InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Smokes and Mirrors ❯ Wake up Call ( Chapter 15 )

Smokes and Mirrors

 

Chapter 15: Wake up Call

 

«Ring - Ring»

 

The infernal sound of a phone ringing away woke her up. She was grateful since sleeping past one would have gotten her mother's attention. Yet not so happy cause now she had a buzz resounding in her head. Slowly she dragged herself out of bed. She ached all over. Maybe it was thanks to the jeans she was still wearing? Or maybe the way she fell asleep?

 

Kagome stretched a good minute before she undressed for a change of garments. She felt light headed and her stomach growled with hunger. Lunch sounded good right about now. Throwing her old clothes in the laundry basket, she put on another pair of worn black jeans and a matching tank-top. She topped it off with her favorite hoody.

 

After her morning ritual in the bathroom, she made her way downstairs. Right across from the living room was her destination: the kitchen.

 

“Good morning.”

 

In front of the television sat her little brother, playing a video game as usual. Shaking her head, she replied, “Good afternoon you mean?”

 

Sota momentarily stopped playing, his eyes scanning the room for any indication of the actual time. Finding a clock, he gasped and started to panic. “12:30!! Geez, I'm gonna be late!”

 

Smirking, Kagome watched the boy quickly shut off his game, forgetting to save it, and scurry up the stairs. Half-way up, the doorbell rang.

 

“Oh, no!” Turning mid-step, he yelled back at his sister to get it. “I'll be down in a minute!” he said as he continued upstairs.

 

Sighing, Kagome went to answer. She pulled the door open and a red-headed boy greeted her sight. As they stared at each other, she remembered seeing this kid at school. He was the one always being picked on. It didn't matter when or where. Every time she saw him, he was always being bugged by other kids, age or height not really mattering.

 

Recognition seemed to settle in him as well for his green eyes widened in fear. They boy took a step back as the teenage girl took a step forward. It was obvious he was about to run any minute now. Kagome grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him in before the boy could think of attempting a great escape only to end up tripping down the shrine steps.

 

“Sota will be down in a minute.” She left him standing in the hallway as she made her way further back into the house. Once in the kitchen, Kagome looked in the fridge for some sort of left-over meal. Finding none, she went to the cupboards and picked up a cup of instant noodles. She put some water in the boiler and left to get the necessary utensils.

 

Sota's voice flew in through the open doorway. “Hey Kag! I'm leaving.”

 

Kagome peaked out to catch her brother just in time as he hurried down the hall. “Where're you going?”

 

“A friend's house. We were supposed to have lunch with him. Mom knows about it.”

 

“Hm.” Kagome looked at the red-head once more, but he didn't dare glance her way. “Right…” Looking back at Sota, she questioned back, “Where's mom?”

 

“Shopping. She should be back soon.” The boy answered. “And grampa's out sweeping the grounds again.” He added as an after thought.

 

In the kitchen, the boiler was being impossibly noisy, adding more buzz to Kagome's already buzzing head. “Fine, bye.” She quickly dismissed the boys, now bent on stopping the whistling sound. Job done, she prepared her lunch and settled down to eat.

 

***

 

The two boys walked down the Higurashi Shrine's steps and headed to the left.

 

“Why didn't you tell me that was your sister?” The red-head all but barked at his friends.

 

Sota rolled his eyes and laughed it off. “Relax Shippo. She doesn't bite.”

 

Shippo crossed his arms, a frown marring his baby face. He was angry for not being told the moment they knew there was a `new kid' in school. Sota confided in him, told him things nobody else knew about. He even knew the rumors about his friend's sister were false. He knew everything need be about the incident six years ago and about his sister constantly changing school. And now, it appears he doesn't know the whole story.

 

Shippo had sworn to keep his mouth shut when it came to personal matters. He didn't start rumors and refused to spread them as well. Sota was grateful for that.

 

Since the new kid came to school, Shippo couldn't help but believe the rumors, not knowing who she truly was. Sota didn't deny any of them either, never commenting on anything. The spread words had installed a certain fear within him. Being Irish of origin and adopted by Japanese parents, now living in Japan, he stood out like a sore thump. He was constantly picked on and mocked at school, always bullied by anyone that felt like it. He was afraid the new student might find it fun to pick on him too and one of the rumors said she usually sent her opponents to the hospital with weeks of recovery in tow.

