Hi everyone. Well this story is partially mine. My cousin came up with the idea and I write the story so I have to give credit to him. Ri is his character, but sadly no one else is. Hope you like it and please review.
Ch. 1
Cousin?
It was a sunny Saturday and Kagome was planning on going out with Yuri, Eri, and A. Grandpa was in the storage building. Souta was at a friends and mom was in the kitchen cooking lunch. Her and her friends and been excited all week to visit the new amusement park this weekend. The day had finally arrived and they were late. Kagome was dressed in jeans and a red sleeveless shirt. Her hair pulled back into a tight bun. She walked around the kitchen nervously, waiting for her friends.
"Where could they be? They were supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago." Kagome turned to her mother who was chopping up vegetables. Mrs. Higurashi turned to her daughter with a smile.
"I'm sure they'll be here shortly, dear. Just be patient." Just then the door -bell rang.
"I'll get it." Kagome ran off to the door bouncing as she went. When she opened the door it was not who she'd expected at all. There stood a girl with black hair, brown eyes, and a strange outfit. The girl wore black fingerless gloves, white tank top, dark green cargo pants, boots and a sleeveless black trench coat. As Kagome stared the girl took off her sunglasses and held out her hand.
"Hi, I'm Ri. Is this the Higurashi residents?" 'Kagome you haven't changed a bit' she thought as Kagome took her hand.
"Yes it is. May I help you?" 'She looks familiar and weird' Kagome wasn't sure about this person just yet.
"Yes I was hoping to speak with Mrs. Higurashi about the shrine. Is she home?" Ri stuck her hands back in her coat pockets and stepped back to give Kagome room.
"One moment please." Kagome left shutting the door behind her. Moments later Mrs. Higurashi came to the door as Kagome's friends pulled up. Honking the horn and waving for her to hurry up and get in the car. Mrs. Higurashi waved at the girls with a smile of welcoming. Ri turned slightly and took in all the occupants of the car. She would file them away for later.
"Will you be alright mom?" Kagome asked laying a protective hand on her mothers shoulder.
"Yes, go have fun dear." Mrs. Higurashi smiled as her daughter gathered her purse and breezed out. Kissing her on the check.
"Bye Kagome hope to see you soon." Ri said. Receiving a look of don't try anything. Her friends waved good-bye and drove off down the street.
Ri turned back to face her and gave a reassuring smile. "I need to speak with you about Kagome." Her mother went still for a moment.
'Why would this woman want to speak to her about her daughter.'
Taking her silence as a decline, Ri elaborated on the situation, "It's about Kagome going to the feudal era." Mrs. Higurashi's face went slightly pale and she stepped aside to guide her in.
Once inside Ri waited for Kaya (mom) to lead her into the kitchen. "Please sit down. I'll make us some tea." Ri sat and waited for her to recover from what she had said while Kaya had her back to her. Waiting on the tea, she said, "I know you must be thinking that I'm here to expose her, but I'm not. I'm here to make sure your daughter is safe." Pausing to allow her to make the tea and sit across from her, she thought about what she would say
"How do you think you can help her Miss…" Kaya trailed off not knowing the young woman's name. She's never seen her before, but yet knew so much about them.
"Just call me Ri. I'm only 17. I have been assigned to be Kagome's bodyguard." She said matter of factly.
"What do you mean bodyguard? She's not in danger here." Kaya still was hesitant about the "girl". Only seventeen and looking so independent. The girls outfit even showed how much older her mind was to her years.
"The demon council, headed by Sesshomaru Takuda, gave me the job of keeping Kagome safe from the demon Nicatso. He is the descendant of the demon Naraku who is in the feudal era. Nicatso might try to get to Kagome while she still has the jewel shards." Ri tried to emphasize on the danger of the demon.
"Their are demons in this time? How can that be? No one knows about them." Kaya knew about the demons Kagome fought, but in this time.
"Yes there are demons now. Only the government knows about us. They give us spells to hide our true forms. Kagome could be in serious danger. I must stay as close as possible to her to keep her safe. Do you understand?" Ri finally took a sip of tea and winced. Herbal tea was not her thing.
"You say "us" like you're one of them. Are you a demon?"
"No, I work with half demons and humans like Inuyasha. I head the research team. I help find ways to live in peace with humans. So will you help us" Ri stood. Even if she would not help she would watch Kagome. She would not let her mother or the other demons down.
"Yes, I'll help. What do you suggest we do?" Kaya would do anything to help her daughter.
"Kagome must not know of the demons and she must not know who I am. Would you mind if I lived here as her cousin until this is resolved? I know it would be a hardship, but I will pay you for lodging and the inconvenience." Ri sat back down, perfectly still with her hands in her lap.
"Of course you can stay here. I don't like keeping secrets from my daughter, but if it will protect her I'll do it. You don't have to pay me either." Kaya got up from her chair. She didn't like all this new information, but was happy that this girl would be protecting her daughter. She could tell by looking at her that she would put everything on the line to do her job. Turning back with a smile she held out her hand.
