Love Does Cost Some Things
By: Crystal Crest
Rating: M
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any characters from the Magna/Anime for the exception of those I happen to create. Inuyasha and co. were created and lovingly brought to life by Rumiko Takahashi.
A/N. Hey everybody! Thank you to everyone who waited patiently for me to update. I'm so sorry. It took longer than I expected, after exams a few weeks later when I started typing the next chapter, my computer crashed taking half of the chapter I wrote as well as the starting chapter to one of my other fics. Then I had to start all over which really got me mad, but here it is! This chapter probably won't be as long as the first but I'm now typing the third chapter, which is when Inuyasha makes his appearance since everyone is so impatient to see him. I first planned on him making his appearance on the fourth chapter but what heck. I'd like to say thanks for the reviews and for being my first six reviewers, Kagome M.K, Kc-Luvz-InUyAhSa4EvA, Luna-Dinvine, azn-modern-miko, BlueMoon Goddess, and xxxxxxxxxx. Love ya! And to every body else. Now here's chapter two, hope you guys like it and here's a few things to know of importance, if you know it, skip it and go on to read the chapter, if you don't, you probably missed it in the first chapter, here it is.
When some thing is written like "", it shows what the character is saying.
When written like '', it shows what the character is pondering or in other words thinking. It may also be used to stress out a word. For example, "You baka, I 'do' want to go to the party!".
When words are written in italic as shown, it shows a flashback. In other words a thought of the past. It may be before hand noted with a :Flash Back: but furthermore may not.
Enjoy!
Chapter 2: Sunshine to Sunset
Kagome sighed as she leaned forward in her seat, tapping her pen against the surface of her desk. She was so bored, and she just happened to be in her favorite class, English Lit. She didn't know why either, she figured it was either because it was a rainy day, or the fact that today was her first day working at the Sunshine Day Care Center. Deciding to dismiss the fact, she reverted her attention to the professor.
"Now class will be over any minute, so for today's assignment, I want everyone to finish reading the mythology book and write a seven or more page essay about any one of the mythological characters, whether it be a hero or god." The professor said, as he heard a few groans from his students, "The format will be typed, 12 font, and oh another thing, 'single' spaced not 'double' spaced." he said, as his eyes narrowed at a few of the students who often did that, hearing in return more groans than before.
Kagome got up from her seat after writing down her homework on her assignment pad, as she placed her books in her backpack. This was her last class for the day and she had to run down to the library to meet Sango before she headed to work. She was hoping without a doubt that on her way she wouldn't bump into Hojo, or worse Nabiki. She didn't think she'd be up for their usual banters and exchange of insults. Sighing she walked out of the classroom and into the hallway.
She sighed as she stepped out of the building and walked towards the library, happy that it stopped raining. She really didn't know what to expect on her first day. For crying out loud, she was going to be helping someone to watch children from the ages of two to four. She walked towards the library to see Nabiki sitting on the steps with two of her little friends. She stopped in her tracks, half of her wanted to avoid confronting Nabiki because she knew she'd bring up the fact that she didn't get a job at Wacdonalds, and that she was the manger. But the other half wanted nothing but to rub in the fact that she got a better job than Nabiki. She continued walking and was not surprised the least bit when Nabiki smirked at her.
"Well, if it isn't Higurashi. Sorry about the other day." she smirked, "But I just couldn't give you the job." she smiled, as the two other girls laughed.
Kagome smirked, "Don't worry about it, I got another job that pays even better than working at Wacdodnalds."
"Oh really, where? Working for your grandfather? I don't think selling fake relics and useless charms pays much." she smirked.
Kagome's eyes narrowed at the blond, "Actually, the things my grandfather sells are as real as your hair color. Which I know for a fact is true because you're a brunette, not a blond." Kagome smiled, not going to let her get away with what she said about her grandfather, as she watched Nabiki glare at her. "He works an honest living, can't say the same for your father." She may have gone to Nabiki's father's college, but it didn't mean she had to like the guy. He owned vast amounts of property all over Japan, knowing full and well he had forced many people out of their homes, just so he could make a quick profit.
Nabiki laughed, "Hey, it's either to eat, or be eaten. My father happened to choose the wiser."
Kagome rolled her brown eyes, "There's nothing wise about kicking people our of their homes."
"When it benefits you, sure it is." Nabiki smirked.
Kagome glared at her, "Your father-"
"Is a very respectable man who has done a wonderful job with this college." a voice said.
