Okie dokies. Time for another chapter. Okay, I just got some new ideas, so this fan-fiction's gonna be longer than I thought. You tell me if that's a good or bad thing. Onward!
Chapter 14: Hojo
Kasumi stood in front of the bone eater's well. She had to convince herself that it was a good thing she go back home. But what would she say to her mother when she saw her? What if she moved? What if the well was sealed? All of these questions and more came speeding through Kasumi's mind.
"Well, I'm not going to find anything our by just standing here," she said to herself.
Finally, she took a deep breath and jumped in. She arrived in the present times. Just as she suspected. The well was sealed. She climbed up and busted the wooden seal. She glanced around. Nothing different.
"Hmm, this is weird. Nothing's changed except for the seal."
Kasumi made her way out of the temple and headed toward her home. She couldn't wait to see her mom. But she had no idea what she also had in store for her.
"Hello? Is anyone here?" she called into the house.
A voice answered back. It was a man's voice. "Yes? Who is it?"
Kasumi's heart stopped. She knew whose voice that was. "Hojo? Is that you?" she asked.
Hojo came to the front door and saw who it was. "Oh my gosh! Kasumi! Is that you?"
"Yes…" Kasumi answered. She absolutely hated Hojo. She thought he was too much of a goody-goody.
Hojo came up and wrapped his arms around her. On the inside, Kasumi felt as if she'd hurl.
"Your mother and I were so worried! We've given you up for dead!" he said happily.
Yeah, I'd be GLAD to see you dead, she thought in her head.
Hojo then guided Kasumi into the living room. "Come in, come in. Your mother will be so happy to see you!"
Hojo escorted Kasumi into the kitchen where Kagome sat with a cup of coffee. She looked revolting! Her hair looked matted and greasy. Her skin complexion made her look ten years older than she really was. Not to mention her clothes seemed wrinkly and as if they hadn't been washed in a while.
"Mom!" Kasumi called out as she ran to give her a hug. Although her facial features were filled with worry; not joy.
Kagome looked to the strange young woman who was embracing her. She was shocked! It couldn't possibly be…
"Kasumi? Is that… is that really you?" she asked in a weary tone.
Kasumi tightened her embrace as she replied, "Yes, Mom. It's me. Now tell me what happened to you!"
Kagome started crying as she wrapped her arms around her daughter. She began rocking her from side to side. All this time thinking she was gone, she finally made her way home.
"Oh Kasumi. I can't believe it's really you!" Kagome cried out.
It wasn't long before Kasumi felt the tears come on as well. She missed her mother so much. More than anyone she could think of. Of course, she loved her father and his friends, but she had known her mother her entire life! Not just a couple weeks.
Hojo stood at the doorway. He tried to make it seem like he was happy, but he thought he finally had Kagome all to himself. But now, the little brat had returned. Great, more babysitting, he thought.
Kagome broke the hug and took a look at her daughter. "Look how big you've grown. And to think I missed all that," she said.
"I know, Mom and I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you, but until recently, I thought I was doing the right thing by keeping my distance," Kasumi replied.
"Not at all, sweetie. How could you possibly have thought that? We love you so much!"
"I know… I made a big mistake… But I thought if I came back, I'd hurt you again."
"Never…" Kagome replied. After that, there was silence.
A few hours later, Kasumi finally told Kagome all about her life the past few years.
"Kasumi," said Kagome, "how could you even think about living with that low-life, Sesshomaru."
Kasumi replied in a reassuring tone, "I know, but he's my uncle, and he was good to me."
"I still don't approve of you staying with him. But, I guess I have to thank him for taking care of you."
"He's really not as bad as you think. Sure he wants to kill Dad and this and that, but he's settled down now. He's married to Rin. No kids, but that's okay."
"Well, I guess you're right," said Kagome. "The only thing that's been goin' on with me is I fell into a great depression and I um, married Hojo."
"Whoa, whoa! Hold it right there!" Kasumi cried. "I thought he was just over for a little bit. And now you're trying to say that he's my step-father?!"
Kagome laughed innocently. "Well… yes… to be blunt."
Kasumi gave a blank look to her mother. Kagome knew how much Kasumi disliked Hojo, and now she had to live with him.
"You know, Kasumi. Hojo's not all that bad."
"Yeah. I'll believe that when squirrels fly," Kasumi said angrily.
Kagome replied matter-of-factly, "Actually, some squirrels do kind of…"
"Bad example!" Kasumi yelled as she threw her hands in the air. "All I'm trying to say is I hate Hojo!"
Kagome was shot down. She didn't know Kasumi felt that way as much as she did.
"Now, do I still have a room, or is it for something else?" Kasumi asked. You could tell she was angry and annoyed.
"You still have a room," Kagome replied. "It's just the way I left it."
"Thank you. I'll see you at dinner," said Kasumi after she stormed out of the living room.
Kagome thought this would be a happy time. A time where they could laugh and talk and be thankful that Kasumi had returned. But instead, Kasumi became enraged and angrily stormed to her room. I should've never brought up Hojo… Kagome thought to herself.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Kasumi lie on her bed with her headphones playing American hard rock. She was listening to her favorite band, Linkin Park. The music stopped as soon as Hojo walked in.
"Oh great. What do you want?" Kasumi asked; annoyed.
"Look here, kid," Hojo began. "After you left, I knew I had Kagome all to myself. But NoOoOo… you just had to come back and ruin our marriage! It's either me, or you. What's your choice?"
"Listen here, bucko!" Kasumi argued back. "She's my mother! And whether you like it or not, I'm staying. Period! So I guess it's you who will be the one leaving."
Hojo got a mischievous look on his face as he said, "I beg to differ with you."
After he left, Kasumi got out another CD. It was a Slipknot one. She only listened to that to burn off her anger.
"Man, and all this time I thought he was all for love and peace," Kasumi said aloud to herself. "What's gotten into him? Oh well, Disasterpiece will take care of all my problems."
She gave off her evil grin as she listened to the lyrics. Kasumi was almost obsessed with other people's misery. Well, at least the ones she despised.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Alright, this chapter kinda sucked. But hey, I just don't really have that feeling to really get into things. I don't have writer's block or anything, it's just… well… aw hell, you know what I mean. Right…?
