InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Memory Lane ❯ Chapter Two ( Chapter 2 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

A/N: Hey people! How are y'all doing? Anyway, here is the FIRST official chapter of “Memory Lane”! Please read & review. Hope you enjoy it! ^_^ Remember that the parts in Italics are Kagome's entries and the part in the normal font is the story. Everyone lives in modern Canada and there are no demons in my fan fiction. ENJOY!!!
`…thinking…….' “….speaking….” *…….place…….*
 
Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha and the gang and I never will…so no sue! They all belong to the wonderful and brilliant Rumiko Takahashi.
 
Story Summary: Enter the life of 15-year-old Kagome Higurashi, who has always been in the shadows of her twin sister, Kikyo. Always being the second best at everything, Kagome desperately wants to break free. In order to get all of her thoughts organized and her wounds healed, Kagome decides to keep a diary to write down her deepest secrets and fears…Finally she meets InuYasha, who is determined to show her just exactly how special she is. Kagome slowly starts to trust him, and in no time, she falls deeply in love with him. But there is an evil plot against InuYasha, and Kagome must sacrifice everything in order to save him. This is Kagome's diary, about her life, about her fears, and about her love: InuYasha.
Quote:
“In order to succeed, you must first believe that you can.”
-Michael Korda
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I sat up in my bed; beads of sweat covering my entire body and my breath ragged. When I finally calmed down and my breathing returned back to normal, one thought suddenly popped into my head: Time to visit the past, Kagome.
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Memory Lane: Chapter One
 
I walked into the dark, cold kitchen, shivering as I switched the light on. Although I had my fuzzy blue slippers and thick bathrobe on, it was still freezing in the kitchen. Not surprising, really, since it ­is the middle of October.
 
I quickly made myself a hot cup of cocoa and sat down in my soft recliner, sighing. How do I revisit the past? “Oh, Kagome…” my voice trailed off as I looked at the electric alarm clock. It read 3:43 AM. `Great.' I thought to myself. `It's almost 4:00 and you're still up. You know that you'll get a horrible headache when you wake up in the morning.' I didn't want to go back to bed…because…because of that nightmare that been plaguing me for ages. “Might as well watch some T.V. to pass the time,” I whispered to myself as I turned the television on.
 
I turned the volume down, not wanting to disturb Kikyo. I flipped through the channels, bored out of my mind. “Nothing good is ever on during this time of night…its all paid programming,” I groaned to myself. I kept on flipping through the channels while sipping my hot cocoa, not noticing the soft creaking of a bedroom door being opened.
 
Then I heard almost inaudible footsteps approaching the hallway; the footsteps were so silent that I didn't even think that they were real…that they were only in my imagination. I ignored them and continued to watch the boring television, but I still couldn't get the strange `imaginary' footsteps out of my mind.
 
When I finally realized that my cup was empty, I stood up - and not looking at where I was going - suddenly bumped into `someone'; and that `someone' was Kikyo. My hand immediately flew to my mouth, covering my sudden scream. At the same time, the glass cup I was holding fell onto the hard, marble floor and broke into pieces.
 
“K-KIKYO!” I whispered, my eyes wide with shock and my hand over my pounding heart. “NEVER do that AGAIN! Understand me? You almost scared the life out of me!”
 
“Of course…Kagome…” Kikyo whispered, her eyes looking at the floor. Her voice was so empty…so emotionless. Then, her pearl-grey eyes met mine - and I was shocked to see how dull they suddenly appeared to be. Kikyo's appearance also changed - her skin colour is ghostly white, her hair seemed blacker, now that her skin was so pale, her lips were a light purple-blue and her voice was so soft and dull. When Kikyo looked at me, it didn't feel like she was looking into my eyes…it felt more like she was boring holes into my skull, trying to read my mind and to see into my soul - and that REALLY freaked me out!
 
