In the dead of night on the first crescent moon of the year, a Scream could be heard from miles away as a young woman pushed with all her might. The blood and sweat rained down on her small form and in the aftermath of all her efforts a small cry was heard.
"It is a girl my lady " Came a quit voice of a man. In the stretched out silence of the moment came the trembling words.
"I feared as much."
There was another stretch of silence this one longer then the last. It filled room with sorrow and pain. The reality of the situation bore down heavaliy upon them.
After what seemed an eternity the woman's voice was heard again this time stronger and more assured in her resolve.
"The Child You must be rid of it, She must never be found or it would mean death for us all."
"But My lady it's your first born what should I do with her?"
The women looked at the child, her child and said with finality."
"A sacrifice must be made for the greater good" The words coming from her lips seemed directed at him others may argue it was meant to convince herself.
She gazed upon her child one last time running her bloodied finger tips across the baby's feather soft cheek. As a look of longing crossed the woman's face a single tear escaped her eye. Gracefully it landed on the baby's cheek replacing her touch, a watery expression of her pain, her heartache.
Wrapping the child in her remaining cloth from the hard birth, the woman looked up at the young man with her arms out stretched and hand him the bundle.
"Hurry you must go now in the night as to not risk being caught. Carry her as far as you can and then hurry back. I will be sure your absence is not noticed."
Taking the bundle with as much gentleness his callus hands could muster. The young man bowed to the woman out of respect. He was ready to run to his waiting horse when suddenly he felt the slight pressure of the women's hand resting on his arm. He looked down expectantly as she motion for the child to be brought down again. She grabbed the necklace from around her own slender neck only to latch it on to the child's.
There was nothing expensive or seemingly special about it. Just a piece of leather with a wooden carved kanji. After a quick nod from the women the man ran out and mounted his steed. Not once did he look back for fear of halting his own escape. If only for a chance to reunite the bond that had been moments ago stripped a part. No he could not look back and so he continued and sped off in to the night.
The women was left with a void in her heart. She started to feel the impending loneliness,a ghost of sorts haunting her very soul. As it came upon her she looked down at her now flatt tummy with a sense of shame fear and hope for her child. She listens to the fading sounds of hoof falls while the horse kept speed in to the steadily darkening night.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%PRESENT TIME%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Kagome Woke with a start and looked up as she felt the water drip from the roof of her tiny home in the side of the Kouun bridge. She sighed as the water slide down on to her face.
She rolled forward to find her pots and with her foot slid one below the leak, successfully containing the water for the time being. Though her home was not much to look at, it kept her safe and was what she could afford. She was only working part- time at the local art center as their nightly cleaning crew.
she stretched and with a large yawn stood up off of her sleeping mat. Her stomach growled as she walked in to her bathroom, the only real room in the house and brushed her teeth. She combed her hair and looked in the mirror. Finding her appearance acceptable she put on her school uniform, grabbed her books and walked out into the rain.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%SOMEWHERE UPTOWN%%%%%%%%%%%%
"Why Must I attend such a third ranked school ? For the sake of Your Unholy Offspring?"
"Sesshomaru please I have to leave the country in a couple of hours I will be gone for most if not all of this year. He can not be left unsupervised can you not do me this one thing as your father? I know of your distaste of your little brother"
"Half Brother "
"Brother non the less. Though I do not understand it I know of it. Until this point I have not asked you to do anything involving his well being. you know of his blood and you are the only one I can trust to reign him in if anything should go amiss in my stead. Please just do as I ask this once with out a fight?"
"This once and never again father"
"I understand I'll have your things moved back in to your old room"
"hn"
So consumed in there conversation, neither noticed another set of gold eyes threw the window from the grounds below. Though for a human it would be inconceivable to hear anything from such a distance, for one such as Inuyasha it was an easy task.
Lowering his head in unexpressed emotion he walked to his bike, started the engine and sped off to school.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%SCHOOL%%%%%%%%
Slowly walking threw the halls Kagome tried to prepared herself for the up coming comets and looks. She went to her locker in silent fright as she wondered what would be with in it aside from her books.
As she fumbled with the lock she could hear the snickers and ugly names her fellow classmates sent her way.
