Circumstances

By Mimi chan25

"Kagome I've missed you!"

The last that they had seen each other was on her wedding day. It felt like it was centuries ago.

Kagome did truly miss them.

Her best friends.

"Hey I did miss her too!" Sango added in while swatting miroku on the arms.

"You so not!"

"I SO did!"

They were the most sweetest and precious thing.

They had all met in highschool. No one would have every thought that they would be the tightest group in school.

Who could blame them?

Sango Hirai was the captain of the school's cheerleading squad. She was beautiful and smart. She came from a respectable and wealthy family. Everyone was friends with her. She was perfect. Everyone loved her.

Miroku Kudo was the perfect charmer. He could make any girl (and in some instances, boys) fall head over heals over him. He got the looks, the brain, and the bucks. Everyone was friends with him. He was perfect. Everyone loved him.

Now, Kagome was completely a different matter. She was neither rich nor popular. But, she was smart. Exceptionally.

It was the main reason that she was able to get the scholarship to Modern Tokyo Private Highschool. It was a private school known for delivering first class education to its students. Having the name of the school attached to a person's name guaranteed acceptance to any university. But in order to be accepted in the school, you'll have to belong to one or both of two categories, those who were wealthy and those who were intelligent.

Fortunately, Kagome belonged to the latter category. Initially, Kagome hadn't really wanted to go to Modern Tokyo private high school. They were a middle class family. Her father was an accountant and her mother had to stay at home to tend to her father, children, and the shrine.

Kagome could say that they were doing alright. They were living within their means. They were happy.

But her parents saw her potential. Kagome was diligent and hardworking as a student. She was always the top of the class. She was attending a public grade school back then but her parents wanted to pave way for a better future for their child.

Upon hearing her parent's plans, Kagome indignantly refused. She was aware of their family's financial capacity. They can't afford to send her to that kind of school. They simply can't. Her parents insisted while telling her that she could try to get the offered scholarship.

Getting the scholarship was no laughing matter either. There were only ten slots available for the scholarship. The benefits were amazing. Aside from the free tuition expenses, everything would be provided for the scholars. Their own dorm at the campus, their school material, their weekly allowances, and even there is even vacation allowances.

But in exchange of all these benefits, each scholar has to have perfect grades. It was a tough feat. But Kagome endured it all. With natural brilliance and hardwork, she will do her best not only for her family but also for her self. Her future.

Kagome learned, after starting going to the private school, was that most rich people think too much of their selves and they liked to "hang-out" with one of their "kind" as they liked to call it.

It never really bothered Kagome, not having friends at her new school. It made, well forced, her to focus on her studies. Kagome did not fail her parents.

She excelled in all her classes. But, so were her co-scholars. Each and every one of the scholars were very intelligent people that they make it seem to be the most normal thing on earth. The thing is, unlike Kagome, her co-scholars either liked to keep to themselves or TRY to socialize with the kids from "high-society". They didn't want to bother with her.

In short, Kagome's highschool would have been very lonely. Almost.

It was on her second year that she was able to meet bestfriends-to-be.

FLASHBACK

It was Tuesday. The school cafeteria was going to serve some dangos. Oooh her favorite!

It was a surprising delight especially since the cafeteria did not usually serve common foods. It was a present to her by the cook, Ms. Aya, since Kagome helped Ms. Aya's son, Kiyo, in studying for his exams.

It turned out that the school's cook was their neighbor. Somehow, it made Kagome happy that she knew at least one person at the campus.

The school cafeteria would always be…not crowded. Considering most of the kids in the school were wealthy, they preferred to eat "out". There were also other students who would have a taste of the cafeteria's menu time to time. Although, it cannot be denied that most food served by the cafeteria were not usually found on the tables of common people. At first, most of on the menu were unknown to Kagome.

Now, Kagome thought it would be like it was on other days. Normal .

She never could have been ever wrong.

After her world history class, Kagome hurriedly went to the school cafeteria. As she was briskly (but quite frankly she looked like she was running) walking along the hallway adjoining the school cafeteria she unintentionally bumped into someone. There were gasps from everywhere. Kagome didn't seem to notice.

Kagome was so excited to get to her dangos that she just made a hasty bow and a "sorry" and took off without another word. It was a bad move.

