voice full of authority.

“I pushed him,” Inuyasha mumbled as he pulled away from Sesshomaru.  He walked closer to the principal.  “He wouldn’t stop saying mean things about my mom, so I pushed him.”

Eye swollen shut and bruise blooming around his lip, the little boy looked indignant that someone would insult his mother.

Mrs. Kaede nodded.

“Very well.   You will stay here while I take care of the others.”

Inuyasha nodded and then looked at his feet.

“Inuyasha,” Toga called.

“Dad?” Inuyasha’s voice quaked.   Because his right eye was shut, he hadn’t seen Toga come in the room.   Tears started to fall again.

“Come here, son.  Let me take a look at you.”

The family of four disappeared behind the curtained area while Toga checked Inuyasha over.

“You’ll have a bruise or two but no broken bones or permanent marks.”  Toga looked from Inuyasha to Sesshomaru to Izayoi.   “Let’s wait to see what Mrs. Kaede wants.  Sesshomaru, you can return to class.”

Sesshomaru put a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder and squeezed.  He stood to leave but then stopped.

“Dad?”

Toga looked up at him.

“I felt like doing the same thing when the boys in my classes teased me too.   Nobody is prettier than Mom.  Nobody.”  Then Sesshomaru left.

Toga watched his oldest leave, pride welling at his son’s words.

Inuyasha leaned against Izayoi and wrapped his arms around her arm.

Toga leaned against her other side.

The three sat in silence before Toga cleared his throat.

“I’ve been in this bed before,” he commented casually.  “ I took a hit in football practice.   Coach Kyokotsu said I was acting funny, so he wanted me to lay down here and count the dots in the ceiling.   Inuyasha, lay down and look at that one.   How many dots can you count?”

Inuyasha laid back and rolled a little so he could see clearly and then he started counting.

Izayoi nodded and stood up slowly.  

Inuyasha kept counting,  “one, two, four, nine, ten, ten, twenty,..one hundred..”.

Toga led Izayoi outside the curtain.

There, in the open area of the nurse’s room, they held hands, offering each other their strength.

“Thank you for coming to school, Honey,” Izayoi whispered.

“It is where I’m supposed to be, My love,” Toga replied.

The lovers, comforted by the background sound of Inuyasha counting dots, continued to hold hands.

Soon Mrs. Kaede joined them.

“None of the other parents want to press charges.  Do you?” Mrs. Kaede asked directly.

“No,” Toga replied.  

Izayoi shook her head.

“Good, then I assume you will be supporting my handling of this situation?” Mrs. Kaede’s statement was not a question.

Toga nodded his head.  “We trust you, Principal.   Just tell us what you want us to do.”

“Stand right there,” Mrs. Kaede ordered.   Then she called, “Inuyasha.  Come here.”

“501.”  He got up from the bed and walked toward the adults.   They were all towering over him.   It was intimidating.   In a squeaking voice, he spoke, “Dad, I counted 501.”

Mrs. Kaede looked inquisitively at Toga. 

“Very good son.   That’s what I got.   Mrs. Kaede wants to speak to you now.   Listen very carefully, am I understood?”

“Yes Sir,” the grade schooler replied.   Inuyasha turned his head so he could see Mrs. Kaede.

“Inuyasha.   Did the words the boys said hurt your mother?   I want you to look at her carefully.   Does she have any bruises or cuts on her?”

Inuyasha looked over his mother.  Then he turned to Mrs. Kaede.

“No Ma’am.   Momma is ok.”

“Good,” the principal continued.  “Now look in the mirror.”

It was the first time since the fight that Inuyasha saw his face. Now it was swollen and black and blue.  The cut on his lip had crusted blood.   His tongue slipped out to touch it and darted back in when it caused pain.

Mrs. Kaede continued.  “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. Have you ever heard that before?”

“No Ma’am,” the child mumbled, his lip again bleeding.

Mrs. Kaede passed him a tissue.  

“It means that although it’s not nice to say bad things about someone, they aren’t the things that physically hurt that  person.    If you hadn’t hit anyone, you wouldn’t be here.  Neither would Sesshomaru, your mom or dad. They came because they were worried about you, that you were hurt.”  Mrs. Kaede emphasized the last “you”.

Inuyasha stared.

“But he told lies,” Inuyasha pressed.   “Mom is the prettiest.”

“Did she want you to fight for her?  Did you ask her?”  Mrs. Kaede pressed.

“No.  But it’s true,” Inuyasha was struggling with understanding Mrs. Kaede’s point.

Izayoi kneeled in front of Inuyasha.   “Sweetie, I love hearing that you and  Sesshomaru think I’m the prettiest but there’s no competition, no reason to fight over who’s the prettiest.   Beauty is bought by judgment of the eye.” Love's Labour's Lost II,I

“Did that William guy say that?” Inuyasha grumbled.

“Yes,  he was saying that everybody has a different idea of what beauty is,” Izayoi added.

“Why didn’t he just say that?” mumbled Inuyasha.  The pain was beginning to get to him and his face throbbed because he hadn’t worn the ice pack in a bit.

Izayoi just looked at Kaede.

The Principal covered her mouth as she hid her mirth.  She, too, thought Shakespeare a bit verbose.

Toga was wise enough to keep a straight face.

“Very well,”  Mrs. Kaede cleared her throat.   “Today, Inuyasha will go home and rest like the other boys.  Tomorrow and for the rest of the week, NO RECESS.   During that time, I will have lines for him to copy.   No Fighting on the school grounds.  EVER.   Am I understood, young man?”

A quick “yes” was heard and the Principal left.

The parents stared at each other for a moment.

“I can take him to the clinic and Mom can watch over him until we get our schedules clear,” Toga was trying to remember what all he had to do today.   It wasn't surgery day.  No one was in the hospital.  He could probably clear his schedule.

“I need to give out the homework schedules,” Izayoi scratched her head.  “I’ll have to find a teacher’s assistant and then I can come home.

Inuyasha started crying again. 

Toga picked him up and hugged him.

“See  you soon?”

“Yes!” Izayoi rushed off to wrap up loose ends.

Toga walked out to his car.  Sitting the boy in the back seat, he drove back to the clinic.

At the clinic Mom cleaned the dirt from his eyes while Toga finished his work.  Izayoi called to say she was finished, and they both met up at home.   Once they got home and settled Inuyasha onto the sofa with a new ice pack, Toga spoke.

“I’ll go pick up Sesshomaru after school.”

Izayoi nodded.

“Thank you dear.”

Toga arrived a bit early at the school but had actually planned that.   He needed to make sure Kimi was aware that Naraku was still around.

He entered the school just before the final bell. 

Mr. Myoga watched from the window, intrigued.   ‘Didn’t Toga know Izayoi had left early?’ Mr. Myoga walked to the teacher’s lounge door and started to open it when he saw Toga walk into Kimi’s classroom.

‘My, isn’t this interesting?’ The old history teacher rubbed his hands.  

Chapter Text

That morning at school when Sesshomaru saw Mrs. Kimi and her three daughters he did think she was pretty, but he took one look at his mom and smiled.   Mom was the best.   She made him ham sandwiches and deviled eggs.  She wrote him little notes in his lunch.  Some were funny and some were corny, but he loved them all.

He was really glad she was his mom, and he was certain no one was as beautiful.

‘Well, Rin was cute,’ he added to his thoughts, ‘but that’s not the same thing’.

He dashed off to see Bankotsu and hear if he’d asked Shiori out.   They could double date now.  How awesome would that be.

The guys were leaning against the pillars near the entrance.

“Hey!” Sesshomaru greeted them.

“Yo,” replied Koga.  “Guess who’s working for Ginta’s motorcycles?  That’s right, this guy!”  Koga pointed to his chest.

Sesshomaru shook his hand.  “Good for you Dude!”

They both looked at Bankotsu.  He had a dreamy, dazed look on his face.

Sesshomaru  waved a hand in front of him.

No response.

“Did she reject him or something?” Sesshomaru asked.

“Bets me.  He’s been like that since I got here,” Koga sighed.  Then he snapped his fingers.   “I’ve got it!”

Turning to stand in front of their dazed friend he looked over Bankotsu’s shoulder and waved,    “Oh, hi Shiori!”

Bankotsu jumped to life and turned to look where Koga was looking.   “Where is she?” Bankotsu looked everywhere for her.

Koga and Sesshomaru laughed.

“Dude’s got it bad.”

The warning bell rang, and the boys walked into the school toward the English room.

The boys filed in and flopped in their chairs.

Rin was giggling with Shiori, while Ayame was shaking her head as though it would clear any confusion.  She stared at Shiori and Rin and then turned her attention to her notebook.

Other kids in the class were talking and the overall din made it almost impossible to hear.

As the bell rang for first period, the door opened Mrs. Izayoi and Mrs. Kimi stood at the doorway.  The class was quiet.

“Good morning class,” Mrs. Izayoi directed their attention to Mrs. Kimi,  “This is our new language teacher, Mrs. Kimi.”

“Good morning” came a chorus of voices.

“As you remember from yesterday’s all school assembly, you are allowed to add languages to your class schedules now.   We will be collecting your papers in this class for the transfers. You have a week to decide but remember the sooner the better or you will be behind on homework.  You may discuss with each other and fill out the requests while I take Mrs. Kimi to her classroom.” 

 They turned around and exited.

The classroom exploded in noise.

“I want to take French!”

“I think Spanish is practical.”

“But I only have one free period and I need it to study.”

Rin turned to Sesshomaru.

“Want to take Basic Italian instead of study hall?  We could take it together.”  Rin smiled as she asked her boyfriend.

Sesshomaru gazed into her eyes.   He could see them whispering to each other in their own language.

Breathily he whispered, “yes, I like that idea.”

Koga eavesdropping on the conversation butted in.  “I’ll transfer too. Bet I can get a parental signature faster than you can.”

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow.

Rin turned her head to giggle. ‘Did Koga forget who taught this class?’

Quickly before Koga could take it back, Sesshomaru grabbed his hand to shake it.   “You’re on.   When I win you have to go to the Sadie Hawkins dance no matter what.”

Koga was already nodding yes as Mrs. Izayoi walked back into the classroom.

“Any questions about transfers?” she said.

Sesshomaru raised his hand.

“Yes, Sesshomaru?”

“May I come to your desk?”

Izayoi motioned for her son to join her.

Whispering he asked, “Mom,  I want to take Italian, but I have to give up my study hall. Do you think I can do all my homework at home at night?”  Sesshomaru made sure no one saw him as he gave his mom his patented puppy look.

Izayoi considered the question.  Her son really had put some thought into it.  She could see it in his eyes.  She needed to give her best.

“Homework as a Freshman should be straightforward for you dear.   Studying a language adds depth and breath to a person.   I’m sure you can handle it.”   She smiled encouragingly.

Sesshomaru put the transfer paper in front of her.  “Then would you sign for me?”

“Of course, dear,” as she signed her name.

With a satisfying slap he put the transfer paper in the box on her desk.  Turning to face Koga, he mouthed, “I win.”

Koga slapped his forehead.

English class flew by as did the rest of the morning.

Several teenagers were talking loudly in the halls between classes about the new teacher who was even prettier than Mrs. Izayoi. Sesshomaru growled low enough no one but Bankotsu and Koga heard. They knew better than to approach Sesshomaru when he was in a mood.

Noon found the boys eating by themselves.  Sesshomaru had a dark aura surrounding him.   He was tired and angry of hearing his classmates talk badly about his mom.   She was the best. He was in such a mood that when he bit into his sandwich more aggressively than usual, Koga, who was about to snitch a deviled egg, changed his mind.   He would rather keep his fingers attached.

Sesshomaru’s gang had just entered Science class when they overheard a student in the hall say that a white headed first grader and some others were in the nurse’s office getting first aid after a fight. Sesshomaru turned around and raced down the hall to the nurse’s office.

“Is he okay?” Sesshomaru panted, voice tempered by fear.

He saw Inuyasha as he peeked out from behind their mom.  Sesshomaru sighed in relief.

Tears poured down Inuyasha’s face as he told his big brother how the other kids were talking bad about their mom.   As he spoke Inuyasha’s lip resumed bleeding.

Relieved Sesshomaru reached out to embrace his brother.  Consoling his little brother Sesshomaru whispered, “That’s right.  Mom is the prettiest.  I’ve got you.  I’ve got you.”

Sesshomaru rocked his baby brother to his chest, ignoring the tears and blood that were getting on his shirt.  

Sesshomaru didn’t look up as their mother got off the cot and went to talk with another adult, he just continued to cuddle his brother.

“I’ve got you.  You’re okay.”

Inuyasha had stopped crying and was hanging on to Sesshomaru tightly.  

Sesshomaru heard their father’s shoes in the hall first, and then caught his eye as he came through the door.  But before either man could say anything, Mrs. Kaede put her hand on Toga’s shoulder.

“Give me one minute,” she said.   Then turning to the collected parents and students, she explained that this incident had stemmed from some of the boys telling Inuyasha that his mom wasn’t the prettiest teacher anymore.

‘Oh,’ thought Sesshomaru.    He noticed his mom blush and his dad standing tall.  The other parents snickered.   ‘The nerve of those others laughing about this.  Mom is the prettiest and their kids are liars.   He cuddled his baby brother tighter.

Then Mrs. Kaede asked, “I just need to know who pushed who first.”

The small being in Sesshomaru’s arms pushed free and walked toward the principal.

“I pushed him,” Sesshomaru heard Inuyasha mumble.  “He wouldn’t stop saying mean things about my mom, so I pushed him.”

Sesshomaru’s chest swelled with pride.   His brother was noble and honorable.  The swollen eye, bloody lip and bruise were his red badges of courage.

Sesshomaru nearly missed Mrs. Kaede’s instructions.

Then he heard their father call Inuyasha’s name and Inuyasha was crying again.

“Come here, son.  Let me take a look at you.”

Sesshomaru stood while their dad laid Inuyasha down to check him out.  He heard the diagnosis and prognosis and nodded.  Their dad looked up from examining Inuyasha to look at Sesshomaru and Izayoi.

 “Let’s wait to see what Mrs. Kaede wants.  Sesshomaru, you can return to class.”

Sesshomaru looked at his little brother who had sat up again but was looking at the floor.   He wanted to show some support to his brother, so he put a hand on Inuyasha’s shoulder and squeezed.   Inuyasha looked up.   Sesshomaru winked at him.  Just before he left, he said, “Dad?”

Toga looked up at him.

“I felt like doing the same thing when the boys in my classes teased me too.   Nobody is prettier than Mom.  Nobody.” 

Sesshomaru walked proudly back to Science class.   He wasn’t going to wash the blood off his shirt.  It was a message:   Don’t talk smack about our mom!”

The rest of the school day was quiet.  

Basic Italian was going to be fun.   Mrs. Kimi was a bit eccentric.   She had some wild stories to tell.  Rin was really into it. Koga was drawing motorcycles in his notebooks.   The other kids were beginners too.   Yeah, he could learn a foreign language.   Easy.

Coach Kyokotsu made them stretch out for 15 whole minutes.   That was like an eternity compared to what they had done in grade school.   After that they divided into teams and played dodge ball.   That was fun.   Maybe PE was more fun than Science class.

As they cleaned up after gym, Sesshomaru wondered how he was going to get home, when Koga called to him.    “I see your Dad’s car in the parking lot.”

Sesshomaru looked out the nearby window. ‘Cool, getting picked up by Dad.’

As the bell rang for the end of school, he walked to the car and stood by the door. He wasn’t sure where his dad was. It would be safer to just stand by the car.  Dad could be getting stuff for Inuyasha, or talking to the school nurse, or getting stuff from Mom’s desk, or talking to the principal.   He would just stand here.

Within five minutes, Toga stepped briskly out of the school and waved at Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru waved back and smiled.   He had the coolest dad and the prettiest mom in the whole world.

Chapter Text

 Kimi

“Kimi?”

The language teacher looked up and stared.

“Toga?”

The orthopedic surgeon nodded.

They approached each other but didn’t touch. As they regarded each other, Kimi smiled.  “You came out okay.  Nice muscles.  Got a little meat on those skinny arms.”

“You’re taller than ever,” Toga teased.  “I’m looking in your eyes now.”

Kimi smirked.  “Four-inch stiletto Italian heels, right off the catwalk.”   The model showed off the heels with a practiced twirl.

“I understand we’ll be dining soon so I’ll delay all the niceties.   I just want to tell you that Naraku works in the next town and is still around here,” Toga delivered his words with all the seriousness the subject required.

Kimi turned pale.  Her proud, assured mannerisms vanished.

“What do I do?”  The news had caught the model completely off guard.  Tears welled in her eyes.

“I think it’s time to tell the authorities,” Toga offered his opinion.

“Oh Toga,” Kimi collapsed into his arms, a tear streaked with mascara dripped on his shoulder.  “I don’t want to go through that again.”  Her body shaking in fear, was braced by the strong doctor.

“All the more reason to tell the police now.  They can keep an eye on him.”  Toga remained sturdy for her but did not return the embrace.

Kimi, suddenly realizing she was embracing Toga, broke away apologizing. “I’m sorry.  I can handle this.  I’m not that scared 17-year-old you knew anymore.  I’m Kimi Rossi!”

Toga nodded.   “I look forward to meeting you and your family soon.    Until then,” Toga turned and left.

As Toga walked by the teacher’s lounge, Mr. Myoga peeked out the door.

--------- 

With the Wolf Pack

Kohaku and Koga had gone to the motorcycle garage after school.   After donning some coveralls to protect their clothes, Ginta put them to work breaking down some old parts and cleaning them.   The two of them worked well together and before too long had an assembly line going. 

In a different part of the garage Hakkaku and Ginta finished painting a bike frame and started building an engine.   They were also working efficiently.  

Koga started a cadence.

“Ginta’s cycles are the best.”

The men repeated the line.

“Can’t find better in the West.”

The men repeated.

“Sound off.”

“Wolf Pack.”

“Sound off.”

“Wolf Pack”

“Sound off.”

“Wolf Pack, Wolf Pack!  Aah Roooh”

“Get your keys, and helmet too”

“Get your keys, and helmet too,”

“Grab your girl, Drive into the blue”

“Grab your girl, Drive into the blue

“Sound off.”

“Wolf Pack.”

“Sound off.”

“Wolf Pack”

“Sound off.”

“Wolf Pack, Wolf Pack!  Aah Roooh”

The song got sillier and sillier as it went along with each chorus ending in a wolf cry.

Initially Kagura was doing her homework at Ginta’s desk, but before long the loud singing and wolf cries pulled her from the office area to stare out at the scene.

At the next verse, she cut in.

“Ginta’s girlfriend’s smoking hot.”

The men looked at her and eagerly nodded as they repeated the verse.

“Lots of homework she has got.”

Although that line was repeated, it wasn’t as loud.

“She has to get it done tonight.”

They repeated softer so they could hear her

“If she doesn’t, it’s a plight!”

Silence answered her. She turned around and went back into the office.

