Well, those who are waiting patiently for me to continue with An A in Three
Weeks probably want to have a lynching party with yours truly, but please
hear me out. Uhm....*crickets* Ok, so I don't have any brilliant excuse,
not that that will appease you any more, but I really am sorry for not
updating my first baby before taking on another one. I just had this mad
urge to write something like what you see here after watching a couple
episodes of Pretear, but by no means is this story going in that direction.
I just took the whole poor family marrying into rich as hell family and
making Kagome go through all the troubles I can conjure up from there (some
stolen from Pretear, too, I'm almost ashamed to add). THERE WILL BE NO
MAGIC GIRL THEMES!! Anyway, I better shut my yap and let you get on with
reading, if any of you are still interested...
DISCLAIMER: It's laughable to think I can come up with such an ingenious story as Inu-Yasha, and while I'm flattered you may think so, I don't own the rights to anything. That happy copyright belongs to dear beloved Takahashi-san. Oh, don't own Pretear either, but I didn't take too much from it.
As Close As You Can Get
By Lady Morn
Chapter 1: Shikota Kagome
A raven-haired girl stepped out of a limo and stood by it in wonder. Her hand lifted involuntarily to her mouth, parted in awe, eyes filling to capacity at the wealth that lay before her. She half expected the scene to poof in front of her eyes as she groggily woke from this unbelievable dream, but it was real. It was all, one hundred percent real.
"Kagome, dear, it's unseemly to stare with your mouth open."
"Mom, you're doing it, too."
A jovial voice chuckled behind them, "I hope this isn't too shabby for you ladies."
The two snapped around to face a tall man wearing a clearly expensive business suit, eyes sparkling in contrast to the professional attire. Kagome's mother's expression melted into a soft smile as she went to hug her new husband.
"This is almost too good to be true. It's just so much."
The man smiled down at his new wife, and looked over her head to address Kagome kindly, "I hope you like this place as much as your mother, Kagome."
"I...It's...It's beautiful. It's completely unbelievable," Kagome stammered, still trying to take in the splendor of the estate.
Her stepfather laughed lightly. "I'm glad you approve, and I promise you'll get used to it. Come; let's go meet your new stepsisters."
~*~
"Wow..." Kagome's eyes threatened to fall out of her head if she opened them any wider. The interior of the mansion was even more impressive than the outside, and that was hard to grasp for a relatively poor girl like Kagome. Before this new marriage Kagome lived a plain, simple life in her grandfather's shrine. After her father died in a car accident, her family had gotten by with what the shrine brought in and the untaxed land it sat on. And now, in face of the grandeur of perhaps the richest man in Japan, Kagome was entitled to feeling a little light-headed.
"Kikyo! Kaede! Come meet your new sister!"
Kagome surveyed her surroundings, wondering how effective the summon could be if they weren't in the near vicinity. The room she was in was like a ballroom, numerous doors leading down expansive halls and rooms and a twin stair case curling up to the second floor. A delicate chandelier hung from the ceiling, the many crystals shaping it into a flower-like design, though which Kagome couldn't tell. Also on the ceiling was a beautiful fresco style painting. It depicted various gods and goddesses residing in their land above the clouds, looking down on the viewer, as she imagined real gods must with a mortal. Along the walls were displayed other rare art pieces her stepfather had collected and no doubt wanted to show off. Shifting her gaze to the floor, she marveled at the plush deep green rug stationed in front of the door, moving on to the perfectly polished mahogany hardwood floor.
Kagome didn't have too much time to fully take in the marvels of the house. Soft, barely audible footsteps signaled the entrance of two girls she assumed were Kikyo and Kaede, her new sisters. The thought of suddenly having two sisters when she had only a younger brother was exciting as well as mind-boggling. Her mind suddenly filled with images of sisterly-bonding, girl talks stretching throughout the night, playing with each other's hair, and just having someone of the same gender who can understand you the way her younger brother, as much as she loved him, cannot.