Kagome looked up to see Sango behind her, she lowered her brows, "But Sango he-"
"Yes, yes I know, he's great. Now let's get going, you have somewhere to be in the next hour and thirty minutes." Sango urged, as she grabbed her arm.
"Hope it doesn't have anything to do with exterminating anything." another voice said. Sango looked up to see the same girl who approached her just days ago when she was in the library and made that offensive remark.
Sango arched a brow, "What the hell do you want." Sango commanded more than asked, arms crossed.
The brunette smirked, "Nothing from you, that's for sure. But what business is it of yours? I think I have the right to check up on my little sister, don't you agree Nabi?"
Kagome's eyes widened, "Wait, you mean 'your' Nabiki's sister Kiyoko?" Kagome asked in disbelief, as she looked between the two.
Both sisters nodded. Kagome couldn't believe it. Back when they were younger and were still friends, Nabiki used to always talk about her older sister Kiyoko and how cool she was. But for as long as she had known her, she had never once seen this sister Nabiki talked so much about. So she assumed Nabiki was lying, it sure as hell wouldn't be the first. From what she could observe, she already didn't like Kiyoko. She compared the two and couldn't believe she didn't see the resemblance. Even though Nabiki had blond hair and a tan she no doubt got from a tanning booth, and her sister Kiyoko had her natural brunette hair and regular skin complexion, the similarities between the two were evident. Not only by the way they looked, but also by their attitudes.
"I see you've heard a lot about me." Kiyoko smirked.
Kagome sneered, "Don't be flattered, didn't hear anything too interesting either." Kagome muttered as she eyed her, watching Kiyoko frown. "I guess that explains why I didn't like you the first time we met in the library."
Nabiki raised a brow in question, as she looked over to her now fuming sister.
Sango rolled her eyes, she didn't care whether she was Nabiki's sister or not, she didn't like the bitch either way. "Whatever, Kagome and I have places to be and people to see, which fortunately don't include any of you."
Both girls glared at Sango, "Listen," the Kiyoko sneered. "Just because you got the lowest score on that test in the class, doesn't mean I'll have any sympathy for you."
Sango frowned, "What are you talking about?"
"Don't try to play dumb with me, the professor said that someone got a 46 percent on the test and that the highest score was a 90 percent. It's pretty evident the way you were nervous the day of the test that you failed it, and that I probably got the highest." she smirked.
Sango arched an eyebrow, "Really?"
"Yes really, and since the professor said he wanted everyone to stop by his office to get their test scores, I was just on my way to get it." the Kiyoko leered.
"Are you sure?" Sango questioned, as she opened her backpack to pull out papers stapled together. "Cause I just came from his office and got the my test score, and guess what?" Sango smirked, as she showed Kiyoko what seemed to be a test paper. "I got a 90 percent, so it's pretty evident that 'I' got the highest score. And judging by the way you were straining your neck to copy Koji's paper, which if you actually came to class would have known never studies a damn thing, you're the one who got the 46 percent." Sango said, as she grabbed Kagome by the arm.
"Where the hell do you two think your going!" Kiyoko questioned angrily, pissed at being embarrassed like that.
"What business is it of yours?" Sango questioned, mocking the brunette as she started walking, dragging Kagome with her.
Kagome kept quiet until she knew they were out of sight, "Why'd you stop me from telling her father off." Kagome frowned.
Sango rolled her eyes, "Are you serious? Their father is the owner of this college, do anything to upset daddy's little girls, and your in trouble. You should know from experience."
Kagome sighed, she did know from experience. In seventh grade after she slapped Nabiki for insulting her mom, it seemed that her father found out about it and it almost got her expelled. From what her mom told her when she attended the meeting with the school board and Mr. Nagasaki on the matter, he changed his mind when he found out that she was top of her class and had straight A's as well as with the persuasion of the board. Since he funded her old Junior High school, he had a quite a say in what happened and since they didn't want Mr. Nagaski to remove his fundings, they usually did what he requested. But the school board didn't want to let her go, stating that it would only do more hurt than good.
"Yeah, Yeah I remember." Kagome sighed. "But you shouldn't be one to talk, you just now did the same thing."
Sango sighed, "But you're the one who went as far as to insult the man in charge. Knowing those two, they probably complain constantly to him about people they don't like who go here. But if he found out you were talking bad about him, it would be even worse."
"Yeah right Sango, it's not like he would kick me out of the school or anything." Kagome laughed.
"Listen, if he's able to kick people who haven't done a thing to him out of their homes, just imagine what he'd do to you."
