Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Like Sakura Petals Falling... ❯ Ordinary ( Chapter 9 )

Blanket Disclaimer: InuYasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi, YuYu Hakusho belongs to Yoshihiro Togashi. Perverse bastardizations of both can be blamed on me.      

 

 

"It's tricky when you feel someone has done something on your behalf. It's slippery when your sense f justice murmurs underneath and is asking you, `How do I make this right?'" - `Desired Constellation' by Bjork


Chapter Nine (Ordinary)

“No.”  

 

The annoyed flick of hangers on their closet rod sang out, echoed by the soft swish of the garments hanging from the assaulted objects.  

 

“No.” Came another exasperated hiss, followed by the slight scrapping of plastic hanger on metal bar, ending with it clacking sharply with another hanger.  

 

“No!” It truly was becoming a vicious cycle for the poor, abused hangers.   Occasionally, one would be ripped away from its cozy little resting spot, while the garment that hung from it was examined and held up for inspection by its displeased abuser. Only for it to be shoved ungratefully back into place with an utterance of disgust.  

 

“No, no, no!” Each negation accented by the flick of a hanger. Kagome let out a sigh of pure exasperation as she stared traitorously at her closet. Nothing. A closet packed full of clothing and there was nothing to wear. Hell, none of it looked like it'd fit even if she tried to put it on.  

 

Even her shoes were revolting. All her clothes where so--- childish! Kagome found herself blinking back frustrated tears. Maybe it wasn't the clothes that didn't fit, maybe it was her.  

 

Her bleak introversion was interrupted by a soft knock on her door, followed by her mother gently calling out her name.   Kagome turned toward her mother standing in her doorway, the soft gentle lines of her face drawn in mild concern. Kagome figured herself to by quite a sight, half naked in only her undergarments from yesterday. Clothes were strewn around her as though a tornado had struck, despite the serene cheer the morning sunlight offered.  

 

“Kagome?” Her mother questioned. “Is something the matter?”  

 

“Nothing fits!” Kagome collapsed with her outburst sobbing loud, helpless tears.  

 

“Kagome!” Her mother shushed and cooed, as the cradled her daughter in an attempt to soothe her. “My silly girl! Clothes can easily by replaced.” She scolded with a small chuckle. “You can borrow something of mine, and then we can go shopping. It'll by fun!” Her mother went on, wiping away her daughter's tears.  

 

Weakly Kagome nodded and managed a pitiful. “Okay.”  

 

“Is there anything else?” Her mother added, pleased that the first problem was so easily solved. When her daughter stilled, then burst out with a new round of tears, her mother began rocking the moody, young woman.  

 

“Does this have anything to do with a certain red-haired young man by the name of Minamino Shuuichi?” Her mother couldn't help but pry in that `Do I sense grandchildren in the near future?' kind of way. Which got a surprised giggle out of Kagome.  

 

The girl quickly sobered, however and let out a soft sight, as she looked up imploringly at her mother.   “Oh, Mama! How am I going to repay him for all he's done?” She asked, fighting the sudden tidal wave of fresh tears threatening to spill forth.  

 

“Well, you could start by reimbursing him for the clothing.” Her mother replied after a moment's thought, casting a knowing glance at her daughter's sudden blush. “As for the rest, well, just allow those debts to sort themselves out naturally.” She advised gently.  

 

Kagome sniffled, and hugged her mother fiercely. “Thank you.” She replied gratefully.   “Oh, my precious child,” Her mother laughed, running her fingers through her daughter's hair.   “You are always welcome. Now, let's go find you something to wear.” She patted her daughter's shoulders as a prompt to let her up. “The sooner you're dressed, the sooner we can shop!”  

 

~*~  

 

Kuwabara knocked on the apartment door for the third time. Sighing out a breath in annoyance when his rapping was met yet again with silence. He'd been trying to get a hold of Kitajima Maya for the past two days; all efforts proving to be a fruitless pursuit.  

 

“Looks like Kitajima-san isn't in.” Kanzaki murmured, echoing Kazuma's own thoughts. Mild annoyance lacing his partner's voice as he stuffed his hands into his pockets, turning away from the door. “Come on, let's go.”  

