So this story can be kind of dark in my opinion, but not in a "I'm a drug using/drunkard teen because I'm so cool" kind of way. There is the issue of abuse, physically and verbally, death/suicide (again, not in an "I'ma misunderstood middle class teen" way) and even a little bit on the topic of rape. It's not all light and fluffy folks, though I promise some real "aw" moments. I try to write my stories to be a little plot-driven,not allabout the romance even thought that's the main focus. So if you're not a fan of violence, and some language like that found in the first scentence don't read on.
I don't own Inuyasha but come on, you already knew that.
Chapter 1-Bruised Beauty
"You filthy little slut!"
The fist struck her again, slamming into the soft flesh of her side. Kagome hadn't been able to block the hit, her eyes were screwed shut as she huddled in the corner, arms covering her head. She screamed over and over for her attacker to stop. But she didn't listen, she never listened.
"I wish you had never been born you fucking whore. You're a complete waist of space."
Suddenly it felt like her hair was being pulled out, which wasn't far from the truth. She managed to open her eyes. It wasn't any better seeing her attacker than it had been when she was in the dark. Her mother's face was contorted in anger, her makeup was smeared, her hair a mess. She was drunk again. When she got drunk, she got angry. And when she got angry, she beat her children.
Her mother's hand was burrowed in her thick mane of raven hair, she could feel the strain on her scalp. She felt all of her pain and terror building in the core of her being, then it rushed through her, tearing out of her throat. She lashed out grabbing her mothers arm and pulling as hard as she could, digging her nails into the flesh. Her mother screamed and released her.
Kagome knew that if she had a chance she needed to take it. She ignored the pain in her side and scrambled to her feet racing across the floor without looking back. She ran up the stairs, she could hear her mother's steps behind her, her screams of rage ringing in her ears. She stumbled a little the top of the stairs, but she righted herself and used the her momentum to launch herself through her doorway. Kagome slammed the door behind her and slumped down, leaning her back against it.
She winced as her mother reached the door just behind her and began slamming her fist against it. She would tire herself out sooner or later, then she would drink some more until she passed out. When the pounding stopped Kagome managed to breath easier.
She dragged herself up off the ground and almost shouted when she the extent of the damage that had been done to her side. She stood in front of her mirror for a long time before she got the nerve to lift up her shirt. She felt the tears welling in her eyes at the sight of the bruise that discolored most of her side. It was close to four inches across, stretching from the top of her jeans to over her ribs. It was purple, worse in the places where the most force had been exerted. She had just let her punch the same spot over and over, protecting her face. It was easier to hide the bruises on her body than it was to cover bruises on her face. What do people care if she wore sweatshirts in early fall? They already thought she was strange enough as it was.
She pushed up her sleeves, just the same old bruises. They never had enough time to go away. There might have been a few new ones, but she couldn't remember specifically if she been hit on the arms, all the beatings just blended together.
Kagome sighed, changing into her pajamas. She eased herself slowly into bed, trying not to cause herself any more pain than was necessary. She was so tired that she had no trouble drifting off into an exhausted sleep.
The alarm went off at six the next morning and she didn't know how she was gong to drag herself out of bed. Every muscle screamed in protest. She couldn't even manage to reach out and hit the snooze button. She lay, staring at the ceiling, her vision blurred, as the alarms rang in her ears. Her head was pounding, her throat was sore. Soon the incessant buzzing drove her from the comfortable bed
The hot water stung as it pelted her bruises. Kagome cringed when she saw that the bruising on her side stretched down onto her hip as well. It was nasty looking now that she saw it the morning light spilling in through the bathroom window. One of the worst in a long time.
She dried her hair most of the way but got tired of holding her arms up. In the end she threw it back into a long braid that hung down to the middle of her back, a long thick rope of black silk. A section of hair shorter than the rest falling out to rest just over her eyes, lightly brushing her cheeks. She brushed some eyeshadow on, clear gloss, powder. She had long ago gotten over her hatred for makeup, she had to use it to cover her bruises, people asked too many questions when she wore it some days but not others. She had just gotten into the habit of using the least amount possible on a daily basis.
She opened her closet and threw on a plain black sweater without a second thought. You would never be able to tell what season it was by looking at Kagome's wardrobe.
The sound of a car horn broke through the calm silence of Kagome's morning routine. Cursing under her breath she rushed to the window. Sure enough there was Sango's car parked out in front of her house. She dashed out of her room, ran down the stairs, then stopped. She stood in the doorway of the living room in silence. When she was satisfied that no one was moving around downstairs she crept slowly into the living room.
