A/N: It's me again! Thanks for the few people who have supported me so far! I really appreciate it! Here's another chapter like I promised and it's a little longer because of the detail I put into it! Sorry for the long update and enjoy Chapter 2!!
Disclaimer: I sadly do not own Inuyasha. Any and all characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi. And I do not own the song Next To You by Jordin Sparks.
Chapter 2
Her alarm woke her up the next morning. 'Damn annoying things…' Kagome turned on her side and clicked it off. She stretched her tired muscles and reluctantly sat up. She could see the weather was going to be gray and overcast today through her bamboo curtained window.
"Mondays…I hate Mondays." She complained as she got up to make her bed. Her clock on her bedside table read: 6:03. She had less than 45 minutes to get ready before her boyfriend came to pick her up. After she straightened her soft lavender comforter and matching pillows, she went into her bathroom to take a quick shower. Lighting a fragrant lavender vanilla candle, she shut her bathroom door and got undressed.
When she got blasted by hot water, Kagome could finally relax. Her thoughts immediately reeled back to last night. After she was dropped off, things quickly went downhill. Her shampoo was in her hair as she thought back to the night before; with her parents.
~Memory Flashback~
She had just walked in. The smell of lasagna wafted through her nose from the kitchen. She wasn't all that hungry so she would just go straight to bed tonight. But before she could get to the stairs; the motor mouth of the Higurashi family caught her.
"Hey sis!" She turned to see her nine year old brother greeting her. She gave a warm smile back.
"Hey punk, what's going on?" Her brother was a cute one. His short brown hair he got from their mom; his chocolate eyes, as well as hers; he got from their biological father. She knew when he got older; he would be a heartbreaker with the ladies.
"Nothing much. Bummed the weekend's over and all."
"Summer just got over, Souta. You've had a whole week to adjust again." For her and Souta, the new school year began just a week before.
"I know." He was silent for a few seconds before he began again. "How was it?"
He was referring to her and Inuyasha. Ever since the two met; they've become like brothers. Since Souta only had her and no other brother in the family; Inuyasha took over that role of "elder brother". Souta looked up to him for many things and has relied on him sometimes. Whatever she couldn't teach him, Inuyasha could.
"It was wonderful. I got my latest work done and it turned out great." Souta knew of her artistic life. In fact he was one of six people who knew of her secret.
"Hey, can you and Inuyasha come to my soccer game on Thursday? Mom and Yoshiro are busy with work so they can't take me. "
Kagome heard the disappointment in his voice. He was a soccer player in his elementary school and had always wanted to see his family see him play…but only she and sometimes Inuyasha were there supporting him.
"Sure, I can ask him. He likes to see you play, Souta, you know that." How did she know? Well the many photos Inuyasha took at his games was all over the boy's wall.
"Yeah I know. Thanks sis." He rushed over to give her a hug and dashed off to God knows where.
Then a booming voice asked, "Where have you been, young lady?!"
'This is not what I need right now.' She had a single step on the stairs but turned around again to see her stepfather in the living room entryway. Kagome had never liked him much. His hazel eyes were stern and untrustworthy; his face always an emotionless mask. The way he stood there and waited for her to answer was enough to make her shiver.
"It's the weekend. I had plans." Her voice had meant to sound so cold. He never cared about her and her feelings so why would she answer another way? She crossed her arms and glared right back.
"You were with that mongrel again, weren't you?!" His posture was straight and his voice was demanding. Kagome would not give in to him.
"That's none of your business, Yoshiro!" Under no circumstances she ever called him father. This man was no where near what her real father meant to her. And besides, why did he care about where she went or who she was with? It really wasn't any of his business.
"I thought I told you to stay away from that poor hanyou trash?!" His eyes blazed and his fists were clenched.
Alright! Insult her and you're in trouble. But to insult her boyfriend, her Inuyasha, you've just crossed the international "kick ass" line. Nobody insults or degrades Inuyasha, no matter who they are…NOBODY!!!
