InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Kagome's Curse ❯ Home Life ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter One: Home Life

Kagome sat down heavily on the side of her bed and kicked her legs back and forth. Sighing, she reached over and grabbed a pillow and shoved it into her face. Letting her composure slip, she screamed as loud as she could into the feathery lump. When her voice was hoarse, she tossed the pillow behind her and flopped backwards onto the bed.

Staring up at the ceiling, she couldn't help but think why life was so unfair. Here she was, a twenty-year-old woman still living at home with her father. She had tried for years to liberate her self from her parent, but every time she attempted to prove herself something went wrong.

All because of the stupid curse.

Heaving a heavyhearted sigh, she flung an arm across her eyes to block out the bright cheery sunlight that attempted to lighten her mood. She had to do something to get out of this house, even if it meant having someone take advantage of her. If she lived her for another day she was going to fancy herself insane and attempt to live out life as a cow in the barnyard. It was better than sticking around and being harassed by her dad..

"Moo…" she muttered under her breath.

"Kagome!" The shout came from downstairs. Sticking her fingers in her ears, she attempted to ignore the cries.

"Kagome Higurashi I know you can hear me! Get your butt downstairs right now!" The tone was angry this time, but that was nothing new. She was used to her father's annoyance with her.

He still blamed her for the curse that had been placed upon her at her birth.

At his order, Kagome immediately got up and walked downstairs. She stopped a few feet in front of the older man and stared at his face.

"Yes, father?" Her tone was slightly sarcastic, matching the expression on her face.

"You know, I wouldn't have to order you to do things if you would just come when I call you the first time." His cynical words floated in one ear and out the other. She had heard this speech for years, the words weren't going to make any difference now.

"Whatever," she muttered under her breath.

"I heard that. Now, we are going to have a guest over for dinner tonight. I want you to go upstairs and change into your nicest gown and then meet me back in the dining room. Go."

Immediately Kagome spun on her heel and went back to her room. She sighed under her breath as she walked over to her closet and pulled out a pale green dress. Pulling her skirt and top off, she slipped the silky material over her head and smoothed it down.

It was her nicest gown, but still simple, which she was fond of. The neckline was a modest square cut, the bodice tapering to a V over her slim waist. The skirt, which was a darker emerald green, hung to her feet in a simple cut.

Grinning devilishly to herself, she decided not to slip her shoes on. Her father had never mentioned anything about what to wear on her feet. She was selfishly going to make up her mind for once and go barefoot.

Walking over to her mirror she pulled her long black hair away from her face and pinned it with an emerald clasp. She ran her fingers through the long locks, and then smoothed down the fine hair, allowing it to fall to her waist.

Her hair was another sinful pleasure to her. No one ever thought to order her to cut it; it was her greatest beauty, aside from the pale violet color of her eyes. Dallying as long as she possibly could, her feet started moving of their own accord, taking her back downstairs.

They stopped once she stepped into the dining room, and her jaw dropped when she saw the man that was standing on the other side of the table. His hair was nearly as long as hers, only silvery white where hers was dark as night. His face was angular, yet still masculine, and his eyes were a golden hue that she had never seen before.

What struck her the most were the ears that protruded from the top of his head. They appeared similar to dog-ears.

"How odd," she murmured under her breath. Her eyes widened as the man's ears twitched towards her and his eyes narrowed.

"What's odd?"

"Uh, excuse me?" She nervously ran her hands along her skirt, wiping away the moisture that was building on her palms.

"I asked you what you thought was so odd, since you seem to enjoy speaking out loud." His voice was lofty, as if he thought himself better than her. Her eyes narrowed as she noticed the arrogant smirk that graced his lips.

"This is my home, I can say what I want. And as for what is odd, why I was talking about the placement of the table." She mentally patted herself on the back for her quick and ingenious come back.

"The table, eh? Funny, a heavy oak table such as that one would most likely leave indentations on the carpet. As I don't see any, I'm assuming that this table hasn't moved in the past few weeks. Don't you eat? You do look awfully gangly."

Kagome's jaw dropped open at his monologue, before closing in indignation.

"Why you twerp! How dare you insult me in my own home! You are a stranger here!" Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, her short nails biting into her palms.

"That's right, I'm a guest. Therefore you should be treating me with some respect. Go get me some ale, wench."

His eyes widened as the girl immediately left the room, returning shortly with a glass of beer in hand.

"Now, that's more like it." Without a word of thanks, he grabbed the glass from Kagome's hand and downed the liquid in a few gulps. Swiping his free hand across his wet lips, he smirked at the girl again.

"So, what's your name wench?" He eyed her in appreciating, taking in her lithe yet curvy figure.

"Why should I tell someone as rude as you my name?" She nearly spit the words at him as she turned around and began to leave the room.

