My eyelid drooped low as sleep tried to grasp my body and take me under into a blissful darkness. I welcomed it, and how I wanted to fall into the abyss and never wake up! But something- no- someone was stopping me. Who were they? I struggled to slide the thin layer of skin that hid me away from the outside world open, but it proved impossible. I could feel my breath become shallow, not deep as it should have for rest. A pain stabbed me in my side and I wished for nothing other than release from the jagged claws that panged through my flesh. A gasp passed my lips that now pushed themselves ajar.
"St-Stop!" I pleaded aloud. I could feel a warm wetness slide down my cheeks. The pain subsisted for only a moment before it continued, quicker and harsher. I could not see the owner of the falcons, and I made a strained attempt to roll away. I was stopped when I came to the revelation that I was restrained. As if appearing out of nowhere, chains snaked around my body, holding me in place. "Stop!" I screamed again, a river of tears rolling down my cheekbones and to my neck where they dried and became a sticky mess. "Please!" My voice came to my ears as a raspy cough. Deeper the daggers dug into me, deeper they seemed to search. I screamed in agony, the pain overwhelming.
I couldn't stay awake anymore. It was too much. It hurt. It hur-
My eyes shot open as I sat up in bed. Sweat moistened my trembling skin as I put shaking figures to my side. Nothing. There was no one in the room with me, which I was grateful for, and the clock on the bedside table allowed me knowledge that it was only three in the morning.
It was that dream again...
I shook my head violently, my raven hair following suit and flying around. Taking a gulp of air, I turned back to the table and my hand wrapped around a small orange bottle. I popped the top of and threw two of the small pink capsules into my palm before putting the white child-safety lid back in its place. I replaced the small container of sleeping pills with a glass of water and gulped the mixture of the pills and water down greedily. Placing the empty cup back into its place in between the clock an medication I slumped back into my own place between my pillows and blankets. I pulled the comforter to my chin, shivers still raking my brain; the pain lingered in my thoughts. I had never gotten further than that, my mind always became alarmed as my subconscious tried to shut down. It was an odd chain of events, but I knew somewhere deep within me without it my heart would've stopped beating the first time I had the dream.
The first time...
The day of my father's death.
Chapter 1: School
I pushed my covers onto the floor as a howling of screeches emitted from my alarm clock and filled the silence that I ever so enjoyed. I slammed my fists into the loud thing's top, a grumble rising from my throat tiredly.
Another day.
Throwing my feet over the side of my bed I hopped down. The wooden floor was cold against my bare feet as I walked over to the opposite wall that inhabited my dresser. Pulling out a pair of jeans and what my friend Sango would refer to as 'a cute top' I slipped out of my night gown.
My footsteps padded the stairs gently as I walked downstairs, being greeted by my very tired mother and younger brother. "Where's Gramps?" I asked, obviously no more awake- or happy to be so- than the other two.
"Sleeping." My younger brother, Sota, yawned. He was slumped at the table, head wrapped up in his arms. He hadn't gotten dressed for the day yet, and I couldn't help but smile at the airplane footie pajamas the fourth grader wore.
"Now c'mon." My mother nudged Sota, a weak try to wake him up. "You don't want to be late for your first day of school." A murmur was all the response she got from him; he was too busy going back to sleep to form real words. I took a sheet next to him and mirrored his stance. My mother looked between the two of us, trying to think up a way to get us up. Her tired gears rotated slowly before she looked over to the sink.
Lady luck seemed to be on my side this morning, for I looked up just in time to duck the spray of water that came Sota and my direction.
"G-Gah!" Came a newly awakened cry. Sota sat up, his hands flying in front of his face. "Mom! Stop! I'm up! I'm up!" He surrendered. My mother so kindly released the presser she had on the sprayer's latch.
"Kagome?" Her tone dripped with warning as she looked over to where I flung had myself to in attempt to get out of the way of fire- water. I put my hands in the air to show I was no threat.
"Got the message!" I yelled. A moment of silence passed before my family and I burst out into a fit of chuckles.
"Go get dried up." My mother instructed Sota, tossing a towel in his direction. He jumped down from his very wet, very cold chair as he put the cloth up to his dripping hair.
•••
It came too quickly for my taste. One minute I was eating a bowl of rice, the next Sota and I were walking on the path that led us to hell, heavy school bags draped over our sloping shoulders.