"HOW DARE YOU SPEAK OF HIM THAT WAY?!" Now she was fuming. She didn't care if the whole world heard her; she would get her point across. "He supports me! He encourages me! He doesn't criticize me but most of all, he loves me! For me! Things you can't and won't do!" Her eyes were pure raging fire; her fists white from clenching so hard; and her face was red from all the shouting. She didn't care if she was standing in front of her stepfather, she would scream and defend her hanyou.
"Now you watch your mouth, young lady-"He was about to speak again but obviously his stepdaughter wasn't done yet.
"Everything I just said was true and you know it! You just hate the fact that someone could love me and my art!" Tears were threatening to spill but she held them back for now. Why couldn't she ever have a break?
"Honey…" Her mother's soft voice interrupted the two.
Kagome saw her mother coming from the kitchen and turned her head to face her. Her brown curly locks were messy from cooking, her light brown eyes were tired from working and her face was red and slightly sweaty. Kagome, despite what her mother thought of her and her life, she still loved her mother; even though it was hard to show it sometimes.
"We just want what's best for you." She finished her sentence.
All those mellow feelings immediately vanished. "If you know what's best for me, why can't you try to like Inuyasha and support me on what I love to do?!" Why couldn't she just see that she wouldn't change; even if it was her parents asking her? Those tears were about to stream full force.
"Dear, me and Yoshiro agree that you won't go far in life with your…art." Her mother was definitely struggling with the word. Kagome knew her mother had always wanted a good life for her; but painting was what she loved to do. Nothing could stop her from painting, but her mother was being very objective. "Besides, that boy you're seeing is way too old for you. All we're saying is that you should consider a different path than the one you're traveling down now."
When the last word spoke from her mouth, Kagome had lost it. "No, Mom! I will not stop loving Inuyasha nor will I stop my passion for painting! And you can't stop me!" Without looking back, the freshman ran upstairs; careless of her name being called by both stepfather and mother. She slammed her door and let her building tears just flow out.
~Memory Flashback Ends~
After that, she did nothing but cry out of frustration and anger. When she finally calmed down, she picked up her phone and called her boyfriend. Calling him after the daily quarrel with her folks was something she felt great comfort in. Inuyasha was none too happy with it, as he voiced out many times. He understood what she went through and told her that he would be there for her. After a long conversation; they wished each other goodnight and would see each other tomorrow. Feeling better by hearing Inuyasha's reassuring voice, she made another call and helped Ayame with the Algebra homework.
When she finally finished with her relaxing shower; she had about 20 minutes to get ready. Putting on her deodorant and her favorite(as well as Inuyasha's) lotion and brushing her teeth, she picked out an outfit to suit the weather: a nice sweater with blue jeans, brushed her now blow-dried hair; leaving it down and gathered her things; including schoolwork, cell phone and iPod in her shoulder bag.
When Kagome opened her door; she made sure not to disturb her still sleeping stepfather. His high paying job kept him up late at night so she crept quietly down the stairs. When she reached the kitchen, she a nice quite breakfast of cereal and fruit. At 6:39 in the morning; Souta would still be sleeping too; his school didn't start until 7:45. Her mother already left for work early this morning.
Hearing in the distance the familiar roar of the mustang, she finished her breakfast and gathered her things up and quietly shut the front door. The mustang pulled up just as she step down from the porch steps. She smiled happily as she ran and got in; receiving a kiss from her hanyou. When she clicked her seatbelt in place, they drove off.
The music on the radio was low so that there was no complete silence in the car. There was now raindrops landing on the windshield so the wipers were turned on. Kagome could see that Inuyasha was still upset about last night. She could see his fist clenched on the clutch and his eyes hard on the road. Fed up with this unbearable silence between them, she covered his hand on the clutch.
"Are you okay?" She knew he wasn't but she had to get him talking. She hated to see him so upset about something that she went through.
