InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ The Real Folk Blues ❯ For he was known as the great Orange top ( Chapter 6 )

Disclaimer: I don't own anything never will peeps!

 

A/N: Jimi: Slang term for `nerdy', studious average high school and middle school student.

 

Team: Slang term for street gangs.

 

Title: The Real Folk Blues

Author: Adorkablebanana

 

 

Chapter 6: For he was know as the brave Orange Top

 

P.O.V.D: Kagome.

 

“His finest hour lasted a minute and a half.”

-Phyllis Diller

 

 

 

“You bastards better let that girl go right now or else you're gonna be joining your friend in a world of pain,” said an unrecognizable deep voice, a man's voice for sure. Cracking his knuckles, he emphasized the true meaning behind his words.

 

 

It's too dark to see. I couldn't make out the other presence, for one the idiot obscuring my vision pressed my head against the ground. The main and only thing I could see was a tall, very tall male outline. This just tallied another mark on the chart why youkai can be better than humans: most can see in the dark. Take little Shiori for example, she can see in the dark due to her bat youkai heritage. These are one of the times I wished I had the ability to see through the darkness. Youkai are lucky.

 

 

I don't know whether it's all the events occurring in one shot but for the first time in the night my voice seemed lost, missing, and I was rendered completely speechless.

 

 

This may sound stupid and very weak on my behalf, I can't help it, and I can only withstand so much. This attempted rape messed up my entire system big time as if I have fallen into some never-ending bottomless hole with no way out. It's what I needed really, to add to my to-do list. I gotten kidnapped, beaten, bullied, threatened, chased and now I can cross out nearly raped. God or whoever runs the universe doesn't like me at all.

 

 

The sole thing of even the barest of relieves came in the form of the mysterious voice. The echo calling me forth, leading me down to two narrow paths; either a path to more havoc or to safety.

 

 

Best take my chances. Anything is better than this.

 

 

“H-Hey man, w-we didn't mean it. W-We w-were following Eichiro's orders, nothing more.”

 

 

“I don't want to hear more bullshit coming from you shameless dogs, even dogs have more honor than you could ever have. A man should never take advantage of a lady; it breaks what damn dignity you asses have. Just for this I'm gonna to knock some sense into you so you won't have the balls to do it again!” he shouted venomously, causing my two captors to tremble endlessly.

 

 

All right, so I can state he's rescuing me, not another random molester. Phew! Someone answered my prayers for once!

 

 

This mystery guy's voice sounded angry seeing the two morons hadn't bugged. Perhaps he didn't register the fact that they froze in place, scared silly. I don't blame them for a change. Not that it'll spare any sympathy points from my part.

 

 

In a flash the two thugs went flying across the clearing, the wind punched out of them. The man went after them, jabbing a few painful punches, which I could hear the blows from my spot. Shoving the heel of his shoe in a sharp kick, he struck one thug in the face and the other he grabbed by the collar throwing him in the dumpster where his friend's legs dangled out the edge.

 

 

The sound that verified this statement was the ringing WHAM! and awful THUD!

 

 

The ground practically vibrated against the force. Poor saps, that must've hurt a million. Seconds later the two guy's moaning and groaning, meekly crawled out from the dumpster. Almost timidly like a jumpy raccoon stealing food in the middle of the night except in this picture they crawled because of the pain inflicted on them. Serves them right.

 

 

Clutching their beaten sides, they quickly hauled their `fearless' leader by the back of his collar, retreating as fast as possible. “We'll get you for this Kurabara! You and that little bitch!” they yelled their empty threats as they made a quick escape. That line sounds familiar…

 

 

`My head hurts…' I clutched my head feeling that agonizing pulsing swimming in each nerve. This is going to hurt a lot later. Other unmentionable parts of me hurt too, I rather not go into deep detail just yet.

 

 

Shrugging, the man known as Kurabara walked over to me. He knelt down beside me and softly asked, “Can you move?”

 

 

The buzzing rapping against my forehead on and on made me wince. It took me a certain amount of time to register what he said, and I glanced at him answering in all my honesty: “I don't think so.”

 

 

“Think you need me to call an ambulance?” his tone seemed alarmed.

 

 

I shook my head, begging him not to go to the extreme. I don't want to make this into a bigger deal than it already is. I don't want Mom, Atsuko, and especially Yuusuke to find out. I don't even want to go home because of this! “I don't want to go to the hospital. Please don't take me there.” I nearly pleaded. To explain this situation to strangers than to my family lands me in mess I can avoid. The lesser of evils.

 

 

“Look, lady. I think it's best I take you to the hospital to check you. Those assholes--”

 

 

“I said I don't want to go. I don't need to, I'm fine,” I insisted. I gathered the small portion of energy I had to stand up. Wobbling on unsteady legs, I wasn't successful moving on my two feet and slumped back to where I was stationed. “They didn't get me yet. Just a hit here and there.” I hope he understands what I referred to and I'm fine on a reasonable aspect.

 

 

There was silence. This guy appeared to want to input another word in to convince me his option was the wisest. Unlikely I would concede to his proposition, no matter how more reasonable the suggestion is. He sighed; up close I could see him rubbing the back of his neck. “Where do you live then?”

 

 

When he spoke to me my mind was elsewhere, elsewhere and oblivious to everything. A wave of dizziness encircled me.

 

 

“Hey! Hey stay with me here!” The man, Kurabara's voice, urged me to remain with him. Everything slurred and I couldn't connect a single coherent thought together. I felt my body shift involuntarily. He picked me up in his arms. The last thing I could recall is being held in Kurabara's arms as he whispered softly in my guess his gentlest tone (due to the deepness of his voice) calming me into a sense of security, which I hoped it was not a false one. I can't handle anyone right now; I'm so out of it. “Don't worry. Everything's fine now, you're in safe hands,” his voice faded as I drifted into darkness, fatigue consuming my battered body whole.

 

 

~…~

 

 

 

Fluttering my eyes open, a dim light brighten one side of a room and shadowing the rest…? Huh? Lights? Where am I?

