Star-Crossed Lovers
Chapter One.
"I believe we've met before," the boy smirked, a hint of smugness lacing his golden eyes.
"But…how is that possible?" Kagome asked, bewildered. After all, she had only recently moved here. How could they have met previously? She was sure if they had she would have remembered.
"Can't you feel it?" he asked, trying to hide his surprise. "Isn't it obvious to you?"
"No, it's not." She stated this more firmly then necessary.
"Well," the smirk widened, "I'll just have to inform you, won't I?"
Gulping, Kagome slowly nodded. She noticed how tense her body was, how she was holding her breath waiting for the answer to a question she had been wondering all this time. Why she felt a connection to this boy she detested so greatly, with everything she had in her. He almost chuckled at her eagerness.
"We were lovers in a former life."
xxx
The rain seemed to pound the car window harder then ever, sending a chill through Kagome's entire body. She watched as the stoplight changed from red to green and her mother hit the gas, sending them closer to their destination.
"You're going to love it here sweetie," her mother cooed, smiling. "Tokyo is a very lovely city." Her voice was filled with hope. The same hope that clouded Kagome's thoughts.
"Yes, it is." She agreed only to satisfy her poor mother, who had recently divorced and was left heartbroken to start anew.
"It's big!" Her younger brother, Sota, exclaimed. "And bright!"
His mother giggled and nodded, swerving to avoid a stray cat in the road. Kagome sighed and watched the shivering creature hurry away in fear. Sometimes she wished she were free like that. No cares or worries or starting over. Making new friends and meeting new people…it all seemed so tough after living in the same town her entire life. How did most people do it? And Tokyo of all places to begin. One of the largest cities in Japan. How scary was that?
Her family had owned the Higurashi temple for over 500 years. Moving there seemed like the best solution to her mothers problems, even if it meant uprooting her family in the process. Kagome's grandfather owned it, but he'd recently moved out.
"Why don't we go shopping for your school clothes this weekend Kagome?" Mrs. Higurashi asked excitedly, glancing at her daughter, who merely smiled.
"Tokyo High has uniforms, remember, Mom?" she reminded the usually forgetful woman. Sad, but true. She would also be starting off with a brand new green-and-white sailor style uniform. Joy. "You picked it up for me the other day."
"Oh goodness that's right…" her mother mumbled, staring at the dashboard but then looking happy once more. "Well, that's okay honey. How about some weekend clothes then?"
"Sure Mom," the raven haired girl faked a pleasant smile. "That sounds great."
"Wonderful!"
The rest of the car ride was spent in silence, the only sound being that of the heavy raindrops hitting the car roof and sides. Sota let out an anxious squeal every now and then whenever he spotted something fascinating. Kagome was not as impressed with the dazzling city and all its lights and people, for her heart was behind them, still in Nagasaki where she felt it would always remain. After more stoplights, traffic and bad weather, the small family finally reached their new home. Gazing up the long flight of steps, they couldn't even see it yet.
"Oh my God," Kagome breathed, her mouth going dry. "What are all those steps for?!"
Mrs. Higurashi, who also looked fathomed, gave both her children an apologetic smile. "They were built with the temple. Our new house is right up there…" she half whispered.
Sota looked puzzled, much different from his sister's angry expression. "You mean to tell me that everyday when we want to come home we have to climb up those?" She threw a disgusted look at the steps. She didn't need to add another annoyance or worry to her extremely long list. And this just took the cake.
"Well, honey, it was in the construction plan and there's really nothing we can do about it. I'm sorry. We'll get through this, alright?"
She leaned over the seat to embrace her scathing daughter, then turned and hugged Sota as well. His seemed to be extended, but only slightly. She pulled back and straightened up, tying her short brown hair in a bun at the nape of her neck, something she did whenever she was about to do some serious work. Kagome grimaced, not ready to unload their car and carry everything up to their house. No, not at all.
"Shall we have a look then?" her mother asked merrily, smiling and unlocking the car. The rain was still pounding down as the three stepped out from the small green car and hurriedly grabbed their umbrellas. Kagome opened hers and raised it above her already soaked head, slamming her door and following her mother to the long flight of steps. She sighed with remorse.
"Here we go…" she mumbled, starting up.