"Kagome!" A cheerful voice called after me, causing my neck to turn. Sango, my best friend since kindergarten sprinted my way. I was astonished to see her run at such great speed with her backpack, full of brand new supplies that were required for the new year. She soon caught up to me and my brother. Only then did she allow herself to slow to regular speed.
"Hey." I said as she regained breath. A wide grin was plastered on the brunette's face to no one's surprise.
"Didcha hear?" She asked, shoving one last spoonful of air into her lungs.
"Hear what?" I asked, my eyes lolling back into my head. Sango had always been on for drama.
"There's a new teacher!" She exclaimed, excitement lacing into her words.
"What do they teach?" I asked, mentally praying she would say history. Our History teacher last year , Mr. Mock, had such a monotone voice that he could talk about the most interesting things and still bore her to sleep!
"Writing." She grinned. A small pout settled on my lips. I'd gotten my hopes up for Mock to leave and everything!
"What's their name?"
"I don't know yet, but I hear he's cute!" I found my palm acting on its own accord as it slapped my forehead. "What?" She asked innocently. I just shook my head, a sigh lingering on my lips as the school came into sight. I suddenly noticed that Sota had broken away from us, no doubt to find Sango's brother, Kohaku.
We came through the double doors with time to spare. The hallways were crisp and cleaned, the smell of floor wax still wafting in the air. "WELCOME BACK, WARRIORS!" Read a large poster that filled the entire wall near the front entrance. Walking into the cafeteria we met up with a few, anaerobic, teenagers that we called our lunch group. They were in some kind of debate, I noticed. Sitting down with Sango, I was handed a breakfast sandwich.
"Thanks, Miroku." I mused happily, taking the food from his hand. He also handed one to Sango, who took it just as willingly.
"No! No! That it *not* what happened!" A girl sitting opposite of me, Yura, called. I unwrapped my sandwich from its warm tin foil wrapping and brought it to my lips.
Oh how I missed this.
I thought with a slight smile as I took a bite of brisket and egg. The argument, I soon realised, was about a popular anime that we all loved. The fight continued to rage until a bell rang, telling everyone to go to their grade's homeroom and receive that semester's schedule. Sango, Miroku, and I walked together.
By the time we made it through the swarms of high scholars, teachers, parents, and volunteers and into the class room we had set out for, the letch had a bright red mark on his face. "Aw, Sango!" He grinned, still in his state of reverie. "Blame the hand, not me!" I rolled my eyes.
We walked in and waited for our assigned classes to be handed out. I got mine before Sango so I had to wait to look over it. It was a tradition that we had made our first year of middle school, looking over our schedules together so it'd be easier to compare. Once receiving the piece of purple paper, Sango swam through the bustling teens towards me. Simultaneously, we let our hungry eyes take in our fate. As I read over my classes, I silently complained.
First- Science
Second- Choir
Third- Writing
Fourth- Math
Fifth- Free
Sixth- Spanish
Seventh- History
And on Wednesdays we were forced into homeroom.
Sango's was similar, we had Science, Math, and History together. She broke away from me to find Miroku and compare. A few more minutes went by before we were all dismissed to first period by an old, crackling speaker announcement.
The day progressed like a snail covered in salt: slow, dry, and painful. Turns out, the new teacher had skipped the fist day, earning himself the reputation of "bad ass". The sub had it easy, just had to go over 'school rules' and 'overall policy'. Lunch time seemed like a blessing! Every single teacher so far talked about rules, rules, and, oh yeah, rules! I had enough of it, but I knew that I was in for three more classes of it.
•••
I sat down in the sea that Mr. Mock pointed to. He ha taken the liberty to assign us all seats the day before. Sango sat in the desk in front of me, thankfully. To the right of me sat a kid named Hojo. He was a sweet guy, but other than that I don't really know him. To the left sat Ayama. She was part of my lunch group, so I didn't min her. The only person I *did* mind was the women sitting behind me. Kikyo. I tensed at even the thought of her!
People say we look identical, but I didn't see it. Sure we both have dark eyes, long black hair, white skin, and stood about five feet one, but other than that we couldn't be more different! She was popular. Her attitude was always distant and moody. To top it off I had to share a class with her in Science, Writing, and History.
