InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Torn Between Eras ❯ Mama Knows Best ( Chapter 2 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: As I previously mentioned in chapter one, I do not own 'Inuyasha' or 'Yu-Yu Hakusho.' Both belong to their respective creators, and I would never try to take the credit for works such as them. I place credit where credit is due. Thank you.

Author's Note: I'm sorry that it has been so long since I last updated. After losing our trusty computer, we didn't have anything to work with. I apologize profusely to everyone who has waited for me to update. I have a new computer now, my muse has been kicking me, and I have some wonderful ideas. I hope that you enjoy the next installment!

Last Chapter:
Yuusuke sighed softly. “That's the girl that my cousin, Hojo, likes,” he explained. “All I know is that she misses a lot of school because she's always sick...”
Kuwabara's eyes took on a concerned look. “She seemed healthy to me,” he commented.
Keiko sighed inwardly. If you guys only knew... She looked over at Kurama who had yet to look away from the direction Kagome had run in. Let them in, Kagome. They'd understand more than you know...

Chapter 2

Mama Knows Best

What would I do without my mother? That's a question I'd rather not ponder. My mother is all I have left. Dad left us when I was little, never heard from him again. Mom took up both roles, and played them perfectly...

Kagome ran nearly non-stop back to her family's shrine. She wasn't sure how long it had taken her, nor did she care. All she wanted was to get back to where someone would understand. Why can't I be normal? she thought sadly. Why did that stupid jewel have to be in me?! She continued running, up the many steps, and across the yard. When inside, she went straight through the kitchen and living room, to her only sanctuary. She sprawled herself over her bed and let the proverbial flood gate open, and a torrent of tears poured from her eyes.

Kagome's mother, Li, had followed her daughter, knowing there had to be a reason for her to be home early from visiting her cousin. What met her eyes was a sight to make any mother cringe. Her daughter, face down and in a pillow, crying for all she was worth. Without announcing herself, she entered the room completely and sat next to Kagome. She placed a comforting hand on her back, trying in vain to calm her daughter's tears.

"It's n-not f-f-fair...'Kaa-san," Kagome mumbled out. "What did I do to deserve this life? Why can't I be like any other girl?" She slowly sat up, trying to wipe the trails from her cheeks. She looked up at her mother briefly before launching herself at the older woman. "All I want is to be able to have friends that I can tell my darkest secrets to....To be normal..." She started crying harder, her shoulders shaking with her sobs.

Li allowed the young woman to vent her frustrations, wrapping her arms gently around her trembling shoulders. Her heart went out to her darling child. How she wished she had the answers her daughter sought. To be able to take away all that upset her only daughter. Thought she tried, she could not stop the sadness that came over her, thinking about all that had happened in the past 5 years.

Yes, Kagome had graduated high school, but only barely. Traveling between the two eras took so much away from her. Thankfully the principal of Kagome's school, and the school board had understood when she presented them with Kagome's 'illnesses'. She hadn't thought that they would believe all of the lies she had to spin, but they did, and they allowed Kagome to finish school at a slower pace. But she succeeded, and obtained her diploma of completion.

The friends Kagome had, on the other hand, started checking up on her less and less. The three girls and one young man, supposedly Kagome's best friends, eventually stopped calling, and even coming to the shrine, to check up on their 'dear friend'. It had broken not only Kagome's heart, but the entire family's. They knew that the young woman needed all the friends in the world right now, and the ones that had mattered the most just up and left.

Li looked down at her offspring and sighed softly. She kissed the top of her head and placed her hands on Kagome's shoulders, gently guiding her to sit up. She looked into her daughter's dark brown eyes, and smiled in that motherly way. "Kagome," she softly began, "while I do not know what you are going through, nor do I know what brought this about, please listen to me with an open heart and mind."

Kagome took a deep, shaky breath at her mother's words. She nodded her head as she grabbed a tissue from the box beside her bed. After dabbing it at her eyes, she turned her attention back to her mother. "Yes, mama," she replied weakly.

The older woman shifted her position and reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind Kagome's ear. "Sweetie, since your 15th birthday, we knew that life would never be the same for you. We all knew that you were special before, but that day just made that all the more obvious to us. I know that things aren't easy for you on the other side, and because of that, things here are just as, if not more, difficult for you.

"This fate was brought upon you for a reason. Do I know that reason? No. Only the Gods above know that. I won't tell you that everything will always be alright, because I know that they won't. But, I can tell you that things will work themselves out in the end. After all, wasn't it you who told me that your quest over there was close to being complete?"

Kagome sniffled slightly and nodded her head. "I don't know how I know," she responded, "but I know that it's almost time." She folded her hands in her lap and looked at her mother. "Momma, I don't expect things to always go the way I want them, but...but why can't I be somewhat normal and not have to worry about demons, at the very least?"

