This is an AU story. My first. I'm not much into romantic stories but Inuyasha is mostly a
romance adventure, so I thought, why not?
* Story: A Modern Day Fairytale
* Author: blue
* Email: blueweber@hotmail.com
* Summary: Higurashi Kagome had it all. She had just finished college, gotten the job of her
dreams and is sure that there will be some grand adventure just waiting for her to live out.
However, life is about to give her a little more than she might want to take. Having had
the misfortune of meeting Sorata Inuyasha, her life began to down spiral from there. As
people began to populate her life, and men began to pursue her attention, she's about to
discover what it really means to become a woman. Through friendship and love, Higurashi
Kagome is about to find her own modern day fairytale.
* Rated: PG (Rating may go up for later chapters)
* Catagory: Romance/Drama
A Modern Day Fairytale
**********************
.blue.
Chapter 1: Guardian
--------------------
She clutched the whimpering little girl to her, feeling the shoulder of her black
dress wet with the little girl's tears. Her heart felt like breaking as she cooed at the
young child in her arms, whispering her endearments and knowing it wasn't enough. "Oh,
Rin-chan, I'm so sorry." She heard some of the elders who had known Aika Rin's parents'
covey their sorrow at seeing their passing. Aika Haru had been her friend since
high-school, and though she had not spoken to him for some time now, she was the one who had
inadvertently caused him to bump into Ryo Tamara, or Aika Tamara, who later became his wife.
Kagome had also been one of Tamara's maid of honor at their wedding, but never had she
suspected that they would name her guardian of their beautiful little girl, Rin. Not that
Haru ever forgotten how much she loved kids, nor did Tamara forget how she would volunteer
to babysit little Rin when she was but a babe. But their lives went in separate ways a few
monthsago and she visited them less often than she would've liked. It was no surprise, that
with herbusy life and the new excitement of being on her own she had forgotten that a few
years back the promise she had made to the Aika family: to watch over their child if
anything happened. Almost forgotten, that is. She had certainly not forgotten the Aika
family and Haru made certain that every New Years she would be invited back into the Aika
family gathering. After all, their families had known each other a long while.
Yet, the car accident that had cruelly killed both Aika Haru, and his wife, Aika
Tamara, came at somewhat of a shock to Kagome. All she could think of was, I didn't even
get to say goodbye, repeated over and over again in her mind as she stared at their smiling
faces in the photographs. Her grip tightened on the weeping girl in her arms, though she
could feel the strain of keeping the girl aloft. Yet, there was some measure of comfort in
this sharing of sorrow.
"I appreciate you coming," she murmured to those who choose to speak to the child.
She hated being here, hated having Rin constantly reminded of her parents' death.
But it was inevitable, the girl was old enough to know and had asked to come. Of the little
that Kagome could do for her, she could not deny her this. This last farewell. However,
she really wished that the people that came would stop interrupting the little girl's grief
to open fresh wounds by their pitiful reminders. Kagome knew she was getting impatient
about the affair, and it scared her a little to find out that at such a young age, someone
she held dearly had died and died when they too were so young.
"Aunty Kagome, can I say goodbye?" She smiled softly down at Rin in her arms.
"Would you like to walk there yourself?" She asked.
Rin looked relieved when Kagome didn't inquire about whether or not Rin herself was
up to this. For once, the little girl was glad that the people that her Mama and Papa
entrusted her care into treated her like an adult. She might have actually dwelt on the
idea had it not been that her little hands ached from clutching the dark suit that Kagome
wore and that her chest hurt. Had she been able to see better through her tears, she might
have actually had a brighter smile than the one she wore now. "I can walk." Rin nodded at
last.
Kagome had to admire the child's courage and strength. Rin was reacting to this
better than probably most of them there, herself included. And she's the one who lost the
most as well, Kagome thought wastefully as she led the little girl up to the coffins.
Whatever the little girl murmured as she rested her hand on one and then the other coffin
was not known that day. Kagome respected the private moment shared by Rin and her dead
parents as she stepped back and watched with teary eyes. But Kagome didn't cry, she had to
be strong for Rin.
"I see that you are irresponsible enough to bring the child here," a scornful voice,
masculine and deep said in a soft drawl next to her. It was soft enough so that no one
heard but her, yet it rang loud and clear in her own ears.
