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Freedom:
Kagome's Song
by Totally Kawaii
an Inuyasha fic
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Summary: (AU) Freedom. A simple word with a myriad of definitions. Truth cloaked beneath layers and layers of fabrications. What is freedom? A soul in the shadows, shackled to another's dreams, searches for a song she could call her own.
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Dedicated to two very special friends of mine:
Fluffy-chan and Zosia-chan
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"So I was the one with all the glory,
while you were the one with all the strength.
A beautiful face without a name for so long.
A beautiful smile to hide the pain."
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Chapter One:
"Settle down, settle down," Chuuko Kaede called disapprovingly, her lips forever pursed in her signature scowl. "Yes, including you, Takahashi."
The young man in question had a tanned face with broad features that hinted at his cocky nature. The trademark smirk that came with the reluctant obedience made the infamous Takahashi Inuyasha even more desirable. And not only to the female population.
"Keh," he replied gruffly with a turn of the head, conceding the match. Winning a glaring contest against a one-eyed old hag just wasn't worth the effort sometimes. His hair glinted brightly under the artificial florescent lights.
"Now that we've all settled down," continued the wrinkled teacher, acting as though she hadn't just come out of yet another bout of sorts against her least favorite student. "I would like to announce a new student. Please come in, Higurashi."
Many males looked eagerly to see if it was yet another hot babe. The girls all looked uninterested, but the calculating glint in their eyes told otherwise. All were ready to do everything imaginable to secure their places on the social ladder. The slouching figure in front of them was instantly dismissed. Her clothing should have been made illegal to save people's eyes from the shame of having looked upon them. No one would definitely be caught dead with her.
"I-I'm Higurashi Kagome," she stuttered before fleeing to the only empty chair – the one no one would dare take unless given express permission from the owner of the seat behind it, Takahashi. Of course, she was a new girl, so he might cut her some slack. Maybe. And it was the only seat.
"Now class…" Kaede continued. "We'll be…"
Inuyasha rolled his eyes. Classes were too easy and, as the son of the legendary businessman Inutaisho, being naturally smart was a given. However, it looked good on any job transcript that he had undergone a school known for its emphasis on academics, so he had to endure excruciating boredom. His eyes roved over to the person in front of him.
Her name sounds really lame, Inuyasha thought, immediately feeling a sense of déjà vu. She's… weird. Rebellious or not, he did want to keep his reputation intact to stop dumb shits from challenging his 'throne' of sorts. Lingering thoughts on a freak of a new girl would definitely show him to be slightly weak… if only Ookami could hear his thoughts now.
So, sinking deep into his thoughts and ignoring the figure in front of him, he thought of his next ingenious prank to pull on the unsuspecting faculty of his fair school.
… so the catapult would launch the principal's Ferrari into the gym (how the hell did a guy whose job required him to babysit stupid little morons get a Ferrari?) and…
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"Ne? Was it this way?" Stupid stupid stupid! Miss Aya would have happily given you a map but did you accept it? Nooo! And now we're stuck and lost! Now you've done it! You and your damned pride.
The high school building wasn't like ordinary schools. They were in picturesque little buildings that looked like they dated back to Sengoku Jidai. They were made out of wood fifty years ago, relatively new for a school. Their classes were spread between five buildings, each containing around seven to ten classrooms. Each construction had a wooden plaque hung on it with one of the five elements: 'Water', 'Fire', 'Earth', 'Wind', and 'Void'. There was grass all around and a pebbled path that led twisting routes throughout the campus. Off to one side, there was also a very Japanese-style garden.
It seemed as though the students stepped into the past. However, the classrooms and materials inside the rooms were fairly modern-looking and the books were updated. Right now, her schedule told her she had her subject to go to now, but it didn't say anything else. How the hell am I supposed to know which building to go to?
"Our school has a very philosophical way of doing things," a voice behind her stated. The confused new student turned around and met purple eyes so dark, they were almost black. His nose was almost girly in its proportions, straight and delicate.
"More like fucked up," scoffed his friend. Kagome vaguely acknowledged him as the guy who sat behind her. He had a masculine appeal about him. She received the vague impression of a temperamental nature by the defiant tilt of his jaw and the stubbornness in his stance. His hair was longer than his friend's, probably reaching mid-back, although Kagome didn't allow her eyes to stray further than down his waist, just in case he accused her of staring. She didn't know whether or not he was that kind of person, and just didn't want to risk it.
