The Middle Ground

Disclaimer: If I owned Inuyasha, I wouldn't have to write disclaimers at the top of every chapter. Does anyone actually care? Everyone knows that Takahashi-sama owns Inuyasha… and that's not me.

Chapter 1: Something Expected

The Higurashi household awoke on the morning of June 11, 2005 with the sound of an alarm clock ringing to a fast-paced song popular with teenagers these days (also known as G.A.M.E., by Ayumi Hamasaki). Why on earth the teenage girl of the house had set her clock to such a tune, no one would ever know. Perhaps it was because it was loud enough to awaken her, but not of the irritating nature of the stereotypical alarm clock?

Possibly, but nevertheless, it didn't work. One hit to the snooze button and the inhabitants fell peacefully into sleep once more…

…For fifteen minutes.

After a few rounds of the alarm clock vs. teenage girl, an hour had passed and the six human members of the house were in a hurry to get ready for the day and rush to their respective jobs or school (with the exception of Higurashi Jii-chan, who ran the family shrine and therefore was allowed a few extra hours of sleep).

Kamemaru was off to govern the human empire and watch the troops, as his job had become since the newest war began. Michiko was a successful cook, and ran her own bakery. Kagome and Souta attended school, which started at 8:00 exactly.

Unfortunately, the family awoke at 7:50. Ten minutes was allotted to the morning necessities; being the children of the Human Emperor did not mean that lateness went unpunished.

Ah yes… Kagome had faced detention many times after school due to the fact that she was simply not a morning person.

This was one thing that Michiko pointed out when referring to her daughter's future husband. "Izayoi-chan says her adorable son hates waking up in the mornings! You two will be perfect for each other!"

"So is he ever late for school because the alarm clock doesn't work?" Kagome asked in a tired voice. She had grown used to the impending marriage, and even come to accept it (though that didn't mean she had to like the idea, or her fiancé).

"Actually, he's home-schooled. Perhaps that would be an option for you, Kagome-chan. You can't have detentions when you're at home."

Not that her mother would ever get around to hiring a private tutor or anything of the sort; Kagome only had two more years of school, after all, and the idea had been presented years ago. If it hadn't happened then, it wouldn't happen now (so Kagome believed).

Today was yet another day to face detention and her three friends: Ayumi, Eri, and Yuka. Kagome didn't know which was worse sometimes; those three could be very nosy and blunt at times.

The conversation at lunch was no exception:

"Kagome-chan, is it true you're going to be married this summer?"

"Really, Kagome-chan? Have you met him yet?"

"Is he older than you? Is he good-looking and rich?"

Kagome sighed. The only thing her friends seemed to be interested in was men; though it came as no surprise since they would all be looking for husbands soon, before the end of middle school.

"Yes, I am to be married this summer. No, I have not met him yet, he's younger than me – my birthday's in a few days, why else would I wait until the summer – and why would I care if he's rich; for that matter, why would you as we're all well-off?"

"Oh…" Yuka pouted for a moment. "By the way, Okaa-san may have found a husband for me! Isn't that wonderful? He's a powerful human lord, a bit older than I am!"

Eri frowned. "Isn't that lord nearly thirty?"

"Who cares? He's rich, powerful, quite handsome, and it's better than being married to an old fart!"

"I'd rather have a husband who's hot," Eri grumbled.

"As long as he's not ugly, old, or poor, I'm happy," Ayumi said cheerfully.

"And I really don't care," Kagome muttered. "I wish I knew if the guy was nice, though…"

"Who is he?" Yuka asked. "Maybe my mother knows him, or his father or something of the sort. She knows all kinds of nobles, you know."

"I doubt she knows him; he's our age, remember? Mama says he's the son of Izayoi-sama… the unmarried noblewoman with the purple eyes, remember? She's so pretty… and kind…"

"Izayoi-sama!" Ayumi gasped. "No one knows about her son!"

"He must have some kind of birth deformity or something, if no one's ever seen him," Yuka added.

