Author's Notes: Here's Chapter Two. Worked really hard on it so I hope you
like it.
Disclaimer: See Ch. 1 if you already haven't figured it out by now...
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A Country Life
Chapter Two
Inuyasha and the Calling
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The sun was barely over the horizon and already he was working. The brilliant orange and yellow rays touched the ranch with warmth, promising a nice sunny hot day.
He had been up before dawn. He had finished most of the hard outside work in order to avoid the scorching sun burning his skin. But just by looking at him anyone could tell that he was a hard worker, dedicating his life to his ranch.
Being outside had left him a nice even bronze tan. His muscles were well developed from his hard work and years of farm life. His looks were also something that wasn't to be easily missed.
His face was blessed with perfection. An easy going smile with dazzling white teeth. Along with a strong-built nose accenting his chiseled and very prominent cheekbones, and to top it off with his silky gleaming white hair and golden sun eyes.
But out in the country looks were never important. It was the size of his heart and his work that mattered to him in the end of the day.
This was what he focused on the minute he stepped into Kanazawa, Japan. He had never cared about his looks before and he certainly didn't now. Noticed yes, how could he not notice? He had to run away from girls who stalked him at a tender age of ten, but it didn't matter. After all it was his looks that got him in trouble.
Women would flock to him, and try to woo him. Half of those women that would flirt with him usually had a boyfriend. Which usually lead to unnecessary fights. He never looked at a woman and fell in love as he did with Kikyo.
Partly the reason why he left Tokyo and moved out here.
The other because he loved the idea of living out in the open and working hard, doing what he loved and wanted to do. He was away from the city life which depends so much on materialistic things.
His family was shocked when he said he wanted to move and live a farm life. It was outrageous and unheard of in the Tahimiyo family. His family was very prestigious. To be born in a family like his was like being born into a noble family. A life that he hated so much then.
He loaded the last of the hay onto his truck and jumped in the truck and drove. He headed towards the stables, his pride and joy of the whole ranch.
He had built the stables with his own two hands, it had taken years to make. He had earned the money all on his own to buy each and every horse that was in his stable. At least fifteen thoroughbred horses in all.
To him that was impressive. He didn't have to depend on his family money to survive. He had made out in the country. A feat that he patted himself on the back for everyday that went by. From a rich city boy to a fairly decent country boy.
He hopped out of the truck and grabbed the two bundles of hay in each hand. He walked over to the stables and walked inside where it was still nice and cool. The sun hadn't reached over on this side of the farm.
He undid the knots on the twine and released the hay and threw it into the hay stall. He dusted off the dirt on his blue jeans from kneeling on the ground and grabbed the pitchfork that was on the wall. He dug the pitchfork deep into the hay and went to the first stable and dumped the hay in the feed bin for the first horse in the first stall.
The horse neighed in appreciation and munched on the hay. Inuyasha held a soft smile on his face. This was what he lived for. The simple yet satisfying country life.
Kagome yawned softly and tried very hard on focusing on the overhead presentation. Another boring business meeting in which she was forced to attend to.
She wrote a few points down that the presenter had mention unto her notebook. On the corners the notebook paper was covered in doodles from the lack of listening she gave to the presenter.
She put the pen down and looked outside of the big glass window. Her view was blocked by another enormous building. She left out a soft sigh of disappointment.
She wanted so much to live away from the city, from her mother, from this life of hers. To start a new life, to live the way she wanted too.
Not because she had to live this life in order to make her mother happy. To not be noticed because of her mother and her last name. So many reasons in which Kagome could name for her unhappiness, but it was pointless unless she did something, take action.
Her thoughts were abruptly ended when she heard the person next to her shut his suitcase. The meeting was over. Kagome gathered her stuff and waited patiently as she filed out of the door.
She saw Sango on the other side typing something into the laptop, her eyes glued to the screen. Kagome walked over and placed the notebook on Sango's desk. "Here are today's notes that you need to turn into a memo." Sango groaned rather noticeably.
"Another one?" Sango whined as she opened the notebook. She held it out for Kagome to see and said "Nice drawings." Kagome shrugged and pulled out a chair and sat next to Sango.
"Hey I was bored to death in that meeting. I had to look like I was doing something productive, which is more than I can say for you." Kagome pointed to the screen and saw that Sango had been instant messaging with her friends.
Sango blushed and turned off the screen. "So what I can't have a little fun?" She said teasingly. Kagome smiled "Oh I never said that Sango..." Sango looked to see if anyone was watching them, no one was. She faced Kagome again and said "So did you talk to your mom yet about you know...Your plans?" Kagome looked down. That action was an obvious no.
