Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha at all. Nor do I own any this from Evanescence. The only thing I own is the guitar and my original character.
A/N: I'm going to name the 3 new characters so you know who to look for: Velluta(one of th emain characters through out the story), Volpe (shows up only in this chapter), Lupo (shows up only in this chapter.) Any thing Velluta says in Italian I will put the translation at the end of the story.
Better Summary: Velluta is an Italian Exchange student who shows up at Kagome's house a during finals week. She is going to start the next school year with Kagome, but is she? Once Kagome has to go back to Feudal Japan, Velluta follows her! Kagome freaks and trys to send her back, but she can't get back through the well! Now she is stuck there, so what will happen when the group finds out that have a new member?
Guarzione di Argenta
Chapter One: New Family Member
By: Sweet Raptured Light
"Sorry Inuyasha! I'll be back in one week! Finals start tomorrow!" Kagome huffed as she ran from the hanyou to the dry well. She didn't stop running when she got there. She just placed her hand on the lip of the well and brought her legs over in one swift, fluid motion and was gone in an instant.
"Damn it!" Inuyasha said as he propped himself up by griping the well. "That stupid girl. I was so close to kissing her, telling her how I feel," he said aloud to himself.
'Are you sure about that?' a mysterious voice called to him.
"Yes. Hey, who are you?"
'I'm you of course. And I don't believe you when you said you wanted to tell her how you felt.'
"What! But you're me! How could I not believe myself?"
'Do you really love her?'
"Yes."
'Then prove it. Kill the one who is trying to split you two up.'
"Kill...Kill Kikyo?"
'Why not? You said it yourself. You love Kagome. And Kikyo wants to see you dead, so do I need to give you any more reasons?'
"No."
'Then do it. Prove to Kagome that you love her and not her incarnation! KILL KIKYO!'
"I'll do it!" he shouted, convinced that was the only way to prove to Kagome his love.
"You'll do what, Inuyasha?" a female voice asked. It was empty of emotion as was her face.
"Kikyo," Inuyasha gasped.
'Now! Kill her now!' the voice in his head snapped.
"I can't," he snapped back.
'Wimp.'
"Shut up!" and the voice was gone.
Back in her own era, Kagome climbed up the rope ladder that hung in the well. As she hoisted her bag over the well, she quickly brought herself over too. She picked up her bag and made a mad dash for her house. She couldn't wait to see her mom, grandpa and Souta. She opened the door to her house and dropped her bag to the floor.
"Mom! Grandpa! Souta! I'm home!" she shouted.
"Kagome! I'm in the kitchen! Come quick, there is someone I want you to meet!" she said as she appeared in the doorway to the kitchen.
"What's up mom?" she asked as her mom took her hands and brought her too the kitchen. There Kagome saw a girl about her age standing next to the table she must have been sitting at the moment before.
The girl had short hair about chin length that reminded her of Yura of the demon hair, except it was snow white with jet-black streaks. Her skin was so pale she was almost translucent. Her eyes were a blood red with a thick silver lining, "Obviously contacts," Kagome thought.
She wore a black t-shirt that was fitted and showed off and hour-glass figure, and on it was a cross between a heart and the Star of David, and underneath it, it said H.I.M. She was wearing tight jeans that belled out a little, barely revealing Chuck Taylor converses. She also had on a spiked pink belt and a chain that led to from her front to her back pockets. On her eyes was black eye shadow and her eyelashes along with her eyebrows were a silvery shade of white.
"Hi. I'm Kagome Higurashi," Kagome said, placing out her hand.
"Ciao! Mi chiamo é Velluta Argenta Polpetta," the girl said shaking Kagome's hand furiously.
"Huh?" was all Kagome muttered.
"Kagome, Velluta is an Italian exchange student and we are her host family!" her mom said excitedly.
"I also speak English, French, Japanese, and German!" she said laughing.
"But school is over in a week," Kagome said confused.
"My school just ended four days ago. I'll be starting the school when yours starts again," she explained.
"Oh, I get it now. I just have a few questions that have been nagging at me. Sorry if I seem so forward, but why are your eyes red and silver? Are they contacts?" she asked. They sat down at the table and her mother had left the room.
