Can I keep you?
(A/N: Hey everyone, I'm happy about the positive feedback from the first chapter of this fic. I really didn't think that anyone would bother to read it, but I'm pleasantly surprised about the reviews. I'm planning on bringing both Sango and Miroku into this fic in chapters to come or maybe in this chapter if I can fit them in somewhere, but for now I'm just going to focus on Inuyasha and Kagome. (^^) I am also going to bring in Naraku, Kouga and Hojo into this chapter. Anyway, please enjoy this chapter and please excuse the way it's written. It's kind of messy so I apoligize.)
Chapter 2: Recalling the past.
Kagome and Sota returned home later that night after school only to find their mother still in her favorite bathrobe, sitting at the kitchen table. In her left hand she held a lit cigarette and in her right she held the morning paper up in front of her. Their mother still looked extremely exhausted, but not by doing any strenuous activities, it was probably because she had been worrying herself to death about the world's affairs as usual.
Kagome bent down to help her brother take off his shoes at the front door then he jumped back up and headed towards the living room calling out his father's name. Sota had looked forward to spending time with his father since they had left that morning, her little brother still loved and adored her father despite his many obvious faults, something Kagome wished she could do but couldn't. How could she love the man who refused to care for his family and only did what was in his best interest? She would never forgive him for as long as she lived.
Kagome sighed and made her way towards her mother and as soon as her mother sensed her presence in the room she looked up from her paper, frowning. "It's the end of the world I tell you." She grumbled out, but mostly to herself as she laid the paper down on the table and closed her eyes, using her long bony fingers to massage her temples. Mrs. Higurashi didn't wait for her daughter to reply before she continued, "today two new laws were passed and do you know what they are, huh?"
"No." Kagome replied as she reached up to get a glass from one of the cupboards. "The first declared that at the dawn of a youkai's 100th birthday (A/N: Which is around 18 in human years in this story. I don't really care if it's correct or not.) He or she can if he or she desires take possession of one human boy or girl."
"What?" Kagome blinked, looking over her shoulder at her mother, obviously confused. What kind of law was that? It didn't make sense. "That's right, it gives those animals the right to enslave anyone they choose and it's legal." Her mother muttered hatefully, picking the paper back up and tossing it across the room angrily. "What was the second law?" Kagome asked, hoping that it was at least a reasonable law as she ran the tap water and filled her glass.
"Oh, it was nothing much, it just said that humans and youkai were to attend separate schools from now on. I actually agree with that law, but I think youkai should just go back where they belong and leave humans in peace but I guess this will do for now."
Kagome held the glass of water in her hands as she stood facing the counter. Separate schools? She thought miserably, great, it had gotten worse. The thought of not being tortured anymore by her youkai classmates relieved her but then again the thought of not being to see Inuyasha again and not being able to have the chance to find out what was wrong with him made her heart ache.
"What are you sulking about?" her mother asked curtly as Kagome passed the table to head towards her room. "Nothing" was her daughter's soft reply as she shut her door.
. . .
"Master Ouji wishes to speak to you, Inuyasha." Rin informed her young master, poking her head through the doorway of his extremely large and fancy room. Rin was hired as a maid to serve the Ouji family after she was orphaned at a very young, she had come to know and appreciate the Ouji family as if they were her very own. Of course, she was treated like any other servant in the household but she never expected any special treatment, not when you're human.
Inuyasha continued staring out his bedroom window, and did not even spare Rin a simple glance or even a nod. "Fine, tell father I'll be there in a minute."
Rin frowned sadly and stood in the doorway, staring at her young master's back for some time. She was worried about him, but she had been worried about Inuyasha since the very day she had met him. He always seemed to have something on his mind but Inuyasha wasn't one to speak it or open himself to others, he had been hurt in the past and it seemed obvious that he didn't want to risk getting hurt ever again.
Rin sighed; making one last glance in Inuyasha's direction and then turned to make her way out of the room when someone suddenly stepped in front of her, blocking her path. She took one look at the person's magnificent robes and gulped, snapping her head up, only to have Sesshoumaru stare coldly back down at her. Rin yelped and jumped back, bowing her head. "S-s-so sorry…Sesshoumaru-sama…" she stuttered, beginning to shake with fright.
