A/N: Thank you for all the reviews guys! Can we get to 1OO reviews though? If we can, I'll update immediately with the next chapter! I accept all forms of criticism but please go easy, alright? I have feelings too. Also, a tiny bit of Bella, Edward, and Nessie bashing. Don't hate me, alright? Someone has to be the bad guy lol.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha nor Twilight.
Chapter Three – Changes
One month later...
"Kagome-chan, promise me you'll try and be happy? You deserve it, after everything you've been through. Just...be safe, alright?"
Truth be told, Kagome had never heard her mother sound so...sad. It seemed almost desperate in the sense that her mom never used to show any indication that something was bothering her. There were times, back then, when she'd caught a glimpse of a tear rolling down her mother's pale cheek but otherwise, Higurashi Nodoka stood strong with a smile on her face. But perhaps that's what being a parent was all about and now that she was older, Kagome could immediately understand why her mom shipped her off to a random family half way across the continent.
She was silent for the longest time and Kagome could almost see her mom kneeling over the phone line, crying her eyes out. It struck a cord within her and the pain in her heart increased ten-fold. "I promise, Kaa-san...I – I'm sorry. Just, tell Souta-kun and Ji-chan I love them, alright? And I'll call you before bed tonight~"
The line went dead a few seconds after that, a dull beeping tone resounding in her ears that alerted her of a possible dropped call so she hung the payphone up and moved back to the edge of the sidewalk. There wasn't much she could say to alleviate her mother's depression but she hoped that with time, whatever wounds Kagome may have inflicted both mentally and emotionally, would heal.
There wasn't a doubt in her mind that her 'adventures' wouldn't come with repercussions. No – Kagome learned a long time ago that every decision was not without consequence. 'It's funny how things just seem to fall apart in the end'
There was a price for everything. And she was paying for it in full now.
It was half past five but the gloomy weather her mother warned her about might have indicated it was still early. She glanced down at the watch strapped onto her beaten yellow backpack and back again when another car moved past her. Goosebumps rose along her pale flesh and she clutched her bag closer to her chest. It'd been only half an hour when she first landed, got her luggage, called Charlie Swan, and went outside to wait on the sidewalk by the road.
Her nerves were in overdrive at the prospect of living with strangers after so long but she suppose it wasn't anything new. At least this time, there wouldn't be youkai trying to kill her.
Forks was supposed to be a nice, normal town in America with a small Indian Reservation and a local port not too far off. There was a local high school ( that she'd be attending to finish her last year ) and a few general stores but otherwise Forks was usually very quiet. The change in scenery would be good for her though, no bustling city people or subway perverts to watch out for. And definitely nothing to remind her of her past.
"Ka...gome? K-kagome Heegurashi?"
The hoarse male voice pulled her out of her stupor and it was then that she might have visibly cringed at the obvious butchering of her name. But her mom raised her better than that so she kept quiet and instead offered the kind, older man ( who she assumed was Chief Swan by the police uniform he wore ) a timid smile before she held her hand out in an American greeting. She'd been quite tempted to bow first since it was ingrained in her since birth but she wasn't in Japan anymore and this was a nice time as any to start practicing.
After a small pause, she replied, "Um, yes. You must be Charlie Swan?"
He smiled, though it seemed forced and awkward, at best. "Yeah, Just Charlie though. Uh...do you have any other luggage besides your pack there?"
When he gestured to the yellow pack she was hugging to her chest, Kagome shook her head and followed Charlie to his cruiser that was parked near the curb. After placing her one suitcase in the trunk, they began their trek to Port Angles where Charlie said he'd take her to the local diner for dinner. She refused at first, feigning she wasn't hungry ( because she didn't want to put Charlie out ) but when her stomach rumbled her consent, she lamented in the end with an embarrassed flush on her face.
