Living in Misery

Chapter 1: Prologue

Summary: Emi Takahashi, the daughter of Kagome and Inuyasha, seems to have the perfect life. She can have what ever she wants, but what she wants will never be given. She's the black sheep in the family, and because of it, she is looked down upon by other, but only one person actually understands her. She works for her money and earns her own keep. Her life is miserable and no one understands her, but then her older brother comes home and brings with him two people that seem to make her miserable life just a little less miserable, but what reason does he have to come back from the States, at the beginning of a new school year?

A/N: So this is the sequel to Living in the Moment. So I know some of you were hoping for the other choices but I can incorporate a bit of both into this story. High school will be the main setting, and maybe I can have a short trip somewhere in here during the Christmas break, so that way I'll be able to include the other ideas. I hope you guys will still read it

X XX X

"He's coming back, maybe this'll help my miserable life just a little more bearable."

-Emi's thoughts-

"Can't wait to see you guys, it hasn't been the same with out you guys around."

-Daisuke's thoughts-

X XX X

It was the early hours of a Sunday morning. Mostly everyone was still asleep in their respective beds. One person was awake, and was walking down the stairs. Her throat was soar and she needed some water. As she came down the stairs she glanced at the clock reading the time she let out a groan, it was still five in the morning, and this was her last weekend before school started up again and she'd have to go back to work.

It had been happening a lot lately, her need to drink water this early in the morning and she was really starting to get worried. So this time she grabbed her drink and also an Advil to help soothe the pain in her throat. Taking that she just rested her eyes on the couch, not wanting to go all the way back upstairs.

-

Inuyasha rolled over in his bed hoping to snuggle with his wife for a bit longer before he had to get up. When he felt an empty space he opened his tired eyes to see that he was sleeping alone on the bed. His first reaction was to look for Kagome. So he got up and walked over to his washroom thinking maybe she just got up early but when he didn't find her there, a jolt of panic washed over him. He ran out of his room and down the stairs. As he descended from the stairs he saw his wife sitting on the couch looking at an album.

He let out a sigh of relief as he walked over to her. "Kagome you damn near gave me a heart attack." Kagome looked up at him and smiled.

"How?"

"Well you weren't in the bed, and it's only 5:30. You always nudge me awake when you get up. What's wrong, are you alright?"

"Yeah I'm fine, I just needed a glass of water, and then I just sat down for a bit," said Kagome as she looked back down at the album in her hands.

"What are you looking at?" He skirted around the couch and sat down beside her to get a better look.

"The album when we went on our honeymoon. Look at Daisuke; he was so small back then. I can't believe he's coming back." She traced her hand along the picture and smiled at the joyful expression of Daisuke wearing Mickey Mouse ears.

"Yeah he had so much fun on that trip, and Jake was so happy that Bankotsu took them along as well," said Inuyasha.

"Yeah I know, it was so nice to spend that time together, and Jake and Daisuke got to play with Daniel and Michael. They were the most charming boys I'd ever met, so well mannered and so cute." Kagome thought back to that day when she met the boys. They smiled their charming smiles and hugged her so warmly as if she was one of their own. She held a special place in her heart for those two boys.

"Yeah and who would have thought that those four would keep such an amazing friendship for all these years, and are now going to school together," said Inuyasha with a smile.

"Our babies are all growing up," Kagome said with a sigh. Inuyasha wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in. She rested her head on his shoulder.

"Is that what's upsetting you? That the kids are all going to leave soon?" asked Inuyasha.

"Yes—n-no I mean I don't know, it's just Daisuke has been there for two years now and I miss him so much, even though I want him to finish his school before coming back home, I'm glad he's coming."

"He is the most attached to you," said Inuyasha with a smiled as he kissed her forehead.

"It just bothers me that he's not around anymore," said Kagome.

"Well he'll be here, soon. His flight lands tomorrow at ten thirty in the morning," said Inuyasha. "I wasn't supposed to tell you that, but I think you have a right to know, and it'll be fun to see his face when we're all at the airport waiting for him."

"He's coming back tomorrow? Really, oh my baby is coming home, well then we have to get this place cleaned up," said Kagome as she got up to start cleaning. But before she could go anywhere Inuyasha pulled her back down.

