Disclaimer : I do not own Inuyasha or any of its components.
AN : Hi guys. I know I already have another fic going on but I'm having a hard time getting that one going again. So … I've decided to just write a new one on the side for now … hopefully find some new inspiration while I'm at it. Well, hope you like this one more than Long Time No See ;D.
So What?
- fallen-anqel -
PROLOGUE
W.A.I. : Way After the Incident
"Hmm hmmm hmmmmm hmm … la dee dah dah dah…."
There was a pause as our heroine took a gulp of water. She had just come back home from her evening jogs, iPod and trusty water bottle at hand. She twirled around her living room and hit the message playback button on her answering machine while unplugging one of her ears. Still humming, she made her way past unpacked boxes and random objects on the floor.
"Man, it is hot out there," she murmured as she made her way to her favorite appliance in the whole apartment, the refrigerator.
"…First new message," the answering machine droned. "BEEP. Kagome, dear? This is your mother calling. I guess you're not home right now. I'm just calling to see how you're doing in your new place. If you need any help moving around your things, I'm sure Souta won't mind helping. Well, I'll call you back later, okay? Bye, honey, I love you. BEEP."
"Love you too, mama." Kagome mumbled as she opened up her refrigerator. She hadn't exactly gotten around to buying anything to fill it up with. "There has to be something around here to snack on."
Kagome had officially moved out of her old home last Friday, just two days ago. She had technically moved out when during college, where she lived at the Water Street dorm. She had taken a bunch of her things from home and moved them out but she wasn't quite done yet. She basically came home during brakes and slept in her old room that basically only had a bed, dresser, and a few other things that she hadn't taken with her.
Her college years were pretty crazy now that she looked back on them. She had met Jakotsu there, among quite a few other colorful personalities. Well, anyhow, after college, she had taken everything with her and went out to pursue her career. She had had a short stay at home for a while but after landing her job at an advertising joint with Jakotsu, she had decided to move out. Her Dad had left her family a hefty amount of money and so she moved into a flat of her own. She was contemplating on having a roommate though … the flat was pretty big and she did have that extra room to spare.
Note to self: put up an ad concerning roommate.
"…BEEP. Kagome!" Jakotsu's familiar beckoning echoed throughout her new home. "You have to learn to pick up your phone! Anyways, me and the girls were wondering if you were free tonight. We're gonna go and hit up that new nightclub tonight, Kugutsu (1); you know, the one with those freaky little puppets hanging around. I pulled some strings—haha, d'ya get it (2)? Yeah … anyways, I got us on the list. Thank me later, babe; I better see you tonight. Oh, oh! You can wear that skimpy top I bought you last week. Ciao! BEEP."
"Sure," Kagome rolled her eyes and slammed the refrigerator door while tugging the freezer handle with her free hand.
Jakotsu was constantly trying to get her to go out more. She had had her little streak as a crazy party girl during college but she had calmed down a bit after landing her job. She couldn't just go around partying all the time and showing up late for work, now could she? Not like Jakotsu did anyways; he spent money like they grew from trees. He had quite the impressive background though, so he probably could afford it. He was the second eldest son from a family of three (two boys and one girl) and his parents were into showbiz … never really told her the specifics, though.
Kagome had been quite taken with him when she first met him. He was quite the looker, a bit on the feminine side but that didn't really matter. He was kind and it didn't help that he was good-looking. They were best friends and had that … connection, you know? Call it a very messed-up gaydar but ever since her little thing with Jakotsu, she found herself having crushes on men … who just so happened to turn out to be gay. And ever since Gay Man #4 (Jakotsu being the first), she gave up men forever … at least until she found a nice straight one.
"BEEP… BEEP."
"The heck," Kagome grumbled. Who in the world waited for her whole answering machine greeting to end before hanging up? She had been getting a few of these throughout the past week and frankly, it was starting to freak her out. "If it's Souta, I'll kill him."