With a small click she opened her locker. Grubs,worms along with other various bugs spilled from it. She jumped as her otherwise clean school uniform became riddled with the nasty criters and caused her books to go all over the floor.
Just like the beginning of every year, her classmates all laughed, pointed and threw the remaining bugs and books that previously landed on the floor, at her. Rather then cry Kagome wiped her hands up and down her uniform to rid it of the disgusting creatures and picked up her fallen books. Placing what she could back in to her locker she continued her way threw the halls to her class as though nothing happened.
In class she took her seat in the back right corner of the room. She sat always a bit from the other desks in the class noting earlier on that others found her uncomfortable.
She looked strait ahead as if to make the others disappear."If I don't bother them they might not bother me?" She thought to herself. She preffered to stay unnoticed if at all possible, never saying a word to even the teachers.
She studied hard skipping 2 grades and was by far the smartest in her current grade. "Just a couple more hours and I'm home" The mantra in her head continued on. All thoughts of a botherless class went out the window however as a paper ball was thrown at her head before the teacher stepped in.
"ahem..class we have a new student this year he will be here for the remaining year so please welcome him "Mr Takahashi please come in?" "Class This Is Takahashi Sesshomaru.
As the student entered the class the girls all bickered about the new student being handsome. Any male model would pale in comparison.
By his last name it was also known he came from a rich and well respected family. Some girls were even going as far as to plan how to get time alone with him.
Though Kagome would admit that he was good looking with long silver hair ,pale skin and golden eyes. she was never one to be concerned about any one persons appearance compared to the rest.
She only hoped maybe with this new distraction her fellow class mates may leave her be even just for a small time. This was after all her senior year in high school. As long as she could get threw this final year she would be OK.
She had plans to pursue her art career, perhaps even have one of her own pieces hang in the gallery halls that she cleaned every night at the art center.
"Well Find a seat Mr. Takahashi we must start class"
"Hn"
Was all that was heard as he looked out only to see girls pushing other male class mates out of chairs to accommodate him. One girl even kicking a male out his seat and smiling up at him as the male cursed from the ground.
It was then that he noticed one seat in the very back of the class beside a haunted looking girl. Though he could not say she was a gorgeous women that took away your breath, she did have a unique beauty about her.
Decision made he walked past his new classmates and sat next to the girl in the back with a board expression marring his otherwise perfect features.
Gasps could be heard threw out the class as the all whispered about Kagome and there new classmate the handsome and rich Takahashi Sesshomaru.
Kagome looked to her left at the new student and rather then be elated he was beside her she felt horrified. If she thought that school was difficult before it would be 100 times worse now that he would be seated next to her.
She could just imagine the torment this man was going to unknowingly cause her. Out of reaction she spoke just above a whisper so as no one would hear but him. She knew he could hear her he was demon after all. No human could be that beautiful.
"You should sit elsewhere the others will talk"
Her voice though low was like music to his ears. So in grossed in the lit of her tone was he, that he actually had to think of what she was saying. When he finaly relized a scowl tug at the corners of his lips.
"I care not for what others may say"
And with that he turned his attention back to the front of the class. She simply looked out the window until the bell rang signalling her free period. She waited for the others to clear out of class first as she always did but found only the males left for there next class.
The girls still remaining some pretending to find something in there bags others just blatantly staring off to her left. It was then that she realized that he had yet to leave and off handedly wondered why.
Knowing she could be waiting a while if she kept as is and not wanting to waist anymore of her only free period of the day she debated in what to do. Finally resolved, she collected her books and began getting up from her desk when she noticed he did as well.
Not wanting to be caught in the door by a stampede of crazed girls, she walked quickly to the continued on only to find that by the time she reached the hall he was right behind her followed by a small crowd of girls.
Not liking the implications or the punishment that would ensue if the situation was not corrected and fast, she picked up her pace down the hall. Taking unnecessary turns to confirm her suspicion, he was indeed following her.
When she suddenly stop at her destination she quickly turned and found he was still a few paces behind her. Though that did not bother her so much, the sounds of the quickly approaching foot steps did.
"Probably the few remaining girls from her class" She thought as she looked up at his gaze and said in the same low voice.
"Stop...Please, I don't want to have the repercussions of your unknowing actions on me."
