InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Remember Me in the Stars ❯ Humiliation ( Chapter 26 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

~ <- this thingy means a different time

Humiliation

While they were walking to the front door, Kagome had to ask one more question.

"When is the dance?"

"This Friday, with graduation this Saturday. Now leave me alone, I want to call my

boyfriend."

"You aren't his girlfriend yet."

"Ha, you are jealous, aren't you?" Kikyo said triumphantly.

Kagome turned her back on Kikyo and walked to her room. Once she was inside she collapsed

on her bed, wondering if she was jealous. *I wish I knew, it would make everything so much

easier* She turned onto her back and stared up at her ceiling. Just one more week, one more

week till she would be out of this house. She tried to keep her mind on freedom, but it kept

going back to the dance. *The dance....Kikyo and Sesshoumaru were made for each other*

She winced at the thought, just thinking of it made it sound wrong. *But why is it wrong? I

mean, they are both vain, rude, and....handsome* She smacked her head at the stray thought.

*Mou! What in the world am I thinking? Still....I want to go to the dance. I mean, it's right

before graduation and it doesn't matter if Kikyo says I can't. I'll go anyway, it's just one more

day after that* She got up from her bed and and went into her bathroom, taking out the

jewelry box hidden behind the bathtub. She sadly fingered the space that her mother's

necklace used to lay. Sighing, she counted out what money she had and found that it came up

to $450. Her spirit fell at such a small amount of money. Unless she had gotten the full

scholarship to Tokyo University, she didn't have much of a chance in surviving in the real

world. There was a knock at her door and she hid the jewelry box under her blanket.

"Come in."

Kaede hobbled in and closed the door behind her.

"Hello Kaede."

"A letter came for you, from Tokyo University. I believe you got in."

"What?"

Kaede held out a letter and Kagome took it with trembling hands. She carefully opened the

envelope and took out the letter inside. She held in her hands, not opening it.

"Open it, I believe you got in."

Taking a deep breath she opened the letter and scanned it quickly. She yelped and jumped up

to give Kaede a big hug.

"I got in! I got in! With a full scholarship!!! Kaede how did you know?"

"I have some friends at Tokyo University, and thank your principal too. Myouga pulled a few

strings as well. Now, go on and celebrate. Relax too, the dance and graduation will be soon."

"Will you be at my graduation?"

"Of course, I'll be in the back so your aunt won't see me."

"Thank you!"

Kagome gave Kaede one more hug then jumped onto her bed in happiness. *Things are

starting to look up! And I can buy a dress!* She didn't even have to think twice about what

kind of dress to buy. All she needed to do was go in and buy it. She sat up.

"Ack! Yura!"

*If I go in and buy a dress, Yura is bound to tell Kikyo. How am I going to buy the dress? Oh!

Sango can do it!* The elation of actually going shopping made Kagome grin. *Dress, shoes,

gloves, everything!* She opened her door and slid down the banister. She sprinted to the

phone in the living room and called Sango quickly.

"Hello, is Sango there?.....Sango? Hi, it's me, Kagome."

"Kagome-chan! How are you? Is there something wrong?"

"No no, I just need you to help me on something."

"Sure, name it. Do you want my father to take your aunt to court?"

"Ah, no, not really. Um, can you buy a dress for me?"

"A dress?"

"Yes, I have the money for it, but the thing is, the lady working there knows Kikyo. And well,

you know how Kikyo is."

"Yeah I do. Alright, just tell me where it is and what it looks like."

"Oh, thank you so much! I'll give you the money for it tomorrow."

"Ok, I'll get it right now."

"Now?"

"I have time on my hands, and if you really like it then it's better to get it before someone else

does."

"Ok, it's in the corner of the store, sort of hidden behind other dresses. It's a pale blue with a

flowing skirt to it."

"Got it, sounds easy enough. And don't tell me, it's a pink colored building right?"

"Yup. Thanks again Sango!"

"Ok, but remember, tell me when you want to take your aunt to court. My father is one of the

best lawyers in the city and we can get them to do anything once we win."

"...I'll think about it someday. But for now, I'm thinking of the dance. Do you want to go

shopping sometime?"

"Ok, how about tomorrow?"

"Depends on if I have chores."

There was a long pause from Sango.

"Kagome, when you want to, just give me the word and my father will take care of it, ok? Just

give me the word."

"Sango, they are family."

"No they aren't! They are monsters! And you shouldn't live with them."

"I grew up with the belief that family is the most important part of your life, despite who they

are. I can't give up a belief that my mother gave to me."

"Alright, I understand. But still, just say it and it will be done."

