"Where there is a will, there is a way. If there is a chance in a million that you can do something, anything, to keep what you want from ending, do it. Pry the door open or, if need be, wedge your foot in that door and keep it open." - Arthur Pine
Chapter 1: Monday left me broken
The giggles and cheering from children could be heard in a nearby field. They played among the daisy covered hills, with grass stains marking the grey rags for clothes they wore. Each child wore bright smile each held a deep mirth within the toothy grins. As they played simple games that didn't require any tools or equipment. A sole adult female could be seen sitting with the younger children. They sat around her, playing with the many daisies that were once held to the green vegetation under their feet. Her own dress was brown and simplistic, it's hem on the bottom of the dress was covered in holes and muck. Her cream apron didn't fair well either, many patches and dirt marks greedily decorated it's once Ivory fabric. The woman herself was a unique beauty. Of Asian descent she inherited the pale skin and midnight black hair. Her unusual bright, doe, sapphire eyes caught much attention, mainly because she was Asian and they usually had dark brown and grey. Her lips held a small touch of peach, adding to it's gloss and plumpness. Her heart shaped face was framed by bangs, and the curve of her back was touched by her unbound hair. The woman had developed curves and was quite skinny. She was quite a gem in everyone's eyes, except her own. Belittled constantly by a man you once loved has some unfortunate side effects on one's mental and emotional state.
The woman herself, was showing the young children around her, how to make daisy crowns and chains, she slowly spoke and showed the children the process. The children seem to brighten at their success of the crowns and chains, some frowned and titled their heads in confusion at the mess of daisies in their hands. The woman giggled at their cute expressions. And repeated the process showing those who failed how to do it, but even slower and more simple. The children seem to gather the necessary instructions more adequately and finished with a successful products. The woman simply smiled as they all showed off their crowns and chains, some even ran over to the other children, who were playing games instead and showed them their projects. The woman laughed at their eagerness and stood up allowing the broken pieces of daises to trail off her dress, she patted it down to rid herself of dust and any clinging pieces of grass or daises. She looked to her right and saw the sun not far from setting soon. Deciding to call the children to her, she let out a yell which alerted them that it was time to go. The children frowned deeply and we're disappointed that the day ended so quickly, some were ecstatic to go to the house to eat and rest. The woman smiled and held the two youngest children's hands as they all walked to the edge of the field. Some tripped over rocks and small holes in the ground but they pushed forward till they arrived at a double story stone house that was located on the edge of the field, right next to the village.
The house was huge, but worn down. It's stone walls were covered with a dark green moss and were wet to the touch. A simple design was the house before them, few windows on each level with two doors at the back and front. The woman let the children run to house since they were in range and the children were safe. She felt a tug on her dress as she looked down to find one of her favourite little ones. The little boy was unique with his bright messy red hair and his emerald eyes. But he was quiet around others and extremely affectionate around her. His small voice broke her day-dreaming and gained her attention to the little one.
"Mama...do you think they will know?" The little boy inquired, the woman picked him up and positioned him so he sat on her hip. She smiled softly at him before responding to his question.
"They are young and do not need to know information that could kill them." Her tone was stern with warmth to it. The boy nodded his head and jumped out of her hold to go and play. But stopped and turned to face her, he puffed his chest out and with a small blush declared.
"Either way Mama, I still love you!" He ran into the house to play before dinner was served. The woman smiled at the boy's words and continued into the house, to prepare dinner.
She served them with what little food she could afford. Some of the older children left to work and created lives without relying on her. A majority of times they were grateful to her, for raising them, so they gave her money to help her, but sometimes it wasn't enough to feed thirty children. But she grew their own food in the back garden, away from thieves and poor beggars. She always had to make new recipes that would allow the kids to get the nutrients they needed but not taste terrible at the same time. The hardest part of the day was preparing the children for bed and sending them to sleep with barely half-filled stomachs.
The woman sighed in exhaustion as one of the older boys came to say goodnight to her.
"Thank you again for another joy filled day, even if our stomachs are not full." The brown-eyed boy smiled gratefully her, the blue eyed woman returned the smile.