Her father grinned when he saw his children, and clapped a hand around their shoulders, full of pride. "Kikyo, Kaede, I'd like you to meet your stepmother and stepsister, Kagome."
Kagome held back a gasp when she saw that the girl facing her, Kikyo, looked almost exactly like her, only she possessed a sophisticated quality Kagome could never hope to have. Her eyes had an elegant slant to them, expression guarded and holding traces of contempt. Kikyo's hair was also much longer and sleeker than Kagome's slightly wavy mass of hair. She gulped, the short-lived fuzzy ideas of bonding with her new sisters flying out the window, all five stained glassed of them.
Smiling nervously, Kagome extended a hand toward her in friendship.
"It's nice to meet you."
"We shall see about that," Kikyo replied, ignoring her hand, severe eyes still trained on Kagome until she felt like Kikyo was delving beneath her, exposing all her secrets and faults. She shivered and lowered her arm. Glancing to the side, she noticed her second stepsister, Kaede, and instantly smiled again. Kaede, though exhibiting many similar features of her sister, was smiling with the curious innocence of a young child. She was only four years younger than Kagome, the same age as Souta, but her slight stature and delicate-seeming build made her look even younger. Kagome extended her hand again to make her greetings.
"Hello, Kaede, it's a pleasure meeting you, too."
Kaede looked up at Kagome appraisingly, and as if making a decision on her character, gave a small nod of approval and shook her hand, smiling warmly.
"Same here."
"Now that we're all acquainted, Kikyo, Kaede, would you two please show Kagome around? You have loads of time to get familiar with this sprawling mess of a house before dinner," her stepfather said, eyes twinkling. He placed an arm around her mother's waist, making her blush faintly. "It would probably be best to show her up to her room first, your mother and I have something we need to take care of. See you three at dinner then." And with a warm smile he lead Kagome's mother away, both looking ridiculously in love and giggly, even though they weren't giggling.
Kagome looked back at her new sisters, unsure of what to do. Kikyo turned to go after a few moments of silence, striding out of the room as quiet and sedate as she had entered. When the last of her footsteps faded, Kagome and Kaede looked at each other, and laughed nervously.
"Haha, this is so silly of us, family now and still feeling like strangers," Kagome stammered, feeling the impending sense of stupidity as anyone who had to break the ice has felt. But Kaede just smiled again, and grabbed Kagome's hand, leading her up the stairs.
"Yes, well, we are still strangers, you know. But I'm sure we'll get to know each other in time. Meanwhile, I better do as Dad said and show you around." She looked up at Kagome with a grin. "No matter what Dad says this place is still big enough to get lost in."
~*~
"Oh, it's almost time for dinner. Hurry, we'd better wash up and get to the dining room. If there's one thing my Dad gets really annoyed about it's being late for dinner. He thinks meal times are strictly family time, no excuses." Kaede paused a moment, eyes lighting up with laughter, "Well, with one exception..." she said slyly, trailing off. With a chuckle she trotted off, leaving Kagome to head back to the house, their tour having ended at the gardens.
"What? What's the exception? Kaede, tell me!"
Kagome chased after her, feeling the urge to laugh herself. They had gotten, if not closer, more familiar during the short hours. Kagome felt comfortable with Kaede, able now to joke with her, and was sure they'd become close friends. Kaede was a cheerful child, very much like Souta, now that she thought about it. She was clearly very intelligent, pointing out interesting pieces of art and styles of architecture and showed exceptional knowledge of botany during their walk through the gardens. She just had this quiet, almost timid air about her, not quite shy but unwilling to step fully out into the spotlight. Kagome felt content knowing she was making progress fitting into the family so different to what she was used to.