"Now, now, Inu," their third and final companion placated him. He looked as though he could be a female. Actually, Kagome wasn't even sure that … it was a boy. Seemingly a trend with the trio, his – its! – hair was also rather longer than conventional for most Asians. Its face was slight and fine-boned, but the square of its shoulders could say otherwise. Now… how to put this delicately…?
"Are you a girl?" Kagome blurted out, then slapped her hands over her mouth and turned an interesting shade of darker-than-tomato red.
Surprisingly enough, the he-she wasn't the one who turned red. The hotheaded one did, but perhaps it was from lack of air. He was trying really hard not to breathe so that he wouldn't burst out laughing. Jakotsu's my friend. Jakotsu's my – screw that! His resolve failed.
Eventually, Inuyasha stopped laughing. Miroku even snorted once or twice, while Jakotsu looked indignant. "I'm a guy, thanks! And what are you supposed to be? A girl? Your chest is so flat, the walls are jealous."
Kagome could feel her cheeks reddening. Her bust, or lack of, had always been a sensitive spot with her, especially with Kikyou's generous cleavage. "Insensitive jerk! I know we all sprang from apes, but, apparently, you didn't spring far enough. If you were twice as smart, you'd still be stupid!"
"Shut up! You'll never be the woman your dad was!"
They glared at each other in an age-long battle for dominance. Ultimately, though, there was a grudging respect for the other one who just wouldn't back down, dammit! As though they had an invisible cue, both started giggling uncontrollably before settling down to a final truce.
"I'm sorry we got off on the wrong foot. My mouth tends to shoot off before my brain has a chance to process the dust it left behind. I'm Kagome," she said, bowing in the traditionally Japanese way of greeting.
"I guess I'm sort of grouchy sometimes, too. I'm Jakotsu, and these are my friends, Inuyasha and Miroku."
"My dearest Kagome – " Miroku grasped her hand and took a deep breath, looking up. Then, he froze, contemplatively, before continuing. "Anyway, as I was saying, our school as a funny little way of doing it. To some, it's fucked up, while to others, such as myself, it's a challenge. Each class is classified for different elements. You do know the five elements, right? The basis of the universe?"
"Yeah… there's Chi (earth), Sui (water), Ka (fire), Fū (wind) and Kū (void, or sky)." Since her grandfather was a Shinto priest, he thought that learning the companion religion to Shinto, Buddhism, would be beneficial to a budding miko's teachings. Of course, the fact that Kagome would eventually tour the world with half of her family was lost on him.
"Well, each of the subjects are in one of these five buildings," offered Jakotsu once it seemed as though Miroku was lost in thought and unable to find his way back. "Your objective is to find which one it belongs to the most. From there, you can find which classroom it is. It's kinda tiresome to go through each of the buildings since some of them are widely spread."
"Wow, this is complicated," her mouth absentmindedly said, her eyes occupied with her schedule.Japanese History? What would that be under? "Would Japanese History be under Fū because this shows will and as Japan grew physically, as it did mentally?"
Miroku seemed to snap back to reality. He looked over her shoulder and glanced at her schedule. His hand lingered near hers so that he could tilt the sheet of paper in a way that he could read it. "Good guess, though, but no. Japanese History's under Ka, because of its forceful energy and motivation. Through the willpower of the Japanese warlords in Sengoku Jidai, for example, they spread their power."
"It's okay… you'll get the hang of it," Jakotsu assured her with a know-it-all grin. "Why don't I let Inuyasha take you to there? He has World History, too."
"Sure." Kagome waved goodbye as Miroku and Jakotsu entered the Sui building. She looked around frantically, panic beginning to make itself known. Inuyasha didn't seem to notice though, since he was intent on scrutinizing her.
No wonder Roku didn't propose to you. If Kagome could read minds, Inuyasha would have been in pretty deep shit by now. You're pretty ugly compared to most girls. But still, he goes lech on most people, whether they're ugly or not. And what Jak said was true, too.
"Are you coming?" Kagome asked waspishly, not hiding the irritation. To stay in this school, the condition was she had to earn excellent grades. At the rate this brute was going, she would enter the classroom by the time the bell rang. "I don't know which building's Ka, and you're my 'guide'."
