InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Secrets of the Dark ❯ Chapter Four ( Chapter 4 )

Secrets of the Dark

 

Chapter Four

 

That Saturday night was not a quiet night in the Higurashi household.

 

Kagome and Kikyou's screaming could be heard all the way over on the public side of the shrine. Kagome was never more grateful that Souta was at Jii-chan's house for the night, since it was almost certain that he would have woken up and would be crying by now. It was a minor miracle that the police hadn't been called, Kagome realised, as she and her sister continued to scream themselves hoarse at each other. Kagome was livid that Kikyou had tried to sneak out within five minutes of getting home to try to get back to that place again; so much so, that she'd locked her in her room, latching the window with the key and barring the door from the outside. As Kikyou shouted abuse at Kagome from one side of the door, Kagome shouted it right back from the other, saying she was `foolish', and `stupid', and `how dare she run off in the middle of the night to a place like that, making her worried sick over her?'.

 

Kikyou, for her part, was so embarrassed and angry that there were no words to describe how much she hated her sister at that moment. Her sister had come into her circle of friends, slapped her, screamed at her in front of the entire club, and then proceeded to drag her out by the arm. Kikyou had never been so humiliated. Kagome had even resorted to shoving Kikyou in the back seat of the car, activating the child lock on the doors so she couldn't run away while waiting for the red lights to change. And it wasn't only that. She had been so rude to Sango, who was merely sticking up for Kikyou. She was surprised that Sango had not clobbered her for speaking to her in such a manner, and Kikyou would have just stood there and laughed if she did.

 

“Let me the fuck out of this room!” Kikyou screeched, pounding on the door. Kagome, who was downstairs by this point, fixing herself a cup of tea to soothe her sore throat, looked at the time. It was almost eight. They had been screaming themselves hoarse at each other for over half an hour. To be plain, Kagome was shitted and exhausted. She ignored Kikyou's pounding on the door and her yelling, until it suddenly grew silent. Kagome opted not to look a gift horse in the mouth, and climbed upstairs to go to bed early.

 

Just as she was about to change into her pyjamas, there was a knocking at the door. Groaning, she replaced her shirt, and trooped down the stairs, forcing herself to crack the door open a little. The face of the woman that had stood up to her in the `club' that she'd found Kikyou in glared at her. Sighing, she opened the door and let the woman in, ignoring the smouldering anger that she could see in her eyes. Directing her into the living room, Kagome sat across from her in a very professional manner, almost as if she were about to conduct a business meeting. “If you're here to see Kikyou, you can't.” She said straight up. “She's in her room and I'm not allowing her out of the house until morning.”

 

“What right do you have to do that?” The woman snapped.

 

“I'm sorry, I don't think I caught your name.” Kagome's eyebrow rose delicately.

 

“Kobayashi Sango.” She spat irately. “But what does my name have to do with anything?”

 

“Well, Kobayashi-san, you do realise that, after our parents' deaths eight months ago, I am the sole caretaker and guardian of my sister and brother?” Kagome's voice was as level as he expression. Sango nodded, slowly. “I do not know what Kikyou has told you about me,” she continued on, “but, knowing my sister, it did not paint me in a very flattering light. I am not a dragon woman with impossibly high levels of discipline. I try to be fair, but when Kikyou pushes me to far, I become what you saw back… there. I am simply worried for her safety, since she has a tendency to get into trouble. You saw the results of what happened to her last night.”

 

Sango stood up sharply, glaring her disdain down toward the younger woman in front of her. “You expect me to believe that? After everything you've done to her?!”

 

Kagome raised an eyebrow. “Kobayashi-san, please take a seat.” She motioned toward the couch again. Sango merely continued to glare from where she stood. “Kobayashi-san, my employer has made me practically immune to intimidation. You are not doing yourself any favours by standing over me as if you are going to beat the stuffing out of me. Are you going to assault me in my own home?”

 

Sango slowly replaced herself into the seat, watching her warily. At that point, Kagome declared that she would go make them tea, and left Sango to her own devices when she left for the kitchen. Looking around nervously, Sango noted the slight mess about the place. There were clothes piled up high in one corner, a little child's toys scattered about the place; the floor was caked in dirt and muck and had muddy paw prints running through the middle of the room. Grimacing at the mess, Sango was reminded of when her own father had died. Her mother had died after she haemorrhaged while giving birth to her baby brother, Kohaku. When her father had died, she and Kohaku had both been old enough to look after themselves, but with school and after-school jobs, they were both so run down that cleaning was honestly the last thing on their mind. Their home had suffered as a result.

 

Although, she noted, ignoring the mess, it was a rather nice home. She could tell that there had once been a semblance of order; there were quite clearly areas that were designated for toys, a bookshelf that had since become overrun with knick-knacks, several cabinets that were now open and spilling various items onto the floor. The couches were of good quality, there was a vase of flowers that had long-since died, and a decorative fireplace that looked as though it hadn't been cleaned, nor lit, in months. Standing as a picture on the mantelpiece caught her eye, she picked her way through the clutter and picked it up, gazing at it contemplatively.