Dinner was quite an...interesting affair. Kikyo, as stony as ever, arrived a few minutes later than Kagome and Kaede, ignoring everyone as she sat down save for a short "Father" and briefest of nods to greet the parents. A bland glance served as a response for Kagome's hello, and she caught Kaede in an unreadable expression before focusing her attentions to her food for the remainder of the meal. The adults were too busy being lovey-dovey to notice the slightly uncomfortable atmosphere around Kagome and Kikyo, and Kaede took it in as the norm, applying herself to her dinner and occasionally chatting with Kagome. As the family engaged in dessert, her mother and father broke away from their newlywed bubble to pay attention to their daughters.
Kagome's mother gave her a warm smile and said, "I trust you've had a nice day, Kagome. I'm sure you've gotten acquainted with this place and your sisters by now."
"Yes," her father added, "Kikyo and Kaede are making things comfortable for you I hope."
"Oh yes, of course," Kagome replied hastily, "They've been very helpful. I'm really starting to feel at home here." She looked down, a little uncomfortable with her not quite lie. She really didn't know how she felt about the whole thing; everything was being thrown at her so quickly.
"We're glad, dear. It means so much that you're happy here," her mother said with such maternal warmth that Kagome felt truly happy she was there, her misgivings melting away. The feeling quickly passed when the moment was interrupted with a clink of silverware and a scrape of the chair.
"I'm finished. If you would excuse me, I have an engagement with my friends." She looked at her father, "I'll be back around 11:30, the movie isn't that long."
"Well, if you're sure you won't be back too late. I was hoping you'd spend more time getting to know your new family, but I guess there's plenty of time for that," her father said, smiling toward his wife. Kikyo tensed a fraction, but got up to leave without another word.
Kagome watched her leave, staring at the way she left for a while before putting down her fork and pushing away her plate.
"I'd better go fix up my room and sleep. It's been a long day."
"Oh, of course dear. Pleasant dreams," her mother said.
Kagome felt small and misplaced walking down the halls toward her room alone. The lurching walls and high domed ceiling echoed her every step, and she longed for the cozy warmth the shrine house offered. Once she found her bedroom after just two wrong turns, Kagome flopped onto her new humongous four poster bed. Staring into the gauzy dark blue canopy, she thought about her old home, wondering how her grandfather and brother were doing, if they had dinner yet, if they missed her. Her grandfather had refused to leave the shrine, rooted to the land that's been in his family since forever. Since they had come from a long line of mikos and priests, Souta stayed to train and carry on the family business. That and because he didn't want to transfer to a new school in his last year of elementary. Kagome could move since she was starting high school anyway. She sighed, burying herself with a fluffy down pillow. It still meant she was separated from her friends, now expected to attend the same private school as Kikyo instead of the public school she planned on going to with the rest of her friends. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she wished she didn't have to give up everything to be in this alien environment.
Kagome felt instantly guilty, finding herself complain, even if only inwardly, of her good fortune. Her stepfather was kind enough to send her to a private school, to house her in this beautiful mansion, to accept her as one of his own daughters. And here she was being ungrateful. Rubbing the almost tears away, Kagome sat up, deciding to arrange her room like she told her mother. The task took hours, everything she unpacked catching her up in memories. She spent long minutes gazing into picture frames, remembering when each was captured and what they had been doing. She sighed over various trinkets and presents from her friends, thinking back to the last year before graduation when all her friends teased her about Hojo. She smiled remembering the odd gifts he had given her, most of which her grandfather owned now. But even when everything was unpacked and arranged as she liked it, the room still looked empty, her fifteen years of possessions unable to fill the significantly larger room. Nonetheless as she brushed herself off, Kagome looked around and felt satisfied that it looked a little more like home. Feeling a little grimy from all the dust and cleaning she headed toward her own bathroom to wash up, when she heard a faint shuffle outside her bedroom. Changing directions, Kagome opened her door to see what it was, and found herself facing Kikyo.
"Oh, Kikyo, it's just you. Did you have a good time at the movies?"
Kikyo gave Kagome the same steady look she gave her the first time they met. In a quiet, almost condescending voice, she said, "You may be my new stepsister, but don't think you can become part of this family. You can never uphold the name Shikota."