"What's the rush? The kids won't be up for another what five hours why not enjoy the serenity that we have until we have it?" he asked. Kagome let out a laugh and snuggled closer to him.

"I guess a little down time won't hurt," said Kagome. She opened the album again and they started to look through the pictures once again.

-

With the alarm clock, blaring a hand reach out from under the blanket to turn off the incessant noise. "Well looks like it's time to start another day." The girl let out a sigh as she rose from her bed. She's a sixteen year old girl with black hair. Her hazel eyes were still groggy with sleep as she looked over at her alarm clock. The numbers were blurred, and so her hands grabbed for her glasses that were sitting just beside the alarm clock. She put them on and seen that it was 6:30 already. "Shit I better get dressed, I got to get to work by seven," she said as she started her daily routine.

Emi Takahashi, she's the daughter of Inuyasha and Kagome Takahashi, and likes to earn her own keep. Even with a father who is the CEO of a major marketing company and co-owner of Takahashi Corporation, and a mother who works part time as an art teacher at her high school, Emi likes to work for herself. In a house full of guys, she learned to adapt and in doing so, she became one of the guys. As pretty as she is with her mother's subtle beauty and father's sharp good looks Emi down plays herself. No one ever looked at her once and because she was different every one shunned her at school. No one thinks it's reasonable that she works when everything is handed to her, and thinks that her life is perfect, but no one knows the misery in her life. The only person who does is her best friend, Taro Nakao. He's a year older—at seventeen—and though he's her support system at school there was never much time between classes to hang out.

Emi let out a sigh as she put on her uniform for her job as a cashier at the local supermarket. She grabbed her purse and her tote full of her clothes to change into once her shift was over. She went down the stairs and checked the time; it was already quarter to seven, so she ran down the stairs. When she ran into the living room to get to the kitchen she stopped when she seen her parents sleeping beside each other. A smile crept onto her face as she walked closer to them. She saw the album sitting on her mother's lap, and a few others piled beside them on the couch. She seen a family picture opened of her and her three brothers, with their parents. It was done almost ten years ago.

Emi was just about to leave the room when her father's ears started to shift. Inuyasha brought his hand up to his face as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He looked up and saw his daughter all ready for work.

"Em? What are you doing up so early on a Sunday morning?"

"Sorry Dad I didn't mean to wake you, but I'm running late for work so I gotta get going."

"Oh well then how about I drive you, though why you need to work I don't understand," said Inuyasha as he got up gently so as not to wake up Kagome.

"Dad I told you I need something to do, and besides I'm good at what I do," said Emi with a smile.

"Yeah, yeah now come on let's get going before you're late," said Inuyasha as he wrapped his arm around his daughter's shoulder. Emi rested her head on Inuyasha's shoulder, a gesture that was habitual.

"Thanks Dad."

"Don't mention is kiddo," said Inuyasha as he kissed her lightly on her cheek before walking to his side of the car. As they drove Inuyasha looked over at his daughter. She was different but he loved her more than anything, she had the drive of a Takahashi, and at such a young age. He smiled as he continued driving.

"What's so funny?" asked Emi when she noticed Inuyasha's smile.

"What? Oh nothing, so what are you doing tomorrow morning?" asked Inuyasha.

"I'm supposed to go to work I have to get in as many hours since school starts again on Wednesday," said Emi.

"Oh well, you're calling in sick tomorrow."

"What! Why?"

"Well because you're coming with the family, we're going to pick up Daisuke," said Inuyasha with a smirk. The look on her face was priceless. Inuyasha knew that Emi missed her brother just as much as he and his wife did. Living with her two twin brothers she missed the calmness of her older brother.

"Nii-chan's coming back!?"

"Yup, he's staying here for a while."

"Oh this is going to be awesome! I haven't seen him since Christmas last year!" said Emi with a rare enthusiasm.

"Yeah I know, you're mother is really excited too, so you'll have to call in sick or I can do it for you. How about I say you got the runs?" he asked with a laugh.

"Dad!" she whined which just caused him to laugh even louder.

