Chapter 6: Secrets Revealed

Kagome arrived at school the next morning on time to see her new group of friends on the school steps laughing as Inuyasha blushed and glared at the rest of them. "Hey guys! What's so funny?"

Miroku calmed down long enough to say, "We were just teasing Inuyasha because he lik—oof!"

Inuyasha smiled victoriously after elbowing Miroku in the ribs and turned to Kagome. "Miroku and Koga were just being asses. Ignore them. So what are you doing after school since we're not having band practice today?"

"Sango and Kohaku are coming over after she gets done with practice. Right Sango?"

"Yeah, I'm helping Kagome move some stuff around in her room."

"Oh," Inuyasha said feeling a little disappointed. "Hey, since you weren't here for your first class yesterday, how about I show you where it is? C'mon!" And without waiting for an answer he grabbed her hand and pulled her inside the building. They walked in silence to Kagome's locker and Inuyasha stood to the side and took in Kagome's appearance for the day as she got the books she needed and put her bag away. She was wearing a pair of black denim shorts, a white off-the-shoulder long sleeve shirt with a black tank top underneath, and a pair of black sandals. Her long hair was straight and pulled back in a loose ponytail and the only make-up she was wearing today was some foundation, mascara, and a little eyeliner. Inuyasha was distracted admiring long slender legs when he heard her locker shut.

"Well, I have Applied World Literature for my first class. Lead the way." Kagome said with a smile as she linked her arm with Inuyasha's causing him to blush.

Coughing nervously, Inuyasha decided to make small talk along the way. "So you said someone was coming to visit you Saturday and you're bringing them to the show? Who is it?"

"Yeah; his name is Hojo and he's actually the one who helped me move here. He's been one of my closest friends if not the closest friend I've had since we were in second grade." She answered thinking back to everything he'd done for her. "He was always there to help me out of the tough spots and through the hard times." It had left Kagome's mouth before she realized what she had said.

"What kind of hard times? Nothing too bad, right?"

"Oh no, no, no, just the usual family dramas!" Kagome said with a forced smile and strained laugh. Now it was her turn to be nervous.

After a few minutes of heavy silence Inuyasha decided to break the awkward moment. "Kagome, can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah! I mean…umm…sure, go ahead." She corrected. 'Anything to get away from the topic of home…'

Taking a deep breath, Inuyasha started "Well, if you're not seeing anyone from your home town I was wondering if you'd want to go out sometime?"

Getting over her initial shock, Kagome smiled up at the white haired boy and nodded her head. "That sounds great! But I'm actually from Tokyo. My brother and I were both born here and we lived here until I was about eight. My mom got remarried and we moved away to live with her new husband."

"So the shrine belongs to your dad's side of the family? What happened to your dad?"

Kagome was silent for a few moments before she answered "Well…nobody is really sure. My mom and I came home to the shrine one day from shopping and my dad was lying unconscious on the ground….he died before the ambulance even got to the hospital. They could never figure out what happened…" That's when Kagome felt the warm trail of a tear rolling down her cheek. "Umm…this is the classroom right? Thanks for showing me where it is, but could you show me where the nearest restrooms are?"

Inuyasha pointed her to a set of doors a few feet down the hall and didn't ask anymore questions as she walked down the hall without turning back. He had seen her tears and now felt guilty about asking about her father. Wanting to make sure that she was alright, Inuyasha walked back outside and pulled Sango aside to ask her to go check on Kagome for him. Nodding her head she walked into the building and found Kagome rummaging around in her locker instead of in the bathroom Inuyasha had said she'd find her in. "Hey Kagome! What are you doing?"

~*~*~*~

Kagome walked into the bathroom and set her books down on the counter by the sinks. She looked in a mirror and saw the small trails left behind by her tears and wiped them away with the back of her hand. She instantly regretted this however when she accidentally ran over her still sensitive black eye. "Shit!" Kagome cursed with a wince. Looking back into the mirror she could see that she had also accidentally wiped away most of her foundation covering the dark ring. She automatically reached to her side for the make-up she kept in her bag only to sigh in frustration when she realized that she had left most of her things in her locker.