"I guess your right." Kagome sighed, "So, are you going to take the bus today home, didn't say you were having dinner at your parents tonight?"
"Well I was, but my dad called yesterday and insisted he'd pick me up at the library." Sango sighed, "He should be here in a half an hour, so I 'll walk you to the bus stop. If I'm lucky those two will be long gone by the time I get there."
Kagome smiled, "Well you told her off." she laughed, referring to Kiyoko.
"Yeah, that'll teach her to think twice before she tries anything like that again. But knowing now that she's a Nagasaki, I highly doubt that." Sango smiled, as they walked towards the bus stop.
"Hey," Kagome smiled, as she nudged Sango with her elbows. "Congrats on the test."
Sango smiled, "Thanks, knew I passed it since I studied my butt off for it. Nothing compared to you though hm."
Kagome blushed, "No not really."
"C'mon Kagome, if it wasn't true, Mr. Nagasaki wouldn't had wanted you to come to his college so badly."
Kagome bit her bottom lip, "Sango stop, your embarrassing me." she blushed.
Sango rolled her eyes, "Whatever, just make sure when your rich and famous you don't forget little old me."
"Your one to talk, if I'm not mistaken, you're the one who always wanted to be a lawyer."
"Still do." Sango smiled.
"Okay then, so when I become rich and famous like you so claim, and I get into some trouble, I know who to call." Kagome smiled.
Sango laughed, "Yeah, we'll give Mr. Nagasaki a run for his money."
"Well it's 'because' of Mr. Nagasaki that I have to work at that day care center." Kagome sighed, as they arrived at the bus stop.
Sango smirked, "Well if you listened to me the first time you probably would have found something better. Even though I don't think it's that bad."
Kagome sighed as she watched the bus approaching, "Well here it is, thanks for walking me here. Even though I didn't need it."
Sango shrugged as she started walking back towards the library, "It was that, or stick around the Nagasakis while I waited for my dad." she said over her shoulder, "Don't worry, I'm sure everything will be fine."
Kagome smiled as she said goodbye to Sango before entering the bus and taking a seat. She looked at her watch to see she had an hour to get to the day care center on time and had to get on three buses just to get there.
Kagome sighed as she rolled her eyes, "Fine she tells me."
Kagome blinked as she looked at the building in front of her and back at the little piece of paper with the address in her hand.
"This can't be it" she said in disbelief.
The Day Care was actually pretty big and was right next to the dry cleaners her mom every now and then came to drop their expensive clothes, or as her mom would always say were the clothes worth the money. But what she really couldn't believe was that it was located in the part of Japan with all the famous corporate companies and other big business buildings were. Where everybody who was anybody was. It was the part of Japan where she couldn't even afford to eat at any of the restaurants, scratch that, afford to walk in. Which meant not only would she be taking care on kids from the ages of two to four, but snotty rugrats whose parents were most likely rich and famous and could do away with her if they so pleased. She sighed as she walked in, frowning when she was met with screeching. She winced as she put her hands over her ears.
"Now Rika, that's not a very nice things to say! Yukio, put that thing down right now! Don't you dare put that crayon in your mouth Leon!" a woman Kagome proposed was Ms. Tomeda yelled, as she watched the older woman take a crayon that one of the kids had out of his nose.
Kagome cringed, working at Wacdonalds was actually sounding pretty good right about now.
The woman looked up at Kagome as she tossed the crayon in the trash, "Your late."
"I…I'm sorry. I had to catch two other-"
"Never mind that, it's good to finally meet you in person." Ms. Tomeda smiled, "Your mother has told me so much about you, and you've grown so much."
Kagome arched a brow, "You know my mom?"
Ms. Tomeda smiled, "Of course, your mom and I have been best friends since our high school days. It was after graduation when I moved to the States that we lost contact. It was when I came back about three years ago and took over this day care that I saw your mom dropping off her clothes at the dry cleaners next door."
Kagome smiled, "I think I remember my mom mentioning meeting an old friend from high school on her way to the dry cleaners."
Ms. Tomeda playfully frowned, "That better have been me she was talking about."
"I'm sure it was, she said she was actually happy to see this one." Kagome laughed, recalling all those times her mom had bumped into old classmates she would have rather never see again.
"That's good," Ms. Tomeda smiled, "Now let me introduce you to the kids."
"Um, I just wanted to thank you for the job, it really means a lot, especially on such short notice." Kagome said, as she followed her to where most of the children were.