"Saucy little wench aren't you? You were so compliant just a few moments ago, what happened, girl?" He waited a few seconds, eyes on her retreating figure. When she didn't answer, he angrily brushed his bangs out of his eyes.

"Oh, for god's sake, just tell me your name."

"Kagome Higurashi." Glowering, Kagome slapped a hand across her mouth, and mentally berated the stupid curse. `Damn miko,' she thought.

"Well now, that was easy, wasn't it?" The man's sassy comment floated on the air for a few seconds before Kagome responded.

"Oh, just go to hell why don't you." She stormed out of the room muttering under her breath, as Inuyasha smirked to himself.

"She is a piece of work."

"She's my daughter." Inuyasha jumped as he quickly spun to look at the man leaning in the doorway across the room.

"I apologize Mr. Higurashi. No harm meant." His words fell from his lips quickly, sugar coated.

"It's fine, Inuyasha. I was hoping that she would be to your liking. I have a business proposition for you. Please come to my office with me."

Inuyasha followed Higurashi out of the room and down the hallway, wondering what on earth the man could possibly want.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kagome stomped towards her room, fuming.

"What a complete ass! I can't believe he had the audacity to speak to me like that!"

"Who?" Kagome shrieked and looked up the stairs, her eyes falling on the figure of her best friend.

"Sango, you scared me to death! Stop sneaking up on me!"

"I'm in front of you…" Sango laughed at the look on Kagome's face. "So, who is such an ass? Don't tell me Miroku tried to feel you up again?" With an exasperated look, Sango let Kagome past her and followed her to her room.

"This guy that was in the dining room! He started insulting me the moment his mouth opened!" Kagome stalked towards her bed and grabbed up the pillow she had screamed into earlier.

"Sounds perfect for you, Kagome."

Kagome looked up from the pillow that was inches from her face, looking at Sango who was laughing at her.

"Excuse me?" She shoved the pillow against her mouth and took a deep breath. `Maybe I should just suffocate myself,' she thought.

"Well, you are one of the most sarcastic people I know Kagome. Sounds like this guy could keep up with you caustic comment for caustic comment." Sango snickered at the offended look that crossed Kagome's face.

"And what exactly is that supposed to mean, Sango?"

Sango flippantly waved her hand in Kagome's direction before walking over and sitting next to her. She reached out and pulled the pillow from Kagome's face and tossed it back to its respective spot by the headboard.

"Stop trying to suffocate yourself, Kagome. Things can't be that bad."

Kagome rolled her eyes at her friend, before drawing her legs up underneath her.

`If only you knew Sango,' she thought.

Tactfully trying to change the subject, Kagome suddenly started chatting.

"So, Sango, how are you and Miroku doing? Have you agreed to bear his child yet?" She giggled at the mutinous look on Sango's face.

"That pig is going to have so many bruises if he doesn't stop asking me to have sex with him! I swear, the man has only been here for two weeks and he has asked me to have his child at least one hundred times! You would think that a permanent red hand print on his face would be enough of an answer!"

Sango glared over at Kagome who was now sprawled on the bed laughing at her.

"Kagome, stop laughing at me."

Abruptly, the laughter stopped. With a raised eyebrow, Sango stared at her friend.

"Uh, thanks." She missed the heated look that was shot her way. Sango yelped as Kagome's hand snaked around her and grabbed for the pillow that Sango was leaning on.

"Hey! I said no smothering yourself!" Sango laughed at Kagome as they wrestled over the feather pillow. Out of nowhere a fat cat jumped on the bed and on top of the pillow, raking his claws into the material.

With a big poof, both the cat and thousands of feathers shot across the room.

"Buyo! You evil thing! That's the third time this month that you've mutilated my pillow!" Kagome jumped off the bed and began to chase the cat across the room.

Just as she was about to pick the cat up, a shadow fell across her. Glancing out of the corner of her eye, she noticed both her father and the rude man standing in her doorway.

Standing up, she attempted to brush the feathers out of her hair, to no avail. Sango, who was still sputtering on the bed, had yet to notice the arrival of the men.

"Kagome, stand up straight." Her father's voice cut across Sango's laughter. Sango immediately quieted down and glanced at the men.

Imperceptibly Kagome's shoulders pulled back as her body carriage became rigid. Shooting daggers with her eyes, Kagome stared at her father.

"Kagome, we must speak. But first, pick up this mess. I want you to clean up every single feather in this room, stuff it back in that pillow, sew it up, and for god's sake clean yourself up. Then meet me in my office, and bring Sango with you. Do you understand me?"

With a low growl, Kagome spat a yes out, and turned to do as she was ordered. Inuyasha stared hard at the girl, wondering at why she was so compliant when people told her to do things. Even things as stupid as stuffing her ripped feather pillow without complaint.

Lost in thought, he followed Higurashi back down the stairs, determined to find out why the girl was so acquiescent.

Chapter Two: