Ecstasy
Chapter one
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A young girl ran as fast as she could down the deserted street, her makeshift weapon held by her side. Kagome's grip tightened around her crowbar as she gazed around suspiciously for her target. A sudden movement towards the door of an abandoned building caused her to jump slightly in temporary fright. "Figures." She grumbled under her breath before she tried opening the door; locked. "Damn." She cursed. "They're getting smarter."
She took a few steps back, readying her balance before she kicked the door down, knocking it clearly off it's rusty hinges. "Why don't you just show yourself…" she screamed, her voice echoing throughout the large mildew covered warehouse. She cautiously kept her eyes peeled for any motion. She heard nothing but silence and her distant heart beat in her chest. "This really sucks, you know?" she called out, "I have a shit load of homework." She added that last part mostly to herself.
Kagome jerked when she heard something from the top of a stack of crates. Her temper was rising steadily, "alright now you've pissed me off." She took one swing with her crowbar and knocked the crates down, shattering the one that had received the impact to splinters. Kagome waited until the dust filled air cleared before she started her search again. That's when she heard it…a faint hiss…like a snake, pulsed against her ear…Kagome gulped, knowing exactly what was behind her. She could feel what felt like a slimy tentacle edge up her leg. Her body instantly froze and she couldn't move, like she was paralyzed. Luckily she was used to demons using these kinds of attacks, using a sensitive sound to temporarily hypnotize their victims. Kagome mustered up all the strength she could to whirl around, smashing her crowbar against the monster's head, ripping into his ear and digging into his skull.
He shrieked in pain, backing away from her, his tentacle like tail whipping around him defensively as he covered his face with his gnawed and scaly green hands. If a human would have received that kind of blow to the head…they wouldn't have a snowball's chance in hell of surviving it. But this thing wasn't human.
Kagome just chuckled, "stupid demon." They were soulless monsters, especially the one she was staring at…she had witnessed him murder a man, and had almost tried to eat him, had Kagome Hirugashi not been there to stop it. Creatures like him were every where, roaming the streets of New York and the world. Though humanity refused to believe demons like the one Kagome was staring at actually existed, they just simply swept the idea under the rug. Only a short few, like Kagome for example, believed in the truth.
The demon backed away slowly, one hand still covering his injury, while he kept both of his fish-like eyes on the girl who'd struck him, and then without hesitation he took off at a mad dash for the conveniently wide open exit. Kagome however didn't chase after him; she just rolled her bright green eyes. She pulled her crowbar back, aiming at the retreating demon's head before she threw it with all her might. The metal bar flew like a dart headed for a dart board right before it smashed into a green scaled skull, sending the demon sprawling for the floor…and then he was motionless. Bull's eye.
Kagome smirked triumphantly as she walked up and yanked her crowbar out, twirling it around as greenish purple blood splattered every where. "They'll never learn." She sighed as she watched the demon's body melt away into a glob of bubbling black goo.
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That same girl a year and a half later sat quietly in the back seat of a black stretch limo, an angry glare plastered on her face. She stared out of the window, subconsciously watching as the trees and the bright yellow line danced behind her, beside her, and before her while the limousine made it's way down the winding road.
"This really sucks, Miroku." She stated, glancing over at her brother beside her. The older sibling only smiled down at her and tucked a stray strand of his sister's black hair behind her ears, which had fallen from her high ponytail.
"Don't always be so negative, Squirt." He sighed. "This is a great opportunity for us…just imagine it Kagome…" He trailed off into a long speech about when 'God closes a door he opens a window', but Kagome lost interest and just ignored him as her attention turned back to the endless dancing yellow line. He was right though, this was the opportunity of a lifetime, and she didn't want it. From what she had read on the brochure that she had been given, the place sounded like some snobby version of a boot camp from hell.
Though she had no choice but to accept the offer she had been given, the school was free, even if it only allowed certain people to become it's students. The two Hirugashi siblings were orphans…their parents had died…in that accident. An incident that neither child ever spoke of, it had happened about a year and a half ago…Kagome was hard pressed just to forget it, a tougher job than she could have ever imagined. And ever since then the siblings had been living with their poor grandmother, Kaede. An elderly woman who unfortunately bit the big one only a week ago.