"Heh. No. I'm an albino. My eyes are naturally red, and my mom's are silver so, that's where the silver part comes from. And I know you didn't ask but I'm gonna tell you anyway, as for my hair, the black is dyed," she laughed as she explained.
"Oh, so then you must burn easily if you're an albino," Kagome said.
"No, I rarely like to go outside, unless I'm sitting in shade, or it's a thunder storm outside," she said.
"I see," Kagome said, "Well I hope you know it is very sunny here during the summer."
"Fine by me. I can't change the weather," Velluta laughed.
"Come on, I'll show you the rest of the house," she said, bringing Velluta all over the house.
"Last but not least is my room," Kagome said as she walked in, "You can sleep in here tonight."
"But where will you sleep?" Velluta asked as both she and Kagome sat down on the bed.
"I'll sleep in the living room. I have to study anyway," she said.
"Then at least let me help you study for each test, in return for letting me sleep here. It is the least I can do," she insisted.
"Sure. I need all the help I can get," Kagome laughed, just then something caught her eye. "Is that your guitar?"
"Yes, it is my prized possession," she smiled.
"Where did you get it? Sorry if I'm being rude."
"It's okay. I got it as a gift from my friend, Amy Lee. We grew up living next door to each other. She is like my older sister. She became famous and got it for me as a reminder that we are still friends." She smiled, again staring at the guitar.
"Amy Lee? From Evanescence?" Kagome looked astonished.
"Yup," Velluta laughed as she saw Kagome's face.
"Can you play it for me? I always wanted to see someone play it up close. I know, I sound weird," she asked.
"Don't worry; no one is ever really normal. Sure, I'll play something for you," she smiled. She picked up her guitar and pick and started lightly strumming. The sound coming from it was beautiful, and it was loud, even without an amp.
The first few chords were that of the song Whisper by Evanescence.
"Sing with me!" Velluta laughed.
"No, I can't" Kagome said, blushing as she looked down.
"Yes you can! Here, I'll start. Just join in!" she laughed again, still strumming. She vocalized fist; her voice like an angel's harp.
"Catch me, as I fall. Say you're here and it's all over now. Speaking, to the atmosphere. No one's here and I fall into myself," she had started to sing. She nudged Kagome and she joined in.
"This truth, drives me, into, madness. I know I can stop the pain if I will it all away. If I will it all away," they sang in perfect harmony.
"Don't turn away," Kagome sang as she took the lead.
"Don't give into the pain," Velluta sang as she took back up.
"Don't try to hide."
"Though they're screaming your name."
"Don't close your eyes."
"God Knows what lies behind them."
"Don't turn out the light."
"Never sleep, never die," Velluta sang out as she now stood up, strumming ferociously. Kagome stood up with her and grabbed her brush, using it as a microphone.
"I'm frightened by what I see. But somehow I know, that there's much more to come. Immobilized by my fear," Kagome sang into the brush, this time by herself, Velluta was too entranced into playing her guitar. "And soon to be, blinded by tears. I can stop the pain if I will it all away. If I will it all away!"
"Don't turn away," this time Kagome nudged Velluta to switch and now she was lead.
"Don't give into the pain," Kagome sang, as she took back up.
"Don't try to hide."
"Though they're screaming your name."
"Don't close your eyes."
"God knows what lies behind them."
"Don't turn out the light."
"Never sleep, never die," Kagome belted out in the loudest hissing whisper ever, holding onto the note like it was her last life source. After she stopped there was a brief guitar solo.
"Fallen angels at my feet," Velluta sand and smiled as Kagome depicted the song and curled around Velluta's legs.
"Whispered voices at my ear," Kagome sang as she shot up, and whispered it in Velluta's ear.
"Death before my eyes, lying next to me I fear," Velluta sang and looked down at the floor again as Kagome was convulsing in a pretend 'death'.
"She beacons me shall I give in? Upon my end shall I begin. Forsaking all I've fallen, for I rise to meet the end," Kagome sang out as Velluta sang the chant at the end of the song.
"Wow! You're great!" Kagome exclaimed.