 

The picture was of a family of five. She easily picked out Kikyou and Kagome, though the other three were a mystery to her. There were two older adults in the back, the man's arms around the woman's waist, the man's hand resting on the shoulder of a little boy, who was grinning happily. She guessed that they must have been Kikyou's parents, and that the little boy was her brother. But it was Kagome and Kikyou that truly struck her as odd. The two of them were sitting in front of their mother, the older woman's hands on either of their shoulders. Kagome's right arm was hung loosely around Kikyou's waist, Kikyou's left around Kagome's, the pair of them leaning into each other and smiling radiantly. Pondering this only a little, she returned her attention to the elder adults. The woman was short and delicate, much like her daughters, with Kagome's fair skin and Kikyou's sharp eyes and dark, straight hair. The father was taller, with Kikyou's tanned complexion and Kagome's large, expressive doe eyes and black, wavy hair. The two girls looked like the Kami had taken the parts of their parents that complemented each other best and moulded them together. The pair looked so different when you really studied them, but at first glance, they appeared to be twins.

 

“They were our parents.”

 

Sango almost dropped the picture in her shock. Embarrassed, she began to stutter out apologies, but Kagome merely waved them off, setting the tea tray on the table, after first clearing away some toys and a remote. Pouring her guest tea first, and then herself, she sat back, watching Sango in a manner that made the older woman feel nervous. Kagome was six years Sango's junior, and yet she had an air of authority about her that made even the confident taijiya whither; even if only a little. It was amazing how Kagome still managed to look dignified, even amongst all the mess of the household. She seemed to radiate control.

 

“I don't know how much Kikyou had told you about our family,” Kagome's voice was calm and neutral as she spoke, pausing to take a sip of her tea, “but I can assume that it isn't much. She doesn't like to talk about our parents - well, not here, anyway.” Her face was set into a scowl for the tiniest of moments. “I know why she resents me perfectly well, but there's nothing I can do about it. Before our parents died, I always figured that it was up to our Okaa-san and Otou-san to keep her in line. Now that they're gone, I've had to go from the Onee-chan cross best friend into being both an Okaa and Otou to both of them.” She shot Sango a look, daring her to challenge this statement. “Souta has accepted it a little easier, since he's so young, but Kikyou has always given our parents trouble. Now that I'm trying to pull in the reins a little, she only rebels all the more fiercely. I am concerned only with her safety; I don't want to lose another family member.”

 

Sango was speechless. This was not the picture that Kikyou had painted of her sister; Kikyou had described her elder sibling as cold, heartless, and controlling. Before her sat what appeared to be a woman much too young to take on the responsibility of raising a little boy and teenage girl, who was emotionally and physically drained, and who was desperately trying to keep what was left of her family safe. Kagome's eyes betrayed her deep exhaustion from chasing after her siblings, as well as the drain of the demanding job that Sango knew she held. She could already hear a ghost of helplessness in her voice, despite the fact that it had been less than a year since her parents' death. Sango briefly thought that things hadn't been nearly as hard for her when her father had died, but she was almost twenty-two at the time, and Kohaku was helpful and they had pulled together, instead of what had happened here.

 

Kikyou had said that Kagome was the one that had pushed her away from her; now she wasn't so sure that notion was accurate. Looking at Kagome now, she had the distinct impression that Kagome was frantically scrambling after Kikyou, trying to pull her back into the family unit, with the younger Higurashi scorning her efforts. This also prompted Sango to wonder if perhaps Miroku had been right when he'd told her that Kikyou used to all but worship her elder sister. Before she could stop herself, Sango had opened her mouth to speak; “I can sympathise with that.”

 

At Kagome's surprised glance, Sango flushed a little, yet continued. “I lost my Haha-ue eighteen years ago, when my brother was born. Chichi-ue died five years ago, when I was twenty-two. I had to look after my younger brother on my own, since both our parents were only children and our grandparents were already ill and bedridden. But we managed; Kohaku graduates high school this year, so he's off to college next year. I worry about him, but I know that he can take care of himself.”

 

Kagome nodded. “I'm sorry about your parents.” She said solemnly.

 

“So am I,” Sango's eyes turned downcast, “but Kohaku and I managed to pull through.”

 

“You were lucky your brother was cooperative.”

 

The two lapsed into an uncomfortable silence, silently contemplating their rapidly cooling tea. Sango was feeling mighty foolish for taking Kikyou's words about her sister to heart; from what she could see, Kagome was nothing like her sister's descriptions. She actually pitied the young woman, wondering if she actually had time for any real friends; it was unlikely. Sango's life had been so consumed with her work and her brother that she'd lost all of her old friends quickly enough. Once Kohaku had eighteen, though, she'd begun to go out, and had met her current friends.