Koga snickered into his grease rag.

“You can be fired,” whispered the boss.

It was quiet for most of the next hour.

Kagura smiled to herself.  She had the quiet she needed to finish her homework. Forty-five minutes later, she stretched and stood.  Putting all her books in her bag, she put it on her shoulder and looked around Ginta’s office. It was clean and neat.  A small bulletin board was on the wall near the door. Her pink stationery was posted there near a picture of them.    She took a closer look.   It was her note from a day ago reminding him about the dance. She smiled.  Kissing her fingers and putting them on the note, she walked out into the garage.

“Ginta, can you give me a ride home please?”

The mechanic turned toward her.   “Let me clean my hands first.   Grab your helmet Mi Novia Hermosa.”

As he cleaned his hands and put his coveralls on the hanger near his office, he yelled at his employees,  “Work’s over for the day.   Go home and study, Kohaku and Koga. Can you lock up Hakkaku?”

Hakkaku nodded.   “See you tomorrow, boss.”

Ginta put his leather jacket on and pulled his bike out of the garage.   He walked it over to his girlfriend’s side and whisked her into his embrace.

“Hold on tight, babe,” he whispered in her ear. 

She loved it.   Snuggling in behind him, she kissed his neck and whispered in his ear.  “I’ll never let go.”

—-------- 

 Kimi

Kimi was severely shaken by the news that Naraku was still around.  She drove the girls home and went straight to her room for the night.   Her mother took care of feeding her granddaughters and hearing about their days.   Kanna nibbled a bit, then excused herself to do her homework.   In her room she sulked about her mom, and then cried about missing her dad.

Kimi curled in a fetal ball under her covers.  She completely forgot she was going to talk to Kanna about her sorrow and share her sadness about Amil’s loss.

Kagome told her grandma about the boy in her class who was nice and took her to class but later got into a fight.  Her grandmother was appalled and told her she must avoid bad boys like that.

Kikyo volunteered to do the dishes with her grandmother and then played a game of Old Maid with Kagome before bedtime.   Maybe she should try and get some babysitting jobs.   She needed to do something to make some money for clothes and stuff.

 ---------

Takahashi House

Inuyasha had gone to bed by the time Sesshomaru and Toga had returned home.  The little guy was exhausted. The three Takahashis sat down for dinner by themselves.    Sesshomaru looked around.   It was too quiet without Inuyasha. There was a time when he would have been happy to have his parents to himself again, but Inuyasha had wormed his way in to Sesshomaru’s everyday life.

“Mom,   Doesn’t Inuyasha need to eat?   I can go get him.”

Izayoi answered, “I gave him a little something before he laid down.   He’s had a rough day.   He needs the rest.”

Sesshomaru nodded.

Toga patted his shoulder.  “Miss your little brother?”

“Maybe, a little,” Sesshomaru mumbled as he looked at his shoes.

Toga and Izayoi smiled warmly.

The meal was too quiet for Sesshomaru, so he ate quickly and excused himself to do homework.   As he passed by Inuyasha’s room, he peeked in to check on his brother.

The boy was peacefully sleeping on his side facing the door.

Sesshomaru watched for several moments and then went to his room to do his studies.

Toga helped Izayoi with the dishes and then they sat on the porch swing with their evening tea.  

Toga was going to tell Izayoi about his quick visit with Kimi, however, Izayoi had already started telling him about school.  Her storytelling was exciting and interesting.   He loved hearing her talk about her work.   Then she asked him about his work.  By the time they had exhausted the day’s events, Toga had forgotten what he was going to tell her.

Chapter Text

Wednesday

“And we talked on the phone til 9 pm!” Shiori excitedly told Rin and Ayame about her evening as they waited to get into the English class.

Outside the school, there was a similar conversation.

“And we talked on the phone until my brother told me he had to make a call,” Bankotsu was telling Koga when Sesshomaru arrived at their outdoors meeting place.   Bankotsu was flushed and clearly happy with himself.

Sesshomaru’s lip twitched in amusement.  “Says the guy who couldn’t figure out how to talk to her for over a year.”

Koga snickered.    “I’m never going to be like you losers.   There won’t be a girl who can make me a blubbering idiot!”

“So, maybe you’re into –” Sesshomaru batted his eyes flirtatiously.

Koga slammed his hand over Sesshomaru’s mouth.  “Gross,” as he made a face.

Sesshomaru shook his long hair, fanning the well combed tresses, an action that Bankotsu found so humorous he bent over laughing.

Koga stared at them both, now laughing at each other.

“Kami, I’m surrounded by idiots.   I’m going in.”   He turned to walk into the school.

Sesshomaru and Bankotsu followed him laughing merrily all the way.

--

This morning when Kimi arrived at school, she dropped the girls off before she parked the car.   Once she parked, she rushed into her classroom for her first hour class.    At home that morning, she had talked to herself in the mirror and decided she would just ignore Toga’s warning about Naraku and put her focus into being a teacher.   She would definitely be asking Izayoi for hints on how to teach.  She had been impressed with how quiet the class had gotten when they walked in yesterday.    From what she could tell and heard from everyone, Izayoi was a phenomenal teacher.  When she made some time in her schedule, they should talk about teaching.

Kanna rolled her eyes.  Yet again, her mother dumped her sisters on her and rushed off.   ‘Where was the warm loving woman that was her mother!    And who was that bit**?’   Not only was Kanna sad, but she was also mad!   Mad at both her mama and papa.   Whatever.    Once she graduated, she was out of here, back to Italy.   She didn’t even know why they weren’t still in Europe.

Kikyo grabbed Kagome’s hand.    “Let’s go that way.   Kanna goes to the big kid part of the school.”

“K!” Kagome smiled happily as she swung their hands.  The two girls walked off toward their classrooms.

A motorcycle pulled up just then and the pretty teenager Kanna had been introduced to yesterday jumped off, blew a kiss to the helmeted driver and dashed toward her.  The motorcyclist drove off.

Kanna stared starstruck at the motorcycle.   It was bigger and louder than any of the bikes she has seen in Italy.

Kagura saw her staring.

“Hey!” Kagura pointed her finger, “He’s mine!  No stealing boyfriends!  Not Cool!”

Kanna blinked, surprised at the accusation.  “I – I – I was looking at the bike.  It’s a big one!”

Kagura’s mouth turned up and her eyes twinkled.  Seductively she fanned herself, “Oh Yeah!  It’s a big one alright!”   She shuttered and added, “And it’s my boyfriend’s!”

“Cool,” Kanna appeared dazed.  “I like motorcycles.”

“Swell, you can join our Wolf Pack then.    Come on.  We’ll be late for first period.   I have an idea for us to draw in art class.    We need a patch for our motorcycle jackets.”    Kagura directed Kanna into the door and toward Senior class telling her all about her ideas for the perfect patch for their gang.

-----

Izayoi had started into the school just as the wind blew some of her papers across the playground.

“Don’t worry Mrs. Izayoi, I’ll get it for you,” came a voice just behind her.    Kohaku had just gotten off his bike.     He raced after the papers and gathered them up swiftly.  Racing back to Mrs. Izayoi he opened the door for her and walked her to her classroom.

“That was so nice of you, Kohaku.   I wouldn’t have been able to gather them all as fast as you did.”

Kohaku blushed.  “No problem, Ma’am.   Hope you have a nice day.”   He walked off to the senior class, face beaming from his exertion and her compliment.

Kanna noticed him.

“Who’s the cute guy?” she whispered to Kagura.

Kagura looked around.  “Where?”

“That guy in the blue shirt,” Kanna murmured.

Kagura smiled mischievously, “He’s someone you want to meet.  He’s got a motorcycle too.”

“Really?” Kanna blushed lightly.   Maybe it wasn’t going to be so bad here.

They walked into the senior classroom.

---

Earlier that morning, Ginta had pulled the pink stationery from the bulletin board to smell it before he started work.   Oh, how he loved Kagura’s natural smell.   It had nearly permeated through the back of his leather jacket.   He could still feel her pressing her body against his last night as he drove her home.   He inhaled even deeper.   It seemed the smell was strong in this stationery too.

“Miss me?” Kagura teased as she stood in the office doorway watching her boyfriend sniffing her note.

“Yes!” Ginta replied as he jumped up and approached her, “Every moment without you makes me want to be with you even more.”

Kagura blushed.  “Maybe you’d take me to school then?”

Ginta grabbed his helmet and keys.  “Come on Baby!”

The lovers rode off toward school leaving the pink stationery free on the desk.

Soon the winds gusted and blew through the town, picking up dust and debris and anything loose.   Women on the streets grabbed their skirts.  Men grabbed their hats.  Umbrellas turned inside out.  Most rushed to shut their windows.   However, the garage was wide open.    The pink piece of stationery fluttered freely into the air and out of the garage like a butterfly.

----------

Inuyasha, a bit battered, but now with binocular vision again waited anxiously for his new acquaintance Kagome to come to class.   However, as soon as Kagome saw him, she avoided him.  After all, Grandma said he was a bad boy.   Miroku kept him company until Sango walked into the room.   The other kids avoided him too.  After that he was by himself all day, no recess, and with a hand cramp from writing I will not fight at school 50 times.   By the end of the day, he was ready to go home.

---------

At the Takahashi clinic, Jinenji and Mom heard the real story about Toga and Kimi and Naraku’s senior year in high school.     It was the first time Toga had told anyone and afterwords he felt like a burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

“Don’t forget to tell Izayoi,” Mom reminded him.

“I almost did last night but I got distracted by all the fun things she did at school.   She’s just about the best teacher I ever imagined.”

“You should tell her that too,” Mom added.

-----

During PE Coach Kyokotsu asked the freshmen boys to sign up for football.   Sesshomaru looked at the form and passed it to the next person.  When the list made it back to the Coach, Coach reviewed the list and confronted Sesshomaru.

“You didn’t sign up,” Coach Kyokotsu repeated as he again pushed the clipboard into Sesshomaru’s hands.  

“You’re right,” nodded Sesshomaru as he passed the board back to the coach.  “I didn’t sign up.”

“But you are Toga’s son.   You undoubtedly have a great throwing arm.”  Coach Kyokotsu looked at the board, surprised that Sesshomaru’s name wasn’t there.

“Don’t know how to play,” Sesshomaru whispered.

The giant PE teacher just stared.  

Bankotsu had been prepared to be mediator, so he was close enough to hear Sesshomaru’s comment.  He started to open his mouth, but the coach slowly nodded, “Very well,” turned and walked away.

Sesshomaru sighed.   He’d have to tell his dad he lied to the coach.   Truth was he just didn’t want to play football.

----

That night Izayoi and Toga were going to find out where Inuyasha learned to slap people.   Both of them were positive no one in their families slapped anyone.    Neither of them had ever seen Sesshomaru hit his brother.   They were going to find out the answer before dinner but then Sesshomaru told his dad that he had lied to the coach and Inuyasha had started crying again.   The question would have to wait.   The tasks were divided.

Izayoi took Inuyasha to his room to comfort him, while Toga talked to Sesshomaru.   

“Son, we don’t lie.”

Sesshomaru dropped his head.  “I know you taught me better than that.  I’m sorry.  Coach just wouldn’t let it go.  He kept standing there in front of me with the football sign up on the clip board and everyone in the class was staring.”

“So, you lied to get out of signing a paper?”

“I made a mistake.    I will have to talk to him tomorrow,”  Sesshomaru groaned.  “I just don’t like football.”

“I don’t understand.   We’ve been throwing the football for years and not once did you tell me you didn’t like football.

“But Dad, I like throwing the ball with you,” Sesshomaru professed.  “I just don’t like the game.”

Toga plopped on the sofa.

Sesshomaru sat down near him.

“I still want to throw the ball with you,” Sesshomaru offered.  “I can’t wait until Inuyasha’s old enough to join us.   The three of us playing together.    And Mom cheering for us.  That will be awesome!”

Toga smiled when Sesshomaru mentioned Izayoi’s cheering.   “Yes.  That will be good.”

The clock ticked on the wall.

Sesshomaru considered how he would tell Coach Kyokotsu that he lied.

Toga finally spoke.   “Sesshomaru, you don’t have to play football if you don’t want to.   When you talk to the Coach—”

Sesshomaru interrupted him.  “I’ll apologize and just tell him I don’t want to play but I’ll be glad to cover the games for the school paper.   Mom can help me with the writing, and you can help me with the football part of it and we can all sit together and watch the games on Friday nights and cheer on Our Town.”

Toga nodded.  “You can add that we talked about this together and if he has any questions, he can call me.    I doubt he will call.  Dr. Jinenji is his best friend and usually covers as the team physician.   I’ll just tell Jinenji about it tomorrow, so he won’t be caught off guard if Coach calls.”

“Is it okay if I go talk to Inuyasha now?” Sesshomaru looked poised to jump off the sofa.

“Go on,” Toga nodded.

Sesshomaru raced up the stairs to Inuyasha’s room.   Knocking lightly, he opened the door when he heard “enter”.

“Sessho,” Inuyasha’s voice was rough.  He had been crying.

Izayoi stood to greet her oldest.

“Mom,” Sesshomaru asked, “May Inuyasha and I have a moment alone?  You know, so we can talk man-to-man?”

Izayoi studied his face.   He seemed genuinely concerned for his brother.

“Of course, dear.   Come downstairs when you are ready to eat.   Dinner’s getting cold.”

“Yes Mom,” Sesshomaru nodded and walked over to Inuyasha’s bed where he sat next to his brother.

Izayoi took a look at the two of them.   Sesshomaru was patting Inuyasha’s head and running his fingers through his hair.  She turned and walked out the door.  Once the door was shut, she covered her mouth so she wouldn’t be heard.  She was squealing in delight at the way the brothers were getting along.    She descended to the kitchen and started reheating the food.

“Inuyasha?” Sesshomaru tried to get his brother’s attention.  

“Uh-hum,” Inuyasha sighed.

“I’ve wanted to tell you since yesterday that I’m proud of you.”

Inuyasha’s mouth dropped a little.

Sesshomaru smirked.  He used a finger and pushed the jaw shut gently.  “I wanted to do the same thing.   How dare those guys say such things about our momma.    She’s the best, the most beautiful, the greatest Momma in the world.   And you had the courage and bravery to tell those guys to shut up.   I couldn’t be prouder of you.    Seriously.”

Inuyasha’s expression changed from sadness to pride during the time Sesshomaru talked to him.

Sesshomaru wasn’t finished though.   

“I understand today sucked, that you were alone, and couldn’t go out and play at recess.”

“And I had hand cramps from writing,” Inuyasha added lifting his hand to show his brother.

“Hand cramps suck,” Sesshomaru nodded.  “Those are supposedly punishments.  But to me, I see them as proof that you stood up for Momma.   I’m really proud to be your brother.   I just wanted you to know that.”

Inuyasha stared starstruck at Sesshomaru.  Then he leaped at him and hugged him tight.

Sesshomaru allowed it for a bit but then started tickling his little brother to get him to release him.

Inuyasha tickled back.

Soon both boys were rolling around the floor laughing and squealing.

Toga rushed up the stairs with Izayoi right behind and pushed open the door.   

“It sounded like elephants dancing in here!”

The boys had stopped their tickle fight when the door opened, and both smiled brightly at their mother and father.

“What is going on in here?   Where are the elephants?”  With exaggerated motions, Toga looked everywhere in the room, discreetly getting closer and closer to his boys.    Finally, he bent down to check under the bed.   As Inuyasha leaned over to see what their dad was looking at, Toga tickled him.

“HEEEEEEEEHEEEEE!” squealed the six-year-old.

“Get Dad, Inuyasha!” Sesshomaru called out as he attacked their dad.

“Watch it boy!” Toga teased as he tickled both boys.

“DADDDD!, squeaked Sesshomaru.

Izayoi smiled as she took in the sight.   Whatever Sesshomaru said or did, was just what Inuyasha needed.   She was so proud of her men.

“Help me Mom,” squealed Inuyasha at long last.

Izayoi clapped her hands.  “One, two, three.  Eyes on me.”

The men stopped and looked at her.

“Wash up for dinner.   Time to eat.”

There was a mad rush for the bathroom.

Moments later everyone was at the dinner table.

Thursday and Friday

Inuyasha’s days were a copy of Wednesday in regard to punishment and loneliness, but he had a better perspective of it.   His big brother was proud of him and that pulled him through.   His hand cramped again, and he was still sad that Kagome avoided him.  He had thought she was kind of cute, but he was okay.

—

Mrs. Kimi had several of her classes help her decorate her classroom.    She even made a game out of it by forcing them to label the items with the corresponding word from Spanish, Italian, and French.

Sesshomaru was the only one that noticed the words were all similar.

Mrs. Kimi smiled.  Perhaps Sesshomaru would be a gifted linguist.   She definitely had to talk to Izayoi now.

Mrs. Izayoi noticed Mr. Myoga seemed really fascinated with some infidelity story he was telling the other teachers every time she walked into the teacher’s lounge.    They all shut up when she came in and looked at her with sad expressions.    She just figured they knew she didn’t like gossip and were feeling guilty about sharing it. 

—

Sesshomaru asked Coach Kyokotsu for a private moment.  Coach Kyokotsu accepted Sesshomaru’s apology and was excited about the offered news coverage for the team.

—

Bankotsu shared the invitation to hear their band that Saturday with all the freshmen in Mrs. Izayoi’s class.   He made an open invitation.  It soon was the talk of the school.

—

Kimi got so into her new role as teacher that she again forgot to tell Kanna how she really felt. 

Kanna drifted further away from her mother.

Kagura and Kanna perfected their wolf patch art so Kagura could give it to Ginta.  The two girls continued to get closer.

At the end of the day on Thursday, Kanna accompanied Kagura to the garage.  Kagura presented the wolf pack drawing to Ginta.  He loved it and gave her a passionate kiss in front of all his employees.

Wolf whistles accompanied Koga’s loud shouts of “Aah Rooh!”

Koga noticed Kanna was checking out Kohaku.  Koga was amused.  Kohaku was completely clueless to the attention.   He invited the Wolf pack to Bankotsu’s for the music that Saturday.

At 251 Sacred Tree, Izayoi was starting a load of clothes and noticed that it was missing Sesshomaru’s T-shirt from the previous day.  She asked Sesshomaru why he hadn’t put his bloody T-shirt in the laundry. 

“I want to keep it,” he answered. 

Izayoi nodded.  “The faster we wash it the more likely we can save it.” 

“It won’t be this one then.” Sesshomaru studied the shirt like it was a piece of art.

Izayoi considered his thoughts and then said, “I’ll see if Gimbles has another like it.  Maybe we can replace it.”

Sesshomaru looked up from his contemplations.  “I’ll just keep this one.” He folded it nicely with the blood showing and put it on his desk.

Izayoi blinked, surprise on her face.  “Sweetheart, it has blood on it.”

“A red badge of courage,” Sesshomaru said as he admired the spot.

Izayoi was beginning to understand, the literary reference the key.  

