The face of loneliness

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha franchise in any way. It all belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.

Chapter 1

Epilogue

The face of loneliness

In a world where demons and humans co-exist in dislike for each other, being a half breed is something of a sin. Inuyasha is a foster child taken in by Mrs. Higurashi. She knows how hard life can be and she shields her child from the harsh outside world. Inuyasha's human mother died of illness, and his father killed for committing the sin of breeding with a human woman. Inuyasha grows up a quiet boy, confused as to why he is any different. He learns to trust no one but his mother, and hates anyone who tries to judge him. His step-sister Kagome, a beauty, full of light, she's very popular with the boys and Inuyasha is just sickened with her. Always tries to act as if everything is okay when she's so perfect she doesn't know the feeling of being all alone.

Inuyasha looked outside his tinted window at the people passing by walking the streets going along with their lives. A surge of anger flowed through his veins and his palms tightened into fists. He was trapped in an 11x9 room with nothing but his stacks of journals. He found peace in writing his frustrations in paper.

He turned to the sloppy stack over his desk, walked over, and grabbed the journal at the top. He sat down and opened it to a blank page. He grabbed a pen from his pencil cup and tried it out by writing a few scribbles. The pen seemed to be out of ink so he tried another, and another. He really hoped this year his mom would finally buy him that laptop he wanted so he could have an upgrade from the dusty journals he was running out of space to store. Finally finding a pen that worked he began his entry.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

So I'm sitting here in my room. Nothing new. Mom is always working and I'm still not allowed out of the grounds of the shrine. I recently went through a home school teacher change. Mom doesn't want me to know, but I think she booked it because she hated me. Fuck her then too. I don't need her. I still don't understand where I stand. I hate the life I live. This is the only thing that makes me feel okay. This .15 cent note book mom buys me at the dollar store is the only person I have to talk to. It sounds stupid doesn't it? Why can't they get over themselves and let me out? Kagome actually sat with me at breakfast today. She tried to get a conversation out of me, but it's just too weird. She's always trying to be nice to me, but I know she's just trying to be nice because mom tells her to. She's got so many friends, why would she want to talk to me? Stupid girl...

He closed the journal and stacked it back up in its place. Leaning back in his chair he stared up at the ceiling and tried to catch his gaze on a single blade from the ceiling fan. Getting a bit dizzy, he stood up and walked to the kitchen downstairs. The light from outside creeping through the windows graced his pale soft skin. It felt good on him. How he wished he could just run out into the open without being looked at like some kind of monster.

"Good afternoon Inuyasha. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. I'm making Udon." His mother said.

"Thanks. Is there anything I can snack on before?" He asked.

His mother went into the fridge and pulled out some baby carrots. "Here. It's healthy and delicious."

Inuyasha eyed the small bag. His mother was such a health nut. "Thanks mom."

He grabbed the bag and walked into the living room. He plopped on the couch and found the remote to the TV. Turning it on and settling into his seat he began to crunch into his carrots. There was something on the news about a criminal demon being wanted for allegations of killing a local human woman, but it didn't interest him so he changed the channel. Some anime was on and he began to watch as the girls ran around in their short skirts and huge breasts.

"Hello? I'm home!" He voice traveled through the house.

Inuyasha let a low growl escape his vocal chords. Kagome was home. Those big brown eyes always showing him signs of sorrow and pity. He couldn't stand her fake concern. His mom never forced him to have some kind of relationship with her. She understood his difficult position and that meant he was not forced to do anything he didn't feel comfortable with. He did not feel any kind of comfort around Kagome Higurashi, so befriending her was not going to happen.

Kagome pulled her shoes off and walked into the kitchen.

"Mm..Smells good mom. I'm starving!"

"Dear, will you set the table? I'm just about done cooking this udon."

Kagome grabbed a few place mats and napkins and walked into the dining room. She looked over through the doorway and noticed Inuyasha's ears peaking over the couch as he watched TV. She finished with the things she had in her hand and went back into the kitchen to grab the silverware and the bowls.

"How's Inuyasha today?" She asked.

"He's fine dear. Why do you ask?"

"I sort of talked to him this morning over breakfast. He wasn't very talkative, but I just want to make him feel comfortable around me." She stacked the bowls and grabbed the silverware. She stood there waiting on her mother's reply.

