InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Escape ❯ Hurt ( Chapter 2 )

Hello once again. <Bows at audience> Here I am (once again) with the next exciting (more or less) installment of Escape. Just note that this chappie will set the stage for events to come, so its gonna be a little slow at first. Thanks for the reviews. Just know that they do motivate me in making my fic more electrifying and suspenseful. And now, on with the show…

"" denotes dialogue

'' denotes thoughts

Hurt

"He did it again," Kagome complained dejectedly into the receiver of the cordless phone as she plopped down on her bed. "We were supposed to go out to the gallery this evening but as usual, he was a no show. He's not at home and doesn't have his cell phone on."

Her friend sucked her teeth in annoyance. "Kag, I don't know why you keep letting him get away with this crap."

Kagome let out an exasperated sigh, thoroughly frustrated. "It's just that we've been through so much together. We've go so much history-"

"All the more reason to start a new history with someone else. Come on now. I know you've got to be tired of going out with the same guy for what, 5 years? God, I'm surprised you two haven't married and had kids by now. Take my advice and forget ole Hojo, he's old news. Besides, I've heard that a certain someone has a crush on you. Why don't you go out with him sometime?" Charlie hinted slyly.

"I don't like Hiten." This conversation was getting her nowhere. "Hey listen, I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Fine, but if you change your mind about Hiten, give me a call. I have his num-ber," Charlie replied in a sing song voice.

Kagome rolled her eyes smiling. "Good-bye."

"Bye girl!" She disconnected. Throwing her phone at the opposite end of the bed, she closed her eyes. It was a Friday night and once again Kagome was stuck at home wondering where her boyfriend was. This was the third time this month he had stood her up. She released her raven black hair from her scrunchie, letting her tresses spill out before her. Things seemed so much simpler when they were younger. Hojo had been sweeter and more considerate back then. She smiled to herself, remembering the shy, lanky boy he used to be. Her smile wilted as memories of her past began to flood her mind. Even though it had occurred almost 6 years ago, it was still painful to reminisce. It was so hard to pretend that everything was alright when deep down she was still hurting. Silent tears streamed down her face. She missed her parents so much, as well as her baby brother Souta, who never got a chance to experience life. Ron and Carla, her adoptive parents were nice, but they couldn't replace her biological parents; the parents whom had died at the hands of a ruthless murderer that had yet to be found. Sleep began to overwhelm her senses. Mentally and emotionally exhausted, Kagome let herself fall into a deep slumber.

*Flashback*

"You have to come to the dance," Yuka stated matter-of-factly.

Little Kagome sighed inwardly, slightly annoyed at her friend's antics. "I don't know-"

"But you have to!" Yuka whined, then added secretively with a grin, "That cute demon boy you like will be there."

Kagome felt her face redden at this remark, but tried to retain her cool. "I don't like him."

"You know you do!" Yuka giggled.

"I do not!" She huffed indignantly, and was about to make a comment when the school bus lurched to a stop. Kagome gathered her things.

"You're coming right?" Yuka questioned once more before she left.

"Yes, yes. I'll go," She gave in. "Bye."

"See ya'." Kagome squinted at the intense rays from the sun as she stepped off the bus. After bidding more farewells to other kids who lived around her way, she embarked on the journey home. Tonight her mother was going to make oden and let her feel her baby brother's movements from inside her stomach. Even her father would be home for dinner. A smile lit up the girl's face. Usually they both had to stay late at work and wouldn't make it home for Grandpa's dinners. They wanted to make peace between humans and demons alike so they could all get along, or that was what Grandpa had told her. Tomorrow was her birthday. 'Hopefully Grandpa won't embarrass me with his silly demon warding spells' she thought smirking. It was also the day of the 6th grade dance. At first she wasn't too keen on going, but it would be the last time she would see that cute demon boy before his family moved. <AN: This is not Inuyasha. Just some other nameless youkai she happens to take a fancy in.>

All thoughts fled her mind as she rounded the corner and beheld the sight that lay before her. A crowd had assembled around her home, hoping to catch a glimpse of what had happened to make police cars and ambulances to gather at the Higurashi home. Fear clutched her chest as she witnessed three gurneys being transported from her house. She noted that each of them had something, presumably a body, underneath, soaked in blood and turning the white sheet an ugly crimson color. Maybe it wasn't her family. She could be at the wrong house. She felt her heart constricting in her chest as she approached the chaotic scene. It was indeed her home, much to her disappointment. The unshed tears that had gathered in Kagome's eyes began to trickle down her small face. "Mommy! Daddy! Grandpa!" She ran, pushing and shoving those in her way, to where the gurneys were to prove that it was indeed not her family and would have gotten there if it hadn't been for the pair of strong arms that had swooped down and scooped her up.

"I'm sorry sweetie," the man, no demon, said sadly, "you can't go over there."

