Chapter 1

Cry Me A River

A young girl, the ripe age of eighteen, scanned the ground, her eyes never leaving the rock in front of her, bouncing about as her foot made contact with it for the fifth time. A small, but noticeable smile adorned her face, as her bag swayed back and forth to the rhythm of her feet. The cool air nipped at her cheeks, causing them to turn a light shade of scarlet. She lifted her water-coiled orbs, staring at the tree she was approaching. One day. One day to relax was all she needed. She sighed as she sat down, her back leaning against the trunk of the tree.

A small vibration on her left hip brought her from her stupor. She turned her attention to the vibrating object, smiling as she flipped the small contraption open.

"Moshi, Moshi, Kagome Higurashi speaking," she said cheerfully into the mouthpiece.

A strained sigh was heard on the other line causing Kagome to sigh as well. What was it now?

"Sango, are you okay?" She asked cagily. Said person stiffened on the other line.

"Kagome…I think you should know something…"

"Something just isn't right
I can feel it inside
The truth isn't far behind me
You can't deny
When I turn the lights out
When I close my eyes
Reality overcomes me
I'm living a lie
…"

Anticipation unfolded within her belly, her breath hitching. "W-what is it?" She didn't like her friend's tone at all, full of sympathy and worry.

"Kagome…Inuyasha…he…I saw him with…Kikyo," Sango said slowly, disbelievingly. She had tried many times to convince herself that Inuyasha did nothing to her best friend but the evidence was sitting right in front of her, taunting her. She had to tell. She had to tell someone and that someone was unfortunately his…girlfriend.

"When I'm alone
I feel so much better
And when I'm around you
I don't feel…"

Kagome's eyes widened, and a silent gasp escaped her lips. It felt as if her heart stopped beating, her whole world had just collapsed, leaving her vulnerable and naked in the mists of time. She licked her lips, her hand trembling. She couldn't believe the words coming out of her best friend's mouth. Her sister and Inuyasha…together.

There had to be a mistake. As much as she wanted to believe her sister and boyfriend would never do something like that, she had to. Something in her gut was telling her it was true. She went numb. She didn't feel the rock digging sharply into her palm, nor did she feel the hot tears that sprang from her face, bounding their way down her cheeks, landing visibly on the dirt ground. One day to relax. One day to have peace was turned into a day of pain and vengeance.

"Kago-Kagome? Are you ok?" Her friend's soothing voice brought her from her broken stupor.

She licked her lips once more, making sure she could still feel. "Ye-Yes Sango I'm fine," she said putting on a cheery façade. Her friends words bore right though her mask, knocking it out of place.

"Together
It doesn't feel right at all
Together
Together we've built a wall
Together holding hands we'll fall
Hands we'll fall…"

"No you're not, I'm coming to see you. I have a good feeling I know where you are." The line went dead, along with her world.

O.o.O

She entered the house with the door slamming viciously behind her. How could he stoop so low, how could he do that? Sure she had noticed some changes about him. He would always hang out with Kikyo, wanting to be near her. How could she have been so blind?

He had forced her into love, a relationship she was not yet ready for. He was just like everyone else. He was just like him. Using her and then throwing her away, leaving her fragile body, exposed. He had ripped out her heart, feeding it to the dogs. He had stooped lower than low. And this time, he wasn't getting away with it.


"This has gone on so long
I realize that I need
Something good to rely on
Something for me…"

She should have realized it. It could have smacked her in the face and she wouldn't have known the difference. Her eyes were overclouded in lust, her mind in a different world. How could she have been so stupid? Everything she needed to prove him wrong was right in front of her. His calling had been less and less frequent, until it stopped altogether for her…but for her sister, the calls kept building up and she had never noticed. Love can be blinding…


She weaved through the house, stumbling through the kitchen, her feet carried her, and unconsciously she came to her sister's room. She didn't know whether to be excited or nervous, to smirk or to smile. Yes she could hear them. She could hear their footsteps, the crash on the bed, the painting falling from the wall.

"When I'm alone
I feel so much better
And when I'm around you
I don't feel…"

She could barely stand it, but had to. She turned the knob, her hand pushing the door open. Neither occupant noticed the figure standing in the doorway. Neither noticed the look of hurt and rage etched across her face. What she saw was definitely a sore sight for her eyes.

Two furry triangles twitched, his sun-kissed orbs meeting with those of tear stricken coiled-blue ones. His lips left the pair below him, his strands of silver, leaving the shoulders of the other.