Kagome had been terrified after that; terrified that her and her brother might have to be separated and put in different foster homes…that is until he stepped in.
Kagome stared up at the driver irritatedly before she pulled her headphones over her ears, and turned on her portable CD player that sat in her black baggy jeans pocket. The music blared aggressively in her ears, which oddly enough soothed her. She closed her eyes, only to have her headphones ripped away by her brother.
"I think you should have worn something different." He groaned.
Kagome sighed as she stared down at her 'dark' attire. "What?"
Miroku only smirked, scanning her black T-shirt and black baggy jeans that were covered in zippers and chains. He had a feeling that those pants were his, but he didn't press the matter, he only wrapped an arm around his squirt, as he liked to call her and gave her a small kiss on the temple. "You know I love you, right?"
Kagome rolled her eyes. "What do you want?"
He kissed her temple again for his answer.
Kagome just rolled her eyes again and placed her headphones back over her ears, drowning out the world around her, but not after she reluctantly pulled her feet up and hugged them to her chest. She leaned her head against Miroku's shoulder as he tightened his arm's grip around her neck affectionalty, and rested his chin against her soft raven hair. What am I ever going to do with you, Kagome? He pondered silently.
"We're here." The chauffeur announced as he pulled up to a large barbwire covered gate. And beyond that…there was a mansion. Kagome's eyes widened as she eyed the ridiculously large building.
"We…we're going to be living in that?" Kagome squeaked.
Miroku nodded. "Yeppers," he laughed.
Kagome got that uneasy feeling, you know…the one where you think you're dreaming. Miroku, without having to be told, reached over and pinched Kagome's arm, receiving a smack in the head and an angry glare in return.
"State your identification." A voice crackled from the intercom stationed at the gate.
The chauffeur leaned in close to the speaker, "056KO49510." He spoke as clearly as possible as he read the nonsense numbers and letters from a piece of paper on the top of his bulky clipboard.
The woman on the other end paused for a moment, obviously checking to make sure the identification was authentic, and then: "You may pass, and Welcome Mr. And Ms. Hirugashi to the Milestone Manner."
Kagome glanced at her brother skeptically, but he just shrugged his shoulders.
The gate in front of them teetered open at a snail's pace before it allowed the vehicle passage to the beyond.
Kagome stared around almost in a depressed state of mind, the place was too big for her liking; it looked too snobby to her. She could tell the place had high security by the tall electric fence that stretched around the five hundred-acre property, and the video cameras that were positioned every where…and in the most obvious places.
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A beautiful young woman who looked to be in her mid twenties made her way along the main hallway of the Milestone Manner. She held her face up high, her graceful yet stern features were breathtaking in their own as she moved serenely down the grand staircase, her hand gliding down the polished wood railing. She was a gorgeous woman, though her expression was serious, with her cold black eyes, that just made her all that more appealing. Kikyo strolled through the grand leaving room, her posture and movement was perfect; like a real live lady.
She walked past the library, not even acknowledging anyone she crossed on her path. Kikyo gracefully paced past the kitchen, ignoring the three teenage girls who waved at her as she made her way…she even ignored the fourth girl who made gagging noises, forcing the other three youths to burst into a fit of giggles. Kikyo was known about the manner as a very proper but firm person…but it didn't seem to bother her, even if no one liked her.
She stopped in front of a pair of tall elegant wooden doors, with a dark wood polish and beautifully detailed carvings of a battle scene that swept across the wood in an array of war. She grabbed onto the shiny gold doorknobs and twisted them, opening the doors wide for her entrance. "Headmaster?" Her voice vibrated against the walls.
Her eyes surveyed around the large office, it had tall bookcases that stretched up to the high ceiling. Wooden filing cabinets that had been imported from Asia especially for her employer, lined against the wall right behind the large office desk that Kikyo stood in front of.
"Headmaster…" She trailed off as she stared at the back of the tall black leather chair. "The Hirugashi's have just arrived."