"None the less, I will pay for my time. Sesshomaru will come by later on in the week to tell you more. I need to go out and get my things. I shall be back later." Ri shook her hand and turned to the door, shaking off the feeling of uneasiness.
"Thank you." Kaya said to the retreating form.
"Don't thank me for something I would do willingly. I should thank you for helping us." Brooka smiled to her, dug out her sunglasses, and left for her things.
Brooka at a friend's house
"It has been a while hasn't it Ataki?" Ri said to her long time friend. Ataki was a human who specialized in weapons. She got that trait form her mother. She was a demon exterminator a long time ago. Now she took care of her three kids. Two boys and Ataki. Unfortunately she was the middle child. She headed the weapons division for the demon clan.
"How are you Ri? You deserted me at mom's dinner party today." Ataki hugged her half demon friend. Ever since her aunt and uncle had adopted Ri, you could never find them far apart.
"I'm sorry I had important business to attend to. Being head of demon-human relations. I need your expertise." Ri looked at Ataki and thought she looked like her mother. Ataki had brown hair, pulled back into a high ponytail, and violent eyes. Her shirt was short sleeved with a rose on the front that read deadly rose. Her pants came just past her knees and had black shoes on.
"Well come with me and I'll show you what's new." Ataki turned around and pressed a rose on the mantle of the fireplace. It slid up revealing a room. They walked in shutting the door.
"How's your mom? Doing well I hope." Ri said as they walked to the gun wall.
"Yeah she's fine. Dad's worrying about her doing to much with the baby coming and all." Ataki pulled down a chrome and black rifle.
"Uncle Miroku must be worked up into a frenzy." Ri looked at her friend who was smiling with enthusiasm.
"Not yet, but he will soon. Anyway enough about me, here we have the new Spirit Shooter Six. 45mm barrel, 6 round rifle. The bullets are condensed miko energy. Can kill a demon in two shots if it's not super powerful." Ataki passed the gun over to Ri. She took it in her hand and tested its weight.
"Nice, I'll need 4 of these and my bow. What about sharpening my sword too?" Ri took off her coat to reveal a sword swung over her back.
"Must you hide such an exquisite sword?" Ataki said as she took it out of its sheath. "Your bow has been modified. It descends down into a small square and its string is a light that depends on your blood." She moved away from the table she had sat at and threw Ri a metal square. Pressing a blue button, the bottom and top shot up and a blue light appeared connecting the ends.
"You never cease to amaze me Ataki. I'll need extra ammo."
"Yeah, yeah, you always need more bullets. Must be a big mission for you to need four of these." Ataki put the sword back in its sheath. Stepping back she looked her friend in the eye.
"It's big alright. I don't know if I'll succeed in doing my job." She paused to think. "Stop worrying I always come back so there's nothing to worry about." She saw the worry in her friends' eyes.
"You better come back or I'll haunt you forever. Why do you always hide how you really look? Family knows you."
"I can not risk someone finding out and hurting you guys." It was true; she always hid behind the magic of her bracelet. She just wouldn't risk anyone getting hurt. No one needed to protect her and get hurt. That was her job to do for others.
"You've never had to depend on anyone. Except me." Ataki laughed.
"You're the only one I can count on. I'll be back as soon as I can." Ri and Ataki hugged and laughed. Then they stepped apart, smiles on their faces and walked their separate ways.
At Kagome's house
Ri arrived back at the Higurashi shrine within two hours of leaving. She carried two suitcases and a silver brief case. Kagome had yet to return. She had been back for only thirty minutes and played one of Souta's video games for a few minutes and was now sitting on the couch. Mrs. Higurashi was gone to the store. After visiting Ataki, she had gone to see her two brothers. Only Sata was there. Her younger brother of one year. He was 19 in demon years. Sata and her had always had a special connection when they were kids. He was married now with a cute kid of 5. They had talked about her mission and she answered as many questions as she could. He had wondered how long she would have been gone, but she could give him an answer. Telling him to tell mom and dad by and that she loved them she had left. A knocking at the door brought her out of her trance. Kagome walked in the front door with three giggling girls and a boy following. Everyone stopped giggling and looked at the intruder.
"What are you still doing here?" Kagome asked as she stared at the girl she had met that morning. 'Why would she still be here? Where was mom?'
"Your mom is allowing me to stay here for a while." Ri bowed respectfully to all the visitors. "My name is Ri. It is a pleasure to meet you." Rising up she noticed Kagome was still staring at her.
"Do…" Kagome started, but she never got to finish, because of a boy of ten running in and pulling on Ri's arm.
"Ri will you help me with this video game?" Souta said as he looked around and just happened to notice everyone in the room. "Oh, hi." He said as he waved with a smile on his face to everyone. Then turned his attention back to Ri.
"Souta, do you know her?" Kagome asked as her brother stared up at the girl who continued to stand there like she didn't belong.