The room was a mess, she had to wonder if she would ever be able to find her backpack. She walked around the other side of the coach and was shocked by two things. The extent of damage down on that side of the room, and the fact that her mother was passed out and sprawled across the wreckage. The coffee table had been turned over, on of the end tables had been smashed beyond repair, the pieces were all over place, a few hunks of wood were sprinkled over the sofa.
She had to retrace her steps from the night before. She had been doing her homework on the coffee table when her mother had stumbled drunkenly through the front door. Kagome tiptoed over to the where the coffee table was propped up against the loveseat, peering under it. She extracted her math binder and almost bumped her head on the edge when Sango impatiently honked for the second time. Her backpack was tucked safely away next to the couch, inches form her sleeping mothers head. Kagome carefully retrieved it and was out the door, slamming it shut as hard as she could.
"What took so long?" Sango said in a peeved tone as Kagome slid into the passenger's seat.
"I couldn't find my homework." Not a lie, just not all of the truth.
"Mm." Sango replied rubbing her eyes with one hand, leaving the other on the steering wheel.
"Ten and two." Kagome joked as she shut her eyes and snuggled against the headrest.
"I don't pester you when you drive."
"No, you just press the imaginary break pedal."
"I have an idea. Let's let Sango drive in silence and wait for her to wake up."
"Alright, but tomorrow we're getting Sango some medication for that multiple personality problem."
By the time they reached the parking lot at school Sango had managed to wake up and wasn't so grouchy. She always snapped a little bit in the morning. It made Kagome feel better, she hadn't considered herself a very good morning person, but once she and Sango had begun carpooling she had realized she was quite pleasant compared to some.
"Aren't you a little warm?" Sango asked eyeing Kagome's sweater as they made their way across the parking lot.
"No. It's not that warm, and you know I have a temperature thing. It's too cool in the school."
"Right."
The hallways were bustling. Some of the younger kids were sprawled across the floor doing last minute homework, or copying the work of someone who had the willpower to do it at home.
Kagome tossed her binders into her locker and slowly knelt down to collect what she needed, careful not to press anything against her right side. She had done a good job of keeping her problem a secret, and she planned on doing so until she was old enough to get as far away from her mother as possible.
I just wish I could have done something for Souta.
She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. Now wasn't the time to think about that, he wouldn't have wanted her to spend her life wondering what she could have done.
She slammed her locker door shut completely chasing away the thoughts of her brother. Sango was still rummaging about in her own locker, it was a bit more of a mess than Kagome's, but that wasn't saying much. She grunted as she fought with one particular binder that didn't seem like it wanted to be freed. Kagome got tired of watching the struggle and glanced up over her friend's shoulder, and she saw him.
It was hard to miss him. She didn't want to look at him, but couldn't help it. He was there, looking like a some sort of god. Thin, but built, his muscles clearly defined below the sleeve of his t-shirt. His silver hair that fell down past his shoulders, his confidant, mischievous smile. And his amber eyes. They were like the light of the sun captured in two orbs that sat perched in a perfect face. To bad this god was more like a demon. Inuyasha. He was as much of a jerk as he was handsome.
With an attitude like Inuyasha's it was a wonder he had any friends. But actually had quite a few. He was barely ever far from Miroku's side, so that gave him quite a large crowd to run in. Miroku was a nice guy, a little girl crazy, but nice. He never did anything to evil. He flirted a lot, he touched a few girls in a way that Kagome would call appropriate, but none of them were complaining, except Sango. And in any case Kagome had her theories about that. Miroku may flirt with other girls, but she's only ever seen him ask Sango on an actual date. He'd been chasing her for years.
It was a strange, and at time unbearably irritating mating dance. Sango rejected Miroku for flirting with other girls, but Kagome truly believed he only did it to make Sango jealous. She was just too stubborn, she was determined not to get hurt. Kagome quickly turned her attention to the front of her locker when she saw Miroku glance their way and could feel a smile trying to force its way to the surface. She glanced back and saw him coming their way, Inuyasha was already gone.
"Your fan is coming." Kagome muttered pretending to be interested with the familiar picture she had taped up.
"What?" Kagome heard the mix of fear and fake exasperation in Sango's voice, and didn't' even have to look to see the red glow that must now be gracing her friend's cheeks.
"Good morning Kagome you look nice this morning." Miroku said politely, he was only being a gentleman, he was only here to ask Sango yet again.
"Morning Miroku." Kagome replied, not turning her attention from the picture.
Once Miroku's focus was once again on Sango she flicked her eyes in their direction without turning her head to watch the festivities. Miroku's back was turned so he wouldn't see her watching, but Sango would be angry if she knew Kagome was listening in.
