CHAPTER 5
The Shadow
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Kagome stared at herself in the mirror. She turned this way, then that. The yellow dress hugging her curves made her breasts look even bigger. The white, sleeveless jersey broke the yellow just enough to stop her skin from looking sickly. She tried the biggest smile her face could muster. Her eyes trailed down her reflection to her wrists; making her sigh.
A fading bruise was around her forearm.
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She moved away from the mirror; back to her closet. She shrugged off her jersey, followed by her dress. As she pulled out her new clothing options, she chewed the inside of her cheek. She pulled on short jeans, clean black sneakers and a brown, loose fitting, long-sleeved shirt. She hooked her thumbs through the loops at the hem to ensure she would not absent-mindedly pull up her sleeves – as she often did.
'Oh just one of my many quirks,' she sighed to herself.
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She turned in front of the mirror again, the brown of her shirt bringing out some of the brown in her faded eyes. She turned again.
"Oh well, Higurashi," she pursed her lips, releasing her cheek from her teeth,
"Time for the last, first day of school,"
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Sango was waiting outside the gate for her friend. Picking at the imperfections under her nails, she was leaning against the hood of her red, classic Alpha Romeo.
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Kagome could never understand why Miroku decided to rebuild this car for Sango. Then again it WAS Miroku, and Kagome suspected it was because Miroku liked it, so Sango drove it. Kagome had called it cute once, only to have her head bitten off because 'a sports car IS NOT cute'.
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Sango glanced up at her friend, smiled, and hugged her briefly. After which, both girls got into the car, and Sango started towards their school. The familiar route made Kagome drift out the window. She was nervous about her last year of being a teenager; as of the next year, she would be studying Business at some prestige University, while working as her mother's assistant, and then ultimately, taking over the business as soon as she was qualified. She was planning on stalling by doing as high as possible, maybe up to her masters, maybe even doctorate… but she knew full well that her mother would insist she do it part time while taking over…
… If she would be around long enough to even finish this year.
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The familiar sadness stirred within her being. The clawing, cold, emptiness of her being ached at the thought of her decision's aftermath. Kagome dared a peeked over at her friend.
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Sango was softly singing to a song playing on the radio, nodding her head to the rhythm, she geared at perfect intervals, her hand on the correct 11 o'clock, 2 o'clock positions.
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Sango was lucky. She did not have these stresses from her parents. Sango's father was more than happy with her becoming the trophy wife of Miroku Kazaana; whom was well groomed in his family's business. Sango's younger brother, Kohaku, was being groomed to take over their family business one day.
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"What?" Sango frowned without looking at Kagome,
"Oh nothing," Kagome sighed,
"No, seriously, Kags," Sango slightly looked at her, before turning all attention back onto the road,
"Have you decided what you are going to study yet?" Kagome avoided her eyes, looking out her window again,
"Well, I haven't quite decided yet… I mean, my scores as great and I can study whatever I would like to. But-"
"Miroku's trophy wife doesn't -"
"Hey, no," Sango intervened protectively,
"Look, Miroku wants me to study something. I just don't know what yet,"
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Kagome turned to look at Sango, but decided against it, and turned towards the window again. Sango knew she was not going to win this one. Kagome always got weird lately when talking about the future.
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Sango also knew full well that Kagome was not planning on having a future. And this made her stress. She stole a glance at her friend, and turned her attention back to the road. Her middle finger picking at the pad of her thumb; never letting her hand off the steering wheel. Kagome had gone through three suicide attempts within the past two years – and sadly, even though it hurt her so deeply, she knew she would never be pissed off at Kagome – not for very long. She had known full well what turn her friend's life had taken.
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Sango would not have wished Kagome's current circumstances onto her worst enemy.
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"So… any, you know, visits lately?" Sango pulled her bag off the backseat and over her shoulder,
"Nope," Kagome was mirroring her friend,
"Nothing?" Sango brows furrowed,
"Nope," Kagome was cold, distant, as if figuring herself crazy,
"In two weeks?" Sango had secretly thought the same, and was glad to hear her friend was not insane – yet,
"Hey, it's typical… He figured I am not as worthy of sex and murd-"
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"Kagome!" the voice that echoed across the parking lot made her freeze in her tracks, her back and shoulders straightened, a believable smile plastered across her face. The voice switched her body into autopilot and she turned towards the source.