Then is hit me: She is in a trance! The doctor had warned me a year ago to be ready for this kind of behaviour, but I just couldn't be prepared for it. It always scares the crap out of me, no matter HOW many times I had told myself that she is still Kikyo, my older twin, not some ghostly person that I do not know and lives with me in this house.
 
“Kagome, remember,” the doctor had said to me, “ when Kikyo is in this `trance-like' behaviour, you must let her do or give her what she wants. If you don't…things could become dangerous. Mental patients don't always know what's right and what's wrong; and when they are in this state of mind, they have to have what they want. They just absolutely have to.”
 
Of course, back then I didn't really understand how serious and dangerous this `trance-like' thing could be. Things were going perfectly fine for the first 4 months. Nothing was out of the ordinary. I would make breakfast for Kikyo and I, then go to my school and teach some nasty high school students while leaving Kikyo in the care of old Kaede (Kikyo's nurse) for the time being. Come back for lunch and then return to the school, then eat dinner (Kaede already made supper) with Kikyo, watch some TV, read my sister a story and put her to bed. This was sort of how it went everyday.
 
But…in the middle of the 5th month, things turned dangerous…very dangerous…
 
&&&&&&&&&&Flashback &&&&&&&&&&
 
“Yes, I know Nurse Kaede…but please, make sure that Kikyo doesn't get into any more trouble. I know that she can be difficult sometimes…it's not really her fault. Okay, okay, I'll come home as soon as I can. I'm sorry, Kaede, but you know that I can't leave my students until the TOC comes in. She already called in to Mr. Jarvee that she'll be late; so you might have to wait awhile. Fine then. Bye now.” I sighed as I finished my long conversation with a very nervous Kaede. I placed the heavy black receiver down and began to make my way out of the staff room. When I opened the door, I almost bumped into Mr. Koga Ookami.
 
“Sorry,” I muttered as I tried to get past him, blushing with embarrassment and sick with worry for my sister.
 
“Yo, Miss Higurashi…what's the big hurry?” Koga asked as he blocked the narrow doorway. I saw his eyes avert from mine to look at the old clock hanging on our cream-coloured wall, then gave me an arrogant smirk. “There's still about fifteen minutes before the bell rings and all hell goes loose with all these kids running around…so, why not relax a bit and spend some time with me?” He wriggled his eyebrows in suggestion, which made me laugh for the first time that morning.
 
I looked at the clock and then realized that he was right. Even if I did go back to my classroom, the little stuffy room of space would undoubtedly be empty without a student in site. I gave a heavy sigh when I saw that I had no choice. “Oh…okay,” I said with a chuckle. Koga led me to a small, comfortable leather couch and we sat down.
 
“Tell me, Kagome, what's troubling a happy lady like you?” I was generally surprised at Koga's inquiry. Did my anxiousness and frustration show so clearly on my face? I got up stiffly and took out a white mug from the cupboard and poured some rich, black coffee into it. The sweet, vanilla aroma reached my nose and I smiled in spite of myself. But when I noticed that the cup was leaking from a small crack from the bottom, I quietly swore under my breath as I reluctantly walked over to the sink and poured the coffee down the drain.
 
“Kagome, Kagome…” Koga's voice trailed off with a laugh. “I didn't even know that you knew that kind of language. Shame on you.” I looked over my shoulder at him and scowled. He raised an eyebrow at me and said, “ Feisty, today, aren't we?” I quickly threw away the cracked mug into the black metal garbage container and sat down beside him while giving him an evil glare. “Sorry!” Koga exclaimed so cutely that I smiled.
 
We didn't talk for a few minutes, but that was all right. We had a whole lifetime to talk…that is, if you call 15 minutes a whole lifetime. Finally, after about 4 minutes of silence, Koga asked the same question again. “What's on your mind, Kagome?” I looked at him, tears suddenly swelling in my eyes. “Hey Kags, don't cry!” Koga said, his sapphire-blue eyes full of concern. Then, one by one, the solitary tears rolled down my cheeks.
 