It was nearly dark when they arrived and there was a soft gray hue that dusted the cloudy sky. The air was unusually cold, even if it was in the middle of March, where her breath would come out in barely visible hot puffs. But the biting cold didn't bother her too much, the thick air was actually quite comforting, in a sense. Despite the shrine she grew up on, the air was normally very thin and with her...frequent travels, she ended up getting sick quite often with the change in weather.
There were a few people in the diner when they arrived and the waitress lead them to a seat near the front next to the windows. There were a lot of elderly but mostly families and their kids in the restaurant so it felt just a little uncomfortable sitting alone with Charlie. Still, she supposed this was as good time as any to try get acquainted with him since she would be spending a year with him. And a lot could happen in a year.
But from her observation, Charlie didn't seem to be the talking type. She normally wasn't so quiet either but after...well...after all the crap she went through, Kagome found it hard to relate to most people. But Charlie attempts at small talk were honestly quite funny and she found herself relaxing into the easy conversation he provided. Soon, they were both finished with dinner and Charlie mentioned something about having to go into work soon when they got to Forks but he'd be back before morning. School didn't start till Monday and it was currently Saturday so they had a whole weekend together, she surmised.
The night had barely started and it was when they were heading out of the diner when she sensed something – rather, someone, strange. The hairs on her forearms stood up on end and there was a prodding sensation at the back of her head that told her to flee; leave. She always trusted her instincts and they never failed to protect her or prove her wrong before so she wasn't about to ignore them now.
But curiosity burned at the vestiges of her mind, compelling her to go find out what or who that was. Because it certainly hadn't felt like any youkai she'd come across before. Was it so bad that she'd hoped it was?
Her blue eyes darted back and forth across the eerily empty street, which, minutes ago, had been bustling with life but was now completely dead. 'Strange.' She swallowed the hard lump stuck in her throat and couldn't help but feel like there were eyes watching her, them, from afar.
When she spread her reiki out further, in an attempt to pin point the person's location, they disappeared just as fast.
"Hey, kiddo, you alright?"
Charlie's voice startled her for a minute and the frown she'd been sporting was replaced by a smile to alleviate his obvious concern. "I'm fine, just...thought I saw something for a minute but it was probably nothing."
As she got into the car, Kagome missed the worried look Charlie cast her before they were speeding down the road at nearly ninety miles per hour. She honestly thought Charlie might have lost his head for going so fast since the speed limit was 50 and he was pushing a hundred at this point.
Had it been something she said?
She didn't ponder on it long though and her thoughts soon went back to the strange person she sensed earlier. Who was it? What was it? Were they good? And what did they want? Perhaps they were just passing by and got curious?
In any case, it left her feeling excited and exhilarated; there was just a spot of hope nestled at the pit of where her heart lay. Somehow, she got the sense that perhaps there was more to Forks than she first imagined.
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Her first week in Forks was mostly uneventful. She hadn't seen hide nor hair of that mysterious person and Kagome couldn't decide if she was happy or slightly disappointed. Being normal so far, was incredibly boring. The only thing that kept her going was the thought of her crying mom and she immediately thought better of it.
Things could be worse, much worse.
"So, Kagome, right? I'm Mike, Mike Newton. My family owns the uh, general goods store down the street? Yeah, hard work y'know? I also volunteer at the school, as the P.E. Teacher from time to time."
Mike, upon introduction, seemed to have a hard time keeping his eyes on her face rather than...other aspects of her body. He wasn't very discreet in his perusal and Kagome had the odd distinction that he wanted more than just a kind smile. Which was both disguising and funny at the same time.
When Charlie told her she should "go out and meet new people", she didn't think he meant in that way. But then she hadn't meant to really run into anyone at all even though everywhere she went, people were whispering and outright staring at her! Honestly, if someone wanted to tell her something, they should just say it to her face.
She shook her head and blinked confused eyes up at Mike when he waved a hand in her face.
" – anyone in there? Hel – oh, there you are haha. So, what do you think?"
