Disclaimer: Inuyasha is owned by Rumiko Takahashi.
Chapter I
Kagome
She walked the high school hallway with unrivaled elegance. Her eyes held a seductive gleam that could hypnotize anyone at a glance. Her small nose and glossy lips complemented her perfectly shaped face.
She was beautiful
She was perfect
And she…
Was not her. Not Kagome. Not the ugly four-eyed freak whom everyone loved to make fun of. In fact, she's the complete opposite of the school's well-known beauty, Saitama Yura.
While Yura was endowed with luscious curves that were meant to be displayed, Kagome on the other hand, had spent most of her life wearing loose garments in an attempt to hide herself.
She was never seen without her large glasses. She wore clothes that were out of fashion. Even her school uniform seemed too big for her. And never once had anyone seen her with anything other than her low pigtails. She was unattractive, strange and boring. At least that's what they say.
But she's not the kind of person who cared a lot about what other people think. She was not the least bothered when people called her names. Instead, she ignored them, leaving them with their amusement.
She had always been like that. However these past few months, their stabbing words, which normally would have not affected her, wounded her more than she had expected.
She envied the pretty faces in her school, she realized. Perhaps she had grown tired of being the subject of people's entertainment, of being called hideous, of seeing people grimace every time they see her.
"Hey look, it's mother owl!" A male student shouted while making a mocking gesture. Snickers and hoots followed.
Kagome bit her lip and lowered her gaze to the ground, trying her best to disregard all their insults. She gripped her books tighter against her chest as her strides increased in an attempt to flee the scene.
However, her efforts of escape failed when a familiar figure blocked her way. Meekly, she raised her eyes to meet a pair of deadly golden orbs. His features were refined and unique. Long silvery locks cascaded admirably down his back. He was a sight to be glorified, this man, her brother.
"Niisan," She whispered.
The boy she called brother simply ignored her. Instead, his eyes narrowed, giving her an empty bitter look. Without a single word, he walked past her, deliberately hitting her shoulder in the process. He was followed by his lackeys, Kouga, Hiten, and Bankotsu, each leaving her with a nasty remark.
Well, except for Naraku who neither acknowledged nor knocked her purposely.
Kagome grimaced when she felt her throbbing shoulder. It wasn't new to her. The encounters she had with her brother always ended with pain if not humiliation in her part. However, there was always that person in her brother's crowd who didn't participate in his pranks: Naraku.
Typically, while Sesshoumaru and his friends took their time embarrassing her, Naraku would always stay at a corner, never once taking part or even paying heed to his group's mischiefs. It's not that he didn't find their antics amusing. It's just that Naraku was simply uninterested.
Perhaps, that's the reason why she's starting to see him in a different light. And maybe, he was the reason why she felt uglier, why she spent most of her nights this past few weeks dreaming of having a pretty face.
"Aomori-san…" She whispered unconsciously while her gaze followed his retreating form. Upon realizing what she's doing, her cheeks reddened in embarrassment. She looked around afraid that someone had seen her gawking.
With a sigh she turned to leave, eager to start her day right.
She entered the classroom, finding her designated seat at the back. She quickly slid in her chair before dropping her bag to the floor beside her. She noticed that most of the students had already settled down, though a few were still talking and gossiping with their friends.
Her eyes slowly drifted to the empty chair on her right. For a moment she wished that Yura had not come to school. They were seat-mates ever since classes started for her first year in high school.
While majority of the students would be thrilled to be in her place, Kagome, on the other hand, regarded herself unfortunate considering that she had to constantly put up with Yura and her attitude.
Kagome had done nothing to deserve anyone's spite. However, it was a common knowledge to a lot of students that Sesshoumaru, the most glorified person in school, hated his own sister. And that's enough to convince the crowd that she's not worth their acquaintance.
Yura, in particular, found satisfaction in harassing her with every single chance she's given. She recalled such an incident not a few weeks ago when Yura "accidentally" dumped her miso soup on her head, in the middle of the cafeteria. After that episode, Kagome tried to avoid the cafeteria and started bringing her own lunch.
Yura was amiable, that's what they said. Kagome figured that it's either they're sucking up or just completely dense. I'd go with dense. She humored herself with a tiny grin.
