Look! -gasp- It can't be! Another update! An even faster update! Hahaha
I'd like to give a huuuuuuuuuge thank you to TiffanyM for suggesting the song in this chapter. I looked it up on youtube and now I'm seriously addicted to it! I can't believe I've never heard it before! Lol.
I'm in a seriously happy mode. Seriously. My 40 hours of not eating are up and my boss loves me. Sorry, I guess I didn't tell you guys about that. You see, one of the ladies at the place I work was complaining coz I was being really lazy, which I guess was pretty true. But the real problem was I didn't have anything to do. She wasn't telling me, so I wasn't doing anything.
But yeah, that's all worked out now. And actually doing something is waaay better than sitting around and doing nothing. It gets majorly tiring, though.
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha (Rumiko Takahashi) or After Tonight (Justin Nozuka)
Another week passed without anything unusual happening. Kagome found herself in her Drama class on a dreary Monday afternoon, waiting for Mr. Toshu to arrive. The teacher did that sometimes—he wouldn't appear in the classroom until halfway through the lesson with his buttons in the wrong holes, his hair ruffled, his face flustered and red. The rumour was that he spent those days in the janitor's closet with the school secretary. Not that anyone had ever found proof.
"So, Kaggie," Kagura began slyly, her blood-red painted nails drumming the table they were gathered around, "What's the go with Inuyasha?"
"What about him?" Kagome replied frostily.
"Well, it's been what, a couple of months? That's, like, a record, isn't it? Are you going to dump him or what?"
Kagome's answer was cool and deadly calm. "You know what? He's hot, he isn't some perverted creep and he isn't cheating on me. I'll keep him until he messes up."
"What if he doesn't mess up?"
"He's a guy, Kagura. Of course he's going to mess up."
Those weren't even close to the real reasons Kagome hadn't dumped Inuyasha. There was something about the way he looked at her with those beautiful golden eyes that made her feel… special. Like she meant more than some accessory he could sling over his arm and boast about to his mates. And there was that feeling she got when they played their music together. It was difficult to explain the emotion that flowed through her when they sat together, her at the piano and him strumming at the guitar. In that moment the entire world seemed to disappear; all of her worries would fade into nothing and all she could see was him. She could smile again, even let out the occasional bout of laughter.
Not that she'd ever admit that to her 'friends'.
The door opened with a shrill squeak and Mr. Toshu stepped in, still adjusting his tie as he walked to the stage, slightly out of breath.
"Alright class, let's begin; act 2, scene 2!"
The balcony scene. They weren't using the balcony today, though—that prop was still being built. Instead Kagome walked up onto the stage and took her stance near the centre of the stage, script in hand.
"Where's Romeo?" Mr. Toshu barked.
"He's sick. Not at school today." One of the students explained.
Mr. Toshu grumbled to himself for a moment. "Fine. Houjo, you're the understudy. Get up there!"
Kagome stiffened. Houjo was Suikotsu's understudy? She hadn't known. Yet again, she never bothered to take a glance at the list of understudies. They had never really held any importance for her.
She glared icily at Houjo as he walked up onto the stage. He didn't even bat an eyelid. Instead he launched into his lines.
"He jests at scars that never felt a wound.
But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief,
That thou her maid art far more fair than she:
Be not her maid, since she is envious;
Her vestal livery is but sick and green…" (A/N: No way am I going to write all that. Just look at the Romeo and Juliet script if you want to read the whole thing.)
"Ay me!" Kagome's voice sounded flat, even in her own ears.
"She speaks:
O, speak again, bright angel! for thou art
As glorious to this night, being o'er my head
As is a winged messenger of heaven
Unto the white-upturned wondering eyes
Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him
When he bestrides the lazy-pacing clouds
And sails upon the bosom of the air."
Kagome struggled through the next few lines, only managing by avoiding eye contact and staring instead at one of the curtain drapes. She didn't let herself think. She couldn't let herself think.
Houjo was having no trouble producing Romeo's lines. His voice was smooth, with only the slightest of hiccups. "By love, who first did prompt me to inquire;
He lent me counsel and I lent him eyes.
I am no pilot; yet, wert thou as far
As that vast shore wash'd with the farthest sea,
I would adventure for such merchandise."
Kagome took a deep breath and began her next line. It was long and windy, so she could concentrate on the words rather than the teen in front of her. But as she spoke the words she shifted her gaze and suddenly her blue-grey eyes were locked with Houjo's. The chocolate brown depths held no emotion whatsoever, but that didn't stop the sudden flood of memories. It overpowered her; took over her ability to think coherently. She needed to escape.
