InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Winds of Fate ❯ Prologue ( Prologue )

The Winds of Fate

By: Kagura-hime

 

Summery: Kagome Higurashi is a chambermaid at the most prestigious hotel/casino in all of Japan. Sesshoumaru Takara is a wealthy businessman owning one of the largest technology companies in the world. What happens when fate unexpectedly throws them into each other's arms, and they are forced to depend upon one another if they want to survive? S/K

 

Disclaimer: uhh...what was I supposed to put here again? :checks cards: Oh yes. I own nothing except this plot, for my sanity has vanished beyond even my reach. Though why I want it back I have no idea...:grins:

 

Uh, yeah, finally got around to revamping this story too. So read the updated chappy.

 

Recommended fics: ForgetMeNot by Youkai Yume, Blind Stitch in My Heart by profiler120, and Love is a Gamble by Samarah-chan. They're all really good fics that I simply adore. Remember to r&r!

 

The Winds of Fate

Prologue

 

It was a crisp fall day in Tokyo, Japan. Leaves where crunching merrily underfoot of bustling pedestrians. Low hanging branches bursting with every color of the rainbow gave lovers the feeling that they were in a world created just for them. Shy teenagers were looking at each other discreetly from across the park, flushing immensely when they caught each other's gaze. Many people took advantage of the fine weather after having so many sunless days of rain and clouds. But one person did not join in with the crowds' enthusiastic nature.

 

This person-this girl- kept her head down, and her hands jammed in her pockets. She was wearing a long, form-fitting white dress with slits up to mid-thigh, on the bottom of which turquoise dragonflies danced a never-ending waltz together with each step. A lightweight denim jacket resting on her shoulders almost matched the electric blue highlights in her raven wing hair. A small black purse was slung carelessly over her shoulder, almost daring thieves to try and take it. This girl had such an aura of sadness and loneliness around her that people actually made a point of avoiding her, and looked at her with pity in their eyes. You could tell just by looking at her, that this woman-child had the weight of the world on her shoulders-a burden she would carry until someone came along who was strong enough to relieve her of it.

 

The girl made a sharp turn down a side alley not yet bathed in the suns golden light. Yet, she navigated perfectly, like she'd been doing this her whole life, without batting the proverbial eye. She followed the twists and turns until she reached the back of one of the largest and busiest buildings in all of Japan-the Shingetsu. With nary a thought, she pushed open the staff entrance and ended up in a kitchen. She smiled sadly at all those who greeted her, happily preparing food and causing a mouthwatering aroma. She walked through the kitchen until she came to a door which held the closets and service elevators.

 

She picked her uniform out of the closet and changed quickly in the bathroom. After coming out in black slacks and a white button-down shirt she picked up a plain white apron out and tied it around her tiny waist and slender neck. Then she grabbed a cleaning cart, and headed out to the elevators to start her day.

 

 

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The elevators `ping'ed importantly, and annoyingly, and out walked the young girl of about 21. As soon as she was beyond its snapping metal jaws, the elevator `ping'ed again and rattled off to transport someone else to their desired floor.

 

Meanwhile, our black haired friend was taking out a big set of keys she had put in her apron pocket and the list of floors and the room numbers on each she was assigned to do. They always changed her around so she needed to write down her schedule to remember her current assignments. `Well, I'd better get started,' she thought and sighed.

 

Before she had even walked five steps, the elevator chirped its arrival again, and another girl stood wearing the same trademark apron, and pushing the same cart the previous rider had, as elevator music spilled out from the open doors. This girl had long, jet black hair tied up in a high ponytail that went well beyond her waist, and the same outfit the other maid had on.

 

The first girl spun around and gave the first true smile seen yet. The change was instantaneous. Her stormy gray eyes lightened to a beautiful cerulean blue, and her face looked younger and carefree. Her aura also brightened up, but some of the sadness from earlier remained, though carefully tucked away so as not to be noticed by the older girl.

 

“Sango-chan! I can't believe I actually beat you here!” the now happy girl giggled.

 

“That has to be record,” the girl now known as Sango teased.