“What am I going to do, Koga?” I exploded, not caring if people in the hallway heard me. “Kikyo has finally lost it! She had just scared the crap out of Kaede - and guess what? My twin just slapped our next-door neighbour because he wouldn't let her go with him to Mexico. And I'm suppose to be there - at home - not here at work with you…” my voice trailed off and my eyes widened with shock at what I just said. “I-I-I mean, no offence, b-but I shouldn't be here,” I stuttered hopelessly, not wanting to look him in the eye. `How could I have said that?!' I yelled in my head. `Koga has always been here for you! How could you have said that?'
 
“No worries, Kagome,” Koga said with a grin. “No offence taken. I know what you mean.” I gave him a grateful smile and wiped away my tears with the back of my sleeve - not very lady-like, huh?
 
“Kags…isn't there suppose to be a TOC coming in today for you?” Koga inquired. I nodded. “Well then, I'm guessing that she'll be here in the beginning of block 5 - right after lunch break. So, no worries! You can go home to your sister soon enough.”
 
“That's the problem!” I groaned. “The TOC had called in this morning to Mr. Jarvee saying that she's going to be late because of some dentist appointment.” I sighed, defeated. I really had no idea what to do…and Kikyo is home somewhere going hysterical while crying her eyes out. How could I, the strong-headed stubborn Kagome Higurashi suddenly give up? Seriously, taking care of Kikyo has really drained some life out of me - not that I don't want to take care of her. Don't get me wrong, she is my sister, and it's always been the Higurashi rule to `Always Put Family First'.
 
I looked at Koga, and realized (to my surprise) how handsome he really was. He has soft, sapphire-blue eyes and long, thick, black lashes; a strong jaw and full, pouty lips; his long, raven-black hair was always shiny and pulled back in a high ponytail and his bangs were either hidden or sticking out of the headband that he always wears. His hair looked so silky and smooth, and I longed to touch it…but, of course, that would be wrong, since he is already married. Koga's body was strong and muscular, but not muscular like the guys you see working out in the gym on TV. But the most important thing about him was his huge heart…and it is because of that heart that he is able to be such a good friend.
 
Koga thought about my dilemma for a moment, his eyebrows furrowed down as he thought and concentrated about this situation. Then, his face lit up, which only meant one thing: he had an idea.
 
“You know what, Kagome? I could ask Mr. Jarvee to supervise my students for me this block and I could go to your class and watch your kids. How about it?” I couldn't believe my ears…Koga would do this for me? “I promise to leave when the TOC comes in!” he said with his right hand up, pledging this to me. I slapped him playfully on the shoulder and laughed.
 
“Thanks you so much, Koga, THANK YOU!” I threw my arms around him in an embrace, wanting to show him my gratitude.
 
Koga didn't say or do anything for a moment, then returned my hug and chuckled. “Any time, Higurashi, anytime.”
 
Suddenly, the school bell rang loudly, echoing through the room. Actually, the bell wasn't a loud `ding-ding-ding-ding'; it was a very high-pitched, long `beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep'. Everyone in the school hated the bell because it was so irritating. Countless people have complained to the principal and the school board about this, but to no avail.
 
“I better run!” I stood up, picked up my things and walked towards the doorway. I turned to Koga and said, “Thanks so much, you have no idea what this means to me.” Koga just smiled and shook his head, standing up and walking towards me. “Well, see you tomorrow!” I walked out into the broad hallway and closed the door behind me.
 
As I ran down the marble-floored corridor with my high-heels `click-clacking' behind me while clutching tightly onto my belongings, I suddenly ran into a high school student at his locker. His eyes widened in shock and let out a quick yell when I rammed into his side. We both fell down - with me on top. My things were all scattered on the floor when we fell - lipstick, test papers, books, eyeliner, tampons, hair brush, pens, etc., etc.
 