 

 

What happened? And why does my head hurt?

 

 

Looking where I was parked at I lied well tucked in a soft and very warm twin sized bed. Shifting to my left side instantly I winced, discovering a bruised area planted on the side where my rip stood, which was the same spot the brute struck me. My ribs wasn't the only place hurting much to my regret and surprise many small bruises, minor scrapes and cuts covered different sections of my body, you know like my legs, arms, and knees. That pretty much summarizes it.

 

 

Studying the dim place, I would have to say it was plain but a suitable room. Nothing too out of line to notice. Just few furnishings here and there. The large poster plastered against the wall next to me was a giveaway this room was a guy's room. All guys are the same. The rack on this bikini clad beach babe had the power to water a guys' mouth. Yuusuke has one or two half naked pin-up posters on his wall back at home.

 

 

Back at home…

 

 

Home is the last thing on my mind. Selfish, eh? And probably sad, too.

 

 

Ouch! My face ached. The most painful area is on my cheek reminding me one of those alley guys slapped the filling out of me. I assumed the throbbing and pounding pain is due to the swelling building. I hope I don't puff up. Looking like Kirby isn't on my things to accomplish list. Flicking my tongue and darting it around I checked the right side of my mouth for any tooth missing or loosened. Fortunately I still remained with a complete set of teeth, not one lost. I should give Mom gratitude for forcing on those cups of milk and bowls filled with veggies. They served me well.

 

 

The internal and external pain pricked on countless spots. The physical ache after the savage beating and second the scare of left nearly having my first time forced on me in such a brutal manner. I don't think I could survive going through that humiliation. Rape--such a nasty word--scars a person. I don't need the additional drama interfering with my life now.

 

 

Remembering the dreadful events and the fact I was helpless, a sitting duck, in the hands of those sicko's depressed me. If it weren't for this Kurabara guy who knows what would have happened? What would have become of the likes of me?

 

 

 

C'mon Kagome. I been through worse, far worse and in the end I came out okay. Yeah, there's always someone to give me a hand. Tears welled up in my eyes dripping down my cheeks as I acknowledged the horrible truth of it. Why am I so pathetic? I can't even defend myself against minor threats, someone always has to save my hide and put their selves in danger.

It's always the same thing; little Kagome falls into trouble, someone has to play the hero to get her out of the mess. I hate it!

 

 

 

Why me? I'm so…it's pathetic.

 

 

 

InuYasha, Miroku, Sango, Kirara, Kouga, heck, even Shippo saved me from tough situations more than I can account for. At first I hid behind the excuse of being a mere mortal, accepting the implanted fact InuYasha buried me in: Humans are supposed to be weak, and sadly women mostly. Though that theory was shortly lived when Miroku and Sango entered the picture. They're human feared by demon kind, able to defend themselves and others.

 

 

This guy that just saved my neck risked his life on the line, dampening the hole of guilt and self-humiliation sucking me whole. Moments such as this force me to tread on the unwelcoming thought of why can't I be more like…Kikyou. I hate it and yet I always return to this dead end cycle. I want to be more like Kikyou, independent and strong and I hate my desire because it puts all my efforts to not be like her to smithereens.

 

 

She stood alone. She doesn't need help or assistance from others. Kikyou's power and skill made her feared and respected by all making her the legendary priestess people favor.

 

 

What hurt more InuYasha countless times compared me to her whenever I did something wrong. Sure when we first began traveling together he often kept saying how great a fighter she is, reminding me I'll never built up to her stature in greatness. He stopped that after a while but then there were those occasions he brought her up accidentally. I think that hurt me more than his reprimanding.

 

 

 

Each time InuYasha compared me to Kikyou it enraged and plunged me into despair I spoke nothing of to anyone. The man I loved aimed his words, striking the precise cord in my heart.

 

 

The idea of losing InuYasha to the Priestess motivated me to train harder, trying to surpass or in the least match Kikyou in strength. Yes, even to this precise day I dislike admitting I envy Kikyou. I hate her for being greater and better at everything I can't do to a point sometimes I want to be like her.

 

 

I am completely despicable.

 

 

How sad. How truly sad. Kikyou, why must I remain living in your shadow? Even after ending that chapter in my life I am stuck in that circle I can't escape. Snuggling into the soft bed, I cried silent tears of pain, not from the wounds, but for self-pity. The embarrassment is that great I hid my tear streaked face under the covers for no one to see me. I wiped the tears behind my palm, rubbing them away.

 

 

Time seemed to stand still for me as I stared out the window marveling the sky changing from midnight black to a lighter shade. Hours must have flown by as I sulked in misery, a force coiling and binding me to an eternal disappointment.

 

 

How could I let this happen?

 

 

 

Replaying the images in my head involuntarily caused me a major migraine. I need a painkiller right about now. Geez, the girls (Ayumi, Eri, and Yuka) were right, I turned into quite the drama queen. Who wouldn't turn into one with the life I lead?

 

 

Then again I never met anyone in the same situation as me aside from the exception of Yuusuke. His case is a little different and being a tough guy has a different perspective how things are done. I think so at least, I never caught him whining as I do and I doubt he ever had to deal with something like this.

 

 

The plan I had in mind to bury myself under these covers for eternity until I develop guts and brawn died when I peeked out from under the covers. A faint light glowed from the far corner of the small room. Yep, I'm definitely not staying under here for long. I glanced over and there stood a young man I'm guessing around my age or so, sitting casually on a small couch, which could fit about two people. Only two by the looks of it.

 

 

He sat there alone over on the far side close to the dim lamp, elbow propped on the couch's arm sustaining his head on his palm as he read a magazine: Explorer games: The ultimate gamers guide. His attention was so absorbed in it I couldn't tell whether he was studying it or marveling over the tactics for future use.

 

 

Not hard to guess this fella has a passion for video games. I'm not much of a video game fan, I never went to an arcade long enough to enjoy another losing streak without having eleven and thirteen year olds hassling me nor lifted a controller for a game system.