“Well, you need to know, blood fades to black.  Ask your dad.  He has a lot of experience with that.”   Then she left to resume the laundry. 

As she put Toga’s work shirt in the washing machine, she noticed a faint trace of makeup on his shoulder.  Wondering what happened at work she decided to ask him later.

A touch of the makeup failed to come out in the wash, but Toga grabbed the shirt and wore it the next day.  

Chapter Text

Friday 

Around five pm, the Rossi family entered the Takahashi house.   Kagome immediately hid behind Kimi.

Inuyasha had just reached out to ask her to play with him.   He stood silently; hands dropped to his side.  Izayoi bent down next to him so she could be at Kagome and Inuyasha’s eye level.

“Hi Kagome,” Izayoi said, “Inuyasha has been looking forward to playing with you tonight.”

Kagome shook her head no and mumbled “no” in her mother’s skirt.

“I’m sorry.  I didn’t hear you,” Izayoi said calmly.

Kagome turned and looked at her.  “I said no.   I can’t play with him.”   Her eyes were sad.

Inuyasha’s shoulders slumped.

Kimi bent down to look at her daughter.   “Why not, Kagome?”

Kagome looked in her momma’s eyes.   “Grandma says I can’t play with bad boys.”

Both Izayoi and Kimi were startled.  Toga and Sesshomaru started paying closer attention to the conversation.

Inuyasha’s eyes welled. 

“He’s not a bad boy,” Kimi said.  “He’s a very good boy.   Why would Grandma say that?”   Kimi was curious why her mother would even say something like that.

Inuyasha looked at her surprised that she would speak up for him.

“’Cuz when I told her that Inuyasha had been in a fight at school, she said I needed to avoid bad boys like that,” Kagome nearly cried.  “But I liked him, and I wanted to play with him.”

“Oh,” came the response from the adults.

Inuyasha looked happier at that news, and he rubbed the unspent tears from his eyes. 

Sesshomaru patted his head.

Kimi patted her daughter’s head.   “Kagome, Grandma didn’t know the whole story about the fight.    Inuyasha isn’t a bad boy.  You can play with him.  It’s okay.    I’ll explain it to Grandma later.  You two go play a little, okay?”

Both six-year-olds smiled.  Inuyasha grabbed Kagome’s hand and they rushed to the toy box.

Both women stood and greeted each other and introduced the remaining children to each other.

Sesshomaru nodded and invited Kikyo and Kanna to listen to some music.   They drifted over closer to the radio.  Soon a little rock and roll filled the air.  The teenagers listened contently.

“Can I get you ladies some tea?” Toga asked.

“Yes, that would be lovely.   No sugar in mine,” replied Kimi.

“Thank you, Toga.  I believe there are lemon slices in the refrigerator,” Izayoi smiled.

“Lovely,” Kimi nodded.

Toga walked off to the kitchen.

Izayoi pointed to a chair and Kimi had a seat.    Izayoi sat on the sofa.   They started talking about school and teaching.  By the time Toga returned with a tray of iced tea and lemon wedges, the two teachers were giggling like teenage best friends.  

Offering each a glass and a lemon, he took his and sat next to his wife.

“What brought you back to Our Town?” Toga asked as he sipped his cold beverage.

“I didn’t become an Italian,” Kimi sighed.

When Toga and Izayoi just stared dumbfounded at her, she continued.

 “When Amil died, they wouldn’t let us stay without a sponsor.   His parents were dead so we came home until I could figure out what to do.   I do miss Italy.”

An uncomfortable silence fell on them.

Quickly Kimi changed subjects.  “Let’s talk about something fun.  What happened after high school?  I see you finally got to be a doctor.   Good job Toga.   And you married such a lovely teacher too.   How did you meet?”

Toga proceeded to tell her about his college and medical school.  A great deal of his story focused on Jinenji and Mom.   Kimi thought that was wonderful and commented that she looked forward to meeting them.   

Then Izayoi told how she was at the café reading Shakespeare when she stood up and tripped Toga – by accident, she added blushing.

“According to Coach Kyokotsu,” Kimi teased, “you tackled him off his feet and took advantage of him.”

Izayoi turned bright red.

Toga laughed raucously. 

All the children turned to see Kimi with a mischievous smile, Izayoi bright red, and Toga slapping his thighs and laughing.

“What’s so funny Dad?”  Sesshomaru asked as he walked to the sofa.  The other kids followed.

“Laughter is the best medicine,” Toga chortled as he calmed down.  “Coach Kyokotsu has such an interesting way of looking at things.   Everything is a sports analogy.”  

He looked around at the kids who probably wouldn’t have understood that joke.  He took a giant breath.

“I think it’s time for us to sit down at the dining room table.   I can smell your mother’s cooking and it smells great!”

Izayoi jumped up and rushed to the kitchen.

Toga herded the group into the dining room.   Everyone took a seat.

Dinner was marvelous.   The conversations flowed easily.

As the evening wore on, Kimi noticed the makeup stain on Toga’s shoulder.

“Oh, Toga, I’m sorry about your shirt.   That makeup is so hard to get out that we have a special additive we put in the laundry.  I’ll give you some.”

The entire table became quiet.

Kimi was nonchalant as though she hadn’t said anything unusual.

Toga realized the comment won’t be understood easily.   He should have told Izayoi last night.

Toga looked into Izayoi’s eyes.   They were welling with tears.  “So that’s what Mr. Myoga meant,” Izayoi said, and she ran out the back door to the back yard.

Toga ran after her.

The kids all stared at each other.

Kimi still looked unphased.

Kanna stared at her.

“Great Mom!   House wrecker!   Dad is barely gone, and you have to go and try and make someone else miserable too!   I hate you!”   Kanna stood and stomped out the front door.

Sesshomaru was frozen.   His mom and dad loved each other, right?

Kagome and Inuyasha looked at each other.  What had just happened.

Kikyo, the levelheaded practical child, just said, “Mom?”

“Honey, I gave Toga a hug when I saw him at school.  That’s all.   I didn’t realize my make up got on his shirt.   I need to go help Toga.   Kikyo, can you go get Kanna?    In fact, I hugged him, but he didn’t hug me.  Then I pushed away and apologized.  That’s all.   Now I need to get Izayoi.   Boys, your mom really is a wonderful woman and I want to make sure she knows it.”

She glanced at all the kids at the table to make sure they were okay.  They appeared alright so Kimi rushed out the backdoor and found Izayoi holding an arm out to push away Toga.

“He didn’t do anything Izayoi,” Kimi spoke calmly.  “I hugged him.  He didn’t hug back.   I swear to you.  It was nothing.   Mr. Myoga has always been a gossipmonger.”

Izayoi stood back from both of them.

“He said he saw Toga sneak into your classroom,” Izayoi began, her voice choked up with tears.

“I didn’t sneak.   I walked in.   On Tuesday evening when I went to school to pick up Sesshomaru.”

“But why?” Izayoi whimpered, “Mr. Myoga said you still pined for your high school girlfriend.”

Kimi snorted.  “Toga?  Pine for me?   Ha!”

“But according to him you were always running to his side,” Izayoi’s anger was beginning to get the better of her.

But just then Kimi heard a noise in the house.

“I’ve got to go talk to Kanna.   He didn’t do anything.  Toga, surely you told her that already?” Kimi was backing toward the house.

“I’ve been trying to,” Toga said as he looked into Izayoi’s eyes.  “Sweetheart, seriously, I didn’t do anything.    I’m crazy about you and only you.”   A pleading tone was noted in his strong voice.

Izayoi dropped her hand.   “I need a minute.”

“I’ll be right here.  I’m not leaving you.  You are the most beautiful woman in the world, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” Toga threw in a little Shakespeare and his own quick prayer.   ‘Bill, if you are listening, help a buddy out.”

Izayoi smiled.   “You quoted Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to me.”

Toga gave her a cheesy smile.   He hesitated to tell her it was the only quote he knew by heart.

She walked to him.

He reached out and hugged her.  Whispering he said, “I love you, Izayoi.”

“I love you too Toga.”

The lovers embraced a little longer, then Toga pulled back a little to look at his wife.   He closed his eyes and leaned forward.

Izayoi’s eyes fluttered shut and she leaned toward her husband.

Their lips met.   Their kiss tender.

“Mmm,” Toga licked his lips as he leaned back to look at his wife.  “You taste good.”

Izayoi murmured, “so do you.”

They kissed again. 

“We’d better go check on everyone,” Toga added.   “The voices are distressed sounding.”

They walked back into the house hand in hand.

Kanna had returned with Kikyo but was yelling at the top of her lungs.   Hands on hips and leaning forward, the petite girl was berating her mother.

When Kikyo had brought her sister back in from the front porch, Kanna had been quietly sulking.  A dark aura was building up around her.   Kikyo didn’t realize her sister was angry.

“Mom said she just hugged Dr. Toga,” Kikyo barely had that out before Kanna started yelling at her.

“And you believed her!  You are so naïve you would just follow her off a cliff.   She doesn’t care about us!  She’s just a selfish bit**.   She didn’t care about Papa!  She doesn’t care about us!  She dumped us on Grandma.  Grandma’s so out of touch with everything!”

Every sentence got louder and louder.   Every sad and mad thought Kanna had been thinking about was thrown out to her audience.  Every filter removed and raw emotion was on display for the world.

Sesshomaru had pulled Kagome and Inuyasha away from the verbal melee when Kagome started crying.  He wasn’t sure but it looked like Kanna was having a nuclear meltdown, and a bigger explosion was coming.  He shepherded them into the kitchen and found an ice cream container for them.   The three of them sat on the floor eating ice cream behind the counter.

Kikyo just stood still watching her sister have a temper tantrum.   She wished her mom would show up soon.   She got Kanna just like Mama had asked.  She didn’t agree to get Kanna to get yelled at.

Kimi rushed in the door just then.

Kikyo gave a heavy sigh and said, “Thank you papa.”

That only made Kanna scream louder.

“Papa is dead, and no one cries for him but me.    None of you loved him like I did.  I miss him so much.   If he were here, he could fix everything—”

Kimi interrupted her.  “But he isn’t here, and we all miss him.”

Kanna huffed, “YEAH, right!   Into the arms of another just as soon as we got here.  Were you planning that all along Mother Dearest.”

Kimi kept her cool.  She inhaled a deep breath and exhaled.

“As I told Kikyo and Kagome, I hugged Toga because he is an old friend.   He didn’t hug me.  I pushed away and apologized.  That’s all.   We went to high school together,” Kimi stated slowly and calmly.

“That’s not what the other seniors were saying.  They heard Mr. Myoga talking to –”

“I don’t care what that old gossiping busy body said.  I was there.  I know the truth,” Kimi added.   “If you refuse to listen to me then ask Dr. Toga when he comes in the house.     But I want to address another thing you said.   I miss your papa terribly.     I had a chance to talk to your sisters about it, but you were shopping with Grandma.  Ask Kikyo if you don’t believe me.   I couldn’t eat or sleep for the longest time after he died, but I thought I had to be strong for you girls, so I didn’t show my tears.”

Now Kimi’s shoulders dropped, and her voice caught.

“I miss Amil so much,” Kimi began.  “In the middle of the night, I roll over and when I realize the bed is empty I start crying.  In the morning I listen for him to tell me my tea is ready.  But when I realize I will never hear him again, I start crying.   I will never hear him call me “Bella” again and it tears me up.    I know you are sad and mad, but so am I.    Kanna, believe me, I would give anything for another moment with your papa.”

She walked closer to the now quiet girl.  Certain that Kanna wasn’t going to run or yell, Kimi continued, “But he gave me a precious gift that I still have right now.   You are his spitting image.   I can still see him in you, mia belle figlia.”

Kimi held her daughter’s face in one hand and pulled her into her embrace with the other.

“Ti amo Kanna, luce del mio cuore,” Kimi cooed.  “That’s the first thing your papa said to you.  I love you, Kanna, light of my heart.”  

Tears were rolling down both of their faces now.   Kanna collapsed in her mother’s arm and wept openly.    “I’m sorry.  I’m sorry,” repeated both of the women.

By this time, Toga and Izayoi were in the house.   They had overheard enough to get the jest of the conversation.   Izayoi looked around for her boys.   She tapped Toga’s shoulder.

“Where are the boys?” she whispered, afraid to break the moment.

Toga smiled and pointed over the kitchen bar to a pair of shoes.

They both walked around the corner to see Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, and Kagome with an open ice cream container and three spoons.   The kids smiled.

Izayoi looked in the container.   There was a little left, but not enough for dessert.

“Toga, dear, can you go get another container of ice cream please?”

The man nodded, kissed his wife on the lips, and slipped out the back door.

“Now,” Izayoi inspected the three sitting on the floor.   “Go, clear off the dirty dishes and get the table ready for dessert.   The dessert plates are right there, and the spoons are here.   Wash your hands first though.”   She pointed the threesome to the kitchen sink.  When they were out of the room, she called Kikyo to her side.

“Yes Ma’am?” Kikyo asked.

“I am impressed with your calmness.  Do you babysit?”

From the other room came a loud refrain, “I am not a baby!”

Smiling Izayoi continued, “Tomorrow afternoon to early evening, my husband and I are going out and Sesshomaru will be with his friends at a band concert.   Are you available to kid observe?”

“That sounds better!” came the voice.

“May I bring my sister Kagome too?”

“Yes please,” cheered another voice.

“Sounds like a wonderful idea,” Izayoi approved.

Izayoi and Kikyo confirmed plans.

Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, and Kagome cleared the dirty dishes and set out the dessert plates and spoons.

During all that Kimi and Kanna mourned together; hearts healing and preparing to move forward.

When Izayoi finished her planning with the kid observer she brought two warm washcloths to the two women.  “I find relief in a warm washcloth after a good cry,” Izayoi smiled saintly.   “If you prefer, the bathrooms are upstairs around the corner.”

Kimi smiled through teary eyes.  “May I hug you?”

“You’d better,” Izayoi teased, “But then you need to give me the cleaning instructions for removing the makeup stain.”

Smiles and giggles were in the air when Toga returned with the ice cream.

Izayoi caught his eye.  “Fantastic!  The ice cream is here.   Clean up and report to the table for dessert!”

Sesshomaru and Inuyasha rushed back into the dining room with Kagome right behind.   Kikyo walked back into the dining room with the air of a woman who had everything going her way.  Toga took his seat at the head of the table and Izayoi started serving the angel food cake and ice cream with strawberries.  Kanna and Kimi resumed their seats.

After dessert the two families returned to the front room and porch.  The two families socialized until Kikyo noticed Kagome and Inuyasha had fallen asleep together.  Then the families said their good nights.

Chapter Text

Saturday morning found Inuyasha in front of the new TV watching cartoons.

Sesshomaru meandered in to watch with him. 

“See Sesshomaru!   That’s the kind of fighting I did at school,”  Inuyasha pointed.

“Hnnn,” Sesshomaru nodded.  “Mom, can you come here?  I want to show you something.”

Izayoi walked in with a basket of clean clothes.  “Good timing. Both of you can help me with the folding of the laundry.”

“You might want to glance at the TV,” Sesshomaru pointed to the two characters slap fighting as he turned to grab some clothes to fold.

“Ooh,” Izayoi inhaled and exhaled as she comprehended.  Now she understood how Inuyasha learned it was okay to slap fight.  She’d tell Toga later.  For the moment the boys needed to help her with laundry.

“Inuyasha, I need you to match the socks.”   She gave him a specific chore.

Inuyasha couldn’t pull his eyes from the TV.

His lack of movement forced her next words, “Do I need to turn the TV off?”

“No ma’am,” the little boy answered as he ran to her side and started matching socks.

Sesshomaru folded t-shirts and underwear and divided them into different stacks.  Once the basket was emptied and properly folded, the sacks were carefully replaced in the basket and Sesshomaru carried the basket of clean clothes upstairs.

Inuyasha resumed watching his show.

Izayoi made a note to tell Toga.  They would have to come up with a plan for dealing with the TVs influence.   Perhaps limiting the time...

She went upstairs to prepare for her date with her husband.

An hour later, Kikyo and Kagome rang the doorbell.

“Welcome Kikyo, Kagome,” Izayoi greeted them at the door.   “Toga and I are just getting ready to go.   The emergency numbers are on the kitchen bar near the phone.    There’s a little money there too.   Sandwiches for lunch are made and in the refrigerator.  Sesshomaru is leaving in a little while.”

Kagome ran to Inuyasha and the two started playing.

Izayoi gave Inuyasha a hug and kiss, and then grabbed her bag and went out the back door to where Sesshomaru and Toga were talking.

“Son, you have everything you need?”

“Yes, Dad.   Both Rin and I have our bicycle helmets and we’re riding our bikes with Ayame, Koga, and Shiori.”

“Good. Dr. Jinenji will be there if you need anything, but I don’t imagine you will. Have fun.”

“You too, Dad.”

Izayoi joined them just then and gave Sesshomaru a hug and kiss.

“My, son.  Is that cologne?”

Sesshomaru blushed.   “Rin said it smelled nice.”

Izayoi smiled.  ‘Young love.  So cute.’

Toga pulled her away from her son and toward the car.   Whispering as he pulled her to him, “It’s not as strong now.  I pulled him out back to help air it out.”

Izayoi smiled.  “Well, I think it’s cute.”

Toga opened the door for her and went to the driver’s side.  After waving to their son, they pulled out of the drive and down the street.

Shortly after, Sesshomaru rode off on his bike to pick up their friends and ride out to Bankotsu’s farm.   

--

After lunch Kikyo suggested they go to the park and play.   Inuyasha and Kagome cheered and ran out the door.

When the three kids got to the park, they saw a kitty playing with a pink paper.  The kitty was having a good time batting the note and then pouncing on it. When the kitty tired of that, she wandered off.   Kagome had wanted to grab the kitty, but Kikyo wouldn’t let her.   “It might have fleas,” was all Kikyo had to say.  After that Kagome wanted nothing to do with the kitty.  The two girls started swinging.

After going up and down the slide several times, Inuyasha grabbed the note and unfolded it.   He tried to read it.   The only word he could read was “dead”.  That word was in his cartoon that morning.   He studied the note longer.

Kagome had been swinging but now wanted to play on the teeter totter, so she ran to Inuyasha to get him to play with her.   “Let’s play on the teeter totter,” she said.

“I needs to study this note,” Inuyasha made faces as he tried to sound out words.

Kagome leaned over and looked.

“That word is “dance”,” she pointed to the word.

“That word is “dead”,” Inuyasha pointed to the end of the sentence.  “And that’s a “K”.”

“Where’s the dance?” Kagome asked.

Inuyasha looked at her.  “I don’t know.   We should ask Miroku and Sango.   Maybe they knows.”

Inuyasha pocketed the note and ran with Kagome to the teeter totter.

--------------

While those three were playing at the park, Sesshomaru and the gang were at Bankotsu’s.

