Soon after, school continued regularly. Kagome cotinued her last and final year of high school. She had too much free time, having only a few hours at the kinder care. The house was empty with only two inhabitants and having Sota stay with Gramps for his own good didn't help. Her mom got more jobs to either make ends meet or probably just to fill her time with. Before she knew it, a month flew by. And then another. And then another.
Sango and Miroku were gentle and calm with her. The two helped her when necessary and didn't make her feel useless. She, despite her blindness, breezed through her studies. Kagome focused on her school work with intensity trying to keep her mind occupied. She also went out most of the time, keeping herself focused on her surroundings. by the time she came home, she would be too tired to do anything else and go into a dreamless sleep.
It came as a surprise to her when the final exams had passed and suddenly, she would graduate within a week. But tomorrow she'd be eighteen. She'd be eighteen years old and free to do whatever. Sango and Miroku were taking her out to eat and celebrate. Then there were other good news. Turns out, her mom had also been spending time to research some way to regain her sight. There might've been a surgeon that could help her with a successful but expensive surgery. Kagome debated on it carefully.
Did she really want her sight back? After a year with it, it didn't seem so bad. Others would jump at the chance but Kagome...she was only going to have it for a little while. What was the point? Sesshomaru periodically gave her check-ups and information on her health. And...how far the metal had gone. There was seriously no way they could get rid of them without destroying a major organ. The only other person that knew was her mother. And she was pretty optimistic about it.
The days passed by more slowly as she neared the end of her adolescence and entered adulthood. And then soon...he would come back.
"Kagome!" The small child called to me.
I smiled and held my hand out expectantly. "Yes, Kirara?"
"AhUn said we should get married!" She giggled. "He drew me a picture." Kirara guided my hand over the waxy drawing. It was most certainly drawn in crayon. I didn't know what color it was but I managed to figure out most of the shapes. "This is Ahun - he's wearing black - and this is me. I'm wearing an orange dress!"
"Ah, really?" I laughed lightly. "Where is AhUn?"
"He's right here silly!" My smile faltered a little. I was usually able to tell when one of them...never mind, "Tell miss Kagome!"
"Can we...can we get married?" His voice was small and faint.
Oddly enough, he made friends with the ever bubbly Kirara. And then came forth their blooming friendship. He was a shy boy that kept to himself most of them time. But Kirara started talking to him and eventually they became inseparable friends. Kagome secretly hoped they'd be more in the future. Friends were always the most reliable - especially since they'd always be there for you.
"Sure," I held out both of my hands. Their small palms settled on mine. "AhUn, do you take Kirara to be your lawful wife and to cherish her through all your obstacles?"
"Huh? Waffle?"
"Do you want to make her happy?" I simplified it.
"Yes...I mean, I do!"
I turned to where Kirara would be. "Do you want to be with AhUn?"
"Yes!" She squealed. "I mean I do!"
I brought their hands together. "Then you may...uh, hug the bride."
I heard heard the rustle of cloth and Kirara smothering her girlish giggles. I imagined AhUn blushing like crazy and Kirara grinning a world-wide grin. They both then turned to hug me and then ran off to tell their friends. I listened to the children laugh and play with a peaceful mind. I found a piece of paper and picked up a special colored pencil box Miroku searched high and low for - or he made it. Each pencil had a special texture that let me know what color it was. I picked up the black and began drawing. I formed the image in my mind and drew where the lines would go. I then picked up some more colors and began coloring it in. I finally picked up the gold and colored in the last touch. I couldn't 'see' colored pencil like I could with crayon but the image of my drawing entered my mind.
All the gentle curves and bold colors...the angle and posture...it was all on my mind like an afterimage. I ran my hand over the paper feeling nothing. I sighed. I would probably have to ask Ayame - she worked here too - to tell me what it looked like. I stood and slid my cane out. I tapped it back and forth following the layout in my mind and hoped no one rearranged the furniture again. I found her near the sink with a kid that spilled juice.
"I told you not to put it close to the edge," she chided the child.
"I'm sorry, Miss Ayame." Ah, it was Mayu.
"Just be more careful next time," Ayame finished drying her off ad noticed me. "Run along Mayu. Kagome, do you need something?"
"What does this look like?" I thrust the drawing towards the sound of her voice.
She took it from my hands. "Hmm...that's a good question."
I gasped exasperated. "What? Is it completely everywhere? I could've sworn I connected the lines."
Ayame laughed. "Just kidding, it looks fine. Almost as if you could...see. And it's a perfect image of him."
I beamed at her compliment. "Why, thank you Ayame."
She handed it back to me. "Are you going to consider that surgery?"
"Ayame," I playfully hit her...arm. "I'm not deciding just yet."
"So that's a possible yes then?" Ayame sounded excited.
"I guess so," I smiled a little to appease her. I wasn't going through with it anyway.
"Ohh, by the way!" Ayame pulled me to the tables. "What are you doing on your birthday?"
"Sango and Miroku are taking me out," I replied. "What about you and well, Kouga? Are you free?"
"We'd be freakin' delighted!" Ayame clapped her hands.
"Ayame, the children!" I scolded her.
"What? It's not like it's a bad word," I could practically see her pouting.
