Something Different

She hated this part. She sat on her floor and looked around her nearly empty room. A room that had been hers for nearly six years, but she assumed that had been too long for her mother. Her mother decided it was up and time to move…again. She was tired of packing and unpacking, just to pack again. She wanted a break, which is why she was excited that graduation was only a year away. She wasn't excited about attending a new high school and trying to make new friends. She slung her long raven hair over her shoulder and stood up. She took a few more boxes downstairs to the U-Haul. She didn't speak to her mother or brother. She had nothing to say to either one of them. Her mother was basically ruining her life, and it wasn't the first time.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ LATER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Kagome, you will have to talk to me eventually." said the mother who was tightening her grip on the steering wheel.

Kagome, the young girl in the passenger seat, said not a word. In fact, she swung her head to look out the window and watch her life pass her by.

"Kagome…I'm sorry. I felt we needed a change. We've been there too long."

Kagome huffed and dug her iPod out her messenger bag. It would seem that music would always be the solution. She set the headphones over the hair and adjusted them accordingly. This was her way of telling her mother to screw off. She turned up the music and closed her eyes. Dragging herself to an unknown state she didn't wake up until she was nudged by her brother that she had arrived.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ FEW HOURS LATER ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kagome tossed the plastic container onto her mattress and sighed. She would have to put her bed together later, for now the frame pieces were just sitting against a wall. Just like she would get the rest of the boxes tomorrow and possibly start decorating her room. Right now, she was tired of everything. Maybe tomorrow would be a better day. Maybe it would lead to a better summer. She pulled off her capris and rolled on her side. She highly doubted it though.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* MORNING ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In the morning, Kagome stretched and looked at her cell phone. It was already 10:30. Why hadn't her mother woken her up? Then she looked around the room and realized that she wasn't yet talking to her mother. Her mother had sent her to this place where she knew nobody. She would have to start all over again. She didn't want to start over anymore. It was hard beginning again, especially in the middle of high school. Everyone had their own "cliques" already and intruding would mean too much drama. Kagome pulled her thick curly tresses into a ponytail, put on some shorts, and walked downstairs to the kitchen. She heard her brother talking to someone, she assumed was her mother.

"Don't put that there. Put it on the table." Her brother sounded so bossy.

"Sota, don't talk to mother like that, even if she did send us to this horrid place," Kagome said, walking briskly around the corner to the kitchen.

"It's not mom." Her brother said.

Kagome froze and looked beside her younger brother. Standing next to her brother was an Adonis like figure. The male specimen was almost, if not, 6 feet tall with long fine silver hair, and deep golden eyes. He was holding a box of what looked like kitchen appliances.

Kagome closed her eyes and sighed, "Hi…" she finally breathed out.

"Hello." His voice was so deep. She could listen to it all day. She quickly snapped out of her daydream and continued to stare at him as he sat the box. "I am Sesshomaru. I offered my services to your mother. She went to the store."

Kagome nodded, "Right…of course. So, you're helping us move in?"
He smiled, "Yes, I live a few houses down and saw her dragging a few chairs in."

"Right…" Kagome looked around for her brother. He came back in carrying a box. "Hey! That goes in my room."

Sota walked up the stairs and "I know. I'm trying to help grumpy."

Kagome rolled her eyes and her attention was soon brought back to Sesshomaru as he asked her where another box went. She stared at him, trying to figure out when he had left the kitchen. "Oh, uh…let me see…" She walked near him and looked at the scribbling on the box. "This also goes in my room. I'll show you where it is." As Kagome walked upstairs, she realized that she was wearing her volleyball practice shorts and a tank top. Very provocative, especially since she was leading a teenage boy to her room.

"So, you're going to be attending Shikon High this year?" Sesshomaru asked as he looked at the bare room.

"Yes, then graduating and settling down somewhere for the first time," I kicked a few clothes across the floor to make room for the box. "You can just put it right there. I'll do something later." Kagome looked around and sighed. She really hated this wall color. She wondered briefly if she could change it. She would ask her mother later, making a mental note to do so.

As Sesshomaru placed the box on the floor and looked at her bed frame pieces, "Do you need any help with that?"

Kagome shook her head, "Nope, I've put together quite a few. I think I'm a professional."

She hopped downstairs, passed her brother, and went to grab more boxes. The trio worked in silence. Finally, her mother arrived back, as Sesshomaru snatched the last box from Kagome. Kagome fumed and growled. She could have carried that.

"Kagome, help me with the bags. Forget about the box. No use arguing." Kagome's mother said as she opened the doors to the SUV. Kagome reluctantly helped her mother, for she was still a little upset at her. "Sesshomaru, you did not have to help with everything. I am sure you are needed at home."

"No ma'am. It is quite alright. I am not needed at the moment, and if I am, my father would surely call." Sesshomaru moved a chair against the couch at the request of Sota and looked at the young male for approval. When Sota nodded, Sesshomaru turned and followed Kagome outside.