It took less time then she thought to reach the top, but the climb was exhausting nonetheless. Kagome nearly collapsed when she reached solid ground, thankful her legs could have a rest. The rain had eased up and was now merely sprinkling down in a sort of mist, so she decided it was ok to close her umbrella. She would be taking a shower soon anyways…in her new home.
Suddenly looking up, she saw her mother and Sota heading for their house. It was a nice sized two-story home but there was no yard. Cement surrounded the entire temple and smaller buildings were in various places around the main house, which was a plain white color. The others were made from faded wood and thus were a dark brown. Kagome sighed and tried to push the fact she was a temple girl to the farthest place in her mind. It was difficult.
Hurrying over to the house, the teenage beauty quickly threw open the front door and bustled inside. Removing her shoes, she looked around to see where her family had gotten to.
"Kagome, do you need a towel dear?" her mother rounded a corner from the left with a dry towel in her hands and a smile plastered on her face. Kagome smiled back.
"Thanks Mom," she responded, accepting the towel with relief. "I think I'll go take a shower real quick. Are my clothes still in my suitcase?"
"Yes. It's down the hall." Mrs. Higurashi indicated towards the large green suitcase a few feet from them.
Drying off her exposed limbs and long hair, Kagome grabbed some clothes from her case and easily found the bathroom. She stripped from her sopping jeans and t-shirt before turning on the shower and stepping inside. It was already steamy and the glass was fogging up quickly, so she began drawing little circles absentmindedly, lost in thought.
After what seemed like the longest shower she'd ever taken, Kagome shut off the water and wrapped the fuzzy towel around her slender body. She dried off thoroughly and used the blow dryer to dry her thick hair. After that part was finished, she pulled on a gray sweater and slacks. She also tied her dark hair back in a high ponytail.
Thinking it was time to survey the house, she left the bathroom and started looking around. The downstairs had all the essentials; kitchen, bathroom, dining room, living room, closet, front hall. The upstairs also had three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a closet. Kagome found her room with ease, for it had all her furniture and boxes. She sighed. Thank god for professional movers.
"Sweetie." Mrs. Higurashi stopped by her room. "Make sure you get a good nights sleep, okay? You have a big day tomorrow."
Kagome's puzzled expression made her mother giggle. "School begins tomorrow at eight o' clock sharp."
"What?!" her daughter squealed, obviously not pleased. "You didn't tell me that Mom!"
An apologetic look replaced her mother's cheerful one. "I'm sorry Kagome. It slipped my mind with everything that's happened today. You should be fine though, since it's the first day. Don't worry."
Collapsing onto her soft, pink bed, Kagome closed her eyes and listened to her mother's fading footsteps going back downstairs. Tomorrow was the first day of school…
Yay.
xxx
Waking early and staring out her window for a few prolonged minutes, Kagome slowly threw the covers off her warm body and slunk to her closet. Removing the brand-new uniform from its hanger, she tried it on and examined herself in the mirror.
Not bad, she thought in surprise, smoothing the short green skirt. It could have been worse.
Pulling on some socks and brushing her hair, she applied make up and cover up before scooping up her belongings and heading downstairs. Mrs. Higurashi was already wide awake, cooking breakfast.
"Good morning Kagome," she smiled, flipping the eggs. "How did you sleep?"
"Fine," Kagome yawned, taking a seat at the round, wooden table. Yeah, as fine as sleeping in a strange house on the first night before you begin going to a new school can be. Perfectly fine.
But her mother seemed to buy it, and looked ecstatic. "Well, that's wonderful dear! Would you like some breakfast before you head out?"
Sniffing the tempting aroma of eggs and bacon, Kagome grudgingly refused, knowing it would be easier to go to school without a full stomach…just in case.
"I'd better be going anyways," she informed her mother, standing from the table and slinging her book bag over one shoulder. "Don't wanna be late on the first day."
Her mother nodded, grinning and coming around the counter to give her daughter a good bye hug. She squeezed tighter then necessary, and just when Kagome thought she might faint of lack of oxygen, she was released. "Have a good day sweetie," her mother told her, brown eyes serious. "If not for you, then for me."
"I will Mom. Promise."
And she was out the door and on her way.
Tokyo was huge, and it would be very easy to get lost Kagome realized. She read the signs carefully, and followed other teenagers her own age wearing the same uniforms. Everyone here seemed to be a hurry, constantly moving and never paying any attention to her. So even if she wanted or needed directions, it would be difficult to ask.