With that, Kagome pulled the last popsicle out of the freezer and proceeded to rip off its wrapper.
"BEEP ... BEEP."
"BEEP … BEEP."
"What is this?" Kagome curiously wandered over to her answering machine and leant over it with her popsicle at hand.
"BEEP … BEEP."
"BEEP … BEEP." Taking a bite out of her popsicle, she leaned in closer.
"BEEP … BEEP. End of new messages."
"Strange," Kagome said.
Suddenly, the phone rang. With a yelp, Kagome stepped back and dropped her popsicle. Looking at Caller ID, she saw that it was a restricted number. She let the phone ring for a while with her hand hovering over the speakerphone button. Just as her lengthy answering machine greeting was about to start, she hastily pushed the button.
"Moshi moshi?" she ventured.
"Kagome!"
"Jakotsu!" Kagome shouted. "You scared me half to death."
"What are you talking about, babe?" he drawled. "Anyways, why are you still at home, little missy? You're supposed to meet me and the girls outside Kugutsu in 30 minutes."
"Sorry, Jak, but I don't think I can make it. I mean, you didn't exactly give me any prior notice."
"Kagome," Jakotsu said sternly. "You are going to come here right this instant and you are going to have the time of your life!"
"You're gonna have to hold on for a sec," she retorted. "Someone's on the other line."
"Kagome! Kag--." He was cut off with the touch of a button.
"Moshi moshi?"
"…" Only silence greeted her.
"Moshi … moshi?" she repeated. "Wait a sec … is this the person who's been calling me and hanging up without leaving a message? Listen, if you're some kind of stalker or something like that--."
"… Kagome?" A chill ran down her spine. The voice was frighteningly familiar. It stirred something inside her that she had tried to suppress for quite a while now.
It couldn't be … could it?
"Kagome … is that you?" Kagome gasped and pushed away from the end table she was leaning over. The cradle was knocked off the table and the phone spun across the room.
"—that girl better get off the other line soon," Jakotsu grumbled. "Kagome!" Kagome huffed and fought to get her breathing back to normal. She made her way to the phone and picked it up.
"Ja-jakotsu?" Her voice was shaky and her hands trembled as she spoke.
"Kagome?" All the fun was drained out of his voice. "What happened?"
"I think … I think I will be meeting you after all. Give me two hours tops."
"That's my girl." You could hear the smile in his voice.
"Well," Kagome started. "I better change. I'll call you later."
"See ya, babe."
With that, Kagome hung up and let out a deep breath. She picked up the cradle and set it on the end table; placing the phone back down onto its cradle and turning off the answering machine. She stared at the long forgotten popsicle on the floor; it was starting to melt and a pink puddle had gathered around it. Wordlessly walking over it, she made her way to the bathroom.
Kagome leant over the bathroom counter and stared at her reflection, creeping closer and closer until her nose touched the cool glass. Her eyes flickered about until they settled on two puncture marks on the side of her neck. She gently caressed the scars and she saw a flash of gold; moments later she was on the floor; crying and heaving for breath.
"Kami," she muttered while wiping away her tears. "Why are you calling me, Takemura (3)? After all these years … why now?"
Kagome sighed and gripped onto the counter, hoisting herself up. Looking at her puffy eyed reflection, she smirked. She hadn't cried like this in years … heck, she hadn't cried in years period. It felt a bit … relieving; like all this lingering grief had been sucked out of her body. She took a deep breath before letting it all out again.
"Pull yourself together, girl," she told herself. "You got through this before, you can do it again"
She then turned on the water to take a shower, scalding hot, just the way she liked it.
end.
(1) Kugutsu : puppet .
(2) Puppet, strings, you get it?
(3) Last name of the person that called Kagome just before
AN : Hope you liked it you guys. Why does tab not work! It's very bothersome -o-;; Well, feel free to leave reviews with criticism or praise on this new fic. Thanks and I'll update soon ( thought ahead and already started next chapter ). Bye ;D