 

 

Yep, I admit it. I have a perfect record of failing to win and pass onto the next level in video games. I totally suck at them.

 

 

Souta and Yuusuke are into electronics and whatever stuff that beeps and buzz. I swear if you give them a bell or an item that has a nice clink to it they'll be entertained for hours. Boys, boys: Such adoring simpletons. Mom and every other female known to existence agree with this term: We can't live with them, can't live without them.

 

 

Souta is more of a game freak than Yuusuke; he spends hours at a time planted in front of the tube working to pass the levels onto the next. Yuusuke plays for a while until he gets hungry or comes close to smashing the controller when the game isn't cooperating with him.

 

 

I must confess it intrigues me to a certain degree but running back and forth through time can--had--sap up all of my extra time. I barely had chances of going to school and catching up with the work and getting together with Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi. Even Hojou, being the little naïve sucker, was kind enough to tutor me and keep me up to date on the class material. Following the trend of becoming a “game master” was impossible to fit into my schedule.

 

 

I think I mainly humor--literally--Souta to spend some equality time with him even at my expense. Heh, what's one humiliation anyways?

 

 

Kurabara, or so the boys call him, was a tall guy. According to my calculations he's about 6"3, I'm assuming since he is very tall. A giant next to my height, I probably barely reach his shoulders and highly doubt the possibility I ever will. He's slender but muscular, that's easy to trace with the most odd formed gelled hair style I seen a lot of those team*gangs' sport, of course I can be wrong but I doubt it from the looks of it. The trend teenager boys wear nowadays is the spiked bleach look. Only certain boys preferred to gel up their hair.

 

 

Kurabara is also one of the many few individuals blessed with a unique hair color, peculiar, but unique. Orange isn't common among Japanese boys and I suspect the color isn't dyed either. No fair. I'm stuck with plain old, boring black. I envied Shippou, Sesshoumaru, and InuYasha's fine hair though I suppose black isn't so bad. When I rethink it many people find the pitch black tone pretty. Honest. I'm not saying this to boost my confidence or anything. Lately people are appreciating natural colors from the bright fluorescent hues people style.

 

 

Oh well, may as well flaunt it.

 

 

--Wait I'm rambling again, gah! I hate blows to the head. Makes one stupider than they are already. I qualify because I gotten more spacey.

 

 

To finish this guy's description he's pretty much ordinary from there. I won't say he's a jimi* exactly but he's ordinary. A subject I'm not going to further discuss. Doesn't matter to me really, being a goodhearted person does not involve with what's on the outside it's what's on the inside that counts. Beauty is overrated anyway. The bad guys are the only pretty ones nowadays.

 

 

For a good five minutes observing the boy, whose attention was glued to the magazine, I felt calm. His passive mood is contagious I felt a little more relaxed watching him, almost like how a yawn is contagious, his relaxed carefree mood contaminated me for the moment.

 

 

Sensing my gaze he glanced his dark eyes over me, our orbs and when I mean orbs I mean my puffy red eyes and his sleepless swollen eyes, interlocked in a staring contest neither one straying away. Oddly it wasn't at all too awkward.

 

 

Feeling enough courage I sat up, twitching a bit from the pain but quickly disregarding it to discover my favorite yellow dress was replaced with a plain, striped flannel pajama. I wonder for a flying second where on earth did Kurabara get a suitable pair of pajamas to fit me? They're obviously too small to fit a person of his size and stature. Not to mention another concerning question: Who changed me? I wondered and couldn't hide the blush creasing my face. Better not read into that, I'm better off not knowing. The truth would kill me.

 

 

"Oww!" I yipped too loud I even was aware of it. A prick of pain bit my side for leaning far too against it. My small outburst reached the boy's ear. Kurabara rose from his chair immediately rushing to my side, concern floating about in his gaze.

 

 

"Are you okay?" he asked. I immediately recognized his deep masculine voice, yep; it's the one all right.

 

 

"Yes, thank you." Casting a sideways glance he tucked me back into bed like a worried Nanny. It was almost sweet. Embarrassing but sweet.

 

 

He pulled a nearby stool and sat on it by the side of my bed. The distance was not too close to say he is looming over me but close enough to make a form of contact. Kurabara's eyes held a deep unknown sadness, an unreadable yet noticeable emotion swimming inside his irises. What could be the problem? Does he pity me or is it for another thing? I couldn't decipher the problem nor did I intend to. I had a strong idea his distress is related to me although I kept wishing it might be personal, and if it happened to be true and if he allowed me the permission to prod into it I most definitely will. I can't help it. It's my nature.

 

 

"So what's your name?" he asked. He pushed aside his disturbances, like the way a nurse does to make the patience feel better.

 

 

"Kagome...My name is Kagome Higurashi, and yours?" I asked as friendly as I could get.

 

 

"Kazuma Kurabara." Extending his hand I shook it, smiling genuinely. So far he seemed like a nice guy. His name reminded me of my father's. His name was Kazuma too, and the coincidence stirred a fuzzy feeling in me. Not a bad feeling but it's there.

 

 

"Pleased to meet you and…thank you for helping me." I exhaled and resumed, "If it weren't for you who knows what would have happened to me. Thank you very much, I don't know how to repay you for your kindness." I thanked him not knowing if my gratitude was sufficient enough. This little act of kindness seriously meant something to me; words cannot describe how his generosity affected me. I could be over killing the gratitude but its what I got.

 

 

Kazuma started laughing nervously, scratching the back of his head. Is he blushing? A deep, red glow colored his face proof of his embarrassment. Oh wow, I did embarrass him and the power to have that affect over a guy tickled me. His blush is almost contagious. He turned his eyes away effortlessly trying to hide it or play it off. That's a fact then. I didn't mean to fluster him.

 

 

"Um…I would have done it for anyone especially for a pretty girl like you--uh, I mean, for any pretty girl--no wait! I mean for all the girls--no that's not what I meant either--" rambling tangled words, he stuttered in between sentences. He dug further to correct his butchered mistake and I found it too funny. His face brightened deeper red and shame jabbed him in uncomfortable corners.