"Honey," her smile stayed, yet she did not move towards him,
"Hey babe," he encircled her waist with one of his arms, and pulled her in for a kiss,
His mouth was wet and sloppy against her cool, stiff return. Kissing him felt different. It felt off, as if it did not feel … right? It did not leave her panting, flushed or wanting more – not that it ever really did. It felt as meaningless and emotionless as their relationship had been... and like his arm around her body now.
'Hopefully, it looks more believable,' she mentally crossed her fingers,
"Sango, how's it going?" he voice sing-song, nodded his head towards her,
"Hojo," Sango kept it short and formal, she did not like him, and he knew it,
"Let's get going then," he pulled Kagome along, Sango huffed and followed,
They eventually met up with Miroku and some other friends, deciding to sit under a tree on the lush lawn until the school day would officially start.
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The morning continued as uneventful as any first day could ever be. They had received their schedules and was heading to lunch when they all noticed the commotion coming from the parking lot.
Four large cars - Kagome guessed they were SUV's or something - pulled into the lot, stopping by the entrance. A group of teens stepped out and started making their way up to the school building. They were too far away to get a good look at them, but Kagome's group stayed seated by their table; eating and chatting away.
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"Excuse me," Kagome stood up and Hojo's hand snapped onto her wrist,
"I am just going to the bathroom," Kagome dropped her eyes away from his hard brown eyes,
"Geez, relax, I'll hold her hand," Sango pried Kagome's arm free from his hold and dragged her out of the cafeteria,
"Possessive much, ass," Sango spat and Kagome giggled – a rare treat for Sango's ears.
Glancing back quickly, Kagome saw Hojo balling his fists, and folding his arms across his chest. He flexed on hand open and shut a few times; then he started relaxing as Miroku continued on in his oblivious way.
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Kagome was fixing her sleeves back down her arms, hooking her thumbs through the hoops as Sango emerged from the stall. She washed her hands quietly and dried them off. Kagome knew it took a lot of self-control for Sango to not say anything. Sango was brave like that, saying it like it is, no matter the cost. She wasn't one who believed in softening anything. And sadly, Sango and Kagome both knew, if neither played their cards correctly, they would never be able to see each other again after high school graduation.
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"You ok?" Sango was calm – too calm,
"Yeah, I suppose," Kagome tried a small smile, but her smiles never touched her eyes anymore.
"Sure?" Sango pulled her friend closer and hooked her arm through Kagome's,
"Let's go," Kagome confirmed with her ghost smile,
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They walked a few steps down the hall, comparing their classes when Kagome paled – more than usual – and stopped dead in her tracks, causing Sango to jerk backwards slightly,
"Kago-?"
"It's him," her eyes where wide and staring straight,
Sango looked into the crowd of teens bustling by their lockers, but did not see anyone new,
"Kagome, you're paler… Like you've seen a ghost?" Sango tried the crowd again, but nothing,
Kagome finally looked at her friend again. She shook her head, sighing.
"Oh good gawd, I am going crazy!" she put her face in her hands.
Sango rubbed her back and started leading her back toward the cafeteria.
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"What the fuck was that for?" Koga was rubbing his throbbing shoulder. It happened to hit the hand dryer when InuYasha suddenly yanked and threw him into the bathroom.
InuYasha was leaning over the sink, his eyes shut tightly and his breathing hard. His silver ponytail was hanging over his shoulder,
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"No, seriously, what the -"
"She's here," he gritted his teeth,
Koga's eyes grew wide. He has never in their one hundred years together seen him like this,
"Well, I'm sure she does not know it is you?" Koga tried a hand on InuYasha's shoulder, only to get shrugged off hard,
"She saw me," InuYasha wheeled around, facing him,
"…and she knew," he sounded like an animal in pain,
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Koga inhaled audibly,
"We could always explain the situation and transfer to a different school? I mean, we only need to blend for a year to be able to stay in this area, right?"