"You're welcome Mark. Now a growing man needs his sleep, off to bed with you." He laughed quietly and nodded to her before giving his goodnight.
"Goodnight, Miss Kagome." Her smile seem to disappear as he walked away. She turned around and headed to her room.
Her room had to be the worst of all of the rooms. The wooden floors were mouldy and dam, always creaking too. The ceiling didn't fair much better, as it dripped even if it didn't rain. The windows were cloudy and blurred, they hadn't been washed in years. Her bed was not even raised like the children's, instead it was just an old mattress and a small thin blanket and single almost featherless pillow. It reminded Kagome of a futon. But a really uncomfortable and smelly one.
She sighed, depressed at her living conditions. At least the children were happy with their rooms. Good thing her room was off limits to everyone or they would throw a fit. She laid back onto her old mattress and felt a few springs stabbed her back painfully. She curled up onto the mattress and covered herself with the thin sheet. She didn't even undress herself, like she had any night clothes anyway. She was probably the worse one off. But Kagome didn't care. You see she had everything she could have asked for, even if the living conditions were a tad uncomfortable. She had a family, not by blood, but a family. She had home, a place to shelter her and her family. And by her standards she was happy. But it still wore her down day after day.
Running an orphanage can be hard work. Especially for just one woman. The older children helped out but how could she ask a bunch of teenagers to raise kids? The answer was she couldn't. She couldn't force that on them, she would let them explore and grow, just so they could be kids.
So Kagome selflessly made an orphanage.
Yes, the woman before the children was a true gem.
After a heartbreaking and devastating final battle, Kagome was left with nothing but her kit. Her little Shippo. And that was all she needed.
She remembered when they buried the broken and torn bodies of their once friends, even if they betrayed her she would let them be at peace. She prayed everyday just before she went to sleep, that they found peace and happiness in the afterlife. She even prayed for Naraku, she prayed that he embraced his human side, Onigumo, and that he found peace when he was purified. She prayed for Sesshomaru. The cold hearted demon acknowledged her strength that day, granting her a place in his pack, she prayed for his happiness and prosperity to his land. She smiled to herself thinking of the dog demon. A true ally, maybe even a friend, he told her before she left, to live on and find a better happiness than what the half breed could offer. Turning on her side She felt the springs poke into her ribs, her skinny body was sickly. She didn't even eat half as much as what the children ate, for she gave her food to the kids hoping to keep their strength up. But she was fit surprisingly, she figured it had something to do with the Shikon Jewel pulsing in her chest.
She chuckled at the depressing thought. Her mind grew heavy quickly, sleep was upon her. Before she gave in she let out her aura feeling the sleeping children's aura's she was pleased. She spread it further, draining herself a bit. She felt Shippo's energy outside. The boy rarely sleeps due to his demon heritage, at most he sleeps three times a week since he is still a child. But he insisted on the days he didn't sleep, to patrol the area. It wouldn't do for thieves to make them less poor than before. She silently thanked Shippo and his efforts as she wrapped her aura around him and was extremely pleased when she felt his reciprocating aura pulse. She felt his silent message of "goodnight" and she smiled again. Closing her eyes, she let sleep take her into her sweet memories.
◠◡(◕^^◕)◡◠
A lone figure stood upon a roof top, watching a small boy practice martial arts outside a run down house. The man watched the boy intently, observing the fluent and smooth kicks and punches the boy displayed. He had watched the boy every night for the last week and he finally came to the decision. He knew this boy was the next weapon for the military.
But another figure within the home aroused his curiosity. The woman. A lonely woman who cared for thirty odd children. A woman who was young yet seemed wise. He was very much interested in what this woman had to offer.
I actually wrote this a while back like maybe May? It's a cute little story that I love when I read it. So I thought maybe I should post it. It's pretty short compared to my normal chapters which are around 2,000 words each, but this one was like 500 short. Oh well. This is a crossover fanfiction of Attack on Titan and Inuyasha. This will be set in Attack on Titan after the final battle in Inuyasha. Everything will be explained in the chapters so don't worry.
Remember only constructive criticism and positive reviews!
Love you cookies!