What Makes You Different

Summary: Kagome spent her time on the roof of the many Hotels she continued to bounce around to. It was sheer coincidence that she ran into him...and it was by a stroke of luck that he didn't kill her. When she makes a request of this mystery boy, will he see it through, or laugh in her face.

Anime/Manga: Shaman King/InuYasha

Pairing: Kagome/Ren

Genre: Romance

Rated: M for Mature Content

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"..." Kagome lay silently on the cold rooftop, scared to move, her eyes never swayed away from the dangerously piercing golden eyes that were narrowed dangerously. She wanted to speak, but was uncertain whether or not she should.

"Who are you?"

She noted his accent was Chinese, not the same Japanese accent as hers. Raising her head a bit by coming up onto her hands, his blade pushing dangerously against her neck, but not penetrating her flesh, merely moving with her. "...my name is Higurashi, Kagome."

"Why are you up here?"

"I was trying to get some fresh air..."

"I'm sure, and your Guardian Spirit is just out for some fresh air too?"

"...what?" She was so confused. She had no idea what this kid was talking about.

He glowered irritably before pulling his weapon away from her throat, still staring down at her. "The ghost that was with you, she is your Guardian Spirit, right?"

Kagome's eyes widened, she understood now. "You're a shaman!?" She asked excitedly, coming up onto her knees as she did. "I've never met one before! Lotus has only mentioned them before, but never have I seen one...and you're my age!"

The boy looked at her curiously before jumping back a bit and settling down on the ledge of the rooftop. "You really don't know what a Guardian Ghost is, or anything about Shamans?"

"Mm, no...I met Lotus only three months ago or so...say, I read some things about Shamans. They are medicine men, right?"

The boy raised a brow, but gave a small nod all the same. "They can be...why?"

"Could they heal me? Could you?"

He stared her down, looking at her body; nothing seemed to be wrong with her, she didn't look ill at all. "What's wrong with you?"

She shrugged, "I fall asleep, and weeks pass by...the doctors say that I won't last a long attack, and each one keeps me under longer and longer...they say I may not wake up next time. Hey...what's your name?"

"...Ren, Tao Ren. Can the doctors not help you?"

"They don't know how." Kagome smiled sadly, standing up, she walked over to the roofs ledge and stood next to Ren who was sitting with one knee drawn up into his chest, the other swinging lazily beside Kagome. "They can't heal the unknown...they don't know what's wrong with me, it doesn't even have a name, the doctors just call it 'Sleep X'. Now, all I do these days is move from hotel to hotel...and I am tired of that. I don't want to keep running from the diagnosis. I'm going to die, why can't my mom let me have some portion of a life until that day comes?"

"...you want to live?"

Kagome looked to Ren with a bright smile, "yeah...I want to live, and have fun, and do something exciting! Haven't you ever wanted to step foot out of line and do something daring and maybe even incriminating?"

He chuckled at that, "Incriminating? Well, I can't say I've never done something of the type, but I can relate to wanting to do something exciting. Tell me something Kagome; have you done spirit unity with Lotus?"

"Yeah, all the time; the rooftops are normally locked, and as a thief, she can get me through locked doors, so we do soul unity and she'll help me get past my obstacles."

"...come with me...Kagome."

"Huh? Where? Where are you going?"

"The Shaman Fight is soon to start...I have already met my judge, and if you are a Shaman, like I think you are, you should meet your Judge too...and soon."

"My Judge?"

"Yes, I can train you Kagome, I can make your remaining life, exciting. I can help you live..."

Kagome could feel her heart rate quicken, her cheeks were flushed at this boys words. "I...I..."

~BAM~

Kagome and Ren both jumped and turned to see Kagome's mother angrily staring at her. It was always like this if Kagome was actually awake when she was found. Her mother always became hateful and angry, eager to once again lock her daughter away in her bedroom.

"KAGOME!" Her mom yelled out furiously at her, calling for her to return to her side immediately, as always.

Kagome stood and glanced nervously between her mother and Ren who now stood on the ledge watching the older woman wearily. "...Ren..." Her voice came out scared, softly spoken so that her mother wouldn't hear her.

"Kagome, it's your choice, your mother will only end up forcing you to die alone. She's taking away any chance you may have to live."

Her eyes glistened with tears, this was the first time she'd let them fall, always keeping them at bay so that she wouldn't hurt so much. "I want to live..." she cried brokenly, her vision suddenly fading as she started to feel sleepy. Her legs gave out, and Ren moved in, catching her before her body could hit the ground. "Take me...with you...Ren~"

His name fell from her lips as darkness took her away and her vision became dark. It was always the same. Stress gave her body initiative to shut down. But this time, she would not awaken to her mother's anger, a new hotel room, and another bedroom to which she could be locked away in.

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Me: Here is the second chapter to What Makes You Different, I hope you all enjoy! Please leave me a Review and tell me your thoughts on the story, and if you have a story you wish for me to update, let me know, nyan~!