Of all the person to bump into, it has to be the brattiest girl in Modern Tokyo Private School, Yura. Unlukcy.

Everyone who was left in the hallway was quiet. Everyone was wondering who was that girl who unknowingly signed her death wish? No one would ever dare cross Yura Yamomoto.

Then there was a shriek, "OMG Yura! Are you okay?!!!" A girl with a striking pink hair and skimpy outfit scampered towards her.

Yura stared at the retreating back of the person who "intentionally hurt" her. She would pay.

"Who's that girl?" Yura habitually twirled her hair with her index.

"Kagome Higurashi." Yura wickedly smiled.

"Girls want to have a rowdy party at the cafeteria?"

The hallway was filled with maniacal giggles.

***
Kagome managed to get a plate of her beloved dangos. Ms. Aya saved some for her. Surprisingly, there were a lot of students who seemed to liked dangos and when Ms. Aya noticed that her resources where quickly depleting, she secretly saved a number of dangos for Kagome.

Oh what a great day!

After getting some bread and milk, Kagome moved to find a comfortable seat. But not one seat was available. What an oddity.

And what was weird was everyone was quiet and....staring at her? What in the world is happening in here?!

Kagome looked behind her. There was no on there and everyone was still staring at her. Their looks have this something that made her feel like there was an impending doom approaching.

And the impending doom did come. In front of Kagome was the school's brattiest trio. The one on the left was Emi Kimura. She was a petite and fragile looking girl. She was a cute little brunette with an angelic face. The most quiet and most intelligent of the three. Honestly, Kagome doesn't understand why Emi hangs out with these people. Emi doesn't seem to be the kind of girl who likes to bully others. Oh well, you'd be surprised what people could actually do. Probably she just wanted to be popular.

On the right side of the trio was Kimi Misaki. If she wasn't flirting with the boys, or retouching her already heavy make up, she would be found boasting about being a cheerleader. Really, how did she manage to get in? The boys could sometimes be overheard about Kimi's flexibility….well, flexibility was important in cheerleading right? Unlike Emi, Kimi was real loud. You could never see her quiet for a second, even in the presence of the principal. Oh well, the principal was her father's cousin. Go figure.

Now the "leader" of their group was Yura Yamomoto. She was Kimi's cousin, on the mother's side. Yura was the daughter of the principal of the school. It was no wonder why she was acting like she owned the school. It was too bad her parents had spoiled her rotten. It was said that there are two worst things that could happen to a child. It was for a child to always get what he wanted or never at all. Yura was simply mean.

And Kagome don't care about them. All she cared for was her dangos. Kagome started to walk away, thinking that the commotion has nothing to do with her. She has not even taken a few steps away, when she heard a "Catch her!" and then two male students were holding her arms separately.

Her tray full of dangos fell to the floor. What a waste. Kagome stared at her dangos. All she could do was stare.

Her precious dangos! Since she has stayed in the dorms of the school, she missed the home cooked dangos her mother always made…

Yura walked towards her and lifted her chin. "Do you know who I am?"

Kagome didn't look at Yura. Instead, even if her face was lifted facing Yura, her eyes were still on the dangos. "Mama…"

"What?! I'm not your mama you bitch! Now apologize to me for hurting me in the hallway! Maybe I could forgive you. Right girls?"

Giggles.

"Yeah bitch! Princess Yura is very kind and beautiful you know! Especially to ugly girls like you! If I were you, you should get to your knees and start begging,"

"My dangos…"

"What the--" Yura forcefully pulled forward Kagome's collar. "What is this dango shit you're talking about?! Isn't that some kind of a poor person's food?"

Slap!!

There was a huge gasp from the crowd. Kagome Higurashi had just slapped Yura Yamomoto. Now everyone was holding their breath. No one dared to move.

"Oh no she didn't!"

And then, Kimi sprang forward. Kimi was hitting her everywhere with her nails. Emi was quietly watching the display with silent amusement. On the other hand, Yura was staring dumbly at Kagome. She was shell-shocked.

Kagome tried to defend herself but the two guys from earlier was still holding her tight. She was defenseless.

But not for long.

"Kimi!"