"Thank you! You're not so bad yourself!" Velluta laughed.
"After school tomorrow, would you like me to take you around the city," Kagome offered.
"Thank you," Velluta said, putting her guitar down.
"Kagome! Velluta! Dinner is ready!" Kagome's mother called.
"Let's go," Kagome smiled.
"Yeah, I'm starved!" Velluta laughed, as she realized her sudden hunger as her stomach growled softly. She hadn't eaten that whole day.
"The dinner was amazing Mrs. Higurashi!" Velluta exclaimed as she helped Kagome clear the table when dinner was over.
"Oh thank you Velluta, I'm glad you enjoyed it!"
"Hey Kagome, could I take a shower before I help you study?" she asked as they ran up the stairs.
"Sure, I'll show you how to use the shower thing," she said, walking to the bathroom, "You turn this thing and pull up this thing to turn on the shower," Kagome explained, "This thing is to adjust the water, and you push the first thing down to turn it off," she smiled. Velluta just stood in silence.
"I didn't confuse you, did I?" Kagome asked.
"Oh no, not at all! I'll be out as quick as you can sing the first verse and chorus part from 'Its all been done' twice," she smiled and Kagome left the bathroom.
It only took 15 minutes for each girl to shower and change into their sleeping attire. Velluta was helping Kagome make popcorn in the kitchen and after they poured it in a bowl they raced to the couch.
"So what are you studying?" Velluta asked as she popped a kernel in her mouth.
"Math. It's always been so hard for me," Kagome sighed, opening her textbook.
"That's okay, I was in Math Honors. Once I'm done helping you, you'll ace the final!" she laughed.
"Oh, thank you so much!" Kagome yelled quietly and hugged Velluta.
"Oh no problem!" she laughed and they started to study. They studied into the late of the night.
In the morning, Kagome's mother came downstairs to make breakfast. When she hadn't seen either girl in Kagome's room, she checked the den. Surely enough they were there. Kagome was sleeping in a loose fetal position and took up half of the couch. She then saw Velluta. She was squeezed up into a ball and barley took up even half of the second half of the couch. She continued on her way to the kitchen Kagome started to stir. She stretched her legs and kicked Velluta lightly. The other girl didn't even move. She still slept soundly and Kagome sat up, staring at the ball that was her friend.
Souta came down the stairs and went to the den, looking for Kagome. She was cramming some more study time as Velluta still slept. He and Kagome gasped and their mother ran to the den when they heard a thump. Velluta had fallen off the couch and was still in her ball form, now on her back. She stirred for a moment then rolled back on her side.
"She's a deep sleeper," Souta commented, and walked to the kitchen, forgetting why he came downstairs.
"Kagome, would mind waking her up? Breakfast will be ready soon," her mom smiled and followed Souta into the kitchen.
"Hey Velluta, wake up, breakfast is almost ready," she said, shaking her friend awake.
Velluta started to come out of her ball shape and stretched. Kagome mentally laughed as her friend reminded her of her cat Buyo.
"How did I end up on the floor?" she asked, looking around, sitting up and rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"You fell," Kagome told her.
"Did I really?" she yawned.
"Didn't you feel it?"
"Nope."
"Well, breakfast is ready if you want some," Kagome standing up. She placed out her hand and Velluta took it. She helped her up and they walked to the kitchen.
Breakfast went by fast as the girls chatted about what they would do that day. Kagome finished her breakfast and ran upstairs to get ready for school. When she was ready she came back down and grabbed her stuff.
"Come on Souta!" she shouted walking to the door. He came bounding down the stairs and grabbed his own stuff, heading out the door after his sister.
"Bye guys!" they shouted and left.
Velluta talked with Kagome's mother as she helped clean the dishes, then ran up the stairs to Kagome's room. She was gathering some clothes to take a shower and get changed when her cell phone rang. She picked it up and the number of the caller was her friend.
"Pronto," she laughed.
"Ciao Velluta, it's me, Volpe," her friend said.
"I know. So what's up?" she asked. She couldn't see it but her friend started to squirm and started wringing her hands, holding the phone between her shoulder and chin.