As Mr. Mock finished with the last bath of standing kids, he began to talk about the rules. No sooner did he get to the second sentence I was dozing off.
I don't know what it is about the guy, but he had a way to lull me into a land of dreams. Maybe I can take him home!
I coughed out loud as the realization of how wrong that could be taken ran through my mind. Sango looked over at me, questioning brown eyes under a cocked eyebrow. I dismissed her with a shake of my head. "Nothing!" I sputtered, receiving a glare from Mr. Mock.
•••
We were currently walking back home, backpacks light (we had stuffed everything Ito our lockers) and eyelids heavy.
"Today was so boring!" Sango complained loudly, stretching an arm over her head. I nodded in agreement. "And I hear that new teacher skipped!" She laughed.
"Who told 'ya that?" Sango grinned at me.
"Seeing as I don have writing, I have other sources." She explained.
"Those sources being...?"
"Other kids." She shrugged. Before the topic was changed, she added. "That an I heard a bunch of teachers freaking over it!" I shook my head.
"Eves dropping again, I see." I said, not being able to hold back to small smile that tugged the corners of my lips upwards.
"Hey!" She yelled defensively. "Its not eves dropping when they're speaking loud enough that anyone walking by can hear!"
"So what'd they say, anyway?" My question brought a twinkle to Sango's eye.
"Said that he called in five minutes prior to the bell, telling them he wasn't going to make it in!" She laughed. "They were all running around like 'what the hell!?'" I couldn't help but laugh as well, imagining my teachers scrambling around in pure frustration. "They were swearing up and down, too! You should've seen it, Kagome. It was a beautiful- beautiful!- sight."
•••
"I just can't wait for the weekend." Sango said after a while. We had walked back to my house and were now situated onto my small bed, an act we had become accustomed to over the many years of being friends.
"My house or yours?" I asked. Another tradition. The first weekend after the first week of school always consisted of a weekend long sleep over.
"Mine. Parents are going to be out of town!" She cheered. I made a slight sound that could be found in between "Yes!" And "Hell yeah!". "But," she said, her eyes turning dark, seriousness written on every one of her features. "We are *not* having a repeat of last year." I laughed.
"Hey, it was *your* fault for inviting Miroku over!" I chirped, patting her shoulder. An involuntary shiver ran up the girl's spine.
"That-" she had many choice words for the lecherous teenager, but at that moment my mother walked in bearing snacks.
"Hello, girls." Her voice was warm.
Hmpt, I thought with a slight roll of my eyes, someone obviously went straight to bed after Sota and I left. No one can be so cheery if they'd woken up at six.
"Hello, Mrs. Higurashi." Sango greeted, the foul speech she was about to deliver gone. My mother set down the bowl of cut apples down on my bedside table. Her eyes caught sight of the empty glass and she picked it up.
"Kagome, I have told you not to leave dishes in your room." She breathed before retaining her sweet act. "So how was school?"
"Boring." I murmured under my breath, receiving a slight smothered giggle from Sango.
"It was good." She recovered, sending me a glare from the corner of her eye that read "you know your mother hates that answer!"
And she did. Every time I responded with the truth, my mom would insist that there had to be *something* good about it.
"Well, Kagome dear, I need you to go shopping for dinner." A groan formed in my throat. Sango turned her attention to my bedside table with a gasp.
"Dinner time already? I better get going. My mom's gonna be pis- uh, mad if I don't get home soon." She jumped up and scurried out the door, backpack flying behind her. I wanted to run after her, yell "take me with you!" And be whisked away before I had to do any chores, but my mother was on me like a lion.
"We need potatoes." She informed.
Great. Now I have to go shopping without my shopping buddy.
I thought with a huff. Nodding to my mother I stood up and grabbed my purse.
I hummed a bright, up beat tune as I took the shrine stairs two at a time. Whomever came up with the idea to build anything at the top of the hundreds of stone slabs were either crazy or cruel!
I leapt off the last step and started down the sidewalk with a bounce in my movements. The late evening sun peaked over rooftops to rain light onto the path that led me to my destination. I swung my purse around in the air, but stopped when I entered the store. As I made my way to the back, where the potatoes were housed. I quickly compared prices, not too excited about blowing my money on dirt plants, before choosing a bag out and making my way back down the isle.