"It's a hard issue, but I'll think about it."

"Ok Kagome-chan, I'll go right now and get the dress for you."

"Bye Sango."

"Bye Kagome."

Kagome put the phone down as she heard the click on the other line. What Sango said made

her think. She knew that how she was living was unacceptable by law. But her mother had

always told her when she was young that family was extremely important. They were your

blood and that was something you couldn't change. Her relatives were terrible, but she knew

she couldn't do the same back to them. It would just show she was sinking to their level and

being mean back wouldn't resolve anything. But, that was still something she would have to

think of. *One more week, just one more. And then, everything will come to place.....or out of

it*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~< /div>

The week passed quickly. Perhaps it was the lack of homework, or the simple joy of finally

graduating from high school. But to Kagome, those few weeks were a blur. Somehow it went

from the weekend to the night of the dance. Sango had brought the dress early in the

morning, before Kikyo ever woke up. After whispering promises of shopping, Sango left. Two

days later the two girls went shopping for accesories and shoes. Kagome decided to wear her

hair down with wavy curls. Sango went for a bun with curls spilling out. With everything

planned and ready, all that was left were the dates. Well....at least Sango had a date. Inuyasha

had asked but Kagome said she couldn't, knowing Kikyo had ears everywhere. On the night of

the dance Sesshoumaru had arrived just on time but Kikyo took an extra half hour to get

ready. When she was, she walked seductively down the stairs. The red dress was too bright on

Kikyo's pale skin and dark hair. And it appeared as if she had put on several tons of makeup.

Kagome tried not to snicker as Kikyo took Sesshoumaru's arm. Once they were gone Kagome

raced upstairs and starting showering. Kaede dried her hair and curled it as she started to slip

on her dress and put her make up on. They were done in just over an hour. Kagome looked at

her mirror. She had the earrings on, but her neck looked too empty. Determination fired up

her spirit and she marched to Kikyo's room. It was a mess, as usual. Kagome hunted all over

Kikyo's dresser and found her mother's necklace squished under a pile of makeup. *I'm taking

this back!* She clasped it on and looked into the mirrors in Kikyo's room. Perfect. When she

arrived at the foot of the stairs Kaede gave her a gentle hug so she wouldn't wrinkle Kagome's

dress. Rin just gave a wide grin and gave her a single rose for her hair. Kaede placed it

carefully in Kagome's wavy hair and opened the door for her. Outside was her aunt's car with

the driver holding an opened door.Murmuring thanks Kagome climbed into the car.

Throughout the ride she nervously plucked at her gloves. Deep inside, she felt something was

going to happen tonight. Whether it was magical or terrible, doubtless something was going

to happen. The sheer anticipation was driving her crazy. But when they arrived at the hotel,

all emotions went away. A clerk at the front, after giving her a look of approval, gave her

directions to the dance. She took an elevator to the top floor and when it opened it revealed a

large room with dark lighting. It was packed with tuxedos and dresses. Sango, waiting at a

nearby table, spotted Kagome and motioned her over.

"Kagome-chan, you made it! And you look beautiful!"

Sango had her hair up in the bun and wore a stunning magenta dress that went well with her

eyes. Miroku was standing nearby and giving Sango a glass of punch.

"Kagome san, if I wasn't taken at the moment, I would-"

"Miroku!" Sango said, smacking her boyfriend on the head.

"Hehehe, just joking of course." he said, rubbing the aching spot.

"Kagome!"

She turned and was greeted by Inuyasha in a tux. He looked handsome, but uncomfortable.

His face however was one of joy.

"I thought you said you couldn't come!"

"I changed my mind."

"Well, you came pretty late. The dance will be over in an hour and a half."

"That's enough time for me. I might leave early."

"Oh, well, then dance a few with me."

"Sure."

Kagome took Inuyasha's hand and Sango's and dragged them out to the floor. While Kagome

was having fun, Kikyo's minions brought the news to her. Kikyo's whole face contorted into

one of hate. Sesshoumaru caught only a few snatches of the whispered conversation, but

heard Kagome's name. *Kagome? Here?* He looked around then spotted her dancing with her

friends. She looked...beautiful, in the most simple term he could think of. His eyes could

barely pull themselves from her.

"Sesshoumaru, I'm going to the bathroom, I'll be right back."

He didn't say anything and just gave a bored expression while looking around. But his eyes

kept flickering back to her figure. Her eyes were glittering like stars and looked happy,

instead of the sadness. Meanwhile, Kikyo was in the bathroom, plotting a way to get Kagome

out of the dance. Her friends gave a few suggestions but none sounded good enough.

