A:N: Wai!! I have reviews! ^____^ Replies are as follows:
Aamalie: Why arigatou!! ^__^ Of course the fudge is good! Hello, I made it! (With help from my mom of course otherwise, it wouldn't be fudge so much as er a blob.)
LemonySweet: I'll try to explain what happened to her familia in this chapter. Lots o' reminiscing on Kagome's part. ^__^ Gomen nasai, though, as this is not a Sess/Kag fic (check out the A:N in the last chapter)—but don't eat dog biscuits! Unless you like them, or they're fudge-flavored! ^_____^;;
lunemagelus: Eh I explained some stuff about the original Helen of Troy in the A:N of last chapter. Also, this is a little modernized. Trust me, it'll make more sense later on. At least, I hope it will. I'm not really writing the story—it's writing itself. I'm just typing it up. ^__^;; Arigatou!
inukun: ^____^ Arigatou!!!! Ai shiteru!! ^_________^ (Just kidding—it's a platonic love. PLATONIC!!)
amber-eyez: As I have replied to so many reviews before, arigatou! I hate teasers, they're so annoying. Unless it's a prologue—then I can excuse it. But I'll still hate it. -__-
RougueRebel: .:hands her the promised fudge:. Here ya are! Kouga will be coming in soon will not reveal plotline okay, okay, I'll tell! .:sniff:. Jeez, your methods of mental torture are too much. Kouga's coming in either this chapter or next. I'm not sure yet. Also, y'know how, back in the first chapter, I talked about how Kikyou was more serious and severe, and Kagome was lighter, happier and more prone to laugh than to glare? Well, that contributes to it. Someone is always prettier if they are nicer and happier than if they're cold and mean. Well, I updated!! ^____^ Celebrate!
Shiro-77: Arigatou! I'm updating as fast as I can, but you guys need to review more, so I know you're interested. -___-;;
Chico-chan: ooookaaaayyyy. See ^above^. I'm updating as fast as I can, I swear it!!
Those are all the reviews I have! .:sniff sniff:. I love you guys! Ai shiteru, minna-san! And a general note to all readers/reviewers: If you guys want me to continue this, review onegai!! Don't get me wrong, I love my reviewers, but I would also like to know that people are interested in my story. So far, all I'm asking for are five reviews per story. ^___^ You guys are the best! Again, ai shiteru, minna-san!!
Disclaimer: Must I say it? Okay, I guess I do. I don't own Yash, Kagome, Sesshy, Miroku, Sango, Shippou etc. or any of the InuYasha characters. I guess I don't own the myth of Helen of Troy, but then again, no one really does, so okay, I'm confused. I'll look into it. I guess its property of the ancient Greeks. Who knows—I certainly don't.
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Kagome of Tokyo
Chapter 3
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Kagome sat quietly in the car. Hiroyuki chanced a glance backward at her. "Daijoubu, Kagome-chan?" he asked quietly. She quickly nodded, and squirmed away from a leering hulk that tried to put his arm around her shoulders.
"Are are we almost there?" she ventured. This place gives me the creeps she thought, and shivered. They had been driving for what seemed like forever to her.
Hiroyuki nodded slightly. "We'll be there in about five more minutes," he replied.
Kagome sighed and settled down in her seat, squashed between two large teenage boys. I want to go home, she cried miserably to herself. I want to run up to Souta and hug him so hard he can't leave me alone. I want to sit and talk with Houjo. I want I want Kikyou to smile at me and say she's proud of her twin sister again. Tears silently dripped down her cheeks. This can't be happening.
The car suddenly stopped in front of a huge, wasted warehouse. "Oi! Everyone out of the car!" Hiroyuki yelled, reminiscent of his brother. Kagome cringed as the guys leaped out of the car and Hiroyuki leaned in to look at her.
"We're here, in Kyoto," he whispered. She nodded and slowly exited the car. As she walked out, he looked at her sadly. "Do you want to go home, Kagome-chan?" he asked softly.
"Hai," Kagome whispered. "I miss them Souta, Kikyou Houjo" At the sound of Houjo's name, even out of her own mouth, the dam that held the barrage of tears in her eyes broke, and she began to sob. Hiroyuki awkwardly pulled her into a gentle hug, and she immediately clung to him, uncaring of whom it was she held, so long as it was someone warm.