However, just as she was about to indulge herself deeper into her thoughts, the object of her contemplation walked in the classroom. With her nose up in the air, Yura strolled her way towards her seat.
Kagome found herself unconsciously admiring her, from the way she carried her uniform with such appeal to the level of confidence she presented herself with.
Consisting of a long-sleeved, dark-blue, sailor-top; a yellow bow attached to the blouse; a dark-blue, pleated-skirt that ended a couple of inches above the knee; a pair of black, knee-length socks; and a pair of black shoes; there wasn't a great deal of girls in their campus who had the ability to transform a typical uniform into a designer outfit better than Yura.
Noticing the positive look the four-eyed student was giving her, Yura managed to draw a proud smirk before settling down in her chair. With a light flush, Kagome turned her attention somewhere else, feeling slightly ashamed of being caught, and knowing for a fact that she paled I comparison to the school's known beauty.
With a smile, Yura spoke with hidden conceit. "It's okay," She made sure it was loud enough for the whole class to hear. "You can always dream."
Kagome bit her lip. She lowered her gaze before adjusting her glasses. She was used to such rude comments. However, it didn't mean that it hurt any less. This is just one of those typical days. I've been here before. She thought in an effort to comfort herself.
"Nice day isn't it, Kagome-chan?" Yura said in a fake, thoughtful tone while sweetly emphasizing the endearment she had set for her.
She had something up her sleeves, it's better if she avoi– "Yes it is, Saitama-san." Kagome replied politely with a genuine smile.
There was a short pause.
Yura smirked. "It was, but then I stepped in the classroom and saw a very dreadful sight," She frowned and turned her attention towards their spectators. "And I have to live with this horrible dilemma everyday. single. day." She brought a hand against her forehead, feigning distress. "I feel really sorry for myself…"
They laughed.
Kagome didn't say a word.
How typical.
Luckily the bell rang and Mr. Kawashima, their homeroom teacher, entered the class. Right away, the students of class 1–C stood and bowed before giving a formal greeting. With a salutation of his own, the instructor allowed his students to take their seats.
She sat quietly while she intently listened to her teacher as he discussed about their daily bulletin. All that time, she had a smile written on her face. Kagome's not one to always get straight As in every test. Just like any ordinary teenager, she's just a regular student with regular marks in her report card.
However, as far as she could remember, she had always loved school, and had always been grateful to be in one of the most recognized schools in Japan. Komazawa Private School was one of the best junior and high schools in Japan, with the overwhelming majority of its students advancing to Keio University, one of the top private universities in Japan.
Besides the school's noteworthy level when it came to its academics. Komazawa was also known to be an institute of the rich and the prominent. Students in this school came from families of wealth. Many of the current politicians, top corporation owners, and successful businessmen went in this school during their early years.
She knew that for a fact since she's the daughter of one of those prominent figures. Kagome smiled with that thought. She was indeed lucky to be given such a benefit. And that's why Kagome knew...
She couldn't disappoint.
Alright, do your best, Kagome! She mentally encouraged herself with a smile.
Kagome found herself passing by the school corridors moments after the bell rang for lunch. Carefully, she made her way towards the senior hallway. Just a peak. She told herself while she scanned the place for a certain dark-haired boy.
Though she wouldn't admit it to herself, she looked forward to seeing him each day. She didn't feel this way before. She knew him ever since they were young, and had never felt this desire to see him every single day.
She never really had a real conversation with him. Sure, they exchanged a couple of hellos back then, but other than that he was a total stranger. Naraku was first introduced to her family when she was six.
There was a huge party in their house the day she first met him. Right after dinner, she was standing beside her father when a man approached with a salutation.
It was one of her father's closest friends, Onigumo Aomori, owner of Aomori Corporation. And with him was his son, Naraku. That's how she met him. Mrs. Aomori and her mother instantly became friends. Her mother even invited her to visit their residence from time to time.
And she did visit days after that night. It became a constant thing for both women to get together every weekend. She always brought her son along whenever she came by. And that's how he and Sesshoumaru became close friends.
It was around the first few months in her junior high years when Sesshoumaru became more public about his hatred towards her. It was then that people started avoiding her. Naraku also seemed to have severed any link he had with her.