Eri nodded. "Maybe he's just really ugly."

"Well, thanks for making me feel better about this! If he wasn't younger than me, I'd be married to him by the end of the month! Kami-sama, you guys really know how to cheer someone up about such… things." With that, Kagome's face turned into a pout.

The three friends sighed.

"Kagome-chan, I'm sure he's not that bad," Eri said reassuringly.

"If he is, you can always come to us for assistance! We'll set you up with someone perfect!" Yuka exclaimed.

Ayumi gaped at the others. "How can you say such things?" she asked, clearly shocked. "She'll be married! Besides, Izayoi-sama is a wonderful and beautiful woman, and I'm sure her son will be as well."

"What? A woman?" Yuka muttered.

The wavy-haired girl sent her a sharp glare.

"Uh… thanks again, guys," Kagome said, nervousness evident in her voice. "But, you know, I don't think I'm going to marry him…"

"What!" the friends exclaimed in unison.

"…because I plan to run away tomorrow," the hime finished.

No response came. Kagome waved a hand in front of their blank faces, to no avail. Were they really that surprised at her carefully devised plan that she had thought of last night? Was it that good?

Ayumi was the first to gain composure after the shock. "Kagome-chan, why would you consider running away? Where would you run to? Why would you choose to run away over marrying a person who will probably be a nice, handsome man… er, boy?"

"I think I'd run to the Youkai Empire," Kagome mused out loud. "I've heard they have some humans there, living peacefully. Maybe one of the villages to the north would take me in?"

"But Kagome-chan, why would you run away?" Ayumi repeated.

"I don't know him, Ayumi-chan! All kinds of things could happen because he's a stranger to me! What if he's not nice? I wouldn't know! I've never met him!"

"You're going to meet him before you marry him!" Eri was still suffering the effects of shock, but they had worn off enough to allow her to speak.

Kagome shook her head. "It doesn't matter! I will run away tomorrow to the Youkai Empire and… and will you please keep this a secret?" she finished in a whisper. "If my father finds out…"

"He will have our heads!" Yuka screeched at her.

"Calm down, Yuka-chan. I'm sure Higurashi-dono is not that cruel. After all, Kagome-chan will leave a note or something, right?" Ayumi asked with a pointed look at the mentioned girl. "Your parents shouldn't have to worry that you've been kidnapped or something."

"I suppose," Kagome muttered resignedly. "Mama would worry even if I left a note, though… Souta would take comfort, you know. I think that would be a good idea." She smiled at the other girl and reached across the table to wrap her arms around Ayumi in a hug. "Thank you Ayumi-chan! I knew I could rely on you!"

Yuka and Eri exchanged glances. "So, have we been forgotten?"

Kagome turned her smile to them. "No… I just haven't had suggestions for my wonderful plan to run away and start a new life where I can marry the wonderful man I choose."

Two pairs of dark eyes met her azure ones, excitement shining brightly.

"If it helps you meet your soul mate and future husband, we'll do anything!"

The sun set in a blaze of colours later that night, opening the sky for the half-moon to rise and dominate the dark expanse with the stars for a short time. Normally, Higurashi Kagome enjoyed watching the sun's demise, for it was such a brilliant display that had yet to be rivaled in beauty, except, perhaps, in the sunrise. This night, however, she was busy in preparations for the next day.

"I can't bring much," she whispered, "so I have to take my necessities… then sort those necessities… then sort them so they only fit into one backpack…"

This, however, was a near-impossible chore. Currently, clothes were strewn haphazardly around her room, having been rejected from her travel needs. She had already discarded most of the garments she had originally chosen, and it had become increasingly hard to make a decision when all her favourites were left.

Unfortunately, these favourites happened to be large enough a number to fill three suitcases. Kagome had one bright yellow backpack at her disposal. She was very much in trouble.

Tapping her lips with an index finger in deep thought, she reached over to a formal snow-coloured kimono, patterned with magenta blossoms and birds. As much as she loved how she looked in it, white would dirty easily in the woods. Besides, white made her look paler than she already was from staying in the palace.

