My first story in a long time and this one has been pestering me for a long time now... Seriously, I like think about it all the time even in the shower! Ok that's a little weird, but hopefully that's incentive for me to actually update. Ah, well. Drama at school too, (not the class the real thing) that'll keep me writing cause I don't wanna think about it. Speaking of which I've got to go face my fellow drama whores (one boy and one girl) tomorrow. Wish me luck! Now onto the story!
Disclaimer: It might be in the realm of possibility that I could maybe almost not own the idea that may pass as not being Inuyasha, but I doubt it.
(10 points to whoever understood that.)
- o - O - o -
Double Take
Chapter 1
Kikyo, no wait?
- o - O - o -
'I can do this. I can do this.' Breathing slowly a rather flustered raven haired girl stepped up to the entrance of the school.- o - O - o -
The school was hadn't changed since last Friday. The walls were still off white, or egg shell white depending on how you tilted your head, the lockers still wouldn't open unless someone beat them like a drum and the cafeteria was still somehow slipping past the health inspector with it's 'Monday Madness Casserole", yet today was much different the last week. Much different.
The girl stared blindly at the building twisting a pencil straight strand of hair nervously around her finger. She worked too hard for this to be ruined by nerves.
'I can do this.' She chanted again slowly preparing to take a step forward. With a deep breath and eyes closed she entered the school. 'First step's the hardest. Now I'll open my eyes and carry on with this.' Her dark eyes fluttered open much easier then she expected and took a quick look around the halls with her bright chocolate eyes.
Then she froze.
'I can't do this!' Panic welled up inside of her as she stood staring at the kids wandering about the halls. A number of them waved in her direction and she awkwardly waved back like a chimp. A very uncomfortable chimp. A lump caught itself in her throat as she mentally groaned.
'How did this happen to me?'
- o – O – o -
Friday...
"History. It's always History." Kagome groaned at the slip of paper in front of her. "My mother's gonna kill me if she sees this."
Stuffing the report in her pocket so no one would notice Kagome threw her backpack over her shoulder for the long walk back to class. Lunch had just ended, but Kagome hadn't eaten anything. The teacher had quickly and effectively ruined her appetite after quite literally throwing something like that in her face. He obviously didn't care about the poor girl and her even poorer grades.
Sure, she wasn't naturally a brainiac in all Honors classes with a master plan for college and a scholarship backing up her future, but she was plenty bright. A 'D' in history was downright embarrassing. She might as well have failed, then she could simply cry to her mother and soften the blow. An 'F' means something went wrong. A 'D' means you just didn't give a rats ass.
Kagome sighed softly to herself. "Ah well, I'll try some tears and maybe soften the blow to mama when I get home." Ah manipulation, the ultimate tool.
Speaking of manipulative, Kagome glanced over to the parking lot, a popular hang out for the popular kids today. They chilled in, what seemed a new place every week and it made one wonder how they kept track of all the locations.
They. Kagome's eye's narrowed at the thought.
Chatting amongst themselves, strung over cars that cost more then Kagome's house and emitting the vibe that made everyone in a mile radius of them feel inferior seemed to be the common ideal of a good time. Naturally, they were all extraordinarily good looking and filthy rich to top it off. The girls were cheerleaders, and the guys were jocks. A little stereotypical it would seem, but true as far as Kagome could see. The popular people had it all, looks, friends, money, respect and the ability to get whatever with the snap of their perfectly manicured fingers. The only thing that made their lives better was their perfect grades.
That thought broke Kagome from her stare and reminded her about her neglected future as she continued to slowly trudge back to class. Jealousy was unbecoming, but self pity was A OK.
'They're probably all jerks and all their damn maids hate them.' Her lips turned up into a smirk. Rather recently her favorite pastime had turned into mentally bashing the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Demented? Yes. But oh so much fun.
'Yeah, I can't wait till one of those maids throws a toad into the washing machine with their best designer clothes. On high.'
- o – O – o -
Period 5. History.
Usually her best subject. But a recent occurrence kept her from concentrating in a major way. More so then last six weeks when she sat behind the guys who had gym the period before, and even more so then the day a mysterious madman snuck into the school and the classes were put on lockdown. (The madman was the librarian's husband looking for his lunch.)
Since the seating change the empty desk in front of her now belonged to the one and only Kikyo. THE Kikyo.
The girl was– in a word– perfect. Kagome had to hand it to her that she deserved to be 'Head bitch' of the populars, with her damn pencil straight raven black hair, strong dark eyes and beautiful fair skin, she could easily be called the prettiest. But more significantly, she was the richest. And the bossiest. And by FAR the one with the most 'Daddy power'.
Kagome herself wasn't really bad looking. In fact she could rival Kikyo if she really tried. With just a little makeup, and perhaps a super straightener Kagome could be the girls sister. Much to her dismay, this fact was slapped in her face more often then she cared for by a certain boy she cared even less for.
