'It's coming, it's coming…' Kagome thought in a split second when she saw the massive fist of her attacker spring to attack.
It never came.
She opened one eye and peered out through her lashes. Behind her attacker was a figure, shrouded in black in front of the bright light of the moon.
The man cried out in alarm as his right arm was jerked backward, pulling his body along with it. Without wasting one second, he went sailing gracefully through the air and landed across the street with a loud cracking thud. Cringing, Kagome slowly got up to a sitting position and looked at the motionless body with relief.
She noticed the other figure start walking away. Deducing the figure was a male by his stance, she watched as he strode away casually with two fists jammed into his pockets. His long legs hit the pavement in silence giving no indication at what just happened.
"Hey! Wait!" She got up from the ground, tripping a little as she stumbled after him. As she got closer, she noticed something familiar: long white hair and a black leather jacket.
The guy from the club.
He stopped suddenly causing Kagome to halt abruptly too to keep herself from bumping in to him. He slowly turned around.
"What do you want wench?" he snapped at her like she was some pestering child.
'Wench? What the--,' Kagome jumped at his rough tone but didn't falter.
"What do you mean what do I want? You saved my life!" Kagome snapped back. She tried to calm her quaking nerves as she held her ground against his intense gaze.
He cocked an eyebrow, surprised at her brashness, then turned around and kept walking.
"Look, I don't know if you know this, but when someone saves another person from a dangerous situation, that person is usually very grateful," Kagome started, her voice laden with sarcasm.
She hesitated as he kept walking and ran up to catch up with him. Sighing, she changed her tone after berating herself for sounding so acerbic.
"Wait! Look, you didn't have to do, but you did. Thank you," she said softly. He stopped and looked back at her and she once again caught a glint of gold under those shaggy white bangs.
"Hey, it wasn't a problem. Anyway, you were in my way," he pointed out quickly.
"Oh."
Kagome shrank back as he turned back around and continued walking with long, slow strides. He disappeared behind a corner leaving Kagome all alone.
"Thanks anyway," she said.
Kagome went through the following week like she always did. The previous events stayed on her mind. For the first time in a long time, she had finally been able to not dwell in the past. But when she got back home, back to school, it was different.
She watched everything change around her. She watched everyone move around her. She felt like a stone, caught in a rushing river, not moving on. Not progressing.
Kagome worked hard in school, letting herself become immersed in hours of studying. She was at the top of her class, but didn't really care. Not like she used to anyway. While she worked, her mind would blank. The ball of despondency in the pit of her stomach would disappear. At least for a little while. It wasn't enough.
While the week passed, Kagome looked forward to only one thing. The club. She could let herself go there and become detached from her memories. At the club, she felt like the rushing river; always moving. There was no one, no thing, there to remind her.
It was Friday and school was out for the weekend. Kagome watched the students crowd out of the building with Sango.
"Whew, I thought this week would never end!" Sango cried as she leaned against the cool brick wall. Spring wasn't over yet, but they could already feel the summer heat approaching. Sango turned her face toward the cool breeze to refresh herself from the mild heat and smiled.
"I know what you mean," Kagome said with a light sigh. Sango looked at her, surprised. She never seemed to look forward to anything. Not since what happened last summer.
"Yeah? What's going on this weekend? A date with Hojo?" Sango inquired.
"No. I'm just looking forward to relaxing," Kagome said with finality. Sango lifted an eyebrow. She knew something was going on, but if Kagome didn't tell her know, she would never tell her until she felt like it. She was always close mouthed about her feelings. She was especially quiet out in public. Her strong façade of serenity appeared when she was around others and had even fooled Sango in the beginning. Sango had tried to coerce Kagome to talk to her or even somebody else, but Kagome had only told her the basics and left it at that. She didn't seem to want to relieve the burden of her troubles.
"Well, I'm glad you're looking forward to relaxing," Sango said. 'It must be something good so I'll leave her alone; I won't push her,' she thought.