 

 

It's quite amusing to see a man flustered and trying not to make a fool of himself in the presence of a stranger. It felt strange, mainly in my case, I'm ordinarily on the receiving end being abashed. Witnessing this from another point of view is certainly new to me.

 

 

Smiling and trying not to giggle I waved a hand off. “It's okay. I understand what you mean, no need to explain," I tried to lessen his frustration and hopefully lighten the burden of embarrassment. I've been in that corner one too many times in the past, which I'm still recovering from so I pretty much know how it feels.

 

 

A light knock on the door interrupted our little conversation. Kazuma gladly squirmed away, a nice diversion to escape his little shame. How typical to do that, I would know, since I do that all the time. Opportunity to take flight is valuable.

 

 

Kazuma asked who it was and a smooth feminine voice responded. “Open up, it's me. I can't open the door, my hands are full." Kazuma immediately reached for the door twisting the squeaky knob open.

 

 

"You could be a little more quiet you know!" Kazuma snapped at the new face. The girl, more over so young woman, merely rolled her eyes and snorted at the accusation.

 

 

“That is quiet!" she scowled entering and accidentally bumping past his shoulder. She's feisty.

 

 

Getting a good view of her, the girl was very tall. Taller than me and I know that slip of info doesn't help, mostly everyone is taller than me. Her long, straight, light brown hair passed her shoulders in a neat fall, having the same eye color to match her hair. Despite her casual exterior the girl was pretty and regal in a different level. I don't know how to put it but she just is. Confidence perhaps, and it can be a beautiful thing.

 

 

"No it ain't! Eikichi-chan is more quieter than you are!" Kazuma bit back.

 

 

"Stupid, that's because she's a cat. Cats don`t pass the time making loud noises."

 

 

The two kept snapping at each other, back and forth. Kazuma mentioned she was his sister. Funny, they don't look anything alike. His sister has hazel hair and Kazuma's is bright orange. Their features don't match either. Like with Souta and me, we have the same nose and eyes. Wonder how their parents look like? Comparing them I singled out one trait they both share; hot headed and tough attitudes. It's all in the family as the saying goes.

 

 

"Stop being such an ass and help me set the tray for her!" she ordered sternly. She must be the older sister; it's a vibe, a girl-code thing. You would know which sibling is in charge and it's usually the older sister.

 

 

“Alright already, geez! Women!” He threw his hands up in the air. “Bossy little…" muttering under his breath and glaring the brunette down as he adjusted the legs of the wooden tray out in front of me. The girl, unfazed by her brother's glare, swept the stool Kazuma had recently sat on beneath her in one fluid motion, crossing her legs in all lady-like fashion.

 

 

She's got skills.

 

 

--Wait. Breakfast in bed? What the heck? No! This can't happen.

 

 

Setting my senses straight I immediately began to protest. "No, no. Please. You don't have to go through all this trouble, I'm fine really."

 

 

First Kazuma jumps in to bail my sorry butt out, kind enough to take me to his pad to heal my wounds, giving up possibly his bed and room, stays up to the bloody hours of the night watching over me--which should have creep me out--and making sure I'm still breathing. This is putting the entire household concerned. This is too much. "No, it's not necessary. I appreciate all your kindness but--"

 

 

"Nonsense, we're glad to help. Now chill, sit back and eat," Kazuma's sister snipped and before I could protest again the girl pushed a finger to my lips. Silencing me. “Nah-ah. You're staying in bed. From the beating Kazuma rescued you from I'd say you need it." Raising a brow and smirking, she won. She made her point. I sighed, obeying the girl's orders.

 

 

The manner she said it made me feel more awkward. I don't exactly like someone involving themselves in a problem such as this, my problems, and a stranger at that. I can't tell the feeling apart from awkward and embarrassed. Must be both.

 

 

I made no comment to that. What am I going to say? Better left alone. I didn't want to know what she would do if I argued with her.

 

 

 

Anyways, if they insist, who am I to stop them? I still feel like I'm taking advantage but in a way they're right. I can't move from the bed and stumped where I'm suppose to lead this predicament from. "Thank you for going through all this trouble again. I do really appreciate it."

 

 

"Least we can do, anyways my baby brother and I don't get house guests very often, its nice to have a visitor." Kazuma blushed in the distance, his gaze set on the window when the girl said it. He must be a little embarrassed by the pet name his older sister labeled him by. The name `baby brother' is so cute! Though for a guy I can see why the squeamish reaction.

 

 

"You've already met Kazuma by this point, my name is Shizuru Kurabara. Yours?"

 

 

Oh, yeah, me. Forgot for a second there. "I'm Kagome Higurashi, it's a pleasure to meet you even under these, um, circumstances."

 

 

"Don't worry about it. These things happen. Do you mind if I light up a cigarette?"

 

 

Do I mind? Lemme see, nope. Not really. I can deal with the smell for a little bit, I don't like it but this isn't my house and I don't like restricting people unnecessarily. “No, not at all."

 

 

Shizuru dug in her pants pocket fishing out for her pack. She pulled the pack and a lighter shaped like a mini gun out. Shizuru popped in one of the thin nicotine filled sticks lighting it up slowly and inhaling the smoke. Taking a quick drag.

 

 

On count, without missing a beat, Kazuma opened the window to let fresh air in to drive some of the smog outside the window. He doesn't seem to like the smell of smoke, that or it can be for consideration towards me.

 

 

"So how did you get mixed up with those punks?" began Shizuru intending to figure out the reason to why the team gang attacked. "You don't seem like the trouble making type." Boy, oh boy did she have it close and mixed up. I don't provoke it. No, trouble follows me. I don't cause it; I'm a living magnet who attracts them to my dismay.

 

 

Lifting the tea Shizuru offered me I sipped the…Mmmm strawberry flavored tea! This is new and it's so good. My delight was apparent. Shizuru chuckled. "I see you like the tea, its one of my favorites too," she poured herself a cup in the spare teacup and blowing the heat down gently.