"Yo! Kikyo!"
Without averting her gaze from the board, which by the way, had nothing of interest of it, unless you wanted to know that 'Suzzy luved Sam', Kagome growled. "Can I help you?" It wasn't at all conceited of her to think she was the one being yelled at. It happened damn near every-- single--day.
"Yeah, turn around so you can see my pretty face. You know I hate talking to your damn hair!"
Kagome turned slowly, her chocolate eyes catching amber as she glared up at the boy who confused her with another. Again.
"Ah." He looked genuinely surprised. Again. "My bad. Looking for someone else. That bitch ran off again."
"Mm." Kagome nodded slightly.
He shrugged at her indifference and ran off to find his REAL woman. She of course would be where she always is, that is, in front of the vending machine across from room 108. Everybody knew it, you could ask anyone in the school where Kikyo was at any moment of the day and find out. Still every other day after lunch, when Kikyo gets held up at the machine, Inuyasha runs in and yells at Kagome.
You would think after the first 15 times the boy would learn the difference between the two girls. Or at least get a tracking signal for one of them. As flattering as it was the first time, he never seemed bothered to notice the differences between them. In his mind it seemed, there was only one person who looked like Kikyo, and that was Kikyo. The ultimate one track mind.
And that, for whatever reason, infuriated Kagome, every time. Not that she could complain about it. She tried once and people simply shrugged her feelings off. After all, how bad could it really be, being mistaken for an angel?
Speak of the devil.
Her entrance was enchanting as always, the kind of entrance a queen makes, which in turn is the same kind of entrance a witch makes, one that silences the room in awe. Kagome herself only managed to avoid a trance by not watching her enter at all. She stood strong in her belief that the whole thing was stupid, this girl being worshiped like a goddess, but she would keep her petty opinions to herself. No one would pay attention enough to listen to her anyways. And those who did didn't or wouldn't care.
The 'goddess on earth' walked toward her desk as she had done every day since Kagome starting failing history but today, this Friday, she stopped at Kagome's desk.
It wasn't the kind of stop that most popular people do next to unpopular peoples desks, the one where they look like they might talk to the unpopular person, but then end up flipping their hair and walking off. The ultimate diss. No, this time She needed something.
"Uh," Kagome managed the courage to gaze up at her but then instantly regretted it. Kagome had never seen her this close before, despite sitting behind her for nearly a month and a half, and was strangely intimidated by her strong gaze and powerful superiority vibe. The vibe clearly emanated the phrase 'I'm better then you and I know it', and everyone who could afford to swim in their own money --Kikyo's last birthday party-- had it.
"Kagiri, right?" She questioned.
'It's Kagome.' The girl nodded anyways. The whole class was staring, those who showed up anyways, and the last thing she needed was to correct the schools national idol. Being stoned to death wasn't on her to-do list anytime soon.
"I need to talk to you." Kikyo stated firmly. "It's imperative that you meet me by my locker right after this class. Understand?"
"Uh, y-yeah." That stupid stutter made her sound like an idiot who was failing history. As a girl who was making a 'D' she should at least manage to talk straight.
Kikyo smiled lightly and sat gracefully in her desk directly in front of Kagome. She then flipped her hair coolly and nodded at the teacher to begin doing his job.
Kagome stared at the back of her head intently. 'How the hell does she get her hair so soft and shiny looking?!' This was the question of the day that would once again prevent her from paying attention to the teacher, the board, or even a certain white haired boy who popped in from time to time 'just to say hey'.
And she wondered why she was failing History.
- o – O – o -
"Kikyo?"
The girl in question had left all but dragged Kagome out of the classroom to the designated meeting place. She clearly had something important to say, and wasn't to say a word till they arrived. A stupid ideal in Kagome's mind, because whatever the hell Kikyo wanted would be just as important in the hall, as it would in 6th period.
The two girls march through an endless mob of students who all seemed to fake a smile at the sight of Kikyo walking by, no doubt in hopes of being invited to the next party. Kagome laughed softly 'What a stupid gesture, she doesn't even know most of your names.'
Kikyo suddenly stopped in the middle of the hall and turned to Kagome. Her face was determined, and focused, making Kagome feel very self conscious and causing her to shift uncomfortably. 'It's not like she has X-ray vision...' She grumbled.
"Do you have you're stuff?" Kikyo asked quickly.
"Huh?" Kagome blinked stupidly.
"Your stuff! Do you need anything from you locker or something?" Her perfect features now reflected a kind of frustration.
"Uh," Kagome paused and looked back at her big yellow bag. "No, I think I got everything. Why?"
Kagome's arm was dragged along again with a jolt. "Just making sure. We're leaving." Kikyo replied dryly.
"H-huh? Why?"
"Because we need to go."
"There's still 3 periods left!" Kagome pulled back a little.
Kikyo stopped again and turned back toward her. This time, she showed no emotion, she simply gazed at Kagome, studying her face like a nerd does a textbook, an analogy that was rarely if ever associated with this Kikyo.