"Yeah, whatever. Follow me, wench. Didn't the secretary give you your map? Or did your pride stop you from getting a map?" He could feel her bristle behind him and he hid a smirk. He had forgotten how good the feeling was to rile up defensive girls like Sango, Ayame and, now, Kagome.
She tried breathing slowly in and out, partly to calm her raging temper and partly to stop the blush from getting to noticeable. "Miss Aya just… it was nothing, you jerk!"
"Miss… Aya?" he echoed, glancing at her from the corner of his eyes. "Oh… you mean the secretary. Miss Asuka? Nanami Asuka? I wonder how you got 'Aya'."
She could tell he was trying to suppress a chuckle. Stupid, dumbassed, tiny-brained JERK! Keep my temper… I can't get afford to get any demerits this early in the school year!
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Dear Diary,
I know it's girly to have a diary. I think it shouldn't be! I'm not girly, am I? I hope not! My little brother'll never let me hear the end of it if I do!
I met the most amazing student today. Imagine this: blue, blue eyes; silky black haircharming smile. Is this what… infatuation is like? I don't think I've acted like this around anyone else. I sound gay, don't I? Still…
Just one look, and I feel like every pore in my body melts. I don't wanna be like those people who just flutter their eyes and wait. I want those eyes to look at only me with the special look for me. A part of me wants to move in. But… if I'm rejected, I would be crushed.
I'm trying to go by it day by day. Still, I love just tasting the name. Trying it out. The 'K' and the 'A's roll off easily.
Kagome
The minute I looked at her – really, really looked at her, I couldn't go perverted. I could barely even get words out, much less ask her to bear my child or grope her ass! I hope she didn't notice my blunder, but she noticed me. And, maybe – someday! – that she'll love me in turn.
- Miroku
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"Ne, Grandpa, d'you know what happened to Sango? Why wasn't she at school today?" Kagome was curled up on the sofa, her hands circling a plate of warm pie. Relishing the smell of the thick scent of food, she grabbed a spork and dug in.
"Sango? Oh, that girl back then? I liked her… her family tree dates back to generations of respectable demon slayers."
"Grandpa, no such things as demons, remember? I swear, you have the most active imagination in the house – and Shippo's four!"
"In any case, she went away for a foreign exchange program." The Sunset Shrine was by no means luxurious, but it was still home to Grandpa. He refused to move into the flashy homes Kagome's mother would persuade him to look at. Kagome could kind of tell why. To her, the Shrine was a home, too. None of the other places felt like she belonged there. "I showed her parents the pamphlets. It was a very opportune chance. She'll come back in two months"
"Whaa?!" Not many things were enough to distract Kagome from food, especially oden and all things sweet, but this little tidbit was enough to tear her away from the mouth-watering snack. "But, Grandpa! How could you do that?! I wanted to see Sango!"
"Well, your visit was meant to be a surprise, right? You can't blame your old Grandpa for wanting the best for this random girl when his only granddaughter is off gallivanting in Paris and New York and America…"
"Grandpa… New York's in America," she informed her grandfather, sweatdropping. Sometimes, the old guy could be really oblivious. "I guess it's okay. I'll just have to wait for a little while."
Two months?! Without a friend in this school where your social status is your ticket to freedom? God… I won't last a day.
Then, her thoughts turned to her new, albeit unexpected, friend – Jakotsu. And maybe Miroku and Inuyasha. And the really nice girl beside her in English, Shiori. Things didn't look so bleak after all.
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He shot forward, sword a hair's breadth away from his opponent's torso. The sword itself didn't look to be something special. It was a normal katana, perhaps slightly old and a little rusty, but still as sharp as the day it was first forged. However, it was the history behind it that was a little odd. One of his numerous inheritances, it was one of the only ones hebonded to. He liked the odd little katana, choosing to use it more often than the imported broadswords and newly invented little rapiers that were designed to nip through an opponent's ribs in an instant.
The masked foe twisted sinuously sidestepping one blundering attack after another. In his head, he scoffed contemptuously. Even if he has power and the advantage in weapons, he still won't win unless he gets his act together. One finely manicured hand reached for his choice weapon of the day, a beautifully crafted scythe, sharp enough to lope off someone's head. He stopped evading, frozen long enough to reevaluate his center of balance, then lunged for the neck.