Then there it was; Tokyo High School, nestled behind a high white, brick wall with a black gate. The gate was abruptly open to allow students in, and they walked along a cement pathway to the front of the school. It had many steps leading to the front entrance, and plush green grass surrounding the building.
Kagome lingered at the gate as she took in her new school. It had so many students…she couldn't get over it.
"Excuse me," a boy said, passing her and making her come back from her thoughts. She blinked a few times to clear her head and took a deep breath before starting towards the steps.
Once inside, she got all the necessary forms from the office and began filling them out at once. Luckily, she was able to return them before the bell rang, and she was in her first class just as the teacher arrived. She clutched her schedule tightly in hand, waiting for her assigned set. The teacher gave her a once over and pointed to a small desk in the back of the room. Kagome nodded and quickly took her seat.
The teacher droned on about what they would be learning that semester in World History, and Kagome tried very hard to stay focused. But as soon as she heard a psstt! she turned her head to see a very pretty girl staring at her and smiling.
The girl had long, dark brown hair which she wore back in a smooth ponytail. Her pink and black outfit was cute but somewhat revealing, and her chocolate eyes were made up with dark pink eye shadow. She was stunning.
"Are you new?" she whispered, cocking her head to one side in curiosity.
"Yes." Kagome was surprised at how high her voice sounded. The girl raised an eyebrow.
"Cool. Where do you live?"
"The temple on Cherry Hill."
The girl smiled and leaned over her desk to talk better. "I'm Sango." Kagome half expected her to extend a hand, but she didn't. She merely waited. Kagome assumed it was so she would say her name.
"I'm Kagome," she mumbled, not wanting to be caught and get in trouble her first day by the teacher. Sango folded her arms over her desk.
"Pretty name," she stated, examining her index fingernail. "Made any friends yet?"
Kagome flushed, embarrassed. "Not really."
"Want one?" the dark eyed girl grinned warmly, looking up at Kagome now, who seemed taken aback.
"Well, sure." She didn't want to pass up any opportunity for a new friend. It would be so sad if she had to go the whole day without anyone to talk to but her teachers. Sango looked pleased.
"Great. I'll save you a seat at lunch newbie."
The conversation ended then and when the bell rang Sango waved good bye to Kagome and sauntered off. Kagome smiled. At least she'd made one friend so far.
Her other classes weren't as accomplishing. No one else talked to her except a boy asking to borrow a pencil, which she handed to him with annoyance. Finally lunch came and Kagome scurried out into the hall, throwing her books in her locker and searching for the cafeteria. A sign pointed her way and she pushed through the double doors and into the stuffy room.
All the tables seemed to be full already, even though she'd practically ran. Sango seemed to be nowhere in sight and Kagome's heart sunk to the floor. Taking a tray and filling it with only a bagel and lemonade, she paid for her food and wandered around looking for a somewhat vacant table, if nothing a vacant seat.
"Hey, Kagome!" a recognizable voice yelled. She turned in relief to see Sango waving from a table in the center of the room. Walking over to it, she set her tray down in the empty seat beside the grinning girl. "There you are! I couldn't find you after class."
"Sorry, I was in a hurry," Kagome admitted, looking down at her food. Her new friend shook her head and picked up a French fry.
"Nah, it's cool. How do you like things here so far?"
"Alright. It's really big though."
A chuckle came from across the table. Kagome looked up to see a boy watching her, listening to their conversation. His dark eyes were filled with amusement, and he wore a purple t-shirt. His black hair was tied behind his neck in a small ponytail.
"You'll get used to it," he told her, not removing his gaze. "Tokyo is a pretty cool place."
"Um…thanks." Kagome glanced at Sango, who rolled her eyes.
"This is Miroku," she mumbled, not looking too enthusiastic about him. "Miroku, this is Kagome. She's new."
"So I guessed." Miroku smiled a little. "Hello Kagome. Nice to meet you."
Again, she expected the extension of the hand, but it didn't happen. Instead, he grasped her hand and kissed it dramatically. Kagome could have sworn she heard a frustrated sigh come from Sango, but when she looked at her friend she was merely stuffing more fries into her mouth.