 

The other girl pouted and turned her back on Sango. Quietly pushing her cart so it would hold the elevator, Sango crept up behind the pouting girl and starting tickling her sides. The girl gasp as Sango made contact, and immediately stared laughing her fool head off.

 

“*gasp* S-sango-chan! *laugh* S-stop! I can't b-breathe!”

 

The older girl obliged and the still gasping girl shot her an amused glare.

 

“Gomen Kagome-chan. It was just too good an opportunity to pass up,” Sango said, an ear-splitting grin firmly in place.

 

Kagome shook her head and vowed, “I'll get back at you Sango-chan, I really will.”

 

“Right. And my darling Prince Charming will pop right out of the Disney movie and into my arms.” Kagome pouted some more as Sango went to retrieve her cart.

 

But just as Sango turned her back, Kagome smiled sadly and whispered for only the four winds ears to hear. “If only...”

 

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Kagome crossed off the last floor on her list after remembering to close and lock the last door on this floor she was responsible for behind her. Now I can go get something to eat!” she spoke excitedly to the empty hallway. She giggled as she neared the elevator, just in case Sango was around. `I don't want her to notice that I'm depressed...she has too many of her own problems.' So with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, Kagome headed to the elevator, when someone grabbed her shoulder from behind.

 

Kagome just froze up, solid as a rock, while past memories that she had sealed away came flooding back to her, making the decorative hallway spin in front of her eyes. She felt like she was drowning in the suddenly heavy air. The sensation of her body going limp overwhelmed her, and she would have dropped to the ground if she hadn't steadied herself on her cart.

 

“Kagome, what's wrong?” Sango asked worriedly from behind Kagome, wrapping her hands around both her shoulders to keep her standing.

 

Kagome's mind instantly stopped torturing her with distant memories that could no longer hurt her. Sango's comforting voice had dissipated all the fear she had felt rising in her gut. She instantly thought up a lie that should be easily accepted by the worried girl.

 

“I'm fine Sango. I just felt sick for a moment. I think the problem is that I didn't eat enough today, that's all. That and you scared the hell out of me.”

 

Sango laughed a little. “Always such a scaredy-cat. Well, lets go fix that hunger problem. Shall we?” A courteous smile brightened Sango's face as she held out her arm in a mock gentleman fashion.

 

“Sure, why not?” Kagome turned around for the first time since Sango started speaking. Kagome slipped her arm through Sango's and they started skipping down the hall towards the elevator.

 

As the elevator closed and started moving, a startled cry echoed in the narrow shaft.

 

“Oh no! We forgot about the carts!”

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“May I take your order please?” the scantly dressed maitre'd asked politely.

 

“Uh...you go Kagome, I can't decide.”

 

“Sure Sango, I'll take Veal Parmesan with the homemade spaghetti sauce please.”

 

“Soup or salad?” the maitre'd whose nametag read `Yura' asked with a bored expression.

 

“Salad please, with Italian dressing. Can you give me the onions on the side also?” Kagome asked, looking up at Yura questionably.

 

“Yeah, sure. Mashed or baked potato, cole slaw, pasta, or steamed vegetables?”

 

“I really don't want-“

 

“She'll take the steamed vegetables please,” Sango hurriedly interjected.

 

“What's the deal Sango, I don't want any,” Kagome asked, her eyebrows crinkled.

 

“If you don't want them, then I'll eat them. I'm not paying for appetizers when you don't even order any, Kag-chan.”

 

“Oh...ok then,” Kagome said slowly. “I guess that means you've decided to pay then.”

 

“Yup, I got a raise, so I'll pay in celebration. Anyway, is it my turn yet?” Sango asked impatiently.

 

“Congrats. But why such a rush Sango?”

 

“I wanna order before I change my mind again.”

 

“Oh, then go ahead, I'm done.”

 

“Yes, what do you want tonight miss,” Yura asked after rolling her eyes at the scene.

 

“I want the steamed salmon, the salad with French dressing, and steamed vegetables,” Sango said nodding her head at the menu before looking up at Yura.

 

“Your order should be ready soon,” Yura nodded sullenly and collected their menus.

 

“Are you going to be able to eat all of that Sango?”