Black strands of hair floated to the ground. The katana-wielder hissed in annoyance. His long hair was a point of pride, something that seemed vaguely girly to him. He didn't care. Part of his reputation was centered on his locks. Anything that vaguely insults it was a direct threat to him. And this bastard cut some of it off.
Slashes, stabs, parries, and even a few illegal kicks to the groin. The sparring seemed to be more of a dance, if anything. Two opposites seem to conjoin into a performance rivaling the works of the best choreographers. It was dangerous and beautiful.
Finally, one was pinned down. Blundering, reckless, furious attacks won over the distant, calculating, and fluid motions. For today.
"You shouldn't have cut off my hair, you bastard." Inuyasha spat at his brother, still enraged at the small uneven patches in his hair. Really, you wouldn't even notice the loss of a lock, with his tangled and unruly hair.
"All's fair," Sesshoumaru replied. "It is not as though I would deliberately cut your precious hair." His slightly creepy, and very tiny fanged grin said otherwise, butno one dared counter Sesshoumaru's statements. This made him extremely efficient in debates, with nobody to act as the rebuttal.
"Keh. Whatever. When are you gonna take that stick outta your ass, aniki?" The sarcasm in his voice seemed practically tangible in the thick air of the underground dojo.
"I shall ignore your childish statement. Goodbye. It was… interesting sparring with you, but fun time is over. Unlike some people, I have a job to get to."
He stepped into the elevator and whipped out his cellphone. While the elevator went through the underground parking lot to the ground floor, he got the number ready to dial. Takahashi Sesshoumaru was nothing but efficient. By the time the double doors had parted open, his thumb had pressed the green button. In a swift motion, the small device was to his ear.
"Hello? Ms. Shuensha?" I have to upgrade my cellphone soon. I can see scratches. Of course, they were thin, tiny, and practically nonexistent, but excellence was a theme with this perfectionist. Nothing less was to be expected from the son of Inutaisho.
"Ah… Mr. Itokuzu." She peered into the mirror, applying her lip gloss carefully. Appearance was important in her world. The aforementioned 'Ms. Shuensha' had a semi-casual meeting with someone important today so she didn't require her attendants to apply her makeup on for her. "Right on time, as always."
"Yes, I have the papers ready to sign." He nodded to the doorman at the front door of the mansion. The doorman nodded back, privy to the elusive young heir's eccentric habits. Valets were immediately alerted – Sesshoumaru's car was required!
"Shall I meet you at the usual spot?" she asked, combing her already tangle-free, poker-straight black hair. The milky beauty looked at herself in the mirror before sweeping her formidable hair into a relaxed ponytail.
"Excellent. Pleasure doing business with you, as always." Sesshoumaru revved up the convertible. Like his client, he had someone influential to meet with, therefore impressions counted. He schooled his features, the only emotion left was a calculating glint in his bright, light brown eyes.
"Oh, no… it's mypleasure. Have I ever told you how I'd be nothing without you?" she teased, preparing to banter as friends, but nothing more. They'd known each other before, as children, and it was completely unexpected when the two friends were assigned to one another.
"Sorry… I have an important client, Kyo. I won't have time to talk today."
"It's okay Sess. I know you're kinda busy. Maybe next time, huh?"
An analyzing last glance took in her appearance from head to toe, kind of like a last-minute review for all who asked. Louis Vuitton... Tiffany's... Versace... Donna Karan... Christian Dior. She didn't necessarily like the fact that she had to memorize every single aspect of her life and how she had to get herself out of sticky situations when too-nosy reporters spotted the rare loophole in her appearances and character. But she had to. It was expected of her and, true to her upbringing, she merely swallowed any misgivings she had and did it.
"Looking forward to it."
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Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or anything you may recognize. I might not even own the plot, as this may seem cliché. Still, I do the best I can, and I wrote it. The song is not mine either, that's Bette Midler, who, while not my favorite artist, sang the song. The brands named are not mine.
(Note to readers... and Zosia-chan because I know she's going to read this and I can't send emails to friends on weekdays or 'chat' with them...) I can't chat on the weekdays, which means I can only send the chapters off to my unofficial beta(s) on the weekends. Which means the chapters have to be finished by Friday. And since I have a social life outside of that means very little time. I'll probably update once every two weeks. Please forgive this horrible author for OOC-ness.
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