A Reason For Living

Disclaimer - What, are you kidding? Of COURSE I own Inuyasha! ^_^

Author's Notes - Ahhh, happy 2004, people! This is one of my resolutions - to update! Muahahaha. Lucky for you all. Okay! Chapter one! PLEASE REVIEW!!!!

***

Chapter One - Get Me Out Of Here

***

Inuyasha gazed up at the band on the stage with an apprehensive sigh. Why Miroku and Sango insisted on dragging him to these clubs was beyond him. He frowned, shifting in his chair, glancing at the door anxiously.

'Must . . . get . . . out . . .'

~

Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, Kagome Higurashi fidgeted nervously in her seat, eyes kept firmly on the ground.

"Is something wrong, Kagome?" Houjou asked quietly, sensing her discomfort.

Kagome quickly shook her head. "No, no . . . I just . . . I think I'll go now," she said quickly, standing and bolting for the door without another word.

'Must . . . get . . . out . . .'

~

Inuyasha took a deep breath and stood. "I'm going for a drink," he muttered under his breath and disappeared into the crowds. He made himself comfortable on a chair by the bar, reaching for a soda when something outside the door caught his eye. He blinked, pushing the drink away and exiting the building, squinting from the light of the setting sun.

Once his vision cleared, his eyes beheld the most beautiful sight.

It was a girl; she couldn't be more than seventeen, and she was perched on the edge of the curb in a delicate manner, her head resting on her hands gently as she gazed up at the horizon. Her hair was long and silky black, cascading down her shoulders and onto her dark blue sweater. And her eyes . . . deep, clear, and brown; they way they stared into the distance with such thoughtful pondering made it seem as though she alone held a thousand secrets.

Inuyasha let out a shaky breath, slowly approaching the girl and settling himself on the curb beside her. He kept his head low and decided to concentrate on the fraying ends of his black jeans, rather than the eyes of the beautiful young woman beside him.

It was the girl who spoke first:

"Hello."

Inuyasha started; the girl's voice was so magical, so warm and friendly; he shuddered and slowly looked up at those deep brown eyes, silent.

She smiled sweetly, tilting her head.

"I'm Kagome. Kagome Higurashi. And you are?"

Inuyasha could hardly speak. Trying to stay calm, he paused and finally answered in a soft voice, "Inuyasha."

Kagome smiled again, giggling. "Inuyasha," she repeated. "That's such a unique name."

Inuyasha nodded slowly, unable to take his eyes off her.

"So," Kagome said, breaking the brief silence, "who're you here with?"

"Uh . . . um . . . friends," Inuyasha muttered, still in a small state of shock. "Miroku and Sango. Friends. Yeah. Them."

"I see . . ." Inuyasha coughed and finally got the nerve to talk properly, pressing on the conversation. "Who're YOU with?"

"My . . ." Kagome paused. She couldn't say boyfriend - no way! Houjou was NOT her boyfriend. "Friend," she finished. "My, er, guy friend. Houjou."

Inuyasha's heart sank slightly. "Boyfriend?"

"Oh, no!" Kagome quickly shook her head. "No, not Houjou . . . no . . . just a friend."

A smirk twitched at the corner of Inuyasha's lips. "Oh."

"Why?" Kagome asked teasingly, grinning. "What's it matter to a stranger like you, anyway? It's not like you're in love with me!"

Inuyasha's heart skipped a beat and he forced a smile, nodding. "Yeah . . . no way. Not in love . . . with you . . . no."

Kagome giggled again, then sighed, looking out at the street again. "My dad should be coming soon," she murmured softly. "I called, but there was no answer."

"Line's busy?" Inuyasha suggested, shrugging.

Kagome shook her head and frowned, then took out her cell phone and dialed her number again, only to scowl again at the busy signal.

"Did you know," Kagome began slowly, "that if you get AOL, you can get this alert, that tells you when you have a phone call when you're online?"

Inuyasha shook his head, "No."

"Neither . . . does . . . my dad."

Kagome snapped the cell phone shut, letting out an irritated sigh. Inuyasha snickered, glancing back to the road. He paused again, then . . .

"You know," he began, throwing caution to the winds, "I can give you a ride . . . if you need it, that is."

Kagome's face brightened. "Really? That'd be great!"

Inuyasha grinned broadly, standing. "Come on. My car's this way."

Kagome walked along with Inuyasha through the parking lot. "So how old are you?" she asked.

"Seventeen," Inuyasha answered. "I just graduated high school this past spring. You?"

"Sixteen," Kagome responded. "I'm in my final year." She paused. "Don't you go to college? You know, since you're old enough?"

Inuyasha shook his head. "Nah. Not yet, anyway. Maybe next year, when my finances get better. I just got fired from my job recently. Here's my car," he finished quickly, opening the door for her. He didn't like people to pity him . . . especially since there was so much to pity.

Kagome looked as though she was about to say something, but she remained silent, sliding into the car and closing the door.

(A/N: Remember, kids: never take rides from strangers. Unless that stranger's an anime hottie like Inu-chan. ^^;;;; )

Inuyasha got in on the other side and started the car. "Where to?"

"Higurashi shrine," Kagome answered. "It's only three blocks away."

"Oh, yeah," Inuyasha mused with a smile, pulling out of the lot. "You live at the shrine? I'm there almost every day. I like that tree you have - what's it called?"

"The God Tree?"

"Yeah, that. It almost feels as though I have some sort of history with it. I dunno. What's the legend, again?"

"Well . . . about fifty years ago, during the Muromachi Warring States Era, there was a priestess named Kikyo, who guarded the sacred Shikon no Tama. And there was a hanyou - half demon - who lived in her village, named Inuyasha. He was going to use the jewel to make himself human, because he and Kikyo were in love. But somehow, they were betrayed by each other; Kikyo was fooled into thinking Inuyasha wanted the jewel to become a full youkai, and in the end, Kikyo bound Inuyasha to the sacred God Tree with a spirit arrow, and then Kikyo died herself. They say that Inuyasha's spirit never left the tree; that his spirit was to remain there, on and in the tree, for all eternity."

Inuyasha sighed wistfully. "Yeah. That. I think it's awesome. Plus, from what I understand, I was named after the hanyou - Inuyasha. I guess that's why I connect with the tree; maybe Inuyasha's spirit is calling to me or something."

Kagome tilted her head, smiling. "That's very deep. Not like something a normal guy would say."

"Yeah, well," Inuyasha began as he pulled in front of the shrine, "I'm not a normal guy."

They both got out of the car and Inuyasha's eyes wandered over to the yard where the tree stood. "I know it's after hours," he said, "but do you mind if I go over to the tree real quick? I'll only be a few moments, I promise."

Kagome nodded, smiling. "Go right ahead. Take your time." She sighed. "Well . . . good night."

Inuyasha waved to her. "Good night," he responded, flashing her a charming grin.

'I don't know that boy too well,' Kagome thought with a smile as she hurried up to her front door, 'but something tells me that Inuyasha's all right.'