With that she made her way to her own room a few doors down from Kagome's. Kagome stood, quiet and hurt, wondering what she had done to merit such hostility from Kikyo. Turning slowly she stepped back into her own room, leaning on the door after she closed it. Eyes trained on the carpet, Kagome smiled sadly. 'Shikota...that's right, I'm Shikota Kagome now.'
DISCLAIMER: It's laughable to think I can come up with such an ingenious story as Inu-Yasha, and while I'm flattered you may think so, I don't own the rights to anything. That happy copyright belongs to dear beloved Takahashi-san. Oh, don't own Pretear either, but I didn't take too much from it.
As Close As You Can Get
By Lady Morn
Chapter 1: Shikota Kagome
A raven-haired girl stepped out of a limo and stood by it in wonder. Her hand lifted involuntarily to her mouth, parted in awe, eyes filling to capacity at the wealth that lay before her. She half expected the scene to poof in front of her eyes as she groggily woke from this unbelievable dream, but it was real. It was all, one hundred percent real.
"Kagome, dear, it's unseemly to stare with your mouth open."
"Mom, you're doing it, too."
A jovial voice chuckled behind them, "I hope this isn't too shabby for you ladies."
The two snapped around to face a tall man wearing a clearly expensive business suit, eyes sparkling in contrast to the professional attire. Kagome's mother's expression melted into a soft smile as she went to hug her new husband.
"This is almost too good to be true. It's just so much."
The man smiled down at his new wife, and looked over her head to address Kagome kindly, "I hope you like this place as much as your mother, Kagome."
"I...It's...It's beautiful. It's completely unbelievable," Kagome stammered, still trying to take in the splendor of the estate.
Her stepfather laughed lightly. "I'm glad you approve, and I promise you'll get used to it. Come; let's go meet your new stepsisters."
~*~
"Wow..." Kagome's eyes threatened to fall out of her head if she opened them any wider. The interior of the mansion was even more impressive than the outside, and that was hard to grasp for a relatively poor girl like Kagome. Before this new marriage Kagome lived a plain, simple life in her grandfather's shrine. After her father died in a car accident, her family had gotten by with what the shrine brought in and the untaxed land it sat on. And now, in face of the grandeur of perhaps the richest man in Japan, Kagome was entitled to feeling a little light-headed.
"Kikyo! Kaede! Come meet your new sister!"
Kagome surveyed her surroundings, wondering how effective the summon could be if they weren't in the near vicinity. The room she was in was like a ballroom, numerous doors leading down expansive halls and rooms and a twin stair case curling up to the second floor. A delicate chandelier hung from the ceiling, the many crystals shaping it into a flower-like design, though which Kagome couldn't tell. Also on the ceiling was a beautiful fresco style painting. It depicted various gods and goddesses residing in their land above the clouds, looking down on the viewer, as she imagined real gods must with a mortal. Along the walls were displayed other rare art pieces her stepfather had collected and no doubt wanted to show off. Shifting her gaze to the floor, she marveled at the plush deep green rug stationed in front of the door, moving on to the perfectly polished mahogany hardwood floor.
Kagome didn't have too much time to fully take in the marvels of the house. Soft, barely audible footsteps signaled the entrance of two girls she assumed were Kikyo and Kaede, her new sisters. The thought of suddenly having two sisters when she had only a younger brother was exciting as well as mind-boggling. Her mind suddenly filled with images of sisterly-bonding, girl talks stretching throughout the night, playing with each other's hair, and just having someone of the same gender who can understand you the way her younger brother, as much as she loved him, cannot.
Her father grinned when he saw his children, and clapped a hand around their shoulders, full of pride. "Kikyo, Kaede, I'd like you to meet your stepmother and stepsister, Kagome."