Sango sighed and rubbed the place between her nose and eyebrows. "Kagome you know eventually you'll have to tell her." Kagome nodded wistfully and said "Yeah I know..."
Sango looked down on her watch and said "Well then go on. Your day is over, go home and talk to your mom." Kagome stood up and walked towards the main doors, she turned around one last time to look at Sango. She gave Kagome a thumbs up sign and mouthed "It'll be fine." Kagome waved goodbye and muttered under her breath "I hope so."
Inuyasha was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to go to bed. He was about to turn off the lights when he received a call. His phone rang loudly and he waited to see if his other hired helpers were going to pick it up. The phone continued to ring. He grumbled and reached over to his bedside table and picked up the phone.
He brought up to his ear and muttered a "Hello?" There was a long period of silence. He was about to hang up when he heard the question. "Hi I'm Kagome Higurashi and I read your article. I was still wondering if there were any openings left?"
Inuyasha combed his hair with his fingers and closed his eyes. Relief washed over him. Someone finally answered his ad that was put out ages ago. He needed someone with background knowledge of animal medicine and care. His last hired help had recently retired and settled down somewhere deep in the mountains of Japan.
He answered "Yes there still is an opening left. Are you qualified?" The answer came back "Yes I'm qualified, I have a bachelor's degree in animal medicine and care."
Inuyasha smiled and said "Good send over the papers of proof that you are qualified tomorrow on my fax." Kagome nodded and wrote down the fax number and said "Thank you and goodnight."
She hung up the phone and crawled into bed to go off into a deep sleep of happiness.
Meanwhile Inuyasha hung the phone up and shook his head lightly laughing. He didn't know who she was, but he did know that she seemed nice and outspoken. And her voice...He wondered if she was sweet and innocent like the way her voice sounded...
He turned off his lamp light and closed his eyes and went to sleep wondering if things would turn out just fine. If she would be up to the job. He never had a girl work for him except Kaede who was basically like his family. But he would give her a chance. Who knows, she might actually be good at it.
Anyone who knew him knew working for him never was an easy task.
Kagome woke up and looked at her clock. It read six am. She slowly got out of bed and stretched. Today would be the day for her. Today she was going to quit her job once she was accepted at the ranch and call her mother...
After taking a nice long shower she made coffee and was eating a granola bar while faxing her papers to Inuyasha. Seeing that she did everything that was needed to be done she finished her coffee and grabbed her case containing important business papers.
She closed the door just when her fax got a reply. It was from Inuyasha.
Kagome finished type up her report and saved it onto a disk. She looked at the clock and saw that it was time to go home. She turned off the computer and headed over to Sango's desk.
"Hey how's the Johansson case going?" Sango let out a heavy sigh and answered "Horrible. There's no way around this case. It's pointless, but I still added some pointers and tips anyways." She saved and turned off the computer and packed her papers into a folder and placed it in her desk.
Sango turned the key in the lock and locked the office desk, threw the keys into her bag and grabbed her purse and coat on her way out. Kagome smiled and said "At least you got by today...So do you have a ride?" Sango's car was currently in a garage due to engine problems.
Sango shook her head no. "I was going to call a cab..." Kagome pulled out her keys and said "Come on I'll drive you; you can tell me what I should say to my mother." Sango looked at Kagome and rolled her eyes. "This is going to be a long car ride." She muttered.
And that's where Kagome was. In front of her phone in her kitchen. She reached out hesitantly to grab the phone and right when she was about to pick it up...She pulled her hand back as if it was poisonous.
She didn't know why she was scared. Maybe it was the fact that it was her mother. Or that she was about to disappoint her mother saying she was quitting her job for another job. A job which her mother would absolutely disapprove of.
It was a job that she wanted to do, even if it paid less, even if she was leaving her home. Even if it meant she was risking everything for this dream of hers.
She needed to be happy, she needed to be free. She needed to do this.
She picked up the phone and dialed her mother's number. It rang once, twice, three times when her mother picked up. "Hello Akari Higurashi speaking..."
Kagome took a deep breath and went with the flow. Or at least tried to. "Hi mother it's me Kagome. I needed to talk to you." There was a pause at the other line. "Well dear what is it?" Kagome shut her eyes and force all her courage to act now. "Mother I'm quitting my job. I'm taking an offer in Kanazawa."
There was another pause. "What's there dear that Tokyo doesn't offer? Isn't that place in the farming region area or somewhat like that?" "Yes it is...Mother." Kagome was shocked when her mother answered in a calm tone.
"Kagome darling I...I don't understand this at all. There is no reason why you should leave. No reason at all. You have everything here, a great apartment, job, and a respectable title. What does Kanazawa have to offer?"