"No problem, anything for Kasumi's little girl. My other assitant quit the other day so I needed all the help I could get. Oh and before I forget, there is another assistant Valery, she comes every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. You'll meet her soon enough." Tomeda said, as she clapped her hands to draw the attention of the children. "Everyone gather around, there's someone I want you all to meet." she smiled, as all the children assembled around her.
Kagome looked down at all the toddlers standing around her, some of them not even reaching her knees.
"This is Ms. Higurashi, she will be my assistant." Ms. Tomeda smiled, as the little ones looked up to her with a frown.
"Um, I don't think they understood a word you just said." Kagome whispered.
Ms. Tomeda smiled, "Yes I suppose your right, sometimes I forget that I'm talking to people under the age of five. Now children, she'll be helping me, take care of all you." she said, as she heard them 'oh'.
"Now I want everyone to say hello to Ms. Higurashi."
"Hi Ms. Hiashi." all the children chimed in, as they gave her a toothy smile.
Kagome couldn't help but smile when she saw all the children smile at her, the fact that they couldn't say her name made them all the more cuter.
Ms. Tomeda sighed, "No, No, it's Ms. Higurashi."
"Ms. Hiashi." they said again.
"Come now, say it with me, Ms."
"Ms." they recited.
"Hi."
"Hi."
"Gu."
"U."
"Rashi." Ms. Tomeda smiled.
"Ashi!" they yelled, smiling.
Kagame laughed at they way they said it, as she heard them go back to repeating Hiashi. "I don't think it will get any better than that." Kagome smiled.
Ms. Tomeda sighed, "Fine then, Hiashi it is." She then looked at her watch seeing it was almost four. "Okay everyone, it's almost snack time so I want every one to clean up, and if Ms. Higurashi thinks you were good, I'll let you all play out-" before she could finish, all the children were scurrying off to clean up.
Kagome smiled, she remembered when she was in middle school how recess outside the playground was the thing to look forward to.
"Kagome, be a dear and help me carry these to the tables" Ms. Tomeda said, behind a counter of what seemed to be a kitchen, as Kagome watched her grab two bowls of different types of fruit from the fridge. Kagome smiled as she helped her with the food.
Kagome sighed as she held her jacket to her shivering frame while she sat at the bench outside. She was waiting for Ms. Tomeda to return from inside whilst she was talking to a parent who came to pick up their child. It was right after snack time, and she was out in the fenced backyard playground watching the remaining children who were huddled up in their jackets against the autumn winds play. About half of the kids were gone and picked up by now, leaving only a few. She looked at her watch to see it was almost five and that she had an hour until Ms. Tomeda said she was to leave.
"I thought she would never leave." Ms. Tomeda sighed, as she took as seat besides Kagome.
"Who?" Kagome questioned.
"Rinda's mother, Mrs. Masamani. You know she's the owner of Everest Designs?" Ms. Tomeda replied.
Kagome's eyes widened, "You mean the new clothes line that came out last year?"
"Yes, that very one. Well she was talking about how she thinks her daughter has gained some weight since she's been coming here, practically blaming me for it." Ms. Tomeda sighed. "Then she went on talking about her job, the traffic, and other things which quite frankly in my opinion, aren't that important to talk about for a half an hour."
Kagome smiled, "She seems nice though."
"Oh don't get me wrong dear, she's pleasant. It's just her little angel who I have the problem with; she never listens and eats from the other kids' plate. Not only that, she also picks on the other children along with Rika and Riley. I'm telling you, those girls are the three R's." Ms. Tomeda said, as she pointed over to the remaining two who were sitting under a tree, whispering to each other.
"You mean they even mess with the two year olds?" Kagome asked.
"Oh no. They know better, just the kids their age."
"How old are they?"
"Four." Ms. Tomeda replied, as she sighed. "You'd think that kind of thing, you know with them picking on others, starts in high school."
Kagome laughed, "Try middle school."
"Well I-" Ms. Tomeda frowned. "Does that sound like the phone?"
Kagome frowned as she strained to hear, "Yeah I think so."
"Well I better go answer that. Mind watching the kids while I'm gone." Ms. Tomeda asked.
"No problem, it's part of my job." Kagome smiled. Ms. Tomeda smiled back before rushing in to answer the phone. Kagome sighed until she realized her own cell phone was ringing. She looked to see it was Sango, before answering it.
Rika, who had shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes mischievously smiled, as she watched Yuni. She then tugged on Riley's jacket to get her attention. Riley who had black hair and blue eyes smiled the same smile, as they walked over to Yuni who was sitting at the picnic table.