"Together
It doesn't feel right at all
Together
Together we've built a wall
Together holding hands we'll fall
Hands we'll fall…"

His face was pained, his orbs held worry and surprise. How did he allow this? How did he get caught? He had been careful had he not? Changing his voice from time to time, making up lies. It's amazing how one little white lie can cause you to want to bury them…alive.

"Inuyasha…why?" The question had been running through her mind for eternity now, lingering on her soul. Said man stiffened, his ears drooping. What had he done? The girl he cradled so lovingly in his arms turned gasping. They had been caught…

"My heart is broken
I'm lying here
My thoughts are choking
On you, my dear
On you, my dear
On you, my dear…"

Kikyo wanted to say she'd never do such a thing to her sister, commit such a lowly crime. But she couldn't. What was done was done. Kikyo saw it all, the pain imprinted in her expression, her eyes brimming tears, the tears she shed for them. It was all pity…

Inuyasha tried to say something; his throat went dry. How was he supposed to explain this? How was he supposed to tell her that he had been seeing her sister for more then a year now? How?

"When I'm alone
I feel so much better
And when I'm around you
I don't feel…"

"Kagome…I…I don't know what to say…I'm sorry…" Inuyasha answered.

She could have torn his eyes out of his sockets right then, she could have pierced his lips with a knife, she could have stabbed him over and over in the heart. Then, just then would he understand what she felt right now. 'That insufferable pig…'

If her heart could have sunk under the depths of her blood, it would have it rock bottom. A lump formed in her throat as she looked to her sister for an explanation. Her sister's eyes held not but a string of remorse. And it would never change.

"When I'm around you
When I'm around you
I don't feel together
I don't feel together…"

"I don't love you anymore, Kagome," a voice spoke. She turned her eyes blazing at the one she called her boyfriend, her lover. That was the last straw, the last thing to control her rage. How could you get tired of loving someone? How?

Her sister got up from the arms of her protector, her eyes bitter and lifeless. She was different. He had changed her or time had changed her. She brushed past Kagome, her shoulder pushing lightly on hers, her midnight black hair flowing past her face. What had he done to her sister? Where was the sweet, amorous, sister she had once gotten along with so well? What monster had he created? Now she knew, things would never be the same.

"You're nothing but a whore. At least your sister has some dignity," he spat, his voice rough and hurtful.

"When I'm around you
When I'm around you
I don't feel together
I don't feel together…"

His words struck a nerve. They hit that spot, which only people you care about can hit. She turned around, her back facing him. "It's quite the opposite. Now get out," she said calmly even though inside she was caving in.

He let out a sigh, walking past her like her sister did. "See ya bitch," he said slamming the door behind him.

"When I'm around you
When I'm around you
I don't feel together
I don't feel together…"

She ran to her room, collapsing on the bed. The dam she had built up broke, her tears flowing freely like river gushing through the luscious green fields. Only this time, the fields were barren wastelands full of sorrow and impair…

O.o.O

After Inuyasha had victoriously ripped her heart out in front of her and thrown it on the floor she had built herself a cocoon and hid her wings. She had isolated herself from everyone—even her own friends and family. Sango however, didn't want to give up on her. She visited everyday making sure Kagome was okay and that she had everything she needed.

Kagome could not express how grateful she was that Sango was there for her. Right now all she needed was a shoulder to lean on and someone to comfort her. Sango was just that person. She hadn't ever given up on Kagome from day one. Kagome smiled as she walked down the sidewalk. She remembered when they first met.

Kagome had been playing blissfully in the sand when a figure loomed over her area. She looked up only to see cold, emotionless crimson orbs. Naraku Onigumo. He was 'in charge' of the school, three grades above herself. He had always been a jerk, picking on those who were younger and more vulnerable than he. He kicked some sand laughing as she felt it splash roughly onto her skin, a rock hitting her eye. She cried out in pain as he kicked once more only this time kicking her knee instead with full-blown force. Tears slid down her face as she watched Naraku scan over her sandcastle before knocking it down with his fist. He raised his hand to punch her when a female voice came into range.

"Naraku stop!" a girl about three years older than her called. "Leave her alone!"

Naraku turned towards the offender only to have a kick sent reeling towards his gut. He coughed and regained his composure after the agility of the kick had worn off.

"Fine, Taijya. But you owe me," he said walking off.

Kagome listened to his voice, like spiders creeping into her ears and crawling down her spine. She had never heard something so lifeless…so cold…

Her savior smirked down at her holding out a hand. "I'm Sango. What's your name?"