"Do you remember when I was in college and I wanted to be a veterinarian. So I took all those late night classes and studied my butt off for those exams, and that day when I passed those exams, finished my courses, and got my degree in animal medicine it was the happiest moment of my life then. Those two years were the hard for me. But I wanted so much to work with animals...But you forbade it. You told me it wasn't a respectable job, so you made me take business classes and the rest was set. My future job was a job that you wanted. A job that I never wanted. The truth is I haven't been happy in a long time."
There was another long pause. Then she finally talked. "This decision you've made, is it final?" Kagome could tell her mother was upset, her tone of voice was soft and quiet, unusually quiet. "Yes I got the notice that I've been hired." "Dear this is all wrong. I've given you everything that you've possibly wanted and now you're saying you're not happy. How could you not be happy? Kagome I'm your mother the decisions I made for you were for your best interest and now your going against me? Are you trying to spite me?"
Kagome slowly took in a deep breath and exhaled. "Mom...I mean mother have you noticed that it has always been you and what you've wanted. Anything I wanted to do like soccer you would manipulate my mind into ballet. If I wanted to do lacrosse or basketball you would say gymnastics and equestrian and I would do that instead, just for you mother. Just to make you happy because I wanted to you to love me like daddy did. So why can't I for once do this, what I really want to do?"
"Kagome you're making a mistake. This job will make you homeless. If your father was here he would be appalled. Such disrespect from you, I never raised you like this...You've changed, I don't even know who you are anymore..." "Mother this isn't about you anymore. Dad isn't here, he died a long time ago but I remember he told me to be happy, live happy and free. Mother, Tokyo doesn't give me that. Please try to understand, this is my life! My decisions, my consequences...Besides I'm not the one that's changed...You were my friend once then overnight you became this famous actress and that became your priority. It came before me and Souta. Your job came before us, your own children! Now you're just my mother, not mom or mommy, but mother! And not my friend and mother. Just mother. A mother who spends more time with her agent then with her children. More hours are spent on movie sets than it ever was at home. I don't even remember the last time we spent time together as a family." Kagome's tears welled up in her eyes. "Mother you've changed not me and you can't even see it. Goodbye mother I hope you'll understand why I did this."
Kagome hung up and collapsed on her kitchen floor crying. This was one of the hardest things she had to do. She cried until there were no more tears left to shed.
By the time Kagome was about to go to bed it was twelve; midnight. Till she heard the doorbell ring. She went to the door and opened it. It was Souta. His dark hair was unruly and his tie was loosened. He looked disheveled but he still managed to put on that impish grin of his. He tilted his head to the side while leaning against the door frame and held out a bouquet of roses. Somehow he always found a way to make Kagome smile.
Kagome looked at him and smiled while accepting the bouquet. His eyes shined like the fluorescent lightening bugs on a summer night, standing out from the rest of his other features. His smile brought out the soft and sharp contours of his already handsome face. By looking at him any woman could and would fall for him. Yep he was a definite heartbreaker, or so he looked like it.
His perfectly white and straight teeth poked out from its hiding and exposed when Kagome smiled. "You didn't really think you were going to leave without saying goodbye now were you?"
Kagome smiled and pulled him into a deep embrace; she then ran her fingers in his hair and made it even more unruly. "Hey now easy on the hair..." Souta pat his hair down with his hands while Kagome let out a soft laugh.
Souta looked back at Kagome and said "You know Mom was crying when you call and told her about your ambition..." Kagome looked at Souta in the eyes and saw concern in his eyes. She set the flowers on the table.
"Souta I'm not hurting anyone you know, this is my dream. I should run my own life after all it's my life not hers. Why is it she always tries to make me feel guilty for something I shouldn't be feeling guilty at all for?" Kagome sighed and sat down on the couch. Souta followed the suit and sat across from her.
"I'm not saying that it's your fault Kags... I'm rooting for you here it's just you did hurt her pretty bad. She was so shaken up when she called me... I was hurt too ya know?" "Souta I was going to call you...I guess I didn't want to hear anymore disapprovals before I left...Still that's no excuse, Souta...am I a bad sister?"
Souta looked at her amusedly. "Yeah right, you're as good as they come. Top of the line. Kags you're not a bad sister, horrible liar but a good sister." Kagome softly smiled. Souta started up again "Besides Kags, I'm not disappointed I'm happy for you, you're doing what you want to do. I mean I guess I'm lucky that I've always wanted to run an empire in the business world. If I had told mom I wanted to be a teacher or something she would've flipped. But if I was in your shoes I would do the very same thing. Just promise you won't keep anymore secrets from me?"
Kagome nodded her head and replied "I promise only if you do?" He nodded Kagome now was smiling widely, while wiping her tears of happiness on her sleeve.