Insulted and hurt, it took all her will power not to spun around and face the one
who challenged her judgment in this matter. Kagome didn't want to disturb Rin as the little
girl continue to whisper prayers of goodbye to her parents. "What do you mean by that?"
She grounded out slowly as she turned her glare to the man next to her.
It took the whatever remained of her willpower and more to stop her from gasping in
surprise at the beautiful man that was scorning her. He had long, white silver hair, which
she found oddly familiar. His golden eyes met hers with unconcealed disdain though it did
not diminish the sharpness of his cheek-bones, the sly slant of his eyes and the elegant
twist of his arrogant mouth. Yes, this scene seemed all to familiar to Kagome, though she
doubted her liking for this type of deja vu. It wouldn't have surprised her if this
snobbish beauty next to her was not related to the Inuyasha that she had the misfortune of
meeting some months ago. However, his air was much more refined and where as Inuyasha
seemed to burn like an uncontrollable fire, this man was as cool as ice.
She found that if they were indeed not related, at the very least she dislike them
both equally.
"The child is grieving. Do you really want to expose her to the reality of death in
life at so young an age?" His argument was logical and she had already asked herself this
question several times. Still, it did not sway her as she turned her face away from his
breath-taking beauty.
And just like Inuyasha, Kagome thought, he ruined his serene beauty by opening his
big mouth! She thought ruefully at this and it lightened her mood somewhat, though at his
expense. But of course, she did not feel the need to inform him of it.
"Having you ask me that makes me all the more certain in my actions," Kagome replied
coolly. "Whatever her age, she has a right to know. And Rin is old enough to understand,"
she turned to him once more, wanting to see his reaction for some strange, and perhaps,
perverse reason. "She asked, anyway," noting that he hid his surprise well though it did
not escape her notice how his eyes widened ever so slightly as he was now watching the
child instead of her. "I could not say no to such a request, it is her right."
He was silent for a while, and Kagome was slowly starting to think that maybe this
man wasn't as bad as Inuyasha after all. At least, he spoke as if he actually thought about
what was coming out of his mouth! "Pity that you have not the heart and so you break hers,
instead."
She judged too soon. He is as rude as Inuyasha, only he used his words with far
more skill and knew how to make them cut deeper than the latter had.
Kagome frowned at this but did not reply. "Believe what you will," she said calmly
though it surprised her that she was not as angry as she normally would have been. Maybe
death does that to people, settling passions like a blanket of snow over small sparks of
flames in winter. "I for one would like Rin to decide for herself what is best for her at
the moment. She is, after all, the one with far more to lose than any of us can even fathom."
She didn't wait for his reply. Instead, she stepped away from him and knelt, gently resting
one hand on Rin's shoulder. "Are you ready now, Rin? Have you said all that you wish to
say?" Have you said your goodbyes? But that last question, Kagome dared not ask.
Rin turned to her with a disarming smile and Kagome almost wept at the sadness
there. Children should not have to bare such sad burdens on thier shoulders so young.
"Yes, Aunty Kagome." Then brown eyes widened as the little girl looked behind Kagome to see
the rude and beautiful man standing silently still behind her. "Uncle Sesshoumaru!"
Kagome blinked at this, surprised a second time by the man's presence.
This has to be a cosmic joke!
* * *
Needless to say the dislike was mutual. She sipping her tea silently, and him,
lounging against the chair with a debonair air of casual grace was probably trying his
hardest to ignore her presence while paying full attention to Rin. Kagome wasn't sure why this
irritated her but it did. Rin on the other hand was happily licking her ice-cream in the
seat in between them while Sesshoumaru set down his steamy cup onto the table in a
dismissive manner.
"Not enough crème for your liking?" Kagome asked with a sardonic lilt in her tone.
Her own barbed words surprised her and she blushed under his amused stare. She hated this
tension filled atmosphere, but was glad that Rin was, however, not old enough to detect
that.
"So we are partners," he said at last. Choosing to ignore her earlier comment, to
which she was grateful though she'd never admit it.
"Not partners," Kagome looked to him agitatedly. "Guardians."
