Hope

Chapter Four

Coincidence

Disclaimer: I do not own and/or profit from Inuyasha and co. (I do in my mind though!)

Life is too short to wake up with regrets. Love the people who treat you right, forget the ones who don't. Believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said it would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.

a/n: What's up everyone! Sorry for the long updates period but I had a family crisis and well….no comment…but I'm back now and that's all that matters…please forgive…

Kagome slowly drifts back to into the wonderful world of oz, her mind slowly submerging into the her deepest fears. Unconsciously, she tightens her grip on Souta. Her rose petal lips part ever so little, allowing the softest mumble imaginable to escape her lips. "…Kouga"

Dream~

Kagome lies lazily on her shared queen sized bed. Her legs extends comfortably as she rolls over on her stomach. The bedroom door creaks open slowly, causing to stir and nothing more. Kagome knows what happens next but her body won't listen. Try as she might to will her form to run, scream, yell…even MOVE, her thin framed body won't respond. Her efforts are as futile as yelling at a movie screen in a horror film. She stirs once more and lays seemingly unaware of the approaching danger. A hand extends and holds a strong grip on her shoulder, shaking her violently. The moment she sits up, a hard and powerful smack resonates through-out the bedroom, leaving a quaking Kagome sprawled out on the bed.

Kagome bolts up right in a cold sweat. She's panting heavily and her eyes dart around the desolate cemetery frantically. Kagome allows her eyes to drift down to the frightened little boy beside her. She musters up the most convincing smile she can, and proceeds to ruffle his hair gently. She squints at the bright rays of sun from the new day.

vVvVvVvVvVv

Inuyasha lazily rolls out of bed and shuffles to the bathroom residing the hall. He accidentally bumps into several walls and furnishings on the way. By the time he reaches the bathroom he has woken up enough to see clearly. He outstretches his ands above his head as he gazes into the mirror at his reflection. Yawning, he scratches the left furry appendage poking through his mass of unruly and tangled hair. After brushing his teeth, he gives the mirror a wide smirk, showing of his keen canines. He attempts to go back to his room but his sensitive ears pick up the sound of gurgled laughter. Being the good friend he is, he decides to go check it out, grabbing a camera just in case…

Sprawled out on the floor, legs entangled in legs, Sango and Miroku attempt to stifle their laughter as they try to get up. Hear a click and seeing a flash, the two quickly manage to jump to their feet….three feet in distance from each other.

"Gotcha!" Inuyasha yawns. "What is this… the sixth time I've caught you two in the act…I lost count after new year's…" He throws them a playful smirk.

Sango rolls her eyes "Ha-ha, Yash, very funny. We were just-"

"Playing twister!" Miroku interjects. "We were playing twister."

Inuyasha nods with a face of utter disbelief and kind of bored looking. "Yeah… and I'm freaking George Clooney."

Sango snickers. "What ever you say Yash."

Inuyasha stuffs the camera in his boxer pocket and walk out with his head behind his head as usual. "Yeah, yeah. I think I'm gonna go out… I need to get away from you loons." Before he leaves he adds one more thing. "Oh, and Sango?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Don't call me Yash."

vVvVvVvVvVv

Kagome walks around the busy Tokyo streets aimlessly, Souta right beside her. I guess you could say she's window shopping. She glances up at the display windows every so often to admire the clothes. After an hour of looking at basically the same clothes, she looks down at her own. Though clean now, they still radiate the message, 'I have no home' or 'I don't care how I look'.

As Kagome continues to linger down the sidewalk, studying her and her companion's ensembles, she notices the large crowd forming in front of a beauty salon. A tall, middle aged woman, stands in a chair beckoning all passerby to come forth.

"One dollar! One dollar for a ticket! If you have a winning ticket, you'll win a free makeover plus sixty bucks! Feeling lucky? Come prove it and buy a ticket! One dollar everybody!" She repeats the mantra over and over. It seems to be working. Kagome longs for a new shirt or even some decent shoes…but she has never been lucky in her life. Look at her now! She shouldn't squabble her money on iffy items.

A bright ray of light squints in her eye causing her to squeeze them shut. As reflex her fists ball up, however the right one has something. She opens her eyes and loosens her grip just enough to read the small slip of paper. It's a yellow ticket reading…34...55...80.

