Hear Me

By: Ryu Katanna

Beta:

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter Two

It hadn't taken long for Kagome to get her things ready while Eiri spoke to her mother and his little brother. Tatsuha had made a call to their father to let him know that Eiri would be taking charge of their cousin. He had readily agreed; happy that his oldest son had finally taken some interest in something to do with the family. It was unexpected, but a welcome change.

The car was silent while Eiri drove the three of them back to his home in the city. Kagome felt anxiety twist her stomach as they pulled into the driveway. The light was giving way to darkness in the evening hours and she could see a light on from inside her cousin's flat. Yes, Eiri had said his lover was okay with her living with them, but would he still feel the same after meeting her?

'I really hope Eiri was right.' She thought as the three of them stepped out of the car.

"Tatsuha, grab Kagome's bags." Eiri ordered his brother before walking to the door.

"Don't worry about it. Go on and meet Shuichi." Tatsuha said somewhat gently as he motioned her toward the building when she turned to help him with her things.

That was one of the things she had noticed about the younger man. Tatsuha often spoke softly to her; as if speaking to an injured animal. Yet Kagome found she didn't really mind it. His aura told her what kind of person he was. He had been raised away from some of the harsher realities of life, and reminded her of another monk she had known who held his own place in her heart and memory. He didn't treat her like glass that was ready to break, but as someone he cared about.

Taking a steadying breath Kagome joined Eiri at the door only to jump back in surprise as a young man came barreling into the blond man next to her. She watched in amusement as her cousin shifted subtly to better support the other man's weight even as his face took on a deadpan expression and his eyes narrowed in annoyance.

Sometimes there were benefits to not being able to speak, and this was one of them. She took more time to observe other people, and notice the slightest shift in demeanor. Eiri may not have been the most expressive person in the word, but to her, his affection for this younger pink haired man was clear at this moment. If he didn't care for him than he wouldn't have left himself open for the contact between them, and he would have let the younger one fall rather than support him.

"Yuki! You're finally home!" The pinkette smiled brightly even as his lover pushed him off of him.

"Let us in the door you brat." Eiri growled as Kagome followed him in.

"Oh! It this the cousin you told me would be staying with us?" Wide purple eyes looked over at her and Kagome couldn't believed what she had heard.

Her arms crossed as she narrowed her eyes to glare at her cousin. At that moment Tatsuha stumbled in the door and dropped her bags to the side. Seeing her stare down his brother, he couldn't help but laugh. It was the same look a mother would give to a kid when she had caught them in a lie.

"What did you do now big brother?" Tatsuha asked with a hand raised to cover his smile.

"Hell if I know." Eiri said and went to turn away down the hall only to be stopped by a small hand on his arm.

-The hell you don't! You told him I was staying here. What ever happened to asking if it was alright with him? He's your lover, and if he doesn't feel comfortable with me being here then I shouldn't stay here.- Kagome moved her mouth in silence as her hands made gestures as she tried to help them know what she was saying.

It was apparent that she would be yelling if she could. They gestures she was making were too rapid to make much sense to anyone. Unfortunately for her, one of the young men was looking at her in complete confusion, another was trying the work it out, and the one who usually seemed to understand her just gave her a blank stare.

"Uhh… I'm sorry, but what's going on?" Shuichi asked in confusion as he looked at Kagome who seemed to be scolding her cousin.

"Shuichi, this is Kagome Higurashi, our second cousin. Kagome this is Eiri's lover Shuichi Shindou. I think that she's mad at him for not asking you if you were okay with her staying here. Did I get it right?" Tatsuha asked Kagome only to receive a nod in return before she turned to greet Shuichi with a small wave.

"You can't talk?" Shuichi asked honestly in surprise.

Kagome only shook her head and tapped the scars on her throat. He couldn't see them well in the dim lighting, but it didn't take long before a look of understanding crossed his face. His perpetual smile dimmed a bit as he looked at the marred skin. Kagome, seeing the sadness in his gaze, held her hands up and shook her head in alarm. She hadn't meant to make him feel bad.

"Stop that." Eiri scolded Shuichi with a fist to the back of his head to knock him out of it.

"Owie! Yuki! What was that for?" Shuichi whined and held the back of his head with both hands.

"She doesn't want your sympathy. Kagome was only showing you to explain why she can't speak. It just takes a little longer to understand what she says so you have to be a little patient." Tatsuha said with a smile as he rested his elbow on the girl's shoulder comfortingly.

This time a more genuine smile took over as they all made their way into the living room. The room was well lit and Kagome could tell Eiri must be a minimalist as there was very little furniture. It worked to give the space a open and modern feel. It was completely opposite from the traditional environments of the temple or the shrine where they had grown up. While she would have been more comfortable in a more traditional space because of her time in the past, this place suited her older cousin. She noticed the television playing once she has seated herself between Eiri and Tatsuha with Shuichi on the other side of his lover. It was what was playing across the screen that caught her attention.