He took a deep breath and relaxed a bit. "I just…" He growled and shook his head. "I just can't bear to hear you so sad over something that they caused! It was hard not to get up last night and rush over to comfort you." His voice became softer. His hand now held hers; feeling less tense. When they came to a red light; he looked into her eyes. "You know when they talk to you about me; I can't help but feel that I'm responsible for all this. All this pain, all those tears…" He let go of her hand to caress her smooth cheek; where limitless tears fell time and again. " It's like I caused them."
"Don't you say that!" She held his hand to her face. "You know you're not the cause of this and don't think otherwise!" Hearing how defeated and sad he sounded; her heart just reached out to him. "It's not your fault! They just can't see how great you are; despite our age difference!" She sniffed back to hold in her tears. "Don't blame yourself, baby."
"But if I hadn't met you; you wouldn't have had so many fights and-"
"Don't you dare you say that!! I don't care what happened or what happens with my family; I have never met such a wonderful man in my life! And no one or nothing can change that, you hear me?"
"Kagome…"
"Listen to me, okay? I love you. If we hadn't met; I would never have been so happy all the time. You supported me and encouraged me when no one else would. My tears weren't caused by anything you've done. I cry because my mother and Yoshiro can't see that what's best for me is right beside me and in my soul." Painting was in her soul. It would remain embedded there for the rest of her life.
Inuyasha listened and listened good. He felt what she felt just from her touch. She had gone through a lot before she met him. And for every tear she shed, the more pain he felt for her. He could make her feel better without a doubt. It was like his responsibility to protect her from the pain and that's why it hurt him so much.
The red light turned green so he had to remove his hand to hold hers again and began driving. It was another 10 minutes to the middle school and temporarily stopping in the front of it before they spoke again.
"We won't let this get to us, okay? My mother and Yoshiro will continue this bull over my life and no matter how hard I try, they won't stop. You are my path in life and I won't stop; nor will I stop my painting." She cupped his cheek and looked into his sunset eyes. "And I don't regret a moment of it."
"Neither do I." He reached over to kiss her forehead before kissing her nose. "I will never regret you; not ever. I will stick with you; no matter if I have to fight with your bastard stepfather to do it!"
"Right!" She was glad that he was back to the old, over-confident hanyou she's grown to love.
The school grounds were swarming with students but Kagome just wanted to stay with him. But she knew he had to get to school too. She quickly kissed his cheek and got her bag. "I have to go. Sango and Ayame will want to know how the painting went."
"Alright, and don't forget, I got new pictures coming in today. And tell the runt he better have more room on his wall."
"He's going to be so happy! You know he looks up to you as an older brother."
"Yeah, I know. Someone's got to teach him. Lord knows what Yoshiro will say to him." He gave her a final kiss to her lips. "I'll see you after school, babe."
"Love you." Kagome waved goodbye and closed the car door. Not even three steps away she heard a very suggestive cat call from behind her. She looked over her shoulder to see her hanyou with that lustful gaze of his. "Don't you start getting perverted on me. You know Miroku already has that title." Her face was a cute pink and knew exactly why he whistled. The jeans she wore were a little tight around her backside.
"Only when I'm around you." He then gave a sexy snarl; showing off his canine fangs.
She giggled. "I'll see ya later, you bad boy, you." She then turned around and headed straight for the school.
His eyes never left her backside. "She has no idea how tempting and sexually alluring she is." He realized then he had to get to his own school; which started in ten minutes according to his radio clock. He turned the car back on and drove away. "She's really going to be the death of me."
Sakura Middle School was your typical Japanese middle school. There were students everywhere in groups talking and walking; getting ready for class. The only thing was that there were uniforms issued. Even though some students still wore them, many did not. The faculty seemingly didn't care so they wore whatever they chose.
Kagome walked to her locker near the cafeteria. She was expecting to see her partners in crime; a.k.a her best girlfriends waiting for her. When she turned the corner; she only saw Sango, who like her; didn't wear the uniform.