I could feel the heat rushing up to my face as I picked myself off of the boy. “Sorry,” I muttered quietly under my breath. The boy immediately began to pick up all of my things that fell out of my bag. I stared at the boy, amazed. I have never seen a boy so polite in this school. I would have bet that any other boy would have ran away by now - not helping me pick up my things.
 
“So sorry Miss. Higurashi…should have seen you coming,” the teenage boy said shyly, not making eye contact. When he was going to reach for my tampons, his face turned bright red and he quickly placed them in my bag.
 
“I've never seen you here before…you new?” He finally looked at me - and I gasped at what I saw. Huge golden amber eyes staring back at mine…lovely amber eyes. “You…YOU have amber-coloured eyes!” I exclaimed, astonished.
 
The boy blushed an even brighter red and said quietly, looking at the floor, “I-It runs in the family…I get it from my dad's side. I think only the males get this kind of eye colour.”
 
A million thoughts ran through my head - who are the boy's parents? Is it who I'm thinking it is?! Where does this boy live? Who is his mother? Finally, I collected myself and asked the boy a simple question. “Who are you parents?” The boy sitting in front of me gave me a look of surprise, then immediately began to blush and looked at the floor again.
 
“I am the only child of Sesshomaru and Kagura Takata,” the boy answered slowly. I thought the boy was acting very strange…blushing so often and always looking at the floor. “Miss. Higurashi…may I please go back to class now? I'm terribly late as it is.”
 
I blinked back my surprise and stammered, “O-O-Of course you may. But just answer me this question: What is your name?” I was thoroughly disappointed that it wasn't whom I thought it was…my hopes had risen so high, then crushed as the harsh waves of reality hit me hard - making me suddenly realize that it was pretty impossible for that person to meet me again. Though I was sad about his answer, for some reason it still satisfied me - me knowing that I now have a lead to finding that one person that I lost. My heart just had this sudden urge to meet him again…just to hug him close and never let him go! Heck, I don't care if he is married…he's still in my heart…even after 3 years.
 
“My name is Benjiro Takata.” With that, he stood up and bowed to me (which really surprised me) and jogged to his class.
 
Pulling myself together, I quickly picked up my bags and stood up, dusting my derrière with my hand. I began to run again (this time watching where I was going) and quickly pushed open the door. I gasped as a cold gush of wind blew on my face - like a thousand knives stabbing you all at once. I pulled my thin coat closer to my body and headed down the steep steps.
 
When I finally got to my silver Lexus jeep, I unlocked the doors and hopped in. “Oh GOD!” It was even colder in the car than it was outside! My teeth were chattering and my hands were shaking, but somehow, I still managed to get the car engine started. I quickly clipped on my seatbelt and drove out of the school parking lot.
As I drove down the road, my mind kept on going back to my conversation with Benjiro… but the more that I thought about it, the more confused and hopeful that I became. Maybe…just maybe that I could find him and…and…but I couldn't finish that sentence. What was I going to do if I found him? My heart ached as I thought about my brief time with him years ago…how happy I was before. Just maybe…
 
I shook my head quickly and scolded myself. “Kagome!” I admonished, “Get a grip, girl! What makes you think that he'll come back to you? Anyway, how can you think about this when Kikyo is suffering? Shame on you.” Yes, yes, shame on me; but I just couldn't help that tiny glimmer of hope rising in my heart now…my old wounds have almost healed now…and to make the recovery complete, I just need that little extra piece of me back - the piece that he has. Of course, I was also taking a risk too - a risk that I might get my heart broken again…one that I'm just not ready to take.
 
`Least you now have a lead on finding him…Benjiro's father is his half-brother. But then again, there's always that chance that he doesn't live with him…or maybe he just won't want to see you after all this time.' Why do I always have these stupid doubts about myself? Didn't InuYasha tell you not to have doubts, but to have confidence? I then realized that since he was gone from me - out of my grasp - I placed all of the advice and things that he had said to me into the little section in the back of my mind. But now that I have remembered them, they were dusty and dirty - little bits here and there, so diorganized and messy. I just couldn't remember everything that he had said, only tiny morsels of his words.
 