"Hey girls. What's going on?" a smooth voice interrupted their conversation. Kagome watched as Sango tentatively hugged the boy that had suddenly appeared beside them. She tugged on his little ponytail and smiled.
"This is Miroku. I went to the movies with him last Saturday," Sango explained. Miroku grinned broadly as he looked Kagome up and down.
"Sango didn't tell me she had such lovely friends…," Miroku took a hold of Kagome's hand and brought it up to his lips to kiss it. Kagome laughed uneasily and quickly pulled her hand away.
"You're very suave, aren't you?" Kagome asked.
"It's how I get all the beautiful ladies," Miroku anwered, waggling his eyebrows at Sango. She blushed furiously.
"It's just his way of saying hello," Sango explained.
"I'm very hands on," Miroku added. To prove it, his hands crept toward a very embarrassed Sango. With an angry cry, she slapped them away. "Fiesty woman!" he exclaimed, rubbing his stinging hands.
"If you keep doing that, I don't think I will be able to go on anymore dates with you!" Sango said with a scowl.
"I'm a ladies man Sango. I can't help it if all the lady-folk hunger for my manly body," Miroku said in mock solemnity.
"The lady-folk fall for you?" Sango scoffed. Miroku shrugged helplessly.
"You did, didn't you," he asked. Sango didn't reply. She just flicked her long black ponytail over her shoulder and crossed her arms in indignation.
"I don't remember why I did in the first place." Kagome smiled at their antics, but just as her mood lifted, it immediately sank again. Whenever she felt the first taste of happiness, it would immediately withdraw. It always did. Kagome closed her eyes for a brief second.
Sango noticed the abrupt change in attitude and lay a hand gently on Kagome's shoulder.
"We're going to a party at Yuka's. You should come," she said. Kagome shook her head slowly.
"No, I'm just not up to it," she said quickly and sincerely. "I'll see you Monday."
Sango sighed inwardly, but shrugged. "Okay. Whatever you want." She hugged her friend and started walking away angrily when she noticed that Miroku's gaze had strayed to a gaggle of giggling girls. With a start of realization, he quickly ran after her as he waved goodbye to a lonely Kagome.
For the first time since a long time, Kagome finally began to look forward to something. She had finished up all her homework during Saturday and began waiting for her family to sleep. Her mother and Souta quickly noticed the positive change in her demeanor during dinner and watched as Kagome quickly devoured her food. Her family watched her in silence, surprised. She was usually very quiet during dinner. She would eat slowly, help clear away the table, and then trudge up the stairs as though she bore a large weight.
"Sheesh, Kagome. You're gonna get fat if you eat that much. At least fatter than you already are," Souta said. Kagome shot him a dirty look, her silverware clinked against her dish as she pushed it aside and got up.
"I'm going to sleep now," she said, looking at everyone.
"Good girl! You know, when I was young, I used to sleep at sundown because we had no electricity. But I was a very healthy young man because of it! I still am, too," Grandpa said with great authority. Kagome pursed her lips to keep from cracking a small smile as she turned to look at her mother. Souta rolled his eyes.
"Umm, okay dear. Goodnight," Ms. Higurashi said slowly, wondering what had gotten into her. She hadn't looked this way since the incident.
Kagome hugged her mother tightly. "Goodnight," she said as she went upstairs to her room.
Night couldn't come quickly enough. Kagome looked forward to forgetting and just to have fun.
'He comes here every weekend,' the voice of the bartender flitted through her head and she quickly pushed it away.
"He's just a jerk," Kagome muttered to herself. Why did she keep thinking of him? He couldn't be the reason she was going back…? No, of course not.
Well, maybe he was one of the reasons.
'He saved my life, so of course I keep thinking about him,' Kagome thought with a grim smile.
She gazed out of her window, like she did everyday, as the dark night slowly faded into view. The sounds of her family died down, signaling that they finally had settled into bed. Kagome waited an hour more, and then, with a pounding heart she surreptitiously snuck out of the house. She blended in with the shadows of the night as she made her way to the city.