She remembered, she had a friend before. Her name was Kikyo. Kikyo had promised her that they would be friends no matter what other people said. But it only lasted for a couple of months before Kikyo ended her ties with her, just like everyone else. She had been alone since then.
She got used to it. She cared not about what other people think. She was never interested in anyone, just as much as they weren't interested in her. Nonetheless, it all changed. She remembered how it all began, this sudden interest in her brother's friend…
It was a typical weekday: she went in for school, got laughed at, ate lunch, went to her archery club, and went home. However, something bizarre happened that day. It was during a visit to her after-school club.
They didn't have any meeting that day, but nevertheless, Kagome decided to stop by for a couple of rounds. The club had a dojo of its own behind the school building situated near the kendo and judo club.
She was quite relieved when no one was present. A huge smile was on her face as she happily skipped in the dressing room to change into her archery garb which consisted of a dogi, a black hakama, and an obi. Lastly, she grabbed a chest protector and a pair of gloves before stepping out.
Kagome took a bow and a quiver before she positioned in front of the target range. She then pulled an arrow from her quiver and locked it into place. Steadily, she pulled back, brought the arrow close to her chin, and aligned her arrow towards the target.
And with elegance she's not aware of she possessed, she released the string and fired the arrow with no difficulty.
She was right on target.
Almost indifferently, Kagome grabbed another arrow and locked it into place. She slowly pulled back the string and released the arrow with the same natural grace. And yet again, her shot was precise.
She made a few more shots before finally realizing that she's no longer on her own. She lowered her bow and examined the area for any intruders. As her eyes traveled in all corners of the dojo, she was quite surprised to see someone leaning against the wall near the door.
Upon further inspection, Kagome finally identified the intruder. It was her brother's friend, Naraku Aomori. She was about to say something before he cut her off, "I didn't know you can shoot, Yoshida."
Then it was completely quiet.
With a bow in one hand, Kagome was rendered totally mute. She stood there, gaping like a deer caught in the headlights, unable to draw words out from her mouth. Fortunately, Naraku saved her the humiliation by deciding to end the silence. "Well, don't let me bother you." He said.
After that, the next thing she knew, she was back to shooting targets, but this time she wasn't alone. He was there, watching her every move in the background. She didn't know why he stayed. But if there's one thing she's for certain, it's the fact that she was pleased with his presence.
After that day, she would often go to places where she knew she could catch a glimpse of him. And of course, see would always see him hanging out with her brother. Just like Sesshoumaru, he was two years her senior.
He was aloof and mysterious, yet held a certain appeal that could rival her brother's. He didn't talk to a lot of people. And except for his little group of friends, he didn't seem to socialize with other students that often. In spite of this, he never failed to catch the attention of a number of lust-inflicted school girls. Just take her for example.
Finally, she found him. He was standing a couple of feet away with his back facing her. He was talking to someone. With a hand fisted against her chest, a smile formed on her lips as she observed the object of her fondness. "Aomori-san…" She whispered as her cheeks glowed a pretty red.
"Why, would you look at this." Someone spoke. Glee and sarcasm laced in her tone.
With a gasp, Kagome turned to face whoever it was behind her. And to her dismay, she saw Yura and her friends standing with a smug expression on their faces. "Saitama-san, what are you–"
"Isn't it obvious? I'm here to see Sesshoumaru-kun." Yura rudely interrupted while she studied Kagome from head to toe. "You, however, don't have the right to be here." She spoke before her gaze went past Kagome and landed on Naraku who was talking to another upper-class man.
She turned her attention back to Kagome, then back to the senior, and then it settled back to Kagome. In a devilish smile she began, "Ooh, I get it now." She stepped closer and then patted the girl's cheek with her forefinger.
"You're really something aren't you?" She continued in a chuckle, "Crushing on someone beyond your reach." With a wicked smile she finished. "He won't spare you a single glance, so quit hoping." With that, she walked past her followed by Tsubaki and Kikyo.
Kagome didn't fail to see the sour look her former friend gave her.
With determination, Kagome took in a huge breath before she threw her arms into the air, and released a deafening scream. "I HATE YOU!" Her frustrations all drained away in those four words. I hate her. She thought through heaving breaths.