She turned once more before she felt his hand grip hers. looking down quickly she moved to have her hand release but not soon after she found she was being pulled behind him as the fast approaching footsteps suddenly stopped.
Not wanting to be noticed she tried to slip into the library door behind her only to notice that he still did not release her hand. fear began to creep in as a girls voice came threw.
"Shesshomaru kun I'm Kagura you sure were in a hurry. would you like me give you a private tour of our humble school it would truly be my pleasure."
She said as she seductively came at him in a slow progress showing off her large breast and wide hips as she did so.
Shessomaru notice this was the same girl who kicked the male in class with a plastered smile on her face.
"I did not give you permission to speak to me so informally"
Taken aback for a moment Kagura stepped back a pace,never has a man been so cold towards her but never one to give up on what or whom she wanted she responded again putting more effort in to it.
"Oh don't be that way Sesshomaru Kun I'm sure we will grow quiet close if you allow of course." She said with another one of her award winning smiles.
"I do not repeat myself " Not understanding why he was so unlike others she had come across and not knowing what els could be done she gave in to him.
"Well Mr Takahashi please at least let me show you around no need for you get lost or again get tangled with some of our more undesirable student's " As she said this though Kagome could not see from behind his back but knew She was speaking of her.
"I do as I please and with whom I please leave me be or suffer at your own risk" he said cooly to her with the same board expression on his face. Feeling the need to dismiss her presence, he turned in to Kagome.
He was so close she could feel his breath on the tips of her hair as he turned the knob of the library door and proceeded to push her and himself threw, closing the door behind them with a soft" click".
Outside the room Kagura was fuming how could this even be possible a man turning her down? If that was not crazy enough the poorest and most disrespected student in all the school, Higurashi Kagome was what was preferred over her?
Something was definitely wrong with that man and she did not mind at all helping him figure out whom was truly the better of the two it shouldn't take much time at all.
"I do love a challenge ha ha "
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%IN THE LIBRARY%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Kagome was aggravated now. Before she gave this man a pass for being new and maybe not noticing her difference from the other students but now there was no excuse. She told him and still he insisted on following her it was something she could not grasp.
"Will you please let go of me now ?" she asked none to nicely but still tried hard to be at least polite. She yanked her hand from his reach and took two steps back from him to asses him correctly.
"Hn" was his response to her earlier question.
"Why did you do that did you not understand that I am the undesirable student Kagura was speaking of if you continue this...
"I said before I do not like to repeat myself but still you ask the same question?"
confusion reign on Kagome's face as she hadn't the slightest clue as to what he meant.
"Its evident that you are of lower intelligence for this reason I will repeat only once, I care not for what others think or say."
Suddenly she understood but became furious at what he insinuated, did he really think she was stupid? poor yes but stupid?
"you truly are full of yourself huh?" "I was referring to my self, If you keep this up it will only spell more trouble for me."
"I see and yet I am the one whom is full of ones self yet I believe you just made yourself a hypocrite thinking of only yourself in this situation have you not?'
Kagome could not believe the gull of this man he liked word games. It was obvious he was trying now only to get a rise out of her. It was his mistake from the beginning so in her furry and in an attempt to regain some of her pride she would play along with him. May the best win.
"How so Mr Takahashi if you remember it was you whom told me you cared not for what other say or think I unlike yourself had enough intelligence to process that and so thinking of my self in this situation only makes logical sense does it not?"
Ha take that she thought as she trapped him with his own words.
Impressed with her show of smarts Sesshomaru had to admit he walked in to that on his own but he would not conseed to this slip of girl. No never.
"is that anyway to talk to the one whom defended your honor just moments ago in the hall"
"There would be no need for you to protect anything if you would have listened and left me alone like I had asked before"
"AH I see now you are not actually upset that I followed you only that now that I am near you the other girls will not leave you be. you thought they would be distracted by me letting you alone for a time is that not correct?"
She had to admit he hit the nail on the head with that but even still it was not only just that she would be ridiculed twice over now if he continued to be seen around her.
"Look I will admit it was my first thought but you have to understand that even if this were not the case the fact remains being seen with you will spell disaster for me"
"I will not be used by anyone much less someone of your worth "
Kagome felt a stab of hurt but ignored it not like she hadn't become use to it why should it matter now?