"Because you're seventeen and they're what, four?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Fine, I get it," Ayame grumbled. "I betcha I used that word when I was four."
"Because you were Ayame," I giggled at my jab.
"Hey!" She poked me. "I can't help it. I was a genius."
"Emphasis on 'was'," I smirked.
"Meanie."
I batted my eyelashes. "You know you love me - "
"Gossip Girl."
We laughed together. We'd gotten into the habit of watching Gossip Girl together while she explained how hot the guys were and how slutty Blair looked at times but also how Serena was so damn pretty. It was just another thing to occupy me with.
Soon the day rolled by and Ayame dropped me at home. I waved and felt around for my keys. I knew they were I here somewhere...aha! There you are you conniving steel jerks! I fumbled with the lock and enter my house quietly. I kicked off my shoes and dropped my keys onto the counter as well as my purse. I shrugged my jacket off and draped it on the couch. I tied my hair up and sighed, stretching my arms.
"Ahh, what a nice day." I continued up the stairs and took a warm shower before dressing and going to bed.
The next day, Sango called me and told me to hurry up so they could start the day. I don't get it. Birthdays and all. I didn't feel any older (not that I wanted to) and I didn't feel any more mature than I did yesterday. I shook my head and got dressed. I color coded my drawers and hopefully, I put on a decent looking assemble. Today was an excuse to get fat and not feel guilty.
"Alrighty," I added a swish of lip gloss and dropped it in my purse as I went downstairs. I grabbed my keys, my cane, and fluffed my hair. I went outside and heard the rumble of an engine.
"Kagome! Hurry up!" Sango opened the door. "I want to pick up a few others!"
"I'm hurrying!" I shouted back. I rapidly swung my cane back and forth on the pathway and got to the car. I quickly slid in and off we went.
"So," Miroku said from the steering wheel. "Where to?"
"Ayame's." We both said at the same time.
"Okay," he chirped.
As we picked everyone up - or they drove with us - we went straight to the restaurant. Everyone filed in and went to our reserved booth. Shippo called from across the room and came onto our table. There was a lot of noise and chatter and the clink of glass. We began ordering and eating while having fun. Sango started the song and everyone joined in while presenting me with a cake. At the end, I blew out the candles.
That wish...well, I'll never tell.
"Happy birthday!" They all chorused clapping their hands.
"Thanks guys," I said with a happy grin.
"You're the bestest friend I've ever had!" Sango hugged me. "Sorry, Ayame. You've just been replaced."
"Hey!" Ayame shouted from the other side.
We started laughing loudly as Ayame listed off her many years of friendship to Sango. I took a bite into my cake and found pure sugary bliss. I sighed in content silently wishing everyday was like this. Minus the part of me getting older everyday, of course. Just us having fun without a care in the world.
"Hey, Kagome?" Sango nudged me. "What do you want to do next?"
"Who has presents?" I said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
There were a multiple chorus of 'me' and 'I do!' that rang out from our group. I suddenly felt a gift in my hands. Opening it, I reached in and found a book. Then I ran my hand over it with a smile. Of course Sango knew I liked reading. I held 'The Art of Seduction' in my hands and murmured a thank you to Sango. I set it back in its' rightful place and opened another gift. I half-heartedly scowled at the lacy (periwinkle, I was told) panties in the bag.
"You might need them sometime in the future," Miroku said with a chuckle.
"Thanks," I smiled anyway. After all my gifts, we went out and dropped them all in the car before continuing our loud party somewhere else.
"Let's go to the beach," I suggested. I haven't felt the ocean's breeze in forever.
"Sure thing," Sango squeezed my hand. "It's your birthday after all!"
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"Kagome?" My mom called as I returned home. "In the kitchen, dear."
"Hey mom!" I grinned at the armload of gifts and put them in the living room.
"Did you have fun?" She asked as I found my way to her.
I hugged her and we both went into the dining room. "Yeah, Sango and the guys...well, you know they're nuts."
She laughed. "So that's a yes. Hmm, do you still have room for a small treat?"
"I reserved a special part in my stomach for whatever you have in mind," I patted my tummy.
She slid a plate across the table and kissed my forehead. "Here's a cupcake. Happy birthday, Kagome. You'll always be my special baby."
"Thanks mom," I blew out the candle and ate the cupcake.
"I didn't know what to get you," she admitted. "But then I realized all you need is a mothers' love."
"Thanks," I said between bites.
"Then I realized I wanted to show you my love so..." I felt cold metal settle around my neck. "I got you this."
My hands flew to my neck with excitement. I had gotten hard hats and stuffed kittens but this was the best gift of all. I felt the metal heart click open as I ran my finger around the edge. It was empty.
"I hardly find these anymore," I gasped. "What color?"
"Gold," she hugged me around my shoulders. "Like your heart."
"Ahh, mom." I leaned back and put my hands on her arms. "I love you."
"I love you too, dear." Mom kissed my head. "I always will."
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[A/N] Bloody hell this chapter is long! I meant to make it short but...ah, whatever. I think I have just 1-2 chapters more to publish and I'll be done :) I was too lazy to write the beach party since all she did was party and go home to her mom.
No one read this far but it was fun to write!
~kitana411