The chair whirled around, a man with long wavy black hair and bright green eyes peered up at her. His face was surprisingly kind in contrast to his secretary. "Very well then…please send the girl in…just the girl."
Kikyo nodded. "What shall I do with the boy?"
The raven-haired man stared at a small pile of papers on his desk, contemplating her question. "The boy is of no use to us…just show him to his room…I'm very sure he will be pleased." A small smile spread across his lips. "And…," he stared at his cold hearted secretary, "bring Ms. Hirugashi to me, I would very much like to speak to her…."
Kikyo nodded before she disappeared leaving her boss to stare after her with a smirk. "Kagome Hirugashi…" he tried the girl's name, seeing how it fit, he rather liked how it rolled off the tongue "a girl finally worth training." He thought aloud as he glanced over her records. She was a fair student when it came to academics, but it was her physical capability that interested him, she had also been involved with numerous…incidents with the police, from breaking and entering to stealing a car. But that was the kind of thing that the students who lived in Milestone Manner were expected to have.
"Ms. Hirugashi." Kikyo announced in a dignified voice that gave Kagome goosebumps. Kagome walked in and stood in front of the desk, her stubborn face glued on tight, she didn't like this, she didn't like this place, she didn't like this man, and she certainly didn't like the secretary. "Ms. Hirugashi, this is Headmaster Dante Doi," She introduced the man before he stood up and shook Kagome's hand, which she hesitantly took.
"Please Miss, take a seat." The Headmaster offered, gesturing to the seat behind Kagome, but she stood motionless in her place. A smile erupted on the Headmaster's face. "You are stubborn." That was more of a statement than a question. "I like that." He chuckled. "Welcome to the Milestone Manner." He turned to Kikyo; "you may go now." Kikyo nodded before she walked out and shut the doors behind her. "I'm sure you have many questions for me…Ms. Hirugashi."
Kagome stood silent.
Headmaster Doi stared down at the teenagers cloths, suddenly becoming aware of the spiked dog collar around her neck and her black bondage pants, not to mention the array of stray purple streaks present within the girls wavy raven hair, oh dear. He had been aware that Kagome Hirugashi had been born and raised in a bad part of the country, but he had never expected her to show up looking like a thug. He pushed the matter out of his mind, knowing that it was wrong to judge her.
"Alright then." He sighed. "As you are aware I have invited you here because-"
"Because of what I am." Kagome interrupted him. She knew everything about Headmaster Doi, and the reason he had called upon Kagome despite her extensive criminal record. Dante Doi had granted Kagome clemency and allowed her to become one of his students because Kagome was well…a little different from most people. Kagome could do things that no average Joe could ever dream about. She had power, Kagome could lift things at ease without contact all she had to do was think about it, and the objects around her would obey. She could read peoples' thoughts; in fact she was doing it to the Headmaster now. Kagome had been gifted with speed and agility, she could put Cat Woman to shame, but in all honesty she thought of her talent as a curse…she hated it, and the responsibilities that came with it. And that's just what this Dante intended, to push more responsibility onto her, to tell her that it was her duty as a Miko to protect the human race from creatures that man refused to see. In Kagome's eyes that wasn't fair, it wasn't her fault she could do these things, they just came naturally, and to her luck only a slight handful of people in the world could do what she could…and most of them where in this very building. Dante wanted Kagome to drop everything and save the world…but that was something she didn't want to do. It was a job obviously meant for Superman, not her.
"Miss." Dante sighed, sensing his mind being violated, he mentally put a barrier, blocking her from his thoughts. "I know what you are thinking." He stood up and wandered over to stand next to her. "You think I am going to make your life a living hell, right?"
Kagome only nodded.
He sighed. "Ms. Hirugashi, I promise you that this institute is not here to force the responsibility in which you have assumed. Yes we do ask that our students go out every other night and make a clean patrol of our town but..." He rubbed his temples. His long black hair was pulled in a low ponytail. And as he leaned against his desk Kagome got a good view of what he was wearing. He looked pale up close, his skin was white and his clothes were rather…vintage, he looked odd in his frilly white silk button up shirt and his read velvet trench coat. Kagome for a moment thought he might be a vampire, but when she saw his reflection in a mirror across the room she pushed that idea aside. Though she did have to admit…he was rather gorgeous in a dark and passionate , even if she hated him at the moment. "But…we want nothing more than to train you."