Yuni sighed as she put the crayon down and looked down at her drawing, not noticing the girls looking over her shoulder.
"What an ugly picture."
Yuni blinked as she looked over her shoulder to see Rika standing over her with Riley giggling behind her. Yuni blushed as she hid her drawing.
"What do you want?" Yuni asked frowning.
"Nothin, we just wanted to see what you doing." Rika said, as she smiled over to Riley.
"Okay, I'm drawin, now leave me alone." Yuni answered.
Rika rolled herlittle brown eyes, "Well my mommy is comin to pick me."
"So?" Yuni muttered, as she watched Riley take a seat next to her.
Rika frowned, "Don't get mad cause my mommy still alive and yours not."
Yuni frowned upset, "Leave me alone please?"
"Why?" Riley smiled.
"Because she knows it her fault that her mommy is dead." Rika mocked, as she smiled.
Yuni bit her bottom lip as she felt her eyes water, she clenched her hands in anger, "Leave me alone!"
Kagome frowned as she heard someone yell, she looked around to see a girl at the far end with who Ms. Tomeda said was Rika and Riley on the brink of tears.
"Hey Sango, let me call you back. Okay, bye." Kagome then put her flip phone back in her bag as she walked over to them.
Rika laughed as she pointed to Yuni, "Look she gonna cry."
Yuni rubbed her eyes with the sleeve of her jacket, "No…No I'm not!"
"Yes you are. Why you even cryin, not like you ever knew her." Rika laughed, as Riley joined in.
"Hey, what's going on?" Kagome questioned, as she reached them. Looking over to Rika.
"Yuni is being a cry baby." Rika smiled, as she pointed over to her.
Kagome looked down at Yuni who was on the brink of tears. Her eyes widened as she looked at the girl, she had silver hair that cascaded down her back and the most unique colored eyes, gold.
"Are you okay?" Kagome questioned.
Yuni looked up with her eyes full of tears, "They…They wouldn't leave me alone and they made fun of me."
Kagome frowned as she looked over to the two, "Is that true?"
"Yes?" the two R's answered, sensing they were in trouble.
"Well I think you should apologize, that's not very nice and you can hurt other people's feelings. Now say your sorry." Kagome said.
"Sorry." both girls said smiling.
Kagome sighed as she saw their smiles," Now accept their apology."
Yuni frowned, "No, they don't mean it." Yuni looked up at Kagome face then sighed. "Okay."
"Now that's good, now you two go on and play." Kagome said.
Both Rika and Riley smiled, as they ran off, laughing at a boy who fell of the swings.
Kagome sighed as she kneeled down to Yuni level, "Are you okay?"
Yuni sniffed, "Yes." She answered, as she sat back down, Kagome soon followed.
Kagome looked at her drawing, "Did you draw that?"
Yuni nodded as she wiped her eyes, "I did it today."
Kagome'e eyes widened, the drawing was very good for a four-year-old, heck, the girl drew better than her.
"Wow it's really good."
Yuni's face saddened, "ButRika said it was ugly."
Kagome sighed, "No it isn't."
"Really?" Yuni asked.
Kagome smiled, "Really." Kagome sighed. "You should give it to your mom or dad."
Yuni frowned, "My mommy dead."
Kagome's face saddened, regretting bringing it up, "Oh, I'm sorry."
Yuni smiled, "But I can give it to my daddy."
Kagome couldn't help but smile at the girl's cheerfulness, "But you forgot to color in a few things."
"That because it not done yet." Yuni grinned.
"Well I'm sure your dad will love it."
Yuni smiled, "Thank you Ms. Hiashi."
Kagome laughed, "How bout you call me Kagome."
Yuni beamed as she gave Kagome a hug, before running off, "Bye Gome!" Yuni screamed, as she ran towards the small playground with her drawing.
Kagome smiled as she looked after the smiling girl, maybe this wouldn't be that bad. She looked over to the horizon as she saw the sun set. Kagome sighed, "From sunshine to sunset." she murmured, as she watched the children play for the remainder of the day.
A/N: Well there it is. I hope you enjoyed it, please review and tell me what you think. I'd really appreciate it. Just to tell everyone Inuyasha will surely be in the next chapter. I'm wondering if everyone is catching on to what's happening, and just how Kagome and Inuyasha meet. Excuse the spelling and grammar errors for the kids. They are four-years-olds, so I tried to make them seem as such. Well anyway I hoped you enjoyed, review, review, review, and check out my other fics. Update as soon as I can.
Crystal Crest