After screaming and struggling in the demon's tight embrace, she slumped in defeat. The pain in her heart had become so powerful, it hurt to breath. Just before darkness enveloped her within its depths, she noticed a small boy hiding behind her mother's Aviator, with wild, silvery-white hair and…dog ears on top of his head? For one split second their eyes connected. His cold, amber eyes locked on to her blue-gray ones. A barely discernible emotion flickered through his golden orbs before he disappeared. The pain snapped her out of her momentary daze as her entire world slipped into darkness.

Weeks later

"…which is why you're going to be staying here since you have no other living relatives. Only when a family decides to adopt you or when you reach the age of 18, you will be able to leave. Understand Kagome?"

She only nodded blankly.

The woman smiled sympathetically at her, then patted her hand. "I'm sure your family wouldn't like the idea of you moping over their departure. Don't look so sad. They're in a better place now and whenever you feel alone, just remember all the good times you shared with them. And if you ever need anyone to talk to, I'm here for you."

Kagome gave her a weak smile, the first one since the funeral. 'This lady is nice.'

"Now I'll send in someone who will show you around." The woman picked up the phone amidst the clutter of paper and trash on her desk. "Iris, send in Hojo."

. . .

"…and you haven't paid attention to anything I just said," the boy named Hojo stated matter-of-factly, stopping abruptly.

Kagome slammed into him at the sudden movement and blinked. "Huh?" She hadn't been listening to him. She didn't care. The pain was still too fresh in her mind. Her eyes, which had dried up days ago, were now burning and red.

"Look at me," he demanded.

Kagome's eyes narrowed in anger. "Who did you think you are ordering me around?" Her aura swirled and crackled about her in an electrifying bluish glow, going unnoticed by both.

A wide grin spread across his features. "That's more like. There's life in you after all."

"Why do you care?" she asked, the anger disappearing as fast as it came.

He shrugged. "I just do. Besides, you look prettier when you're not looking like you're half dead."

"For you information, my parents just died therefore I have a right to look sad," she snapped, ignoring the last part of his statement.

"Which is why you have to be strong. Submitting into depression will only cause more pain. Trust me, I know," he put simply.

Hating the fact that he was right, Kagome took a deep breath, suppressing all negative emotions into the depths of her soul. Her distressed appearance transformed into one of calmness and serenity, although she could still feel the inner turmoil within her very being.

A small, shy smile graced his features. "If you ever want to talk, I'm here."

For the second time in a month, she smiled. "Thanks. I'm Kagome."

Suddenly shy, he reverted his gaze to the floor, his cheeks becoming stained with pink. "I'm Hojo."

*End Flashback*

"Kagoooommeee!!!" came her foster sister's shrill voice from the darkness. "Phone!"

Moaning, Kagome returned from dreamland to reality. Rolling over, she glanced at the clock. It was 9:14am. Yawning, she fumbled for her phone at the edge of the bed. "Hello?"

"Hey Kaggie," came her boyfriend's over cheerful voice.

Slightly cringing at the annoying nickname he had bestowed upon her, she answered with fake but equal cheerfulness. "Hi Hojo."

"Listen, my apologies for skipping out on our rendezvous last night but something important came up."

Something was also was more important than her lately. "What came up?" she inquired, trying to hide the bitterness in her voice.

"Guess what?" he said in barely contained excitement. "I got a call from the governor's secretary saying they wanted me to go in for an interview for the internship we applied to. I went in yesterday and after the interview they hired me on the spot. Isn't that great?"

Kagome's heart sank a little. Why hadn't they called her? They both had applied for the same internship. "That's wonderful Hojo."

"You didn't get a call?" he asked quizzically, apparently sensing the resentment in her tone.

"No," she pouted not attempting to hide the hurt in her voice.

"Don't worry Kaggie, I'm sure they'll contact you soon. I mean, we both are outstanding students from the highly accredited Shikon Academy. We both have the same 4.0 GPA and leadership abilities. There's no way they're going to pass you over."

She smiled. He always knew how to lift her spirits. "Thanks Hojo."

"How about I take us out to a nice restaurant to celebrate my internship? My treat."

"That sounds great."

"Good. I'll pick you up around seven, k?"

"Sure, and don't stand me up again," she teased.

"I won't. Bye love."

Kagome grinned. "Buh-bye." Feeling more at ease, she hung up. Hojo could be so sweet when he wasn't standing her up. They had become fast friends when they were in foster care together. It had to have been fate because they were both adopted in the same month and ended up going to the same school. They had finally hooked up in 9th grade, due to the insistency of their friends. They had helped each other through tough times and moved on. He was like a rock, a symbol of strength and solidity. They had had their ups and downs, but in the end, they always stuck together. He had always been there for her, when he wasn't sidetracked doing a million other things. This was love…wasn't it?

End.

Told ya' it was gonna be a little slow, but fret thyself not. For Inuyasha shall make his debut in the next episode and hopefully things will start to pick up. Oh, and just to make it entirely clear, this will NOT be a Hojo/Kag fic. I like the guy but he's just too…nice for me. Until next time, fare thee well.