Youkai Academy

Chapter 20

A gentle breeze ruffled Kagome's sleeve, carrying the scent of cherry blossoms and the sweet aroma of tea as it swept through her hair. The smooth wood slid against her palm, a familiar and comforting sensation she hadn't indulged in for months. It was quiet, a gentle murmur of voices against the sounds of the earth that seemed to teleport her back in time.

For a moment, the world seemed still; all that existed was her and the target. Her heart raced, and reiryoku rose, stirring excitedly beneath her skin.

The club had decided to have a traditional-style tea party. Each member wore traditional clothing, looking as if they had been plucked from the feudal period of Japan.

Mori looked like a daimyo samurai ready for war. He dressed in shades of navy and gray with a katana at his hip. And someone had convinced him to wear hair extensions as he wore a traditional hair knot.

Mitsukuni looked like Mori's lord/shogun. He wore a flowing lime silk kimono with pink flowers and magenta haori. He wore hair extensions as well that were done in a simple braid hanging over one shoulder.

Kyoya wore a deep royal purple kimono with a white obi and a bonsai tree design at the hem of his plum-colored haori. He looked elegant even with the low ponytail.

Then there was Tamaki, who was dressed in a more Chinese style. He wore a flowy white hanfu, that had shades of gray in the thin layers of fabric and silver embroidered designs. Like the others, he had hair extensions that he wore straight and went down to his lower back.

The twins wore matching outfits as usual, though their color schemes were opposite. Hikaru wore an orange-striped kimono with a teal obi and a lime-colored Haori. Kaoru wore a blue striped kimono with a magenta obi and mauve-colored haori. A leafy design was mirrored on their outfits.

Now, Haruhi had to look the most out of place; she was stiff as she moved around in the multiple-layered silk kimono. She was dressed in a way similar to a princess, with varying patterns and shades of lilac and pale pink. Though limited in her mobility, Haruhi looked rather delicate and feminine.

Finally was Kagome; of the two costumes left, she was happy to have picked this over the monk attire. Kagome had been dressed as a samurai archer. With her hair tied with white and blue ribbon, she wore dark hakamas and bright white kyudo-gi that was under her kimono, which was a dark gray decorated by lavender and blue flowers that flowed across the fabric in a cerulean breeze. Her left arm was left out of the kimono to best allow her to fire the bow. Most male archers wore the more form-fitted kyudo-gi or the kimono with one arm out and bearing their chest; it prevented the bowstring from snagging on the fabric.

Being outside amongst the last few days of the sakura trees being in bloom, Tamaki had wanted their guests to enjoy themselves to the fullest and had set up for any requests by their guests- a stage where the twins recited poems, a picnic area with Haruhi, and a small training area where Mori showed off his kendo skills and next to it an archery range with several targets.

Now, she didn't know whose idea it was, but Kagome would bet money that it was Kyoya's idea.

Looking over her shoulder, Kagome saw Kyoya; he had a smirk, a glare falling over his glasses. Kagome was beginning to think that glare was intentional- a way for him to hide his emotions.

She smiled back, giving him a wink.

He may have his suspensions, but he could wait until she was ready- just not yet. She liked how things were and wasn't prepared for that to change.

Raising the bow, Kagome took a deep breath. It was hard to control her reiryoku when using a bow; it was easy for her to attune her reiryoku to something that came instinctually- her perfect weapon. And now she actively had to suppress it, holding her breath so as to keep it down.

Her eyes narrowed, staring down the arrowhead and straight at the center of the target.

And then she let go, letting the arrow loose and releasing the tension on the string. She watched, holding her breath until the arrow struck the bullseye with a hard thud.

With a soft laugh, Kagome smiled and turned to her guests.

~o.O~O.o~

Mori sat back in stunned silence, watching as Kagome lined up another set of targets. The fluid movement of her pulling the bowstring, the intense focus in her gaze, and the sharp twang as she released the arrow had his heart beating like a drum.

He hadn't seen many people in his life who possessed such skills with a bow, especially not a human. The arrows sailed through the air with pinpoint precision, and each hit the bullseye. She was making a very challenging sport look like child's play.

There was something so breathtaking about her - the arch of her bow, the arrows in her hand, and the smile on her face. To him, Kagome was not just beautiful but an embodiment of power, skill, and grace. Watching her in action was a spectacle he would never get tired of, and for the first time in his life, he felt the pull of admiration stronger than he had ever experienced. Kagome was, indeed, utterly breathtaking.

"Excellent shot, Kagome!" Haruhi cheered, the group around Kagome growing.

His gaze locked on her confident stance and her slightly bent body, every inch exuding the elegance of a fierce warrior. She turned towards Haruhi, her brilliant smile melting his heart.

"Want to try?" Kagome asked the other girl.

Haruhi tentatively nodded, her eyes brimming excitedly with a twinge of anxiety pulling at the edges of her smile.

Mori felt a stab of envy, unwelcome and irrational, bubble within him as Kagome handed her bow to Haruhi. The moment seemed too intimate, a quiet scene of teacher and student. Kagome then helped the girl free one of her arms from her layers of silk fabric while tying back the excess sleeves.

Despite this sudden swell of envy, he watched on as Haruhi nervously gripped the bow, her fingers awkwardly wrapped around it. Kagome gently adjusted her hold, moving close behind her, and Mori had to force his eyes away.

Seeing them interact, the intensity between them that even he could perceive, stirred feelings he didn't want to acknowledge. It wasn't right, but the irrational feeling swarmed his heart, first toward Haruhi and then Kagome.

A harsh tug of something tugged inside him - possessiveness? Jealousy? But for who?

These emotions stirred deeper questions that Mori was not ready to answer.

~o.O~O.o~

Once the tea party had wrapped up, Kagome approached Haruhi, whispering in hushed tones in the hope that the rest of the club wouldn't hear.

"You still interested in meeting up this weekend?" Kagome asked softly.

"Oh yea," Haruhi smiled. "If you don't mind meeting at my place, I need to do the shopping this weekend."

Kagome gave a quick nod and smiled, "I'll see you tomorrow."

wolfYLady: I have no idea what I was thinking with this chapter, only that I felt this story deserved an update as I have been so busy with wedding planning and work.

But the good news is that my partner and I are officially married! We had two ceremonies and had a lovely honeymoon! Bad news: now I just have work to stress about (I'm looking for a new one)!

Until next time!