"You miss your onii-chan, ne?" he said. When Kagome nodded, he continued, "I feel the same way about my brother. He was harsh and commanding at times, but he was my brother, and he always treated me with sincere love and kindness." Kagome's muffled sniffing turned into loud sobs, and she buried her face in his shirt.
"I just" she sobbed out, "I j-just wish this whole th-thing is a dr-dream, and I'll wa-wake up to see K-Kikyou's face" Words failed her, and she launched into a fresh set of tears. Hiroyuki patted her back softly.
The best thing about Hiroyuki, she decided, was that he just accepted that she wanted to weep. After she had cried herself out, she sniffled and looked up into his face. He was smiling sadly at her. "I, too, wish that I could wake up from all of this," he said quietly. And suddenly, as she looked up with tears in her sable brown eyes, the realization of it all struck Kagome.
No matter how caring he was, or sweet, or nice, Hiroyuki blamed Kagome for his brother's death.
Oh, he may not know it, she thought bitterly, but he does. He does. Kagome felt a new wave of tears washing over her, but struggled to keep them back. This man, who had cared for her in her hour of need he would always hate her for his brother's death. Kagome suddenly came to the conclusion that she would cause anyone who came to know her this: this tragedy and unending sorrow.
And she hated it.
"Hiroyuki, can we go in now?" she murmured. She suddenly had no desire to be standing outside with a man who, no matter how subconsciously, hated her. He nodded, and the two walked inside.
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"Hiroyuki, have you seen my new skirt?"
"Iie, Kagome-chan. Did you lose it?" Hiroyuki glanced up from his car. Kagome walked out, frowning.
"Hai. The last I saw it, I lent it to Misato. But she doesn't have it!" Kagome pursed her lips, and Hiroyuki chuckled.
"Kagome-chan, daijoubu. I'm sure it'll turn up soon." He turned back to his broken carburetor. She rolled her eyes.
"Hiroyuki, has anyone ever told you that you don't care enough?" Kagome walked over to him and leaned over his shoulder. He looked over at her and smiled.
"Hai, Kagome-chan. I hear it every day from you," he laughed. She swatted his shoulder.
"Ursai, baka!" But she laughed as well, a rich, true laugh that left everyone feeling happy. "I guess I'll have to go dress in something else," Kagome said, heaving her chest in a huge sigh. Hiroyuki arched his eyebrow, and she turned back around and re-entered the building.
Kagome smiled to herself. She had been living here for four months without a care in the world. It seemed so so unreal. Especially since she had just had her fifteenth birthday. The celebration had been amazing, she remembered, smiling. Everyone was so nice, so thoughtful. She really had made a lot of friends here. They had made her stay so comfortable, so happy.
As she walked back upstairs to her room, she had a sudden pang of guilt. She was here, enjoying herself in Kyoto, while her brother and sister were probably worrying sick about her. Kagome shut her door behind her and leaned against it, breathing heavily. That pang immediately turned into an overwhelming attack of guilt. She slid down to the bare floor, feeling sickened for the first time since the first day she got to the warehouse. How could she abandon them? Souta Kikyou Kikyou was probably panicking that Kagome had missed their birthday! They were all the family she had left and she hadn't thought about them since she had arrived.
Kagome crawled over to her futon and pulled the covers over herself. She was getting chills, so she slowly raised her hand to her forehead and felt it. Immediately she pulled it back—she was burning hot! Her head hit the pillow. How could I? was her last thought as she drifted into a restless sleep.
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Kagome looked up cheerfully. "Ki-chan!" she cried. "Ki-chan, otou-san's home!" She got up off the floor and ran to him. "Otou-san, today's our fifth birthday!" She smiled brilliantly as her twin, Kikyou, came running up. Their father picked Kagome up and swung her around. She laughed happily.
"How could I forget my darling twins' birthday?" he said, smiling and setting Kagome down. Kikyou ran forward and he swung her onto his shoulders. She clapped happily, and her eyes sparkled.
"Otou-san, did you bring us anything?" Kikyou exclaimed happily. Kikyou was as sparkling as her twin sister—the two were cheerful and happy.