"You don't have to help. You can go." Kagome said, pulling more bags out of the car. Her mother must have had several coupons; the whole backseat was covered in groceries.

"I actually enjoy your home, better than my house."

Kagome chuckled at that, "Why is your place a house and not a home?"
Carrying a case of bottled water and placing it on the floor in the pantry, he simply said "A lack of … love,"

Kagome stared at the guy before her and pondered on what he had said. Love, he thought her home was laced with love…she chuckled at the thought. Maybe, underneath all the rage and disappointment, maybe, there was a tinge of love. Kagome wasn't so sure, but she cared not to think of it anymore. Kagome and Sesshomaru grabbed all the bags out of the care and looked at Kagome's mother, who was nearly done putting the items away.

At that moment, Kagome realized she was hungry. "Mom, what's for lunch?" Breaking the silence between them; she was really hungry. Food was food and Kagome loved it.

"Oh, talking to me now are you?" Her mom chuckled. "Well I was going to make sandwiches for you, your brother, and my helper here."

Sesshomaru shook his head, "No ma'am. I am fine. I can head home if I am not needed."

"I insist. Sit down at the dining table and I will prepare lunch."

Kagome looked at Sesshomaru, "Don't argue with mom. She is very persuasive."

He chuckled and took a sit next to Kagome. Sota came running downstairs and grabbed a bag of chips off the counter. He took a seat across from Sesshomaru and stuck his tongue out at his sister.

"Oh that's great! How old are you? 14 or 5?"

"Either way, I'm cooler than you."

"Oooh burn," Kagome got up out of my chair and grabbed a bag of chips from the same bag Sota had. "Sesshomaru, would you like some chips?"

"No, thank you though." Kagome shrugged and sat down. Kagome wondered about the guy who sat next to her. Why did he talk like that? Why did he carry himself with such high esteem? The more she wondered about him, the more irritated she became. She tried to convince herself that she did not care. She had no reason to care about him. He was just some guy, some really hot guy who was somehow bonding with her mother and intruded on her "home" and her brand new life.

"Here you guys go. Enjoy." Kagome's mom placed the plates in front of the kids and wondered about the house, cleaning and rearranging things as she went.

They ate in silence. Sota finally spoke up, "I'm thirsty."

"Well you're not dumb. Get something to drink." Kagome bite into her sandwich and stared at her brother.

"You know, for a beautiful girl, you can be quite foul." Sesshomaru commented.

Kagome huffed and inwardly blushed. He thought she was beautiful. "Well, this is me at my worse." Looking down at her attire, she mumbled, "My very worse…"

Sesshomaru chuckled, "That is your worse? I wonder what you would look like at your best."

Luckily before Kagome could respond, Sota came in carrying glasses of ice cold juice. "I got some for everyone this time."

Kagome smiled and looked at her brother, as if thanking him silently. The trio finally finished eating. Kagome took the plates and empty glasses into the kitchen and placed them in the sink.

"Lunch was lovely. I thank you Miss Higurashi." Sesshomaru smiled at her.

"No thank you. Your parents raised you well, right Kagome?"

Kagome nodded as she stood by the door, waiting for Sesshomaru to leave.

"I will be sure to tell them." Sesshomaru walked out the door and beckoned with his amber eyes for Kagome to follow, or at least she thought they did.

"Yes?" Her own ocean blue eyes swarming with curiosity as she looked up at him.

"Well, I was wondering, since you are new to this town if you would agree to let me take you out and show you around…"

Kagome smiled a little, "Are you saying you want to see me at my best?"

Sesshomaru chuckled, "Yes, yes I am."

"Well, I agree. You may, around two?"
Sesshomaru looked at her, "Late riser?"

"Always; I like my sleep."

"So that's how you got so beautiful..."

This time Kagome did not hide her blush on her naturally tanned cheeks, "Possibly or genetics. Whatever theory makes you happy."

"Your presence makes me happy. I will pick you up tomorrow Kagome."

"Flattery gets you nowhere. Jeans and a t-shirt?" She laughed.

"Fine with me, whatever you wear you will look gorgeous." He was walking down the driveway now.

"Only to you" she yelled.

"I only matter." He smiled, for once feeling something other than boredom. This town was about to change now that Kagome was around. He could feel it.

On that note, Kagome walked into the house with a wide smile on her face.

"He likes you." Kagome's mom said, not looking up from the dishes she was rinsing off.

"I know mom. He asked to be my tour guide of the town."

Kagome's mom smiled and dried her hands. Walking over to hug her daughter, "That's wonderful! See, this place won't be so bad after all…"

Kagome hugged her mom back and nodded. It was a sign of forgiveness and that maybe Kagome would enjoy it here. After letting go, Kagome ran upstairs and stared at the mess called her room. She would tackle this mess the day after tomorrow. For now, she needed to focus on her clothes. She wanted to wear something different, something that screamed 'the best'. She chuckled to herself and began to unpack box after box to find the perfect outfit.