Earlier, right after her encounter with Yura, she rushed her way towards the only place she knew she would find solitude: on top of the school building. Tears threatened to escape her eyes. She didn't know why, but what Yura said painfully struck a nerve.
She was accustomed to this kind of treatment, yet why did her chest throb with pain? What's so different about this one?
He won't spare you a single glance, so quit hoping.
Those words repeatedly played inside her head. She closed her eyes in an effort to block it all away.
Quit hoping.
She wasn't. She knew her place. Yet, why did it hurt so much. Did she really like Naraku that much? Kagome avoided that thought, not wanting to add more strain in her already clouded mind.
A smile slowly formed on her lips. And yet again, with improved vigor, Kagome fisted a hand on the air and shouted. "I hate you!" She laughed in triumph as her voice drifted away with the wind's current.
"Did you hear that, Saitama-san?" She yelled and flaunted–well, to no one in particular, and surely she didn't expect anyone to give her a reply.
Unfortunately, someone did. "Yes, I heard you painfully loud and clear." A casual voice came.
Kagome froze in her spot, her privacy shattered. She didn't expect anyone to be in this part of the building. Yura was going to know for sure. And like a tyrant that she was, she would have the more reason to terrorize her.
She would be the school's biggest clown if a word leaked out about this little display. She would be the rumor for days to come: Yoshida Kagome, a student of class 1–C was found to be mentally disturbed and was scheduled for immediate rehabilitation.
Then it came to her, but there would be no gossip if no one says a word. With that, Kagome turned to face the intruder and beg–or rather "make a deal" for his vow for secrecy, as she would decently call it so to save her already almost non-existent pride.
When she finally got a full view of the invader, a feeling of deja vu hit her…
She made a few more shots before finally realizing that she's no longer on her own. She lowered her bow and examined the area for any intruders. As her eyes traveled in all corners of the dojo, she was quite surprised to see someone leaning against the wall near the door.
"Are you always this deafening when you're alone?" The trespasser spoke casually.
Her eyes widened. It's him. She thought as she examined the serious look etched on his rich face, the wavy onyx hair gracing his broad back and shoulders, and the black uniform wrapped gracefully around his masculine form.
However, there was something odd about him. She had no idea what it was, but it seemed to have drawn her attention to his arm, and down to his hand. That's when she found it, his strong manly fingers encased around a regular-sized box that suspiciously looked like a bento wrapped in a–
"Pink!" She exclaimed ridiculously with a finger pointing at the hand that held the bento wrapped in a pink handkerchief. Then, as if she carried it with her in every misfortune…
Silence greeted them…
She could hear the sound of the howling wind…
The birds chirping in the background…
The rustling of the trees…
The wild beating of her own heart…
The sudden burden of realization…
A brow curved up and an amused look formed on his face. "I didn't know you had the fascination for stating the obvious, Yoshida."
And there was horror…
She blushed deeply in a scarlet glow that started from her toes and moved upwards to her face at the speed of blood. Her mouth opened to form words, however nothing came out but a tiny squeal.
There she was in front of the boy she deeply admired, yet she could do nothing but make a fool out of herself. And to make matters worst, her mouth just chose that exact moment to act on its own. A pink bento…
"B-but I thought you're straight." She squeaked.
Nooo... what an evil EVIL mouth!
Naraku laughed.
Yep, this was officially the most embarrassing moment of her life.
End of Chapter One
Foot Notes
1–C: Stands for the third class (C) in the first year (1) of high school (grade 10).
Komazawa Private School: A fictional junior (grades 7–9) and high (grades 10-12) school.
Keio University: One of the top private Universities in Japan.
Dogi: White top used for martial arts.
Hakama: Japanese style "skirt" trousers.
Obi: Japanese style sash.
Bento: Japanese lunch box which consists of rice, fish or meat, and one or more pickled or cooked vegetables as a side dish.
Questions
Will Inuyasha be in the story? Yes
Will Sesshoumaru be a poker-faced jerk in most part of the story? Definitely, but I'll throw in a little spice here and there to soften him up a bit. Give him a taste of his own medicine.
Author's Notes
Thank you for reading and all the comments.