Kagome eyed him suspiciously. "To train me?"
"Do you know what you are, and just how special your abilities are?"
Yawn.
"Ms. Hirugashi, I'm sure as you are aware, mikos don't come around very often, especially not in the same family…"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Kagome groaned. "My mom was a miko, my grandmother was a miko. I've heard all of this before."
Dante's smile widened. "And do you know how rare that is?"
Kagome shrugged her shoulders in an 'I really don't care' sort of way.
"You." He emphasized. "And your family are the only one in history to have three mikos in a row…it's truly extraordinary."
Ok, so the 'I really don't care' shrug didn't work, maybe I should just say it. "In all honesty Mr. Doi, I really don't care, so what…my family's a little out of the ordinary, it's not that big of a deal." She stared at him, she couldn't help it, by the way he was looking at her and acting, it was like he had just found King Tut's tomb or something, he'd made the discovery of a lifetime. And it was making Kagome awkward, she wasn't an item, no jewel or artifact; she was a human being, and she was sick and tired of people treating her other wise.
He smiled at her, taking a quick sip of his water before he continued. "Alright then, let me get down to the point, Kagome…may I call you Kagome?"
Kagome shrugged her shoulders, finally getting just comfortable enough to sit down in the armchair behind her.
"Kagome…I've seen all kinds of students leave this building, more than I can count. So many people have collected in these walls with each passing generation…"
Generation? Just how old is this guy, he looks like he's maybe twenty four or something…maybe he is a vampire. Kagome gulped.
"I have seen student after student come through here, that happened to have just a little too much power than they can handle…and eventually it lead to their deaths. But not one of them has had the kind of power that I am told you possess…you, from my understanding, are far beyond anything I have ever seen. And from what I have been told you are like a walking time bomb just waiting to happen, given that you do not have the proper training. It was said to me, that you don't have enough hold on your powers, you can't control them…"
Kagome groaned finally getting fed up with his pointless jabbering. "Alright fine, I'm powerful. Big whoop. But why does it matter to you…what is it you want from me exactly?"
A smirk graced across his face. "I want you to join my school, the Milestone institute…I am sure you will be rather pleased with my staff, I have over the years hired the best of the best…to teach you everything you need to know. From demonology to weapons training, in no time you will be able to master and use that power of your to it's full potential. You will no longer have more than you can handle…"
"So basically what you are saying is…that I'm a minis to society?"
The Professor sighed, obviously at a loss for words. "You've taken me out of context, Miss."
Kagome just shook her head, having made up her mind about this man and this institution a long time ago. "No I think I heard you rather clearly. I do not want to hear of how I am so damn powerful…I'm sorry but in all honesty you couldn't pay me to stay here. I know what you people want from me…you want me to stay in this boot camp disguised as a boarding school, just to pound me into a mindless weapon that's at your disposal…
Dante went to defend himself but Kagome continued, not giving him the chance to interrupt her. She was on a roll, and there was no stopping now.
"I've already been through this before. And trust me, it's not exactly something I'm ready and willing to let happen again…I don't trust you, Mr. Doi. I have gone through hell, just cause I can do a few little magic tricks. I was taken advantage of. And I'm not stupid enough to let it happen again." She stood up again; ready to leave and never come back when it hit her square in the face…Miroku. Kagome could never do anything to hurt her brother…and she could never live without him, there was a fifty/fifty chance that if Kagome and Miroku didn't stay at Milestone they would get separated. And that was one thing she was promised by the Headmaster in his letter he had sent her, all of his student's were allowed a member of their family to live with them in the manner. And with such a big house, she knew Headmaster Dante Doi had enough room…and he would keep his word
She turned and stared at him, although she was only fifteen, she pulled on the most adult face humanly possible. "Never mind, Headmaster. Please excuse my rude behavior." She held out her hand in a truce. "It's just been a rather hard and long transition on me, but that does not justify my actions. I apologize. I pray that you will forgive me."
