Summary: What happens when Kagome runs away from her problems, finds shelter in an old friend, and meets new people. Will her life finally be all she had ever hoped for?
AN: This is my first fanfic, I've been wanting to upload it for a while so here it is. Most of my chapters are already written its just a matter of finding the time to type and upload them, because I'm in the process of opening this awesome hangout/shop with my best friends so I'm pretty busy, but I'll do my best.
The Way Things Should Be- Ch:1 A Time For Change
Kagome sat in sorrow as she watched her home fade away with each mile her car put between her and the place she had grown to love so much. As she looked in the rear view mirror, she watched the lake and her street sign slip out of grasp. She soaked in the sight of the familiar houses as she passed them, knowing this would be the last time she would ever see them again. Sure she had told her mother she would visit, but in all reality, she knew she would never be able to return to this place, not without giving in. She pulled up to a red light and looked out her window. She tried to look past the pitiful girl whose reflection plagued her, but it was hopeless. She could not ignore it and it was not until she had actually focused on her reflection that she even realized that she was crying.
"Are you sure you want to go through with this? I mean seriously Kagome I support your decision, but I just don't understand your sudden change of mind." Her mother's voice echoed in her head. She did not want to leave her mother, but it was the only way. She had not told her mother her reason for needing to go, only that she had to get away. Only now did she answer her mother's question.
"It has to be done... I can't deal with it anymore. I have to get away. I'm sure this is what I need..." Her voice trailed off and all that could be heard was her sniffles as she cried alone, something that had become all to frequent lately.
(Flashback)
Kagome's room was dark, her music flooded her ears, and shadows from the lights on her stereo system fluttered about on her recently painted black walls. 'I have to find a way out, I have to find a way to leave, to live.' Tears where streaming from her eyes, causing her dark eye makeup to run down face. 'How did this happen? How could I have let things get so out of hand? She said she would always be there for me, I hope she still feels the same way. I haven't talk to her for over a year really.' She walked to her dresser and dug through her clothes to the bottom and back of the top drawer for her last hidden notebook. It was the only one he hadn't managed to find, she had hidden it well though, wrapped in one of her old pairs of pants. She thumbed through the notebook pulling out an old sheet of paper displaying a name and a number. She took a deep breath and dialed the number hoping the person that would soon be on the other end of the line would not hate her for calling so late and for not talking to her for so long. Her chest felt heavy and a nauseating feeling had found its way into the pit of her stomach. Each time the phone rang, the anxiety she was experiencing grew until finally the phone was answered and she felt herself unable to respond.
"Kagome?" The voice kept calling. "Kagome? I know it's you, please answer me. I've been thinking about you all day. What's wrong? Are you crying?"
Kagome began to cry even harder as the voice reminded her of everything she had missed out on for the past year and a half. "Sango..." Kagome whispered in between sobs, still not ready to believe this was really happening.
"Yes, Kagome, it's me. Oh, Kagome why are you crying? Please tell me."
'She still cares!' Kagome thought wildly. Sango's sisterly voice carried a sort of warmth over the line which enveloped her and began to bring her comfort. "Sango," she began, "I really need your help."
Sango paused as if unsure she had heard correctly, then answered. "Of course, no problem. What's going on?"
"I need a place to stay. I have to get out of here..."
(End Flashback)
The trees flew by in mass of green as Kagome approached the one street she had dreaded passing the most, his street. The place she loved with all her heart, but could never return to. Though it was not really the place but the person whom she loved, which made it hard to bare. She saw the street sign approaching indicating it was time to turn, time to go to him. The surroundings begged her to follow the familiar path she knew, to turn down his street, forget her new plans, and never look back. She could not though. Her heart told her yes, but her mind told her no.
(Flashback)
He held her so tenderly. His hands, which had just seconds ago been weapons, brushed her new wounds with such grace one would have never suspected he had put them there. His fit of rage had ended. For now he was himself but for how long? He cried. She cried too. Not only did she cry from pain, but also sorrow and for the fact that she hated seeing him upset. She did not want him to feel like her. She would do anything to spare him such pain and suffering. She lay limp in his arms, not wanting to move. The pain was too much, purple, black, and blue bruises formed their way up her arms, legs, back, and neck. Her leg was bleeding from the small cuts he had inflicted on her with his pocket knife. His kendo stick lay discarded on the floor after he had beat her with it over the back and legs. She felt tired, she wanted to sleep, but he was himself right now, the person she loved. She could not sleep, not yet. He apologized over and over again, swearing it would never happen again, but that is what he had said last time, and the time before that, and the time before that. It was a never ending cycle that just kept getting worse. Nothing ever changed. They held each other and cried, each of them knowing how much they loved the other, but also knowing they could never be together forever as they had wished.