Every head in the cafeteria turned to look at the new voice. It was Sango Hirai and Miroku Kudo. Yura and her friends were in deep trouble. Although and her friend's family relations were very influential in the school, the Hirai and the Kudo's are pretty much more important.

Both of them came from families of accomplished professionals and politicians. Definitely much important.

Sango and Miroku were probably the two among the few that Yura and her friend whom they would NOT dare cross.

"Is this how a member of the elite cheerleading squad supposed to act?"

"Um…." Kimi started. She was tongue-tied.

Sango and Miroku walked towards the scene. "Should I remind you once again why I even let you in the squad?"

Murmurs started among the students. Kimi was red with embarrassment, Yura was fuming, and Emi was quiet as ever.

"Bullying a student? That is too low for you. For anyone for that matter. Being born from the upperclass of the society I expected a much more…proper behavior from you. Behavior befitting of a proper lady. But then again, how much could you expect from such person keeping such an….interesting company?"

There were snickering.

"Look at these mess. Dangos are on the floor! Didn't your parents taught you not to waste food? How about the rest of you! How could you not help her?"

Yura giggled. "Help her? She's not one of us. She's just some poor girl pretending to be one of us!"

"Not one of us? That's interesting. Yura don't you remember where your family came from?"

"What the hell do you mean!"

"Yura stop! Emi help me!" Kimi and Emi restrained Yura. It would spell disaster for Kimi's cheering career to go against Hirai.

Sango looked at Kagome who was halfly conscious, and then to the two guys holding Kagome; freshmen.

"You even had the nerve to harm her? I mean, you're the principal's daughter for goodness sake! Shouldn't you be the first to uphold EVERY single rule in this school? Or maybe you and your little girlfriends thought you were above everyone. Did you Kimi?"

Kimi was shaking. It was too much embarrassment for her to handle. "No Ms. Hirai…"

"I see. But…am I right to say that you were the one who caused this injuries was you?"

"Ummm…."

Sango signaled for Miroku. Miroku moved to remove Kagome from the two guys. They didn't seem to bulge until Miroku stared them down. He could be as scary as he was charming.

Miroku scooped Kagome into his arms and started to leave. Sango followed soon. They were almost near the door when Kimi spoke. "Ms. Sango! I'm still in the squad right?"

Sango momentarily stopped but did not turn around. "After everything that happened, what do you think?"

And they were gone. Kimi Misaki fainted.

***

Kagome found herself being carried by a very handsome boy. "Who are you?"

"Hey Sango! She's awake!"

Sango? Who?

Kagome saw a girl walking besides the boy carrying her. Isn't that THE Sango Hirai? Did they save her?

Her head was spinning whether it was from pain or hunger, she don't know. That Kimi girl sure does make sure her nails are sharp. Kagome hopes her scratches would not become scars. She's not vain but scars would sure be unsightly.

Why are these people helping her? Sure she knew them. They are very popular around school. But she's not someone they knew…so why?

"Why did you help me? It might put you into trouble you know. Kimi's got some hold in the school. Her father's the principal."

"Are you afraid of her?" The guy, which she somehow thought looked like Miroku Kudo, asked.

Kagome shook her head. "Ofcourse not. I just don't like troubling other people."

"Oh don't worry about her. We could manage her."

And then Sango finally spoke, "The reason was really simple."

"We love dangos."

END OF FLASHBACK

Ever since then, they had been together. They were seen hanging around each other more and more. It was not long before Kagome found out that Sango and Miroku were not like the others. They were real people.

They had just ordered food. Salad for the ladies and some spicy pasta for Mirkou. They had decided to meet up early. They hadn't had breakfast yet.

"So Kags how have you been?" Sango and Miroku were both staring at her intently.

"I think I'm better."

Sango and Miroku looked at each other. Kagome just wasn't ready to elaborate. Sure she has accepted already what happened but….really talking about what happened is still painful. Someday…someday she'd be able to share to them what she was going through. After all they are her bestfriends. But for now, she has to manage this by herself.

"So Kags….have you seen the headlines lately?" Sango asked. Kagome shook her head.