 

“Wait! You looking for Kitajima?” A voice called out.  

 

Tuning toward the haggard voice, Kuwabara was met with a wizened old face. Kazuma took an involuntary step back from the small, elderly woman in front of him.   Where the hell did she come from? He thought as he scrutinized the wrinkled face and bird-like eyes.  

 

“Yeah.” Kuwabara answered. “You know if she's out of town or something?”  

 

“Nope. She's hasn't left the apartment for three days, since she got back.” The old hen chirped. “And she's had water pretty much running constantly for the last two.” The old bird added, black eyes sparking at the perceived importance of that particular statement.   “We got thin walls here, you see? I can hear everything that goes on in there.” The elderly woman added a bit conspiratorially, leaning into Kazuma for effect. “And all kinds of caterwauling has been going on in there… and the water.”  

 

“Do you think she may be having troubles of some sort?” Kuwabara asked, puzzled by the hag.  

 

“Eh--- I don't know nothing from nothing.” The old hen dismissed with a quick gesture of her gnarled, arthritic hand. “I try to keep to myself. Don't like to pry into others' affairs.”  

 

“Of course.” Kuwabara replied dryly. “Do you know how we could contact the building's landlord?”  

 

“Ah! So you do think it's strange, eh?” The crone cackled. “I knew it'd intrigue you. Don't worry, I can go get her for you. You just wait here like the nice, young men that you are.” And with that Kazuma was left to watch the old bat scurry off down the hall.  

 

“What just happened here?” Kanzaki asked with a faint laugh, and shook his head.  

 

“Don't have a clue.” Kuwabara replied, his brow twitching slightly in exasperation.  

 

“You got to admit, she's pretty spry for a fossil.” Kanzaki quipped, elbowing this partner playfully in the ribs.  

 

“Yeah, stealthy, too.” Kazuma agreed with a small chuckle.  

 

After a few minutes of witty banter between the two detectives, the old crone had returned with another rather haggard looking woman in tow.  

 

“You the two cops come to check on Kitajima?” The middle-aged woman asked, speaking around an unlit cigarette on her lip.  

 

“Yes.” Kanzaki replied. “We had some questions concerning a crime she had witnessed, only to find out she may be in some kind of distress.” He finished, offering a slight bow and professional smile to the coarse woman.  

 

“Ah, I see.” The landlady replied before pinning both detectives with a pointed glare. “So I suppose you'd like me to let you in there, eh?” She asked sharply.  

 

“If it isn't too much trouble.” Kanzaki replied affably. “We would appreciate the assistance.”  

 

“I bet you would.” Replied the landlady with a sneer as she moved to the door with a large ring filled with keys. “Now I'm going in with you, you got that?” She added as she fished out the right key. “Wouldn't do to have you boys find her in a compromising situation alone, now, would it?”  

 

The land lady unlocked the door, then pushed it open. She peeked her head into the apartment beyond, then turned back frowning. “I think she's in the shower.” She stated nonplussed. “You two stay right here. I'll get her and make sure she's decent.” The landlady ordered around the bobbing cigarette that seemed to be adhered to her lower lip.  

Before either could respond, the middle-aged woman was moving through the apartment calling out Kitajima's name loudly. Only for that to be interrupted by a blood-curdling scream, alarming both detectives still loitering outside the apartment.   Kuwabara and Kazumi had a second to glance at one another before moving in tandem throughout the apartment, clearing each room and blind corner as they made their way toward the hysterical cries.  

 

“Ma'am! Step aside! Step. Aside!” Kanzaki ordered sharply of the shrieking landlady, all but physically removing her from the bathroom.  

 

At the sound of the gruff voice, the landlady snapped out of whatever spell the scene before her had cast. Turning with a horrified and stricken moan, she quickly fled from the bathroom, pushing past both detectives.  

 

Kuwabara turned from the terrified woman running down the small hall, and back to the bathroom. The shower was running still in the small, cramped space of the bathroom. The steam from the spray hot water making the room humid and feel oh, so slightly claustrophobic. He cautiously made his way into that small, damp place and toward the ominous shower curtain.   Hesitating a moment, Kuwabara steeled himself before opening the curtain with a quick jerk.  

