*THIS STORY HAS UNDERGONE MAJOR CHANGES*
I apologize to those of you who have already read and enjoyed the old version. I hope you like this one even better!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Inuyasha, or any of it's characters. I am merely sharing my imagination with you.
Chapter 2 - Dangerous Encounters
Immediately, the delectable aroma of homemade pancakes engulfed me and I practically flew downstairs. In the kitchen I found my mom, my younger brother Souta, and a stack of chocolate chips pancakes beckoning me closer.
"Good morning, sweetie," my mother cooed as she placed my share of breakfast on the rounded table. "Don't let your pancakes get cold."
I flung myself into a chair hastily, first day jitters and thoughts of irresistibly handsome puppy-eared boys almost forgotten. Souta sat beside me, gawking as I drowned my pancakes in thick syrup. Bite after delicious, chocolaty, bite, I rapidly wiped out my stack of pancakes. I filled a glass of tasty apple juice and took slow sips, savoring the cold, honeyed flavor coursing down my throat. Swallowing the last of my juice, my phone buzzed to life on the table top with Sango's name flashing on the screen.
"Morning. Are you mentally and physically prepared for your first day of torture? Seven dreadful, endless hours of misery and torment are coming your way." Her exaggerated text brought a smile to my face.
"Good morning, and yes, I am ready for my first day of school."
"You won't be after Algebra. Beware." I burst into giggles and rolled my eyes.
"I'm sure I will survive, and so will you." I wasn't the best when it came to plugging in numbers and plotting graphs, but I enjoyed learning. It wasn't so "torturous" for me as it was for my friend.
My mother leaned over to refill my empty glass with more tasty apple juice and inquired, "What's so funny, darling?"
"Sango and her ominous warnings to the hazards of school and mathematics." I thanked my mother, and picked up my phone again.
"Heading out in a few, Sango." I placed the gadget in my lap, only to peek a it again to view my friend's quick reply.
"Perfect. I'll catch you at the parking lot. By the way, you're meeting my friends when you arrive. I hope you're ready."
"You bet I am," I lied. "See you in a bit." Silently praying that Sango's friends will like me, I shut the screen off and tucked my phone into my deep front pocket before moving my dishes to the sink.
"Ey shish, will you take meh tah schoo todah?" Souta asked as he chewed, barely getting his words out through sticky lips.
"Of course, just as long as you wipe that syrup off your face." With that said, he quickly stood and handed over his dirty plates to me, then he used several napkins to wipe at the sticky, sugary, goo. A few minutes later, mom hugged us good-bye and playfully shooed us out the door.
Despite my late father's exceedingly wealthy origins, my family lived a comfortable, simple, down-to-Earth life. We were all very close and open with each other, and we worked well as a group. My parents were accepting, supportive and joyful, but above all loving. They loved Souta and I, and each other, with all their might. Their love was abundant and accepting, gentle, easy and extremely powerful. To me, my family was perfect and held enough love and kindness to smother the entire world twice over. We experienced our own cozy, delightful, paradise in which nothing could ever go wrong.
Yet, the months following my twelfth birthday, my father was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.
He was a smoker, he had been for years. It caused chemical build up in his lungs, creating difficulties breathing and severe coughing fits. You wouldn't be able to tell he was sick though, for my father was a strong, healthy looking man. His visits to the hospital were scant and his health maintained steadily for close to two years.
The night of my fifteenth birthday, he passed away.
A violent coughing fit rupture just enough blood vessels in his lungs to choke him. By the time he was taken to the hospital, it was too late.
I was crushed. I felt as if someone had ripped through my chest with sharp knives, taking everything out of me and dumping all of my guts before me. I felt barren, incomplete. My family was broken. I was broken.
Unknown to the rest of us, my father created his testament soon after the discovery of his illness. He willed to us his riches, economically ensuring our future. We became wealthy enough to live luxurious lives free of work and struggle. My mother, Souta, and I could take the rest of our lives off on some tropical island, sipping coconut water and perfecting our tans.
Instead, the plentiful funds were stored in our respective bank accounts to be used as my brother's and my college tuition and more. We used a small lump of the money towards our new, smaller house. My mother and I plan on applying for jobs as a way to cover our monthly expenses.
Apart from my golden bracelet and a multitude picture albums, the only other thing I had left of my father was his car: a two door, 1977 Chevrolet Camaro Lt. The car was painted a shiny midnight blue and had thin, white lining on the sides and a white roof. The interior was polished white leather, and my father had installed a full-scale radio system. Being in this car was when I felt closest to him. It was like he was right there beside me, watching over me, protecting me. Most of the time, I would just sit inside the car and relax while inhaling its distinct smell.
The faint but permanent odor of cigarette smoke, mingled with a sweet peppermint tang was embedded into the smooth, old leather. No matter how many air fresheners I'd place within the vehicle, it's unique smell would prevail in the end.
I cranked up the engine and the cool air vents gently blew into my face. As Souta climbed in the passenger seat, I slung on my safety buckle. I turned to him purposefully, "Seat belt?"
"I'm way ahead of you, sis." He used his thumb to push the gray strap away from his chest and then released it so it snapped back into place, proving he had already latched it on.
"You're the best," I tweaked he tip of my sibling's nose, then adjusted my rear view mirror and eased onto the black road. Souta's school was a ten, maybe eleven minute walk from our home, but I enjoyed taking him to school. I think Souta feels our father's presence here the same as I can.