"Of course he did," came a melodious voice. "I brought something as well."
"Mama!" Kagome shrieked, hurtling forward towards her mother. She laughed and picked her up.
"Souta, Houjo, bring in the cake," she called.
Kagome and Kikyou's older brothers, who were also twins, came in beaming. Between them was a buttercream cake with buttercream icing and, in pink icing script, read, "Happy Birthday Kagome and Kikyou". Their father let Kikyou down and she ran to the door of their small, cramped apartment. "Oh, Mama" she breathed, "it's soooo pretty!"
Their mother laughed. "Now, let's make dinner, my girls," she said, picking the little girls up. They squealed in delight as she carried them into the kitchen. "What do you girls want?" she asked mockingly, placing her finger to her chin.
"Teriyaki and sushi!" Kikyou cried, smiling.
"Oden and tsukudani!" Kagome yelled. Their mother smiled.
"Hai, hai, we'll make all of that," she assured them. The two squealed again.
"Oi, ursai! You two sound like pigs in there," came nine-year-old Souta's voice. Their mother frowned, but it was their father who scolded him.
"Souta! It's your sisters' big day. Be nice to them at least for tonight." Souta harumphed and kept a sulky silence. Houjo laughed and entered the miniscule kitchen area.
"Happy birthday, Kikyou, Kagome," he said in his gentle voice. "Hope you two have a good time."
"We will," replied Kikyou, ever the bold one. Houjo smiled indulgently.
"Maa, I got you a present, imouto-chan," he said, handing a gift-wrapped box to Kikyou. She clapped her hands and took it.
"Mama, can I open it, onegai onegai onegai?" she begged. Her mother laughed again. "Hai, Kikyou-chan." Kikyou immediately began to tear into the gift. As she opened the box, she gasped. "Nii-chan" she said, excitement building in her voice.
"Nani?" Kagome craned her neck to look into the box.
Kikyou dramatically pulled out a crystal music box. "Mite! Mite!" she cried, gripping it with both hands. Kagome gasped. "Ki-chan, that's like what a princess would own!"
"That's why we have another one, for our other princess," her father explained, giving another present to Kagome. She reached out for it and ripped the paper off to reveal a music box that matched Kikyou's. Kagome's was tinted pink; Kikyou's had a blue tinge to it. Her eyes widened. "Arigatou, Mama, otou-san!" she cried.
"Now, while we wait for the food to cool down," their mother said, setting down her chopsticks, "let's go take a quick walk outside."
"Yaaaayyyy!" the two little girls chorused happily.
Kagome could hardly believe it. Today is the best day of my life, she thought excitedly, carefully setting her music box next to Kikyou's on the table. "C'mon, Ki-chan!" she said, tugging at her twin's hand. Kikyou nodded, and the two rushed outside to join their brothers and parents.
"Let's start around the block," their father said, smiling and taking Kikyou's hand while Kagome grabbed her mom's. "Hai," their mother agreed.
The next few minutes were always a blur to Kagome, no matter how many times she reviewed it in her head.
So many things happened simultaneously that Kagome could hardly remember. But out of those memories that she did have, she saw a car slide by and a man stick his head and a gun out the window. Then she heard the unmistakable sound of a shotgun being fired directly at her mother and father.
Her next memory was Souta picking her up and running away with her. Houjo had Kikyou. Kagome was sobbing, screaming, and beating her tiny fists on Souta's shoulder. Kikyou was silent, her burnt sienna eyes wide and scared.
They had run to their apartment and packed their bags quickly. Kagome, as a last thought, had grabbed her music box. Kikyou snatched hers as they left their little apartment for the last time in their life.
"Mamaaaaaaaaaaa!!!"
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Kagome woke immediately, the ringing of a little girl's scream still echoing in her head. Tears came to her eyes again. After her parent's death, the four of them had lived on the street until Houjo and Souta turned thirteen and joined a gang. The leader had been so impressed with them, he named them his successors.
The leader died a few years later, leaving Souta and Houjo the gang at the age of sixteen.
Kikyou had become solemn and severe. If looks could kill, Kikyou could make millions as an assasin. But the twins had always shared their moments. They treasured every birthday as another year they were together. And they always played their crystal music boxes. It became a tradition.