Sesshoumaru was one of the most feared youkai in Tokyo and for good reason, he had been known to show no mercy to his enemies and even his allies feared him. His cool and collect personality kept everyone guessing, much like Inuyasha he preferred not to let people know what he was thinking. Sesshoumaru looked up from Rin and walked passed her without speaking a word. He stopped in the middle of the room and glared at his young half brother while Rin quickly slipped out of the room.
"What do you want, bastard?" Inuyasha growled out, automatically on the defensive. His brother never paid him a friendly visit, the only reason he even acknowledged Inuyasha's existence was because his father had ordered Sesshoumaru to be civil towards Inuyasha, but that was never what he did. He always had insults or sarcastic remarks prepared to torture Inuyasha.
"I just wanted to come by and see how the disgrace of the family is fairing, well I hope?" Sesshoumaru said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Inuyasha didn't respond, instead he decided to just ignore his half brother's taunts and continue to stare out the window.
"So, have you heard about the new law, Inuyasha?" Sesshoumaru asked, glancing around the room and narrowing his eyes in disgust. The room stunk of the human servants, more here then anywhere else, which Sesshoumaru knew was because Inuyasha allowed the human servants to stay in his room longer then necessary while Sesshoumaru forbid any human from entering his room or they would surely suffer a painful death.
"…Yes."
"Hmm, is that so? Well, I am certain that is what father wishes to speak to you about. Though I'm sure you won't have the nerve to enslave one of your one kind, am I right?"
Inuyasha turned and stood up from where he had been seated. He marched over to Sesshoumaru and did what so few even dared to think of doing; he grabbed the older boy roughly by the collar. "What is that supposed to mean?" he demanded angrily. Sesshoumaru smirked and remained as calm as ever, he had received the exact reaction he had expected from someone like Inuyasha, it was laughable really how easily his little half brother lost his temper. It was always fun to tease him.
"Ah, Inuyasha, what are you doing?" Someone gasped; the two brothers turned their heads and saw Shippo Kitsune standing in the doorway with his mouth hanging open, his eyes wide. Shippo was a well-known youkai but that was simply because of his father, who was currently one of the most powerful businessmen in Tokyo next to Mr. Ouji. The families had become friends 3 years ago after Shippo's father and Mr. Ouji had made an important business deal, agreeing to combine their companies and share expenses. The families regularly got together for business meetings or over the holidays. Shippo being the only son of Mr. Kitsune, he was roughly around the same age as Inuyasha, maybe a little younger but he appeared a lot younger because of his height. Shippo went to a different school then Inuyasha but they were considered to be friends, but of course Inuyasha being the way he was liked being on his own most of the time.
Shippo quickly raced over and whacked Inuyasha over the head, making him release his hold on Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha reached up rubbing his head and grumbled as he glared hatefully at Shippo while the other boy apologized to Sesshoumaru. He always seems to show up at the wrong time! Inuyasha thought grumpily.
Sesshoumaru glanced at Shippo a moment then he looked over at Inuyasha and a small smile crept to his lips. "I'll be leaving now." He said and then turned, gracefully making his way out of the room, leaving a sulking Inuyasha and a still nervous Shippo behind.
"What were you thinking?" Shippo groaned, smacking his forehead as he turned to Inuyasha, who only shrugged and wandered over to his usual spot by the window. The young fox youkai sighed and walked over to Inuyasha. "You must be the only person I know that is stupid enough to dare touch Sesshoumaru or yell at him. You might be related but you're in way over your head here." Shippo might have known the family for three years but he wasn't dumb enough to even try and befriend Sesshoumaru. He was cold, bitter and ruthless and Shippo wanted nothing to do with him.