Continuing on to the cash register, my eyes fell upon the man who was in front of me, waiting the the now three person line. He had long, silky white hair and what looked like dog ears nestled in the nest of silver locks. It took everything inside of me not to reach up and grope the stranger's odd body parts, but I couldn't stop staring. The women in front of him held the hand of her child firmly, trying to keep the toddler from running off. She handed the cashier some money and told him "keep the change!" before grabbing her bag and pulling the kid away. I stood on my tip toes to watch the scene, the small boy putting up a hopeless fight, ruffling his black hair in the w-
My toes suddenly gave out, and all I could do was gasp as I feel forward. I enclosed my vision into darkness, closing my eyes, and awaited the hard tiled floor. It never came, though, and even more bewildering I swear I could feel something around my waist. I blinked a couple of times, my sight slightly blurred due to the force my eyelids had laid onto them, and looked at the floor that was so close that my nose would scrape against it if I leaned forward.
"Keh!" Someone was right above me, their breath fluttering against the back of my neck. I looked down to my stomach and witnessed an arm snaked around me. Before I could do anything else, I was hoisted to my feet.
I spun around and was met with golden amber eyes narrowed in a half hearted glare. "Watch out." The man that had stood in front of me in line spat.
My mouth opened and closed, then repeated. I couldn't speak. The guy was a head taller then me and stood there waiting for a response. "S-Sorry!" I finally blurted out. I looked him up and down. His face was one of immaturity, brazen, and all around attractiveness. He wore a faded pair of jeans and a bleached out gray T-shirt. His neck was dressed with a beaded blue and white necklace that dipped into his collarbone. A discreet scent caught my nose, and I had to breathe in deeply to realize it was the faint smell of men's cologne. My mind- without my consent!- started running around with the phrases: "he's cute", "I wonder if he's secretly young enough for me", "daaammmnnn". He turned and finished paying for his things before walking away.
He had a nice walk, smooth and carefree... I was pulled out of my trance when a women tapped my shoulder. "Uh, are you in line?"
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
I woke in a cold sweat, body trembling. My breath was shallow as I stared up at the dark ceiling. Reaching for my pill bottle I pulled it to my chest. I sat like that for a silent moment, regaining my composer. In a disembogued movement I flicked the top off. My eyes widened. I was out. How the hell hadn't I noticed!? I mentally cursed myself.
In five hours I would have to get ready for school. A low whimper escalated through the dead silent night. I couldn't go back to sleep... I could try. I slid under the thin, summer blanket that was inching out of season and shut my eyes.
Just think good thoughts. I pampered. Just think good thoughts. Just th- A pain jabbed in my sides, drawing out the breath I could not reobtain. I blinked back tears and awoke again, my arms becoming goose flesh.
Inevitably, I didn't sleep at all. I found myself praying for a distraction. And I found it. By getting ready for the second day of school at three in the morning...
Tiptoeing over to my door, I slid it shut, grimacing every time it creaked. I finally let my breath out when the lock clicked and the light was on. Walking to my dresser I opened the top drawer that contained my tops.
I took them all in, realizing most of them Sango had convinced me to buy. Most of them didn't even fit my baggy, in-self confident style. One of her favorite ones was a green top that hung off my shoulder, giving the outside a glimpse of my bra. Another hugged my chest and stomach before fluttering at the bottom.
I had to say, between all of the ones I had, I loved the navy blue shirt that incorporated my baggyness and Sango's popular teasing slut style together perfectly. I wrapped my fingers around its outstretched neck and held it up. It's sleeves were tight and about elbow length. The neck seems made it so instead of fitting around my neck, it fit around my shoulders, leaving my collar bone bare. I slipped it on after putting on one of my favorite black bras. I tugged it down, but it still slid back up, leaving a hint of my waist line visible.
I gave up trying and continued on. Closing my top drawer I made my way down to the jeans. These too had much of Sango written all over it. I took a pair of grayish black jeans out. They had "fashionable" tears on one of the knees and the opposite thigh. I looked back in my dresser, but I took notice in the fact that the rest of the appurtenant were skinny jeans. I slid the pants on with little difficulty, buttoning them, content with the snap that sounded the approval.
At least I'm not too fat to fit in them.