"That is a nice gesture on your part Kagome. I don't want to make him feel unwanted or like he's a burden in any way. Please go easy on him. He's very shy dear." Mrs. Higurashi said.

"Of course mom. I just try and he never says anything. It's like talking to a wall." She said.

Mrs. Higurashi just shrugged and turned the heat off the udon. "Go and set the table. I'll come serve the bowls in just a sec."

Kagome set the bowls and silverware and looked up again at the silver haired boy. He sat there flipping through channels, indifferent to anything around him.

She walked over and stood behind him. Inuyasha tensed up, but refused to look back at her. He acted as if he didn't notice her presence behind him.

"Hey there." She broke the silence. She saw his ears twitch in acknowledgement, but not a word came from his mouth.

She made her way around the couch and sat right next to him. She felt him subtly inch his way away from her.

Kagome looked down at her hands twirling around her fingers. "Um, how was your day?"

Inuyasha shrugged keeping his eyes glued to the TV. What was she trying at?

Kagome, giving up, stood and straightened her skirt. "Well, food is ready. Come join us." She said and walked away into the dining room.

Inuyasha watched her leave and relaxed as he saw her disappear into the living room. She couldn't be this nice could she?

He got himself up and turned the TV off. He walked to the dining room and sat down. His mother came in with a big pot of good smelling udon.

"Kagome, call the guys in here. They're outside. Grandpa is cleaning the shed and your brother is playing soccer." Mrs. Higurashi said.

Kagome walked off and soon Inuyasha heard the door click open and closed. He was never bothered by Sota. The kid was always glued to his video games and soccer that he never even bothered with Inuyasha. They were years apart and had nothing in common.

"Son. I know you feel a little intimidated by Kagome and Sota, but I assure you they are good kids. Try to make an effort to talk to them. I know it's hard to relate to them because they spend so much time outdoors." Mrs. Higurashi said putting her hands on his shoulders in comfort.

Inuyasha rested a hand over hers. He knew she meant nothing but good. He trusted this woman. Her kindness was as pure as his previous mother.

"Okay." Is all he managed to say. She poured a ladle full of udon into his bowl. The smell shot up his nose and his mouth began to water.

Kagome and the others walked into the house and joined the two at the dining table. Mrs. Higurashi finished serving everyone and sat down herself.

"Wow, this smells really good." Kagome's grandpa said.

"Thank you." She said with a smile on her face.

Everyone began to eat. Kagome stole a glance at Inuyasha as he ate his bowl in silence. He looked up and their eyes met. A blush formed on her cheeks and she looked back down at her food.

"Kagome, Sota, have you two finished your weekend homework?" Mrs. Higurashi asked.

"I did. Sota has been playing soccer all weekend." Kagome said laughingly.

Sota shot her a glare. "I did do my homework!" He argued.

"If I get any phone calls about this, I'll take your video games away for 2 weeks Sota." Mrs. Higurashi said.

After dinner ended Kagome helped her mother clean up the dishes and put up the left overs. She thanked her mother for dinner and walked upstairs to her room. She looked at her phone and saw a text message from her boyfriend, Hojo.

Hey beautiful. What are you up to?

A smile spread across her face and she began to type a reply.

Nothing. Just got done with dinner. About to hop into the shower.

She put the phone down on her nightstand and made her way back into the hall and down to the bathroom.

She turned the water on and adjusted the water to a nice warm temperature. She undressed and stepped into the shower. The water ran down her body in a soothing warm embrace.

"Ahh..this feels so good." She said to herself.

She squirted some shampoo into her palm and began to lather it into her hair. She washed it off and began to condition. In the midst of that a vision of Inuyasha came to her mind. She remembered her mother's words over dinner.

"Maybe I should try a more subtle way of approaching him." She thought to herself.

She finished showering and wrapped herself in a towel. She stepped out and walked back into her room. On the way she walked by Inuyasha's room and saw that the door was slightly cracked.

She crept up to the door and peeked in. She saw him lying on his bed listening to music. She would try to talk to him again. First, she would have to get dressed.

She went into her room and saw the glow from her phone indicating there was an unread message. She unlocked it and read the message.