"Stay with me, please, forever, Kagome... please promise." He whispered in her ear.
"I love you, Bruce," She replied quietly.
"Please... promise." He begged.
"I promise." She lied.
(End Flashback)
She sped by the road which led to her love. Tears continued to stream down her face. She leaned forward and turned on her CD player to drown out the sounds of her sobs which made her feel weak. Behemoth flooded her ears and she started to relax. She turned off the back road and onto the main road which would take her north to Sango's house. She past her high school, which was not really her high school anymore. She had a new school now. 'This new school won't even begin to compare with my old school. My old school was an arts school, I was a guitarist major, I mean how could it get any better than that?' Kagome sighed deeply and continued to think. ' I'm not gonna make friends easily. I've always been a loner type goth, not many friends, but most of the ones I had made my times there fun as long as Bruce wasn't there. When he was there he just yelled as me and/or told me I was doing something wrong. Yeah, the friends I had though, they made these things all better, or so I liked to think.'
(Flashback)
Kagome was sitting in "her spot." It was away from the world. She was so hidden, guarded; she felt safe. Bruce was gone today. She could relax, today she did not have to worry about getting hurt. She was laying on a knee high stone wall on the outskirts of the courtyard, away from all the other people. This particular section of the wall was hidden by a cluster of palm trees and behind bushes. She sat there thinking about her situation. Her eyes were closed, but she heard him coming. He made his way through the bushes and sat down next to her. She felt a hand being placed on her head. She opened her eyes and saw Sean. Sean was her best friend, he was always there for her. He truly cared. She closed her eyes again, not wanting him to see her despair.
"Kagome?" His low, husky voice whispered.
"Yes?" She answered without looking up.
"Why are you still here? Why do you stay with him?" Sean whispered slowly.
Kagome thought slowly about the question he had just asked, she view every aspect of it. 'True, I had once loved him, and I do now. But now... now it's different. Now I love him because of what we have shared, not because I just simply love him.' She opened her eyes slowly and looked at Sean. His soft, blue eyes were intensely focused on her, and his shoulder length black hair hung down in front of his face. She sat up and tears started to flow. Everything was so messed up. Sean pulled her into his arms. She felt safe in his strong embrace. As soon as her sobs came to a halt, Sean pushed her away, and pulled the sleeve of her sweatshirt up exposing the black and blue marks on her arms. His blood began to boil but he contained his temper for her sake.
"Why? Why don't you just leave him? Please, Kagome you have to leave him!" Sean pulled he closer to him.
"I know, I've been trying to figure out a plan. What will I do though? Mostly all of my stuff is at his house, if he sees me getting it... he'll kill me." Kagome whispered.
"Then leave here, go to Sango' s. Go home tonight and make the plans. I can't stand to watch my best friend get hurt like this." Sean whispered as tears welled up in his eyes knowing she would soon be gone. He reminded himself though that if she stayed with Bruce she would be gone too, only in that case she would be dead at least this way she would be safe.
"I'll get my stuff and leave this weekend while he is visiting family in Miami. That will get me plenty of time to get far enough away." She whispered barely able to speak. A sigh escaped Sean's mouth and he held he closer as she relaxed into his embrace. Sometimes, they had wanted to further their relationship, but they would never risk their friendship. They had been friends for ten years, back when Sango still lived in town, but she had moved two years ago. Now Kagome was moving and leaving Sean to fend for himself. The sat in silence and enjoyed the last few minutes they knew they would have together as their lunch break came to an end.
(End Flashback)
AN: There one chapter down more to go. I want to make sure people read this though before I add more chapters so please R&R. If there are any questions just ask and I will answer. Don't worry Inu and the gang come in soon, next chapter or so. I just had to have this chapter for back story. Anyway until next time! Later!