Pulling some of her hair into her face to cover her abused eye, Kagome grabbed her books and hurried to her locker hoping to reapply her make-up before she ran into someone she knew. She reached her locker without incident and thought she was in the clear when she heard "Hey Kagome! What are you doing?"

Sango walked up to Kagome as she turned away from her locker with a polite smile and responded "Oh, nothing much. Just getting something I forgot…"

"Okay…well, Inuyasha's worried and wanted me to come check on you. What happened??"

"Nothing, nothing; we were just talking and some not so pleasant memories came back, that's all." Kagome was really hoping that Sango would go back outside with the group, but of course she wasn't that lucky.

"Well don't mind him, he hasn't quite gotten the grasp of tact yet." Sango said with a laugh. "You know, your eyes are such a pretty color you really shouldn't hide them behind your hair." She said in an almost motherly way as she reached out to push the hair out of Kagome's face. What she wasn't expecting was for Kagome to suddenly reach up and knock her hand away.

"No!" Kagome blurted out. "I…I mean, it's fine…really. I was actually just about to fix it. I'll come back outside in a second so you can go on ahead—"

Sango knew something was wrong. She hadn't known Kagome long, but an outburst like that seemed like something better reserved for Inuyasha or Koga. "Kagome…is everything alright? Let me see your face." She said as she reached out to push the hair out of the way again, this time without interference.

Kagome winced when she heard Sango's gasp at seeing her current secret. "Kagome! What happened to you?!" But just then the bell for class rang and the hallway filled with students trying to get to class on time.

Kagome moved back a step so that her hair fell from Sango's grasp and back into her face. "I'll explain later, but for now I have to get to class." And with that she grabbed her bag and books and left for class as Sango stood in the hall watching her retreating form.

Kagome made it to class and was relieved to see that not many students had made it to class yet. Sitting down in a hurry she pulled out her bag and started rummaging through it looking for her foundation. Then she heard someone sit down in the seat beside her and silently cursed her luck as she glanced over to see who it was. White hair came into her vision along with magenta stripes on ivory skin. 'Great…this is just peachy.' She thought.

Sesshoumaru turned to look at the girl who had taken occupancy in the desk next to his as she gave a small "Aha!" and turned her back to him. In his momentary glance he saw over her shoulder into a small mirror and got a look at what could have only been a black eye. But it was quickly covered up with some make-up and he returned his bored look to the front of the classroom. He vaguely wondered what had happened, but decided that he would die before asking such a question. 'Maybe that's why she stopped me from striking Inuyasha yesterday…there may be more to this girl than I first thought.' And with that his thoughts were cut off as the teacher entered the room and class began.

~*~*~*~

The day went by far too quickly for Kagome. She knew she'd have to explain about her eye to Sango and had a feeling that Sango wouldn't go for the 'I ran into a door' clumsy routine. As Kagome made her way down the hall towards the back of the school where the practice fields were she became lost in her thoughts. 'I just got here…I'm still settling in….I don't have anywhere else to go…I can NOT run away.'

Reaching the practice fields bleachers, Kagome tossed her bag down and made herself comfortable to watch the field hockey team practice. She caught Sango's eye only to see her new friend give her a look of concern combined with suspicion. With a sigh of resolution Kagome decided that without Hojo around she would need a friend that she could be honest with…but was she ready for Sango to be that friend? "Higurashi Kagome?" A voice called from beside the bleachers.

"Yes?" Kagome answered as she turned to her left. She was taken aback for a moment by her addresser's handsome appearance. He was about as tall as Sesshoumaru with long back hair that rippled and waved pulled back in a ponytail. His skin was pale, smooth, and flawless and red eyes drew her attention. Despite his handsome face and seemingly polite smile, there was something about this person that made her uneasy as adrenaline started to course through her veins encouraging her to run from the unknown danger present. But with a pounding heart she put on a smile and asked, "May I help you?"