She tilted her head to the side, a questioning look in her blue irises. "Err...think about what, exactly?"
His face dropped. "About dinner? With me?" he supplied.
"Oh! Um, honestly...I don't think its appropriate for a student and teacher to have relations so...I'll have to decline. Sorry. And Charlie's probably waiting for me at home so I'll see you at school, Mr. Newton."
With that, she bowed and quickly made her way towards the bike rack where Charlie's old bicycle sat chained up. He let her borrow it after he learned she couldn't drive and managed to get it fixed up before school started tomorrow. 'Kami, if I deal with that pervert on a daily basis I will shoot myself.' Mike's voice could be heard from behind and Kagome wasted no time hauling it out of the parking lot.
She did not want to be around Mike unless it was absolutely necessary.
"I-It's Mike! Mr. Newton's my father!...c-call me, please?..."
There was a bright red hue to her pale cheeks as she sped past the few stores Forks had to offer and a sense of ease soon spread through her body. The biting air flushed her rosy cheeks, cooling the sweat collected at the back of her neck as her legs pedaled down the mostly quiet street. For the most part, Kagome could very well see herself enjoying the quiet life Forks provided. It gave off a peaceful sort of vibe and she was sure she'd get used to it. Well, eventually, that is.
When she arrived to the Swan Estate, there was an expensive silver car in the driveway that sat next to Charlie's cruiser. She didn't recognize the insignia or brand of the car but it looked highly expensive. Did Charlie has guests over?
Well, she did recall him mentioning he had a daughter, Bella, who was married and his granddaughter, Reneesme, whom they nicknamed Nessie. She just hadn't realized she'd be meeting them so soon after arriving only a few days ago.
When she chained the bike and walked up the steps to the house, her hand froze on the doorknob when her reiki flared to life again. Her senses were screaming at her to be alert and there was a feeling of trepidation flowing through her veins as she turned the knob and stepped inside.
Whoever Charlie's 'guests' were, they certainly weren't human from what she was sensing. Her gut instinct told her to be careful but she got the initial feeling that they weren't hostile or dangerous. As she walked towards the living room, where Charlie and his guests seem to be gathered, Kagome could barely hear the slight child-like laugh lilt the air before she entered the quaint room.
A hushed silence descended but Charlie kept up his mostly one-sided conversation since he had yet to turn around and notice her. The woman – girl, from a second glance, resembled Charlie in many ways and though she was astoundingly beautiful like the boy and child standing on either side of her, Kagome couldn't help but feel like it was a frozen sort of beauty etched onto a painting. She got the strangest feeling that something about this...family, just seemed a bit off. And it certainly wasn't often that her instincts were wrong.
When her blue eyes connected with that of the boy, the one with the bronze hair, Kagome's brows furrowed when she felt a sharp pain along her forehead. 'For a split second, I swear it felt like someone was in my mind.' And unlike her male companion, who's eyes were a bright golden yellow, it was the child's pressing stare on her person when she winced visibly that seemed to make her anxiety all the more palpable. It was like she was trying to get into her, like the boy's constant gaze; see all her hidden thoughts and spill it for everyone to hear. She probably shouldn't feel uneasy since Charlie obviously knew them but past experiences told her to always expect the unexpected.
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The minute she entered the house, Bella felt every nerve-ending in her frozen body go completely still. Her breath caught in her throat and venom began to salivate at the tip of her tongue when a delightfully pleasant aroma wafted through her nostrils. It honestly smelled better than anything she'd ever smelt in the entire world. Like a mix of cinnamon and peonies, maybe a hint of jasmine or some other exotic flower she didn't know the name of. Whatever the case, Bella was incredibly thirty and aroused at the same time.
Was this how Edward felt when he first met her? Did he have this excruciating need to drain her human body dry and feast on her blood? 'Oh god, no.'
She held her breath, her body going rigid under Edward's fingers around her waist as soft, careful footsteps began walking closer to the living room where they were situated in. Her husband gripped her bicep minutely and she released the shield on her thoughts to let him see what was ailing her since this wasn't the time nor the place for such a conversation.