"Shut up. We aren't related anyway…"
"Well, you are half brothers, but I guess you're right." Shippo started to swing his arms around at his sides and glance around the room. "So, have you heard about the new laws?" he asked and judging by the frightening look Inuyasha was giving him, he knew the answer was: yes. "What do you think? I'm actually excited about my 100th birthday now, just think, having your own personal slave to do with as you please, but you know it's not like it's any different in our every day life. We youkai are feared by humans, we can basically get them to do what we wish just by making petty threats---" Shippo paused and looked over at Inuyasha. He hadn't moved from his spot by the window and it didn't look like he was intending on moving or responding anytime soon. Oh well, he could always try another approach…
"So, I heard you had a run in with a human girl today? I heard that she was insisting that she knew you from some time in the past, apparently you two were actually friends."
Inuyasha suddenly tensed and Shippo knew right away that he had struck a nerve; he grinned and then continued by asking, "So, what'd you say to her? What happened?"
"What are you talking about? No such thing happened…!" Inuyasha shouted, refusing to look at the younger youkai. All that was running through his mind at the moment was how Shippo managed to find out about that, but then again Shippo always seemed to find out things in mysterious ways.
"So you're saying you never had anything to do with her in the past and you aren't planning to have anything to do in the future?"
"Yes!"
"Fine, fine…well, even if you aren't interested in her, I am. What age do you think she'll be when I'm 100…? She looks pretty enough now. Wonder if she'll still have her looks in a few years."
Inuyasha suddenly jumped to his feet, frowning and with a half horrified look on his face. "You're not actually considering---"
Shippo made a face and stared at Inuyasha as if he were crazy, "well of course. She looks like slave material and she's pretty enough to bed, why not? Besides, you don't want her right?" Inuyasha didn't reply, but Shippo again knew exactly what Inuyasha was thinking or how he must be feeling, he looked as if he wanted to scream or kill something. "Anyway, even if I don't claim her, I've heard rumors that Hiten is aiming to make the girl his."
"Why?" To Shippo's surprise Inuyasha actually looked curious and a little concerned, this Inuyasha was different really different from the usual sarcastic, cold Inuyasha he knew so well.
"I'm not really sure myself, but apparently the girl bruised Hiten's ego and he's looking for revenge, what better revenge is there then to take her away from her family and be able to do whatever he wishes with her?" Shippo sighed. He was actually starting to feel sorry for her really, he had only heard about Hiten Kaminari from a few classmates at his school and what he subjected his enemies to, and he could only imagine what he'd put that poor girl.
Inuyasha frowned again and crossed his arms, looking down intently at the floor as if he was thinking about something very hard. Silence soon came and both the boys stood where they were without moving.
"Inuyasha…?"
"Shut up. I'm trying to---"
The two boys looked up when they heard the door to the room creak open and in walked Jaken, Sesshoumaru's head lackey. The short little man had assisted Sesshoumaru for centuries, serving as his personal doormat. A few years back he had been caught stealing a witches seal and was set on fire by a spell the seals owner had cast, amazingly enough he survived but received countless burns all over his body which made him look like an ugly toad. Inuyasha hated Jaken with a fiery passion; he hated anyone who would willingly devote themselves to his cold-blooded half brother, Jaken was such a nuisance!
"What do you want, you little toad?" Inuyasha spat.
Jaken glared at Inuyasha, but ignored his insult. The little old man cleared his throat while still clinging tightly to his wooden staff in his right hand, "Boy, don't you know that Ouji-sama has been waiting for you?!"
"Of course I do. I'm busy, tell father I'll come to him later…" Inuyasha snapped, giving Jaken a whole-hearted glare of his own.
"Y-you impudent child! Ouji-sama has ordered you to come and you will come! Have you no shame?!" Jaken demanded, angrily. Shippo glanced at his silver haired friend standing behind him, wondering what Inuyasha would say and couldn't help but laugh when Inuyasha held up his hand and flipped Jaken off. That was the Inuyasha he knew. "How's this for shame?" Inuyasha inquired with a bored expression on his face.