The brothers had set up their band outside where there was plenty of room for their guests and dancing if anyone wanted.  They had been warming up when Sesshomaru, Koga, Ayame, Rin, and Shiori arrived.   They were the first guests.   Bankotsu broke away to greet his friends.

“I’m so glad you guys could come and hear us!” Bankotsu said as they got off their bikes.  

Shiori approached him and pointed to his mandolin.

Excited and flushed from riding her bike, she was breathless.  “Is that yours?” 

“Yeh!  It’s cool huh?   Wait until you hear it,”  Bankotsu beamed, proud of his instrument and happy to show off to Shiori.

Koga butted in, “Well, get to it then.  Let’s hear you.”

Bankotsu nodded and walked back to his brothers.   Muttering something to them about needing Koga to shut up, he counted, “one, two, three, four,” and started playing.

Bankotsu leaned over his mandolin and gently plucked the strings.  The tune had a haunting melody line.  As he got further along into the song he began to speed up.   Now the tune’s melody started flying.   Suikotsu’s piano accompanied him. 

Sesshomaru felt like the music was calling him toward it.  

Bankotsu went even faster.  Renkotsu walked over to him.  His shamisen joined Bankotsu’s mandolin, and the two instruments dueled.  The notes called out to each other.   More instruments joined in.  By now Bankotsu was bent over his mandolin lost in the music he was creating.   His expression, one of deep concentration, had Shiori enraptured. 

Sesshomaru hadn’t realized his friend was this good.

Koga’s jaw was open.

Rin and Ayame were smiling, happy to hear a live concert.

The music swelled to its apex and then it was over.

The audience cheered!  By this time several other students and adults had arrived and had joined  Sesshomaru and all in the crowd.

After the first song, Bankotsu bowed and thanked the audience.

“We have a variety of songs and genres for you this afternoon.  Thank you for joining us.   Now for a little Ragtime!”

The teens cheered and immediately the band of brothers started to play a number one hit from several years ago.  After a set of those toe tappers, the band slowed down with a romantic ballad.    Bankotsu and Suikotsu sang together, blending their voices in perfect harmony. Then the band took a break so the brothers could mingle with their friends.

“So, what do you think?” Bankotsu asked as he walked over to his friends.

“You’re great!”

“Amazing!”

“Wow!  Just Wow!”

The friends gushed their admiration to their friend and his brothers.

“Thank you.   I could really use a drink of water.  Shiori, want something to drink?”

“Yes please,” the blushing young woman finally found her voice.  “I am so glad we got to hear you.” The two walked toward the refreshment table, notably closer than ever before.

“Give them a moment of privacy,” Sesshomaru held Koga back from chasing after Bankotsu.

“Whipped,” Koga whined.

Rin giggled as she sidled up to Sesshomaru on the other side.  “Thank you,” she whispered to her boyfriend.

Sesshomaru looked around and noticed Ginta’s motorcycle.

“Koga, I think we’re going to ask Ginta if he really hired you,”  Sesshomaru grabbed Rin’s hand and started walking toward Ginta, Kagura and Hakkaku.

“What!  You don’t believe me!” Koga barked.  “I’ll show you.  I’ll introduce you to him and the rest of the Wolf Pack.” Koga raced to lead his friends to the older teens.

“Boss,” Koga directed his words toward Ginta.  “These are my friends.   Sesshomaru, Rin,  and Ayame.”

Hakkaku smiled.   He liked women with red hair.   He approached Ayame.   “Hello lovely lady.   I’m Hakkaku.”

Ayame blushed.

“Dude, she’s only 14, like me,” Koga pushed the 19-year-old away from Ayame. 

“Excuse me.  I didn’t realize she was your girl,” Hakkaku stepped back.

“NO WAY!  Not my girl!”  Koga nearly bit off Hakkaku’s head.

Sesshomaru ignored them and reached out to shake Ginta’s hand. “Nice to meet you.  We were just curious if Koga actually works for you or he’s making it up.”

That got Koga away from Hakkaku and back in Sesshomaru’s face.

“Are you calling me a liar?” Koga yelled, causing several nearby to look at him.

Ginta laughed.   “Yeah.  The little big mouth works for me. He’s actually a good worker, so far.”

Kagura leaned closer to Ginta.  “So long as he shuts his trap and works.”

Ginta and Kagura shared a chuckle.

Koga griped, “Nobody appreciates me.”

Just then Kohaku showed up with Kanna.

“Hi Everybody!” Kanna waved.  “I got to ride with Kohaku on his bike.  Wasn’t that nice of him to give me a ride?  It was so much fun.  I got to wear a helmet.  It was the best.”  She barely stopped to take a breath.  She was slow at letting go of Kohaku to get off the bike.

Kohaku turned toward her.

“Do you need help getting off the bike?  I need to park it and it’s hard to do that with us on it.”

“Oh,” she covered her mouth and let go of him to slip off.

He pulled the bike to the side and parked it.  Then he returned to her and collected her helmet and put it on the handlebar opposite to his.

“Were you scared?  I mean, you were holding on pretty tight,” Kohaku spoke softly and with concern.

Kanna blushed.  “Oh no, it was great.  I loved it!”

Kagura winked at her.  She had set up the whole thing with Kohaku picking her up.  Kanna had some work cut out for her.  Kohaku was rather clueless about girls.

Rin pulled on Sesshomaru’s sleeve.   “Looks like the band is starting again.”

He nodded and allowed her to lead him back to the front.

Hakkaku smiled and winked at Ayame, who blushed and chased after Rin.

Koga growled at him and then stomping, followed them.

Ginta turned to Hakkaku.  Softly he asked,  “What’s your game man?   She’s a little too young for you.”

Hakkaku nodded and whispered, “Yeah, she is.  But she isn’t too young for Koga.   I’m just ruffling his feathers a little bit.   I’m harmless, man.  You know me. But I do love that red hair.”   He whistled softly.

Ayame heard the whistle and smiled.  It’s nice to be admired.

Koga grumbled about killing that jerk.

The following sets were a mixture of Big Band, Western Swing, and R&B.   The band ended that set with a Frank Sinatra crooner song.    Shiori was lost, ensnared in Bankotsu’s musical web.

Dr. Jinenji chatted with Coach Kyokotsu during the breaks.  At one point they both glanced over at Sesshomaru who just waved back and went back to talking with his friends.   He knew they had been talking about him, but he had apologized and had no lingering regrets, so if they were talking about him, someone else was getting a break.   Besides, Dr. Jinenji had always been wonderful to him.  If anything, he was mending any hurt feelings and making sure Coach was happy.

Mukotsu and Ginkotsu did an impromptu percussion performance where they each played every drum, cymbal, bongo, maraca, and tambourine without skipping a beat.   When the audience started clapping Suikotsu snuck in and started the entire performance again, even adding the piano in the mix.   Mukotsu didn’t seem to like it, but Ginkotsu thought it was hilarious and soon the whole band returned to their places to improvise a little bit too.

When that concluded, the brothers bowed to the applause and then clapped for their guests.

Coach stepped up and praised Jakotsu for the refreshments.  The audience gave Jakotsu some applause and then Coach thanked everyone again and wished them a safe ride home.  A few mingled a bit, but Sesshomaru suggested they all start riding back to town before it got dark out.

“I’m really glad I got to hear you,” Shiori smiled at Bankotsu.  “You are amazing.”

“You’re amazing too,” the teenager blushed as he looked into her eyes.

“Well, see you Monday,” she waved as she walked to her bicycle.

In the back of the group Suikotsu was smiling.  Mom would have liked that girl. 

Chapter Text

Saturday afternoon coffee club at the old café was one of the best times all week for the menfolk to catch up on the news about the town.   For Toga and Izayoi’s fathers it was the point in the week that they could brag about their kids and their grandkids and listen to the other grandfathers’ brag about their children, who paled in comparison, of course.   The three girlfriends, Toga and Izayoi’s mothers and Mom, were all quilting with the neighbors undoubtedly sharing similar tales.   After that the five would meet at someone’s home for dinner and cards.  It had been their routine for years.  Sometimes Jinenji would join them but often he was on call and hanging out with the nurses at the hospital.

On this particular Saturday, a seldom seen man had come to the café for a late lunch.   He was within hearing range of all the gossip, rumors and news.

First the oldest man in the group told them of his son in another town and the difficulty he was having with getting readjusted to civilian life after his stint in the service.   The men all shook their heads and agreed that the government should do something about that.   

Next a younger grandpa told how his grandson had taken his first steps.  

That opened the door to all sorts of stories about how fast their kids and their grandkids walked and talked and so forth.

Next, one leaned in and whispered that he had heard there was a new lady in town, and she was a looker.

That caught the attention of everyone including the lone man eating his late lunch.

“Oh,”  Grandpa Takahashi said, “Where is this young fille from?”

“Don’t know, but she is staying at Kimi’s house with her mom.   Has three daughters.  All are good lookin’.   Saw one of them at the grocery store with Kimi’s mom.

The man stopped eating to listen.

“Yep.  Heard she was the new language teacher at the school.”

“Bet our Izayoi knows her already,” the Grandpas nodded at each other.

“Well, that’s nothing,” another man with a bald head cut in.  “My wife heard the next-door neighbor talking to her daughter about the infidelity that’s going on involving the new language teacher.   The daughter said Mr. Myoga had been talking to another teacher in the hallway and –”   the man looked up suddenly at Toga and Izayoi’s fathers and clammed up.

“Why’d you stop?” Grandpa Takahashi asked.  “you look like you saw a ghost.”

The man stuttered.    “Well, you see—” he hummed and hawed for several seconds and then spurted out, “there’s supposed to be a rock and roll concert this afternoon.   Can you imagine!  Rock and Roll in Our Town!”

Several of the other gentlemen got agitated and started saying how Rock and roll was the devil’s work and that wasn’t good music, no siree, it wasn’t music at all.  They just didn’t make ‘em like Glenn Miller and the Big Band like they used to.

That subject was exhausted 15 minutes later, and the bald man made his excuses and scooted out the door.   Grandpa Takahashi got up and chased after him.    The bald man was getting into his car when Grandpa Takahashi held the door open.

“I’ve known you since you were a kid.   What were you about to say?”

The bald man choked.   “I don’t think you were going to like it, so I didn’t say anything.”

“I figured as much.   Get it off your chest boy.   What were you going to say?”

The bald man swallowed hard.   “I was going to tell them that Toga was having an affair with the new language teacher.”

Grandpa Takahashi let go of the door and backed up a step or two in shock.  

“I knew you weren’t going to like it,” the man mumbled.  “I’m sorry, man.”    He backed out of the parking spot and drove away.   All that time Grandpa Takahashi stood rooted to the street.

Izayoi’s father was watching from inside the café.   When his friend didn’t come back, he paid their bills and walked out to join him.  

The lone diner paid his bill and followed right after.   He lingered  in the shade of the café eaves dropping on the two.

“What’s wrong friend?” Izayoi’s father asked. 

“Our kids are having marital problems,” Grandpa Takahashi stuttered.  “I can’t believe it but that’s why he didn’t finish his story.   He was about to accuse Toga of having an affair with the new language teacher.”

Izayoi’s father covered his mouth.

The man in the shadow smiled maliciously and walked to his truck.   On the side of the truck was the ad, “Naraku’s trash pickup”.

At the quilting party, Kimi’s mother was telling all the women about the lovely dinner Kimi and the girls had with Izayoi and her menfolk.     Kimi had sat down with her after the dinner party to explain everything that happened and especially to tell her that Inuyasha was a good boy.

“Why of course he is!” all three of his grandmothers said in unison.  

“Well, I misunderstood my granddaughter after she told me of Inuyasha’s fight at school and—”

“What fight?” Grandma Takahashi asked, her tone shocked.

Mom jumped in.  “Well, the boy was distressed that his friends said his mother wasn’t the prettiest teacher in the school any more once Kimi got there.  Seems the verbal arguments got louder and Inuyasha pushed a kid down.  Then it was slapping and such.   The boy got a little dirt in his eye and a cut lip.   Principal Kaede took away his recess for the week and made him write lines.”

The women all looked at Mom waiting for more information.

“Not much more to say.  No one was hurt.   Toga brought Inuyasha to the clinic and I cleaned him up before they went home for the day.    The kids have it all under control.”

The two other grandmas exhaled in relief.

Kimi’s mother continued.   “Also, Kimi said she had a chance to talk to Kanna about how she misses Amil and that it really helped their relationship.    Kanna was feeling sad and mad about her father’s death.”

All the women in the group nodded. 

“So much on a young girl’s heart.”

“Such tragedy.”

“So good you are there for them.”

And so forth.

“It came up after Kanna screamed at her for having an affair with Toga.”

“WHAT!!!!!” the three mothers yelled.

“Calm down.  It’s not true,” Kimi’s mother summed up the story and before long all the women were talking about tarring and feathering that old gossip Mr. Myoga.

“The kids are all okay,” Kimi’s mother finished.  “Toga and Izayoi had a date today and my granddaughter Kikyo got to “kid observe”.  Apparently Inuyasha thinks he’s too old to be babysat.”

Everyone laughed.

Not much sewing was completed on the quilt, but the mothers were all in good spirits when they left to meet the men for dinner and cards.

The men, on the other hand, had been worrying themselves sick.

As Mom cooked, the wives explained everything the best they could.    By the time the spaghetti was served everyone was in good spirits and roasting a certain history teacher.

Chapter Text

Kimi, Sesshomaru, and the Wolf Pack

This week a large banner greeted all the students and faculty as they entered the main entrance of the school.

Welcome to Dogpatch USA!

A sandwich board listed the events for Sadie Hawkin’s week  including a talent show, Hillbilly costumes day, foot race, a beauty pageant for boys and a sock hop.

Even though it was already the second week of school Mrs. Kimi’s presence continued to turn heads.   A number of students and faculty followed her flowing movements and elegant style as she and her eldest walked into the school entrance. 

But Kimi was used to that type of attention and ignored it.  Instead, she stopped by the sandwich board and studied the contents which made her giggle.  The seniors were clever this year.  Her senior year memories had made her nostalgic.  She was happy that Kanna could have memories from her old school too.     

She gave Kanna a side hug.   “Have fun this week sweetie.”

“Thanks Mama,” Kanna smiled as she returned the hug and dashed off toward Kagura.

“Hey,” Kagura smiled, “I see you made up with your ama.   I told you, you should.”

“Si,” Kanna nodded, “You were right.”

“Gods, I love the sound of that,” Kagura straightened her spine and shook her curls.

“Come on.  I gotta ask Kohaku to the dance,” Kanna raced ahead of her toward their class.

“Oh, wait for me.  I’ve got to see this,” Kagura teased as she followed.   “Mr. clueless.  Girl, you have your work cut out for you.”

Kanna wouldn’t be discouraged.  She replied,  “I’m Kanna Rossi.   I am in charge of my destiny!”

Kimi smiled as she watched the two girls disappear around the corner.

Then she straightened her shoulders and went to the principal’s office where she made an appointment to talk with Mrs. Kaede.   As soon as the secretary told Mrs. Kaede that Mrs. Kimi was waiting, she was ushered in.   Instead of sitting down and making herself comfortable, Kimi stood properly like a soldier making a reporting statement.  She began,

“Principal, I want to tell you what Mr. Myoga said.”  

Between the posture and the use of Mrs. Kaede’s proper title as Principal, Kimi caught her attention. 

Mrs. Kaede listened with undivided interest.  By the time Kimi had finished telling the Principal about Mr. Myoga’s infidelity rumor and how her mother had even had to defuse all Toga and Izayoi’s parents, Mrs. Kaede was on her feet ready to fire the old man.

“Wait a minute,” Kimi put a hand on Mrs. Kaede’s arm.   “I have a rather devious way to get back at him.”

She was angry with Mr. Myoga but what was Kimi up to?   Suspiciously she queried Kimi. 

“Tell me first.   I think we’ve had enough devious, diabolical behavior from this institution for the time being.”

“Oh, I think you are going to like this,” Kimi smiled.  

Kimi’s smile was disarming. 

Mrs. Kaede sighed.  She had already lost the upper hand in this situation.   Or perhaps she never had it in the first place.  This girl had always been one step ahead of her.

Kimi continued, “I believe you instructed the other teachers to assist me with how to teach, right?”

Mrs. Kaede turned her head a bit to look better at her language teacher.   “And?”

Kimi giggled as she told the principal the rest of her plan.

Mrs. Kaede contemplated her words.   Finally, she nodded.

“Very well.   When do you want to initiate your plan?”

“When he teaches Freshman history,” Kimi answered.

“I see.   Were you looking for a specific audience?”   Mrs. Kaede wondered if Sesshomaru had been roped into this plan.

“No ma’am.  Mr. Myoga shared his teaching plan.  His own words will bite him.   We won’t have to say a thing.”

Mrs. Kaede considered it.   “Go to your class.   I’ll have to let him know we’ll be auditing his class.  That’s in the teacher by-laws.”

Mrs. Kimi nodded and exited the principal’s office.    After a moment of silent reflection, she had her secretary call Mr. Myoga into her office.

Moments later Mr. Myoga entered, confident, and self-satisfied.

“Mrs. Kimi would like to listen to how you teach during third period.   I will accompany her.   Are you okay with that?”

Mr. Myoga rubbed his hands.  Delighted, he responded, “Anything to help the new teacher, Principal.”

Mrs. Kaede nodded.   “You may go back to class.”

--

Elsewhere at school, Mrs. Izayoi was getting sympathetic stares from her colleagues.   She rolled her eyes.   She would keep her mouth shut until Kimi had a chance to talk to Mrs. Kaede.    Perhaps she’d eat lunch in her room.   Then she thought about Sesshomaru and decided she had to be strong for him too.    If Mr. Myoga didn’t fix this mess by lunch, she’d start straightening things out for herself.

--

The teenagers were all talking about the band concert on Saturday and the Sadie Hawkins week events.   Sesshomaru and Bankotsu were conferring about how they would get their dates to the dance, when Koga butted in.

“I’m going too,” Koga snipped, “It was part of that super unfair bet.”

“You’re the one that made it in my mom’s class,” Sesshomaru chuckled.

“Yea, but—” Koga started.

Bankotsu shook his finger at their friend.  “What are you grumpy about?   We’re all going.  It’ll be fun.”

Koga grumbled under his breath.

Six feet away, Ayame was telling Shiori about the older teen who had said she was lovely.

“If I was older, I’d ask him to the Dance,” Ayame’s cheeks flushed a light shade of pink.  “He was kind of hot with that mohawk hair style.”

Koga glared at her back and stomped into the classroom.

“Me thinks he doth protest too much,” Sesshomaru quipped as he glanced between Koga’s back and Ayame’s.

“What are you talking about?” Bankotsu was confused.

“When you were flirting with Shiori at the refreshment table, we were meeting Koga’s boss.   Some guy that works for him flirted with Ayame.  She liked it and Koga didn’t.  Clearly, he was jealous,”  Sesshomaru smirked.   “Girls like hearing they are pretty, you know, right?”