Shrugging as if he didn't see the difference he brushed back a loose strand of
silver hair, "It is the same to me."
"This is not a business agreement!" Kagome retorted hotly, immediately quieting her
pounding heart at the startled gaze that Rin sent her way.
"Aunty Kagome?" Rin looked to her with wide innocent eyes, obviously worried.
"It's nothing dear," Kagome reassured the other, trying very hard not to send glares
in Sesshoumaru's direction.
"Shall we go for a stroll in the park?" Sesshoumaru suggested wisely as he rose and
tossed a few careless bills onto the table. Kagome grounded her teeth at his uncaring
attitude, but a stroll would give them some privacy to discuss important matters concerning
Rin. Not that Kagmoe ever would want to spend any time, more than necessary, alone with the
man before her.
"Yes!" Rin cried out happily, her momentary sadness forgotten. It is so much
easier to be a child, Kagome thought. At that age one forgets things so much more easily.
After Rin had run of far enough distance away, Sesshoumaru voiced the opinion that
he had kept to himself since meeting the dark-haired girl next to him. And she was
definitely a girl, no woman would have acted so irresponsibly for the welfare of the child,
of that foolish, foolish child! "You are not to take care of Rin," his statement shocked
Kagome to silence, killing what ever protests that has yet to arise. "You are young, too
young, and I am sure you would not want so young a child to get in the way of your life."
Sesshoumaru watched Rin playing a little ahead of them, certain that she would not hear
their conversation. "I'll hire a nurse maid and she will come stay with me, it will be
simple enough."
"Is that all?" Sesshoumaru paused, surprised that her presence was no longer beside
him but behind him. She had obviously stopped during his little speech. He turned to her
expectantly, his black suit cut to define a regal figure as he looked down at her, expecting
an agreement as he wisely ignored her biting inquiry. He was sure that girls her age
would rather party than take care of children and he did not trust to give any child up to
foolish care, especially with Tamara's child.
"It is a yes then." He commented, so certain of her answer that he did not even
bother to phrase it into a question.
The slap she landed on him surprised him more than it had hurt him. His anger rose
as he recovered from shock and he glared down at her, however his rage did not pass his
throat as she stared him fully in the eyes. "You're a fool if you think I would let someone
I don't even know take care of Haru and Tamara's child." She told him fiercely, and her
passion surprised him. He had thought, through her careless action at the funeral that she
would be more than willing to wash her hand clean of the child. He had miscalculated, a
rare event and it intrigued him. So he stayed silent, waiting to hear her reasons, however
the stinging of his cheek reminded him that she owed him a debt. "Rin needs love and care
right now, her parents just died and she has no known relatives that would out right take
her in. I don't want her to feel as if she's abandoned and I hope she never thinks that
what had happened is her fault." Kagome was almost pleading now, her eyes passing his
shoulder to look at the smiling child, yet detecting the sadness in Rin's stance. "I want
to, no, I need to take care of her."
"Can you?" He asked, a logical question. "You are what? Twenty? Twenty-one?"
"Twenty-three," she corrected him haughtily.
"It doesn't matter," his disregarded annoyed her but he continued onwards. "You are
probably still in college or the very least, enjoying the youthful lives of parties and
dating. You think you have time for a child? Especially a child who had just recently lost
her parents?" His cool tone set her teeth on edge, "I don't think you can make such
sacrifices. After all, you are young. Can you even afford to raise a child?"
All were valuable questions, and all were wasted on her. "For you information,
Sesshoumaru," she grounded out angrily. "I am very much out of college, I don't party.
At most, I go out to my friends houses who would not mind if I brought with me a child. I
take my responsibilities very seriously and I have a well paying job." Her eyes shone with
fire at him for daring to question her abilities. "And Rin is not a chore, she's a child.
If anyone is unfit to take care of her, it is one who would think otherwise." With that she
walked passed him, almost stomping all the way over to the little girl. Kagome forced
herself to relax as Rin happily presented her with a flower that she had picked.
Sesshoumaru though had turned slowly to watch the smile that lit both the face of
Kagome and Rin as the younger handed the older that one simple gift. He had to admit, the
woman intrigued him. Woman, perhaps she wasn't so much a girl after all. Sesshoumaru
wasn't sure if he liked her any more with her new status, it just made him wearier of her
presence. However, he had to admit she had a point. Though he wasn't sure if she was
bluffing about being able to support the child and herself.