I thought with a shrug of my shoulders. My gaze walked over to the clock. Great, choosing my attire only took forty-five minutes. I let out one last sigh as I decided to do my hair and makeup.
•••
My mom stared at me as I came down the stairs. I questioned her look for a minute before guessing it was because today I looked like a *girl*. My hair was straightened, tugging the raven locks to my lower back. Still, I couldn't get my bangs in check, so it gave my outfit a "messy" look. My chocolate eyes popped due to the black pencil I had run under it. That, and the lack of pimples that had been generously covered. My lips were a rosy pink, and I had run a layer of clear lip gloss over the lipstick to give it a shiny coating. The inch heeled boots I wore clanked foreignly as I walked. I shot a smile a her.
My mother was a kind, loving person, but still I couldn't bring myself to ask her to go get me more pills so tomorrow I wouldn't have to come out looking funny. He didn't know about the nightmares. She thought that they went away. I wasn't going to tell her about them, either, because every time they were brought up they reminded us all of the times when they began. I wouldn't- couldn't- put such a kind soul through the heart break again!
"Morning." I chimed. I felt energetic, but I knew by the time dinner came around my sleep deprived night would catch up to me and I would be ready to pass out.
"Good morning, Kagome. You look good today. New boy?" A sly grin formed on her lips as a light lit up her eyes.
"Wha-! No! Mom!" I complained, almost toppling on my face. She laughed a hearty, joyous laugh that could lift anyone's spirits.
"Whatever you say, honey."
•••
Walking into the cafeteria, Sango still going on about how she always knew I could pull off the jeans and shirt, we sat in our usual spots. Miroku gabbed at me for a moment before turning to Sango and wiping a thin line of drool away. "Care to introduce me to your new friend?" He asked mockingly.
"Har har." I retorted with a roll of my eyes.
The bell rang, signalling us that the day had officially began. I sighed and walked with Sango down the halls. I was known to be clumsy, but with heels and people running into me, I had to practically be carried by my friend to Science. I sat down with a sigh of relief, you know, that relief you get when you just played the scene of dying in school halls over and over in your head before coming to safety in the classroom.
"Hmpt, look what we have here. Some dog is dressing up. Halloween isn't for another month, sweety." I heard behind me. I felt my temper rising along with my confidence ebbing away. My temper won, though.
"Hmm?" I asked, spinning to look at the seat diagonally aligned with my own. "Looking in a mirror again, Kikyo?"
"No." She sounded amused. She only got that way telling me off. In all my memories I couldn't put a finger on what I had done to *her*, but I hoped whatever it was, it was worth it. "Just some dog that doesn't know how to put eye-liner on evenly." A small group of giggles erupted, indicating that the girls that sat around us had tapped in. Including Sango.
"At least *she* doesn't put so much on I mistake her for a clown!" My best friend defended my pride as I came up empty handed with a comeback.
Thank the sweet heavens for Sango!
I cheered mentally.
"Oh, I would hate to see a clown with *her* abilities of apply makeup." Sango smirked.
"Then why do you look at your reflection so much? You know, if you hate it so much." Kikyo sent a dangerous glare at the glowing brunette that was all too happy to tell her off. The women was about to say something else, but our teacher cut her off.
"Kikyo, quiet!" Sango and I shared a grin. Glory was ours!
After class, I witnessed the heart healing sight of Kikyo being held back to talk to the teacher. Sango and I met out in the hallway, with one look we let out the roaring laughter that we had held in the whole class period. "That was great!" She nodded mirthfully.
"Did you see that glare!? I thought she was for sure going to turn into some kind of demon!" We let out one last cheer before parting ways.
Choir was fun. Music was handed out, but we didn't start singing yet. The music teacher always gave his students the first week of school to become a family, expressing that without trust and love music was just notes. I was cool with it.
I striated into my third period class, wondering what substitute teacher we would get today. I walked in and my eyes landed on the man sitting in the desk. I stopped dead in my tracks, heart accelerating at great speed. Amber eyes took a break from their paper worked and flashed up to me. A smirk appeared on his lips.
"Hey, Clumsy."
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
AN~•~ So for every unlucky person like me out there who has returned to school, here is my contribute!
Yours is favoriting , following, and reviewing.
DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN INUYASHA. IF I DID THAT HANYOU WOULD NEVER PUT ON A SHIRT.