"I wanted to introduce myself. I am Naraku Oni. I saw you yesterday, but let my shyness get the better of me. You're quite beautiful and I was wondering if you'd like to see a movie sometime?" The smile he wore was charming, but Kagome was paying attention to his eyes which portrayed a cold and calculating person.

"I appreciate the offer, but I'm not interested in someone who only wants to date me because they like the way I look." That said, she turned back to watch Sango practice. 'Please leave, please leave, please leave…'

"While it was your face that drew my attention, I'm sure you have a beautiful personality to match."

'Damn it…' she thought. He was very eloquent, but her turning stomach told her otherwise. "I…I—" She wasn't sure what to say to get him to leave without being too rude. Then suddenly a deep growl sounded to her right. When Kagome turned towards the menacing sound she found Koga standing on the bleachers next to her in his track uniform growling, fangs bared, and tail bristled and twitching irritably. "Koga?"

"Get lost Naraku!" Koga barked, "Can't you tell she's not interested?"

"Ahh Koga, are you interested too?" Naraku questioned.

Koga's growling became louder and more threatening. "Leave before I make you!"

"Fine, I can see when I'm not wanted. I'll see you another time Kagome." He said with a smirk and a bow.

Kagome watched his back as he walked away until he rounded a corner. Letting out a nervous sigh she'd been holding back, she turned towards Koga and gave him a thankful smile as he sat down beside her. "Thanks, I'm not sure how much longer I could have been around him. What's wrong with him anyway?"

"That's just how Naraku is. Listen Kagome…stay away from him okay? Naraku only uses people for his own benefit as long as he can, and then those people have a tendency to go missing later."

"What? There's no way I would date that guy or anything, but missing? The police would have done something about that by now if it's as common knowledge as you make it sound."

"There have been investigations, but nothing's ever been proven so none of the charges ever stick. I like you Kagome, so just promise me that you'll try to stay away from him, alright?"

Koga didn't seem like the type to be serious very often, but this seemed important to him. "Okay Koga, I promise."

"Good," and just like that Koga seemed to be back to his cocky, playful self. "So I heard that mutt-face asked you out? Too bad…it looks like he beat me to the punch."

"I'm flattered that you like me Koga, but you're just not my type."

"Well what is your 'type'? Maybe I'm your dream guy and you just don't know it yet." He questioned as he grabbed her hand and leaned much closer to Kagome causing her to blush. But with a sudden yelp he was up on his feet and grabbing his precious tail to nurse the injured appendage.

Kagome looked up to see Sango standing with her field hockey stick in hand. "You don't waste any time do you? Go home and stop harassing girls, you flirt!" As Koga walked away with his injured pride and tail, Sango turned to Kagome and offered her a hand up as she said, "I swear if he was a little more touchy-feely he'd be as bad as Miroku."

Kagome laughed at this and smiled back at her friend. "Thanks for the rescue. It's a little hard to get used to…I wasn't this popular with the guys back home."

Sango looked at her like she was crazy. "I find that hard to believe. Have you looked in a mirror?"

Kagome picked up her bag as she and Sango started their walk home. "I was told by some friends that it was because most of the guys found me…'intimidating' is the word they used, I think." She said with a laugh.

"Well you'll find that the male population around here is a little harder to intimidate. Most of the male demons are cocky and headstrong and most of the human guys try to act the same so that they don't get their fragile little ego's trampled on!"

Both girls continued to talk and laugh and Kagome thought she was in the clear until a heavy silence fell on them and she knew what was coming next. "Kagome…about your eye…what happened?? We may not have known each other very long, but I'm still your friend and I care."

"I know, Sango…I just wanted to start over and didn't want anyone to find out the whole reason my brother and I came here."

"Look, I can't make you tell me, but I want you to know that I'm worried. I've had plenty of sports related injuries and I know what it looks like when someone gets hit."

"If I tell you, you can't tell anyone. Not Miroku or Koga…not Inuyasha…"

"Okay, it'll stay strictly between us."