"So you're back."
Kagome jumped. She had just come in and was scared witless by the bartender from last weekend who was stationed near the entrance,
"Yes…" she started as she looked around the room.
"Looking for someone?" the bartender asked. Kagome looked at her sharply.
"No…" she said hesitantly.
"It's okay. Actually, a lot of girls come to see him."
"I didn't come to see him," Kagome stated simply. The woman shrugged at grabbed a glass to dry.
Kagome leaned against the wall and watched the people in the club as they danced to the techno beat. Kagome sighed and allowed herself to relax with the euphoric music. She didn't feel like dancing just then.
"Hey, you wanna dance?" Kagome looked around and noticed tall boy. His long black hair was tied into a sleek ponytail that hung down his back. Kagome looked up at his face. His deep blue eyes were set in a face full of deep shadows, of someone who grew up too fast.
"What?" she asked over the loud music.
"You wanna dance with me?" the boy asked again, this time more loudly. He looked about her age and spoke confidently, unlike the boys at her school. He looked to be in college. She noticed how his long legs were set shoulder width apart and how his arms were crossed in front of him, as is daring her to say no. He was handsome, though. Kagome blushed.
"Um…"
"Actually, let me buy you a drink," he said, noticing her discomfort. Kagome let out a breath. She wasn't exactly comfortable with dancing with other guys.
"Sure. Thanks. I'll just have a soda," she said with a small, timid smile. He laughed loudly over the pounding music.
"You're kidding, right?" he looked at her and he stopped laughing. "How old are you anyway?"
"Seventeen."
"Seventeen!? You look a couple years older than that," he stated.
"Uhh, thanks," Kagome said.
"Sorry," the boy smiled broadly. "It was meant as a compliment. What's your name anyway?"
"Kagome."
"I'm Kouga. I saw you here last Saturday. Do you come here often?" he asked. His voice, which was previously loud and cocky, changed to a more subtle tone.
"Actually, this is my second time. I like it," Kagome said. She felt herself opening up to Kouga.
"Yeah, it's okay," Kouga motioned to the bartended for a drink and he was quickly supplied with one. He took a deep gulp of the brown liquid and then set it down. He looked at Kagome squarely in the face. "You're very pretty," he said. Kagome smiled awkwardly, not used to so many compliments. She didn't reply. Her insecurities began to surface and she was suddenly aware of his overly confident demeanor. Kouga didn't seem to notice her sudden diffidence.
"I usually come here about twice a week to settle some business, but other than that, there are other places," Kouga looked at the dancing throng of people. Kagome was about to ask what kind of business, but judging by his attire, she didn't want to know. Something about him seemed a little off. She didn't feel very sanguine towards him.
"I have to go…it's getting late," Kagome began as she got up, taking her nervous feelings as a cue to leave. Kouga looked up at her and Kagome saw the arm holding his drink tense, the muscles coiling visibly.
"Already? It's only two," he pointed out. Kagome bit her lip as he took a deep breath. Kouga laughed suddenly.
"Am I making you uncomfortable?" he took her hand and held it lightly. "I'm sorry. You barely know me, too." He laughed again and Kagome wasn't sure if it was directed at her or at himself.
"You know, you really stood out the last week," Kouga hesitated and Kagome noted the uncharacteristic action as something passed over his eyes. A movement of recognition. "Have I seen you somewhere before? Before last week?"
Kagome looked at him closely. The blue eyes stared back her and Kagome suddenly remembered something vague.
"I don't think so. I have to go," Kagome tried to grab her hand out of Kouga's grasp, but he held on.
"Wait, Kagome. You can't leave just yet. I think I remember you from somewhere," Kouga held on tightly still and Kagome could feel frustration and fear starting to build up quickly inside of her.