Jaken's eyes went as wide as saucers, his small claw-like hands shaking with anger. Shippo thought that perhaps that old man would try and say something or even do something more but instead Jaken quickly stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
"Ugh, I hate that toad." Inuyasha grumbled under his breath as he took his seat by the window once more. "Inuyasha, are you sure that was wise?" Shippo asked slowly.
"The toad will live."
"I didn't mean that, I meant not going to see your father. Won't he be angry with you?"
"Maybe, but I have other things on my mind. If my father doesn't forget, we can discuss whatever he wanted to discuss later." Inuyasha replied lazily with a wave of his hand.
Shippo frowned worriedly and crossed his arms over his chest. "You're way too calm for your own good you know…"
. . .
Kagome couldn't believe it, the days had passed by quicker then even she had imagined. It had been a week and one of the new laws had already been put into action; humans and youkai were required by law to go to separate schools, the law was supposed to keep things in order some said and then others speculate that the law was simply made because humans were commonly thought of as filth and weren't worthy enough to go to the same schools as youkai. Kagome didn't know what to believe, all she knew was that it would be best just to follow orders. She had done that all of her life and she was still alive, that was all that mattered.
Her new school wasn't at all how she imagined it to be, the building in which the daily classes were to be held was an old run down place, looking at it from the outside on the first day had made Kagome feel uncomfortable. The old place looked as if would fall over if given a hard enough push. The building itself didn't only look run down though, everything inside was either used, broken or had been probably thrown away at one time. The whole campus had a gloomy atmosphere. Kagome had imagined that being able to come in contact with more human students like her would make things seem better, but she found that it was only like before, she ignored and after enough time had passed she had simply learned to occupy herself and stay away from the other students as the days went by. Just hearing some of them talk was enough to make Kagome actually regret being a human; they would constantly speak of their hate for youkai and their endless complaints.
Humans were such cowards…Humans were such confusing creatures…
"If you hate them so much why don't you tell a youkai, face-to-face, just how you feel. Are you so afraid that you won't even stand up for your own dignity? Are you that much of a coward? You say you've killed? I don't believe you! You're a coward!" She had actually had the nerve to say this to a boy in her class after he went on boasting about the day when all youkai would be destroyed and that humans would once again have complete control of the Earth. He actually went as far as to say he actually killed a youkai before. He had disgusted her. As every day passed Kagome found herself thinking more and more of Inuyasha. Their last meeting and his hurtful words were still burning in her mind.
"I don't know what you're babbling about, bitch. But I have no time to waste on filth like you." She could still remember the cold look in his eyes when he had said those words. Every time she thought of him she felt like crying, how could he have changed so much? Kagome didn't hate him. She missed him gravely. She missed the old Inuyasha. Even if he had said such cruel things she could never hate him or the youkai race for that matter, but why? Why couldn't she bring herself to hate? Maybe Inuyasha was the reason.
Kagome sighed and glanced down at her wristwatch and frowned, "great, I'm late picking Sota up from school." She just knew she was going to be scolded when she got home, her mother was in an especially bad mood today, and she knew the reason why, the second law was being put into motion today. By the end of the day countless humans like her would lose their freedom and would be forced to become the slaves to any youkai that claimed them. It was sad that things had gone this far and it made Kagome angry as well, but her mother was taking things way too far as usual.
Maybe I should try calling mom. Maybe she would pick up Sota just for today. Kagome thought quietly as she stood with her bag in hand on the dim street corner watching as the traffic nosily zoomed by. "No, mom would never agree to it…" she said out loud, yes, it was silly to think her mother would actually do her a favor for once. Besides, her mother was probably too busy drinking to bother and her father...she would never ask her father for a favor, ever. He didn't care. He never had cared.
The streetlights blinked and came on, lighting up the streets. Kagome looked both ways before she started to cross the street when something grabbed her from behind. She was about to scream but a hand quickly clamped tightly over her mouth as she was dragged backward, into the shadows. Since screaming was no longer an option, Kagome tried with all of her might to struggle out of her unknown attacker's grip but no matter how hard or long she tried the grip still remained iron tight. The only thing Kagome managed to do was bruise her own arms.