A knock on her door made her pause in mid-toss, eyes widening in surprise. She couldn't let anyone know about her plan! They would stop her, put her under guard and possibly reschedule the date of her marriage to be even sooner than August! This couldn't happen!

In an act of desperation, she shoved most of the clothing off of the bed, packing the remaining outfits into the yellow bag. Closing the top of the bag and hiding it under her pillow, she hesitantly called, "Who is it?"

The door opened a crack and a dark-haired head, belonging to Kagome's personal maid and close friend, Sango, peeked in. "Kagome-hime, your mother requests your presence," the former taiji-ya said calmly.

Nervously, Kagome approached the door. "Do you know why, Sango-chan?"

"Unfortunately not, Kagome-chan, but I assume it has to do with your upcoming marriage." Sango smiled reassuringly. "I'm sure it's not too bad! By the way…," the door opened a bit more, "what happened to your room? It looks like a tsunami hit you… except a lot drier, of course."

A slight blush formed on Kagome's cheeks. "I was simply… rearranging my clothes, Sango-chan! There's nothing to worry about." She pushed past the taller girl into the hall, looking back at her friend. "Are you coming?"

"Of course, Kagome-chan. I'm sure you're not planning anything devious." Sango rolled her magenta eyes and raised an eyebrow. "Kagome-chan… What are you planning?"

"Nothing, Sango-chan! At least…I can't tell you, all right? I'm sorry…" Kagome sighed and looked sadly at Sango, biting her lip from the temptation to spill her carefully-devised plan to the taiji-ya. Sango may have been a close friend of hers, closer than the other schoolgirls, but she was also more likely to tell the Emperor or Michiko.

Sango would just have to find out the same way the others did – through the note she would leave on her pillow before she left.

Fixing a smile on her face, Kagome followed Sango to her mother's chambers, hiding the worries that surfaced whenever she thought of the engagement.

Kagome knew there was something to worry about when she saw the smile on her mother's face.

"Kagome-chan, how have you been today?" Michiko asked, gliding over to her daughter and enfolding her in a warm hug. "Was school boring, as you usually say? Have you received the new kimono I bought for you yesterday – it's a beautiful colour, you know, plum, I believe?" She paused to let the blue-eyed girl answer, the smile never leaving her face.

"School was all right, Mama," Kagome answered, trying to keep all hints of nervousness and worry out of her voice. "I did see the kimono; it is absolutely beautiful… Thank you very much." Her answering smile was less genuine than her mother's, but few would notice any difference.

Evidently, her mother was not one of those few.

"It really is beautiful, isn't it? Izayoi-chan loves the colour, you know. I'm not sure about her son… although they say taste in such things as clothes can be inherited!" Michiko chirped. "After all, we both love green, don't we?"

"Well… yes," Kagome admitted. "What if he doesn't like the colour, Mama?"

And when did I care about pleasing him? she thought. I don't. I am merely concerned with making sure that Mama doesn't learn about my escape attempt. She frowned. Now I sound like a trapped prisoner… though I am, aren't I? In a sense?

However, her mother did notice the frown. "Don't frown, Kagome!" she exclaimed. "You're so pretty when you smile. So many people have commented on that… I believe Izayoi-chan and her son will be no different."

If he's not a total jerk who enjoys insulting me, of course. They're probably the same as other nobles… arrogant, snobby, prejudiced and boring. Of course, her mother, the Empress, was bubbly and vibrant – completely different from the typical upper-class woman. Kagome doubted her mother would speak so highly of another rich lady if she were not different from the usual people of her father's court.

"I will be sure to remember that, Mama," Kagome said, pasting the fake smile back on her face. Even that, however, was erased at her mother's next words.

"That would be wonderful, Kagome-chan! I do hope you won't forget it by tomorrow; after all, we are meeting Izayoi-chan and her son for lunch!"

Kagome's expression had turned into one of surprise and horror.

"T-tomorrow!"