“Yeah,” Bankotsu was staring at Shiori’s hair again.  “Like, look at her hair.  It’s like so mysterious and regal.”

Sesshomaru grabbed his friend and pulled him into the classroom. 

“Tell her those things, not me, Ban,” Sesshomaru pushed his dazed friend into an empty seat and started thinking about something nice to say to Rin at his next available moment.

--

During math period, Mr. Hachi suggested the students consider being in an academic club he was willing to sponsor.    There were a couple of math bowls this year including one at his college.   He told the class that Rin had answered a particularly hard equation correctly and that there were a couple of others that had gotten close, and he suggested they consider being in the club.  He was sure they be great!

Rin blushed.

Sesshomaru was proud of her and told her so when the bell rang. 

She blushed ever redder.

--

In Mr. Myoga’s class, Sesshomaru noticed Mrs. Kaede and Mrs. Kimi sitting in the back.  He nodded to them politely.  They smiled but resumed their private observations of the class and the teacher.

In the progress of the lesson, Mr. Myoga made a point of stressing the importance of having all the facts.  Mrs. Kaede cleared her throat and then Mr. Myoga halted as he looked at her.  She pointedly glanced at a disarmingly smiling Mrs. Kimi and then frowned at him.  After a moment, he continued.

“Class, what happens if all the facts aren’t correct?”

The newspaperman’s girl raised her hand.

“Sir, it could be a small issue or big enough to collapse a kingdom.”

“Ten bonus points to you,” Mr. Myoga pointed to the girl.

“The rest of you have tonight to find one example of how a lie impacted a country.   The assignment will give the rest of you a chance to score ten points also.   Don’t miss this opportunity to get points in my class,” Mr. Myoga bowed to Mrs. Kaede.   “We will talk more about this tomorrow and how a country can fix these kinds of mistakes.”

Mr. Myoga stood silently in front of the class as they scribbled their assignment then he cleared his throat.

“Remember.   Get all your facts before you speak.   This is a life lesson for all ages.   You are dismissed.”

The students grabbed their bags and rushed out into the hallway.

Principal Kaede, Mrs. Kimi, and Mr. Myoga were left.  Principal Kaede moved to stand by the door so they wouldn’t be interrupted.

Silence filled the previously noisy classroom.

“Kimi, I’m sorry.   I know that’s not enough, but I am sorry.   I’ll go speak with Izayoi immediately and whomever else I need to apologize to.  Principal, I’ll accept your adjudication on this matter,” the old man bowed his head.

The principal was stone-faced.   “You should start by thanking Mrs. Kimi.  I was going to fire you.   This kind of behavior is unprofessional, and it is not the first time I’ve observed this conduct from you.   The by-laws clearly allow me to dismiss you.  However, Mrs. Kimi is still fond of you and her high school memories of you.    Take this as a “life lesson” as you like to tell the children.   There will be no second chances should you do this again.  Am I understood?”

The old man looked remorseful and verbalized a shaky “yes”.

“Come, Mrs. Kimi,” Mrs. Kaede directed.

“One second, Principal,” Mrs. Kimi replied, turning to Mr. Myoga.

“Sir, I accept your apology.  I treasure this opportunity to work with one of my favorite high school teachers.”

Kimi smiled and then the two women left.

Mr. Myoga collapsed in his chair and dropped his head to his desk, his mind awhirl as he tried to process the mercy he had just been given.

--

At lunch Sesshomaru noticed his mom and Kimi were next to each other laughing happily.    Intrigued but happy for them he figured he’d ask later.

--

Mrs. Kimi was exceptionally enthusiastic in Italian class, speaking Italian for half the class.

“Maybe this will be harder than we thought,” Koga whispered to Sesshomaru.   All the other kids were just as big eyed and unsure.

--

Physical Education (PE) was interrupted for the announcement from the Senior class president about the Sadie Hawkins week festivities.  First they set down the rules for Hillbilly clothes the following day.    The clothes couldn’t be too risqué, or the student would be sent home to change.  To enforce this the teachers were to man the doors and check everyone before they were allowed to enter the school.   Teachers were allowed to participate.  Then they told everyone about the talent show which would be on Wednesday during lunch.   Those desiring to participate should talk to a senior.   A foot race followed by a beauty contest would be held Thursday during last period.  All men were required to participate in the beauty contest.   Friday will be the sock hop in the evening after school.   Girls, get to it and ask a guy!   Then the speaker system squealed, and the announcements were over.

The freshmen started whispering to each other regarding what they had heard, but Coach Kyokotsu blew his whistle and they all shut up.

“You can talk later.  Now time for sit ups and pushups.”

The students paired up.  The whistle blew and they started counting.    Sesshomaru was impressed with the number of sit ups Bankotsu could do.  He wasn’t sure he could do that many sit ups, but he wasn’t going to be beaten by his friend.   Koga and another kid were next to them.  Koga was trying to keep up with Bankotsu but started slowing down.   Sesshomaru smirked.  All he had to do was do more than Koga, which is what he did.

Pushups were much harder, but Bankotsu, Sesshomaru, and Koga managed to do the same amount.

The girls struggled.

After class was finished, the boys bragged to each other and their respective female companions.   The girls kept quiet and quickly changed subjects.  Then all of them left to go home or work.

--

At the garage with the Wolf Pack

Kohaku was waiting for Koga.  They departed for the garage on the senior’s motorcycle. 

When they arrived at Ginta’s garage, Koga jumped off and raced to get on his coveralls.   Kohaku meandered toward Ginta.

“Boss?” Kohaku asked quietly, “Kanna asked me to the Dance.  I don’t know how to dance.   What do I do?”

Hakkaku butted into their conversation.   “Dancing is easy.   You just wiggle back and forth.   No sweat.   Just tell her you’d love to go.    She’s a beauty and she asked you.  You’d be silly not to go.”

Ginta nodded.   “I agree with Hakkaku.  I just sway back and forth.  That’s all I do.   Kagura doesn’t seem to mind.  She just wants me there with her.”

Kohaku scratched his head.  “You think Kanna wants me there with her?”

“Duh!   Why else would she ask you?” Hakkaku looked the young man over head to toe.  “Can’t be ‘cause you’re smart or good looking!”

“Hey!  No need to be so mean.  My little sister thinks I’m cool.”

Hakkaku slapped his head.  “Beauty is wasted on this idiot.   Give me a break.”   Hakkaku called back as he walked to where Koga was cleaning parts.  “I’ll be helping the newbie.   Kohaku is your problem.”

Koga wasn’t terrible happy to see Hakkaku walking toward him.

“What do you want!” Koga grumbled.

Hakkaku smirked.  He could deal with this jealous fool better than that stupid one.

“I wanted to tell you that you did a good job cleaning those parts and I wanted to know if you would help me with brakes on that bike there.”  He pointed to the bike to their left.

Koga looked at him.  “You’d teach me about the brakes?”

“Yeh.   Why not?   You’re doing alright.  I figured you’d want to learn about something new.”

Koga’s eyes sparkled.  “Yes!  Please!”

“Well, then let’s get to it.”

While Hakkaku and Koga started on the brakes, Ginta took the time to ask Kohaku a few questions.

“Have you ever gone on a date before?”

Self-conscious, Kohaku looked away.

“It’s okay, man,” Ginta patted him on the back.   “You have to have your first date sooner or later.    Just be yourself and get to know the girl.   You don’t have to try and kiss her or anything.  Just relax.   Enjoy the opportunity to meet someone new.    The girls will be here in a minute to do their homework.    Smile at her and offer her a soda.  Most girls like that.  Then tell her you have to work but you can take her home on your bike if she’s still here when you’re done working.   If she sticks around, you can tell her you would love to go to the dance with her.”

“You make it sound so easy,” Kohaku exhaled.

“It is easy,” Ginta winked.  “Women just want you to be nice to them.   Heck, people just want you to be nice to them.   It’s that easy.”    He walked over to the spare coveralls and threw them at Kohaku.   “Put those on.  I need to work on this engine.    It sounds horrible.”

When the girls arrived to do their homework, Kanna was quiet.

Ginta glanced up and saw Kagura’s expression.   He took Kohaku’s wrench.   “The girls are here.   Go offer yours a soda.”

Kohaku stood from his squatted position behind the bike and walked to the soda refrigerator.   Grabbing a cold drink, he walked toward Kanna.

Kagura, observing his actions, walked over to her boyfriend to give him a hug and watch what would happen.

Kohaku held out the cold beverage to Kanna.  “Would you like a drink?” he asked as he offered her the glistening cold glass bottle of soda.

Kanna looked up at him.  Hesitantly she reached out and took the drink.

Kohaku cleared his throat.  “Umm.   If you’re still around when I finish work, I’ll be glad to drive you home.   I kind of need to know where to go to pick you up for the dance, right?”

Kanna’s eyes opened wide.  “You’ll go with me?”

Kohaku smiled.  “You did ask me, didn’t you?   Or am I making a fool of myself right now?”  He blushed.

Kanna tittered nervously.  “No, not a fool.  I did ask you, but you walked away.”

“Yeah.  Sorry.   I – I –,“ Kohaku struggled for words.

“It’s not important.  But let me try again.    Kohaku, will you go with me to the Sadie Hawkins dance?”

Quickly Kohaku answered, “I’d love to go with you.”   Then he leaned closer and whispered, “I don’t know how to dance though.”

“That’s okay,” Kanna murmured.

The two teenagers smiled at each other.

Their smiles were the only thing Kagura needed to see to know that Kanna had her date.

“Yo!  Kanna!   I need to get my homework done.  You coming?”

Kanna dashed to her, and they walked into Ginta’s office and started talking to each other in Spanish.

Ginta looked from his office to Kohaku and back.

“I’m betting you didn’t tell her you speak Spanish, did you Kohaku?”

Kohaku shrugged his shoulders.   “She’s excited.   Makes me feel good.”

Chuckling, Ginta slapped him on the back.   “Let’s get back to working on the engine.    I’ll make the final payment on the car on Friday.  Then I will pick it up from Suikotsu.   You and I can pick them up and go to the dance together.”

Chapter Text

Inuyasha held Sesshomaru’s hand tightly as they walked across the busy school parking lot.    Cars honked and people yelled and waved at Sesshomaru.   Inuyasha’s head spun around trying to see who all was calling “hello” to them.    He didn’t know any of them.    Man, his brother was popular if these were all his aqua-aint-ences.    He hadn’t even gotten the five he needed for his assignment yet.    Before he could even ask Sesshomaru about how he made all those aqua-aint-ences, they were already on the playground and Sesshomaru was dashing off to the grown-up kids’ side of the school grounds.

Inuyasha waved.    “Bye,” he called out.

“Have a good day,” Sesshomaru called back.

Inuyasha started walking toward the grade school entrance.   Then he saw Miroku and dashed toward him.

“Hi!” Inuyasha chirped excitedly.

“Hey!” Miroku waved.   “I found a turtle in the pond yesterday.”

“A real turtle!”  Inuyasha exclaimed joyfully, “How’d you find it?”

“My dad and I went to the pond, and we played and found some fishes, and a turtle, and ---”

Inuyasha’s eyes were huge. 

“You found fishes in the pond too?”

“Yep!”

And the conversation continued in that line until they were in their classroom and in their seats.

At recess, Sango and Kagome joined them on the swings.

“And Inuyasha and I played a bunch on Friday and Saturday!   I had so much fun!”   Kagome was telling Sango about her weekend.

Inuyasha interrupted, “Yeah, we played with the toys in my toy box at home for a whiles and then Kagome’s sister let us go to the park.  Oh Yeah, I forgots--,”   

Inuyasha jumped out of the swing and started searching for something in his pant pockets.  

Another kid took his place in the swing.

Inuyasha kept pulling out pieces of string and bottle caps explaining where he found each of them and what wonderful treasures they were.

Kagome realized he was looking for the pink note, so she jumped off her swing too.

“Inuyasha, it was pink.  You’re looking for the note, right?”

Inuyasha nodded and dug deeper into his pocket.    As his fingers gripped the paper, he smiled and pulled it out of his pocket depths.

“Sees!” he proclaimed to Miroku.  “I founds this in the park.   I thinks it’s important.  It says “dead” and “dance” on it.”

Miroku jumped off his swing then and pushed his way into the little circle Sango, Kagome, and Inuyasha had made.

“It’s just a note,” he said unimpressed, “Like the kinds of notes big girls write big boys.  See the color is pink.”

Sango shook her head.  “Just ‘cuz it’s pink doesn’t mean a girl wrote it.    Could be a boy.   I think my brother has some paper like that.    My big brother is so cool.  I’m going to marry him some day.”  Sango looked starry-eyed as she thought about her big brother Kohaku.

Inuyasha looked at her.  “You can’t marry your brother,” he said matter-of-factly.

“Says who,” Sango put her hands on her hips.  No one told her what to do.   She was the youngest in their family and she always got what she wanted.    

“My momma said.”  Inuyasha sighed as though sad to deliver the news.   “I wanted to marry Sessho ‘cause he’s cool too, but Momma says family can’t marry each other.”  Then he smiled,  “Besides he’ll probably marry Rin.   That’s ok.  I likes her.”

Sango thought about that for a second.  “Oh,” she was disappointed.

Miroku smiled at her.  “Don’t worry.  I can marry you.  I likes you plenty.”

Sango blushed.

Kagome cooed.

Inuyasha wrinkled his brow and shook his long hair.

“I needs you to help us read this note. I thinks it’s important.”

All four of the kids leaned over the paper in the middle of the grade school playground.

Inuyasha pointed to the first word.    “Anyone know that word?”

The other three nodded “no.”

Sango pointed to the next word.  “That’s “don’t”.    Momma says that a lot.”

The other kids nodded their agreement.

Miroku pointed  to the next word.  “I can sound it out.”   He made several faces as he concentrated.  “Fuh-get,” he stumbled on the sounds. 

Inuyasha looked at him.  “For-get?”

Miroku shrugged, “maybe?  I don’t know.”

Kagome pointed to the fifth word.  “That’s “dance”.  I know that one.”

Sango studied the paper.  “Something, Don’t forget something dance.”   She looked at the others in their group,  “Is there a dance somewhere?”

“That’s what I asked,” Kagome pointed to her chest.  “Inuyasha thought you might know.”

Miroku shook his head.  

Sango frowned.

The bell rang and the first graders ran back into the school, note and all the treasures cramped back into Inuyasha’s pant  pockets.

The kids listened to the English class better today that usual.  The teacher introduced articles to the class.   As she talked about “a”, “an”, and “the” Sango eeped.   “That’s the word!” she said out loud and then blushed.   The teacher looked at her and she hid her head.

“If you have something to say, raise your hand in the future,” the teacher turned back to the board and continued explaining articles.

However, Sango, Kagome, Miroku, and Inuyasha were still focused on the pink paper.

Inuyasha whispered, “Something, Don’t forget the dance.”

The other three nodded, a sense of accomplishment warming them.

Over lunch they tried to figure out more from the pink note as they ate.    The note got sprayed with food particles and grease from their fingers.  But by the end of lunch, they had successfully figured out 90% of the note.

Something,  Don’t forget the dance.  Be there or you’re dead!

                                                K

All four of them were wide eyed and scared.   Inuyasha looked at them.   “Someone’s going to get killed if they don’t go to the dance.   We’ve gots to tell someone about it!”

“But Inuyasha, we don’t know what dance,” Sango countered.

“Then we haves to find out.   Ask your brother and I’ll ask mine.  Maybes they knows.”

“I can ask my sister,” Kagome volunteered.

“Maybe my Dad knows,” Miroku scratched his head.  “He doesn’t know much about dancing, but he might know where people dance at.”

Sango stared at the note.  “Wait.”

The other three looked at her.   “Why?”

“See the “K”?”

Inuyasha nodded.   Miroku asked, “Why?”

Kagome’s eye enlarged.   “Someone whose name starts with a “K” wrote the note.”

“Oh!” came the unison response.

Inuyasha’s face got serious.   “I knows lots of “K” names.    Kagome for example.”

“I didn’t write that!” Kagome retorted.

“Of course, you didn’t,” Miroku said as he turned to Inuyasha.  “She didn’t know the words.”

“She could have lied to us,” Inuyasha mumbled.

Kagome’s lip pouted and her eyes watered.  “You’re a meany!”  And she stomped off.

Sango shook her head, scowled at Inuyasha, and then followed after Kagome.

Miroku shook his head at his friend.  “You sure don’t know how to handle women.”

“Do you?” Inuyasha looked at his friend curiously.

“No,” Miroku scratched his head.  “I just heard someone say that to my dad.   I’m not even sure what it means.”

Both boys shrugged their shoulders and got up from the cafeteria tables.

The afternoon Sango and Kagome avoided Miroku and Inuyasha.   They even walked on the opposite side of the hallways to music class and PE.    By the end of the day Inuyasha had tried every trick to get her to smile at him, from making faces during class, to throwing spit balls at her.    As they left school for the day, Inuyasha made one last try to get Kagome to talk to her.    She looked at him, made a grimace and walked away.

The poor little guy dropped his shoulders and head and stared at the ground.

That’s how Sesshomaru found him.

“Yo Bro,” Sesshomaru called out.  “Inuyasha?   Inuyasha?”

Big wet eyes looked up at him.

“What’s wrong?” Sesshomaru immediately kneeled and hugged his brother.

Between heaving sighs Inuyasha said, “Kagome is mad at me.”

Sesshomaru picked his brother up and walked him to the car.   Whispering softly, he confided, “I’ve felt like that once when Rin was mad at me.    You’ve got to apologize.”

“I don’t know what I did,” Inuyasha confessed.

“Doesn’t matter,” Sesshomaru whispered.  “Just apologize.   What happened before she got mad?”

Inuyasha wiped the snot from his nose with the back of his hand.   “I said she might have done something bad.”

“Wrong move, man.    Your girlfriend is always right.    Most valuable lesson I can ever teach you.   Remember that.  Your girlfriend is always right.”

Inuyasha sniffed.  “Rin is always right, I understand.”

Sesshomaru chuckled.   “I meant your girlfriend, Kagome.”

“She’s my girlfriend?” Inuyasha looked at his brother with big eyes.

“You like her, right?” Sesshomaru asked as he patted his brother’s hair.

“Um-hum,” Inuyasha blushed, hiding his face in Sesshomaru’s shoulder.

“Well then, apologize.   Simple,”  Sesshomaru sat Inuyasha down next to their car.   “Are they still here?   The faster you apologize, the better you’ll feel.”    Sesshomaru looked for the Rossi’s car.   
“Look, It’s right there.  I’ll walk you over.”

Inuyasha nodded and took his brother’s hand.

The two boys walked to the Rossi’s car just as Kimi and Izayoi were leaving the school.

They stopped and watched from the pillars of the school entrance.

“Wonder what they’re doing?” Izayoi whispered.

“I’m sure we’ll hear a version of the story later,” Kimi laughed.    “Let’s just talk here for a little longer.”

As the mothers conversed, Inuyasha and Sesshomaru approached the back door and the open window.