Dante eyed her with a raised eyebrow; a girl with six earrings in one ear, purple streaked hair, and black fingernails was acting…mature. He was shocked in all honesty. But he shook her hand anyway. "It's quite alright." He beamed. "I understand whole heartily, and please, call me Dante."
Kagome took a deep sigh. "Yes, Headmaster."
"I do not know what you have had to endure in the past, Ms. Kagome. But I promise you, you are safe her at Milestone Manner…our only intentions are your safety, and to help you as best as we can, you have something Ms. Hirugashi, not something that everybody has. We are only here to help you cope with your situation…"
Not again. Blah, blah, blah. This guy loves to hear himself talk.
"But instead of just telling you about Milestone…let me show you/ Please, Miss. Follow me." He opened the doors and stepped out, passing Kikyo at her desk on his way. Kagome trailed behind him, hating herself for surrendering so easily, but knowing deep down that her brother was worth it. "I'll give you a headmaster's personal tour…."
"That doesn't happen very often does it?" Kagome asked, still in her adult mode.
He nodded. "On rare occasions, and when I find a student I particularly favor."
Kagome stared at the back of his head in awe. He favored her, after she had just insulted his school?
"As you see Ms. Hirugashi, this institution specializes in student's of your genre. We have a short range of Mikos…not very many fall in that category I am afraid…but we have a large variety of demon hunters…" He opened a stray door, which opened up into a large sunroom with padded floors and weapons lined all along the walls. There was obviously a class in progress because there was an instructor standing in front of a small group of students who were all dressed in black martial arts uniforms, there was belts ranging from white to blacks in all kinds of different rankings.
"Take Ms. Sakamoto for instance." He gestured to a girl in the far right hand corner, she was a pretty girl with long dark brown hair pulled up in a tight ponytail, but it was her belt that caught Kagome's eye. Third degree black belt, impressive. "She's one of my strongest demon hunter's."
Dante entered the room, and as if God him self had graced their presence all the students stopped everything and simultaneously gave their headmaster a respectful bow. "May I please borrow Sango Sakamoto?" Dante asked the class's instructor before the Headmaster glanced adoringly over at the girl again. The instructor nodded.
"Sakamoto, you're dismissed." The burly instructor announced. Kagome eyed his white uniform, rather odd in contrast to his student's black ones.
Sango bowed, and then jogged over to her headmaster. "Uncle Dante." She cheered, stopping in front of the raven-haired man. Her eyes twinkled brightly, as she turned her eyes to Kagome and smiled. "Is this the infamous Kagome Hirugashi?"
Her uncle nodded, giving Sango a pat on the back. "Kagome Hirugashi, this is my niece Sango. Sango, this is the girl I told you about, the one I kept receiving letters from her grandmother. This is Kagome Hirugashi."
"Hey." Sango smiled, "Welcome to Milestone…you are going to love it here." She leaned in and whispered into Kagome's ear. "My uncle may seem mean now, but you'll get used to him. He tends to spoil his student's rotten."
"I heard that." He glared at her for a moment before breaking back into his smile again. "I would like you to help Ms. Hirugashi settle in at the school and on the midnight shift, I have purposely placed her on your team. I'm not sure I want her transition to be any more troubling."
Sango nodded. "Of course Uncle Dante." She giggled, smiling at Kagome. "I really mean it though." She paused for a moment. "Milestone Manner's the best. And don't worry about school, I'll show you around to all of your classes, it'll be a breeze. And I'll show you the ropes to the midnight shift…once you get used to it, it's pretty fun…of course as long as you don't have a squeamish stomach."
Kagome could only nod, not having a clue what she was talking about; but she seemed nice enough. She was really pretty.
The Headmaster stared at his niece skeptically. "Good. Now I'll leave you to your training." He ushered her back into the room. "I won't let you miss any of your class."
Sango went back into her class, waving goodbye to her uncle and Kagome.
"School? Midnight shift?" Kagome questioned as the Headmaster sealed the doors back shut. "Why do you need Sango to help me take me around?"
"I am afraid I can not help settle you in your school area, Ms. Hirugashi."