Still. This was growing dangerous.
Nessie hadn't move from her side but she knew her daughter was hypnotized just as much as she was by the girl who stepped through into the living room. It both scared and exhilarated her. So far, Nessie had yet to actually taste blood – human and animal. And though she knew her daughter would never choose to hunt humans, she couldn't be sure her daughter would have the same control her father has.
Edward hadn't said a thing since they sensed the presence of the girl and Bella allowed him to see her thoughts. Really, she didn't know whether or not that was a good or bad thing. But god, this girl smelled amazing and it was Edward's tight grip on her waist that kept her rooted in her position. Her blue eyes were strange and yet so exotic despite her obvious Asian heritage.
What was she? There was obviously something more to this strange human girl but Bella couldn't quite put her finger on it. But she could taste it in the air above the delicate aroma – the sting of power that radiated softly off her prone form.
When Charlie mentioned participating in some student exchange program for Forks High School, Bella hadn't even thought about the close proximity she'd have to have. It didn't even occur to her that she might have to be careful and keep her distance; her control was amazing and she hadn't had a problem around humans before. Until now, that is.
"Charlie, you didn't mention anything about a...guest." Edward was careful with his words and he gestured with a slight tilt of his head in the girl's direction, his eyes narrowing into slits when he got frustrated with something. And Bella knew that look.
"Oh, Kagome, didn't even hear you come in. This is my daughter, Bella, and her husband, Edward. And this little runt is Reneesme, or Nessie. Guys, this is Kagome, from Japan."
Edward and Bella stayed still, not moving from their position and Charlie gave the two of them a weird look but shook it off when Nessie strode forward with her hand extended in a greeting. Her brown eyes blinked owlishly and Kagome had the briefest distinction that there was more to this child than meets the eye.
Reneeseme's voice was soft and polite, but held a sort of curious lilt to it as she spoke. "It's very nice to meet you, Kagome." she was very intrigued by the Asian woman that smelled like auntie alice's garden and blocked her father's mental gift. But when their hands touched, Reneesme's brows contorted and she grew incredibly confused when she couldn't hear the woman's thoughts either.
Kagome returned the greeting nonetheless, as her upbringing didn't allow her to be so rude, especially to a child, of all people. "It's nice to meet you as well, Nessie~" her gaze was kind and inviting as she looked down at 'Nessie' but as her gaze met that of her parents ( or her assumed parents since she resembled Bella in every aspect ), her eyes darkened and grew apprehensive.
She didn't want to be rude but she felt like maybe there was something she was missing whenever she gazed upon the perfect couple. Their skin was unnaturally pale and though she could chalk it up as a skin condition, they both looked like they were in perfect health. And the only people she ever met who had golden eyes were not human.
As if he sensed the growing tension in the air, Charlie clapped his together in an odd manner and turned to the couple who kept staring at her. "Bells, you guys staying for dinner? Kagome can cook a mean grilled fish and we still have leftovers from last night."
Bella managed to avert her gaze for the first time and sent her father an apologetic look. "Sorry, Dad, we can't. We're currently preparing to leave for Alaska and we still have a lot to do. Maybe next time?"
"Well take a rain check, Charlie. Ness needs to get to bed anyway, right Bella?" Edward was keen on getting his wife out of the vicinity since he could almost feel Bella's rigid form getting ready to lunge at the Asian girl. This was dangerous indeed and he needed to speak with Alice when they got back to the house. Why hadn't she warned him of this?
Thankfully, Charlie took the hint, telling Kagome she could go get dinner ready before walking Bella, Edward and Nessie to the door. But before they left through the threshold, Kagome stopped near the entrance to the kitchen and narrowed her eyes at the pale couple who continued to stare back at her.
'Stay out of my head and leave me alone or you'll regret ever meeting me.'