"You look beautiful today Sango."
"Thank you." Sango answered in a forced icy tone, her face glowing scarlet and giving her away.
"So, it's Friday. Do you have any plans for the weekend?"
Kagome was done playing innocent. She turned around and positioned herself just off to the side of Miroku's shoulder where Sango could see her clearly, and Miroku couldn't. She started gesturing 'no.' Waving her arms like a lunatic. Sango looked her in panicked way for a moment, lifting an eyebrow questioningly. Kagome pointed at Miroku and started nodding her head in big sweeps that made her head and neck hurt.
"Uh...n-no." Sango said glancing back and forth between Kagome and Miroku.
"Oh good. I was just wondering if you wanted to see a movie with me, say, tomorrow?"
Sango stared at Kagome, terror and fury mixed tighter on her beat-red face. Kagome was started to get annoyed, and Miroku was visibly uncomfortable. Kagome threw her arms in the air and mouthed 'Come on!'
"Sure." Sango said shaking her head as she made the decision, the answer came out clear and her voice unwavering.
Kagome felt like she might pass out. It was unbelievable that it had taken all this time for her to say yes. Kagome had been telling her all along it wasn't such a bad idea to give him a shot. But once he had started turning it into a monthly thing Kagome had made her decision, if he was persistent he really like Sango, and was alright in her book despite his womanizing.
Miroku looked he might faint as well. There was no response for a second. He was no doubt questioning whether he had heard correctly.
"Great." He finally managed. "Great, then I'll call you tonight. Alright?"
"Sure." Sango said again, trying to look more confidant.
"Alright. See you in math then."
He turned, a big smile plastered across his face, his violet eyes sparkling. He winked at Kagome, he knew that she had been standing there the whole time.
"Thank you." He whispered.
"I didn't do anything. She's the one that said yes." Kagome said matching his grin.
When Miroku was out of earshot Kagome threw herself onto her friend laughing in relief. Sango was quiet, but even she couldn't keep a small smile on her face.
"You finally said yes. I can't believe it!"
"It's not a big deal."
"Oh yes it is. I don't' have to watch you shoot him down anymore. This is great. I was really starting to feel bad for the poor guy. I mean you wanted to say yes, I don't know why it took so long for you to actually do it."
"Just shut up ok."
"Whatever you say."
"Are you sure?" Sango's voice reached that whiny, breathless quality as she tugged on her shirt with trembling fingers.
"You look fine." Kagome said covering her face with a pillow, she already knew what was coming.
"What about his instead."
"Why don't you try it on?" She practically shouted into the pillow, her voice gaining volume as her anger increased.
"Right." The sound of clothes flying was muffled by the pillow.
It had seemed like good idea for Kagome to help her friend get ready for her date, but now she was really regretting it. She had thought it would help Sango calm down, not to mention keep Kagome out of the house longer. But this was torture. Sango was more nervous than Kagome had ever seen her. She had tried her entire closet on, some things more than once. Kagome knew that Miroku wouldn't care what Sango wore, as long as she was there he would be happy. Kagome just figured that the constant movement was helping her with her nerves and let her go. Sango was about to try another outfit when the doorbell rang.
"But I-" Sango started, sheer terror sending her voice up an octave.
"It's fine." Kagome shouted throwing the pillow off. "You look great."
"Sango." Kohaku shouted up the stairs to his sister. "Miroku's here."
"Here you go." Kagome said. "Take a deep breath, you'll have so much fun I know it. It's ok."
Kagome got up and gave her friend a big hug and rubbed her back trying to calm her nerves. Sango took a few deep breath, and was out the door. She heard people talking softly down on the street, then a girl's nervous laughter. Two car doors shut, one then a few seconds later the other. For all this touchy stunts Miroku could be a real gentleman. Then the car started and they were gone, and Kagome could let out a sigh of relief, but she couldn't help but feel a little jealous.
If you're reading this you're most likely a new reader so give thanks to the readers that came before you. There used to be breaks missing in these first few chapters, the words jsut sort of flowed together and you couldn't really tell at first that (for example) the whining Sango was not at school anymore. I was so bored that I decided it might be nice to go back through and make those changes and add some author's notes, something that was also lacking in these early chapters due to the fact that I just copied and pasted the first...maybe 4 or more chapters from my old pen name and put them up all at once.
So anyway...that was chapter one, hope you liked it. This story has a fair amount of violence throughout most of it, it deals with some darker issues but not to worry, poor Kagome will find a way through...;)