"Why not, Kagome? You are to be married to her son in a few months; you should have some time to get to know him! After all, I'm looking for grandchildren, not a divorced or unhappy daughter!"

"Mama… I…" There was no defense against a mother with dreams and plans for her daughter. The mere thought of responding negatively to such a woman was immediately erased from Kagome's mind – it was impossible to even think such a thing!

Of course, if one was naturally sadistic and cruel, the thought would have grown to epically evil proportions. However, Kagome was kind, caring, and would never dream of betraying her mother.

"All right," she conceded. She was going to run away before the wedding, after all, so it wasn't as if she had to marry the boy.

Wait – couldn't she run away tonight? That way, she wouldn't have to meet her fiancé and his mother at all. Less guilt would weigh down on her, and her mother would certainly never expect something like this so soon after the conversation they had just been having.

As Kagome's edited plans took shape in her mind, her mother was busy discussing the details of the following day.

"Oh, you must wear the plum kimono, dear; you would look fabulous in it! On the other hand, you do have that beautiful white one – with the birds and blossoms on it? It contrasts wonderfully with your hair…"

Kagome-hime was snapped out of reviewing the procedure for escape when she heard her mother ask a question. Failing to remember the question, she came up with a general answer. "Um… yes?"

Her mother gave her a confused look. "I asked you what you believe you should wear tomorrow, Kagome. Are you daydreaming again? Oh, to be young again and daydreaming of the handsome prince who would rescue me from the horrors of school and ride away on a white horse and make me his Queen… Don't all girls dream of that?"

"Except it actually happened in your case, Mama," Kagome said with a laugh. Her mother's reminiscing had lightened her mood considerably (although the new escape plan had helped) and her smile had become more genuine.

"In a sense, Kagome. I did have to finish school, and your father did not sweep me up onto his horse and ride away – I actually knocked him down on the street, you know! I felt so embarrassed!"

"It isn't exactly the most romantic way to meet someone, isn't it?"

"No, it really isn't… but we had a happy ending, didn't we? Oh dear," Michiko commented, with a glance at the pink clock hanging over the door. "It's getting late, Kagome-chan!"

"There are still a few hours until midnight," Kagome said.

"Kagome-chan, you must have more than four or five hours of sleep in the morning! You are meeting Izayoi-chan and her son!"

"Mama… I'll be all right." In a last attempt to reassure her panicking mother, Kagome said, "After all, I only need six or seven hours of sleep."

Her mother blinked at her with wide brown eyes. "Kagome-chan! You need at least ten or eleven hours of sleep in order to be fully refreshed for the next day! Is that why you are often late for school?"

"…perhaps?" Kagome whispered nervously.

"In that case, I will personally make sure you sleep longer each night. Now, go to bed so that you will not be so tired in the morning! I'm sure you would not want to make a negative first impression, Kagome-chan!"

And, with a smile, a hug, and a kiss on the cheek, Kagome returned to her room to carry out her plan.

Step one is to pack my things in one bag. That's complete.

Step two is to leave the note on my bed so that my parents don't worry. That's complete.

Step three is to wait until two-thirty, so everyone's asleep. That's complete… or will be, in two minutes.

Step four is to disable the alarm system and… well, walk out the front door. That's in progress.

Despite being the daughter of the Emperor of the Human Empire, Kagome lived in a normal-sized house on the edge of a shrine. Castles were considered outdated and ancient, and they did have this annoying tendency to fall apart when modern technology was installed… Mansions were too large for the family of four and a few personal servants. While her house was considered large, it was not quite big enough to be a mansion.

It was Kagome's house, and that was what mattered.

She'd be leaving it for the last time, if her plan worked.

Hopping over the last creaky stair at the bottom, Kagome whispered one last goodbye to the home where she had grown up, and where her family and one of her closest friends remained. She would miss them dearly, but it would be a sacrifice she would make. Living an unhappy life with a man she did not love would make her miss the opportunity even more than she would miss her family.

Perhaps she could visit them one day?

