InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Line of Differences ❯ The Inu-Tachi ( Chapter 3 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Disclaimer: Already mentioned in Chapter One, and will be in effect in all chapters, and all other future stories.

Chapter 3

The Inu-Tachi

The youths exited the Kitai Cafe, contented after the appetising meal. A boy with black hair tied in a small ponytail and laughing blue eyes was teasing a disgruntled silverhaired youth. They seemed contented, without a care in the world.

But anyone who really knew their background would know it was not the case.

Miroku, with his handsome boyish looks could charm any star out of the sky, but his cheerful facade hid his troubles and pain. One by one his family had left him, by bizzare ways. His parents had died of illnesses unknown to him, and he was very young when he was left all alone, with a huge inheritance to last him a lifetime. Yet no amount of money could buy back his family. The doctors could do nothing and the only thing he could do was look on while his parents suffered under the strange disease, leaving him to the care of his sister. His only living relative, she had commited suicide after finding out that her husband was having an affair. Their family was then considered cursed, and at times when he allowed his mind to wander, he would wonder when would his turn come. He was not sure if the disease was heriditary, much as medical science was very much advanced now, they still could not shed any light on the virus. People had commented that he seemed to live life from hand to mouth, but they did not know how close to the truth they were.

Inuyasha's father took another wife and Izayoi, his mother died when he was just eight. His half-brother, Sesshomaru seemed to blame them for the suffering his own mother had gone through. Conversations always ended in arguments. No matter how many times his father told him that it was not his fault, Inuyasha just could not push away the dark thoughts that he and his mother had come between a complete family, shattering the perfect picture of happiness.

And Kagome, she could have anything she wanted, being the daughter of a rich tycoon. Home was not a comforting place anymore, not since the fights became constant, not since she fell into restless sleep hearing the angered voices hurling hurtful comments to and fro. She knew a divorce was inevitable now, and Kagome was afraid that they would make her choose who she would go with. And Souta, he was still young, he did not deserve this. After a particularly fierce fight, he crawled into her room and expressed his fears to his sister. Looking at his tear-filled eyes she could not lie- their parents were getting a divorce.

Perhaps Fate brought them together, four souls suffering to seek solace in each other.

"Hey Kagome? Are you ok? I noticed you didn't talk much back there, and you're awfully quiet now,"

"Hm? I'm fine Miroku. Just kind of worried about Kouga. I don't think he took to rejection pretty well..."

"Speaking of which, did any of you see him around? It isn't like him to miss an outing like this,

"Chikusho! I'm sure he's fine, tearing your minds out just because he failed to turn up! For all we know, he may just be bawling his eyes out or busy chasing after another girl."

"I guess you're right. Maybe I am worrying too much. But somehow I just can't shake off this feeling that something is wrong..."

"Kagome, perhaps he just needs some time to get over it. Anyway, you've already chosen Inuyasha, you aren't thinking of backing out are you?" "Nani?! No! He's our friend after all, I don't want our friendship to suffer because of this." "Keh, whatever, like I care."

"You can really be such a jerk at times you know Inuyasha," Kagome knew he didn't mean it, he just refused to admit his friendship with Kouga. For a minute there was an awkward silence, no one really knew what to say. Inuyasha was about to open his mouth to make a retort, but a warning look from Miroku he frowned and closed it. Breaking the silence, "Well, wasn't the waitresses back there pretty? Especially that one with red hair, I bet her behind would feel so soft." Pathetic as it sounded, it worked. Kagome laughed, and Inuyasha snorted. "Hentai."

--------------------------------------------

Sango sighed in relief, resting her head from the handle of the mop. It was the end of her shift. Which meant she could get her well deserved sleep. She pulled the apron over her head and packed the leftover pastries for breakfast the next morning.

"Sango! You ready?" Ayame shouted. "Hm!"

"Good night girls! See you tonight." The middle aged proprieter called out to the two retreating backs, earning a wave back.

Luckily their apartment was not very far, Sango thought she could collapse from the sheer exhaustion. "You ok Sango-chan?" "Yeah, just tired as hell." "You're really going to break down one day you know, much as I know your job is just as important, take care and have a break from all these once in a while ok?" "Yeah, I know. Thanks, but really, I can handle it."

Shaking her head, the red haired girl slipped the key into the lock. Almost running for the comfort of her bed, Sango collapsed on the bed, not bothering to change or shower. "I'll do that tomorrow," was her muffled answer to her friend's unasked question. Her eyes closed as darkness enclosed her in sweet rest. Ayame laughed, and decided to take a shower.

Stepping into the shower, her thoughts inadvertantly drifted to the dark haired boy she saw hours earlier. Ayame admitted, it had been a long time since she last felt so attracted to someone like the way she had been to him. And they had not even exchanged a word. Ayame laughed mockingly at herself. It was ridiculous, she had totally sworn off men after how her last boyfriend treated her, how he acted almost indifferent when she finally plucked up her courage to confide in him about her family. It really hurt her, she thought sharing her story he would understand more about her. It was the biggest secret she ever kept, and he just brushed it aside like it was normal as anything. It left a whole in her heart, although she took care not to show it. When she first led her eyes on his she felt her heart skip a beat, and funnily enough, she really thought for a moment there he felt the same about her. Of course, it was not possible, guys like him would never go for someone like her. But for some reason she just could not get his face out of her mind.

Sure, she came from a rich family. But she ran away from that life, no more beating from her father was more than she could ever ask for. Riches did not tempt her anymore, not after seeing the dirty secrets her father kept from everyone, bribing authorities to turn a blind eye to the painful screams that came almost every night.

Ayame turned on the tap to the coldest, determined to drive all thoughts of her past behind her.