Sounds sexy. How about sending me a nude?

Kagome blushed and began to reply.

Too late. I'm already dressed. Maybe next time

She put the phone down and walked into her closet for a set of pajamas. She finally decided on a simple solid pink set of pajama pants and a button up shirt. She walked out into the hallway and towards Inuyasha's room.

The door was still cracked open and she peeked in once more. This time he sat at his desk looking into a journal. She took a deep breath and knocked softly on the door. Inuyasha quickly closed the journal and turned to see Kagome standing at the door.

"May I come in?" She asked.

Inuyasha looked down and remembering his mother's words, he nodded. She walked in and didn't know whether it was okay to sit or not, so she just stood.

"What you doing there?" She looked at the journal on his desk.

"Uh, nothing. Just reading over a few notes from home schooling." He said.

She nodded. He turned to the radio and turned it off. He walked over to the bed and sat down. He motioned for Kagome to sit on his desk chair, but she walked over and sat next to him on the bed. Inuyasha blushed and looked down onto his lap.

"Look, I know it's hard for you to socialize with the outside world. I want you to allow me to come into your world. I don't want you to be lonely." Kagome said.

She didn't get a response and he didn't look up at all. She sighed and reached for his hand. Inuyasha was now feeling his entire face turn red and he looked up at the bright brown eyes that looked deep into his. Her warm touch felt so new to him. Her hand felt so soft and gentle holding his.

"Hey, it's okay. I won't judge you. I don't think you're a monster or an accident. I know you're special, and I know you have a good heart inside." She spoke to him.

Inuyasha looked down at their hands intertwined. He didn't know what to think. Was she really being this honest? Did she really want to be around him? He shook his hand away from her and scooted away.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"Why? What's your point? I'm good without you or anyone else." He said. Pushing her away would keep him safe.

Kagome stood up. "Inuyasha, just let me in." She said with a smile on her face. She grabbed his hand and pulled him up.

"Let's go outside for a bit." She suggested.

"Why? I can't go anywhere past the shrine."

"Just come on. Let's walk around the shrine."

Kagome pulled him with her and out into the hallway. They made their way downstairs and slipped on some shoes. Kagome opened the front door slowly and led Inuyasha outside with her. They walked around the shrine grounds for a bit in silence.

"I don't want you to be lonely. I'm your foster sister. We're family." She said.

"Why now?" He asked.

"I was always afraid of you rejecting me. I wanted to give you your space." She admitted.

Inuyasha looked up into the darkening sky. He was so nervous he couldn't believe it. The wind blew a bit and her sweet scent hit his nose. She smelled of strawberries. The scent was intoxicating.

They ended up at the sacred tree that provided shade to their shrine. A tree that was so special to the family. Kagome sat down followed by Inuyasha.

"You have a lot of friends. Why would you want to talk to someone like me?"

"You know how silly you sound? I want to get to know you Inuyasha. You've been living here for so long now. It's only normal I get to know my foster brother." She said.

Inuyasha looked at her with a puzzled expression. He stood up and took a few steps towards the house.

"Don't waste your time." He said and walked away from her. He could not be tricked. He would not be dragged into that illusion she created.

"Wait!" She called out, but Inuyasha kept on walking. He walked inside and ran up to his room and closed the door.

He sat on the edge of his bed and threw himself back. He closed his eyes and replayed the events that took place, and all the words she said. She had a face of sincerity, but it was just so hard for him to just sit and agree with her. It was all so surreal. He slowly drifted to sleep with the memory of her scent and her touch on his mind.

Kagome made her way up to her room and lay face down on her bed hugging her pillow. She really tried to get him to open up to her, but it's as if she actually made it worse. She hoped he would take her words into consideration. She looked up and saw her phone's glow indicating a new message.

I miss you. Can't wait to see you tomorrow at school.

She was comforted a bit by his desire for her. Being rejected by Inuyasha hit something in her and it didn't feel good.

I can't wait either. I'm going to bed. I'll see you tomorrow morning at school. Love you.

She put her phone on its charger and covered herself with the blankets. She slept that night, dreaming of being in a wonderful place with a silver haired half demon.

A/N: I wanted to try my hand at an AU and here is my first chapter. I hope you like it as I do. Reviews are welcome.