Kagome wasn't sure whether she should be upset or not. "Why not."
"Because, Miss." He walked up the grand staircase. "I suppose you were not informed that during the day you will not be attending your average classes in this facility, I don't have enough room or money to have that kind of an institute. Your normal schooling will be taken place at the local high school, Warington High School."
Kagome's jaw dropped. "What?! You mean I have to go to school…and then come hear…"
Dante nodded. "You will attend three classes here at Milestone, upon returning from Warington. One: basic self defense training. Two: demonology. And three, since you are…different from most students here, you will be taking an extra class. Psychic Awareness and Control."
Kagome's heart stopped. Three extra classes added on to school, it was hard enough trying to pass biology.
"And then…" The Headmaster continued. "Every other night you will go into the city and make a quick check for demonic activity, ergo the midnight shift. The students of Milestone take…turns, if you will, with which night they…make their round. You have been assigned to Sango's team. You have team B…of course I won't allow you to go out just yet, I have to make sure you are capable of it, but, lets just say…I look forward to hearing of your achievements."
Kagome felt her knees buckle. Was Miroku really worth all of this? That was way too much work. "What team…is…Miroku on?" Kagome stuttered.
Dante thought for a moment. "Your brother? He will be in a different sector of Milestone, he, if I'm not mistaken, is in the guest quarters…he's not on a team Ms. Hirugashi. He's not like my normal students, he has no fighting ability, or powers like you."
Great. I do all the work…and he gets to live like a king in this big house. Kagome watched as a rather tall, blonde girl with a pretty face passed her. Only taking her time to say hello to her headmaster before she continued on, not to mention the schizophrenic's (Miroku) perverted side is going to have a field day with all these pretty girls running around. The things I do for that numbskull. That was one thing her brother was infamous for…his wandering hand that had a mind of it's own. She loved her brother, really she did, but when it came right down to it, he had a one-track mind. Two words. Playboy bunnies.
"Are you alright, Hirugashi?"
Kagome nodded, still trapped in her daydream of choking her brother to death with a sock. "I'm fine."
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Kagome laid silently on Miroku's bed, watching him unpack. After the Headmaster had finished his tour and had shown Kagome to her own room, she had ventured out to find her lecherous brother, so she could strangle him. But unfortunately she didn't have the heart to do it, she felt bad for the sock.
"I can't believe this place." Miroku hummed as he threw his clothes to the floor, not even bothering to at least stuff them in a drawer. "Well I'm unpacked." He glanced at the large heap of clean clothes before he walked over and collapsed on the bed beside his little sister. "I can't believe how great this place it, they have an indoor swimming pool, a game room. They have a pool table and everything." He exclaimed excitedly, as he rolled up on his side and leaned up on his shoulder so he could look down at his sister. "I think me and you are going to be really happy here, Kagome."
Kagome could only smile. There was so much she had to do just to keep them together it felt like all of it was weighing down on her shoulders. But she didn't have the heart to disappoint the only family member she had left.
"Just look, I think our luck is finally turning around." He stared down at her, and then without warning engaged into a tickle attack. Kagome kicked and laughed, pleading him to stop, but Miroku just persisted his assault. "Say mercy." He laughed.
"No…" tears were pouring down her cheeks from laughing so hard. "Stop, stop, alright, alright, alright. Mercy." She had let him win.
"I can't hear you."
"Mercy damn it." She giggled trying to push him off her. "do you want me to spell it for you?"
"It wouldn't hurt." He chuckled.
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Well, I hope you guys liked my first chapter, I like it. I have a great deal planned for it. Okay for those of you who are aquatinted with my other story, Rumors Ruin Reputations, I know you probably recognize Dante…I couldn't help it. I love him, he's 'gonna' marry me don't you know? But anyway, if you are wandering, where our beloved Inuyasha is…don't worry he's coming up soon. This wouldn't be an Inuyasha Fanfic without Inuyasha. Also, am I the only one who felt weird that Kagome and Miroku are lying on a bed together, even if they are brother and sister. I guess the anime is really pounded into my head…it affects the way I think…that can't be good. ^___^ Oops.