With a steadying breath, Kagome started, "Our dad died not very long after Souta was born. Things were hard for our mom, emotionally and financially. She tried dating a little, but she would always compare them to our dad and nothing ever lasted…until she brought home Mikaru. Apparently she saw something in him that nobody else saw. He was always kind and polite in front of Mama, but everyone has two sides to their personality, you know? He didn't want kids and wanted to get rid of Souta and me by sending us to boarding schools. Luckily or not-so-luckily Mama wouldn't hear anything about it. At the very least, if we had been at boarding school we wouldn't have seen as much of his cruel side. If we stepped out of line in the slightest or he just had a bad day Souta and I became his personal anger release system. There was always the verbal abuse when Mama wasn't around or listening, but sometimes there would be beatings. Both of us had our fair share of bruises, cuts, and broken bones…the last straw was when I came home late the night before making the move to Tokyo. He hit me a few times and even threatened to kill me. That's where I got the black eye…"

"It sounds like you mom loved you though…she had to have known about all of this."

"I don't blame her. Like I said, things were hard for her with a little girl and an infant. I think she just needed someone else to help lighten the load a little. She was desperate and I think she started turning a blind eye and a deaf ear…"

Sango watched as Kagome's eyes got a far away look too them and felt bad for the girl. Then suddenly, without thinking, Sango reached over and wrapped her arms around Kagome and said, "I'm sorry. You must be a very strong person Kagome…you and your brother both. Not just anyone can go through something like that and still be able to smile, make friends, and have fun like you used to."

Kagome let her chin rest on Sango's shoulder as she felt a little guilty about the praise she was getting. "Yeah…like I used to…" Straightening herself and putting on a smile, Kagome grabbed Sango's hand and said, "Well…let's go get Kohaku and get to the shrine. The boys have some video games that need playing and we have some furniture that needs moving!"

~*~*~*~

Kagome slid the door to their home open and said "Make yourselves at home. Kohaku, I think Souta should be in the TV room planted in front of one of his games. It's right through that door."

"Okay Miss Kagome, thanks for inviting me over." Kohaku answered in his soft, timid voice. Kagome found out that he was actually very shy and sensitive for a boy his age.

"For the fifth time today, call me Kagome. And you're welcome over here anytime and the same goes for you Sango." Kagome was happy to have made a friend with a brother the same age as Souta. She knew it was hard for him to leave his friends behind like he did, but maybe now things would be easier for him.

"Kagome, could you come help me for a moment??" Their grandfather called from the back of the house.

"I'll be right back, just make yourself comfortable and I'll show you where my room is in a little bit." Kagome called to Sango as she ran off to find the old man.

Sango was looking around the living room when a little boy she could only guess to be Souta came running from the room Kohaku had gone into asking what snacks he should get from the kitchen. He was almost through the living room when he noticed her standing there. "Hello, you must be Souta. I'm your sister's friend, Sango."

"Hi, I'm not sure how long Kagome will be helping Gramps but I can show you where her room is and you can wait there. You'd probably be more comfortable there anyway. C'mon, it's this way." Souta said as he started up the stairs.

Sango followed the young boy up the stairs and saw him waiting for her by a door. "This is her room. She should be back in a few minutes. Do you want anything to drink while you wait?"

"No thanks, you can go back to playing with Kohaku or whatever you two were doing." And as she watched Kagome's brother make his way back down the stairs she turned the door knob and entered Kagome's room. The first thing she noticed was the full length mirror by the dresser and then the few boxes in the corner that hadn't been unpacked. But what caught her eye the most were the shelves that were completely covered with trophies, ribbons, and medals. Walking closer Sango could see that many of them had Kagome's name on them and all of them were from karaoke contests or talent shows. It was a very impressive collection.

"Yeah…I didn't get a chance to hide those this morning…I was hoping that nobody here would find out about that little hobby." Kagome said from the doorway as she watched Sango admire a passion past.