"So what's this I hear about a new girlfriend?" she asked. Souta's impish smile dropped quickly. He was caught. Kagome laid back on the couch with ease. It was going to be a fun night.
The next morning and Kagome called in for work and talked to her boss. They had a long chat and she said she quit though she didn't give specific reasons why, she told him it was personal problems. He understood and said that there was always an available spot for her if she decided to change her mind.
Then she packed her possessions and called Sango. Sango came over and comforted her friend and helped her pack. The other stuff Kagome couldn't take with Sango said she would put in her guest room at her condo just in case. Kagome thanked Sango.
Kagome looked at her apartment one last time before she shut the door. She was leaving for good. Sango drove Kagome to the train station. There she waited with Kagome until it was time for her to go.
They hugged and cried until the train whistle blew as a warning. Kagome ran onto the train and waved while shouting promises of calling her and visiting as much as she could. Sango said similar things back to Kagome.
Kagome continued to wave until she couldn't see Sango anymore. She sat in an empty compartment and slept. By the time she woke up they were nearly there. She looked at her watch and saw several hours had passed.
Kagome looked out of the train window and saw that the landscape here was different. It was more green and wild. The land was untamed and rich of natural life and resources. It was completely different from the city.
The train pulled into the station and Kagome got off the train. She looked around for a man who was supposedly picking her up and taking her to the ranch.
She saw a man holding up a sign saying "Shikon Ranch" Kagome walked over towards the man. He looked over at her and flashed her a smile. "Hi I'm Kagome the new employee?" she extended out her hand he took it and shook it back. "Hello it's nice to meet you miss. I'm Hojo I also work at the ranch. I hope you'll like it here...It's quite different from Tokyo." He took two of her luggages and set it on the back of the truck. Kagome grabbed the other small luggage and handed it to Hojo. He put it with the rest of her bags and then opened the door for her. She thanked him and climbed in.
The drive was long and quiet. Kagome took the time to think and looked at the countryside. She was in awe by the natural beauty that lied in the green hills and the mountains.
She had never seen anything like this except in pictures of magazines. Her father use to be a famous photographer that took pictures of beautiful landscapes all around the world. From the pyramids of Egypt to the Pyrenees Mountains in France. He would always send pictures that he took extras of and gave it to Kagome. Her father was the one that made her fall in love with animals and the life of nature.
Then one day when she was fourteen her father died in a plane crash. He was going on his way to Mexico to take pictures of their beaches when the plane's engine failed.
She cried for months after that. She had loved him dearly. Her father was the one man in her life that made her heart leap at the sight of him. But most of all she missed his laugh. His laugh was contagious once he laughed everywhere near him would laugh.
Now the only man in her life at the moment was Souta. They were close friends more so than brother and sister.
When they arrived she was shocked. The ranch was silhouetted by the golden sun bringing out a glow of simplicity and a piece of heaven right then and there. The ranch was enormous. Acres of green and fences with animals behind it stretched on and on. It was as if all her dreams were coming true.
She stepped out of the truck and stared in amazement. She didn't think anything could make this any better. Then she saw a figure walking towards her.
She gasped softly as she saw the figure that now stood before her. He wore a comfortable cotton button up shirt, his sleeves rolled up to his forearms. His Stetson hat tipped to the side. He didn't smile right away. Instead he looked her over, critiquing her in his head. He finally smiled and extended out his hand. He approved.
"Hi. I'm Inuyasha the owner of this ranch and the boss. Your boss. Welcome home." Kagome smiled warmly and shook his hand. When their hands touched a slight tingling sensation traveled across her arm to the pit of her stomach. His likewise.
"Hi I'm Kagome Higurashi, glad to be here."
Inuyasha couldn't believe how much Kagome looked like Kikyo. Their appearances looked almost identical. But that was the only thing they had in common.
Kagome had softer features. And her face was genuinely pure and happy. Also a hint of spark lied beneath those brown chocolate orbs. So far he liked that about her.
Kikyo was another story.
He had noticed that Kagome was very fit. She was dressed in a white tank top with a blue jean skirt topped of with white flip flops. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail revealing a very pretty and angular face.
He gulped silently; working with her was bound to cross boundaries. Something that hasn't happened in a long time. Trouble was definitely going too stirred in the quiet green acres of Shikon Ranch. And fate would have it no other way.
No other way at all.
Instead he turned away telling Hojo to show her around and headed back to work. He looked at the sky at smirked.
Things had just gotten interesting. Very interesting.
AN: I tried to make this chapter long, well I would've made it longer except this looked like a good place to end it at. Ch. Three will be up depending on the success of this story; if it does well it will be up ASAP. If not, it can certainly be on hold. Oh by the way REVIEW!