So she stopped talking and turned to Mr. Toshu. "I'm going to the bathroom." She said stiffly.
Mr. Toshu frowned. "The bathroom? Miss Higurashi, we are in the middle of practice!"
"I'll just be a minute."
Before Mr. Toshu could reply, Kagome had stormed out of the room, the door hinges squealing in protest behind her. She walked hastily down the many corridors, the memories still twisting like poisonous snakes in her mind. The hugs, the smiles, the laughter, the kisses…
The betrayal. The overwhelming sadness.
Tears were forming in her eyes and she knew she didn't have much time before the waterworks started. There wasn't enough time to reach the bathroom. Instead she turned left and headed to the Music room.
"Kagome!"
Oh no, not now. Kagome pleaded inwardly, her pace quickening. She didn't turn around. Please go away. Don't see me like this.
"Kagome? Hey, wait up!"
She opened the Music room door and stepped inside. The tears fell now; she couldn't hold them in any more. She heard the door open and close and two arms enveloped her shaking frame.
"Kagome?" Inuyasha whispered, "What's wrong?"
She couldn't look at him. The humiliation was too great. All she wanted to do was dig a hole and bury herself in it.
"Please talk to me, Kagome," Inuyasha was begging now, "Tell me what's wrong."
"Everything." Kagome said hoarsely.
"What?"
"Everything. Everything is wrong. Nothing is right. It never has been."
Inuyasha was silent for a moment. He didn't have anything to say. Instead he hugged her tighter.
"Who did this to you?" he asked. Kagome could feel his face on her shoulder, his warm breath calming and accelerating her heartbeat at the same time.
"He did."
"Who?"
She started crying again. It was like every emotion she had bottled up over the years was streaming down her cheeks for the world to see. She needed to tell him. It didn't matter if he told the entire world. She just needed someone to understand.
"W-we were together… a-and I loved him. I l-loved him more than the w-world. I thought he loved me, too. But h-he cheated! He broke m-my heart. He k-kissed her and I was there a-and I slapped him and he just…" her babbling ceased. Not because she was babbling, but because she could see it so clearly. She could feel her heart shattering all over again in her chest.
"Who did this to you?" Inuyasha repeated quietly.
"Him. Houjo. Him and her… my cousin. I hate her!" Kagome spat venomously.
"Shh, it's okay. Don't cry. I'm here. I'm not going to hurt you, not like him. It's okay." Inuyasha soothed. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and kissed the top of her head.
The room lapsed into silence. Eventually Kagome's sobs faded into quiet hiccups. Inuyasha rubbed circles on her back and occasionally whispered comforting words in her ear. The words were meaningless, but his voice was smooth, calm, like water.
"Do you mind if I show you something?" Inuyasha was still whispering.
Kagome nodded.
"Okay. I think you'll like it. I hope you like it… I wrote it just for you."
His arms drew back and Kagome suddenly felt lonely, like he'd taken a part of her with him. She bit her lip to keep herself from saying anything rash.
But he wasn't leaving. He shot her a brief smile and grabbed his guitar; still sitting in the corner beside the piano. Kagome could feel her eyes widening in realization. I hope you like it… I wrote it just for you. He'd written her a song.
There was a couple of bars of quiet introduction. Inuyasha's eyes were closed lightly and his lips were pulled up in a gentle smile. As he began to sing the eyes opened and Kagome was lost in the endless golden orbs. They weren't anything like Houjo's—they were filled with feeling, feelings for her.
"There's something in your eyes
Is everything alright
You look up to the sky
You long for something more, darling
Give me your right hand
I think I understand
Follow me and you will never have to wish again
I know that after tonight
You don't have to look up at the stars, no-no-no-no
I know by the end of tonight
You don't have to look up at the stars
And I know if the love is alright
You don't have to look up at the stars, no-no-no-no
I know by the end of tonight you don't have to look about the stars
No-no-no-no-no-no-no-no, no..."
Kagome's foot was tapping to the beat and she couldn't help the tiny smile sneaking onto her face. She couldn't help it. The song was so beautiful… and it was all hers.