“Hi Sesshomaru,” Kikyo waved, “Did you have a good day?”

“Yes, thank you, Kikyo.   We’re here so my brother can talk to his girlfriend.”

Kikyo nodded.   “Kagome?   It’s your boyfriend.   He wants to talk to you.”

Kagome was still pouting.  “Don’t want to talk.  I’m mad.”

Inuyasha looked at Sesshomaru for help.

Sesshomaru leaned and whispered in his ear.  “Say I’m sorry.”

Inuyasha walked up to the window and pushed up on tiptoes to see Kagome.   “I’s sorry.”

Kagome didn’t move.

“Now what Sesshomaru?   I’s sorry and I told her,”  Inuyasha asked his brother, an air of innocence surrounding him.

Kikyo and Kagome listened. 

All eyes were on the oldest teenager.

“Well,” Sesshomaru scratched his chin, “Rin accepted my apology.   I don’t really know what to do next in this case.”   The  two brothers stood beside the car, lost, unsure of their next actions.

Kikyo elbowed Kagome, “You can accept his apology.  It’s okay.   He said he was sorry.”

Kagome nodded.  “okay.”

She looked up and caught Inuyasha’s eye.  “Inuyasha, I accept your apology.”

The little boy’s face lit up.   He jumped up and down and hugged his brother.

“Come on Inuyasha.   Let’s go get in our car.”

As Sesshomaru led a happy Inuyasha back to the car, the mothers moved toward their cars.

“Call me later,” Kimi whispered as the two went their separate ways.

Izayoi nodded.

Over dinner, Sesshomaru asked his dad for some hints on hillbilly clothes.   Toga suggested some older things from his closet that they could look at after dinner.    Inuyasha answered some questions his mother asked him about school.  

Later the message Kimi relayed was that Inuyasha and Kagome had become boyfriend, girlfriend.

The message Izayoi relayed was that Inuyasha apologized to his girlfriend for something he said.

Both mothers cooed and gushed.

At the Rossi’s, Kagome decided she would make a list of names that started with “K” to help Inuyasha solve the mystery.    She asked for Kikyo’s help to write down names that started with “K”.    They came up with Kohaku, Koga, Principal Kaede, Coach Kyokotsu, Kagura, Kanna, Kikyo,  Kimi,  and Kagome, although she marked through her name.   Tomorrow they could talk through the rest of the list.

Chapter Text

On the way to school Sesshomaru and Izayoi talked about the plans for the week culminating in the dance.

“Dance?” Inuyasha asked, suddenly listening.

“Yeh bro,” Sesshomaru turned to look at him, “It’s the Sadie Hawkin’s dance.   Girls ask guys to the Dance.  Rin asked me.”

“Do you know what you’re going to wear, honey,” Izayoi asked.  “Do we need to go shopping?”

Sesshomaru looked at his mom.   “I don’t know.  Do we wear hillbilly clothes?  Or casual?”

“That would be a good question for the seniors.  They should make that announcement today.”

“Yeah,” Sesshomaru nodded.  “Maybe Kanna knows.”

“Well, she should be in the class next to ours when school starts.  You can ask her.”

“Right.”

Inuyasha half listened.   Kanna’s name started with a “K”.  But if he suggested one of Kagome’s sisters would she get mad at him again.

Sesshomaru was getting out of the car.  

Inuyasha scurried and got out too.

As they walked across the parking lot today, Sesshomaru offered Inuyasha some wisdom.  “Don’t make your girlfriend mad again today, Okay?”

Inuyasha looked up at his brother.  How did Sesshomaru know what he was thinking about?   It was good advice.   Inuyasha nodded, “Okay.”

Then Sesshomaru released his hand and walked off to see Bankotsu and Koga.

Koga was telling Bankotsu how he had pulled the brake assembly apart and put it back together and what a good teacher Hakkaku was.

“I thought you didn’t like him because he flirted with Ayame,” Sesshomaru asked when Koga stopped talking.

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” Koga muttered.

“So, you like him now?” Bankotsu asked.

“He’s a good teacher.  That’s all,” Koga answered simply.

“Huh.   Maybe we should encourage Ayame to ask him to go—”

Ignoring them, Koga said, “We’ve got class.  Hurry up.  We’ll be late.”   He dashed into the school.

Sesshomaru and Bankotsu shared a knowing look and followed right after him.

That Tuesday most of the students were wearing denim overalls or jeans to school.   Most of the teachers played along and dressed in simple jeans and gingham shirts.  Izayoi was wearing a gingham dress.   The girls liked wearing pants to school because they usually had to wear skirts or dresses.    Two senior boys wore red long johns.   They got wolf whistles from all and jokes about their butt flaps.    Several senior girls wore peasant shirts which they wore properly when they entered the school but later pulled off their shoulders for a more seductress look.   The atmosphere at school was lighthearted and happy.

Once near their classroom, Sesshomaru spied Kanna.    Nodding to his friends he excused himself for a second.

“Kanna?   May I have a minute?” Sesshomaru called out.

Rin looked up, curious why her boyfriend was talking to the new pretty girl.

“What is the dress code for the dance?”  Sesshomaru asked.

Kagura, who was standing next to Kanna, answered, “Nice modern.  No hillbilly clothes, although you do make those overalls look good, Sesshomaru.”  She winked at him.

Sesshomaru blushed and ran back to the freshman group.

“What did she say?” Rin asked as she looked at her blushing boyfriend.

“Nice modern clothes,” Sesshomaru stuttered as he fought to get rid of his embarrassment.  “She said no hillbilly clothes.”

“O-kay,” Rin studied his face for any clues to his behavior.   

“What color are you wearing so I can get the right color flower for you?” Sesshomaru asked quickly, remembering his mother and father’s advice this morning.

Rin smiled sweetly.   “I’m wearing pink.”

Sesshomaru looked at her, “You look pretty in any color, but I do like pink.”

Rin blushed and smiled.

Bankotsu cleared his throat.   “How about you Shiori?  What color are you wearing?”

Shiori looked surprised.  “I’m not sure.   Is green okay?”

“Green’s great,” Bankotsu replied.  

Shiori looked relieved.  “I have a green skirt with music notes on it.  I really like it.”

Bankotsu nodded.  “Gotta love music!  That’s perfect anytime!”

Shiori glowed.

Ayame looked around.  This was awkward.  She walked into the classroom.

Koga, also feeling uncomfortable, followed her.

Bankotsu and Shiori followed a moment later with Sesshomaru and Rin.

Mrs. Izayoi found all her English students quietly studying.   Curious, she thought.

This morning the senior class president made the announcement about the talent show  for tomorrow and to remind everyone that wanted to participate to tell a senior so they could compete.

Koga looked up from his doodles of motorcycles.

“Bankotsu, you have to enter the talent show.   You’re good,” Koga hissed.

“I have to ask my brother for permission to bring my guitar to school,” Bankotsu replied.

“Ask Mrs. Izayoi for a pass,” Shiori  whispered.

Sesshomaru nodded.

Bankotsu raised his hand.

Mrs. Izayoi called him.

“Ma’am,” Bankotsu spoke respectfully, “I need to ask my brother a quick question.  May I have a pass please?”

Mrs. Izayoi nodded and pulled out her hall pass pad.   “I expect you to be back before the end of class,” she added as she made a note on the pass.

“Yes ma’am,” Bankotsu took the pass and rushed out of the classroom.

Less than ten minutes later, he was back, smiling.

As soon as class was out, he found a senior and asked to be put on the talent show list. 

--

In the elementary school section of the school grounds, Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku were studying the list of names Kagome had made.

“Wows,” Inuyasha was saying, “That’s good work!   And it’s long too.”

“See,” Kagome pointed, “I put my name there because it starts with “K”.   Then I marked my name off.  Now, I’d like to mark off my sisters and my Mama too.”  She looked at all of them as if daring them to disagree.  Then she continued,   “I have two reasons:   One.  No one in our house has pink paper.  Two.  We just got here.  We don’t know anybody yet.”

Inuyasha was quick to agree with her today.  He wasn’t going to upset his girlfriend again, no siree.

Miroku looked at him.

“Well, if that’s the case, we have to mark off Kohaku too.   He may have pink paper but he’s Sango’s brother.”

Sango smiled winningly at him.   Miroku knew he had won some points for that.

Inuyasha thought about it and agreed.

“So, who’s left?”

 Kagome looked at her paper carefully.  “Uh-um.   Principal Kaede, Koga, Coach Kyokotsu, and Kagura”

Miroku scratched his head.  “How are we going to figure it out, Inuyasha?”

Inuyasha puffed up his cheeks.     “There are four people on the list and four of us.   Maybe we each go ask them?”

Sango’s eyes got big.   “Talk to grown up kids or teachers?”   Her voice squeaked.  “They are scary.”

Kagome studied the list.   “Inuyasha, isn’t Koga a friend of Sesshomaru?   You could talk to him.”

“Sango, maybe you could talk to Kagura?   She’s in Kohaku’s class.   You could go looking for Kohaku and talk to her, maybe?”

Sango thought about it.  “Maybe,” she murmured, still fearful of big people.

“Miroku, you talk to Coach,” Kagome directed.

“Why me?” Miroku nearly shrieked.  “He’s big and scary.   Of all the names on the list he’s the most likely to kill someone.”

“Fine!” Kagome snapped.  “I was going to talk to the principal but if you think the Coach is scarier, I’ll just have to do it myself.”

Miroku looked shocked.  “Eh, okay.  I’ll talk to the principal.”    He thought about that for a minute and then changed his mind.  “A kid only talks to the principal if they are in trouble.  Are you going to have to do something bad to get sent to the principal?”

“No,” Kagome looked indignant.  “I’m a good girl.   I’ll just talk to her and thank her for helping my family out here at school.    I bet adults like to hear nice words too.”

“Oh,” the other kids said together.  The thought had never occurred to them.

“Well, then what do I say to the Coach?” Miroku asked.

“How about thank you for being our coach?”  Kagome said after she thought about it for a bit.   “I bet no one says that very often.”

The other three nodded and planned when they were going to talk to their respective persons of interest.

Miroku was first to talk to his assigned person.   As they went out to recess that day, they saw that Coach Kyokotsu was filling in for their normal recess monitor.   The four of them just stood there staring at the big man.   Kagome pushed Miroku toward the towering giant.

“Uh-hum,” Miroku’s throat was suddenly dry.  

Coach turned and looked at him.

Miroku’s eyes got wide.

The coach bent down to his eye-level and softly said, “Hi.  Did you need some help?  Are you lost?”

Miroku kept his eyes on the big man but nodded no.

Kagome shook her head and walked up to them.

“Hi Coach.   I’m Mrs. Kimi Rossi’s youngest girl.  My name is Kagome.   That guy is Mr. Hachi’s son, Miroku.   This is Inuyasha.  He’s Mrs. Izayoi Takahashi’s youngest son.   And this is my best friend Sango.  Kohaku is her brother.”

“Well, hello Kagome, Miroku, Inuyasha, and Sango.   What can I do for you today?” Coach smiled kindly. 

Miroku pulled on his sleeve.  “Too tall,” was all he could get out. 

So, the coach sat down on the ground so the kids could get closer if they wanted.

They did.   They gathered around him and started asking questions.

“How tall are you?  How’d you get so tall?  What do you eat?”

“What do you like to do?”

And every other question a child has ever asked an adult.

Coach Kyokotsu loved every minute of it.   The coach laughed and told stories and before long the entire first grade class had formed a circle around him.  They asked him for more stories, and when they found out he played music they asked him to sing songs with them.   When the bell rang they cried out that it wasn’t fair, and they wanted more.  So, the coach promised he would come to recess again sometime soon.   The kids all cheered and lined up to go back to their classroom.

Once back inside, Miroku smiled.   “Mine’s done.  He didn’t do it.”

Kagome rolled her eyes.

Sango couldn’t get to her brother and Kagura until school was out.  Even then she didn’t get to ask anything because Kanna and Kagura were asking her questions about Kohaku.   Sango didn’t understand why they needed to know Kohaku’s favorite food, or his favorite color, but she did her best telling them about her wonderful brother.   Afterall, he was her most favorite person in the world!   Kanna seemed especially friendly to her, but she figured that was because she was Kagome’s sister and all of Kagome’s family was nice.   Kagura just smiled the whole time they talked.   Sango decided that Kagura couldn’t have written the note.  She was nice and friendly.

While Sango was talking to Kanna and Kagura, Inuyasha went in search of Sesshomaru and Koga.   The older boys were just parting ways when Inuyasha dashed up to them.

“Hey Inuyasha,” Koga called out.  “Did you miss your big brother?”

“Um-hum,” nodded Inuyasha.  “I always miss him when we’s in school.”

“Aw,” Bankotsu cooed, “wish my baby brother was so nice.”

Sesshomaru rubbed Inuyasha’s head.  “How was school, squirt?”

“Good!   We gots to talk to Coach at recess and he told us bunches of stories.  He’s really funny.  We likes him a lot!”  Inuyasha spread his arms wide.

All three boys stared.

Inuyasha didn’t think he said anything weird, so he just smiled at them.

Bankotsu, turning to look at the others, shrugged.  “I guess I’ll hear about it at dinner.   See you tomorrow.  Here’s my ride.”

Mukotsu pulled up just then and Bankotsu and Jakotsu rushed to the car.    The others could hear Jakotsu complaining as they got in the car, “Hey!  I’m plenty nice, you know.”

Sesshomaru and Koga turned back to Inuyasha when they heard his voice.

“Koga?” Inuyasha asked cautiously.

“Yeh, man, what’s up?”  Koga got on his knees to talk to Inuyasha.

“Where you going?”   Inuyasha twisted his shoes on the ground.

Koga smiled.  “I’m going to make a motorcycle.  That’s my job now.  I work after school.”

“Is it fun?” the little boy tilted his head to look at the older one.

Koga’s smile beamed.   “Yeah!   It’s the cats’ pajamas!”   And then he jumped up and gave a finger wave goodbye.   Koga raced off to join Kohaku on his bike.

Inuyasha turned to smile at Sesshomaru.   “I likes your friends.”

Just then Rin walked up.   “Hi Inuyasha.”

Startled, Inuyasha hid behind Sesshomaru and peeked at her.  Whispering, he add, “I really like your girlfriend the best.”

Sesshomaru mouthed breathily, “me too.”

Both Takahashi boys were smiling goofily at the pretty girl when their mother joined them.

“Come on boys,” she smiled.  “Hello Rin.  Do you need a ride home?”

“Yes please,” Rin nodded.  “It looks like my mom is running late.  She said she might be.  She….,” Rin and Izayoi walked together to the car deep in conversation with Sesshomaru and Inuyasha following behind.   Rin sat in the passenger seat and continued talking to Izayoi until she was dropped off at her house.   Then Izayoi drove toward their home.

The car was remarkably quiet after Rin left.

Inuyasha looked at his brother.  Sesshomaru appeared to be thinking.   Inuyasha followed his example.  He wondered if Sango, Miroku, and Kagome had any luck.   As far as he could tell Koga wouldn’t threaten anyone.  He didn’t know anyone that would kill someone.   Hnnn.  Should they talk to someone about it?

“Inuyasha?   Sesshomaru?   We’re home.”

Both boys looked up.

“When did we get home?” Sesshomaru looked dazed.

Izayoi reached back and touched his forehead.  “No fever.  Are you tired dear?   Why don’t you just rest in your room until we eat.”

Sesshomaru got out of the car and walked into the house.

Inuyasha dashed past him to watch the  TV.

The teenager continued to the kitchen and sat down.

Izayoi made her way into the house, first watering the plants on the porch, then picking up toys, straightening pillows and furniture until she made it into the kitchen.   Surprised to see Sesshomaru there, she put down her purse and books and pulled up a chair next to him.

“Sesshomaru?”

“She didn’t talk to me, Mom.  She didn’t even say good-bye.   Why didn’t she talk to me?  Did I do something wrong?”  Sesshomaru was devastated that Rin had ignored him.

Now Izayoi understood.    She frequently forgot that her “all-together” eldest son was still just a young boy only now reaching puberty.   She reached out and hugged him.    He curled into her.   Softly she spoke,

“Honey, she was just excited about her mother’s project, that’s all.   Did you listen to her?   She’s excited and proud of her mother and she wanted to share it with me.”

“Why didn’t she tell me during school?” Sesshomaru asked, still unsure.

“It might have not been the right time or she had other things she wanted to tell you instead,” Izayoi answered.  “By telling me in your presence she shared her joy with her mother’s successes.”

Sesshomaru pondered this.

Izayoi went to the kitchen and got two glasses of milk.

“Inuyasha!” she called, “Milk and graham crackers!”

The six-year-old ran into the kitchen.   Eagerly, he bounced on his feet.

Izayoi looked at her sons.   “Your dad is going to be just a little late.   Here’s a little snack to tide you over.”

“Yummy, yummy!” Inuyasha jumped up and down.  Then he looked at his brother who was still just sitting there.    “Hey!  Since Sessho doesn’t feel good, can I have his too?”

“You little rascal,” Sesshomaru came to life immediately.  “You can’t have my crackers and milk!”

The boys started a verbal volley. 

“Mine.”

“No, Mine.”

And so forth, until Izayoi made them sit on the back steps to eat and drink lest they spill in the kitchen.

As Sesshomaru walked out the door, he murmured, “Thanks Mom.”

Inuyasha’s higher voice echoed the sentiment.

---

That afternoon the hospital had called the ortho clinic for the orthopedic surgeon on call.  A nursing home patient had gotten confused and fallen out of bed, breaking her arm in the process.      Toga was on call, so he rushed over to the hospital.       Toga took one look and realized the lady needed surgery to stabilize her arm.  The surgery took the rest of the afternoon.    Around three pm, he knew he was going to be a little late for dinner, so he asked Mom to give Izayoi a call at school.

By the time he came home, Sesshomaru and Inuyasha had finished their homework and were ready to eat.

“Sorry, you had to wait for me, boys, Izayoi.   It took a little longer than I thought,” Toga sighed.

“It’s okay, Dad,” Sesshomaru replied.   “Mom said you were helping someone.”

“You know I can’t talk about my cases, but Inuyasha and his arm can undoubtedly relate to this one,” Toga admitted.

“Somebody broke their arm roller skating?” Inuyasha asked, shocked.  “I didn’t know the skating was open?”

“No son, not roller skating, but something like that.”

“Ouch,” Inuyasha rubbed his arm that had been broken, “That hurt.  I ‘member.”

Then the conversation changed to homework and school and finally Sesshomaru brought up the Sadie Hawkin’s Dance and how he and Bankotsu needed transportation for their dates.

“Son, unless it’s changed, the girls are supposed to take care of all the details including taking their dates to the dance,” Toga confided.

“Oh!” Sesshomaru was surprised.  “I guess I had better talk to my date tomorrow, huh?”

“Or you could talk to her tonight,” Izayoi added.  “I’m sure she’d enjoy talking to you.”