 

“Oh, shit!” Kazuma cursed out loud and with feeling. His hand flying up to cover his mouth and nose as Kanzaki did much the same.  

 

“Kitajima-san?” Kanzaki addressed the girl, obviously screwing his courage before his partner, leaning in toward the huddled figure.  

 

“What was that, Kitajima-san? I can't hear you.” Kanzaki asked with a marked frown, reaching out and lightly touching the woman's bare shoulder.  

 

Dimly, Kuwabara that that was a mistake as the obviously disturbed girl's rocking stilled. There was still something wrong with the scene that he'd yet to figure out. His eyes kept being drawn to two round, bloody objects at the other end of the tub. Try as he might, he simply couldn't make sense of their incongruence.  

 

The girl slowly lifted her head, and the two marble-like objects relevance came into frightening clarity. Deep, angry red gouges ran down her face. Her eyes dark, bleeding and empty sockets.  

 

Her eyes! Shit, her eyes! Kazuma thought.  

 

“I only wanted them to stop.” Came a thin, tinny voice. “But they won't. I can't stop seeing!” The woman spoke out, her voice edged in hysterics as one hand reached up to grip Kanzaki's arm. “I can't take it! Why won't they go away? Why do I still see them?” She shrieked blindly at the detective.   “They won't stop! They won't stop.” The fragile, ravaged creature went on her voice dropping back to a whisper.  

 

“We need paramedics, do you copy?” Kuwabara barked into his radio's mic, quickly giving the address and a summary of the situation; status of the victim.  

 

“Why won't they stop?” Kitajima screamed out. Gripping her head in her hands, before throwing herself against the tile wall hard enough to leave a small smear of blood. A stain which only grew with each repeated crashing contact with the tile wall.  

 

“Shit! Help me restrain her!” Kanzaki shouted over the shrieking of the small woman in the tub.  

 

With a curse, Kuwabara moved forward to aid his partner, hoping the paramedics would hurry the fuck up.  

 

~*~  

 

Kagome walked down the aisles of Sanseido, the biggest bookshop in the heart of the academic district of Tokyo, Jinbochu. Biting her lip, her eyes gazed over book after book, searching for the right one to help her.  

 

After an exhaustive shopping spree and lunch, her mother had sprung the dreaded “U” word on her. University. It was only natural for Kagome to pick right up where she left off, right? Of course. So it was decided she'd start University next semester. Which meant in the meantime, Kagome had to face the most formidable foe she'd yet to face down---  

 

--- The dreaded college entrance exams.  

 

Honestly, Kagome was both shocked and amazed that she'd even passed the high school exit exams. Her mother had even shown her the diploma as proof. Going further to show her piles of sympathy cards from former classmates and professors. All of which professed their deepest regrets that she was too ill to attend the graduation ceremonies, and well wishes toward future health and ambitions.  

 

A major cornerstone of my life, and I missed it for… Kagome frowned at the abrupt halt in her thoughts. For reasons I cannot remember. She sighed softly. And knowing my luck, they're probably important. She bemoaned herself silently.  

 

Kagome shook herself from her morose reverie, as she realized she'd been staring at the same book title for the past two minutes. Grimly she retrieved it, and skimmed through its pages. With a repressed groan, she acknowledged it was one she needed, and moved on in her search for the next. Finding and retrieving the next book proved damningly easy, as was the third and final books.

 

Glancing at some of the questions in the mock exams, Kagome wanted to weep.   I'll never pass this. She lamented, her shoulders sagging.

 

Head down, Kagome turned heading back toward the elevators. Her mother had said to meet her on the fifth floor. Quite the leap of faith for the hovering matron.  

 

Kagome stepped onto the elevator, giving her desired floor number to the elevator operator, and sighed glumly to herself. By the gods, she just wanted to go home.  

 

As the door to the elevator slid open, Kagome stepped off, and promptly into a solid chest.   “Ow,” she muttered piteously from her newfound position on the floor. Must she always be so clumsy?  

 

“Kagome-chan?”  

 

Kagome paused in rubbing her sore tailbone. That voice was certainly familiar, her eyes widening, before lifting up to find concern-filled emerald eyes gazing down upon her.  