"Well. I'm not sure how to put this. So I will just say it bluntly. I apologize right now but Lupo cheated on you."
Velluta dropped the phone and it landed with a thud. Shock took over her face and her friend hand an idea of what happened. She waited until Velluta picked up the phone and by the sound of her voice, she could tell she was upset.
"Tell me everything," she sniffled.
Her friend began to explain what happened from when Velluta had left Italy to when she had called her. As she listened Velluta grew angrier.
'How could he do that?' Her anger mixed with sadness began to glow a red and blue light around her. Then she snapped back to reality when her friend called her name.
"Thanks for calling Volpe, I will keep in touch, but I need to go now. You understand, right?"
"Of course. Feel better."
"I'll try," she said and hung up.
She sat down on Kagome's bed and grabbed her two stuffed animals she brought with her. One looked like a cross between a lion and a tiger without stripes. Its mane looked like fire and it had a white stomach, the rest of the fur was fire-orange. Its paws were huge and it looked like the doll from her favorite video game. It looked like a Moomba doll that Lulu had in the game Final Fantasy X, which was why she bought it. Her other doll looked like a two headed dragon. Its necks were long and its body looked like that of a lion, but the heads looked like dragons. The heads were an array of red and silver colors; the body was a tan-ish color. She pulled them close and started to cry, soft sobs.
She was so angry with him and herself for crying. She never liked being rejected; that's why she went with an arrogant jerk like him. She never really saw that side of him until now. He hid it well. Either that or she was too blindly in love to see it, or at least she thought it was love.
Mrs. Higurashi was in the kitchen when she heard a thud from upstairs. As she walked down the hall to Kagome's room she could hear quiet sobs from behind the closed door. She quietly opened it and saw Velluta curled up on the bed, facing the wall.
"Velluta sweetie? What's the matter?" she asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"It's just... just," she tried to explain but violent sobs over took her.
"It's okay. Tell me when you're ready," she said, rubbing her back to try and calm her down.
Velluta sat up slowly and reached to the bedside table. She grabbed her cell phone, and messed with the buttons.
"Just listen," she said, handing Mrs. Higurashi the phone.
She brought the cell phone up to her ear as Velluta laid back down in a ball; trying to curl in on herself, and disappear; but to no avail. Mrs. Higurashi listened in upset as she stole glances from staring at the floor to the young girl; she had silent tears falling down her cheeks as her breathing eased out as she started to calm.
When the phone recording had ended, she put down the cell phone and looked at Velluta. She reached her heart out to the girl as she tried to think of ways to make her happy again.
"Oh Velluta, I'm so sorry. You must feel awful. How about we go get some ice cream, then when Kagome gets home, we'll have a girls' night out," she said, rubbing her arm affectionately, like a mother would to her own daughter.
"Oh thank you Mrs. Higurashi! You're the best host mother I ever had!" she exclaimed as she entrapped the older woman in a tight hug, some tears still making their way down her cheeks.
"Oh, then just call me mom, dear," she said, as the girl's words brought a wave of warmth to her heart, and returned the embrace.
"Sure... mom," Velluta smiled. It was the first time she actually had smiled since she got the phone call. It felt like to her, a little weight had been lifted.
Many times before Velluta had been an exchange student and not one of her host mothers would let call them mom, but only by their first names.
"Are you feeling a little better?" Mrs. Higurashi asked when the embrace was broken.
"Yeah, I'm just going to take a shower," Velluta said and stood up; collecting the clothes she already took out.
"Okay, while you're doing that, I'll make some lunch," Mrs. Higurashi said as she stood up too and both left the room.
Velluta walked down the stairs after she had gotten dressed and sat at the table with Kagome's mother and grandfather. She looked around her as if looking for someone when she asked, "Where are Kagome and Souta?"
"At school, where else?" Mrs. Higurashi replied.
"Don't they come home for lunch?"
"No, they have lunch at school. They don't have time to come home," Grandfather Higurashi answered this time.
"Oh. In Italy, the adults and children get an hour off from work and school to go home for lunch, so I just thought people did the same here," she said, shrugging.