"Let the hell go of me!" Kagome yelled with a quick pull of her wrist. Kouga let go, a surprised and intrigued look on his face.
"Wow," he said loudly. "Kagome, wait!" Kouga started after her, muttering at the same time under his breath. "That is one strong woman!"
Kagome turned around quickly and started to walk briskly, surprised at his reaction at the same time. She ran straight into a wall. A warm wall covered in a leather jacket. Kagome looked up and saw herself staring straight into the face of him. Of the guy from last week.
"Fuck it. What the hell are you doing here, Inuyasha?" Kouga snapped. Kagome quickly stepped to the side and found herself staring at the two. She could feel the tension build as they stood there. Kagome looked at the one that had saved her the other day. His name was Inuyasha? Kagome felt déjà vu flutter inside of her of the name.
"I should be asking you the same thing shit-face," Inuyasha spat angrily. Kouga's face furrowed deeply, his brow creating a heavy shadow on his face. Kagome jumped at his sudden change in attitude. He had been so flirtatious before. Now he just seemed incredibly pissed at the interruption.
"What the hell are you talking about? Don't tell me you have some kind of claim over her—."
Inuyasha looked at Kagome expectantly. She looked back at him and was confused. What was he trying to do? A few seconds went by and Kagome felt Kouga's eyes shift to her, too. She tried to read the expression on Inuyasha's face and tried to figure out what to do before one of them sprang to attack.
"Actually, he does," Kagome said. Kouga cursed. Inuyasha smirked.
"No wonder she barked at me," Kouga said. He smiled smoothly at Kagome as he ran his hand through his hair. "Hey, if you ever get fed up with dog crap here, you know where you can find me. I like you."
"You better watch it if you don't want the brains beaten out of you," Inuyasha growled. Kouga laughed and started walking away slowly. Kagome looked at Inuyasha as he stared at Kouga's back, a murderous anger in his eyes.
"Hey," Kagome said, trying to get his attention. Inuyasha just turned around and started making for the exit. "Hey!" she yelled again as they both stepped out of the dizzying lights and into the quiet street. Inuyasha just threw her a sideward glance and kept walking. "Will you stop?" Kagome grabbed his arm. Inuyasha stopped suddenly, as though her request had some kind of effect on him.
"What the hell do you want?" he asked, his words acerbic. Kagome flinched slightly.
"What do you think? You saved me twice already. Stop acting like you don't care," she said. Actually, he really did look a little apathetic toward her.
That didn't stop Kagome, though.
"The first time, you were in my way. This time, I just wanted to get that shit back for being such a pain in the ass," Inuyasha said as he began walking again. Kagome scowled as she began running to keep up with his long strides. "Stop following me!" he yelled at her without turning around. At this point, Kagome was starting to feel a little childish. But she had a couple hours before she had to get home, so she was going to figure out what this guy's problem was. The gratefulness that she had been feeling towards Inuyasha before started to dissipate as she ran down the side of the street after him. The severe orange glow of the streetlights contorted their shadows, magnifying them against the sides of the buildings.
Inuyasha turned around suddenly and completely, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. Kagome looked at him, consternation growing at the sight of him under the bright lights. Harsh angles shifted on top of the sharp features of his face. His dim yellow eyes were vague in the night as they bore into Kagome's own dark ones.
Inuyasha's mouth was set in an angry, jagged line as he stared at the girl. He didn't know why he was so pissed at her. Her slight frame and soft voice compared to her confidant actions were a paradox and it threw him off guard; he didn't expect her to act like this. If he knew beforehand, he probably would have walked past her that night
. He quickly shook off the disconcerting feeling that had been growing this whole time. He sneered to cover it up, causing Kagome to shift as doubt at her actions crossed her mind. Something was not right here. Kagome could not shake off the fact that there were too many things that caused her to think back at that time…
"What the fuck are you doing?" Inuyasha finally asked, the menacing growl still lingering in his throat.
If Kagome could growl back, she would have just then.
"Following you," she answered.