Kagome looks around, trying to find the owner who lost their ticket but alas cannot locate them. She grabs Souta's hand and she then merges with the large crowd. Maybe lady luck is in her favor tonight…

The middle age woman, begins to pull random numbers from a bowl beside her. "Here we go!"

Kagome squeezes Souta's hand in anticipation, and he smiles back.

The woman starts to call out numbers. After she is finishes, Kagome's sweat drops. Figures, that fate would toy with her by giving her a free ticket…that loses!

The older woman's smile falls when no one goes up to claim their prize. "Did no one get a winning ticket? 34-55-80? Did no one get that?"

Kagome's heart skips a beat…she won! Kagome, distant from her cheering and uplifting background, slowly steps to the middle aged female timidly, cowardly.

The aged woman lifts the ticket from Kagome's hand and glances at the three digits. "Our winner!" She gives Kagome a reassuring smile before gently maneuvering her and the little one, onto the beauty and cosmetics store. Kagome, though appearing dazed, is so excited and thrilled about her accolade that she almost fails to hear the whispering of the crowd. The one familiar voice that speaks what everyone else is thinking.

"Well at least the winner is something who deserved it. A common street junkie…"

Kagome glances back and catches sight of ebony ringlets flowing as the man turns to leave.

vVvVvVvVvVv

Inuyasha eyes dart nervously at random people's faces as he tries to continue his semi daily jog around the track. He measures his breath, making sure to keep it even. Breathe in through the nose, out through the mouth. He quickens his pace as he nears a particular section near a large crowd. They've been there for a while now. He wonders what could be so interesting. After he passes it completely, he slows to a brisk walk tugging down on his cap ferociously. He doesn't want it to slip off now does he?

He unconsciously lets his gaze wander back to the large crowd. What could the common passerby find so entertaining over near that shop? He momentarily debates on whether to go check it out or not, but castrates it from his mind after second thought. He starts his fifth circle around the seemingly large track and notices the crowd is dissipating slowly from the small shop. He peers closer and can see and older woman saying something to the crowd. Using his acute hearing, he can pick up her speech. He notices that she is pulling someone by the arm. Taking one final glance he sees that it's Kikyou…

It couldn't be…Kikyou? Inuyasha feels his adrenaline pumping. He can't waste this opportunity, if it's her for real…he must go get her.

Inuyasha finishes off that lap and heads straight for that shop. He takes off as fast as he can, without raising any suspicion. In the back of his mind, thoughts aggravate him numb. Would he be able to get to her in time? Is this just another trick of the mind? A low growl reverberates through his chest as more and more doubtful thoughts prickle into his mind. Not to mention the fact that since he's running so slow, it will take at least an hour to get there. Dammit all.

vVvVvVvVvVv

Kagome smiles gingerly as the quaint workers put the final touches on her. They all let out small gasps and smiles. I guess they didn't think it would have came out that well. The older woman leads her to the back and into a large walk-in closet. She looks her over one good time and grabs an executive type suit from a rack.

Placing it in her hands, she smiles. "I'm sure that with this fresh start ye would want to find a nice job. Ye manners are nice so I assume ye could do it." She tells her in a hoarse voice.

Kagome smiles in response. "Thank you so much…for everything…I don't know what to say…Miss?"

"Kaede…"

"Miss Kaede, I would hate to be a bother wouldn't be more appropriate if just took a less expensive outfit…or none at all?"

"Why would ye think that? Kaede says while going through shoe boxes.

"I just don't see why…I mean no matter how I look I will never-"

Kaede lets out a hearty laugh. "Ye just need to hope, child."

Kagome smiles and helps her in her search for shoes to match. After she has the entire ensemble on, Kaede and her workers lead her to the entrance of the door where the eager crowd has already formed. Kaede notices her apprehension and whispers her some helpful advice. "No matter what any one says, ye are beautiful."

Kaede pushes open the door and leads Kagome outside. "Introducing the NEW Kagome Higurashi!" The crowd stares in awe before applauding the small beauty shop's handy work.

Kagome jumps after hearing her name called aloud from this woman. She doesn't recall telling her her name, let alone her maiden name. Before she can question her about it, a familiar voice cuts her off

"Kikyou!"

a/n: sorry for long update but here it is!