 

“You're Taisho Inuyasha's secretary, aren't you?” Sango asked, seemingly out of the blue. Nodding slowly, Kagome's gaze was wary once more. “I work a few levels below.” Sango blushed at Kagome's scrutiny, not shocked when surprise flitted across Kagome's face. “On the same floor as Miroku-sama; he's my supervisor. I'm hidden right at the back of the floor, so I'm not surprised you haven't seen me there before.” She laughed lightly, leaning forward and fiddling with the hem of her skirt a little. “But, um, I was wondering…” she took a moment to consider what she was about to ask, “…well, a few of us from the office are going out tomorrow night for dinner and a drink since Monday is a public holiday. I was thinking… well… would you like to come?” She blurted out, looking down at her hands, suddenly finding them very interesting. Kagome's sharp gaze was boring into her; she could feel it.

 

Watching the woman in front of her, Kagome's mind went blank. She hadn't spoken to any of her old friends in over five months, when the pressure of Kikyou's antics was beginning to mount up. Kagome had had multiple meetings with social workers, counsellors, and even the police regarding what Kikyou was getting up to. And, she had to admit, she was missing the company of people who were only out with her to have fun. She'd missed a lot of that in the last six months; the last time she remembered stopping to relax was about five months ago, when Kikyou and Souta had spent a week in the summer with their grandfather. Biting her lip, she voiced a hesitant “All right… why not?”

 

Sango's head snapped up to see Kagome's apprehensive face; eyes down, lip bit, frowning. Smiling, Sango drained her lukewarm tea and replaced the cup on the tray. “Alright, well then I'll see you there? It's at the new bar a block away from the office. You know, that place called `Kyoko'?” Kagome thought about it for a moment, before slowly nodding. “We'll all be there at five-thirty for dinner. If you're worried about your sister and brother, I can send Kohaku over to `baby-sit Souta-kun'.”

 

“I think I'll just call Jii-chan.” Kagome shook her head. “She listens to him. But thanks anyway.” The two of them stood. “I'll see you there. Good night, Kobayashi-san.”

 

“Good night, Higurashi-san.” Sango nodded, stepping outside and taking a deep breath as Kagome shut the door behind her.

 

Walking through the shrine, Sango had to admit that that was one of the most enlightening conversations of her entire life. She saw both Kagome and Kikyou in an entirely new light. When she'd set out from the club, she'd been set on abusing the hell out of Kagome and taking Kikyou back to their friends. Looking up toward Kikyou's bedroom window, she saw the youth watching her through the curtains. With a wave and a small smile, Sango turned away from the younger girl and set off toward the car.

 

Pulling out her cell, she hit the speed dial for Miroku's cell. Waiting a mere five seconds before it was answered, she was greeted by the thrum of music in the background, accompanied by drunken shouts, as a deep voice answered; “Do you need backup, Sango-san, or did you managed to get Kikyou-chan out on your own?” Sango chuckled at him, earning a laugh from him in turn.

 

“Neither, Houshi-sama.” Sango shook her head, climbing into the driver's seat of the car. “I've managed to ascertain that perhaps you were correct in your assumptions regarding Higurashi-san's character. Kikyou-chan is still in he bedroom under guard, which I suppose now I can understand. Higurashi-san was able to shed much light onto the subject for me. I do not believe that she is as horrible as Kikyou-chan makes her out to be.”

 

“Did I not tell you?” Miroku all but gloated.

 

“Yeah, yeah.” Sango rolled her eyes, starting the car. “I invited her to Kyoko tomorrow night. I hope you don't mind.”

 

“Of course not. The more the merrier. Perhaps we could even introduce her into youkai society; I have been itching to take her to see Kaede-obaa-sama for training with her miko abilities.”

 

OoOoOoOoOoO

 

Kikyou sat back in her room, wondering what the hell had happened downstairs. She'd heard Sango's original shout, but, beyond that, nothing but indiscernible voices. And, then, she'd heard the front door open again, only to see Sango leaving the house as if in a trance. At Sango's wave to her, Kikyou ripped the curtains closed and sulked on her bed. There it was again! Kagome was controlling every aspect of her life! She'd even managed to convince even one of her most headstrong friends into thinking that Kikyou should be locked up.

 

Sulking on her bed, Kikyou resigned herself to a night of boredom. Wincing in pain as she flopped backward, she cursed her sister. She really had no right to control her life; it wasn't like she was her mother, or anything. Where did she get off, telling her where she could and couldn't go? And now she was brainwashing her friends into letting her?! Kikyou was royally pissed, but decided that she wouldn't do anything right then. Any other time, and Kikyou would have merely broken down the door, but her shoulder was hurting too much to do anything of the sort at that precise moment. Kikyou lied back, wincing in pain as she tied to ignore her injuries. She was in for a long night.

 

She'd just make hell for Kagome tomorrow.