Disclaimer: See Ch. 1 if you already haven't figured it out by now...
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A Country Life
Chapter Two
Inuyasha and the Calling
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The sun was barely over the horizon and already he was working. The brilliant orange and yellow rays touched the ranch with warmth, promising a nice sunny hot day.
He had been up before dawn. He had finished most of the hard outside work in order to avoid the scorching sun burning his skin. But just by looking at him anyone could tell that he was a hard worker, dedicating his life to his ranch.
Being outside had left him a nice even bronze tan. His muscles were well developed from his hard work and years of farm life. His looks were also something that wasn't to be easily missed.
His face was blessed with perfection. An easy going smile with dazzling white teeth. Along with a strong-built nose accenting his chiseled and very prominent cheekbones, and to top it off with his silky gleaming white hair and golden sun eyes.
But out in the country looks were never important. It was the size of his heart and his work that mattered to him in the end of the day.
This was what he focused on the minute he stepped into Kanazawa, Japan. He had never cared about his looks before and he certainly didn't now. Noticed yes, how could he not notice? He had to run away from girls who stalked him at a tender age of ten, but it didn't matter. After all it was his looks that got him in trouble.
Women would flock to him, and try to woo him. Half of those women that would flirt with him usually had a boyfriend. Which usually lead to unnecessary fights. He never looked at a woman and fell in love as he did with Kikyo.
Partly the reason why he left Tokyo and moved out here.
The other because he loved the idea of living out in the open and working hard, doing what he loved and wanted to do. He was away from the city life which depends so much on materialistic things.
His family was shocked when he said he wanted to move and live a farm life. It was outrageous and unheard of in the Tahimiyo family. His family was very prestigious. To be born in a family like his was like being born into a noble family. A life that he hated so much then.
He loaded the last of the hay onto his truck and jumped in the truck and drove. He headed towards the stables, his pride and joy of the whole ranch.
He had built the stables with his own two hands, it had taken years to make. He had earned the money all on his own to buy each and every horse that was in his stable. At least fifteen thoroughbred horses in all.
To him that was impressive. He didn't have to depend on his family money to survive. He had made out in the country. A feat that he patted himself on the back for everyday that went by. From a rich city boy to a fairly decent country boy.
He hopped out of the truck and grabbed the two bundles of hay in each hand. He walked over to the stables and walked inside where it was still nice and cool. The sun hadn't reached over on this side of the farm.
He undid the knots on the twine and released the hay and threw it into the hay stall. He dusted off the dirt on his blue jeans from kneeling on the ground and grabbed the pitchfork that was on the wall. He dug the pitchfork deep into the hay and went to the first stable and dumped the hay in the feed bin for the first horse in the first stall.
The horse neighed in appreciation and munched on the hay. Inuyasha held a soft smile on his face. This was what he lived for. The simple yet satisfying country life.
Kagome yawned softly and tried very hard on focusing on the overhead presentation. Another boring business meeting in which she was forced to attend to.
She wrote a few points down that the presenter had mention unto her notebook. On the corners the notebook paper was covered in doodles from the lack of listening she gave to the presenter.
She put the pen down and looked outside of the big glass window. Her view was blocked by another enormous building. She left out a soft sigh of disappointment.
She wanted so much to live away from the city, from her mother, from this life of hers. To start a new life, to live the way she wanted too.
Not because she had to live this life in order to make her mother happy. To not be noticed because of her mother and her last name. So many reasons in which Kagome could name for her unhappiness, but it was pointless unless she did something, take action.
Her thoughts were abruptly ended when she heard the person next to her shut his suitcase. The meeting was over. Kagome gathered her stuff and waited patiently as she filed out of the door.
She saw Sango on the other side typing something into the laptop, her eyes glued to the screen. Kagome walked over and placed the notebook on Sango's desk. "Here are today's notes that you need to turn into a memo." Sango groaned rather noticeably.
"Another one?" Sango whined as she opened the notebook. She held it out for Kagome to see and said "Nice drawings." Kagome shrugged and pulled out a chair and sat next to Sango.
"Hey I was bored to death in that meeting. I had to look like I was doing something productive, which is more than I can say for you." Kagome pointed to the screen and saw that Sango had been instant messaging with her friends.
Sango blushed and turned off the screen. "So what I can't have a little fun?" She said teasingly. Kagome smiled "Oh I never said that Sango..." Sango looked to see if anyone was watching them, no one was. She faced Kagome again and said "So did you talk to your mom yet about you know...Your plans?" Kagome looked down. That action was an obvious no.
Sango sighed and rubbed the place between her nose and eyebrows. "Kagome you know eventually you'll have to tell her." Kagome nodded wistfully and said "Yeah I know..."