Sango took out a newspaper from her handbag and laid it out in front of Kagome. The headline read: "Taisho Couple: Proof of Love"

Kagome almost spat out her food. In the front page of the newspaper was a picture of Sesshoumaru carrying an unconscious Kagome.

"OMG! How did this happen? I remember Inuyasha said that they did damage control!"

"I guess damage control failed. Technology is really amazing nowadays, you know. According to the article, the source was from one of the guests. Camera phones. The Taisho ball would always have its respective photographers that would cover the event. The other media men was confined to the outside of the building. Official pictures would just be distributed to newspapers, magazines, etc. Unfortunately, whoever took this picture was from the usual crowd of the party. So, kinda unexpected and uncontrollable."

Sango explained.

Kagome covered her face with her hands, ashamed. "What else did the article say? Is it bad?"

Miroku added, "Do not worry so much Kags. Actually, it came out good for the reputation of the Taisho Corp. The article cooked up this story of something akin to Cinderella. How you "charmed" the infamous cold-hearted Sesshoumaru Taisho and all that. "

"And that makes that not so bad? But you are right, this is good for Sesshoumaru. His 'crazed admirers' would worship him even more 'coz he's being some kind of a hero for his wife or something like that." Kagome whined.

"Oh Kags!" Sango gathered Kagome's hands inside her own. "Just don't think about it. The media likes to feast on any kind of gossip they could get their claws on as long as it's about the Taisho family. Sooner or later, they would move on to the next story. The important thing is that we knew what truly is true."

Kagome heaved a sigh," You know what? You're right. I am mature enough to handle this. I just have to get use to this kind of things."

Miroku clapped his hands. "That's our girl!"

And then, Sango's expression became serious. "Kags I have been meaning to ask you this but…what did happen that night at the ball? No one could actually tell us what happened. We are at lost."

By now Miroku and Sango were both staring at her awaiting her explanation. "Ok it was like this. I was in the comfort room when Kagura and her friends came it and starting talking things about me and.."

"And?"

"…and Sai."

Then there was silence. They were harboring on a sensitive subject.

And then, an ice breaker.

"I always knew that Kagura woman was an escapee of a mental asylum. And why is everyone so hung up with Sesshoumaru? I truly believe that I have much more appeal than him you know."

"Dream on Roku!" Sango slapped his back. This made Kagome giggle.

"You know guys. Somehow, I really did appreciate what Sesshoumaru did. You know, rescuing me from the scene. May it be out of goodwill or responsibility, the gesture was…nice." Kagome turned her attention to her salad. She has not touched it yet.

"If you come to think of it, that was kinda out of character for Sesshoumaru. Unless it was about the company, he would have not cared." Sango wondered.

"Kags, I hope Sesshoumaru isn't bullying you. Cause if he is I really will beat him up you know?" The girls laughed. Miroku was attempting to show some muscles. "You see these? I been working out in the gym for these babies!"

"Really now? You know Kag? His allotted gym session per week was 5 times and he'd only attend 2. PER MONTH!" Sango complained.

Kagome laughed, "Miroku! How could you? That's a waste you know! But you really did grow infants in there! They're barely showing!"

"Hey! In those two sessions I really worked my butt off! I almost collapsed when I got home! Show some sympathy!" Miroku pretended hurt.

"Really guys! I missed you so much!"

"Aw Kagome! I know! If I were you I'd miss me too!" Miroku exclaimed.

"No way!" Sango disagreed.

"Miroku!"

Everyone ended up laughing. They were always like this. Happy.

Kagome would always pray they would stay like this. Just like this.

***

Around noon, they had parted ways.

Sango and Miroku had work and Kagome wanted to visit her mother. It felt like ages since she last saw the family shrine.

It would be a nice change of scenery. Even when Saisomaru was still alive, she wasn't able to drop by much due to work.

And even when he died, after she started living with Sesshoumaru, she didn't go out much. She knew her mother understood she needed time and space to recover and for that she's thankful.

But now she had much time for herself, she missed her mother so much. Seeing Miroku and Sango, she realized she had not been seeing too much of the people she loved.

Kagome promised to herself that she would not hole up in her shell anymore. It was time to continue living.

A few minutes later, Kagome drove down her car near the shrine stairs. Nothing has changed much.