 

“Probably not. I'll just take the rest home for Kohaku as his dinner before I have to walk him back for work.”

 

“Oh ok,” Kagome agreed as she took a sip from her hot chocolate.

 

 

 

Sango pulled her sweater closer around her as she shivered. “Why do they have the air-conditioning on in fall?”

 

Kagome switched her crossed legs as she answered, “Who knows. These places are weird like the people. You know somebody is going to say that they are still boiling even in this freezer they call a restaurant.”

 

Sango giggled. “It's an American restaurant. Maybe the temperature is American too.”

 

Kagome smiled and shrugged. Until the food came, the two girls settled into light conversation. When it finally did, they said “Itadakesumo!” at the same time, and ate quietly listening to the soft classical music the restaurant provided.

 

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“Goodnight Sango!” Kagome waved as they parted ways outside the Shingetsu, both toting doggie-bags.

 

“Goodnight Kag-chan! See ya tomorrow!”

 

Kagome walked silently, just as she did earlier in the morning back to her little apartment. It only had one bedroom, a small bath, a mediocre kitchen, and an average size family/living room, but it was home.

 

Kagome dropped her purse and keys on the kitchen table absentmindedly as she sorted though her mail.

 

“Junk, junk, bill, junk, and more junk. Jeez, there's never anything good is there?” she said to herself.

 

“Meow.”

 

“Hey Buyo, how ya doing boy?” Kagome bent down and asked the soft ball of fuzz that was her cat. “Sorry I'm late, I had dinner with Sango tonight. Hope you don't mind waiting another minute while I get your food.”

 

She knew it was ridiculous talking to a cat. It's not like he actually understood what she said, but he was the only companionship she had in the forlorn apartment. The only other company she had was the creaking of the floorboards above her, and the distant sound of the trains' whistle. She had one window that overlooked Tokyo Tower, and when you timed it just right, you could see the sinking of the sun behind it. The orange ball was blocked from view, but the colors it produced surrounded the Tower and gave it almost a mystical quality. Sitting on her window seat when this happened was the one time Kagome truly did not mind being alone, though she would have preferred to share it with someone she loved.

 

She scooped the cat food out of the tin can and into Buyo's bowl for him to feast on. A loving glance was bestowed him as she headed toward her special place to see the sunset. She threw the window wide open, and shivered in the lingering coolness of the spring air, burrowing into her denim jacket. She sat on the small window seat, and stared at the wondrous shades of pink and rose, blue and turquoise, purple and mauve. She saw a sliver of Ama-Terasu's brilliance peaking out from the side of the Tower, but it only blended beautifully with the shades not even the best of painters could match. She sat there and just stared in a daze as the colors slowly deepened to a dark navy blue, and little bursts of light rapidly appeared on the horizon. She sat there still as the glowing orb Kaguya-hime made her home on rose as a silent declaration that night had begun. It was only now that Kagome slowly pushed herself up and closed the window halfway. She didn't know why, but the moonlight always helped to lull her into a peaceful sleep. So, she would keep the window open, and the moonlight would spill in in bundles, and she could finally sleep easy after so many months of tossing and turning in vain during the summer nights when the moon came out during the day and went to bed early.

 

She silently walked over to her closet and chose the same thing she wore every night- an old, worn-out cotton shirt that was several sizes too big for her. Then she flopped down onto her bed, and whispered to the pale moonlight seeping into her, settling neatly about her thin frame. “Home sweet home isn't it, Otou-san? Home sweet home indeed...”

 

And the wind seemed to answer her pain-laced plea with a whispered response; “If only, if only things could be different.”

 

Yeah, it's been revamped. Sort of anyway. Not much added, it was mostly grammar and phrasing fixed, but no matter.

 

Translations

Sakura-cherry blossoms

Shingetsu-new moon

-chan- politeness term used between close friends

Gomen- sorry

Itadakesumo- roughly means “Have a good meal!” or “Let's chow down!” except not so informally. I believe it's spelled correctly, but if not, you can correct me

Ama-Terasu- the Sun Goddess in Japanese mythology

Kaguya-hime- the Moon Goddess in Japanese mythology. Means “moonlight princess”

Otou-san- father