Chapter 1
"Please! Let me connect with your soul."
Kagome rattled awake in the pouring rain. She touched her lips and a shiver trembled through her. She couldn't be sure if it was the fact that she was lying on the cold wet floor with the rain crying down on her or if it was the strange illusion that she had just been kissed.
Routine.
Routine had become a normal occurrence for Kagome Higurashi. After finishing high school and moving to the heart of Tokyo to be closer to college, Kagone has gotten used to the every day bustle.
College was a new ball game that Kagome had a difficult time playing at first. Apart from the busy streets and a whole new place without her family, her studies were also a different curriculum to get used to.
After her first C- on her test scores she was determined to work even harder, with that in mind she studied until late into the night and was up before the hen had time to cackle.
The sun was peaking through between the tallest buildings when Kagome locked up her apartment and left for class.
"Hey, Kagome!"
Kagome stopped to see who was calling behind her. She smiled as she saw her friend Ellie bounding towards her in a jog to catch up.
"Morning Ell."
Out of breath she replied, "Up early again huh?"
"You know me." Kagome shrugged.
The two continued down the street whilst catching up.
"You haven't seen Hojo around?" Ellie wanted to know.
Kagome shook her head. "No, not recently. Why, you need him for something?"
"No, nothing like that. He just usually drops by the café once in a while and I haven't seen him since, maybe, last week Monday." Ellie tried to recall.
Kagome thought about it for a moment. "Considering he's studying to become a physio-therapeutic doctor I'd say he's probably studying for finals before summer break."
Ellie hummed in agreement. "You're right, I shouldn't read too much into it."
"Read into what?" Kagome confusedly asked.
Ellie sighed heavily. "Honestly, I asked him out the last time I saw him and I'm not sure if it was well received."
The two stopped in front if the café were Ellie was working. "What do you mean? What happened?"
"I don't know. He seemed unsure and made an excuse."
Kagome's brow furrowed in confused hurt for her friend. "I'm sorry Ell. Maybe he's just worried about his studies?"
She tried to excuse Hojo with a valid reason, but even Kagome knew it was a cheap lie to spare her friend from hurt feelings.
Ellie suddenly stretched with a new burst of enthusiasm. "Ahhh, who cares. Let me get to work before my managet decided I'm no good."
"You make the best cup in the whole café." Kagome insisted, "He can't fire his best employee."
Ellie laughed. "Don't joke about that, he just might."
"See you, Kagome."
"See you."
Waving goodbye as Ellie disappeared into the shop, Kagome continued down the road. "Wonder how I did on that test?"
B- ???
Kagome pouted. "I thought I did better than that."
"If you put in more effort you'll be able to get an A in my class."
"But Professor, I have been studying hard and this is the only class where I can't seem to do better than a B-." Kagome noted, "Can you please have my test re-checked I'm sure something was missed."
Professor Yuna scoffed. "If I start having tests re-checked then all the students would want that privilege."
"But-"
"No more, Kagome." The professor stated abruptly.
Kagome left the class feeling beaten. More than once she has tried to placate Professor Yuna to have her tests checked for a second time and she always refuses.
"I'm sure that professor has it in for me." Kagome frowned with irritation as she left the building.
She looked up to see grey clouds covering the sky and rain droplets dripping inconsistently.
"Forgot an umbrella?"
Kagome looked to her right to see Hojo smiling sheepishly with his hand behind his neck.
"Hojo?"
"Looks like both of us didn't expect rain today." He said.
"I know right, the sky was clear this morning." She replied, "How are you by the way? You've been missed."
"I have?" A red hue coloured his ears. "I didn't realise."
Kagome confusedly tilted her head to the side. "So I've heard."
Hojo laughed sheepishly feeling silly. "Right." He shrugged, "I've been well. I don't want my studies to slip during vacation so I thought I'd push myself this last week."
"Makes sense." Kagome agreed, "It's your last class today?"
He shook his head. "No, I still have 2 more classes tomorrow. Hoe about you?"
Kagome smiled. "I finished today. I've pushed my limits so I'm headed home tomorrow to take a break."
The rain started pouring whilst the two started chatting.
"That's nice though. Maybe we could get together during the break." Hojo suggested.
Kagome thought about it and decided she didn't really want to hang out with Hojo during the break. Especially if Ellie was into him.
"Why don't you ask Ellie if she wants to meet up during your break?"
She thought this suggestion would be harmless enough.
"Ellie?" He frowned, "The waitress girl from the café down the road."
Kagome hummed. "Yes, she's really nice isn't she?"
"Yeah, but-" Hojo was having a hard time getting his intentions across.
Kagome suddenly felt a pulsation rippling through her body. She tried ignoring the sensation. "But, what?"
The pulse rippled again and again until it felt like her own heart was beating loudly in her ears.
"Please-"
Kagome was sure she heard a desperate cry for help. She looked around, but didn't see anyone other than the few students rushing to their cars in the rain.
"-agome! Kagome!"
She startled to Hojo putting a hand on her shoulder. "Did you hear what I said?"
"Uhh, no sorry, I got distracted with a thought. What were you saying?"
Hojo sighed with frustration. "I can't hang with Ellie, because she's not you."
Kagome blinked. "Me?"
Her eyes widened with the realisation that Hojo liked her. His ears were red with embarrassment and although Kagome thought it was cute...
"Sorry Hojo."
Seeing the disappointed look on his face, Kagome walked away.
She reached the corner of the building and turned to rest her back behind the wall. She squeezed her eyes. Kagome felt embarrassed by the conversation and even more so she felt bad that instead of liking Ellie, Hojo liked her.
She took a breath and just as she believed she had righted herself her body pulsed.
"Please!-"
"What?" She gasped for breath as she clutched her heart, "Where are you?"
Turning around her sights clashed with desperate golden eyes. White-silver hair danced behind him as he ran towards her.
"Please! Let me connect with your soul."
Bare feet splashed into puddles across the pavement until he was upon her. Diving to meet her he swung his arm behind her head and held her cheek in his hand. He pulled Kagome forward and with forgiving golden eyes kissed her.