As she walked up the stairs, she drank the nature that was all around her. It doesn't matter if every other inch of the city was bustling with activity accompanied by noise, stress, and all those intangible things that could take a toll on one's being.

But here, in this haven, you could find…peace. And at the moment, Kagome's mind and heart was at ease. She was truly glad to be home.

Home. When was the last time she felt like that, she wondered. Being at Sesshoumaru's house at first, felt like staying permanently in a stranger's house. But lately, with Rin and the other "demons" in the house starting to warm up to her….living there seemed to be less...unappealing.

When the flight of stairs drew to a close, Kagome almost lost her knees at what she saw. It would seem lame but seeing the old house could really push her to tears at the moment. She couldn't quite explain the feeling. It was pure happiness.

She almost ran to the house. She doesn't want to look childish so she settled for a brisk walk instead. Only that halfway her walk, she felt impatient so…in the end, she ran. And she laughed all the way.

It was so like before. Before everything else in life was not as simple as it looked. Well enough of that.

Where is her mother?

She opened the door. Obviously, someone was home. Her mother is not the kind to be careless about home security. Sometime Souta and her thought that if they were just rich, they would have surely installed some spy cameras here and there. Not that she could blame her.

There was once when the shrine was robbed. No one would have thought that anyone would dare. After all, it's not like they were storing gold or anything. What they have were mostly only historically valuable. Sure there are some pieces that would have generated quite a pricey amount of money if sold to avid collectors, but they only have 2 to 3 of that. Usually, it would be national shrines, the ones managed directly by the government that would have the more rare historical pieces.

Her mother hadn't really given her details about what was stolen. All Kagome knew was not much was stolen. The robbers might have had realized too late that there was really nothing at the Higurashi shrine that they could have benefited from. All they knew was that the shrine was an easy access. A shrine with only a middle aged woman, an old man, and two kids. Easy. Ever since then, Kagome's mother had put up every possible security device that was within their budget.

Kagome walked through the living room, the kitchen, and the bedrooms. No one was there. The house was quiet. Where was everyone?

Souta couldn't be home. He still has school and he was only home during the weekends. Souta was now a university boy. Just like her, Souta was also studying architecture in Tokyo University. He really had grown up and she was truly proud. Although sometimes, she still missed her baby brother that was glued all day to the television.

"Those were the days."

Unsuccessful, Kagome exited the house. She started for the souvenir shop when something caught her eye. It was the God Tree.

Hmm….she could look for everyone later. Right now she got to have some bonding time with her favorite tree.

Everytime she would look at the God Tree while standing beside its enormity, she would always feel amazed. An amazement that never ceases to be. Just to think that the tree itself was older than her, wiser even. The tree may not literally speak but sometimes it would whisper. It would whisper the history that it had seen. Centuries of stories had been stored in this huge vessel. A surviving witness at how everything had changed.

Kagome loved to stay under the shade of the God Tree. It made her feel peaceful and protected. Just like a mother.

"Kagome!"

Upon hearing her name called, Kagome quickly turned around. It was Mrs. Higurashi.

"Mom." It was quite a long time since she last said that. What a bittersweet word. " Mom."

Kagome was rooted to her spot. She wanted to run to her mother's arms. But she can't. She just can't. She felt quite guilty for not coming sooner. She knew her mother would be very worried sick. She has always been a worry-wart when it comes to family. And that was what made us love her more.

Her mother has always been there by her side whatever the circumstances were. Her mother had always been the strong one. She needed to be. She was the foundation and support of the Higurashi family.

And then, Kagome was enveloped in the warm embrace of her mother. She wanted to be buried deeper and deeper in her mother's embrace, where no harm can reach her. Everything felt warm and fuzzy.

It was a happy feeling. Then continuing that premise, her tears, were tears of joy.

"Kagome my dear! How I missed you! My heart is happy to see your face once again."

Kagome and her mother sat under the shade of the God Tree, with Kagome still in her mother's embrace. Mrs. Hiurashi has been cleaning up the shrine. When Kagome arrived, she was by the well house. She didn't actually heard Kagome arrive, she felt it.

Mrs. Higurashi never had to ask. She just knew. And right now, she knew and felt that something sad was happening to her daughter.