When I finally drove into my driveway, I was horrified with what I saw.
 
There was my sister, Kikyo, pointing a pair of sharp scissors at my next-door neighbour.
 
I noticed that there were people looking out their windows at this commotion. They were talking excitedly to one another and pointing at my sister and me.
 
Ignoring the nosy neighbours, I quickly climbed out my silver Lexus and ran over to Kikyo, trying to calm her down. “K-Kikyo…listen to Kagome-chan. Put. The. Scissors. Down.” I looked into the eyes of my neighbour, who was whimpering and just about to wet his pants. My hand reached over for the scissors, and took them away from my twin's fingers. I looked behind me at Kaede and whispered, “Take these. Hide them.” Kaede quickly nodded and grabbed the scissors from me, and I sighed with relief. Least the weapon was out of the way now.
 
Kikyo turned to me and said, “Kagome-chan, you're home!” I looked at her, and was surprised to see that she was back to her old self again. Thank goodness!
 
“I-I-I'm gonna call the cops right now!” my neighbour stammered, which made me jump. “I swear to God…this…this…this GIRL is insane!” He yelled with indescribable rage while pointing angrily at Kikyo, who looked at him with confusion.
Suddenly, Kikyo's eyes turned watery and asked me in a very quiet voice, “Kagome-chan, what did I do wrong this time? Why is Mr. McHaster yelling and pointing at me? And what does the word `insane' mean?” My heart ached at seeing Kikyo hurting; and my sudden explosion of anger at Mr. McHaster surprised me.
 
Mr. McHaster stared at Kikyo like she had just grown a second head, then laughed; a menacing, evil laugh. “Kagome,” the 50-something guy walked up to me and said, “did Kikyo just ask what she did wrong?” Before I could answer, he spun around and faced the people who were staring out the window, and shouted, “You are all witnesses to this event. First, that retarded girl slapped me, twice! And, just then, she tried to kill me. Don't you think that I have the right to call the cops and have this girl thrown into some kind of nuthouse? Don't YOU?!” All of a sudden, everybody who was staring out his or her window left, not wanting to be too nosy. Well, a little too late for that.
 
Just then, Kaede came out, tired, but happy that the `incident' with Kikyo was over…but her smile quickly faded when she saw the expression on Mr. McHaster's face. Then Kaede, being the sensible person that she is, quickly took Kikyo by the hand (who was sobbing uncontrollably by now) and led her towards the house. Just before entering, Kaede turned around with a solemn expression and said to Mr. McHaster, “Ye should be giving thanks to Lady Kagome. If it were not for her, ye would be in worst conditions right now…” Nurse Kaede's voice trailed off unexpectedly and quickly soothed my sister into the house, who looked at me one last time, then finally, but reluctantly, disappeared through the doorway.
 
I now turned my attention to my stunned neighbour. Mr. McHaster looked pretty funny, with his mouth gaping like a fish and his eyes wide open in shock. “Um…Sir…” I began, uncertain of what to say. How was I supposed to `convince' him not to call the cops? “Maybe we could wor-” Mr. McHaster cut me off with a loud, angry sigh.
 
“I'm so sick and tired of this! You know what?” He looked at me a mad glare in his eyes.
 
“What?” I asked quietly, afraid of the answer. He marched up to me in a straight line, index finger out, pointing at me. His face was barely an inch away from mine as he spoke. Talk about an invasion of personal space!
 
“Ms. Kagome Higurashi,” be growled into my face. My stomach lurched up and down because of the foul odour that was escaping through his mouth; I held my breath in as I listened, praying to God that this would soon be over with. “You know that this is not the first time - and it certainly won't be the last! Why don't you just hospitalise that damn sister of yours?!” I stared at him, shocked and very, very angry. Did he just say hospitalise? Was this man crazy?
 