"No, but it would be nice," Mother Higurashi said, as they began eating their lunch.
When Kagome got home later that day, her mother had told her what happened as Velluta waited up in Kagome's room. After her mother explained to her what they would do that evening, she ran up to see Velluta. As she ascended the stairs, she heard the light strumming of a guitar and as she neared her room it got louder. She lightly knocked on the door and heard it stop. She opened the door and stepped inside the room and sat on the bed.
"My mom told me what happened," she said looking down. She sort of knew how she felt since Inuyasha had been chasing Kikyo lately, "I'm sor-" she began but was cut off when Velluta waved her hand.
"Don't be sorry. He was an arrogant asshole. I could have done better," she smiled though her heart wrenched at her loss.
"Well, maybe you'll find someone here," Kagome suggested, smiling at her friend.
"Maybe," she smiled back.
That night after dinner, Kagome, Velluta, and Mrs. Higurashi went out for ice cream and went to see a movie. They had so much fun; they decided to do that all week. But the week went by so fast, and before they knew it finals were over and Kagome had to go back to the Feudal Era that night; but she still hadn't told Velluta that last detail.
Kagome waited till Velluta fell asleep, then started getting things together to put in her yellow backpack. She got out many different changes of clothes, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, soap, and also some gifts for her friends. This time she actually had room in her bag since she didn't have to bring her schoolbooks.
She brought her bag in the kitchen to get lots of Ramen for Inuyasha and some chocolate for Shippou. Once her bag was as full as she could get it, she went to the den to look for her mother.
Velluta had pretended to sleep as she waited for Kagome to leave the room. Once she did, she shot right up out of bed and got her stuff together. She put her guitar in its case and put on what looked like metal knuckle gloves, and grabbed her two stuffed animals. That was all she needed really.
She waited at the top of the steps, waiting to hear Kagome leave. She heard her walk around the kitchen then walk to the den. She heard muffled voices and figured it was Kagome and her host mother. She listened carefully as she tried to make out what they were saying. She knew it was wrong to snoop but she had a feeling this was about her.
"Mom? I'm leaving now."
"Did you tell Velluta about where you're going?"
"No, could you please? I just don't know how to tell her so she'll believe me."
"Sure. Goodbye Kagome," her mother said, and hugged her tightly.
"Bye Mom. I love you," Kagome said, returning the hug.
"I love you too dear. Be careful," she said as she watched Kagome pick up her bad and walk towards the door. She opened it and closed it quietly as she left.
Mrs. Higurashi went back to the couch to watch TV, and that's when Velluta made her move. With her guitar on her back and her stuffed animals under one arm, she tiptoed down the stairs and as quietly as she could, out the door.
She saw Kagome enter the well house and quickly made her way to it. She saw flashes of blue light and when she looked inside, Kagome was nowhere. She looked into the well and saw the last few lights fade.
"This must be where she went," she said aloud, "So this is where my fate will take me. So be it!" she said as she took a deep breath and jumped in. The blue light enveloped her and she traveled 500 years into the past.
Hello people!! I hope you liked the first chapter. A little slow at first, I know, but it gets better, believe me!!
Now Velluta's Translations: bold-Italian italics-translation
"Ciao! Mi chiamo é Velluta Argenta Polpetta,"
"Hi, My name is Velluta Argenta Polpetta"
Fun Facts:
People in Italy say 'Pronto' instead of 'hello' when they pick up the phone.
Velluta's name is three different Italian words, so it translates to 'Velvet Silver Meatball'
(I did it on purpose...so you know)
Notes:
The metal-knuckle gloves she wears, if anyone has seen the character Zell from Final Fantasy 8, then, that is what they look like. If you haven't seen it, it's pretty self explanitory, but I'll explain it anyway...
They are gloves that have Metal covering the knuckles and your fingers so when you punch someone, it hurts more than it would...Sort of like 'Brass Knuckles' in glove form...
Thank you for putting up with my ramblings...So with out further ado(sp?)--Please Review!!
If I can get at least 5 reviews (good or bad) then I'll update sooner, if not, then I'll just update either every week, or every two weeks..Thanks!!
Until next time---Bye!!