 

 

"Yes, its delicious. I've never tasted this flavor of tea." Sipping some more, my taste buds were happy. This is good and addictive. "Kazuma do you want a cup?" I asked him. Kazuma was quiet and his full attention glued outside the window. I asked again politely, calling him back to the world of reality. He nodded, apologizing for his rudeness and he stepped away from the window, sitting on the edge of the bed.

 

 

I poured a portion of what was left of the tea into his cup. “Thank you,” he mumbled while drinking his hot tea. He winced, nearly spitting it out. Oh, ouch, he burned his tongue. Happens to me all the time.

 

 

“Are you okay?” I asked.

 

 

Shizuru rolled her eyes. “I always tell you to blow, you never listen,” she said condescendingly accustomed to this reoccurring lecture.

 

 

Kazuma mumbled deciding not to say anything more. Or his tongue and lip is too sore to say anything, either one is hard to say. I have a strange vibe something deeper is bothering him. I wonder what's bugging him? What's on his mind?

 

 

His face is covered in sadness and misery but why?

 

 

Everyone has problems and is entitled to there secrets. Normal life strives people go by though still… it made me wonder and a bit curious. Concerning instincts kicking in I figured I'm turning into my mother before my very eyes.

 

 

He looked at me. There was the answer.

 

 

…Oh.

 

 

His distress is related to me. Yeah I think so.

 

 

"Kagome, how'd you get pulled into this mess?" she asked again, repeating the former disturbing question. She isn't dropping it. No go.

 

 

I took a moment to mull over it. Where am I supposed to begin? I didn't even want to get into that topic right now. My eyes widened remembering the experience, images flooded my mind, and the lead-weight feeling of vulnerability came back.

 

 

How do I say I don't want to talk about it to someone who has a right to know? Sort of, anyway. The fresh frightening images shook every nerve in my body and so did my anger. I'm angry with myself for allowing myself in that position.

 

 

Kazuma, gulping down the last drops of tea, glanced at me and sensing as if he already knew the strain of explaining and elaborating on the topic caused me. He opened an escape route for me. "Sis, forget about it. She'll tell us when she's ready, for now just drop it," his quick retort left no room for protest or questioning. Shizuru opened her mouth several times, words refusing to roll off the tongue. She immediately shut her mouth, shifting in a different direction, focusing her attention on something else.

 

 

"You're right. Another time then, sorry about that. It's noisy of me to hack in, that was out of line." I waved a hand off, accepting her apology and without words saying to Shizuru to forget about it for the time. "Well eat up, I didn't cook you a meal for it to sit there. Eat up before it gets cold," she ordered in that curt and calm tone.

 

 

She opened the lid to one of the covered dishes revealing a steamy bowl of chicken broth. Nodding, I lifted a spoon started slurping away--well not exactly slurping, which would be bad manners. I ate it away; it really didn't taste so bad.

 

 

~…~

 

 

The next morning my skull felt as if it were split in two. Several places on my body ached. Shizuru brought in some painkillers I could take, it helped a little to subdue the pain and swelling. Shizuru also kindly assisted me to bathe much to my mortification. Honestly I wasn't smash and banged for that type of help but I figured she wanted to help me clean up a few of the cuts. Not a big deal. My arm hurt to lift and she also proceeded helping me dress into a large baggy pair of black pants and an old black t-shirt she had sitting in her closet. The clothes were comfy but they were a bit large in height-wise.

 

 

Kazuma helped me get up on my feet. The soreness made it hard for me to walk, making the effort pretty pointless on my own. It was nearly an impossible and dreadful try to walk about normally, Kazuma had to resort to carrying me on his back much to my embarrassment. To say I was abashed is an understatement, not awkward, being heaved over some guy's shoulder isn't new to me. InuYasha, Kouga, Miroku and others lifted me on their backs before. Nothing fascinating or different it's just kind of uncomfortable and familiar. A déjà vu moment. I don't like this type of déjà vu.

 

 

Though I can verify Kazuma felt the awkwardness more than me. His face glowed worse than a ripe tomato, it resemble a bright illuminating headlight. I assured him I could do fine on my own, though my demonstrations and efforts proved otherwise, working against my will. He insisted on carrying me on his back, saying and I quote: “It's the honorable thing to help a lady in distress.” Argh. Not another one enjoying playing hero. Good grief, why do men have to be so stubborn? They leap on the chance to show dominance. Don't get me wrong; I appreciate the help, who wouldn't? Kazuma is just overdoing it. Sighing, I decided to go with the flow.

 

 

I never win these fights anyway.

 

 

"Kazuma, can I make a phone call? I need to let my family know I'm alright," I asked. He wouldn't argue with that, in fact he suggested it a couple of times, I just didn't feel brave enough to do it.

 

 

Phoning the folks back at home slipped my mind till this morning. All right, it didn't really go that way. Lying isn't my strong point in the majority of cases. Mom, Atsuko, and not to mention Yuusuke will wring my neck in for this. Great. Another lecture. I can feel it coming. I'm pretty sure Yuusuke won't bug me about it too much till he sees my bruises, I'm hoping I heal fast enough till he gets back home from whatever he's doing.

 

 

Yet with the luck I stride in there's no chance to avoid it.

 

 

"All right, off we go. I, Kazuma Kurabara, will help fair maiden in her moment of need. As long as I'm here you shall not fear," he announced proudly stealing a line off a cheesy superhero in a comic strip. I'm not going to say anything on it, no comment at all. I've seen worse antics from Kouga. The whole `my woman' kick was the wolf demon's tagline.

 

 

"Um…okay. If you say so. By any chance, was it necessary to, you know, announce that?" Forget it. I have to comment on it, I don't want him sound or look stupid in public. Peer pressure, me? No way.

 

 

He started laughing. "Ah no, but I don't get many opportunities to say it. Besides isn't that what I'm doing? So off we go!" Okay now he's doing it on purpose to annoy me. I can see the little glint of mischief gleaming his eyes.