"Forget it!" Kikyo snarled. "I'll think of one myself."

She stormed out of the bathroom and proceeded to look for Kagome. Meanwhile,

Sesshoumaru found his feet taking him toward the punch bowl, where Kagome was getting a

drink. She looked up at him with hesitant eyes.

"Hi."

"...."

"Is there something you need?"

"I...would you dance with me?"

Kagome gave a startled look. *Did I hear right? Sesshoumaru wants to dance with me?* But

her hand was already in his as he led her to the floor. A slow song came on and he delicately

put his arms around her waist. She paused for a second, then put her arms around his neck.

As each second ticked by the two danced closer and closer till Kagome was almost resting her

head against his chest. She gave a quiet, wistful sigh that nobody but Sesshoumaru heard. One

of his arms rose up to her cheek and slowly lifted it up to meet his eyes. A silent message

passed between their eyes and he bent his head down. Kikyo finally found her...dancing with

her date. She nearly exploded and raced up to them. Coming closer she saw that they were

just an inch away from a kiss. She gave a screech and pulled them apart. Everybody stopped

dancing and turned to stare at Kikyo.

"You slut! You're just like your mother!!!!"

Before she knew it, Kagome's hand came in contact with Kikyo's cheek with a hard slap. Kikyo

stopped her bantering and touched her red cheek.

"Don't you ever, EVER talk about my mother that way again! She was twice the woman than

your own pitiful excuse for a mother!"

Kikyo's shocked expression melted away to one of rage.

"So, you think you're better than me?"

Sesshoumaru moved in to take Kagome away.

"Don't touch her, Sesshoumaru. She is a seducer, just like her mother. And just like her

mother, she will amount to nothing. You want to know what she does in my house?"

"Kikyo no!" Kagome cried out.

Kikyo ignored her and snatched the necklace on Kagome's neck. She broke the clasp and

threw it on the floor.

"She is a servant! She cooks, cleans, and does everything a servant does. And just like a low

born commoner, she steals!"

"A servant?" questioned Sesshoumaru.

He turned to look at Kagome, hoping to see anger at such a lie. But all he saw were eyes

spilling over with tears.

"That's right, she is a servant in my own house. Doesn't even do a good job of it too!" said

Kikyo.

Kagome burst into tears and ran out of the room, everybody made room for her to leave.

Sango marched up in front of Kikyo.

"You conniving little termagant!"

With that said Sango punched Kikyo in the nose. Kikyo screamed and held her nose as blood

trickled down. Sango was about to punch Kikyo again but someone grabbed her hand,

Sesshoumaru. She pulled out of his tight grip and left the dance, Miroku and Inuyasha

followed her. When they were in the elevator, Sango began to curse.

"Sango, is it true? Kagome is a servant?" asked Inuyasha.

"Yes, but her relatives blackmailed her into it."

"How long has this been going on?"

"Since she's first moved here."

"Why didn't she ever tell me?"

"She didn't want you guys to hate her. Don't ask, I told her that was a silly thought. I can't

believe Kikyo told though."

"If anybody makes fun of her, they'll answer to me." Inuyasha said, making a tight fist. When

they arrived at the lobby the front desk told them she had already left. Sango tried calling the

house several times but Kaede said Kagome couldn't talk at the moment. Meanwhile, Kagome

was crying in Kaede's arms. After a while the tears stopped and Kaede helped wipe them off.

"Now everybody at school will hate me."

"No they won't, your friends would never abandon you."

"Everybody at school comes from a rich, privilaged family. What am I to them? A servant to

their riches."

"Kagome....remember everything your mother has ever said to you. In all those times, has

she ever said that your family wasn't better than perhaps, Kikyo's family?"

"No."

"It doesn't matter what the people around you think, only what you think counts the most."

Kagome nodded her head.

"Now, will you be going to school tomorrow?"

"....I think, I'll just get my high school degree right now and leave for Tokyo college

tomorrow. Would Principal Myouga let me get my things earlier?"

"I'll call him, but I'm sure he will do it for you. Do you need help packing?"

"I don't have much, so I can do it myself."

Kaede gave Kagome one more hug then left her alone. Kagome slowly pulled off the dress and

and got out a suitcase. She wiped her eyes a few more times then got to work. She folded the

dress and put it on the bottom. She packed for a while, then stopped, leaving the rest for

tomorrow. She opened the window so the stars would light her room and buried herself

underneath her covers, anticipating the next day.

*moves a pendulum back and forth* rreevviieeww.....reeevviiieewwww