Kagome knew this was impossible. Although, she would be able to see them on TV… if the Youkai lands even had television.

They probably do, she mused. After all, if they didn't have the technology we do, this war would have ended long ago. I wonder what methods they use in the war? Do they use complicated weapons, or simple things like my bow?

The thought made her aware of the weapon hidden in the quiver that was strapped across her back. It would be unsafe, not to mention foolish, to enter the forest that marked the border between the two empires without some sort of weapon. Human bandits, weaker youkai, and even wild animals lived in the expanse of trees – none would hesitate to kill a young human woman that crossed their territory.

She had crossed the last few steps the alarm system and was about to press the number sequence when footsteps sounded in her ears.

Spinning around in shock, she saw one of the last people she would expect to see – Sango.

"Kagome-chan," Sango whispered, "what are you doing?"

"Sango-chan, I…" Kagome found herself unable to speak; she was so consumed with guilt over leaving one of her closest friends. A silence fell over the hallway until Sango spoke again.

"You're trying to run away, aren't you?" Kagome opened her mouth to respond, but Sango cut her off. "Why, Kagome-chan? I should have known when I caught you in your room earlier – your clothes were all over the place, and I could tell you were lying to me when you said you were 'rearranging your clothes'. Why are you running away? Aren't you happy here?" Her last words were choked out as tears flooded Sango's eyes.

"Sango-chan… I'm perfectly happy here. It's just that-"

"Then why are you leaving?" she exclaimed.

"I don't want to get married!" Kagome whispered. "I'm supposed to meet my future husband tomorrow – I was planning to run away before, but not so soon… I won't be able to handle the guilt if I stay any longer!"

"But why would you run away in the first place?" Sango questioned in a soft tone.

"If I stay, I'll have to marry whether I want to, or not. Although… it's really not just that, Sango-chan. You've heard me complain, haven't you? I'm only recognized as the daughter of the Emperor. I don't have a real identity, except among those who know me. After this marriage was arranged, waiting until I ascended the throne as Empress became impossible. Besides… I've always wanted to travel, and learn about youkai." The thought of being able to live her lifelong dream brought a smile to the younger girl's face.

"Kagome-chan, I understand." Sango sighed lightly, then suddenly threw her arms around the younger girl in a tight hug. "I'll miss you so much, though!"

"I'll miss you too, Sango-chan. I know that I'd miss this opportunity if I didn't take it… Do you think I'll be able to write to you?"

"I hope so," Sango whispered. "I won't tell your father, if you're worrying about that."

"Then I'll write," Kagome decided, "but I can't visit."

Sango nodded and released Kagome, holding her by the shoulders. "I'll miss you so much, Kagome-chan. I'll always remember you."

"Me too, Sango-chan. Thank you for being like a sister to me for all these years."

Sango's grey eyes had filled with tears by now. "Have a wonderful life, Kagome-chan."

"You too, Sango-chan."

Moments later, Kagome had slipped through the door to her new life. Sango remained in the hallway, watching the closed door as she cried, dark, wet streaks evident on her cheeks.

"I'll miss you so much, Kagome-chan… but I'm happy that you'll have a happy life."

And so, Kagome's journey began.

A/N: Took me a few months, but four and a half pages in a night is still not bad.

Anyway, the story has finally developed a plot line. To answer obvious questions, Inuyasha will be in the next scene, Miroku and Sango might end up together, and there will not be any mentions of the Shikon no Tama or a fight against Naraku. I don't think this will be an action story at all, unlike my first belief. That's not to say there will be no action; there just won't be some huge battle with Naraku at the end for the Shikon no Tama.

By the way, I did mention in the prologue that Michiko had planned for Kagome to meet Izayoi's son (if you can't guess who… it'll be obvious quite soon), though Kagome herself didn't find out until this chapter. That's just to clear up any confusion. 

So… this was ten and a half pages. I thought it would be longer… but this was the perfect place to end it.

There probably won't be any updates for a while. Outside life calls.

Neko-sama