Sango looked down on her watch and said "Well then go on. Your day is over, go home and talk to your mom." Kagome stood up and walked towards the main doors, she turned around one last time to look at Sango. She gave Kagome a thumbs up sign and mouthed "It'll be fine." Kagome waved goodbye and muttered under her breath "I hope so."
Inuyasha was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to go to bed. He was about to turn off the lights when he received a call. His phone rang loudly and he waited to see if his other hired helpers were going to pick it up. The phone continued to ring. He grumbled and reached over to his bedside table and picked up the phone.
He brought up to his ear and muttered a "Hello?" There was a long period of silence. He was about to hang up when he heard the question. "Hi I'm Kagome Higurashi and I read your article. I was still wondering if there were any openings left?"
Inuyasha combed his hair with his fingers and closed his eyes. Relief washed over him. Someone finally answered his ad that was put out ages ago. He needed someone with background knowledge of animal medicine and care. His last hired help had recently retired and settled down somewhere deep in the mountains of Japan.
He answered "Yes there still is an opening left. Are you qualified?" The answer came back "Yes I'm qualified, I have a bachelor's degree in animal medicine and care."
Inuyasha smiled and said "Good send over the papers of proof that you are qualified tomorrow on my fax." Kagome nodded and wrote down the fax number and said "Thank you and goodnight."
She hung up the phone and crawled into bed to go off into a deep sleep of happiness.
Meanwhile Inuyasha hung the phone up and shook his head lightly laughing. He didn't know who she was, but he did know that she seemed nice and outspoken. And her voice...He wondered if she was sweet and innocent like the way her voice sounded...
He turned off his lamp light and closed his eyes and went to sleep wondering if things would turn out just fine. If she would be up to the job. He never had a girl work for him except Kaede who was basically like his family. But he would give her a chance. Who knows, she might actually be good at it.
Anyone who knew him knew working for him never was an easy task.
Kagome woke up and looked at her clock. It read six am. She slowly got out of bed and stretched. Today would be the day for her. Today she was going to quit her job once she was accepted at the ranch and call her mother...
After taking a nice long shower she made coffee and was eating a granola bar while faxing her papers to Inuyasha. Seeing that she did everything that was needed to be done she finished her coffee and grabbed her case containing important business papers.
She closed the door just when her fax got a reply. It was from Inuyasha.
Kagome finished type up her report and saved it onto a disk. She looked at the clock and saw that it was time to go home. She turned off the computer and headed over to Sango's desk.
"Hey how's the Johansson case going?" Sango let out a heavy sigh and answered "Horrible. There's no way around this case. It's pointless, but I still added some pointers and tips anyways." She saved and turned off the computer and packed her papers into a folder and placed it in her desk.
Sango turned the key in the lock and locked the office desk, threw the keys into her bag and grabbed her purse and coat on her way out. Kagome smiled and said "At least you got by today...So do you have a ride?" Sango's car was currently in a garage due to engine problems.
Sango shook her head no. "I was going to call a cab..." Kagome pulled out her keys and said "Come on I'll drive you; you can tell me what I should say to my mother." Sango looked at Kagome and rolled her eyes. "This is going to be a long car ride." She muttered.
And that's where Kagome was. In front of her phone in her kitchen. She reached out hesitantly to grab the phone and right when she was about to pick it up...She pulled her hand back as if it was poisonous.
She didn't know why she was scared. Maybe it was the fact that it was her mother. Or that she was about to disappoint her mother saying she was quitting her job for another job. A job which her mother would absolutely disapprove of.
It was a job that she wanted to do, even if it paid less, even if she was leaving her home. Even if it meant she was risking everything for this dream of hers.
She needed to be happy, she needed to be free. She needed to do this.
She picked up the phone and dialed her mother's number. It rang once, twice, three times when her mother picked up. "Hello Akari Higurashi speaking..."
Kagome took a deep breath and went with the flow. Or at least tried to. "Hi mother it's me Kagome. I needed to talk to you." There was a pause at the other line. "Well dear what is it?" Kagome shut her eyes and force all her courage to act now. "Mother I'm quitting my job. I'm taking an offer in Kanazawa."
There was another pause. "What's there dear that Tokyo doesn't offer? Isn't that place in the farming region area or somewhat like that?" "Yes it is...Mother." Kagome was shocked when her mother answered in a calm tone.
"Kagome darling I...I don't understand this at all. There is no reason why you should leave. No reason at all. You have everything here, a great apartment, job, and a respectable title. What does Kanazawa have to offer?"