 

 

"Whatever you say." This guy's funny in his own way. Too funny. "Thanks."

 

 

"For what?"

 

 

What do you mean for what! He glanced up at me confused, twitching his lip into a crooked grin.

 

 

Gee, now I got to explain myself, if this wasn't that much a fuzzy moment already. "For making me feel better."

 

 

"Oh that. Well you're still pretty bummed out, seeing you frown isn't a thing girls can pull off. Girls shouldn't frown, it isn`t pretty when they should be." He handed me the phone for me to dial. That was kind of sweet of him to say. I haven't felt flattered in a long time. The only type of flattery I gotten, aside from Hojou's compliments, were insults. If you could even call them flattery in the first place. Yuusuke's idea of flattery is remarking how big my butt is.

 

 

"Ha! Thanks, I really needed that," I said. He sure can make a girl feel better when they're down in the dumps. Wish most guys thought that way, too bad. I dialed the digits in hearing the phone ring. I waited for someone to pick up. Avoiding calling home strung on for long enough, I do not want to call but I have to. The fall will only become worse if I don't.

 

 

"Hello?" Someone picked up, that someone my Mother.

 

 

I hesitated before answering, what do you say to your Mom after a few days missing? `Oh, hey Mom, what's shaking? I'm just calling because I got attacked one night by three guys who wanted to molest me in an empty alley, then got rescued by a complete stranger who I'm staying with at this very moment. So how's the family?' I can picture the reaction on Mom's face if I were to tell her that. She'll go berserk. Not to mention what Atsuko and…oh god Yuusuke, he'll bite my head off.

 

 

I think he's the worst of the two concerning my well-being. He's such a hypocrite, I know he does activities against protocol, he shrugs it off telling me and whoever questions him to mind their own business.

 

 

"Hello? Who is this?" Mom's voice began. "Hello? Can you hear me?" No, I can't tell her the truth. It's just as bad as facing it.

 

 

"Mom, its me," I said slowly. Here it comes.

 

 

"Kagome? What happen to you? Why haven't you called?” her hysterics begun. Her voice was laced with anger and worry. I winced away from the volume of her tone. “We've been so worry about you! You disappear without notice! Don't you think it worries me not knowing where the heck my daughter is!" she shouted full force. Oh yeah, she's definitely mad. I held the phone lengths way from my ear, I don't want to go deaf right now.

 

 

Kazuma wasn't surprised, he send me a sympathetic look, his mouth forming into an `0' wanting to chant the infamous dragged out `oh' whenever someone's in trouble. I shot an exasperated glance at him needing rescue this very minute. Mom can get really loud when she's angry.

 

 

She's really mad. I didn't bother to hear the rest of my Mom's scowling, it sounded more of an unstoppable series of: blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, KAGOME! Blah, blah, blah, blah, YOU ARE DEFINITELY GROUNDED! Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah in fast-forward, only adding more high-pitched lecturing.

 

 

Mom babbled away, wasting and venting her rage on the poor abused phone, warm to the ear from the nonstop talking. I muttered a few apologies, I knows, and okays in an effort to sooth the savage beast, where's music when you need it? Mom may not look it but underneath that calm, chipper exterior hides a savage thing. A beast summoned like a lycanthrope under the full moon.

 

 

I like to believe it's a mother mechanism that switches on automatically.

 

 

After biting my ear off I feed her a little innocent white lie. "Mom, I know what I did was wrong but I was at my friends house, helping her fix her…uh, room, yeah that's it, room. She just moved into the neighborhood, I wanted to help her family adjust to their new surroundings, so I stayed over since she doesn't have a phone line yet. I forgot to call home. I'm sorry," I nearly choked in my nervous rambling. I said everything almost too quick for my taste.

 

 

I'm going to take this opportunity to state I'm the worst liar alive and this was a very bad lie to begin with. A little part of me that wished to see another day hoped she bought it. I had to make it up off hand and adding to it as I went along nearly sold me out.

 

 

Mom paused for the first time in the last 10 or so minutes, allowing me enough time to speak and clear up the misunderstanding. I tried to clarify any loophole she might poke. "Are you sure that's what happen?" she said skeptically, not buying a single word I'm saying. Mothers, they are mind reading abnormal aliens I tell you!

 

 

They know everything!

 

 

"Yes, Mom, it's the truth," I concentrated in carefully performing my most sincerest tone, it burns me inside to lie to her but its for her own and everyone else's good. If I were face to face with her she'll catch me on the spot.

 

 

Kazuma scoffed. “Yeah, the truth,” he muttered below a whisper. I glared at him warning him to keep his trap shut.

 

 

“Kagome.” Her tone was clipped. I shivered. Bad, very bad.

 

 

 

“Yes, Mom?” I asked in the most innocent of tones.

 

 

 

“We'll talk when you get back, which is when exactly?"

 

 

 

"Um, about that Mom, I want to finish helping her so I might be back in three days." I winced ready for her full-blown attack. School isn't in for another week, hopefully the bruise on my face will have disappeared a degree. "Mom, are you there?"

 

 

"Yes I'm still here, Kagome. Fine. Just call next time." I gaped and held myself back from asking what was that about. Mothers and their unpredictable mood swings.

 

 

"Right…" I swallowed. She sounded much more relaxed than before, nobody knows how glad I am right at this moment. One more thing. “Mom, does Yuusuke know about this?" I asked imploringly. Please say no, please say no, please say no.

 

 

"No. Yuusuke's not home and he doesn't know yet. We phoned the temple he is at but no one picked up. Is there a problem?" Oh…don't do that Mom. Don't do that, it's creepy.

 

 

"Oh, it's just, you know how he cares about me. He looks out for Keiko and me, I don't want him to worry." Or act upon it is more like it. Ever since he found out about my `secret' he's been overprotective. We're talking about me here. Yuusuke, never in a million years, would go so through so much for me. I was pretty sure he didn't like me much before.

 

 

"Don't worry, he doesn't know yet," she assured me.

 

 

"Alright, I'll call to you later Mom, bye."