“The doctor said that it would be best for her to stay at home with a nurse to take care of her. It would help Kikyo regain some of her old memories back,” I replied in a calm, even voice; although I felt not the slightest resemblance inside.
 
“But, don't you think that she would have regained some of her memories back by now? I mean, this has been going on and off for almost a year now! That retard is a hazard to this community. If we don't hospitalise her, she'll kill someone one day!” He stopped briefly to catch his breath, then continued. “You're perfectly fine, Ms. Higurashi. I get along with you just FINE. But that sister of yours… she has just got to go.” And with that, Mr. McHaster turned around and walked away, leaving me speechless. Then, he turned around one final time and said in a slow and very grave voice, “I would suggest that you take my advice, Ms. Kagome. This situation is only small potatoes compared to the big ones that are going to be coming if you don't do something fast.” He entered his house and slammed his door shut.
 
I just stood there, feeling really stupid. Feeling a jerk. I didn't even try to defend Kikyo; not one bit. My arguments were totally stupid, and deep down, I knew that Mr. McHaster was right. If we don't do something soon, Kikyo is going to get into more serious trouble. I stood there, for God knows how long. I stared down at the ground, looking at the dark, rich green colour of the grass with tiny water droplets on them, clinging on for dear life. The sprinkler was still on, and everytime it spun around while spraying lightly over the front yard, it would always shoot cold streams of water at my legs and feet.
 
“Lady Kagome…why don't ye come back into the house, child.” I turned around and looked at Kaede's sympathetic and soothing and sighed. I nodded and slowly she took me by the hand and pulled me into my dark and cold 3-story house. I sat down on a black leather couch and placed my hands over my face and cried. Silent tears rolled down my cheeks as I sobbed uncontrollably, cursing my stupid life, my idiotic neighbour. I smelled a refreshing scent of Jasmine Tea infront of me, and looked up. There was Kikyo, offering me a warm drink with an apologetic smile.
 
I quickly wiped my tears on the back of my rough sleeve and grinned at her. “Thank-you, Kikyo,” I said cheerfully as I took the warm mug from her cold hands. I looked at my twin curiously as she sat down beside me, and rested her head on my right shoulder.
 
“I'm so sorry…I know that I've caused more trouble for you, Kagome-chan. Maybe you should get me hospitalised…” Kikyo whispered with an injured sniff. I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed, smiling. I placed my delicious cup of tea down on the dusty coffee table beside her and sighed.
 
“You know that I would NEVER do that to you, Kikyo.” She looked up at me with tears in her beautiful pearl-grey eyes and gave me a hopeful look. “You're my twin, silly!” I said with a laugh. “Without you, I feel like I'm missing something. Don't worry, that Mr. McHaster was just a grouch today.”
 
“You sure, sister?” I nodded and hugged her even tighter. She burst into tears and cried out, “I p-promise, I'll try harder NOT to get into anymore trouble.”
 
I smiled at this and said, “I know, Kikyo. I know…”
 
&&&&&&&&End of Flashback&&&&&&&&
 
“Kagome…” Kikyo began with that empty voice. “Follow me.” She walked - no, floated - down the hallway and disappeared into the darkness. I turned on the light and followed her through the narrow and cramped hallway. Then, she made a sharp right turn and vanished into a dark doorway.
 
`This is it, Kagome,' I thought to myself, getting ready for anything that would happen out of the ordinary. `Get ready. Be prepared for any type of surprise.'
 
 
 
A/N: So…there's the end of chapter one to Memory Lane! Please review, it would really encourage me to keep on writing this story. If you have any ideas for this story of for new ones, feel free to e-mail your ideas to cindy_ho798@hotmail.com. Bye for now!! ^_~