"Looks like I've finally found you." Someone whispered into her ear and then Kagome was violently whipped around so she was facing her attacker. Her eyes went wide with horror. "It's you…!" It was Hiten Kaminari.
The young youkai smiled coldly at her and tightened his grip on her arms, making her cry out in pain. It felt like he was going to snap her arms in two! Kagome opened her mouth to say, plead anything but nothing came out because she immediately began to feel dizzy and it wasn't long before she passed out.
. . .
"Okay, tell me again why we're wandering around the streets at sun down? It's freezing tonight!" Shippo exclaimed, teeth chattering. Inuyasha, who was walking ahead of the younger boy, glanced back at Shippo and narrowed his eyes. "I didn't ask you to tag along. You can go home anytime you want." He retorted.
"Yeah, right. I don't trust you enough to leave you alone…" Shippo shot back. The two boys were still dressed in their school uniforms from their newly assigned schools, the "Youkai schools." Shippo had thought of it as a nice change but Inuyasha was indifferent to the whole situation. He disliked being forced to be in contact with youkai or humans in general but the idea of putting in one school youkai and humans in another was idiotic to him. What was the point? It wasn't as if youkai and humans weren't bound to come in contact with one another on the street anyway, what did the new law hope to achieve for either side?
"You're quiet. Are you thinking about that girl again?" Shippo asked out of the blue. Inuyasha stopped abruptly and turned to the younger boy. "Of course not, you idiot!" but Shippo only grinned at him. "L-I-A-R." he mouthed. Inuyasha growled and was about to snap back at Shippo when they both heard a scream coming from somewhere ahead. They both went silent and looked at each other. "Do you think someone was killed?" the fox youkai asked. Killings on the streets were normal occurrences now a days. It was no longer uncommon to see a dead body on the side of the road or for people to come home with bad wounds, certain youkai fed in the night and humans were usually their prey.
They listened closely but they heard nothing for a few minutes, then again someone screamed. Before Shippo could even open his mouth to say something more Inuyasha was already racing down the street towards the screams.
"H-hey, Inuyasha!" Shippo exclaimed, taking off after his friend. "What the hell are you doing? We aren't supposed to get involved, you know that!" he shouted, but Inuyasha didn't reply, instead he concentrated on the scents looming in the air. He breathed in and out and stopped when he smelt something familiar. It was…
"Inuyasha look!" Shippo nudged him on the arm and pointed towards a beat up looking old building in the distance. "Say, isn't that where the humans in this area attend school?"
Inuyasha again didn't reply as he began to walk up to the entrance of the building, there was hardly any light except for the light, which the streetlights gave off. The sky was cloudy and not a star was shining. Inuyasha could see someone standing near a large tree in the front yard, as he came closer he could see that it was Hiten, but what was he doing out here?
Shippo blinked and then he let out a quick gasp, "Hey---" but he didn't need to finish, Inuyasha had already noticed the scent of blood lingering in the air when they had entered the area and there in front of Hiten at the foot of the tree laid a dark haired girl, the same one that he had encountered after school not long ago. It was that girl, Kagome. She was unconscious and looked injured, her shirt had also been ripped off, and the only thing clothing the upper half of her body was her bra.
"Hiten…!" Inuyasha shouted.
The braided boy turned to the other two boys standing a few feet behind him, frowning immediately when he saw Inuyasha and kept his ice cold gaze focused directly on him, ignoring his fox companion. "What do you want? Can't you see that I'm busy?" he muttered, motioning to Kagome's still form on the ground. Shippo turned to Inuyasha and was about to insist that they leave when Inuyasha spoke up. "Give me the girl…"
To be continued or not…
(A/N: Whoo-hoo! Second chapters finally done! *laughs manically* So, what do you guys think so far? *sighs* Forgive me for not updating in more quickly. I've had a lot on my mind lately and with Christmas and all, I also had a lot to do. But thankfully because of Christmas vacation I have two glorious weeks to spend writing! So I should hopefully have another chapter done very soon and I'll also have time to write another chapter of Thief. XD)