Sesshomaru got excited.  “Can I be excused to make a phone call?”

“Have fun, son,” Toga motioned toward the phone.  “Just limit the time of your conversation.  I’m on call and the hospital may need to get a hold of me.”

--

That afternoon when the final bell rang, Kagome walked to the principal’s office.   The door was open and Mrs. Kaede, noticing the youngest Rossi, invited her in.

“Hello Kagome,” Principal Kaede smiled.  “I’m glad you came by my office to visit me.”

“I wanted to say thank you,” Kagome said, “Thank you for letting us come to your school.  Mama’s happy and I’m happy too.”

Mrs. Kaede’s heart warmed, “Why what a pleasant thing to say!  Aren’t you the nicest young lady!”

Kagome nodded.  Then she looked around the room at the pictures.   “Is that you with the bow and arrows?”

Mrs. Kaede nodded,  “It is me.   I used to teach PE like Coach Kyokotsu.   I also competed in archery competitions.”

Kagome looked startled.  “You shot things?”

“Just paper targets.    Have you ever seen a bow and arrow before?”

“No, Ma’am,” Kagome looked at the picture closer.  “It looks cool, though.”

“Tell you what.   When you are older, if you want to learn archery, I’ll teach you,” Mrs. Kaede offered.

Kagome got excited.  “Really, truly?”

“Really, Truly,” Mrs. Kaede stuck out her little pinky.  “Pinky promise.”

The two were making a pinky promise when they saw Kikyo and Kimi rushing down the hall in search of Kagome.   After a quick summary of their conversation, Kimi thanked the principal and led the girls to her car.

Chapter Text

“Yeh, I heard about it,” Bankotsu was saying as Sesshomaru walked up to his friends that morning.

“Heard what?” Sesshomaru asked.

“Remember Inuyasha telling us that my big brother talked to the first graders?   Well, last night’s entire dinner conversation was about how cute those little guys are and how curious they are and what nice manners they have.    He talked about them for an hour and then some more with Suikotsu later.   Isn’t recess only 20 minutes?!”

Koga and Sesshomaru shrugged.

“Guess he liked talking to them,” Koga offered, unsure of what else to say.

“Inuyasha didn’t say anything about it at dinner.   He was too interested in eating Mom’s good cooking,”  Sesshomaru added.    “But I didn’t talk too much either.  Dad was late and I was hungry.”

Sesshomaru smiled as he remembered talking to Rin last night.

Koga watched him smile.  “Must have been a good meal.  You’re still smiling.”

“Great meal,” Sesshomaru agreed. 

Koga pointed to Bankotsu’s guitar.  “See you have your guitar.  Have you decided what you’ll play?”

“Yeh,” Bankotsu rubbed his guitar case tenderly.

“And?” Koga attempted to get him to add more to his response.

“And, you’ll find out at the talent show,” Bankotsu added.

Koga grumbled.  “You’re keeping it a secret from me?”

Bankotsu smirked.  “You’re so easily riled, dude.    Oh, by the way, did you have fun at work yesterday?”

Koga paused.  “I think I’ll keep it secret.”

Bankotsu nodded.  “That’s fair,” and he started walking into the schoolhouse.

“Hey, now wait,” Koga raced after him, “You’re supposed to ask me and then I’m supposed to say, I’ll tell if you tell….”

Sesshomaru shook his head and strolled in after his two friends.

---

Inuyasha and Miroku found Sango and Kagome talking privately.   When they arrived, the girls broke up quickly.

“What’s up?” Inuyasha asked.

“Nothing,” Kagome answered.

Miroku looked at the girls who were looking guilty about something, but he decided he would ask them later.  Right now, he was curious about what they should do next about the pink note.

“What do we do now about the note?    I don’t think Coach would do anything bad,” Miroku confided.

“Wasn’t Koga,” Inuyasha added, “He’s funny.   He wouldn’t hurt anyone.”

“Kagura smiled the whole time I talked to her and Kanna.  She’s really, really nice,” Sango blushed.

“I talked to the principal after school,” Kagome told them.  “I told her we were happy to be here.  She said I was a good girl.   She knows how to shoot a bow and arrows.   There’s a picture of her with her bow on her wall.”

“Really?” Inuyasha asked.  “Bow and arrows, like the cowboys and Indians on TV?”

“I guess,” Kagome answered.  “We don’t watch TV, so I don’t know it.”

The gang were silent, each thinking about what the other said, when the bell rang for class.

--

By history period, the freshmen were all bouncing with anticipation for the talent show.   Bankotsu was the only freshman to enter, and they all wanted him to win.    Each one passed by his desk and wished him luck.   Finally, Mr. Myoga cleared his throat.

“It seems you have forgotten that you are in history class.”

The room went completely silent.

“Bankotsu, since you appear to have won a popularity contest today, I would like you to pick up everyone’s assignment from yesterday.    If you didn’t bother to do the assignment, I still want you to hand in a blank piece of paper with your name on it.”

A few individuals scrambled for paper from their notebooks.

Mr. Myoga shook his head.   “Free points and you missed it, tragic.    Go ahead Bankotsu.  Pick the papers up.”

Bankotsu had his assignment out already.   He stood and started at the far end of the classroom picking up papers.   Soon he presented them to Mr. Myoga.

Mr. Myoga thumbed through the papers, nodding and making “hnnn” noises.   “Good work people,” he commented.   “Mata Hari, huh.   Very interesting.”   He thumbed through a few more papers and nodded.

“Good.  Good.  Interesting.”

In time he looked up from his desk.   “Shall we continue with our previous discussion?    How does a country fix these kinds of mistakes?”

A boy raised his hand.

“Yes?” Mr. Myoga pointed.

“They executed Mata Hari,” the boy said.

Mr. Myoga’s face blanched.

“True.   Rather dramatic, but true.”  Swallowing, he asked, “How about other, say less dramatic ways?”

Sesshomaru raised his hand.

“Yes,” Mr. Myoga saw the movement before he noticed who it was.

“The emperor of Japan attempted to apologize to McArthur, but McArthur refused to hear him.    For the Japanese, an apology means something.   Why didn’t McArthur listen?”

Mr. Myoga leaned against his desk.

“That Sesshomaru, is a question for the ages.”   

The class watched Mr. Myoga.

The man considered what Sesshomaru had asked and how this generation of teenagers were affected by all they had seen and heard.   Suddenly he was no longer thinking about his personal problems.  His thoughts turned outward as he considered their perspectives and views.  He took a moment before he spoke again, his voice softer and more sympathetic.  “That example makes it even more important for people to learn as much as they can about each other before they speak.”     Mr. Myoga spoke for the rest of the class.   The students listened intently, his words reaching them.

When the lunch bell rang, Bankotsu grabbed his guitar and ran to the music room where the talent show competitors were supposed to meet.   Upon checking in he got a number.

“What’s this?” he asked another.

“Don’t know.  They gave one to all of us,” a boy dressed as a clown replied.

Soon came the answer.    They would draw to see the order of their appearance in the talent show.   The length of their individual acts could be no longer than three minutes or a hook from off stage would drag them off.  Bankotsu quickly thought through the song he wanted to play and dropped a verse.   That would be about two minutes, 40 seconds, if he figured it right.

The first act was drawn from the bowl.   It was the clown that had talked to him.

“Good luck,” Bankotsu waved.

In the cafeteria, the seniors had set the stage up like it was the “Ed Sullivan” show.   The senior class president impersonated Ed Sullivan.   Just before the clown came out, the Ed Sullivan look-alike walked about with the exaggerated stiffness and raised shoulders of the TV host.   With a nasal tenor voice very similar to the actor he did a short monologue and then announced, "And now, right here on our stage ..."

There was laughter before the clown even performed.

Roars and hoots were heard up and down the hallways attracting stray and wandering teachers and students.    Before long the cafeteria was “standing room only”.

Bankotsu didn’t know that though.   He and the other performers were in the music room waiting their turn to compete.

When a couple of the performers walked into the cafeteria and saw the large audience, they froze.   Stage fright claimed them.    That added a few moments back on the schedule. 

The Ed Sullivan impersonator had a response for everything. 

 "For all you youngsters out there ..."

He strutted back and forth in front of the stage distracting the audience from the frozen actors.   If they hadn’t seen him running in the hall just 30 minutes before, the teachers would have sworn he had ankylosing spondylitis just like his character. 

The next big act was composed of two senior boys playing the part of Abbott and Costello performing the baseball skit, “Who’s on First?”

Again, the audience roared.   Older teachers were slapping their knees and crying from laughing so hard.   The two boys had their timing perfect.  It was the best act of the talent show.

Bankotsu missed it.   He was the last act.  He and the senior in charge of the talent were waiting patiently.   

The Ed Sullivan host started to end the talent competition by bragging about the “really big shew” when several voices in the audience called out,

“WE WANT BANKOTSU!”

Immediately the host apologized, and a senior ran to the music room to bring the freshman contender out.

Unaware that he had been stilted, Bankotsu strode on to stage with a big smile.

“Just a little tune for you to jam on,” he said and then he started playing and singing.

He was amazing!

Girls swooned.

Guys nodded their heads and tapped their toes. 

By the time he played the last chord, they were all on their feet cheering for the freshman guitarist like he was a super star!

Bankotsu smiled but mostly he was focused on a glowing Shiori who was surrounded by his friends and classmates.

The senior class president broke character and patted Bankotsu on the back.

“Amazing, man, amazing!”

Even the Abbott and Costello imitators were congratulating him for his skill.   “We concede to you, man.  You’re a really cool cat!”

Standing at the back of the audience a very proud big brother beamed.

The rest of the day was a blur for the teenagers.

---  

At afternoon recess Inuyasha and his gang were no closer to finding who the mysterious “K” was, nor who was at risk for death.  They each felt the clock ticking and a feeling of despair because they couldn’t do anything about it.   Finally, Inuyasha stomped his foot.

The others looked at him.

“What?!” Kagome grumbled, the frustration of the situation affecting her normally easy-going temperament.

“We needs to tell an adult!” Inuyasha harrumphed.

The children looked at each other and then at Inuyasha.

“Which one,” Sango asked hesitantly.

He rubbed his nose as he thought.

“How abouts the next one we see?”

Just then a teacher’s aide walked near.

“Teacher?” Inuyasha called.

The woman stopped and smiled at the boy.   “Aren’t you Mrs. Izayoi’s son?  Aren’t you cute?”

Inuyasha blushed.  It appeared he couldn’t speak.

Hastily Kagome took the note from him and pushed it toward the aide.   “Teacher, we found this in the park, and we’re worried.”

The aide glanced over the paper.  “My, I do believe you have found an interesting piece of paper.”    She gave it back to Kagome.   “Go back to class now.”

She walked off.

The four stood there shocked.

“Now what,” Miroku asked.

“We chooses a different person,” declared Inuyasha.  “Maybe a police man.”

“Do you know a police man?”

“No.  Do you?” Inuyasha answered.

The girls shook their heads too.

Dejected they returned to class.

--

When school was out, they stood together waiting for their respective rides.    Just then Mukotsu drove up to pick up Jakotsu and Bankotsu.

“Look!  It’s a police car and that’s a police man!” they all called and pointed.   The kids ran as a group toward the car.

However, Mukotsu was so wrapped up in congratulating Bankotsu and giving Jakotsu a hug that he didn’t notice the little gaggle of kids.   The car drove away before the kids got near enough to be heard.

Sesshomaru was distracted by Rin.

Koga was talking to Kohaku.

No one noticed the heartbroken first graders.

Turning and dragging their feet in the dirt, the downhearted quartet didn’t want to give up but didn’t know what to do.  They were sure that someone was going to die, and they couldn’t stop it.

In time adults picked them up and the group separated for the evening, miserable and morose.

Neither Sesshomaru nor Izayoi picked up on Inuyasha’s silence in the car, because both were chatting about the talent show.   

Just as they passed main street, Sesshomaru remembered he needed to buy flowers.  “Mom!  Can you stop at the florist!   Please!”

Remembering she had coached him on getting a corsage for his date, she nodded.  “Let’s do that.”

They turned down Main St. and parked at an angle in front of the flower shop.   Sesshomaru jumped out and ran into the store.   A few moments later and raced out and asked Izayoi if she would come in with him.

“Inuyasha,  I’ll just be a few minutes.   The windows are open.  I have the keys.   Stay put please,”  Izayoi followed Sesshomaru into the story.

Inuyasha looked around.   There were lots of adults here.  Some were buying groceries, and some were going to the clothing store.  As he watched the people, he noticed the stores.   The Five and Dime store had toys in the window.    He wanted to go look.   He got out of the car, looked both ways to cross the street and walked straight to the window.  

“Wow!” He exclaimed as he watched an electric train.

A passerby stopped.

“Little boy?  Where’s your momma?”

Inuyasha froze.   ‘Oh no,’ he thought, ‘stranger danger!’  He stared at the man and didn’t speak.

The man interpreted the situation as “lost child” and grabbed Inuyasha’s hand.

“Come on.  I’ll take you to the police.”

Inuyasha started to fight back but the man would take him to the police.   He allowed the man to pull him along.

In the flower shop, Sesshomaru and Izayoi were debating whether he should buy a wrist corsage or one to pin on.    Once that was accomplished, it was a question of what would look best on pink.   Sesshomaru thought red would be pretty, but Izayoi told him that meant “love” in the language of flowers.  She asked if he was trying to tell Rin that he loved her. 

Sesshomaru looked startled and asked about the other colors.

The florist interrupted and told them it also depended on the flower as well.  Roses meant something different than carnations.

That discussion went on for a bit until the florist mentioned one flower was more expensive than another.

Sesshomaru looked startled again.   He opened his wallet.

“I only have this amount of money,” he admitted, “unless you’ll give me an advance on my allowance.”

Izayoi smiled and said she would. 

The florist offered that the simple corsages were popular with the other boys that had ordered flowers.

Eventually Sesshomaru got the same corsage that Bankotsu had ordered the day before only with a pink ribbon instead of a green one.

During that time, Inuyasha had been taken to the police station and was being asked who his mother was.

“Who are you, son?” the old desk sergeant asked.

“I’s Inuyasha,” the boy replied politely.

“Do you have a last name?” the sergeant tried.

“Yes, sir,” Inuyasha replied.

“What is your last name?"

“Takahashi,” Inuyasha pronounced proudly.

“Like the Dr?”

“Yes, sir.  That’s my dad,” Inuyasha seemed content.  He swung his feet in the chair and looked around at all the papers on the wall.

The desk sergeant scratched his head.   “Were you lost?”

“No sir,” Inuyasha answered.  “I was looking at the electric train.   It’s pretty and neat.”

“Why didn’t you tell the man you weren’t lost,” the cop asked, confusion mounting.

“Teacher said not to talk to strangers.”

The adult and the cop looked at each other.   The cop sighed.   “You can go.  I’ve got this.”

The man nodded and left.

“Inuyasha, let’s walk back to your mom and brother, okay?”

Inuyasha nodded happily and jumped to his feet.

They walked back down the sidewalk and crossed the street to just in front of the floral shop.

“Is this your car?” the sergeant asked.

“Yes sir,” chirped Inuyasha.   This had been a grand adventure from his perspective.

“Very good.  I’ll just wait here with you,” The sergeant explained.

While they waited, Inuyasha asked him about being a policeman, about the uniform and all the shiny badges, about what he did all day, and why he did it.

The police man humored the six-year-old’s curiosity and entertained him.

When Sesshomaru and Izayoi walked out of the store, they were surprised to see Inuyasha with a police man.

Before she could say anything, the policeman asked the boys to step into the car so that he could talk to their mother privately.

The boys did as they were told. 

Then the policeman put his back to the car and talked to Izayoi for a less than a moment. 

Her expressions spoke volumes.

When he finished speaking, he turned and tipped his hat to her before he waved goodbye to the boys.

Inuyasha smiled and waved back.

Izayoi got into the car and drove home.   She didn’t say a word.

Dinner was simple.    The conversation was minimal.   The boys were excused to go to their rooms.

Later that evening, Sesshomaru could hear his mom and dad talking.   His mom was upset with herself, and his dad was trying to calm her down.

The following day when Inuyasha told the others of his great adventure at the police station, Miroku asked him if he got to ask the policeman about the note.

“I forgot!” Inuyasha said as he covered his face with his hands.

Chapter Text

“Ginta, are you sure?”  Hakkaku repeated for the fourth time.

“Yes, I am sure.   I’m going to rebuild a used sidecar and fit it to our bikes.    That kid, Koga, is too young to bike but he is part of our gang and --  I like the kid!” Ginta admitted somewhat bashfully.

Hakkaku laughed.   “Don’t sweat it man.  I like the “actor” too.”

“Actor?” Ginta laughed.

“Well, he’s too old to be an “ankle-biter”, Hakkaku shrugged, “And he’s not old enough to be a “greaser”--- yet.”

“Look at us,” Ginta chuckled.  “Last year when we were seniors in high school, we wouldn’t have even looked twice at a freshman.  And now, I’m going spend some of our hard-earned money --,”

“What do you mean, “Our Money”, Boss?   It’s out of your money.  I just work here,”   Hakkaku picked up a wrench, studied it and then turned to Ginta.  “Speaking of working,” he quipped, “What’s our next project?”

“We’re caught up,” Ginta looked around the garage.   “Why don’t you go out on a ride and show off our bikes?  Oh, and drop by the seamstress and pick up my order.  She called.  It’s ready for pick up.”

“Your money, man,” Hakkaku muttered,  “You got a slip or paper or something that I can show her so I can pick it up?”

Ginta walked into his office and after finding the slip, gave it to Hakkaku.

Hakkaku grabbed his jacket and helmet and drove off down Main St.

Ginta cleaned his garage, paid bills, gazed through part catalogs, and eventually called a junk dealer who had a used side car to sell.    After some haggling, they arrived at a price they both liked.    “I’ll deliver it today,” replied the smooth voice, “when I come to town for some late lunch.”

“Thanks, man,” Ginta replied.   Ginta gave him the address and hung up.

Hakkaku had yet to come back, so Ginta put out the “closed for coffee” sign and closed the garage.   He walked down Main St. to the bank to make the withdrawal for the side car.   Then he walked across the street to the paint store.    He wanted to get a start of this project before Koga got there this evening.

Hakkaku had enjoyed driving around town on his motorcycle.  The sun on his back, the wind in his face, the powerful bike responding to his every whim, this was “the life”.    First, he drove by his mother’s house to see if she needed groceries.   She nodded.   She was just making cookies and ran out of butter and eggs.   He smiled and headed to the grocery store.

The store manager was an old friend of his mom.  When he found out she was making cookies, he gave Hakkaku eggs and butter in exchange for some of his mom’s fresh cookies.  

“I can’t promise them to you.  I don’t know who she’s making them for,” Hakkaku said as he pulled out his wallet to pay for the eggs and butter.

“Don’t worry about paying.   She’s been a good customer and she’ll give some cookies next time; I imagine.”