"Kagome."

She giggled slightly reminding herself to thank Sango once again, for twelve years ago.

She kicked a rock grumbling under her breath. What a week. She had a 'date' with Sango tonight. She said Kagome needed to get out more. Ever since that fateful day, she saw them everywhere. It was like saying, 'oh, look, a bird.' Did kami really have to bestow this fate upon here when he could have given it to anyone else?

She sighed as she came to the conclusion that up 'there' she was just another lowly person who had to go by the rulebook.

Kagome turned the corner, skipping past the coffee shop. About five stores down was the 'club' that Sango wanted her to come to. 'Yume Namida.' She heard it was supposed to be really tranquil and calming. She walked past the last corner looking at the building.

Kagome was about to walk in when a slight slap against the cement was heard. She turned around to see a man of mid-twenties trying to keep his balance, crawling up, applying all his weight to his hands. She came to one conclusion. He was drunk.

She carefully strolled over studying him. Blood trickled down his bottom lip, dried blood caking around his mouth. His left wrist had a bulge popping out. She figured he had broken a bone or two. She was about to put a gentle hand on his shoulder when a fist shot out grabbing her wrist. She snapped around to find Sango holding her wrist in place.

"Kagome stay away from him, he's trouble," Sango warned as she dragged her towards the door. "That is Jakotsu Katanna."

Kagome nodded taking in all the new information. She felt like she was in her first day of high school again. Not knowing who to trust and who to be friends with. Luckily she had Sango now and then.

Sango led her to a table pushing away the excess beer glasses that lay dormant to the side. "So Sango, why are we here?" Kagome asked nonchalantly.

Sango laughed and pointed over to the stage. "It's open mic night and I know how much you love to sing."

Kagome gave a weary look towards her friend. "Uh, Sango I don't kn-"

"Next we have Kagome Higurashi," the man on the stage announced.

Kagome turned to Sango her eyes narrowed into slits. "You already signed me up!?" she hissed.

Sango laughed nervously as she gave Kagome a light shove towards the empty stage. Kagome looked around the room, all eyes on her. She gulped taking a mic.

"Okay well I'm going to sing a song I wrote about someone who hurt me in more ways than he could ever imagine," Kagome said, her voice cracking to the slightest degree. She turned back and picked up a guitar that was resting idly against the wall.

She sat on the stool in the middle of the stage and brought her fingers down to the strings of the guitar. As her fingers plucked the beautiful melody from the instrument it seemed as if she was the only one left in the world.

"It seems like yesterday that my world fell from the sky / It seems like yesterday I didn't know how hard I could cry / It feels like tomorrow I may not get by / But I will try / I will try / Wipe the tears from my eyes / I'm beautifully broken / And I don't mind if you know it / I'm beautifully broken / And I don't care if I show it…"

She paused for a millisecond, her eyes sweeping over the crowd. It seemed she had caught every ones attention. What caught her attention the most was the simple chime of a bell. Looking over to the entrance she saw him. The one who had caused her so much pain and torment. She could feel tears brimming her eyes but focused on the melody and closed her eyes singing with more passion than she ever had before.

"Everyday is a new day / I'm reminded of my past / Every time there's another storm / I know that it won't last / Every moment I'm filled with hope 'cause I get another chance / But I will try / I will try / Got nothing / Left to hide / I'm beautifully broken / And I don't mind if you know it / I'm beautifully broken / And I don't care if I show it / Without the highs and the lows / Where would we go / Where would we go…"

She kept her eyes closed tightly trying to avoid any eye contact with Inuyasha. She didn't need him ruining her mood. She knew he was still there, she could feel his piercing sun-coiled orbs boring holes into her own closed eyelids.

"I'm beautifully broken / And I don't mind if you know it / I'm beautifully broken / And I don't care if I show it / Oh I'm beautifully broken / I'm beautifully broken / I'm beautifully broken / And I don't care if I show it…"

She sighed as she finished, opening her eyes relieved that he had gone back out the door. She got up not expecting the occupants of the club to burst into applause. She may have been good but that good? She was just another girl with her share of problems who knew how to crack a few songs.

She gave a genuine smile as she reached the bottom of the steps, enveloped in a huge hug from her best friend.

Sango pulled back only to stare at her before pulling her into another friendly embrace. "Oh my god Kagome I knew you were good but that was awesome babe!" Sango squealed as she led her back to the table.