-Shuichi?!- Her eyes widened in surprise before pointing at the screen and then back to the singer on the couch.

"Oh, you didn't know? Shuichi is the lead singer for the band Bad Luck. It was all over the news a little over a year ago when the press found out about their relationship." Tatsuha chuckled as Kagome shook her head to answer him.

-Was that your dream? To make music? To sing?- Kagome asked slowly so she knew Shuichi could follow.

It took a few minutes, but then Shuichi smiled brightly when he figured it out.

"Yes! My friend Hiro and I started Bad Luck. I have always been a fan of Nittle Grasper, and of Ryuuichi Sakuma. I started singing because I wanted to be just like him." Kagome smiled softly for the first time at his enthusiastic reply even as her eyes took on a more far away look.

"Okay. That's enough. I have work to finish. Show Kagome her room, brat." Eiri said as he stood and walked down the hall and into his office without any further comment.

Kagome focused her gaze on his back as he left with a small scowl. She had been lost in the memory of the day her grandfather had told her he would have Souta inherit the shrine instead of her. The day he had pretty much told her that not only was she damaged, but almost useless to their family now. Yes, she was still a miko. Yet a miko who could not chant, sing the songs, speak the invocations and words of ritual, or even simply greet parishioners and make them feel welcomed really had so little to offer. Her purification had been the only thing, and she did not have to be present on shrine grounds at all times for that.

She had never really had a dream to work towards like Shuichi. As a child she had already known she was expected to take over the shrine after her father. When he had died it had just solidified the reality, and before she had turned fifteen and fallen down the well she had resigned herself to it. Then during those three years traveling through the well Kagome had been too busy trying to complete her mission and to survive to think of any dreams she may have had for herself. Her path had already been decided long ago as far as she was concerned, and so hadn't really thought about it.

She didn't know what she wanted for herself now that she had been freed from duty and obligation. She had been lost and drifting for months now. Did Eiri know that she had gotten lost in her own thoughts about the future? He had left abruptly, and she had been startled out of that train of thought by his abrupt departure. Had he really read her so well in only a moment?

'Wait… my room?' The thought startled her back to her current reality.

Here, in Eiri's place. Living with him and his lover. A lover who was just as famous a singer as he was a writer. A lover that he still hadn't even asked if it was alright with him for her to be here.

-Eiri!- She yelled silently only to be completely unheard as she stood suddenly and started to stomp in the direction he had gone only for Tatsuha to stop her gently with the soft grip on her arm.

"Just ignore him, Kagome. He gets like that sometimes." Turning to look at him she glanced toward Shuichi as she tried to convey why she was upset.

It took him a moment before he remembered what happened earlier. Tatsuha chuckled a bit when he thought he got it, and looked at Shuichi who was looking a bit startled at Kagome's sudden movement.

"So, Shuichi, you don't mind having Kagome here do you?" He asked already knowing what he would say.

Shuichi looked back and forth between the two. This had been an eventful day. First he had been stuck at the studio under the watchful eyes of K as Yuki had said he was going to take care of something today and not to expect him for dinner. Then, as he's talking to Mr. Sakano and Mr. Tohma, he gets a text from said lover saying he will be bringing someone from his family home to stay with them for a while. Knowing how Yuki is, he had agreed even though the older man hadn't been asking. Then when Yuki finally gets home he is with his brother and a woman who he introduces as a cousin. A cousin who can't talk, but wanted to make sure he was alright with her being here.

"It's fine. Yuki must have his reasons for wanting you here. You're his family so I'm okay." He told her before looking back at Tatsuha as he spoke.

"We then that settles it. You'll be staying here, and you don't have to feel bad about it. I, on the other hand, have to head out." Kagome nodded to thank him for everything that day and watched him head out the door.

"Well you must be tired. Let's get you moved in!" Shuichi said before gathering her bags that Tatsuha had left by the entryway and leading her over to the same hall that Eiri had gone down before.

He pointed out rooms along the way.

"The kitchen is over there off the living room. Down here we have the bathroom right here, and then mine and Yuki's room." Shuichi said as he pointed to the left side of the hall before continuing on the right.

"Across from the bathroom is Yuki's study. He has a deadline coming up so if you need him he'll mostly be in there. Next to that and across from our room is yours."

Opening the door Shuichi took her bags inside before waiting as she looked around. Just like the rest of the place she had seen so far, this room was very modern as well, and only contained a bed, dresser, a lamp on the bedside table, and an empty closet. The room was bare of anything else, and the walls were a stark white. The stress from the changes the day had brought hit her as her shoulders slumped tiredly.

-Thank you.- Kagome said slowly before Shuichi turned to go to bed himself and leave her to get comfortable; shutting the door behind him so she could have some privacy.

