"So then Hojo said he would bring his friend," Ayumi prattled on, "Again," she stressed, eyeing Kagome as they walked together to school, "But only if you promise to show up this time!" Truly, Kagome had played off ignorance and had last minute called off sick for these set up dates long enough. Her friends would drag her there in pajamas if they had to at this point.
"Fine." Kagome conceded, sighing in defeat. If she had to let the guy down in person, she would, if only to end this nonsense. "Tonight, at the fair, okay?"
"Oh! Really? You mean it Kagome?" Ayumi latched onto her friend's arm and began to skip forward, dragging the sleep deprived teen along. "Just do us all a favor and put some concealer under your eyes?" she asked innocently.
"Sorry," Kagome yawned, jogging to keep up with her energetic friend. "I've been having trouble sleeping lately."
"Are you getting sick again?" Ayumi slowed her skipping, concern radiating from her big brown eyes. They were so accustomed to Kagome's 'illnesses' that each one of them was highly aware of every cough and sniffle that escaped Kagome, who felt guilty every time they slowed their pace or changed their plans for her. If only they knew she was never really sick. When she had returned permanently, Kagome's grandfather whipped out the grand slam of illnesses to dissuade visitors. To the rest of the world, Kagome had been diagnosed with a cancerous tumor and had undergone surgery to have it removed. Shortly following her return to school, when she was deemed 'healthy' but still depressed, her family had informed her friends that Inuyasha had died in a motorcycle accident, coming to see her after the surgery. This lie, everyone accepted without question, and also allowed her to miraculously recover from every illness simultaneously.
"No, no," Kagome waved off Ayumi's concern, "Just couldn't sleep with Sota playing video games all night. You know him, he's totally zoned in with his face a foot from the screen." She rolled her eyes.
"Boys!" Ayumi stuck her tongue out, scrunching up her face in disgust. Kagome laughed along as they climbed the steps into school.
Just before entering, Kagome felt the twinge of demonic energy just at the edge of her senses. It felt like it was happening every morning now, and always just before she went into school. She wanted to turn and go search, she always did, but she refrained once more. As her hand came out to hold the door open as she and Ayumi passed, the feeling become stronger; determined to be felt.
Kagome staggered backwards, clutching the straps of her backpack tightly. Her eyes were as big as saucers, and her heart rate spiked. Without realizing what had come over her, adrenaline began to course through her body.
"Kagome, are you okay?" Ayumi pulled her startled friend aside from the foot traffic.
"You know," She regained her composure, "I think I'm not feeling so great after all. I'm sorry Ayumi, but could you tell our homeroom teacher I left sick?"
"S-sure Kagome," Ayumi reached for Kagome's arm, stopping her turn to exit the premises abruptly. "Do you want me to walk you home?" the concern emanating from her every pore gave Kagome pause. She smiled weakly, and nodded a quick no.
"I'll be okay, I promise." Kagome felt the demonic aura wash over her in a gentle wave once more. It was familiar, she realized, and not in the way she had come to know this person's aura in the past two years, but in her time prior to returning. She knew this demon somehow. "I'll try to be well before the fair!" And then she was off.
Kagome raced out of the courtyard and into the streets of Tokyo, following the aura that pulsed with every crosswalk and turn she made. The rush of air in her face as she ran was a welcomed reminder of her days on Inuyasha's back, feeling the force of wind he fought against, displaying his true speed and strength. She almost smiled as she turned once more, feeling the pulses getting stronger.
She knew where she was going now. She had often followed to empty alleys or backstreets in the neighborhood surrounding her home, but this time she was certain. She would know who this is. Racing down a flight of steps, Kagome found herself in the courtyard of a business. It was a simple, traditional Japanese garden, with a circular fountain for patrons to view and sit beside. Only there was no one at the center; no one waiting by the fountain.
Of course, she thought. This was just another trick.
Kagome almost gave into her frustration and screamed, but her manners prevented her from doing so. Her mother would be embarrassed if she was caught skipping school again and screaming like a lunatic in the middle of a business courtyard. How great would it be for an officer to deliver her with such news? She allowed herself a disappointed sigh. The aching loss in her chest was nearly choking her, rising in her throat, begging to be gasped upon.
I give up, she told herself. I don't want to know anymore.
The pulsing was still there, stronger than ever, and she was standing right where she was supposed to be. So why is no one here?
Stop trying, she told herself. It's over. Leave the past in the past. You'll never see any of them again.
Outraged, she spun on the balls of her feet in preparation to march off home, too pissed off to return to school, only to slam right into a wall.
"Ack!" Kagome bounced off the sturdy obstacle and nearly lost her footing, waving her arms to regain balance. With one hand she grabbed her sore nose, and with the other, she'd latched onto the one thing standing in her way.
Once steady, she peered between the fingers holding her nose, and looked straight into the eyes of the killing perfection.
"Kagome Higurashi." He stated. She was frozen. Never had she anticipated this. If she were to come across anyone from the feudal era, she was sure it would be Shippou, Kouga, even Myoga was a more plausible friend to run into. She could only gape openly at his stoic face.
He was different, this she was certain of. He appeared human, first of all, with short black cropped hair and his demonic markings gone from his face and wrists. She imagined the ones lining his back and hips, and what she assumed were on his legs as well, were gone too. His golden eyes were more of a honey brown, shining hazel in the early morning sun. More importantly, his demeanor was changed. When thinking of Sesshomaru, she often thought of his regal stature, and the cold, indifferent stare that normally adorned his face. She did recall the worry in his eyes over Rin, and the anger that consumed him and stretched his face in a slow transformation to the fierce dog demon he truly was.
Right now, he seemed calm. Relaxed. It occurred to her that he'd learned to be human. It shouldn't surprise her, but it did. For Kagome, it's only been about two years since she last saw the Western Lord, but for him, nearly five hundred years had passed. His honey colored eyes squinted as he gave a polite nod.
"Se-Sesshomaru?" Kagome stuttered out, still in shock. She let go of his pressed shirt and jacket, and rubbed her nose once more to rid it of pain.
"Call me Sesshou Taisho." He extended a hand to be shaken, and she numbly took it, noticing the lack of claws, and fangs when he spoke. "Nice to meet you again," He enclosed his hand around hers and gave two short shakes, "Kagome."