"Is that not what you where doing as well sitting by me following me so that the others may think we were friends of some kind and that they may back away from you?"
"hn"
"right just what I thought so just admit we are both in the wrong we will call it even then."
looking up from a book he casually lifted off one of the many shelf's he started at her for a moment then looking down he paused placing the book back in it's place only to reply with.
"I will not explain myself nor will I admit anything to you."
Kagome just looked at him a gasped at his audacity and arrogance how could one person be so cold to everyone?
The bell finally rang signally it was time for Kagome to take the long trek home. kagome gathered all of her things from her locker. She reached in to put her books away only to have the door slammed back on to her hand.
"awwwmmm"
Kagome tried to suppress the scream as she pulled her bloodied hand from the locker door.
" Ooh look here girls , why it's the schools own punching bag Kagome. You should be more careful where you put your hands hum? I heard you got the attention of the new guy. well let's not let that little mistake get to your pretty little head hum? You wouldn't want another accident for putting your hands where they shouldn't be. "
Kagura taunted with that same smile on her face she always wore when in a particularly cruel mood.
Kagome just looked up at kagura refusing to show tears. she grabbed her books and ran out of school to the exit as fast as she could. Blood dripped down her arm as she ran threw the parking lot.
Determined to get away from the building, her class mates and away from her misery she pushed her legs to go faster. In such a haste was she that she failed to yield to any other traffic.
"HEY! OUT OF THE WAY!"
"SCREECH!"
Looking up Kagome Jumped in response to the sound of tiers squeeling. She barley spun out of the way in time to avoid direct impact with a motor bike. She fell on the ground in the processes and her books again found themselves on the ground.
"Hey! Whats wrong with you you almost got hit wench!"
looking up once more Kagome felt a sense of Deja vu sweep threw her. She saw the man get off his motor bike and take off his helmet. Once off it revealed silver locks and golden eyes full of agitation.
"Sorry" she muttered softly. She began the task of picking up her books from the asphalt of the parking lot. She ignored the feeling as she heard his footsteps walking away from her. She figured it only normal for him to leave after the incident.
"your bleeding"
She gasped not expecting him nor hearing him come up behind her.
At his statment she glanced down noticing her still bleeding wound.
Quickly looking around she was grateful to see that no one was around. Most having left already or still in the school.
He moved to pick up a book from around her leg only for her to jerk away as if scolded. She gave him a look mixed with fear and apprehension.
He frowned his brows and handed her the book.
Taking it with haste she quickly stood up causing her to wobble from dizziness. He grabbed her arm to steady her footing finding it surprisingly small in comparison to her baggy school uniform.
"Feh You need to be more careful wench"
She flinch remembering those words being spoken by another not but minutes ago in the school.
She yanked her arm away from him and hurriedly stuff her remainning books in the bag.
"You know you could say thank you at least! I may be half demon but..."
"Thank you "
she cut him off not understanding why he was still here. whats more why was he even talking to her?
She moved to leave again. she only had about 20 minutes before the county bus came. she still needed to make it to the subway then hopfully to the safety of her home.
He suddenly grabbed her arm, his hand again halting her attempts to leve.
"Wait"looking around releived he found no one looked down at her arm in his grasp."So small" He spoke again not knowing why but wanting to help the girl. Maybe she looked as pathetic as he felt or maybe because he was a sucker for a damsel in distress. What ever the cause, he didn't want her walking around alone in the dark city. Bleeding at that.
"You want a ride" He motioned to his bike as he released her arm.
looking from him to the bike she knew she wasn't going to make it to the bus stop in time and the next bus wouldn't come for another couple of hours. Though she felt safe at home she didn't in the neighborhood of the bus stop which was another 3 miles up the road. Still she did not know this man at all could she risk it?
"No thanks I'll be OK" she began walking again when she felt him once more grab a hold of her arm and heard him let out a large sigh.
"Just let me walk you home wench, you live close?"
"I don't know you"
he looked at her like she had gone crazy as if he would bother with hurting her.
"your for real?"
"yes I don't like strangers"
He looked down at the ground giving a small laugh as he put one hand in his poket while the other still having a hold on her arm .
"Feh have it your way" He said as he turned her to face him taking her books from her he placed her uninjured hand in his own.
"I'm Inuyasha "