"Do you remember when I was in college and I wanted to be a veterinarian. So I took all those late night classes and studied my butt off for those exams, and that day when I passed those exams, finished my courses, and got my degree in animal medicine it was the happiest moment of my life then. Those two years were the hard for me. But I wanted so much to work with animals...But you forbade it. You told me it wasn't a respectable job, so you made me take business classes and the rest was set. My future job was a job that you wanted. A job that I never wanted. The truth is I haven't been happy in a long time."
There was another long pause. Then she finally talked. "This decision you've made, is it final?" Kagome could tell her mother was upset, her tone of voice was soft and quiet, unusually quiet. "Yes I got the notice that I've been hired." "Dear this is all wrong. I've given you everything that you've possibly wanted and now you're saying you're not happy. How could you not be happy? Kagome I'm your mother the decisions I made for you were for your best interest and now your going against me? Are you trying to spite me?"
Kagome slowly took in a deep breath and exhaled. "Mom...I mean mother have you noticed that it has always been you and what you've wanted. Anything I wanted to do like soccer you would manipulate my mind into ballet. If I wanted to do lacrosse or basketball you would say gymnastics and equestrian and I would do that instead, just for you mother. Just to make you happy because I wanted to you to love me like daddy did. So why can't I for once do this, what I really want to do?"
"Kagome you're making a mistake. This job will make you homeless. If your father was here he would be appalled. Such disrespect from you, I never raised you like this...You've changed, I don't even know who you are anymore..." "Mother this isn't about you anymore. Dad isn't here, he died a long time ago but I remember he told me to be happy, live happy and free. Mother, Tokyo doesn't give me that. Please try to understand, this is my life! My decisions, my consequences...Besides I'm not the one that's changed...You were my friend once then overnight you became this famous actress and that became your priority. It came before me and Souta. Your job came before us, your own children! Now you're just my mother, not mom or mommy, but mother! And not my friend and mother. Just mother. A mother who spends more time with her agent then with her children. More hours are spent on movie sets than it ever was at home. I don't even remember the last time we spent time together as a family." Kagome's tears welled up in her eyes. "Mother you've changed not me and you can't even see it. Goodbye mother I hope you'll understand why I did this."
Kagome hung up and collapsed on her kitchen floor crying. This was one of the hardest things she had to do. She cried until there were no more tears left to shed.
By the time Kagome was about to go to bed it was twelve; midnight. Till she heard the doorbell ring. She went to the door and opened it. It was Souta. His dark hair was unruly and his tie was loosened. He looked disheveled but he still managed to put on that impish grin of his. He tilted his head to the side while leaning against the door frame and held out a bouquet of roses. Somehow he always found a way to make Kagome smile.
Kagome looked at him and smiled while accepting the bouquet. His eyes shined like the fluorescent lightening bugs on a summer night, standing out from the rest of his other features. His smile brought out the soft and sharp contours of his already handsome face. By looking at him any woman could and would fall for him. Yep he was a definite heartbreaker, or so he looked like it.
His perfectly white and straight teeth poked out from its hiding and exposed when Kagome smiled. "You didn't really think you were going to leave without saying goodbye now were you?"
Kagome smiled and pulled him into a deep embrace; she then ran her fingers in his hair and made it even more unruly. "Hey now easy on the hair..." Souta pat his hair down with his hands while Kagome let out a soft laugh.
Souta looked back at Kagome and said "You know Mom was crying when you call and told her about your ambition..." Kagome looked at Souta in the eyes and saw concern in his eyes. She set the flowers on the table.
"Souta I'm not hurting anyone you know, this is my dream. I should run my own life after all it's my life not hers. Why is it she always tries to make me feel guilty for something I shouldn't be feeling guilty at all for?" Kagome sighed and sat down on the couch. Souta followed the suit and sat across from her.
"I'm not saying that it's your fault Kags... I'm rooting for you here it's just you did hurt her pretty bad. She was so shaken up when she called me... I was hurt too ya know?" "Souta I was going to call you...I guess I didn't want to hear anymore disapprovals before I left...Still that's no excuse, Souta...am I a bad sister?"
Souta looked at her amusedly. "Yeah right, you're as good as they come. Top of the line. Kags you're not a bad sister, horrible liar but a good sister." Kagome softly smiled. Souta started up again "Besides Kags, I'm not disappointed I'm happy for you, you're doing what you want to do. I mean I guess I'm lucky that I've always wanted to run an empire in the business world. If I had told mom I wanted to be a teacher or something she would've flipped. But if I was in your shoes I would do the very same thing. Just promise you won't keep anymore secrets from me?"
Kagome nodded her head and replied "I promise only if you do?" He nodded Kagome now was smiling widely, while wiping her tears of happiness on her sleeve.