Kagome let out a breath of relief as the door shut behind him and she allowed her body to sag into the full mattress with a small flop. She was so tired from the long and emotional day. If there was one thing she hadn't expected when she had started her daily routine this morning; it was this. She honestly couldn't be more grateful to have a cousin like Eiri.

They had not seen each other in years, and still she felt more comfortable with him than she had her grandfather, mother, or even Souta. He didn't push her to communicate, but paid attention when she did. Actually it had taken very little for him to understand what she was trying to say. As a writer, she guessed he had come to be the type of person who paid attention to the small cues of the people around him. He really had changed since they were children, but then again, so had she in those years.

Tatsuha and Shuichi had taken a little time, but they had made the effort to understand her without getting frustrated and asking her to just write it out. Tatsuha was only a couple years younger than her, but he treated her more like he was the older one. He reminded her so much of a certain dark haired and purple eyed monk from her past. There was just something about his aura that made her think of her old friend.

Shuichi had surprised her. He was bright and cheerful. He had clung to Eiri like he was his everything, and didn't even flinch at the cold treatment he had received. He was in love, and seemed so secure in that love. If only she could have been like that. Was he really so strong, or was it something else? The sight had left her happy that Eiri had found someone who looked at him like that, but at the same time it left her feeling weak.

Her love had broken her in so many ways. She never wanted to feel like that again. It had shredded her will to live or to love again. The experience haunted her, and it would continue to do so. She clenched her fist to her side as she saw flashes of memories replay themselves in her mind's eye. No, try as she might to bury it, she could never forget.

123

The next day passed in relative peace as Kagome had been too tired to even dream. She was only grateful she had been spared at least one night to a restful sleep without nightmares. Shuichi would be spending most of the day at work, and Eiri was holed up in his office. The steady clicking of the keyboard a reminder that she was not really as alone as she felt.

She had decided not to disturb him in his work, and to help out with what she could around the house even as she focused her ki more strongly around the Shikon so as not to let it have the power to influence those around her. It was something she had decided to try in place of her usual morning cleansing of the shrine grounds. To her happiness it seemed to be working, and she could feel the jewel's power retreat into the subtle barrier she had placed. The only downside was the slight feeling of fatigue from the consistent focus.

It was well into the afternoon, and she was almost done with cooking them all dinner when the clicking from the other room stopped. Soft footfalls made their way toward the kitchen and soon Kagome knew she wasn't alone in the kitchen any more. She waited for him to speak as she left the chicken to simmer, and pulled one of his beers out of the fridge to set on the counter next to him. He had been up all night working on his manuscript and so she figured he may need one to relax.

The crack of the top of the can being opened was heard behind her has she finished the rice, and pulling down three plates and bowls for the rice and chicken. She easily started prepping the dishes. Turning off the heat she checked the time. Another few minutes and Shuichi should be home if he made it back at the time he had told her that morning. Quickly she started setting the table with easy movements before turning to look at Eiri and point at the chair for him to sit down.

"You know I didn't ask you to come stay with me so I would have a housekeeper. You are free to do what you want." The man said as he sat down while he took another drink from the can.

-I wanted to clean, and I wanted to cook dinner.- She replied just as the front door opened and Shuichi walked in.

"I'm back! Oh?" Shuichi called only to look at the both of them in surprise that dinner was already on the table.

-Have a seat. You must be hungry. I hope you like chicken katsu with curry.- Kagome motion slowly to the food as she took her own seat and poured some tea for herself.

"This looks great! Thanks, I'm starving." Shuichi smiled brightly at her in thanks before bouncing happily over to the table and taking his own seat.

Several minutes passed as the three of them ate, and Kagome noticed Eiri start to relax from working on his newest book. What neither he or Shuichi knew was that she has used a few herbs that helped with stress in this meal. She had learned a lot about them while she had been training in the older ways of a miko in the past. It made her feel better that she was able to help in some way. Even if it was just because of this knowledge of herbs.

-How was your day?- She asked the singer slowly after a few minutes.

Shuichi blinked owlishly and pulled his chopsticks away from his mouth. He chewed as he thought about what she was trying to ask. Swallowing the mouthful he smiled brightly when he figured it out.

"Great! We're working on a new song. K, our manager, told us today that we may be going on tour soon. They're wanting me to write another song if we do so we can play it at the first concert." He said happily eating another bite when she gave him a small smile because of how happy he sounded.

"What about you, Kagome? What do you intend to do now that you're away from the shrine?" Eiri asked as he set his own chopsticks down; finished with his meal.

She had a troubled look as she thought about his question. What would she do now? She couldn't go back to the shrine. Not after her grandfather and mother had given up and sent her away. She couldn't communicate well, and so most jobs were out.