Sango turned around to look at her friend. "Why wouldn't you want to tell someone about this?? I'm in a band Kagome. I know people from other bands. I know a lot of singers. But I have NEVER seen one of them with an award collection this big!"

"Not even Sesshoumaru??"

Sango just stopped and raised an eyebrow to the posed question. "Kagome…I know you just met the guy, but does he really seem like the type to enter a talent competition?? He sings with the band only…never solo unless he's practicing."

"I guess you're right. But it doesn't matter now. I don't sing anymore, so let's start moving this stuff around and we'll get something to eat when we're done, okay?"

"Wait, wait, wait…you don't sing anymore?? Why not? With this collection you have to have some talent!"

"Most of those are from karaoke and you don't have to have any kind of talent for that…they're nothing but false achievements."

"Bullshit…why don't you sing anymore?"

"You were wrong earlier when you said I was strong. Mikaru may have been an ass, but he did have a point that I wasn't going anywhere with my singing and I never would. That's why I gave it up and I'm going to focus on getting a realistic career."

"Kagome…the radio station Miroku works for showcases local artists if they're good enough. Why not go audition?? I'm sure they're put you on air."

Kagome smiled a small, sad smile and said, "Sango you've never even heard me. There's no way you could know that. I don't want to go through the humiliation and rejection. I don't want to waste anymore time on a dead end dream. I just want to move on and do something else, okay?"

To Sango, it sounded like she was trying to convince herself as much as she was trying to convince her. "Sure…I understand. So what do you want to move where?" She asked with a smile, hoping to change the subject for the moment.

~*~*~*~

"And when she was little, she was so precious in little traditional miko garbs. Looking at her now, you would never guess that she's of holy descent—"

"Gramps!!" Kagome yelled. "Excuse me if you don't like the way I dress, but I really don't think that's something you should say in front of guests!"

Sango and the two boys were busy trying to hide their giggles as Kagome fumed and their grandfather pouted. "But Kagome, a lady of your standing should dress more conservatively. You show far too much skin for a holy woman…" Grandpa argued.

"For the hundredth time since we got here, I'm NOT a holy woman. I haven't been trained, my powers have probably withered away by now, and monks and mikos aren't exactly needed like they were a few centuries ago." This was one argument that Kagome was sure she would have many more times while she lived at the shrine.

"And I've told you that your powers haven't gone anywhere, they're just untrained! I fully intend on you taking over the shrine for me one day—"

"And you had planned on asking me this…WHEN???"

"It should go without saying! You are the oldest child of my oldest child and your oldest child will take over the shrine from you one day."

Kagome merely groaned as she let her head fall against the table. "You know what gramps? Fine. You win. If you train me and my powers haven't shriveled up by now then I'll take over the shrine."

"Oh Kagome!" he shouted, "You've made the happiest old man in the world!"

At this point the other three that had been trying to sit quietly started to laugh, unable to hold it back anymore. "Well…I'm glad you three are enjoying this," Kagome said from her current position on the table. She then turned to her grandfather and in one final point to the conversation said, "But I am NOT changing the way I dress!"

~*~*~*~

AN: I know what some of you are thinking: "Holy crap! She's not dead?!" nope…not dead…thankfully. But as for where I've been, it's been a few different things. Some headaches, dizzy spells, and blackouts had my mom sending me to the doctor where I was told that it was a possibility that I had brain tumors…that was a fun day. But several MRI's, blood tests, and other crap later it was determined that I do NOT have tumors (THAT was a good day ^_^). But they still don't know what the hell is wrong soooo….yeah. And then the other hold up is that to post my stories I have to save them to a flash drive and upload them to a different computer and all that cause I didn't have internet access on my laptop which is where I write, but all of that has changed because I FINALLY nagged my dad into coming out to my house and setting up a wireless system for me ^_^ NOTE: if you haven't caught on, if you don't want to hear about my truly pathetic life, don't read my AN's. I'll put something at the beginning of the story if it's REALLY important and actually pertaining to the story ^_^