Both men nodded in agreement.  Hakkaku’s mom was a generous master cookie maker.

“Hey after you take these to her, can you come back and make a few home deliveries for me?   Just small deliveries but they need to be timely.”

“Sure,” saluted Hakkaku.

After delivering the eggs and butter and the message attached to them, Hakkaku went back to the grocery store.    He made three small deliveries that morning.   ‘A side car would be handy,’ thought Hakkaku as he delivered the last bag of groceries.

The store manager paid Hakkaku for his gas and walked around Hakkaku’s bike.

“That thing sure is handy,” he commented, “Is it easy to learn?”

“I’ll take you for a ride.  You can see for yourself.”    Hakkuka grabbed his spare helmet and gave the store manager a quick safety briefing.   Then he got on and had the store manager get on behind him.   They rode around the block.

“I love it!” the man panted excitedly as he got off the bike.  “Can I buy one?”

“Come on over to the garage and Ginta can show you our inventory.”

“I’ll be there later this afternoon,” said the man.

Next Hakkaku dropped by the seamstress and picked up a package.   Then he went by the post office.    Again, he considered the value of a side car or large saddlebag.    One box was large enough he had to make a second trip to carry it.  When he returned, he told Ginta of his morning.

“See.  Getting out there gave us some publicity.     I think I saw a delivery motorcycle setup in the catalog.    Let me start figuring out how much it will cost to make.”

“Boss?” Hakkaku politely tried to get Ginta’s attention.

Ginta looked carefully at his long-time friend.   “Hakkaku?  Why so formal?”

“I was teasing you earlier about the sidecar, but after the errands I ran this morning, I may have been a little short sighted.   Guess that’s why you’re the boss, you could see the value of the sidecar before I did.  I think it’s a great idea.  Even when the kid is grown and riding his own bike, the sidecar will be useful.”

Ginta laughed and wrapped an arm around his friend’s neck.

“I’m just lucky to have such a good friend like you!    The junk man is delivering a side car for us to remake right after lunch.   I picked up the paint already.   Let’s have some fun!”

The two looked at the package from the seamstress.    “Think you can make a stencil for this, Hakkaku?”

Hakkaku rubbed his hands.    “Mr. Totosai spent enough time teaching me metal work, I should have this down.”

“Well, get to it,” Ginta smiled as he picked up his parts catalogs and some paper to draw a potential grocery delivery vehicle.

The two men worked until noon and then ate their sack lunches.   A cup of tea later, they were interrupted by a knock on the garage door.

“Delivery!”

Ginta and Hakkaku opened the big garage doors wide to receive the side car.

A handsome dark-haired man with a smooth voice waved.   “You guys are expecting this side car, right?”

Ginta walked over and closely examined the side car.

“It’s just as you said, some rust, but overall intact.   Okay, I accept.  Here’s what I owe you.”   Ginta passed the man a wad of bills.

The man counted them and then gave Ginta a bill with “paid in full” written across it.

Hakkaku pushed the hoist out and after securing the package, removed it from the truck.

The men waved goodbye to the trash man and pushed the side car into the garage.

By the time the rest of the Wolf Pack had arrived at the garage that afternoon, the chaise was cleaned, painted, and drying.

The girls were excited about seeing their art made into patches and stencils.  Plans for putting the patches on jackets and bikes flew about in the air.

Koga was bragging about Bankotsu’s performance to such an extent that Hakkaku wondered if Koga was more interested in Bankotsu than Ayame, so he made a quip about wondering how that pretty red head was doing.

Koga stopped talking about Bankotsu and immediately turned toward Hakkaku.

“That’s my childhood friend.  You better not have any despicable thoughts about her.   She’s not a floozy or some fast girl.  She’s a treasure, a real queen.”

Hakkaku smiled.

“Have you told her that?”

The expression on Koga’s face was one of horror.    “Why would I say that to her!”

“Because she’s important to you and you like her.   That’s why,” a mature, nurturing vibe came from Hakkaku.  “It’s okay to admit it.   How long have you felt that way about her?”

Koga stared.  “I’m not talking to you about this,” he grumbled. 

“Okay.  Then let’s get to work on detailing the bikes.   You know how to paint?”

Koga looked at the older teenager.  ‘What was this guy’s deal.  Me? like Ayame?  Is he crazy?’

Hakkaku smiled and walked to the paints and brushes.

Eventually, Koga joined him, but he was distracted by the thoughts Hakkaku had uncovered.  ‘I do like Ayame — a lot.’

Chapter Text

Chapter twenty-five

Thursday – foot race and beauty contest

Koga didn’t sleep well for the first half of the night.   A redheaded beauty was always just out of reach, and he chased her throughout his dreams.  Hakkaku’s words re-played over and over until somewhere in the early morning he finally just called out in his sleep, “I like her alright, now stop messing with me,” after which point, he slept well.

When he woke, he realized he had very little time before the dance to let Ayame know he liked her, and he wanted to go to the dance with her.    He was considering his problem when Bankotsu and Sesshomaru arrived at the school that morning.

Without thinking, he turned to them and blurted out, “I want Ayame to ask me to the Dance.”

His friends looked at each other and laughed.

“It's about time you figured it out,” chuckled Sesshomaru.    “She told Shiori that she was going to ask you even before Rin asked me, but you’ve been a jerk to her lately.  So, we’re not surprised she hasn’t asked.”

Koga considered his words.  “Yeh, I have.   So, I suppose there’s no hope.” His head and shoulders dropped.

Bankotsu patted him on the back.  “There’s always hope.  Look at me.  I finally talked to Shiori.  Let’s start with you apologizing for your “jerkiness”, huh?    Maybe you can do something special for her.   How are you with writing love letters?”

The boys walked into the building.

The morning progressed as always.  In history they were still talking about public apologies and the importance of truthfulness.  Koga offered a well worded response.  Ayame noticed.  In math, Rin and Ayame excelled on the pop quiz.  Sesshomaru and Koga praised them publicly.    At lunch, Koga offered Ayame some of his food when she mentioned she really liked the fruit salad.    In Science Koga volunteered to do the dirty work on their experiment.   In Italian class, Koga asked how to say, “I’m sorry”. 

By the beginning of last period, Ayame confronted him.  “What’s with you today?”

Koga smirked.   ‘Operation get Ayame’s attention was working.   Now to set the trap.’

“I’ll tell you if you cheer for me in the foot race.   I want to hear you loud and proud.   Will you make that deal?”

Ayame would have cheered for Koga anyway.   She had been crazy about him since they were babies.  Her momma had told her that she and Koga’s mom had thought they would always be together.   As Ayame aged, she had hoped it would be as girlfriend/boyfriend, but lately she would have just been happy with just being friends.   Whatever was going on with Koga today was definitely distracting.   She’d gladly make the deal in order to find out.

“I will yell for you,” Ayame vowed.  “I’ll be right here at the finish line.”

Koga winked at her and raced off to the start line.

Sesshomaru, Bankotsu and the other high school men were lined up and ready to go.

Coach blew his whistle, and they were off.   At the first 110 yards, Bankotsu, Sesshomaru and Koga were leading the pack.  Koga could hear Ayame cheering for him.   It was a great feeling.  By the 220-yard mark, Koga was smiling while running.  His other two friends were still near him, but they were panting and losing their cadence.  Koga could hear Ayame’s yelling loud and clear.  When they hit the 330-yard mark, Koga reached deep inside him, lengthened his stride, and sprinted toward the goal as he heard Ayame’s enthusiasm increase.    He crossed the finish line, easily ahead of the others.   As he turned around, he saw her jumping up and down and smiling for his victory.   After the coach congratulated him, he jogged to Ayame.   Excited for his win, she rushed out to him.   At the last second, she slowed wondering why she was being so effusive, but he reached out, encased her in his arms and whirled her around.   

When he sat her down, he looked into her green eyes.  “You asked what’s with me today.    I realized something.  I realized you are my girl and I have been a jerk to you.    I’m sorry, Ayame.   Forgive me.”

Tears welled in Ayame’s eyes, and she nodded because she couldn’t talk.

Holding hands, they walked over to their friends who were eager to congratulate Koga for his win.

As soon as the races were completed, the senior class president called the men to the track to face the female audience.

“Ladies, in the spirit of Sadie Hawkins week, we present the beauty pageant!”  He waved his hand toward the lineup of sweaty panting runners.

A roar of laughter arose from the girls and the few teachers that were there to monitor the event.

“The judging will be as follows.  We men will be in groups of eight, mixtures of grades, so there’s no class contest.    You will make noise for the group of men you want to win the beauty contest as I walk in front of the group.  The loudest group will go on to the next stage of the contest.”

The president and his helpers split the groups up.

Sesshomaru and Kohaku ended up in a group with several sophomores, and some footballers.

The applause for their group was definitely the loudest.

The president declared them winners and then explained the next stage which would also be graded by noise.

The ten of them were to strut across the make-believe stage like they  were in a real beauty contest.  Mrs. Kimi interrupted the proceeding to confer with the president.    They whispered to each other and then the president arched his head back and laughed hysterically.

“One moment,” he said as he gathered the contestants and relayed Mrs. Kimi’s comments.

She entered their huddle and offered some professional guidance.   Then she stood to the side.  By then the band had struck up a tune.

All ten of the finalists hammed it up, prancing and strutting in their imitation of what they had seen beauty contestants do.  Each tried to one up the next.  Sesshomaru was last.  Unsure of what he could do differently from the others he considered the things he had seen.  At the last minute he adopted a cold, aloof attitude.  Carefully following the beat of the music, he glided down the make-believe catwalk, head held high, hips leading.   At the end of the catwalk, he raised a finger and pointed through the audience eventually finding his girlfriend Rin.  He winked and blew her a kiss.  As he turned away his hair fanned out like a peacock’s tail, elegant and eye-catching.  He walked away without even looking at the effect on his audience.

The women squealed.

There was no doubt he garnered the largest noise response.

It took Coach Kyokotsu’s whistle to get everyone quiet for the student president’s closing comments.

“The last two days have seen some amazing freshmen victories.   Will the following winners come to me?   Bankotsu, Koga, and Sesshomaru!”

The crowd erupted again!

The three freshmen smiled and joined hands to raise them in a victory pose.  The noise increased.

Inside the grade school, Inuyasha and his friends wondered what the noise was about.

Chapter Text

Thursday evening when Izayoi was doing the laundry, she called Inuyasha downstairs to empty his pockets.

“I’ve told you several times young man, I will not empty the pockets of your dirty clothes!”

“Momma, it was just a dead frog,” Inuyasha pleaded.

“Never again,” Izayoi shivered as she remembered the slimy toad Inuyasha had named Jaken.   “Get to it and clean out those pockets.”

She watched as Inuyasha pulled out pop tops, string, rocks, used bubble gum wrappers, and finally a folded piece of pink stationery.

She grabbed the note.   “What have we here, young man?”

Inuyasha looked relieved.   His mom could help.   She was an adult.  She could help them save someone.

“Me and Kagome founds it at the park.   We’ve been trying to figure out the mystery all week.   Can you help us?”  The little boy’s expression captured his mother’s attention.

“I’ll see what I can do.  But before I read this, let’s finish loading the washer, okay?”

Inuyasha and Izayoi finished filling the washer and then sat down at the breakfast table.

She unfolded the note and read the note.   When her eyes lifted from the note, she saw Inuyasha staring at her expectantly.

“What all have you done to figure it out, dear?” She asked.    She had recognized the handwriting already and was fairly sure she had a beat on it.

Inuyasha shared his gang’s week’s adventure with her, including their encounters with Coach Kyokotsu, Principal Kaede, Kagura and Koga.    He told her how worried they all were that someone might get killed if they don’t go to the dance and they didn’t know what else they could do.   He even told her that he forgot to tell the policeman when he met him because he was distracted by the adventure of it all.

Izayoi stayed focused the entire time, marveling at their initiative and endeavors.   She imagined being a member of their little gang trying to figure out the mystery.    She should write this all down.  It might make a good story someday.   She might even add an animal as a mascot, maybe a little fox or a big dog.

Finally, Inuyasha exhausted his tale.

“Momma?   Can you help us?” he asked nervously.

“I believe I can,” she nodded.

“What a relief,” Inuyasha exhaled a large breath and wiped his brow.

Izayoi fought to hold back a smile.   “But for now, I need you to get ready for bed.   Then I’ll make a few calls.”

Inuyasha nodded and ran upstairs to the bathroom to brush his teeth.

Izayoi grabbed two cups of tea and walked to the front porch swing where her husband was waiting.

“The laundry must have been really bad.   You took quite a while to get done,” Toga commented as he stood for his wife.

“I have a story to tell you,” Izayoi smiled, “But first, the senior class president asked us to chaperone tomorrow at the Sadie Hawkins Dance.    I told him I thought it would be okay, but I had to ask you first.”

“Sounds fun,” Toga smiled.  “I get to take my best girl to a dance!  Lucky me!”

Izayoi smiled at his silliness.   “You Casanova, you.”

The handsome man smiled at his beautiful wife.   “You are more beautiful today than yesterday.   I am a happy man.”

He cuddled her and they sipped their tea.

“Now tell me about the laundry.   Find another dead toad?   I heard you call for Inuyasha,”.  Toga snickered.

“No, I uncovered a murder plan,” Izayoi delivered the line drily.

Toga sat up as he nearly spilled his tea.

“What!”

The explanation that followed had both parents giggling.

“How do you plan to “help them?” Izayoi?” Toga asked.

“With a little help from my friends,” she answered with a smile.

She explained her idea.

 —-

The atmosphere at school that Friday was one of great anticipation.    The freshmen class gathered around their class heroes; Bankotsu, Sesshomaru and Koga, offering them praise and thanks for supporting the class.   Koga smiled but generally stayed clear of the well-wishers, preferring to hold Ayame’s hand at any opportunity he could.    Sesshomaru and Bankotsu approved, keeping the crowd away from them to give Koga a chance to make a better impression.

Rin and Shiori supported their efforts.   

When the six sat down together for lunch, Rin told them that her father was going to drive them to the dance and to be ready around 6:45pm.    Bankotsu told her that his big brother had already planned on taking him since he had to chaperone.

“We’ll meet you at the school then,” Shiori smiled.

Bankotsu nodded.  He had just taken a bite of his lunch.

Ayame had still not asked Koga, so the others were trying to encourage her to talk to him about it.

Sesshomaru cleared his throat.   “Well, Rin, can your dad pick up Koga too?   I did make a bet with him, and he has to come.”

Rin had caught what he was trying to do.   “I guess.   Maybe he could just be with you at your house and Dad could pick you both up?”

Ayame looked up from her lunch.   “Why?   He’s going with me.”

“He is?” The four of them asked, shocked.

Lifting their interlocking hands, Koga smirked, “Some of us can keep secrets, you know,”

Sesshomaru and Bankotsu took the moment to throw soft rolls at him.

The girls laughed.

That morning Mrs. Izayoi had caught Kagura’s attention before first period and asked for a bit of her time.

Kagura agreed and said she was free second period.

When Kagura heard what havoc her note caused, she was nearly rolling on the floor laughing.

“What do you want me to do, Mrs. Izayoi?   I’m clearly the guilty party.   But I’m positive that Ginta is safe from any harm.”

“We both know that, but the kids don’t.   Perhaps you can—-“ Mrs. Izayoi murmured her idea to the senior girl.

“I Love It!” Kagura chuckled.    “Let me get some paper!”

A few moments later a note on white paper with purple ink was presented to Mrs. Izayoi.

Beloved,

I was angry when last I wrote.   I am sorry for my words.   I adore you and look forward to our date.

K

“You can keep that copy.   I have some perfumed paper at home that I’ll use for my man.   Don’t tell them it was me.   Sango was so cute and innocent when she talked to me, I’d hate for her to think badly of me.”   Kagura was thoughtful, “Who would have ever guessed they’d go to that extent to protect someone.”

Izayoi shrugged.    “I didn’t blow it off, because I could see in Inuyasha’s eyes he was worried.  My boys are so sweet.”

Kagura nodded and asked if she could go now.   She needed to tell Kanna about this.

Once Kagura left, Izayoi let Mr. Hachi and Mrs. Kimi know what had transpired and that she was going to talk to their kids.   She invited them to be present.

When all the parties were assembled, Izayoi told the children that she had taken care of the note, and no one was in danger.   As a matter of fact, she even had an apology letter from the culprit.  She read it to them.

All of the children sighed in relief.

“I was so worried,” Miroku confided.

“Son, you can always share these things with me,” Hachi told him.

Kimi smiled at the young man and his son.   She turned to Kagome.   “I proud of your initiative, Bella.   You can talk to me too.   Who knows, I might even want to help you solve the mysteries.”

Kagome’s eyes sparkled.   “You would?”

“Absolutely,” Kimi nodded.

Sango just stood back observing them.

Izayoi nodded to Inuyasha and pointed to Sango.

“Sango,” Inuyasha called, “You can talk to my momma anytime you want.”

Sango nodded.

“Tonight, Toga and I are chaperoning the dance.    Kimi, Hachi, can either of you entertain Inuyasha?” Izayoi asked.

Kimi smiled.   “Hachi, what do you say to having a pizza party for the great detectives at my place?   I make a mean pizza.    And Sango dear, I’ll call your momma and get permission.  Is that okay?”

The children whooped!

Izayoi smiled.   Both of them were single.  Perhaps….

One hour before school was out, the scheduled band cancelled.  Their tour bus broke down.

The senior class president approached Bankotsu.

“Man, I heard you and your brothers have a band.    Can you play tonight?”

“Talk to Coach,” Bankotsu smiled.  ‘This was going to be a night to remember!’

When the janitor heard they were dancing on his well-polished floor, he told all the kids to take off their shoes so they wouldn’t scratch it.   And thus started the expression, “sock hop”.  

It was a “bash”, a real party, man.

At 7 pm, in the high school gymnasium, Bankotsu and his brothers were set and ready to rock.  As part of their set list, they had:   R & B, Big Band music from Glenn Miller and others, Ballads from crooners like Crosby and Sinatra, Western Swing from Bob Willis, music from Guy Lombardo, Sammy K, Byrl Ives, and even Frankie Lane.  They had every genre covered.    Suikotsu even arranged it so Bankotsu would be able to break away to dance with Shiori and even serenade her on the dance floor.   When he did, it caused all the girls to swoon or squeal.

Dance chaperones Dr. And Mrs. Takahashi spent most of their time spinning around the dance floor keeping an eye on their charges.   The president thanked them saying he got a kick out of seeing them cut the rug.

Ginta, Kagura, Kanna, and Kohaku showed up in Ginta’s new used chariot, a rag top with its top off, (a convertible).   But that was only after they “dragged Main st.”, “burned rubber”, and “goosed it”.

The pizza party was a hit.   But was anyone surprised about that?

Inuvember 2023 is over and so is this part of the story.   All is well in 1950 Our Town.     There are more tales to tell and more mysteries to solve but for now That’s the way it was!