Oh, Tamara, what have you done? He thought wearily and shook his head tiredly at
the image of Tamara happily holding Rin when she was but a babe. He remembered the beaming
pride in Haru's face as the father traced one work roughened finger down Rin's delicate
cheek. What have you done? He wondered once more and once more it was left unanswered in
the silence of his mind.
* * *
Myasha Sango dusted her hands as she stepped off of the mat, watching her
opponent rise wearily and another student take her place. She must admit that it
had been quite a workout today and the other students were working hard to maintain the
environment that had settled -- one of peaceful tension -- diligently working under her
watch. Her ponytail hung limply behind her as she swapped annoyed at her bangs, walking
over to different mats as the others practiced the new moves that she had shown them.
As well, some were practicing old moves, and she spent her time correcting positions
and stretching her sore muscles. She can't lie and say that seeing Hikawa Miroku serenely
smiling at the doorstep of her dojo had not been a surprise. In fact it made her weary to
have him come see her at such a public place, not to mention her eyes immediately riveting
to his annoyingly wondering hands that hid in the brown of his trousers as he casually
leaned back against the wooden walls. His gaze met her own steadily and had Sango not known
the true nature behind that intense stare, she might have thought him of better nature than
he really was.
"What are you doing here?" She demanded none too politely when she reached him.
Sango knew that he might have been hoping to use his charm but she didn't feel like playing
his silly and flirtatious games today.
"You wound me, Sango," Miroku bowed and had he been anyone else she might have been
convinced by his sincerity. However, she knew better. "Do you not think your beauty would
be enough to lead me here to you?"
"Cut to the chase, what do you want?" Sango asked, getting impatient. Not to
mention some of her students had stopped to watch their instructor talk to the handsome
dark-haired man.
Miroku grinned and she was sure in that moment that he enjoyed torturing her like
this. Teasing her and humiliating her in front of her students was almost more than she
could bare! And just when she decided that enough was enough, and that she would most
certainly kick him out, Miroku begun to sprout charms again in the most annoyingly confident
fashion. "My lady, I have come to inform you that this Friday we have a date."
Several head swiveled at that. As far as anyone knew, Sango did not date. Not that
she wasn't beautiful, for she certainly did not lack in the looks department. Miroku was
not falsely complimenting Sango when he had said that she was of great beauty, but the
part-time martial arts instructor was not interested in that kind of flattery nor was she
seeking a relationship, thus she tend to scorn men who sought for her hand. Anyone who
believed otherwise was a fool and Sango had long ago added Miroku to the fool's list, how
big of a fool he was acting today surprised even her!
"What date?" She growled. There was no mistaking it, Sango was agitated and now
everyone watched in fascination the two that stood at the doorway of the dojo. Would they
quarrel verbally? Would it become a battle? Or maybe, just maybe, by some godly
intervention, Sango was just embarrassed by the truth in Miroku's words. It would have been
more interesting that way, or so thought the students under Sango's tutorial.
"Oh, you'll find out when you get back home." Miroku winked at her agitated face.
"I'll see you on Friday!" He waved and exited the dojo to the disappointment of many.
Sango continued to stand where she had been when she confronted Miroku and her anger
radiated throughout the room.
Somehow, her students knew that they would certainly all be very sore by the morrow.
********************************************************************************************
*Author's Note: Domo arigatou for reviewing *bows* I hope your enjoying this story. It is
a deviation from the norm for me. I'm really writing it to relieve the absolutely
depressing and gory scenes that are to come in my epic, When All the Good Angels Sleep.
This is sort of fun and I'd like to see where my characters are going to take me :) I
supposed I made this a not entirely total Kagome centered fanfic because I never liked to
focus on just the main characters, it's a habit I have yet to break. Anywho, I'm not
exactly sure when the next chapter's coming since my finals are coming in less than a week
along with tons of projects but I'll pick it up soon enough :) Is this an Inuyasha/Kagome
fanfic? Read and find out. Really, right now, I just want people to meet all the
characters. ;)
Enjoy!
