And another chapter begins in the saga of the futuristic friends, I THINK someone we know will show up in this one... I think... uh... -is writing the author's note before the chapter- Oh well. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the following: Inuyasha and Co. or Frosted Flakes (though I do have a box of these in my cabinet). But I do own Akira and his brothers and sisters so please, don't steal them. Please.
Oh and tip for the chapter, Otooji means uncle, or a parent's younger brother. Once again, I'm full of useless information... But just so you know. Yah. :D Enjoy!
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The early morning snow drifted quietly to the ground, landing in thick white sheets on the steps of the Higurashi shrine. The old well house, locked up for years now, was collecting its own snow-banks silently across the cul de sac from the house. The windows in the house itself were shut and curtained, the sills building up with snow... except for one.
A young girl of 18 buttoned the sweater over her uniform blouse carefully, then turned, her black hair sliding over her shoulder, and opened the curtain a little more to see the yard. It was coated in the wintry frost and looked especially pretty this early, when no cars were there to toss their wastes into the atmosphere. The morning air was as white and pristine as the snow, and she sighed, turning back to put on her knee-high black stockings.
A boy, who looked to be about 17, smirked and crept out from under the balcony, sneakily gathering a large, well-packed snowball in his gloved hands. His white hair blew in the chilling breeze, and his dark brown eyes glittered mischievously as he counted under his breath.
One...
He turned the snowball over in his hands, still grinning.
Two...
He swung his arm back and aimed carefully—
Three.
"HEY, KAGOME!!!"
SPLAT.
The snowball hit her window with a wet squelch and startled her, causing her to whip around and nearly trip over her half-on sock. She stumbled to the window and peeked out, noticing the white-haired boy in his black parka, smiling innocently up at her. Her face brightened, and she slid the window open and leaned out to talk to him.
"Akira-kun!" she said happily, beaming. "What are you doing here?"
He flashed his charming grin back up at her, "Passing by on the way to school. I figured you needed someone to walk with." He brushed the snow off his gloves and stuck his hands in his pockets.
Kagome nodded, and finished pulling her stocking on. "I'll be down in a second," she assured him, and slid the window shut. She walked to her bed and grabbed her bookbag, pausing to scratch her fat old cat behind his ears, then left her room and trundled down the stairs. She grabbed her coat and slipped it over her shoulders, calling to her brother.
"Tell Mama I'm leaving early today."
"Kay." He practically ignored her, indulged in a cartoon show and his bowl of Frosted Flakes and spitting out a conditioned response, causing his sister to sigh exasperatedly. She shook her head and slid her shoes on, then stepped out the door.
Akira had his back turned to the door and was examining the shrine when she came out. She smiled, and tapped him on the shoulder. "Find something interesting?" she giggled, as he laughed nervously.
"I guess..." he shrugged, and pointed across the yard. "That old shed over there... what's in it?"
She gazed over at the well house and drew in a sharp breath, old memories flooding through her mind. She bit her lip to keep the old pain inside—no one had talked about that well for three years, and since it had been boarded up she never thought twice about it.
"N-nothing... Can we go now, Akira-kun?"
He gave her a strange glance, then nodded slowly, his usual warm smile spreading back across his face.
--
Kagome slammed the door of her locker shut, snapping the flap of her bookbag closed. She turned and slung her worn yellow bag over her shoulder and took off down the hallway. She stared at the ground and trudged out the front door, not looking as she ran straight into someone.
She jumped back, blushing, and bowed. "Oh, I'm so sorry, I wasn't watching..."
"Really Kagome-chan, it's okay. Really." She looked up to see Akira peering back down at her.
Her blush grew, and she shook her head. "Don't do that, you scared me!"
"I'll prevent it in the future." He smiled. "Do you need someone to escort you home, too? I'll walk with you if you want—"
A car horn blasted loudly, cutting him off.
"Hey, loser!"
Both spun around to see an old black station wagon sidle up alongside the curb. The driver's side door swung open and a young man with short black hair and vivid yellow eyes stepped out, grinning madly.
"So how was school, Akira-kun?" He beamed, stepping away from the car.
Akira gasped, then broke into a grin. "Otooji?! What are you doing here?" he laughed, running up to the black-haired man and throwing his arms around him. "I thought you were in America for the winter!"
"Well, I was, but I've been there all fall and I guess I missed ya." He kicked at a rock and leaned against his car.
Kagome stared.
I know that voice...-"Do you even know what you'd give up if you left us?!"-
She looked at the black-haired young man again, and her eyes widened...
I...Inuyasha...??