"What? Oh yeah she's our cousin who's staying with us for a while. Mom said she's staying in the room beside mine. You should see her at video games. She rules." Souta finished and pulled Ri to his room. Kagome stood shocked at what Souta had said. 'Cousin'
"Uh, Kagome. Who was that girl?" Eri asked. Her and the others had watched in amazement at what just happened.
"I'm not quite sure." Kagome turned and finished talking to her friends about how much fun they had had at the fair. Shortly after her friends had left, Kgome went up to her room to work on some homework she had not finished before leaving. When she reached up stairs she found her brother in his room with a board game. A board game? He never played board games. He always said they were to boring. She shrugged and went to her room to work.
Two hours later
They all set down to dinner and began to talk about each other's day. Mom sat at one end and Gramps at the other. Kagome sat beside her mom while Souta set between her and Jiisain. Ri sat across from Souta in a sullen mood. Kagome raised her head every now and then looking at everyone around the table. The silence was unbearable. Their table was always filled with laughter and talk, but they had said little about each other's day. Suddenly a sound of scoffing was heard and everyone raised his or her heads but Souta and Ri. Souta was scooting down farther in his chair with a grin splitting his face. Ri was eyeing him with a smile of her own. Her chopsticks were still in her hand and the ends in he mouth. Everyone knew what was going on and laughed out loud when Souta slipped off his chair.
""Hey no fair. Ri pulled my foot." Souta shouted and pointed a finger at her. Ri stuck out her tongue and said, "Sore Loser."
Souta giggled and then pouted for losing. Some how this had broken the tension. Kagome smiled at her brother and rubbed her hand in his hair. "Face it Souta her feet are huge. You would have won other wise." Kagome said and laughed at Ri's mock hurt. Lifting a hand to her chest Ri went wide-eyed. "Kagome, I'm appalled. That hurt." Wiping away an invisible tear everyone broke out into laughter again. Kaya looked between each of her family members and smiled. Looking at Kagome who was clutching her side, she thought about what she had learned. Kagome was in danger in her own time. This Ri girl was comforting to be around but yet she brought a sadness to her heart. This girl symbolized the amount of danger her daughter was in. Ri and Kaya locked gazes and Ri stopped laughing abruptly. Knowing she brought heartache to this family brought an uncomfortable and unfamiliar pain into her heart. Excusing herself from the table she made her way to her room.
Kagome saw her leave and wondered why she left when they were all having such a wonderful time. Her face had fallen and when she had walked past Souta, she gave him a weak smile. Asking her mom if she could be excused, Kagome got up and headed after her cousin. She found her in the extra bedroom with a suitcase by her side as she stared out the window. She had taken off her sleeveless trench coat and showed the white tank top that had been underneath. A memory or vision flashed into Kagome's mind. She had been walking down the street and bumped into a girl. Looking up she saw a brown haired woman say she was sorry and give her a smile. The face had wavered and Kagome had thought she saw fangs. The vision faded and Kagome remembered the lady had looked a lot like this girl.
"It's a beautiful view of sunrise when you catch it at the right moment." Kagome said as she stepped into the room. Ri turned and smiled. Again Kagome thought she remembered this girl. "Do you need help unpacking?" Kagome reached for the suitcase, but Ri got to it first with inhuman like speed.
"No thanks. I have some private stuff that I'd rather nobody messed with." Ri turned her head and smiled at her before lifting the suitcase to the closet. Kagome stood behind the girl wondering what she was hiding. She knew her cousin was a nice person, but even a saint could have secrets. She herself had a secret of the feudal era. Only her family knew about it and even they didn't know the danger she was in. That reminded her. She had to go tell her mother that she would be leaving tomorrow. She went to walk away but Ri called her name. Turning back around she notice that the girl was back beside the window staring out into the darkness.
"I promise, my secret will not hurt you or your family. If you knew it then you would be in danger. I can't let you know. Can you trust my words?" Ri turned back around and faced her cousin. She stood stiff as a board with her arms crossed, waiting for her to say something. She was never good at holding secrets away from family. Kagome opened her mouth and then closed it. How did you reply to something like this? She had just been told that her cousin did hold a secret, but couldn't tell them because they'd be in danger. Then why did she tell her about it?
"Why did you tell me if none of us should know?" Kagome finally said. She locked her gaze with Ri, daring her to break it. Ri continued to stare at her holding back a smile. Kagome was always observant and logical. This so reminded her of her mother, always questioning.
"Because I didn't want you being around me all the time wondering what I was hiding or if I was. No you know I am and that there is a good reason why I won't tell you. You have to earn people's trust and I hope to earn yours." Ri uncrossed her arms and held out a hand. Hoping for her cousin would take it. Kagome looked at it oddly. What she had said made sense, but a secret was a secret and you should hide it at all cost. Yet here her cousin was standing before saying she wanted her to know the secret.
"I won't say you have it, but I respect that you told me." Kagome clasped hands
Well that's it. This was just an introductory chapter so not very long. Please tell me what you think.