"I have a favor to ask of you Kagame."
'Closer...' Kagome sighed. Then a strike of realization hit her. "Wait, huh? Favor?" Kagome blinked. "What could I possibly do for you?"
"Would you do it?"
"What?"
"Would you do it?"
"You haven't told me what I'm supposed to be doing!"
Kikyo sighed and placed her delicate hands on her hips. "You know, this usually isn't this difficult. I don't usually have to explain before someone accepts so..." She gazed up to Kagome. "I'm not used to this. Give me a second to think."
"Um." Kagome shifted awkwardly as the bell rang to send everyone off to class. "Shouldn't we--"
"Shh."
A groan escaped her. 'Figures. Rude and snobby. What the hell does she want with me?'
The two girls stood in the hall for what seemed like a small eternity, Kagome staring impatiently at Kikyo who was all but lost in her thoughts. Kagome herself was ready to bail and it was made clear by the incessant foot tapping that started shortly after she was 'Shh'ed.
"Ok." Kikyo said so suddenly Kagome jumped a bit. "I've got it. Come with me." And the dragging continues.
"Wait!" Kagome quickly protested. "Where are we--"
"Oh hush now," Kikyo's motherly tone took over. "I'll explain in the car."
"Car?!"
"If you don't hush up I won't let you have shotgun either."
Kagome thought for a minute.
"What kind of car?"
- o – O – o -
"You want me to WHAT?"
Kikyo rubbed her ears. "Must you yell?" Her strong gaze caught Kagome's. "And is it really so hard to believe?"
Kagome nodded with a 'Well, Duh' expression. "Do explain it again..."
Kikyo exhaled deeply. "In short, I need you to be me for this next week, Monday through Sunday." She looked toward the mirror hanging near the couch the two were seated on.
The car ride to Kikyo's house had been fairly uneventful, Kagome was to distracted by all the buttons and optional features of the car to ask questions allowing Kikyo some quiet time to gather her thoughts before degrading herself by asking such a big favor of this girl she hardly knew.
"Clearly, you're the best person to ask in such a situation, wouldn't you say?" Kikyo gracefully gestured toward the mirror staring at them from the living room wall.
Kagome reluctantly looked over to it. As she had been told before, the two girls were near identical in face shape and hair and eye color. The only main differences was that of Kagome's bouncy hair to Kikyo's perfectly straight locks and that of Kagome's major inability to imitate Kikyo's strong gaze.
"All you would really need is some makeup, a straightener, and the right attitude." Kikyo explained matter-of-factly. "It's not as big a deal as your making it. Simply dress as I do every morning, introduce yourself as Kikyo, hang with my crowd and don't talk much for a week. I'll direct you along and take care of any obstacles that may arise."
'She's been planning this...' Kagome sighed. "Wait, Obstacles?" Kagome blinked curiously. "Like what?"
"Well," Kikyo thought for a moment "Ah. Your absence at school will be for a family reunion so none of you friends will poke around your house. After all you will be staying here all week."
"Friends huh... That won't be much of a problem.' Kagome sighed. "Stay here? What about my family?"
"Simply tell them your house sitting for me. That's not a lie. I'll need you here 24-7 lest something should happen."
"Like what?"
"I don't know. A party." Kikyo shrugged.
'Figures.' Kagome thought dryly. "Ok, say I accept. Do I get anything out of it?"
Kikyo blinked at the girl. "You want something in return?"
"Yes?"
The little rich girl looked almost dumbfounded. "Uh..." She looked around and quickly grabbed a picture off the mantle. "Here?"
Kagome looked down at it. "A picture of you and your boyfriend? What the hell would I do with that?" Although the frame had some yellow diamonds in it...
"I don't know." Kikyo flipped her hair. "Take it or leave it. I don't know what you would want. Most would think being me for a week is reward enough. So will you do me this favor? Or should I look for someone else?"
"You don't have anyone else do you."
"Answer my question!" Kikyo's face flushed pink with embarrassment. Never before did she have to beg to get something done. This girl was becoming much more trouble then she was worth.
Kagome laughed a bit. She was never pegged as the one people depended on and this change was new and exciting for her. It would be kind of like a little adventure wouldn't it, living someone else's life, Kikyo's life, for a whole week? She would get to be rich, famous and the most beautiful and respected girl in school, a dream most girls had in mind, including Kagome from time to time. She smiled softly to herself.
"Alrighty then Kikyo, I'll do you this favor."
Done!
Wow. Short chapter... I do wish I could write more. Ah well, prologue! It's a prologue! I'm working on the next chapter as I post this chapter and trust me, it gets much more interesting. Day 1 starts off and lets just say Kagome needed more training to deal with Kikyo's current boyfriend. By the way I will answer any questions ya'll might have, but I won't expect and till later. Untill you read again!
Ja ne!