Youkai Academy

Chapter 4

The next afternoon found the two new transfer students as welcomed new members of the Host Club. And as surprised as Kagome was, she nodded and smiled at the girls who awaited her company.

Haruhi in much the same boat with several girls in her company, and seemingly were going to become her regulars.

"Why is he so popular?" Tamaki pouted as he eyed Haruhi

Kyoya smirked. "He's a natural."

The twins popped up with a shrug. "No training needed."

He grumbled under his breath. "That also doesn't explain why Kagome is so popular,"

Near Haruhi, sitting surrounded by her own growing fan club, sat Kagome. She smiled and talked with the ladies as if they were her friends, faltering them with compliments, and even playing a bit into her own mystery as a new student.

"I heard you got in on a sports scholarship, so why are you in the host club Kagome-kun?" One of the girls bumped her in the shoulder, pointing out Kagome's suddenly sad face. She quickly stammered a follow-up comment, her face flaming red with embarrassment. "Not that we're not happy you are here, Kagome-kun, we just want to know more about you,"

Kagome shook away her shock with a bittersweet smile. She couldn't tell them the truth; all five were human. "I did, I used to be captain of the archery club, while doing karate and kendo in my spare time. But I got hurt," Kagome tried her best to look hurt and broken about not being able to continue with her sports, and a part of her was. Being in the archery club, training her bone, and honing her powers had made her feel closer to them, and winning competitions made Kagome feel as if she were making them proud.

Her fists trembled on the table, and her eyes were downcast; she missed them. Even though she knew it near impossible for all them to survive, that sliver of hope, of one day returning was all that was keeping Kagome from slipping into despair.

The girls looked at her with teary eyes.

And with equally teary eyes, Kagome continued with her half-lie. "But the chairmen was more than understanding and allowed me to apply for an honor scholarship. It hurts not being able to pursue my passions, but I hope one day, I will be able to pick up a bow again," and she smiled. "And I would like you ladies to be there when I do,"

The girls swooned with hearts in their eyes.

"Kagome seems to have his own appeal as well," Kyoya explained.

Hikaru and Kaoru nodded. "He's good looking and considerate to the girls, but he's also kinda mysterious, he totally reads misunderstood bad boy,"

Tamaki grumbled with a visible pout.

By the end of the session, Kagome looked around to find both Tamaki and Haruhi were missing. Curious and a little worried, Kagome looked around the room before, from one of the large windows, she saw something that had her blood boiling.

In one of the ponds was Haruhi's bag, the contents emptied into the water, followed by the bag. Haruhi was up to her knees, searching, and just before Kagome was going to go help, she saw Tamaki joining her.

She blinked in surprise, not expecting the blonde to lend a helping hand, especially at the expense of his own personal comfort. It really did seem as if she'd misjudged the man-youkai; going forward, she'd have to be better than to allow personal biases to cloud her perception of those at this school.

~o.O~O.o~

~o.O~O.o~

"How did your bag end up in the pond anyway?"