"Hey, Sango." She greeted.
The girl turned around and saw her fellow freshman. "Yo, Kaggie what's going on?" Her long chocolate colored hair was in a high ponytail and had light pink mascara above her expressive mahogany eyes. She was always happy but could turn on you if you pissed her off.
"Ah, nothing much." She put in her combo and opened her light blue locker. "Where's Ayame?"
"No clue. I haven't seen her since Saturday." Sango pulled out her math book and shut her locker door. "Damn locker…" Her locker door wouldn't completely shut and resorted to kicking it to make it stay shut.
"Do you always have to hurt and abuse things?" Kagome found great entertainment in seeing Sango beat the hell out of something and just watched.
Her friend sighed and giggled at the truth. "Yeah it seems I do." She let the poor locker alone and leaned against it. "Guess it comes from beating Miroku all the time."
Both laughed at that true statement. Like Inuyasha, Miroku was in high school except he was a junior. How the boy came to like the easily temperamental Sango was anyone's guess.
"Guys!! Guys!!" A hyper voice called to them. The two girls turned to see their wolf demon friend charging at them. Her colorful auburn hair was flying behind her and seemed really hyper again. Ayame Hamasaki was an energetic wolf and had tons of energy to burn. That was why she was on the girl's volleyball, swimming and lacrosse teams.
The floor was slick and unfortunately Ayame wasn't aware of that. She tried to skid to a stop but ended up flying past them and screamed before crashing into the wall.
Kagome and Sango sighed and ran to help her. "Are you alright, Ayame?" Kagome asked while helping the girl up.
She sighed and dusted herself off. "You know me-"
"The clumsy and uncoordinated." Sango finished; smiling humorously.
The wolf only glared but continued on. "Thanks for the help last night, Kaggie. I absolutely suck at Algebra."
"No problem."
"Anyway, did you get the painting done?" Sango asked; keeping her voice down.
Except for Inuyasha and her brother, she, Ayame, Miroku and a member of Kagome's family were the others who knew about "Lavender". After meeting Inuyasha and giving her inner strength; she let more people into her inner circle. "Yep, finished it last night. I had a hard time concentrating on painting Sango and Miroku, though."
All three busted out laughing; knowing what she was talking about.
"Yeah, Miroku wouldn't stop smiling and Sango had to keep her fist from flying into his face again." Ayame continued to laugh.
"Unfortunately his ice cream got in the way of my fist."
Unfortunately the shrill of the warning bell announced they had ten minutes to get to class.
They all bid farewell as Sango went one way while Ayame and Kagome went the other. They all wouldn't meet again until third period and lunch.
It was second period at Inuyasha's high school and that meant photography class. Not only did Inuyasha enjoy it as a hobby but he took the class; to improve his skills. Currently, he was developing his latest roll of film; along with 21 other students. This was the hardest class of the photography course but the half demon cruised through it with ease.
Since this was his last year; Inuyasha would take this course seriously. He planned for a while that it would be his career choice. Taking pictures made him feel…peaceful and relaxed; like nothing could take him away from his passion. He needed something to occupy his time since his parents died.
Seeing a certain picture; he picked it up and just stared. This was when he secretly followed his girlfriend to the park about five days ago. He stood behind a tree and waited until he found the perfect time to capture it: She was leaning against a tree; the sun splashing through the shade of the trees on her; staring into the sky while listening to her iPod. He got a perfect side profile of her.
'This reminds me of the first time we met. It was just like this…'
~Memory Flashback~
It was a very calm, overcast day in March; there were some snow patches everywhere but the temperature was nice and there was a calm wind. Dressed in a light jacket and blue jeans and boots; the 16 ½ year old hanyou made his way through the woods behind his small house. His trusty camera was dangling from his neck as he wandered about; searching for some pictures.