"That will lead to questions," InuYasha straightened up,
"And like you said, only needs to be a year-"
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The door swung open, and they both realized the conversation would have to wait.
InuYasha turned to the newcomers and Koga casually leaned against the wall, still rubbing his shoulder.
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"Ah, you two must be what the fuss is about," the black haired boy greeted, extending a hand, the brown haired boy just stared,
"I am Miroku Kazaana," his charming smile seemed genuine, and after an exchange between the two daemons, InuYasha extended a hand,
"InuYasha Taisho," he gripped his hand tighter than he intended,
"Good grip," Miroku joked, and extended his hand to Koga,
"Koga Yoro,"
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InuYasha's eyes flicked to the brown-haired boy, standing, arms crossed across his chest and frowning at them. He seemed to dislike this attention the newcomers where getting. Miroku caught InuYasha's eyes and followed it,
"Oh, right, manners?" he tried a chuckle in the tension he could feel building,
"Guys, this is Hojo Ueda…"
Miroku's voice trailed out as Koga noticed the slightest change in InuYasha's demeanour. Neither of the two was making a move towards each other. InuYasha's back was straight as a board and he was starting to grip the sink behind him. He could hear the slight crack forming in the porcelain. He could also see a slight pink, starting in the corners of his friend's sclera.
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Something was very wrong, and he needed to end this off quickly.
"So," Koga broke in mid-sentence,
"Miroku, right?"
"Right,"
"Mind showing us to our lockers? You know, big school and all," he tried a grin,
"Surely you can find it yourself," Hojo turned on his heels and left,
"Oh don't mind him," Miroku rubbed his neck, smiling sympathetically
"He doesn't really like newbies,"
Koga followed the chatty Miroku out of the bathroom, but InuYasha stayed behind,
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" he glared at himself in the mirror,
The scent that clung to that boy was familiar. But his ridiculous men's perfume was clouding it, so he couldn't put his finger on it.
"Breathe, calm down," he thought, trying to gain more control on himself.
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"And this lovely lady here, is Sango," Miroku pulled her into his side, kissed her temple softly,
"Lovely to meet you," Koga shook her hand gently,
Miroku kept chatting away as Koga waited from InuYasha to get out of the bathroom. He was growing irritated and the other guy, Hojo, was busying himself by his locker when he suddenly peeked out from behind the locker door. Hojo waved someone over. Koga followed the direction,
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'Oh shit,' he recognised her immediately; no wonder InuYasha got upset.
He must have smelt her on this arrogant little human.
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The girl from two weeks ago was walking over, books in her arms and not really looking up.
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As she was about the reach them, InuYasha came storming out the bathroom…
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… They collided...
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Books scattered across the floor, but Kagome's face stayed down and out of sight, her bangs helping slightly. She was in someone's arms… By accident… In front of Hojo… OF ALL PEOPLE!
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"Hello there," his voice sparked at her nerves and her head jerked up,
She was met by soft, golden eyes. A small smile tugging at his lips,
"Uhhh?" she was looking into the face of her angel.
It was a lot softer now, but still, manly features showed clear as day: His golden, honey eyes. His soft, slightly upturned nose. His smell, like fresh dirt. His arms were strong, solid but gentle as they encircled her shaking body. The electric current ran over her skin again. His silver ponytail was touching her skin. She remembered his hair being this soft, almost silky.
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She was so lost in him, wanting to stay there, as nothing else around her made sense anymore…
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Until his hand grabbed her arm and yanked her out of their bubble. Her angel's small smile melted away instantly, replaced by a way too obvious scowl. Kagome was pulled into Hojo's side hard, he snaked a ropy arm around her shoulder.
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"Ah, yes, and this is Kagome Higurashi," Miroku attempted to stay cheerful, but the tension could choke someone – Kago and Kagome, both, started to fear that InuYasha might.
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"Kagome," he said, slowly extending a hand towards her,
Kagome looked at it, then at Sango; who nodded. Swallowing hard, ignoring the painful warning squeeze Hojo gave her shoulder,
"InuYasha," she breathed, and for the first time in many years, a real, soft, shy smile appeared as his hand enclosed around hers.
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