.blue.
blueweber@hotmail.com
romance adventure, so I thought, why not?
* Story: A Modern Day Fairytale
* Author: blue
* Email: blueweber@hotmail.com
* Summary: Higurashi Kagome had it all. She had just finished college, gotten the job of her
dreams and is sure that there will be some grand adventure just waiting for her to live out.
However, life is about to give her a little more than she might want to take. Having had
the misfortune of meeting Sorata Inuyasha, her life began to down spiral from there. As
people began to populate her life, and men began to pursue her attention, she's about to
discover what it really means to become a woman. Through friendship and love, Higurashi
Kagome is about to find her own modern day fairytale.
* Rated: PG (Rating may go up for later chapters)
* Catagory: Romance/Drama
A Modern Day Fairytale
**********************
.blue.
Chapter 1: Guardian
--------------------
She clutched the whimpering little girl to her, feeling the shoulder of her black
dress wet with the little girl's tears. Her heart felt like breaking as she cooed at the
young child in her arms, whispering her endearments and knowing it wasn't enough. "Oh,
Rin-chan, I'm so sorry." She heard some of the elders who had known Aika Rin's parents'
covey their sorrow at seeing their passing. Aika Haru had been her friend since
high-school, and though she had not spoken to him for some time now, she was the one who had
inadvertently caused him to bump into Ryo Tamara, or Aika Tamara, who later became his wife.
Kagome had also been one of Tamara's maid of honor at their wedding, but never had she
suspected that they would name her guardian of their beautiful little girl, Rin. Not that
Haru ever forgotten how much she loved kids, nor did Tamara forget how she would volunteer
to babysit little Rin when she was but a babe. But their lives went in separate ways a few
monthsago and she visited them less often than she would've liked. It was no surprise, that
with herbusy life and the new excitement of being on her own she had forgotten that a few
years back the promise she had made to the Aika family: to watch over their child if
anything happened. Almost forgotten, that is. She had certainly not forgotten the Aika
family and Haru made certain that every New Years she would be invited back into the Aika
family gathering. After all, their families had known each other a long while.
Yet, the car accident that had cruelly killed both Aika Haru, and his wife, Aika
Tamara, came at somewhat of a shock to Kagome. All she could think of was, I didn't even
get to say goodbye, repeated over and over again in her mind as she stared at their smiling
faces in the photographs. Her grip tightened on the weeping girl in her arms, though she
could feel the strain of keeping the girl aloft. Yet, there was some measure of comfort in
this sharing of sorrow.
"I appreciate you coming," she murmured to those who choose to speak to the child.
She hated being here, hated having Rin constantly reminded of her parents' death.
But it was inevitable, the girl was old enough to know and had asked to come. Of the little
that Kagome could do for her, she could not deny her this. This last farewell. However,
she really wished that the people that came would stop interrupting the little girl's grief
to open fresh wounds by their pitiful reminders. Kagome knew she was getting impatient
about the affair, and it scared her a little to find out that at such a young age, someone
she held dearly had died and died when they too were so young.
"Aunty Kagome, can I say goodbye?" She smiled softly down at Rin in her arms.
"Would you like to walk there yourself?" She asked.
Rin looked relieved when Kagome didn't inquire about whether or not Rin herself was
up to this. For once, the little girl was glad that the people that her Mama and Papa
entrusted her care into treated her like an adult. She might have actually dwelt on the
idea had it not been that her little hands ached from clutching the dark suit that Kagome
wore and that her chest hurt. Had she been able to see better through her tears, she might
have actually had a brighter smile than the one she wore now. "I can walk." Rin nodded at
last.
Kagome had to admire the child's courage and strength. Rin was reacting to this
better than probably most of them there, herself included. And she's the one who lost the
most as well, Kagome thought wastefully as she led the little girl up to the coffins.
Whatever the little girl murmured as she rested her hand on one and then the other coffin
was not known that day. Kagome respected the private moment shared by Rin and her dead
parents as she stepped back and watched with teary eyes. But Kagome didn't cry, she had to
be strong for Rin.
"I see that you are irresponsible enough to bring the child here," a scornful voice,
masculine and deep said in a soft drawl next to her. It was soft enough so that no one
heard but her, yet it rang loud and clear in her own ears.