"Tell me how you feel
And if I'm getting near
I'll tell you where to steer
You tell me where to steer, da-da-b-da-darling
Way above the clouds
And high above the stars
Through the unknown black holes
No one knows where we are
Ba-but, return to earth and do it all over again
'Cause I know that after tonight
You don't have to look up at the stars, no-no-no-no
I know by the end of tonight
You don't have to look up at the stars
And I know if the love is alright
You don't have to look up at the stars, no-no-no-no
I know by the end of tonight you don't have to look about the stars
A-come away with me
Oh, fly away with me
Just for one night no one will ever know, no-no-no, darling
I will leave you satisfied
Forever past time
You don't have to hide
You're free to fly…"
She couldn't help it. Kagome started crying again; only this time they weren't tears of sadness. She felt warm and bubbly inside, like her stomach had suddenly become a hot water bottle. It felt nice, despite the sore throat and runny nose.
"I know that after tonight
You don't have to look up at the stars, no-no-no-no
I know by the end of tonight
You don't have to look up at the stars
And I know if the love is alright
You don't have to look up at the stars, no-no-no-no
I know by the end of tonight you don't have to look up at the stars
I know that after tonight
You don't have to look up at the stars, no-no-no-no
I know by the end of tonight
You don't have to look up at the stars
And I know if the love is alright
You don't have to look up at the stars, no-no-no-no
I know by the end of tonight we're looking down upon them from heaven…"
The skilful fingers tapped at the strings so fast that they were a blur, the notes turning into a flurry of sound. Kagome smiled through her tears.
"Are you okay?" Inuyasha asked when the song had finished, carefully placing the guitar in its usual spot.
Kagome didn't say anything. She couldn't find her voice. Instead she ran into Inuyasha's arms and hugged him tightly.
"Thank you." she whispered.
"You're welcome." Inuyasha whispered back.
-
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"What do you think she's doing?" Hiten asked quietly so Mr. Toshu couldn't hear.
"Balling her eyes out, probably." Kagura said with a snigger.
"Probably." Ayumi agreed. Kagura acted as though she hadn't spoken.
"I mean seriously, that happened ages ago. Kikyo dumped him already. If she wants him so bad, why doesn't she just dump Inuyasha already and ask Houjo out again?"
At that moment the door opened and Kagome stepped into the room again, her eyes dry and filled with new determination.
"Thank you for gracing us with your presence, Miss Higurashi." Mr. Toshu told her.
Kagome smiled. Well, it was actually more of a twitch of her lips. "Forgive me, Mr. Toshu. I had something I had to clarify with one of the teachers."
"I thought you said you needed to go to the bathroom!"
"I did, because I knew you wouldn't agree to letting me go. It was of great importance, I assure you."
"Whatever," the teacher grumbled, "Just get up on that stage!"
With new confidence Kagome obeyed, only this time she didn't avoid Houjo's eyes. Instead she stared straight at him until he turned away. She smirked. She was in control.
Thank you, Inuyasha, she thought. As she said her lines, all with the perfection of a real actress, Houjo's face rippled and faded. It was replaced by a different face, with long silver hair and twinkling gold eyes. Kagome directed her words at him, saying the words with a newly discovered passion.
So that was how Juliet felt when she talked to Romeo, when she said those famous lines. Kagome could finally relate.
Because Juliet loved Romeo, just like Kagome loved Inuyasha.
And she finally admits it! FINALLY! -dies-
Okay so dying was a little dramatic, but I'm a little sick of writing evil Kagome. Finally I can make Kagome sweet again! Yay!!
Another big thank you to TiffanyM for suggesting the song. Go take a listen! It's addictive :D
...Reviews...
maire 53: Lol thank you so much!
Say0mi Saki: I love how you always write to 'update whenever'. For some strange reason I think it makes me update faster xD;
Daeth101-Fox version: Thanks! And as strange as it may sound, the 40 hours weren't actually that bad. Probably because I stuffed my face right before I started xD;
Sassybratt: Haha I hope this helps your craving for updates! :)
TiffanyM: Oh my goodness! I love that song! I'm listening to it right now (and have been for the last half hour... it's on repeat)!! I still can't believe I've never heard it before. Such a great song should be more popular!
Diamond369: Aww thanks :)
xxRockerElla: Just a couple more chapters and all shall be revealed... ;)
Kitkatka101: OH NO PLEASE DON'T CRY! I'VE UPDATED, SEE? NO NEED FOR TEARS... AND I'M GLAD YOU'RE ENJOYING MY STORY!!
brokenchaos: Lol yeah I've always loved Rin, in the anime and the manga. And I love making her boss around Inuyasha and Sesshomaru... the mental image is hilarious... xD;
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