"You too, uh, Miroku." Kagome smiled back, dropping her hand once he released it. They chatted for a bit, Sango looking displeased the entire time, and a few more people joined their table in the process.
Sango made a big show of introducing Kagome to everyone, seeming glad that Miroku couldn't talk to her for the moment.
"This is Rin," she indicated a freshman girl with long, brown hair and big eyes. She seemed to like the color orange, for her entire outfit was that color. The girl smiled.
"Ayame." A sophomore with red pigtails and pretty eyes nodded back.
"Koga and Hojo." The one named Koga winked, his long, dark hair pulled back into a ponytail. She guessed he was a sprinter, for her wore a sweatband around his head and wrists. His sky blue eyes were gorgeous. Hojo was tall with shaggy brown hair and a pleasant smile as he greeted her with a "Hello."
"Sesshomaru." A senior with shocking white hair and cold eyes. He didn't even acknowledge her, she noted with a furrowed brow.
"My little brother, Kohaku," Sango continued with a hand roll. Her brother, a freshman, smiled, his short hair in a ponytail behind his head. Kagome was beginning to wonder what was with this school and ponytails…
"And finally, InuYasha."
Sango pointed to the last boy at the end of the table. Kagome caught her breath; he had long, white hair like his brother Sesshomaru and fiery gold eyes. When he lifted his gaze their eyes met and his smirk disappeared. The two stared at one another, each feeling the static that was electrifying their bodies with that single look.
Kagome could feel her heart pounding as she watched this foreign boy, this person she'd never met before, and yet she felt she'd known him her entire life; before her life even. His eyes made her body turn to stone, and she felt a surge go through her body. She hated him.
"Earth to Kagome! Come in Kagome!" a voice was saying inside her head. No…it wasn't in her head. Hojo was saying it.
InuYasha broke the contact then, getting up and leaving the table swiftly. Kagome shook her head and looked over to see a frazzled Hojo, looking worried. "Are you okay? You looked like you'd seen a ghost!"
Had she? Kagome didn't answer at first, remembering her lemonade and taking a long sip before smiling at Hojo.
"I'm fine Hojo. Just a little shaken up from the first day, you know?" She stood with her tray and got out of her seat. "I'll see you guys in class. I need some fresh air." She gave a friendly grin before tossing her food and putting her tray in the proper place.
She crossed the cafeteria and went through the first door she saw, not caring where it took her. She emerged into the back of the school, almost tripping down the steps before catching herself.
There was a small garden in front of her and she slowly went down the steps and through the little white gate that wrapped around the entire thing. It smelled sweetly of various flowers and the fresh air cleared her clouded head. She found a little bench and sank into it, resting her feet and body and mind.
"InuYasha."
Even saying his name made her angry. Electricity seemed to surge through her veins and it made her shiver. What was going on? She'd never really thought about boys much but he made her feel so…different. Angry, yet curious. A bird chirped from beside her and she studied it, wishing she had wings to just fly away with. Birds were so lucky.
Picturing his face in her mind, Kagome tried thinking of a reason why she should feel such hatred towards a boy she'd never once met. No verification came to her, so she sighed and tried to shake him from her head. It was hard.
A sudden gust of wind chilled her so much that she knew it was time to go inside, and she struggled to get up. Her limbs were icy and when she walked her legs felt rubbery and fake, like they belonged to someone else. The first bell made her quicken her pace, pulling open the door she'd came through and rushing to class.
For the rest of the school day, InuYasha occupied her thoughts. No matter how hard she tried to focus on what the teacher was lecturing or what Sango or someone else was saying to her, she couldn't make herself forget him. Was she going crazy?
The halls were always so packed she never glimpsed him, even though she looked around everywhere. He didn't seem to reappear anywhere. Maybe he was a ghost.
No…that was ridiculous.
Finally, the final bell rang and Kagome gathered her things from her locker and shoved them into her book bag. She slammed it, and, after saying good bye to several people, headed outside, frowning when she noticed a light drizzle. Before she had even reached the gate it was raining. Frustrated and soaked, she dug around in her bag for a jacket and threw it on.
Once on the sidewalk and heading home, she dreaded the long walk ahead of her. It was then that she heard a car pull up beside her and stop. She glanced over at it, and raised an eyebrow. It was a shiny red convertible with the top pulled up, and driving it was InuYasha.
He leaned over and smirked. "Need a ride?"