"Is that what brought this about? Did something happen while you were with Keiko?"

Kagome nodded her head. "Something did happen. I don't know what it was, but it was strange. I can't really describe what it was." Several looks of various levels of frustration crossed her features. "All I know, is that demons still exist here, in this era. I met them. They're Keiko's friends. Something happened with one of them, and they all just looked at me like I was a freak."

Li nodded her head slowly in slight understanding. "All things happen for a reason, my daughter. Keep your heart and mind open. The answer will come to you in time."

Kagome looked up at her mother. Never before had she offered advice such as this. Maybe she knew more than she let on. Kagome smiled gently at the older woman. "Momma, thank you so much," she replied graciously. "You've helped me more than I can say." She jumped up from the bed and went to her closet. Pulling out various jeans, sweatshirts, and tee-shirts, she proceeded to place them at the bottom of the infamous yellow backpack. Kagome then ran into the bathroom with a change of clothing and was back out before long.

The two women walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. Li helped Kagome pack the provisions that she would need for many days. Then, both struggled to close the nearly over-stuffed pack.

Kagome suddenly wrapped her arms around her mother in a tight hug. "Thank you, for everything, Mother," she whispered.

Li, surprised for only a moment, returned the gesture. "I love you, Kagome," she replied. "I know I don't need to tell you to be careful." At Kagome's nod, a thought came to her mind. "Kagome? When you came here, how did you get here? Did Keiko drop you off?"

Kagome's eyes widened as dawning came to her. "Crap! I just left her!" She ran for the phone and dialed Keiko's number quickly.

*****************

Keiko sighed again and thought for about the 30th time of going to check on her cousin. But, again, the thought was pushed away sadly. She knew how Kagome was when she was upset. She didn't want to push the girl any more than she had been. She turned her attention back to the group in front of her. Yusuke was currently explaining to them all that he knew about Kagome.

Yusuke leaned back in the chair and connected his hands behind his back. "Yeah..." he drawled, "Hojo had a big thing for her in school. She was a good student, never missed a day. Then, I think it was freshman year, she just started missing school. At first, it was just a few days here and there. Then, she missed weeks at a time. Hojo and the group of girls that used to hang around him would go to Kagome's family shrine and check on her, but they were never allowed to see her. Guess she was too sick for visitors."

Kuwabara frowned deeply as he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned forward. "It's a shame that she didn't stick around," he grumbled. "She certainly didn't seem sick to me. Looked real healthy." He sighed and started rocking in the chair.

As the guys talked, Keiko stared off into space, her mind now moving farther and farther away from the conversation going on in front of her. ~Kagome,~ she thought sadly, ~I told you that everything would be alright.~ She sighed heavily and rested her chin in her hand.

"Keiko, are you alright?"

Keiko looked at the red-head and shook her head. "I'm not sure, Kurama. I'm just really worried about Kagome. I told her not to worry about meeting all of you..."

"Ah, come on, Keiko," Yusuke groaned, "weren't you listening to me? It's not surprising she ran out. She's one of those anti-social nut-jobs." He started looking through his pockets for his ever-present pack of cigarettes, oblivious to the death glares being sent his way. "She skipped out on school, barely passing, and now she's avoiding people because of it."

Keiko was ready to crawl over the table and strangle her supposed boyfriend, but was stopped by a gentle hand on hers.

"I don't believe that your cousin is as 'ill' as others seem to believe," he informed her in a calm voice. His bright green eyes took on a golden hue as Youko began to come through. "Please, to appease this kitsune's curosity, tell us what is going on with the miko."

She took a deep breath. How she wanted to tell them everything, just so Kagome would know the truth as well. She opened her mouth, ready to tell them just something small, but just as she began to form the words, the forgotten cell phone in her hands started playing a catchy tune. ~Great timing!~ she cheered in her mind.

She flipped the device open and answered without looking at the screen. "Kagome, are you okay?" she asked immediately. She gave Kurama an apologetic look and shrugged her shoulders.

"Keiko, I'm so sorry," she replied right away. "I didn't mean to run out like that. After what happened, I just..."

Keiko interrupted the girl before she went off on a rant and rave. "I know, Kagome-chan, and it's alright. The guys are just worried about you." Just as she was about to tell Kagome to come back, Kuwabara took the phone from her.

"Kagome," he called into the receiver, "please, come back and have some fun with us. Whatever it is that's going on, we promise that we won't hold it against you!"

Kagome laughed softly and her small smile was evident in her voice. "Thank you, Kazuma-kun," she replied softly, "but that wouldn't be a good idea. Not right now at least. Please, send my apologies to everyone. Especially to your friend with the red hair. Now, will you please hand the phone back to Keiko? I have something that I really need to tell her."