 

“How could you not tell me?” he whined.

 

“Look, I'm sorry! Okay?” By now, both boys stopped walking. “I thought it was obvious.”

 

“Obvious? How was it the slightest bit obvious?”

 

“Well, the walk to school, the lunch period, and the eye contacts… You know I never talk to the new students and I avoid them as much as possible. Half the school probably knows by now that we have to be related somehow. I mean, we do have a certain resemblance.”

 

Glaring daggers at his friend, Shippo shouted back, “I was too busy being bullied around to take note of anything!” Somewhat calming, he took on a sad tone. “Where were you yesterday? I could have used your help for last break.” His eyes were downcast.

 

Sota apologized, knowing he left his friend down. Shippo also apologized for loosing his temper. He should have known better. His friend would open up to his when the need arises. So for now, they would both just be there for each other, like always.

 

Their miscommunication over with, they started walking again. At this rate, for sure they were going to be late.

 

***

 

It's been about three hours he's been home and still he didn't know how to formulate what he wanted to say or asks. Walking around aimlessly, he ended up in the living room. His brother was already there, flipping through TV channels without really paying it much attention.

 

“Hey.” Inuyasha offered as greeting, but got no response. Sesshoumaru never like him, that much he knew, but he had enough manners to at least greet him. The young adult would not degrade himself in such a way to not greet anyone. `Something must have pissed him off at work.' Inuyasha thought for a while. `Keh, knowing him, it was probably dad.' Sitting down beside the first born, he noticed the distant look in the other's eyes.

 

Sesshoumaru heard the greeting, felt the shift on the couch. He simply chose to ignore it in hopes that the boy would go away. He truly wasn't in the mood right now. What's more, he couldn't tell Inuyasha anything about the case. Their father was hell bent on keeping this particular case hidden from the boy. Why, he did not know and did not care. He kept his mouth shut simply to not disappoint his father.

 

“What's up?” Inuyasha asked innocently, disregarding Sesshoumaru's dismissal behavior. After a minute's pause, he turned his eyes to the tube. “Geez! Don't tell me everything at once.” He sighed. Again, his attempt at small talk was shot down.

 

The boys sat in silence, two pairs of eyes starring at the flickering channels. Sesshoumaru seemed to enjoy that one button as they surfed through the fifty-somewhat channels for the umpteenth time.

 

“If you don't settle for one you just might break the remote.” Inuyasha put in his thoughts. “Or the TV itself!” he added for fun.

 

Sesshoumaru complied mainly because his finger was beginning to tire and ache. To his luck, they landed on a news channel.

 

“… was a bust and that the government should not be lying in the first place. In other news, an anonymous caller has informed us that the Higurashi case of six years ago will be removed from the shelf and reviewed. They say the authorities may have found the one behind this tragic ta-”

 

A quick move of his hand, Sesshoumaru turn the television off. It took a few seconds before it registered in the teen's mind. Inuyasha's eyes widened at the realization of what was being said. Hastily he reached over for the remote control, meaning to turn the colorful box back on. “Quick!” he emphasized, having trouble reaching his goal with the remote so far away. “Turn it back on!”

Sesshoumaru moved out of the way, intent on keeping the TV off. No body knew about this particular case yet, so how did the media get the info so quickly? Who was the tipster? This was supposed to be done quietly, nothing going public until the case was closed for good. And why was it so important for Inuyasha to hear whatever they had to offer on the subject?

 

“Why?” he asked and stood before the television.

 

“Because I know both kids involved.”

 

“What?” Sesshoumaru was aware of the situation with the son, Sota that is. `But…'

 

“Sota goes to my school and Kagome's in my class now!”

 

`Oh, Hell no!'

 

***

***

 

A.N.

 

There you have it; another chap done. I told you I'd have it up by the end of the week and so, there you have it! I hope I didn't disappoint. Next chapter, a couple of truths will be exposed. To find out, stay tuned!

 

Shout-Outs:

 

FlameTwirler: Thanks! I hope I don't disappoint.

 

Thanks to those who read. Please review, Take Care ^_^

 

Quote: Bear in mind that youngsters have one thing in common; they close their ears to advice and open their eyes to example. - Colin McKay.