"So what's this I hear about a new girlfriend?" she asked. Souta's impish smile dropped quickly. He was caught. Kagome laid back on the couch with ease. It was going to be a fun night.
The next morning and Kagome called in for work and talked to her boss. They had a long chat and she said she quit though she didn't give specific reasons why, she told him it was personal problems. He understood and said that there was always an available spot for her if she decided to change her mind.
Then she packed her possessions and called Sango. Sango came over and comforted her friend and helped her pack. The other stuff Kagome couldn't take with Sango said she would put in her guest room at her condo just in case. Kagome thanked Sango.
Kagome looked at her apartment one last time before she shut the door. She was leaving for good. Sango drove Kagome to the train station. There she waited with Kagome until it was time for her to go.
They hugged and cried until the train whistle blew as a warning. Kagome ran onto the train and waved while shouting promises of calling her and visiting as much as she could. Sango said similar things back to Kagome.
Kagome continued to wave until she couldn't see Sango anymore. She sat in an empty compartment and slept. By the time she woke up they were nearly there. She looked at her watch and saw several hours had passed.
Kagome looked out of the train window and saw that the landscape here was different. It was more green and wild. The land was untamed and rich of natural life and resources. It was completely different from the city.
The train pulled into the station and Kagome got off the train. She looked around for a man who was supposedly picking her up and taking her to the ranch.
She saw a man holding up a sign saying "Shikon Ranch" Kagome walked over towards the man. He looked over at her and flashed her a smile. "Hi I'm Kagome the new employee?" she extended out her hand he took it and shook it back. "Hello it's nice to meet you miss. I'm Hojo I also work at the ranch. I hope you'll like it here...It's quite different from Tokyo." He took two of her luggages and set it on the back of the truck. Kagome grabbed the other small luggage and handed it to Hojo. He put it with the rest of her bags and then opened the door for her. She thanked him and climbed in.
The drive was long and quiet. Kagome took the time to think and looked at the countryside. She was in awe by the natural beauty that lied in the green hills and the mountains.
She had never seen anything like this except in pictures of magazines. Her father use to be a famous photographer that took pictures of beautiful landscapes all around the world. From the pyramids of Egypt to the Pyrenees Mountains in France. He would always send pictures that he took extras of and gave it to Kagome. Her father was the one that made her fall in love with animals and the life of nature.
Then one day when she was fourteen her father died in a plane crash. He was going on his way to Mexico to take pictures of their beaches when the plane's engine failed.
She cried for months after that. She had loved him dearly. Her father was the one man in her life that made her heart leap at the sight of him. But most of all she missed his laugh. His laugh was contagious once he laughed everywhere near him would laugh.
Now the only man in her life at the moment was Souta. They were close friends more so than brother and sister.
When they arrived she was shocked. The ranch was silhouetted by the golden sun bringing out a glow of simplicity and a piece of heaven right then and there. The ranch was enormous. Acres of green and fences with animals behind it stretched on and on. It was as if all her dreams were coming true.
She stepped out of the truck and stared in amazement. She didn't think anything could make this any better. Then she saw a figure walking towards her.
She gasped softly as she saw the figure that now stood before her. He wore a comfortable cotton button up shirt, his sleeves rolled up to his forearms. His Stetson hat tipped to the side. He didn't smile right away. Instead he looked her over, critiquing her in his head. He finally smiled and extended out his hand. He approved.
"Hi. I'm Inuyasha the owner of this ranch and the boss. Your boss. Welcome home." Kagome smiled warmly and shook his hand. When their hands touched a slight tingling sensation traveled across her arm to the pit of her stomach. His likewise.
"Hi I'm Kagome Higurashi, glad to be here."
Inuyasha couldn't believe how much Kagome looked like Kikyo. Their appearances looked almost identical. But that was the only thing they had in common.
Kagome had softer features. And her face was genuinely pure and happy. Also a hint of spark lied beneath those brown chocolate orbs. So far he liked that about her.
Kikyo was another story.
He had noticed that Kagome was very fit. She was dressed in a white tank top with a blue jean skirt topped of with white flip flops. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail revealing a very pretty and angular face.
He gulped silently; working with her was bound to cross boundaries. Something that hasn't happened in a long time. Trouble was definitely going too stirred in the quiet green acres of Shikon Ranch. And fate would have it no other way.
No other way at all.
Instead he turned away telling Hojo to show her around and headed back to work. He looked at the sky at smirked.
Things had just gotten interesting. Very interesting.
AN: I tried to make this chapter long, well I would've made it longer except this looked like a good place to end it at. Ch. Three will be up depending on the success of this story; if it does well it will be up ASAP. If not, it can certainly be on hold. Oh by the way REVIEW!