Kagome held back a gasp when she saw that the girl facing her, Kikyo, looked almost exactly like her, only she possessed a sophisticated quality Kagome could never hope to have. Her eyes had an elegant slant to them, expression guarded and holding traces of contempt. Kikyo's hair was also much longer and sleeker than Kagome's slightly wavy mass of hair. She gulped, the short-lived fuzzy ideas of bonding with her new sisters flying out the window, all five stained glassed of them.
Smiling nervously, Kagome extended a hand toward her in friendship.
"It's nice to meet you."
"We shall see about that," Kikyo replied, ignoring her hand, severe eyes still trained on Kagome until she felt like Kikyo was delving beneath her, exposing all her secrets and faults. She shivered and lowered her arm. Glancing to the side, she noticed her second stepsister, Kaede, and instantly smiled again. Kaede, though exhibiting many similar features of her sister, was smiling with the curious innocence of a young child. She was only four years younger than Kagome, the same age as Souta, but her slight stature and delicate-seeming build made her look even younger. Kagome extended her hand again to make her greetings.
"Hello, Kaede, it's a pleasure meeting you, too."
Kaede looked up at Kagome appraisingly, and as if making a decision on her character, gave a small nod of approval and shook her hand, smiling warmly.
"Same here."
"Now that we're all acquainted, Kikyo, Kaede, would you two please show Kagome around? You have loads of time to get familiar with this sprawling mess of a house before dinner," her stepfather said, eyes twinkling. He placed an arm around her mother's waist, making her blush faintly. "It would probably be best to show her up to her room first, your mother and I have something we need to take care of. See you three at dinner then." And with a warm smile he lead Kagome's mother away, both looking ridiculously in love and giggly, even though they weren't giggling.
Kagome looked back at her new sisters, unsure of what to do. Kikyo turned to go after a few moments of silence, striding out of the room as quiet and sedate as she had entered. When the last of her footsteps faded, Kagome and Kaede looked at each other, and laughed nervously.
"Haha, this is so silly of us, family now and still feeling like strangers," Kagome stammered, feeling the impending sense of stupidity as anyone who had to break the ice has felt. But Kaede just smiled again, and grabbed Kagome's hand, leading her up the stairs.
"Yes, well, we are still strangers, you know. But I'm sure we'll get to know each other in time. Meanwhile, I better do as Dad said and show you around." She looked up at Kagome with a grin. "No matter what Dad says this place is still big enough to get lost in."
~*~
"Oh, it's almost time for dinner. Hurry, we'd better wash up and get to the dining room. If there's one thing my Dad gets really annoyed about it's being late for dinner. He thinks meal times are strictly family time, no excuses." Kaede paused a moment, eyes lighting up with laughter, "Well, with one exception..." she said slyly, trailing off. With a chuckle she trotted off, leaving Kagome to head back to the house, their tour having ended at the gardens.
"What? What's the exception? Kaede, tell me!"
Kagome chased after her, feeling the urge to laugh herself. They had gotten, if not closer, more familiar during the short hours. Kagome felt comfortable with Kaede, able now to joke with her, and was sure they'd become close friends. Kaede was a cheerful child, very much like Souta, now that she thought about it. She was clearly very intelligent, pointing out interesting pieces of art and styles of architecture and showed exceptional knowledge of botany during their walk through the gardens. She just had this quiet, almost timid air about her, not quite shy but unwilling to step fully out into the spotlight. Kagome felt content knowing she was making progress fitting into the family so different to what she was used to.
Dinner was quite an...interesting affair. Kikyo, as stony as ever, arrived a few minutes later than Kagome and Kaede, ignoring everyone as she sat down save for a short "Father" and briefest of nods to greet the parents. A bland glance served as a response for Kagome's hello, and she caught Kaede in an unreadable expression before focusing her attentions to her food for the remainder of the meal. The adults were too busy being lovey-dovey to notice the slightly uncomfortable atmosphere around Kagome and Kikyo, and Kaede took it in as the norm, applying herself to her dinner and occasionally chatting with Kagome. As the family engaged in dessert, her mother and father broke away from their newlywed bubble to pay attention to their daughters.