Insulted and hurt, it took all her will power not to spun around and face the one
who challenged her judgment in this matter. Kagome didn't want to disturb Rin as the little
girl continue to whisper prayers of goodbye to her parents. "What do you mean by that?"
She grounded out slowly as she turned her glare to the man next to her.
It took the whatever remained of her willpower and more to stop her from gasping in
surprise at the beautiful man that was scorning her. He had long, white silver hair, which
she found oddly familiar. His golden eyes met hers with unconcealed disdain though it did
not diminish the sharpness of his cheek-bones, the sly slant of his eyes and the elegant
twist of his arrogant mouth. Yes, this scene seemed all to familiar to Kagome, though she
doubted her liking for this type of deja vu. It wouldn't have surprised her if this
snobbish beauty next to her was not related to the Inuyasha that she had the misfortune of
meeting some months ago. However, his air was much more refined and where as Inuyasha
seemed to burn like an uncontrollable fire, this man was as cool as ice.
She found that if they were indeed not related, at the very least she dislike them
both equally.
"The child is grieving. Do you really want to expose her to the reality of death in
life at so young an age?" His argument was logical and she had already asked herself this
question several times. Still, it did not sway her as she turned her face away from his
breath-taking beauty.
And just like Inuyasha, Kagome thought, he ruined his serene beauty by opening his
big mouth! She thought ruefully at this and it lightened her mood somewhat, though at his
expense. But of course, she did not feel the need to inform him of it.
"Having you ask me that makes me all the more certain in my actions," Kagome replied
coolly. "Whatever her age, she has a right to know. And Rin is old enough to understand,"
she turned to him once more, wanting to see his reaction for some strange, and perhaps,
perverse reason. "She asked, anyway," noting that he hid his surprise well though it did
not escape her notice how his eyes widened ever so slightly as he was now watching the
child instead of her. "I could not say no to such a request, it is her right."
He was silent for a while, and Kagome was slowly starting to think that maybe this
man wasn't as bad as Inuyasha after all. At least, he spoke as if he actually thought about
what was coming out of his mouth! "Pity that you have not the heart and so you break hers,
instead."
She judged too soon. He is as rude as Inuyasha, only he used his words with far
more skill and knew how to make them cut deeper than the latter had.
Kagome frowned at this but did not reply. "Believe what you will," she said calmly
though it surprised her that she was not as angry as she normally would have been. Maybe
death does that to people, settling passions like a blanket of snow over small sparks of
flames in winter. "I for one would like Rin to decide for herself what is best for her at
the moment. She is, after all, the one with far more to lose than any of us can even fathom."
She didn't wait for his reply. Instead, she stepped away from him and knelt, gently resting
one hand on Rin's shoulder. "Are you ready now, Rin? Have you said all that you wish to
say?" Have you said your goodbyes? But that last question, Kagome dared not ask.
Rin turned to her with a disarming smile and Kagome almost wept at the sadness
there. Children should not have to bare such sad burdens on thier shoulders so young.
"Yes, Aunty Kagome." Then brown eyes widened as the little girl looked behind Kagome to see
the rude and beautiful man standing silently still behind her. "Uncle Sesshoumaru!"
Kagome blinked at this, surprised a second time by the man's presence.
This has to be a cosmic joke!
* * *
Needless to say the dislike was mutual. She sipping her tea silently, and him,
lounging against the chair with a debonair air of casual grace was probably trying his
hardest to ignore her presence while paying full attention to Rin. Kagome wasn't sure why this
irritated her but it did. Rin on the other hand was happily licking her ice-cream in the
seat in between them while Sesshoumaru set down his steamy cup onto the table in a
dismissive manner.
"Not enough crème for your liking?" Kagome asked with a sardonic lilt in her tone.
Her own barbed words surprised her and she blushed under his amused stare. She hated this
tension filled atmosphere, but was glad that Rin was, however, not old enough to detect
that.
"So we are partners," he said at last. Choosing to ignore her earlier comment, to
which she was grateful though she'd never admit it.
"Not partners," Kagome looked to him agitatedly. "Guardians."
Shrugging as if he didn't see the difference he brushed back a loose strand of
silver hair, "It is the same to me."