"Okay fine no runs, but I'll think of something, now you should get going, you only have five more minutes, and we're here," said Inuyasha as he stopped the car in front of the super market.

"Oh okay, well thanks Daddy!" she said as she leaned over and kissed him lightly on the cheek before running out of the car. Inuyasha just sat there for a bit, he hadn't heard his little girl call her daddy since she was a little girl. His heart hitched once before its rhythm steadied.

"You're welcome Em." He looked at his sixteen year old daughter as she ran into the store. She was tall and slim and he knew that girls at her age were more interested in boys and having a boyfriend. He knew that because his niece was a prime example of the typical sixteen year old. Remi Takahashi, daughter of Sesshomaru and Kara Takahashi, was the same age as his own daughter but that was where the similarities ended. Remi was the girly girl, she always wore skirts and loved to wear make up. She had already had about three boyfriends, which surprised Inuyasha to know since her father was Sesshomaru. The king of all ice kings. But who was he to judge. Remi never worked, which was fine since she was only sixteen but that didn't stop her from spending her fathers money. In all, Inuyasha thought, she was a rich spoiled brat.

He shook his head to get the thoughts out of his head. What am I doing thinking about the kids' rivalry. I need to get home, he thought as he started up the car again and drove off back towards his house.

-

Emi walked in to be greeted by her supervisor. "Hi Emi, I thought you'd be late today, but of course that never happened. Now could you take over the first lane, it'll be a busy day since school starts soon and all the parents still have to buy kid's their school supplies," said the supervisor, June.

"Hai, but can I just go put my stuff away in the locker before I sign in?" asked Emi.

"Of course," said June with a smile. Emi walked upstairs to the staff room. There were a few other cashiers lounging around. A few girls from her school were there and also a few older people. They all ignored her, but it was something Emi was used to. The high schoolers hated her because she was one of the only rich girls at her school and didn't use it to her advantage. It was the twisted minds of the stupid, Emi thought as she put her bag in the locker. The older ladies that were cashiers sneered at her because, she was the top cashier in under six months and half of them worked at the super market for a long time. She accepted her fate since people seem to misinterpret her always.

She put her things away and walked back down, with a minute to spare. She turned on her till and waited as the customers started to file into the building. Her first customer was a regular. An elderly lady, who comes into the store every morning to buy bread and milk, was the first customer of her day.

"Good morning Emi dear, how is everything at home?" asked Mrs. Inoue.

"Good morning Inoue-san, everything is fine at home, how about you? I heard that Ryuu is finally going to be a daddy," said Emi with a smile. It was the polite talk that Mrs. Inoue hoped for every time she came to the supermarket, and ever since Emi started working there she loved to go because of it.

"Oh yes, they're both quite excited their first child, it's a big deal."

"Yes it must be, I know how exciting it was when my aunts were expecting, they were both so excited, but both of them only had one child. Saying one was all they needed," said Emi.

"Oh nonsense, children are worth living for, look at you, I'm sure you're parents' love you kids," said Mrs. Inoue.

"Yeah I'm sure of that," said Emi with a smile as she rang the last few items of Mrs. Inoue's things.

"Well you tell you're parents to come say hi, I haven't seen them around in a while," said Mrs. Inoue as she handed Emi her card.

"Yes I will, you know you can always drop by the house, I'm sure you'd love to just as much as Mum," said Emi.

"Oh well thanks for the offer, but I wouldn't want to impose. Now take care and don't work yourself too hard," said Mrs. Inoue as she singed her slip before walking out of the store with her few bags. Emi smiled, Mrs. Inoue always loved to talk, but it was endearing.

"Hi there," she said to the next customer as she started to ring in the next order. She worked quickly and efficiently for the next three hours, and finally got her half hour break. She walked outside and sat on her bench. She never took her break in the staff room because she knew that when she was there everyone else just felt a little awkward. So she always took it outside, which was fine by her, because she liked her solitude. She brought her ipod with her and just turned it on full blast, took out her granola bar that was in her bag and started to munch. She closed her eyes and bobbed her head to the beat of the music.