"Just let it out honey. Let it go free." And Kagome did.

It was already around sunset when Kagome left to go back to the Taisho estate. At the amount of tears she had cried, she could have been able to create her own ocean. There was no actual conversation that went through them.

It would seem that her mother understood her agony, her sadness. She was good at knowing those things, even when it comes to strangers.

Having released all those pressure that was building up inside her left her some kind of refreshing feeling. It was not like her problems just vanished. It just that she felt somehow she felt lighter.

Her mother did not ask her to elaborate everything that was happening to her. She just simply said, "You have always been the quiet one. Take your time. And when your ready, I'll just be here waiting for you."

Instead Kagome had asked about the life at the shrine. Mrs. Higurashi said that it was "same old, same old". Granpa has been experiencing back aches more often now. He was stubborn and didn't want to go to a hospital at first saying that his amulets and what nots could heal him. In end, mother had forced him to o through the ordeal. It turned out he just needed to rest more.

Now Souta was not able to go back home for a month now. They had important projects that they have to finish and also that he has a new girlfriend named Luna.

Kagome also found out that the shrine had received a funding from the international foundation of historical artifacts a quite large amount of money for the preservation of the shrine. Her mother was thrilled.

But during her stay at the shrine, her mother asked a peculiar question from her.

"Is Sesshoumaru a lonely man?"

I answered her "I don't know." And its true, looking back now I have never really gave it some time to just know about her new husband.

The things she knew about him was just as much as any other person knew about him with the only difference was that she was the wife. It was a bit a disturbing realization. After all, he never seemed the kind to just lay his life story in public.

Overpowered by curiosity, Kagome asked her mother why was she asked that question. I was shocked at what she answered."

"I reckon that from the bit that I know is that Saisomaru was the lucky one. No one actually expect of anything from him. He had been given independence and freedom. He had lived. On the other hand, Sesshoumaru was branded to follow the supposed greatness that was suddenly passed into his hands. Everyone expected something from him and he just grew up thinking he had to be all that. What does he really want?

Isn't that just to sad?

***

Rin was already asleep when Kagome arrived at the mansion. Sesshoumaru was also around but…its not like he'd care where she's go except unless ofcourse if it was demeaning to his name.

The servants offered her dinner, but she declined. Mrs. Higurashi made sure she had a full stomach before she left. Oh how she had mssed her mother's home cooked meals. It was not like she didn 't like the food at the mansion. It's just that sometimes it's too first class. But do not get it wrong, food at the mansion was superb. It was simply lacking a crucial ingredient : mother's love.

Kagome decided to retire for the night. As she was about to near end of the corner of the hallway, she saw a portrait of Sesshouaru and Rin.

As usual, Rin had that toothy smile and innocence about her. And it did reflect at the picture. It was so real. And then there was Sesshoumauru with his emotionless face.

There was a tingling feeling deep inside her but dismissed it as simply the cold.

Assured that no one could hear her she asked, " Ne, ne, Sesshoumaru, are you lonely?"

Ofcourse, the portrait did not answer. If that did happen, t would be quite terrifying. "They said that in order to be lonely, you must first have learned how to love."

"Have you ever been in love? You have lived quite a long life. Just like our God tree. Have you ever found it in your heart to open up to someone? Have you ever cared for someone else?"

"Well I guess for that question the answer would be Rin. You know what? I really commend you for that. For you know, taking care of Rin. She is such a precious child you know? I love her, I think. I believe that she truly love you. "

"Mom said that you were the unlucky one and Sai was the one who's lucky. I can't say that I really understood what she said. Sai has been the one who was forgotten by your kind. Isn't that cruel?"

"You have everything anyone could dream of. Isn't that enough to make you happy?"

"You never seemed happy."

Kagome shook her head. She must have had banged her head somewhere,…talking to a portrait. No matter. All she needs was a soak in a hot bath and a comfy bed.

And with that though in mind, she was off.

Unbeknownst to her, the portrait wasn't the only one who heard her monologue. Golden eyes flashed through the darkly lit hallway.

"Am I lonely?"

"Am I?

Sorry for the late update! School had really been a pressure with consecutive tests and all.

Please do review! I will try my best to release more timely updates. Thanks for the support!