"This is not a business agreement!" Kagome retorted hotly, immediately quieting her
pounding heart at the startled gaze that Rin sent her way.
"Aunty Kagome?" Rin looked to her with wide innocent eyes, obviously worried.
"It's nothing dear," Kagome reassured the other, trying very hard not to send glares
in Sesshoumaru's direction.
"Shall we go for a stroll in the park?" Sesshoumaru suggested wisely as he rose and
tossed a few careless bills onto the table. Kagome grounded her teeth at his uncaring
attitude, but a stroll would give them some privacy to discuss important matters concerning
Rin. Not that Kagmoe ever would want to spend any time, more than necessary, alone with the
man before her.
"Yes!" Rin cried out happily, her momentary sadness forgotten. It is so much
easier to be a child, Kagome thought. At that age one forgets things so much more easily.
After Rin had run of far enough distance away, Sesshoumaru voiced the opinion that
he had kept to himself since meeting the dark-haired girl next to him. And she was
definitely a girl, no woman would have acted so irresponsibly for the welfare of the child,
of that foolish, foolish child! "You are not to take care of Rin," his statement shocked
Kagome to silence, killing what ever protests that has yet to arise. "You are young, too
young, and I am sure you would not want so young a child to get in the way of your life."
Sesshoumaru watched Rin playing a little ahead of them, certain that she would not hear
their conversation. "I'll hire a nurse maid and she will come stay with me, it will be
simple enough."
"Is that all?" Sesshoumaru paused, surprised that her presence was no longer beside
him but behind him. She had obviously stopped during his little speech. He turned to her
expectantly, his black suit cut to define a regal figure as he looked down at her, expecting
an agreement as he wisely ignored her biting inquiry. He was sure that girls her age
would rather party than take care of children and he did not trust to give any child up to
foolish care, especially with Tamara's child.
"It is a yes then." He commented, so certain of her answer that he did not even
bother to phrase it into a question.
The slap she landed on him surprised him more than it had hurt him. His anger rose
as he recovered from shock and he glared down at her, however his rage did not pass his
throat as she stared him fully in the eyes. "You're a fool if you think I would let someone
I don't even know take care of Haru and Tamara's child." She told him fiercely, and her
passion surprised him. He had thought, through her careless action at the funeral that she
would be more than willing to wash her hand clean of the child. He had miscalculated, a
rare event and it intrigued him. So he stayed silent, waiting to hear her reasons, however
the stinging of his cheek reminded him that she owed him a debt. "Rin needs love and care
right now, her parents just died and she has no known relatives that would out right take
her in. I don't want her to feel as if she's abandoned and I hope she never thinks that
what had happened is her fault." Kagome was almost pleading now, her eyes passing his
shoulder to look at the smiling child, yet detecting the sadness in Rin's stance. "I want
to, no, I need to take care of her."
"Can you?" He asked, a logical question. "You are what? Twenty? Twenty-one?"
"Twenty-three," she corrected him haughtily.
"It doesn't matter," his disregarded annoyed her but he continued onwards. "You are
probably still in college or the very least, enjoying the youthful lives of parties and
dating. You think you have time for a child? Especially a child who had just recently lost
her parents?" His cool tone set her teeth on edge, "I don't think you can make such
sacrifices. After all, you are young. Can you even afford to raise a child?"
All were valuable questions, and all were wasted on her. "For you information,
Sesshoumaru," she grounded out angrily. "I am very much out of college, I don't party.
At most, I go out to my friends houses who would not mind if I brought with me a child. I
take my responsibilities very seriously and I have a well paying job." Her eyes shone with
fire at him for daring to question her abilities. "And Rin is not a chore, she's a child.
If anyone is unfit to take care of her, it is one who would think otherwise." With that she
walked passed him, almost stomping all the way over to the little girl. Kagome forced
herself to relax as Rin happily presented her with a flower that she had picked.
Sesshoumaru though had turned slowly to watch the smile that lit both the face of
Kagome and Rin as the younger handed the older that one simple gift. He had to admit, the
woman intrigued him. Woman, perhaps she wasn't so much a girl after all. Sesshoumaru
wasn't sure if he liked her any more with her new status, it just made him wearier of her
presence. However, he had to admit she had a point. Though he wasn't sure if she was
bluffing about being able to support the child and herself.