The trees were starting to blossom so it was looking quite colorful, but Inuyasha was searching for something unique; something he hasn't seen yet this spring. It was getting beautiful as the month passed but, why did he feel that he could do better? There was just something tugging at him to keep going. Why, he didn't know.
It was silent as he trekked through; his puppy ears twitching to the distant sounds and making sure that he knew how to get back with the scents he passed.
All he could smell were the fresh blossoming of the flowers and the grass growing between the snow and…wait, he just caught a whiff of cherry blossoms and…lavender?!
'What the hell?! I know that cherry blossoms don't grow this early and lavender doesn't grow anywhere near here. Wonder where that's coming from…' So he headed in the direction where he first smelt that beautiful scents. 'Maybe they're already growing or maybe they're growing together in a spot…' Tons of possibilities ran through his mind as he grew closer.
His natural speed made him haul as he ran; dyeing to know where and why it was growing. But what he saw made him stop in his tracks.
Just 20 feet from where he stood; sat a young girl. The fragrant scent of the cherry blossom and lavender were coming from her. He quickly hid behind a tree and just watched; mesmerized and entranced by the heavenly scent.
She was leaning against a pine tree; a sketch pad on her legs; which were drawn up to her chest. There was music coming from her iPod, which was tucked in her jacket pocket so she didn't hear him coming. The girl was delicately drawing something and looked up from time to time in the distance.
'She…she seems so pretty. Like a delicate, innocent flower.' Were his first thoughts of her. That shiny black hair that went to her mid-back; her eyes were of a pure chocolate brown; holding so much innocence that he has never seen before in a girl. Her skin was a little pale but she was still beautiful. She couldn't be more than 13, 14 at the most.
Her eyes were wandering when she caught a glimpse of red clothing and silver strands. She pulled out her ear buds and stopped her music. "Who's there?"
'Damn; she caught me! What do I do?!' Should he show himself ? 'Well, she already caught me so what's the difference?' He argued with himself. Taking a deep breath, he stepped out and looked right at her.
She seemed stunned; not scared as he expected. Her inquisitive eyes went from his ears to his eyes to his pale hair. He could smell her fascination and curiosity and decided to walk towards her. She still didn't move from her spot.
"Uh…hi." What else could he say? He thought he had frightened the poor girl so he just said what was a stupid but sufficient greeting.
"Hi." Her voice was meek but angelic. Her eyes never left his for the longest time.
~Memory Flashback Ends~
After an awkward introduction, he sat beside her and they talked for the longest time. Inuyasha discovered that she was only 13 ½ and loved to draw and sketch; that her mother and step-father refused to let her paint in the house and that she had a younger brother. She found that he was 3 years older than her; he loved to take pictures and he lived not far from that spot. At the end; he asked her for a simple picture. It turned out to be the first picture worth keeping.
He shook his head at the memory and smiled. 'It seems such a long time ago.' It may have been merely a 1 ½ ago, but it seemed like long ago to him. He now couldn't imagine a life without Kagome in it. He was grateful that they were in the same place at the right time and he prayed everyday that this was reality. 'What would I have done if she wasn't there? How would it be now?'
He asked himself those questions many times but knew that whatever happened; she was there by his side…where he always hoped she would be.
Lunchtime came around at Sakura and everybody was sitting and relaxing; enjoying their midday meal. Since Ayame and Sango would be late for lunch, Kagome decided to pass the time beside their spot: shade underneath an old oak on the lawn in the school's inner courtyard , listening to her iPod and her sketchpad in her lap in case inspiration hit her.
She was currently in her own world; bopping her head and just listening. When one of her favorite songs came on; she closed her eyes; taking her back over a year ago; in the frosty woods where they first met.
Two 'o clock and I wish that I was sleeping
You're in my head like a song on the radio
All I know is that I got to get next to you
Yeah I got to get next to you
This was the song playing when that exact moment happened; when her eyes met his for the first time. It was kind of freaky, really. After their first meeting, at night she couldn't sleep because he was all she could think about. She felt a kind of connection; a unique bond with the hanyou and she couldn't wait until she saw him again.