"Sure thing, Kagome. Here you go." He handed the phone to Keiko and looked to the others. "She said sorry for actin' like that. She can't come back, but wanted us to know. You specifically, Kurama. She says sorry."
Keiko took the phone from Kuwabara and placed it by her ear. "Kagome, are you sure you won't come back?" she asked. "I don't want you to go off upset and....well, you know."

Kagome laughed dryly on the other end of the line. "I know, Keiko," she responded. "While I can't promise that nothing will happen, I can promise that I will be as careful as I can be." She paused and a deep, inhaled breath was heard. "Keiks....I want you to tell them...."
Keiko, slightly shocked, didn't answer for a moment. "What? Kagome, are you sure? I don't want you to feel pressured to do this....You don't have to!"

"I know. I want to. I think...Maybe it will be easier next time, if they knew something. I don't want you to tell them everything...Just a few things...Can you do that for me?"

It was Keiko's turn to take a deep breath. She looked at the guys around her, who were now watching her, and she nodded her head. "Yeah, I can do that for you. What exactly do you want me to tell them?"

"Only the important things. What I am. What I know. And what I protect."

"Alright, Kags. You be careful, alright? Give my love to the three who deserve it."

"I will. Thank you, Keiko. Bye."

Keiko closed the phone and was greeted by the three men in front of her, waiting expectantly. She took another breath and prayed silently. Dear spirits. Please, let them understand...

**********************

Feudal Era--------

Inuyasha sat high in a tree, just outside of the clearing holding the enchanted well. His gaze never left the well as his thoughts revolved around the young miko on the other side. She'd been gone for more than five days, and he'd held himself back from jumping through and dragging her back with him. He honored her request for some time off and with her family. But now, it was time to get back to business.

Making up his mind about the wayward wench and not wanting to waste any more time waiting, the hanyou jumped down from his perch and walked determinedly to the old well. Just as he was about to leap over the edge, the mystical blue light of time traveling magic spilled forth. He looked down into the dark depths and was greeted by a bright smile and dark brown eyes.

Kagome looked up at the clear blue sky, but instead saw amber eyes, silver hair the the most adorable ears on the face of the planet. ~Well, second most adorable,~ she thought as the image of the kitsune came to mind. Still, she smiled up at Inuyasha, happy to see him.

"It's about damn time, wench," came the rude hello from above. He crossed his arms and waited for Kagome to climb up.

The miko's smile disappeared as she ascended the wall. ~Damn hanyou,~ she growled silently. Once near the top, she threw her over-sized yellow backpack over the lip, then hoisted herself over as well. She grabbed her bag and faced the hanyou before her. "You could have helped me, you know?" she shot at him, quite irritated.

"Keh," Inuyasha barked back. "Well, you could have come back sooner! Why the hell were you gone so long? You have a job to do here!"

The miko started waking toward the village on the other side of the forest. "I needed a break, baka! You were driving me crazy! Every other minute it was 'Kagome do this' or 'Kagome do that!' Or, and this is my favorite, 'Kikyou! Kikyou! KIKYOU!!!" She turned on him and grew eerily calm. "Get it through your thick skull that I am NOT Kikyou."

Inuyasha opened his mouth to yell something in return, but the strangest scents drifted to him. He inhaled the air deeply and found that they seemed to surround Kagome. He quickened his pace to catch up to the girl and grabbed her shoulders.

Kagome's eyes widened as she was suddenly spun around. "Inuyasha!" she exclaimed in shock. "What in the world are you doing?" The only answer she received was the hanyou rapidly sniffing at her. Her eyebrow quirked in annoyance. "Inuyasha, have you finally lost your mind?"

Inuyasha stopped before her and glared at her, his hands still on her shoulders. "Who were you with?" he demanded harshly. His fingers tightened around her and he pulled her closer. "I thought you were just going home for a few days. Those scents are not from your fucking family."

Kagome pushed harshly at the hanyou. "It's none of your damn business! I went to see my family, Inuyasha. What I do other than that is absolutely none of your concern! Now, let me go!"

Inuyasha squeezed her small shoulders angrily before pushing her away. "None of my concern, huh?" He stared at the girl he had just shoved away and sighed softly. "Kagome, I..." he stopped before he could finish when the haunting call of Kikyou's soul stealers reached his ears. He looked up and started to turn, but stopped and looked at the miko before him.

Kagome, also hearing their howls, shrugged her shoulders. "Well, get going," she instructed him. "I don't think Kikyou wants to be kept waiting."

"Kagome..."

"Go, Inuyasha. I'm sure that whatever it is, it must be important for her not to wait until I'm asleep." She smiled at him sadly before she walked off towards the village.

End Chapter

A/N: Okay. A few things to look forward to for the next chapter. Once again, I'm sorry for taking so long. A few things got in my way before I could put this up. I'll try to make it up to you!!