Kagome's mother gave her a warm smile and said, "I trust you've had a nice day, Kagome. I'm sure you've gotten acquainted with this place and your sisters by now."
"Yes," her father added, "Kikyo and Kaede are making things comfortable for you I hope."
"Oh yes, of course," Kagome replied hastily, "They've been very helpful. I'm really starting to feel at home here." She looked down, a little uncomfortable with her not quite lie. She really didn't know how she felt about the whole thing; everything was being thrown at her so quickly.
"We're glad, dear. It means so much that you're happy here," her mother said with such maternal warmth that Kagome felt truly happy she was there, her misgivings melting away. The feeling quickly passed when the moment was interrupted with a clink of silverware and a scrape of the chair.
"I'm finished. If you would excuse me, I have an engagement with my friends." She looked at her father, "I'll be back around 11:30, the movie isn't that long."
"Well, if you're sure you won't be back too late. I was hoping you'd spend more time getting to know your new family, but I guess there's plenty of time for that," her father said, smiling toward his wife. Kikyo tensed a fraction, but got up to leave without another word.
Kagome watched her leave, staring at the way she left for a while before putting down her fork and pushing away her plate.
"I'd better go fix up my room and sleep. It's been a long day."
"Oh, of course dear. Pleasant dreams," her mother said.
Kagome felt small and misplaced walking down the halls toward her room alone. The lurching walls and high domed ceiling echoed her every step, and she longed for the cozy warmth the shrine house offered. Once she found her bedroom after just two wrong turns, Kagome flopped onto her new humongous four poster bed. Staring into the gauzy dark blue canopy, she thought about her old home, wondering how her grandfather and brother were doing, if they had dinner yet, if they missed her. Her grandfather had refused to leave the shrine, rooted to the land that's been in his family since forever. Since they had come from a long line of mikos and priests, Souta stayed to train and carry on the family business. That and because he didn't want to transfer to a new school in his last year of elementary. Kagome could move since she was starting high school anyway. She sighed, burying herself with a fluffy down pillow. It still meant she was separated from her friends, now expected to attend the same private school as Kikyo instead of the public school she planned on going to with the rest of her friends. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she wished she didn't have to give up everything to be in this alien environment.
Kagome felt instantly guilty, finding herself complain, even if only inwardly, of her good fortune. Her stepfather was kind enough to send her to a private school, to house her in this beautiful mansion, to accept her as one of his own daughters. And here she was being ungrateful. Rubbing the almost tears away, Kagome sat up, deciding to arrange her room like she told her mother. The task took hours, everything she unpacked catching her up in memories. She spent long minutes gazing into picture frames, remembering when each was captured and what they had been doing. She sighed over various trinkets and presents from her friends, thinking back to the last year before graduation when all her friends teased her about Hojo. She smiled remembering the odd gifts he had given her, most of which her grandfather owned now. But even when everything was unpacked and arranged as she liked it, the room still looked empty, her fifteen years of possessions unable to fill the significantly larger room. Nonetheless as she brushed herself off, Kagome looked around and felt satisfied that it looked a little more like home. Feeling a little grimy from all the dust and cleaning she headed toward her own bathroom to wash up, when she heard a faint shuffle outside her bedroom. Changing directions, Kagome opened her door to see what it was, and found herself facing Kikyo.
"Oh, Kikyo, it's just you. Did you have a good time at the movies?"
Kikyo gave Kagome the same steady look she gave her the first time they met. In a quiet, almost condescending voice, she said, "You may be my new stepsister, but don't think you can become part of this family. You can never uphold the name Shikota."
With that she made her way to her own room a few doors down from Kagome's. Kagome stood, quiet and hurt, wondering what she had done to merit such hostility from Kikyo. Turning slowly she stepped back into her own room, leaning on the door after she closed it. Eyes trained on the carpet, Kagome smiled sadly. 'Shikota...that's right, I'm Shikota Kagome now.'