 

 

"Bye honey, remember; you own me an explanation." She clicked. I hung up the warm, abused phone. Kazuma beneath me wobbled and swayed every so often, unnerving me. I tapped him on top of his head. "Hey, anyone home?"

 

 

No response. I am not going to believe he's asleep. "Hey Kazuma!" I screeched. He cringed barely escaping the stumble. "Geez woman, do you have to scream? I can hear you perfectly clear," he said startled.

 

 

"You were sleeping with your eyes open. What do you expect? I'm not fond of falling on wooden floors." I earned my fair share landing face first on wood, dirt, cement. Need I say more?

 

 

"I wasn't sleeping!" he argued, indignant of my misinterpretation on the matter.

 

 

"If you say so. There's a little drool there on the corner of your lip," I pointed out, he immediately wiped the small evidence with the back of his hand having the gall to deny it.

 

 

"No I don't!" He insisted. He's worst than a kid, so stubborn.

 

 

"Right." Dropping the subject I returned to more important thoughts. Men. The liars.

 

 

"Your Mom sounded pretty pissed off, she was bitching at you and all." He sent me a sympathetic glance, hooking his arms underneath my legs for better hold.

 

 

He walked us off in the direction to where the room I resided in was. I bunked in with Shizuru; it wouldn't be appropriate for a girl to sleep in a guy's room, and a guy I just met. Plus Kazuma couldn't sleep with me in his room. He looked paranoid with me in there. It could be my imagination anyway. Kazuma was flinchy while I was in his room, like I'm some sort of expensive dish that can break at any given moment if he were to go near it. Come to think of it, Yuusuke acts the same way. Last time he shoved me off his bed, which I was sitting on, the instant Keiko walked into the room. He was really shaken up, pleading his innocence before her. Guys complain women are complicated when they're the same. Hypocrites.

 

 

"Very."

 

 

"Kagome…” he drawled.

 

 

“Yes?”

 

 

“Why didn't you tell her the truth? I think she had a right to know, she's your Mom after all," Kazuma's playful humble shine faded to a more serious, deeper mood. I can't tell her. There are a lot of things I keep from her. If I told her every little event occurring in my life she'd have a heart attack. I also don't want to drag Atsuko and Yuusuke in it. It's for the best…right?

 

 

 

"I did it for the best intentions, trust me on this one. They have enough problems for a life time and if they found out what happened it would be too much…it's not necessary anymore…" I hesitated to continue, rambling on and on. A thought occurred to me. Who was I kidding? Who was I trying to convince more, him or me? Him of course. I was right, it was silly of me to doubt my choice. No one needs more drama.

 

 

The boy I'm currently riding--all right, not in that matter. What are you some sort of pervert?--set me down gently on the soft, welcoming bed again. The futon gave mercy on my ruffled bones. I picked this bed over Shizuru's bed which she offered me. I don't want to take up unnecessary space and to take over personal space.

 

 

He remained eerily mute. He sat across me on a chair, his eyes reading me like an open book, an easy children's storybook. Who am I fooling? I thought again. I can't even convince myself of course. I'm not okay. I am the total opposite of the definition. The emotions swirling in me are taking me on the deep-end and I doubt I can stop it.

 

 

Is it so wrong to hide the thread of misery from others, from yourself?

 

 

Kazuma, a guy I barely know, is stressing on me. To have a person genuinely fret for my own sake bothers me. I don't want to rekindle guilt for causing this on others.

 

 

“You're so despicable.” She grinned, shaking her head side to side. “You selfish, bitch. You conceit little shit, you haven`t the clue what else you want to steal away from others. Don`t worry, someone other than me will put you right in a place you deserve.”

 

 

"Kagome, you're not all right. Don't need to be a genius to figure it out, I can feel it in you and see it in your eyes…you're just too damn scared." In the distance somewhere Kazuma's voice jabbed through, the random voice in the past jarred me. It had me wrapped around its finger.

 

 

The newly arrivals of an unexpected train of emotions stationed themselves in me, flooding the recesses of my mind--correction--attempting to penetrate my blocked memories. Then it happened, yesterday's events played in my head like a film, images relived it self. I felt sick again, resurrecting fear, utter fear. The type of fear that makes you wake-up in the middle of the night sweating cold sweat. I'm stronger than this. I can handle this and be okay. I wasn't okay, and I wasn't strong enough to…

 

 

To let this go.

 

 

Tears brimmed the corners of my eyes, blurring my vision. I let them fall, I let the tears fall for once, rolling down heavier than water falls.

 

 

Just this once.

 

 

Kazuma sat there and made no comments to discourage me. The way he reached over to pat my shoulder said enough, he felt it was all right for me to have a good cry. "Everything's gonna be all right. Thing's will work out, you'll see,” he consoled me. Kazuma tried his best. This was new to him, to comfort a girl, a person he didn't know much about. The gesture was appreciated.

 

 

A faint click and creek was heard, not paying much mind to it till I felt the familiar presence of the Shizuru enter. “What happened? What you'd say to her?” she accused by her tone of voice.

 

 

“Nothing. Don't worry about it, she just needs a moment to herself,” he explained, strangely not ruffled by her clipped tone.

 

 

They tried, or at least Shizuru, insisted I tell them what's bothering me aside the obvious and if I wanted to talk about it. I wasn't in the mood to bring up a lie to say to them and reserved each peeve and worry in the midst of my secrets. They didn't press on it.

 

 

I surrendered to the fatigue. Succumbing to a blackness hitting the nail right on the head as the faint, and safe voices faded. Thinking too much drained me.

 

 

 

~…~

 

 

Kurabara watched the girl drift away in his arms. The awkwardness having a pretty girl in his arms dissipated a degree. Sort of. Which was good for him, he can't handle any misunderstandings. He's not that perverted. He returned Kagome back to bed, tucking her in the safety of the covers.

 

 

Shizuru lid up a cig. Taking in a deep drag in aggravation. This girl's recent outburst shook her. “I'm watching you,” she said to her brother, quietly.