"Do you want to be picked up after school?"
"No, I think I'll walk home. I might bring Kohaku over." My brother gathered his book bag in his lap and un-clicked his seat belt. Gently, I maneuvered past two cars and into the curved drive-thru, passing the large, neon yellow sign that read: Student Drop Off.
"Call me if you change your mind. I can pick you up both."
"Okay, sis. Love you."
"Love you back. Have fun!" Taking several quick glances through my mirrors, I departed the drop off section and followed the sluggish stream of cars that coursed towards the highway.
My palms began to sweat and my earlier anxiety resurfaced. The cause of my distress? Mystery man. I spent the past few days reliving those everlasting seconds our eyes had met, the two times I spotted him in the streets, the luring, inexplicable attraction.
When I first spotted him, I thought that was it. I was never, ever going to see him again. Now, we are destined to spend most of the day, everyday, for a year, in the same damn room together. Maybe I should ask Sango. She knows tons about Shikon High, surely she knows about the students, too.
With my heart working hard to flutter out of my body, I entered the school grounds. I followed the signs to the parking lot and stationed myself in a section with very few cars, far away from the crowded cluster at the entrance. I was not going to risk even the barest scratch on my father's car.
About four spaces parallel to my midnight shaded vehicle, I caught sight of a beautiful, blood-red, lethal motorcycle. Students are permitted to bring those, those... death traps here? I admit, it's stunning, but it's practically a coffin with wheels!
I appraised the perilous machine some more. I wonder who it belongs to. Seems expensive. Snapping out of my thought, I slid the key out of the ignition and stretched behind me to grab my backpack from the back seat. I stepped out of my car, my body bumping right into a pair of delicate arms.
"There you are! I was worried you lost your way." It was Sango. Relief swept over me as I looked over the pretty girl; she was dressed in a silky, pale emerald blouse that showed of her dazzling chestnut hair and a dark leggings covered her body from the hips down. Half of her hair was held up in a delicate braid, the remaining, long strands hugging her back. She was effortlessly beautiful.
"It's my fault. I dropped Souta off at his school and there was some traffic. I should have texted you, I'm sorry."
"What? Silly, don't apologize," Sango shook her head at me dismissively. We linked arms as we started across the parking lot towards the main entrance of the school. "Are you ready to meet my friends?"
"Of course, but I have a few questions first."
She quirked her head to the side, curious as to what I was about to ask. "Shoot."
"Number one," We ceased walking, and I lifted my pinky to rattle off my first question. "Who is the owner of the ruby red, slaughter-mobile over there?"
Sango glanced at the bike briefly, like it wasn't out of place to her and then beamed at me. Excitement glowed evidently on her face and she explained, "That belongs to one of my best friends," we resumed walking, though at a slower pace. Cars and teenagers began to crowd the empty spaces the closer we got to the school. "His name is Inuyasha, and he is one of the two you are going to meet."
"Who is the other one?" As soon as I asked, her cheeks went pink. I knew what that meant right away. I shimmied my shoulder into hers and sang happily, "Who is it?"
"Miroku. He is a bit of a sleaze.. and I don't know how, but I fell for him. We have been friends for quite some time, and it's strange to say the least. He doesn't know a thing, though. To be completely honest, I don't think I can last much longer pining from a distance like this."
I giggled and put my arms around her, "Don't you worry, I will help you plan your conquest. He'll be in your arms in no time!"
A bashful grin took over her face and she nodded at my suggestion in agreement. "So what's number two?"
"Number two, oh gosh, it's insane. Sango, I think I have a crush-"
"A crush?!" she squealed loudly, causing a handful of students to turn their sights on us. Sango squeezed my hands with strength and hopped ecstatically, like a hyperactive bunny. "What? Since when? How? Where did you see him? Who is it?" Questions spewed out of her mouth without restraint and I had difficulties answering them all.
Placing my hands over her shoulders, I shook her gently. Her eyes were wide and gleaming, she had a permanent smile plastered between her cheeks. "I... don't know who he is. He goes to school here, you might know him."
"Well, what's his name? Tell me!"
"I have no idea," Her eyebrows knitted closely together at my admission. I released her and we continued up the steps to the entrance. "I only know what he looks like because I've seen him a few times before. I am inexplicably, helplessly, intensely attracted to him. I can't explain it, I have never experienced feelings this fierce."
"I can help you find him." I watched her crane her neck over my head twice and suddenly, she pointed to the top of the open stair case. "My friends are over there. The guy on the left is Miroku, and the blob hiding underneath the hoodie is Inuyasha."
I glanced at the first boy she named, the one who she likes, and a vague sense of dejá vù slammed me. There was something recognizable. His dark, choppy hair and the two minuscule gold hoops on his ear I had definitely seen before... but his face was surely unfamiliar. "I'll introduce you first, and then we can get back to the topic of your mystery crush. I am dying to know who it is! As soon as you spot him, let me know."
Mustering the scarce ounces of courage I had inside me, I accepted Sango's idea and we marched up the remaining steps."Let's do it."
I apologize for any misspellings and grammatical errors, but I couldn't wait to upload another chapter! I truly hope you enjoyed it. Next chapter should be up by tomorrow night ^.^