Being a miko was the only thing she knew, and in this day and age the duties of a miko were different than in the past. There she would have been able to just travel and help villages with troublesome demons. That was not an option now. There was no going back.

-I don't really know. The shrine is all I know, and I can't do that anymore.- She replied with a few motions and slumped her shoulders.

"Well what do you like to do? Let's-" Eiri was interrupted by the loud knocking on the door.

Eiri stood with an annoyed expression and made his way to the door. Kagome looked curious as to who that could be at this time of day. She took the last bite of her own meal, and placed her chopsticks down. Shuichi, recognizing the woman's voice just smiled nervously as he finished his tea. The woman at door was reprimanding Yuki for something again as she walked in.

"I heard from Tatsuha. Really, why didn't either of you come get me. It's been years since any of us have seen her, and now I find out she's here at your place." The woman huffed as she strode quickly into the room and Kagome perked up at the sight of her.

-Mika!- She recognized her and quickly stood to give her a hug in greeting.

"Kagome. It's so good to see you!" Mika smiled happily as she folded her arms around the shorter woman in a tight embrace that lasted a few minutes as they soaked in the presence of the other.

As children they had spent time together as well. They weren't as close in age as Kagome was to Eiri or Tatsuha, but they had been the only girls out of the boys in their family. Kagome had missed Mika and the feeling of an older sister that came with her presence. It was a comforting feeling, and she was glad to have that back.

"It was late by the time we got back." Eiri replied to Mika's earlier questioning before grabbing another beer out of the fridge and then heading down the hall back to his office in order to escape from the older woman.

"Tatsuha told me everything. Are you sure you're alright? Staying here with Eiri, I mean. He can be a bit difficult." Mika asked as she pulled the younger woman over to sit with her on the sofa.

-I'm alright. Eiri offered so it's not like I was pushed on him.- Kagome replied slowly with soft motions after they had released each other.

"He offered? That's unusual." Mika said in response with a puzzled look once she got it.

-He's changed, but he's still the cousin I've known since we were little. He always did look out for me when we were children.- Kagome replied with a smile smile when Mika lit up once she figured out what her slow motions meant.

"He was pretty protective of you. How are you adjusting to Shuichi?" Mika said patiently, and it made Kagome happy that she, like her brothers and Shuichi, was taking the time to let her speak the way she was most comfortable.

-I don't know him that well yet, but I can tell he cares a lot for Eiri. As long as Eiri is happy with him then I know he must be special.- Kagome told her with a small smile as she heard the singer they were talking about in the kitchen.

It would seem that she and Eiri had abandoned him to take care of the dishes. She felt bad for that, but he had started on them without a word regardless. With Mika here she couldn't just abandon the older woman in the living room. It would be rude, and she couldn't do that to her when it had been such a long time since they had visited with each other.

"I suppose." Mika said reluctantly in agreement; even she had noticed the slight softening of her brother around the hyperactive pinkette.

What surprised her was that Kagome could see it. To her knowledge the younger woman hadn't known what Eiri was like in the years since they had last met as children. She must be very observant to be able to see that in such a short amount of time. Then again. From what she had wrung out of Tatsuha, Kagome had been through alot herself.

-How have you been? I heard you'd gotten married.- Kagome said as she drew her attention back to her.

"Yes, his name is Tohma. I'm actually pregnant right now." Mika admitted only to smile herself at the small smile Kagome gave her at the news.

-Really? Congratulations! That's great news.- Mika could feel Kagome's excitement for her and she couldn't help the smile of her own.

"Thank you. Now, are you all unpacked yet?" She asked only to stand when Kagome shook her head.

"Well then let's get that done, and then I have to head out. I just wanted to come see you today, and make sure you would be alright here with these boys." Mika continued with on hand on her hip and a raised eyebrow.

-I'll be just fine.- Kagome replied as she stood and led Mika to the room that would be hers while she was staying here.

"That's not much luggage." Mika said with a small scowl when she looked at the two suitcases and single bag sitting there just inside the door.

One of the suitcases was sitting open with clothes, and she could see that even inside of it there wasn't much in it. Kagome shrugged before opening the other one to reveal that half of the bag was books while the other half was clothes. Mika looked in surprise. This was all she had brought?

"These are all you brought for clothes?" She frowned a bit when Kagome nodded.

-What?- She asked a bit puzzled by her cousins expression.

"Okay, we're going shopping. Now. Then we'll do this when we get back. Come on." Mika said as she grabbed Kagome's hand and pulled her out of the room.

"I'm taking Kagome shopping with me, Eiri!" She hollered at the closed door of her brothers office as they passed by.

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A/N:

Hope you like it. Updates are coming as the chapters are finished and then edited. Updates my be fast or slow depending on my inspiration, and which one of the ones I'm working on at any given time. Let me know what you thought!

~Ryu