Oh, Tamara, what have you done? He thought wearily and shook his head tiredly at
the image of Tamara happily holding Rin when she was but a babe. He remembered the beaming
pride in Haru's face as the father traced one work roughened finger down Rin's delicate
cheek. What have you done? He wondered once more and once more it was left unanswered in
the silence of his mind.
* * *
Myasha Sango dusted her hands as she stepped off of the mat, watching her
opponent rise wearily and another student take her place. She must admit that it
had been quite a workout today and the other students were working hard to maintain the
environment that had settled -- one of peaceful tension -- diligently working under her
watch. Her ponytail hung limply behind her as she swapped annoyed at her bangs, walking
over to different mats as the others practiced the new moves that she had shown them.
As well, some were practicing old moves, and she spent her time correcting positions
and stretching her sore muscles. She can't lie and say that seeing Hikawa Miroku serenely
smiling at the doorstep of her dojo had not been a surprise. In fact it made her weary to
have him come see her at such a public place, not to mention her eyes immediately riveting
to his annoyingly wondering hands that hid in the brown of his trousers as he casually
leaned back against the wooden walls. His gaze met her own steadily and had Sango not known
the true nature behind that intense stare, she might have thought him of better nature than
he really was.
"What are you doing here?" She demanded none too politely when she reached him.
Sango knew that he might have been hoping to use his charm but she didn't feel like playing
his silly and flirtatious games today.
"You wound me, Sango," Miroku bowed and had he been anyone else she might have been
convinced by his sincerity. However, she knew better. "Do you not think your beauty would
be enough to lead me here to you?"
"Cut to the chase, what do you want?" Sango asked, getting impatient. Not to
mention some of her students had stopped to watch their instructor talk to the handsome
dark-haired man.
Miroku grinned and she was sure in that moment that he enjoyed torturing her like
this. Teasing her and humiliating her in front of her students was almost more than she
could bare! And just when she decided that enough was enough, and that she would most
certainly kick him out, Miroku begun to sprout charms again in the most annoyingly confident
fashion. "My lady, I have come to inform you that this Friday we have a date."
Several head swiveled at that. As far as anyone knew, Sango did not date. Not that
she wasn't beautiful, for she certainly did not lack in the looks department. Miroku was
not falsely complimenting Sango when he had said that she was of great beauty, but the
part-time martial arts instructor was not interested in that kind of flattery nor was she
seeking a relationship, thus she tend to scorn men who sought for her hand. Anyone who
believed otherwise was a fool and Sango had long ago added Miroku to the fool's list, how
big of a fool he was acting today surprised even her!
"What date?" She growled. There was no mistaking it, Sango was agitated and now
everyone watched in fascination the two that stood at the doorway of the dojo. Would they
quarrel verbally? Would it become a battle? Or maybe, just maybe, by some godly
intervention, Sango was just embarrassed by the truth in Miroku's words. It would have been
more interesting that way, or so thought the students under Sango's tutorial.
"Oh, you'll find out when you get back home." Miroku winked at her agitated face.
"I'll see you on Friday!" He waved and exited the dojo to the disappointment of many.
Sango continued to stand where she had been when she confronted Miroku and her anger
radiated throughout the room.
Somehow, her students knew that they would certainly all be very sore by the morrow.
********************************************************************************************
*Author's Note: Domo arigatou for reviewing *bows* I hope your enjoying this story. It is
a deviation from the norm for me. I'm really writing it to relieve the absolutely
depressing and gory scenes that are to come in my epic, When All the Good Angels Sleep.
This is sort of fun and I'd like to see where my characters are going to take me :) I
supposed I made this a not entirely total Kagome centered fanfic because I never liked to
focus on just the main characters, it's a habit I have yet to break. Anywho, I'm not
exactly sure when the next chapter's coming since my finals are coming in less than a week
along with tons of projects but I'll pick it up soon enough :) Is this an Inuyasha/Kagome
fanfic? Read and find out. Really, right now, I just want people to meet all the
characters. ;)
Enjoy!
.blue.
blueweber@hotmail.com