This was the first year that she didn't have her twin or her music box with her at her birthday.
Kagome began to sob. "How could I forget them?" she cried. "How could I do that to them?! They probably think I'm dead, that I suffered terribly. Kami-sama help me! Let me see them, onegai!" She burst out into loud weeping. Onegai, she thought desperately. Kami-sama, help me, onegai.
"Kagome!"
Kagome's head snapped up. "S Souta?" she whispered. She rose from her futon. "Souta" She ran downstairs. "Souta!" she screamed. "I'm in here!"
Souta appeared in the doorway of the warehouse. "Kagome-chan!" he yelled. "Kagome-chan, everything's okay. We're here now." Kagome flew down the stairs and collapsed into her brother's arms.
"Souta nii-chan, I I" she sobbed. He patted her back.
"Daijoubu, Kagome-chan," he whispered. "Daijoubu." He looked around. "Now where's that yarou who kidnapped you?" he snarled.
Kagome pointed shakily to the back door. Souta smiled, let her go gently, and dashed out the door. A boy who looked about a year older than she, with crystal blue eyes and black hair pulled into a ponytail, walked up to her as she dropped to the floor. He picked her up and asked softly, "Daijoubu?"
"Hai." Kagome's head was spinning. "Ano who are you?"
He smiled. "Nakamura Kouga. My brother and I just joined the gang last month. So you're the famous Higurashi Kagome everyone talks about?"
"Seems that way." She sat down—hard—on the floor. Kouga sat with her. "Who's your brother?"
Kouga pointed to a tall, pale, dark-eyed guy about three years older than them who had a knife pulled out. "Naraku. He's a really good guy," he added. "But no one believes it—except me." He focused on Kagome. "Maa, Kikyou's worried sick about you. She said for me to tell you that she has your music box safe and sound." Kouga looked a little puzzled by the message, but Kagome managed to smile weakly.
"Arigatou gozaimasu, Kouga-kun," she whispered.
He blinked. "N-no problem." He smiled at her.
A large crash interrupted the moment. Kagome suddenly stood up. "Souta!" she cried, running to the door. Kami-sama, let him be all right onegai, she thought desperately. Kouga ran after her, a shotgun in hand.
As she threw the door open, she screamed. Souta lay on the floor, bleeding from a wound from his thigh. "Nii-chan!" she screamed, running to his side. Hiroyuki looked astonished, the hand that held the gun shaking as it pointed towards Souta. Souta winced.
"Kagome I tried" he said dimly.
"You did your best, nii-chan," she replied, hugging him gently. "Ai shiteru, and never forget it."
Kouga suddenly lunged at Hiroyuki and punched him. He cried out, and his gun went flying. Kouga picked up his own and shot Hiroyuki through the chest.
He immediately crumpled to the floor.
Souta struggled to breathe. "Kouga," he whispered.
Kouga knelt at his side. "Hai, Souta-san?" he asked, tears springing to his eyes. Kagome realized what an inspiration her brother had been to Nakamura Kouga.
"You are the leader of the gang" Souta shuddered. "Take care of Kagome" He went limp in Kagome's arms. She realized, a few seconds later, that he was dead.
Kagome was beyond tears. Her older brother her forever protection was dead. At least Houjo and Souta can be together, she thought unemotionally. Then Kouga rose up, Naraku coming to his side.
"Oi!" he called brusquely, flinging his tears aside. "I have now been proclaimed leader of this gang. We will annex this gang—" he gestured to indicate the warehouse "—into our own to make it even more powerful." He motioned to Kagome and she silently rose. Never will I cry again, she vowed. My tears bring nothing but tragedy.
"Kagome will be my girl," Kouga called out. "Souta-san asked me to take care of her, and so I shall."
Everyone cheered except Kagome, who was in such a state of shock that nothing could touch her.
Is there no one who can help me out of this nightmare? she screamed inwardly.
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A:N: WAI!!! My longest chapter yet!! Probably because it's one of the pinnacle points in the story. NINE PAGES ON WORD!!! YAHOOOO!!!! ^__________^ I'm sooooo happyyyyyy!!!! Well, review you guys! Ai shiteru to all that do and more free fudge!! ^_____^ YAYYYY!!
Sayonara,
Akai-Sakura