She didn't even notice the shadow that fell over her. The person before her smiled as he watched her. She was such an interesting person, but no one ever seemed to notice, all they ever saw in her was the oddball that shouldn't be associated with. He reached for her head phones and when they came off Emi looked up. Her face was twisted in anger that was until it fell on the eyes of the person standing in front of her. Emi's face twisted in a genuine smile. Hazel eyes fell onto crimson coloured eyes.

"Taro! What are you doing here?" asked Emi with a smile as she stood up and took him in a hug.

"Well I thought I'd come take you out to lunch since knowing you, you didn't have breakfast this morning," said Taro with a smile.

"Yeah well, I'm making due with the granola bar," said Emi.

"Nope you have half an hour, so let's get going," said Taro.

"But I'll be late."

"So I'm sure June won't mind if you're late just a few minutes, now come on you're already wasting time," said Taro.

"Oh okay fine," said Emi as she hooked her arm through his and walked along the street. Taro looked at her and smiled at her subtle look. She was so gorgeous in his eyes but it might have been because he grew up with her. He raised a hand and tugged off her hair tie which was tied at her neck. Emi looked at him but let it slide.

"You know Em, you really should stop making yourself look ugly," said Taro with a smirk.

"What I didn't know I was ugly," said Emi.

"You're not, but you sure know how to make yourself look like you are," said Taro.

"Gee thanks."

"You're welcome." He grinned at her. Emi just rolled her eyes and continued walking. When they finally reached the little corner deli, Taro ordered two lunch wraps to go. He paid for it, though Emi insisted she pay for her own. And then they walked back to the supermarket where they sat back down on the bench. Emi opened her wrap and started to devour it. "So is the jerk working today?"

"Huh?" Her mouth was stuffed with food when she responded. She swallowed before forming an actual sentence. "I haven't seen him, so let's just hope he's not working today."

"You know you should just tell June, it's workplace abuse, and you have a right to feel safe," said Taro.

"Yeah I know but it's just so much easier to ignore, they're like Reiji and Kaito, annoying and easy to ignore," said Emi in a matter of fact tone.

"Yeah I guess but those two are your brothers, and Kentarou is a jerk; he hurts you and I don't like him," said Taro.

"Yeah and I don't either, but I have to go now, or else I'll get docked. Thanks for the wrap. I'll see you later?" she asked.

"Yeah just call me when you're off and I'll come pick you up," said Taro with a smile.

"Okay thanks Taro," she said as she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek and walked back inside. Taro laughed as got up and walked over to his car. He had to go home he had plans with his buddies. He pushed his hands through his long hair and he thought about his best friend, the girl who no one understood. He understood her though, and knew just how great she actually was.

-

Emi worked through the rest of her shift with a cheer that not many had seen but that cheer died pretty fast when a certain someone came by her lane. "So what's got the ugly duckling so happy today?" Emi rolled her eyes as she ignored him and continued to badger her.

"Is he bothering you Miss?" asked the customer that Emi was helping.

"No it's fine, he's just another jerk in our society, not much we can do about him."

"Well that's not right calling you what he did. You are quite a looker if you ask me."

"Thanks that's very nice of you."

"Ha 'quite a looker' my ass, she's the ugliest girl at our school," said the guy once again.

"Kentarou didn't I tell you to go shelve these books?" asked June who was standing behind both Kentarou and Emi.

"Yeah, I'll get on that," said Kentarou as he turned away.

"God that kid had problems, sorry Emi. Was he bothering you?" asked June.

"Well actually he was—"

"No he was just talking, it's fine," said Emi cutting off the customer who was trying back her up. The guy looked at Emi. She just gave him a discreet nod.

"Okay well if he ever does try to do something please just let me know," said June. She walked away and Emi continued working. She tried not to let it bother her, but the pain from being called the ugliest girl at school hurt her. The tears almost fell but she willed them to stay put, she couldn't show weakness not with him lurking around.

-

A/N: Well there you go the first chapter of the sequel to Living in the Moment! I hope you all liked it and tell me what you think of it! And I also have a little question. Is there any preference as to how you want Daniel and Michael to look? I will be giving their description soon but I never really thought of a face to go with their names, but now that I'm adding them into this story I thought it would be good to get their characteristics out. But anyways thanks for reading and I hope to see what you think soon!