Kagome laughed sheepishly. "Uh…thanks…?"

Sango chuckled softly before taking a sip of her drink. "When did you write that and why have I never heard it?!" Sango asked.

Kagome sighed and rolled her eyes slightly. Just like Sango to crash a bunch of questions down on her. "I wrote it last night," she continued bowing her head slightly. "I had to do something to let him know how I felt."

"I think he knows now. He was-"

"Standing right there, I know. I'm surprised my sister wasn't attached to his arm. I have about three more songs written about him. They're not too good but whatever. Anyways what do you want to do Sat-"

"Excuse me, Ms. Higurashi was it?" A masculine voice bellowed from behind her.

Kagome saw Sango's eyes widen as she looked behind her. Kagome turned around, her water-coiled orbs meeting with similar honey dipped orbs, almost identical to Inuyasha's. She gasped as her eyes swept over his features, one word running through her mind. 'Gorgeous.'

A rosy tint rode to her cheeks when she realized she had been staring. She returned her eyes to his face, which seemed to have not changed expressions. "Yes, that's me."

Kagome reluctantly scooted over not liking the idea of some strange man talking to her. "Please sit," she offered despite her former thoughts.

He nodded his head. "No thank you, I have just come to give you this." He pulled a card from his pocket sliding it towards her across the table. "Give me a call if you're interested in a record deal."

Kagome gaped at his fading form. Did he just say what she thought he said? Record deal? She shook her head slightly only to find Sango excitedly reading the card. "Kagome…he-he works for Ikatzu Records!"

Kagome stared at her in disbelief. The most fluent, biggest, and most popular record company's owner had just offered her a record deal? "I-Ikatzu Rec-cords?" she gulped snatching the card away from her best friend's clutches.

She scanned over the card. There was no lie. The proof was right there.

Sesshomaru Taisho

Ikatzu Records

Studio: 609-5349

Cell: 338-9231

Kagome nodded her head taking in all the information. Now she knew why he seemed so familiar. His records' ads were everywhere, all the stars thanking him in person for giving them such a chance. A chance for fame, for money, for everything they didn't have before.

What perplexed her the most was that he looked so much like Inuyasha. He never mentioned anything about an older brother or any of his family at that. No they couldn't be related, they had different last names. But it's not everyday you meet someone with beautiful silver hair and amber eyes.

Thinking of Inuyasha surprisingly didn't hurt her as much as she thought. She realized they didn't talk much as it was. They were like a high school couple for the first few weeks and then it was just kissing, make-out sessions, and groping. She thanked Kami after they had broken up that they didn't take it that far. She would have lost herself in a sea of tears if she had known he had just used her for a pleasurable night.

Her eyebrows knitted together as she took a sip of her drink, Sango still gushing over the card. She gave a slight smile and returned to her thoughts.

If that was what he wanted he would have taken her purity by then wouldn't he? There was something else he was using her for. It was most likely to get close to Kikyo.

'I mean why not? She has the figure, the looks, the personality-okay maybe not the personality but she's calm and outgoing and knows what she wants. Who wouldn't want her? Especially my boyfriend…well ex…'

Kagome sighed as leaned back into the seat, her back making a slight imprint in the leather seat.

"Sango," she called getting her friends attention. "What's wrong with me?"

Sango's features softened and she got up walking over to sit next to sit next to Kagome. "Nothing sweetie, why do you ask?"

Kagome sighed once again. "Well if Inuyasha wasn't using me for a pleasurable night then what was he using me for? I mean there had to be something wrong with me," she explained.

Sango looked down at the table her fingers tracing patterns upon its top. "I honestly don't know Kagome. I'll tell you now; there is nothing wrong with you. He's a moron for not seeing what a special girl you are. And I mean that with all my heart, as your best friend."

Kagome smiled a single tear sliding down her cheek. "Thank you Sango. You have no idea how much it means to have you as a friend."

"Always Kagome. Always."

Kagome nodded once again as the two exchanged a friendly embrace. "You wanna go home?"

Sango nodded as she walked over to the other side of the table gathering her purse and jacket. "Ready?" she asked turning towards Kagome.

Kagome nodded as she slipped her jacket over her shoulders. "My house? Movie marathon?" she suggested.

Sango smiled and nodded giddily. "Race you to the car," Sango challenged as she took off at top speed, well the fastest she could for heels.

"Hey not fair!" Kagome called after her as she too took off towards the mass of cars.

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A/N: Review!