Sitting here turning minutes into hours
To find the nerve just to call you on the telephone
You don't know that I got to get next to you
She remembered after they exchanged numbers a few meetings later; she sat holding her phone; contemplating on whether she should call him or not. She was anxious and nervous but she wanted to hear his smooth voice over and over again.
Maybe were friends
Maybe were more
Maybe it's just my imagination
But I see you stare just a little too long
And it makes me start to wonder
So baby call me crazy
But I think you feel it too
Maybe I, Maybe I
Just got to get next to you
They were friends at first; for a while. They got to know each other and became quite comfortable around each other. Then she began to notice him just staring at her silently after about 5 weeks and she often thought what was going through his mind. It made her warm yet crazy inside and wondered if he felt the same way she did. It drove her crazy!
'Yeah, I remember. He had this look in his eyes…those eyes made me weak; helpless. And I didn't know what to think at first. But I liked it.' She felt the cool air on her face and sighed in contentment as she listened on.
I asked around and I heard that you were talking
Told my girl that you thought I was out of your league
What a fool, I got to get next to you, whoa
When she was looking for Sango one April day, she found her talking to Inuyasha. She had hid behind a tree to listen. Obviously he came to Sango for advice, because he thought he wasn't good enough for Kagome; even if he was in high school and she in middle school. Kagome was shocked but that didn't stop her from trying to get closer to him; in fact, she was more determined.
Yeah it's five in the morning and I can't go to sleep
'Cause I wish, yeah I wish that you knew what you mean to me
Baby let's get together and end this mystery, oh
They still met and they got closer but it didn't go much further than stares and hand touching. She wished he could just see in her eyes that she wanted him with her; as more than friends…and that mere thought kept her awake through most of the night and into the morning. He was becoming an important part of her lonely life and she wanted to end this and see if they could become more than just friends.
Maybe were friends
Maybe were more
Maybe it's just my imagination
But I see you stare just a little too long
And it makes me start to wonder
So baby call me crazy
But I think you feel it too
Maybe I, Maybe I
Just got to get next to you
Whatcha got to say? Whatcha got to do? How ya get the one you want to want to get next to you?
Despite what their ages were, she would say anything to make him listen to her and what she felt.
Whatcha got to say? Whatcha got to do? How ya get the one you want to want to get next to you?
She would be willing to do anything to make him realize what she wanted; what she needed.
Whatcha got to say? Whatcha got to do? How ya get the one you want to want to get next to you?
How she was going to accomplish this, she had no idea but she was determined to not fail and hopefully get somewhere with Inuyasha beyond the level of friendship.
Whatcha got to say? Whatcha got to do? How ya get the one you want to want to get next to you? Yeah, yeah, to want to get next to you
Maybe were friends
Maybe were more
Maybe it's just my imagination
But I see you stare just a little too long
And it makes me start to wonder
So baby call me crazy
But I think you feel it too
Baby call me crazy
But I know you feel it too
Maybe I, Maybe I
Just got to get next to you
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I got to get next to you
The only reason why she met him in the first place was because she wanted to be in a place away from the negativity her mother and Yoshiro expressed and somewhere she could be herself. She ended up in the woods not far from her boyfriends home. It was in the semi-frosty woods where grass and snow mingled together and the trees where beginning to bloom. She remembered it; the memory fresh and clear in her mind. It was like a fairytale for her; meeting a guy who understands her and loves her regardless of how her life is. This song explained clearly how she felt leading up to their first date and confession of love and it became engraved in her mind, body and soul.
After the song ended; she opened her eyes and looked to see her best friends finally arriving. She turned off her music and the three enjoyed the lunch hour under the fall colors.
What do you think? Is it good? Bad? Let me know!! Your reviews are appreciated!!
Ja Ne for now!