 

 

Kurabara played it safe and didn't break in an outburst denying the accusation. “I respect girls, you know.”

 

 

“Good. Keep your perversions to yourself.”

 

 

An eye twitched. He stomped on the little voice telling him, scratch that, encouraging him to revolt. In the past his little outbursts never worked on Shizuru. `Just ignore the bitch,' he repeatedly thought, calming the ire building.

 

 

"What do you think, baby brother?" Shizuru's eyes jumped to the girl then back to him. The strange, and pretty strong energy emanating from the girl amazed her. Her aura was something else her senses rarely tasted. The feeling felt like a gentle, cleansing brush of, how should she put it? Like a purity of some sort. The only description to use that basically summed up how it felt was water, her energy felt like a splash of cool water passing through your skin. Kurabara sensed it as well, the tickle feeling zapping his sensitive senses only this didn't creep him out, it just put him in a questioning position.

 

 

"She's somewhat spiritually strong…kind of like Urameshi," he admitted.

 

 

Shizuru nodded, she can tell the girl had incredible spirit powers but was defenseless in a fist-to-fist fight, thus resulting in this type of beating. “Not physically though, I doubt she's even remotely in tap with them on her own free will.”

 

 

“Could be.” Kurabara shrugged.

 

 

The possibility is open for debate though for now they're guessing on what they gathered. Shizuru mulled over her theory, it has to be right in a way. Knowing this angered her, clenching her fist in a tight ball down at her side. How a man can take advantage or think to take a helpless, innocent girl by force? How can anyone hurt someone else like this?

 

 

She wished she were there also, to give those assholes a piece of her mind; unfortunately she was at work at the moment. Shizuru felt proud of her brother, he truly grown into a fine young man before her very eyes, taking responsibility into his own hands, helping others in their time of need. It's not like he hadn't in the past but now it's more on an offhand basis.

 

 

"What now?"

 

 

"Sis, she asked us if she could stay here for a few more days. She said she doesn't want her family to know what happened," Kurabara said opening the window a bit, letting the smoke out. The way Kagome pleaded to him to give her permission to stay longer he couldn't refuse and with those puppy dog eyes didn't help saying no. Unable resist damsels in distress are a major weakness for him, other than cuddly animals. He caved in.

 

 

"It's fine with me. I can understand if her parents were to lay eyes on her the minute she steps into the door they'll want answers, besides, I hadn't had girl company in a while. Keiko, Botan, and Yukina are off doing their things and I got work, I hardly spent time chilling with them." She grinded the last of her cigarette onto the surface of the rusted, gray ashtray. This Kagome girl intrigued her. Shizuru's curiosity wanted to gather knowledge surrounding her power. Meh, and she is a really sweet girl, she'll make great company.

 

 

"Sis, do you think we should tell the other guys about Kagome? Maybe they can help, I dunno, figure something out about her?" Kurabara suggested. Kagome's refreshing taste of energy is new to him, he couldn't trace any demonic link in her. The girl's power is a mystery to him. Frankly, he wasn't sure if he should be cautious.

 

 

Shizuru contemplated on it, thinking things thoroughly. She didn't want to risk making a bad decision involving Kagome's welfare; she seemed to be always accurate in her hunches guessing and predicting outcomes. Hopefully instinct won't fail her. "No, Kazuma. I don't think it's such a good idea to call the guys on this one. Koenma will probably dig through one of you for answers and besides, Kurama and Hiei are demons, they'll most likely be threatened by her.”

 

 

"Threaten? What are you talking about?" Kurabara couldn't see the picture more clearly. Kurama wouldn't do anything…weird. Hiei won't bother with it…right?

 

 

"Well, I don't sense any `evil' radiating off her, instead, I feel …purity coming off her. I have a bad hunch on this, it's not a good idea to let Kurama and Hiei know. I'm not too sure about Yuusuke but since he's unpredictable, we can't wager whether he`ll do something stupid." Shizuru advised Kurabara to trust her instincts. Kurabara nodded, understanding the little hint his sister implied, he agreed on a long slide. Better to play it safe. It's not like he'll say anything to the bastard demon dwarf, Kurama maybe, but the midget, no.

 

 

“Do you think we should at least tell Kurama? He has those plant healing thingies, maybe he can fix her up faster?"

 

 

“No. I don't think its necessary, look,” she pointed in the direction of the limp girl. A small, faint shield of energy blazed her body. Imperceptible to follow by the untrained eye but looking closer the slow faint flickering of Ki worked its way around the girl's body.

 

 

Kurabara could hardly believe his eyes, he blinked a couple of times clearing any illusion playing tricks in his eyes before coming to realization to the unusual display in front of him was real. "Is…is she healing herself?" he said incredulously. This was unexpected.

 

 

"Obviously she can. Though it's slow but sufficient enough to help. Impressive." Shizuru's gaze never faltering, her deep interest planted on Kagome's actions. "The funny thing is she probably doesn't know of it." Raking a small hand through her mussed hair, fixing her brown, loose tresses neatly into place again.

 

 

Kurabara stared, still digesting the assumption his sister made. `What is she?' The random thought running in and out of his mind itched to know of the girl's origins, the source to her unique abilities. She can't be a demon, he's sure of it.

 

 

"What--"

 

 

"Is she a demon?" finishing his sentence for him, "I don't know, we'll find out soon when she's ready, right now she needs to rest and recover. I`m going to set out more of my old clothes for her." Turning her heels, she headed out the door. "Oh yeah, I forgot to feed the cat. You might want to feed her before she eats her chew toy," she said quickly before disappearing.

 

 

"What?! You mean bitch! My poor Eikichi-chan!" He shouted after her. Kurabara zoomed out the door to aid his poor cat. How can Shizuru forget to feed the cat? What's wrong with her? Right before closing the door he whispered to the sleeping occupant, "I'll be back Kagome. Just rest and stay put," with that he wandered off in the house to find his starving cat. Hopefully she hasn't clawed the couch for the lack of attention.

 

 

Or left a present on the carpet.