 

“Shuuichi-kun,” She breathed out dumbly at the crouching figure steadying her, and helping her to stand. Her body on auto drive, even as her mind came to a screeching halt.  

 

“Are you alright, Kagome-chan?” Shuuichi asked her, voice soft and cajoling. Both soothing her and making her wish she could just melt thought the floor and die in peace from this embarrassment.  

 

“Yes, I'm fine.” Kagome managed weakly. “I should be the one apologizing, though. I wasn't paying any attention… to where I was… going.” Kagome quickly added, trailing off as the object of her repentance stooped down picking up several books scattered around their feet.  

 

With some surprisingly graceful juggling, Shuuichi managed to sort out the books, proffering some back to Kagome. “I believe these are yours.” He said with a polite smile.  

 

“Oh, thanks.” Kagome replied, collecting them back from the red-head. He just had to remind me, didn't he? She thought dryly.  

 

“So you're thinking about college?” Shuuichi inquired, startling Kagome.  

 

“Huh?” She uttered dumbly, glancing down at her books served to effectively answer her own confusion. “Oh! Yeah.” Kagome replied with a nervous laugh, and a pale attempt at a nonchalant shrug. “I thought I'd give it a try. Provided I even pass the entrance exams, of course.” She laughed again, Oh, someone shoot her, and put her out of her misery. Any takers?   Anyone?   Why could there never be death threats on one's life when they were needed? Nay, wanted?  

 

“If you'd like, I could help you prepared for the exams.” Shuuichi offered politely.  

 

Oh, great! Something else to be indebted to you by. Kagome thought bleakly, before forcing a smile of her own.  

 

“Oh, no! That's not really necessary.” Kagome replied with forced cheer that bordered on creepy even to her.  

 

“Shuuichi-kun!” Cried out a delighted voice. “What a surprise to see you here.” Higurashi-san enthused as she approached the young couple. “I see you found Kagome.” The woman positively glowed, and Kagome felt a sudden sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

 

Definitely a sensation akin to doom, she decided as she watched her mother join them.   She then had a positively horrifying thought of her mother counting and naming nonexistent grandchildren by the ebullient expression on her face.

 

No good will come of this. Kagome silently swore.  

 

“Good evening, Higurashi-san.” Shuuichi replied with a slight, courteous bow. “Yes, I was actually offering my services as a tutor to Kagome-chan.” He replied and Kagome could have sworn she caught a capricious glint in those sylvan depths. “I just recently enrolled at the University myself.” He added, hiding a smile behind an elegantly cupped hand. A smile that almost looked…  

 

Smug? Kagome pondered in alarm with yet another sinking feeling in her gut. Doomed, I'm definitely doomed.

 

The look on her mother's face proved the course of her fate without the damning words.   “Really? Shuuichi-kun, that would be lovely!” Her mother replied delighted, as Kagome internally winced.   “Kagome has always had a problem with test anxiety, I'm afraid.” Higurashi-san continued much to her daughter's mortification. “Especially when she feels she's unprepared.” She confided to the handsome young man beside her. “I have no doubt with your help, my Kagome could pass them with ease.”  

 

“Mama!” Kagome exclaimed, her cheeks aflame.

 

What's next? A shotgun wedding?   Please! Someone put me out of my misery now! Lightning from the sky, anything! She prayed in her humiliation.  

 

“I'm free all week.” Shuuichi replied with a soft chuckle, knowingly adding fuel to the proverbial fire.  

 

He's enjoying this! Kagome thought indignantly, as she glared petulantly at the newest thorn in her side.  

 

“Wonderful! Then stop by at your convenience.” Higurashi-san replied happily.   Kagome could only bring herself to stand there and sulk as the two made plans for her tutoring schedule.

 

It's like they orchestrated this whole thing! She thought darkly.  

 

“You're punishing me, aren't you?” Kagome finally accused of her mother as the two finally took their leave of the book superstore.  

 

“Why, Kagome! I have no idea what you mean.” Her mother laughed, patting her daughter affectionately on the shoulder. “You must admit, though, that Shuuichi-kun is a very nice boy.” Her mother added leadingly.  

 

Kagome could only sigh, as she answered in resigned and reluctant agreement. “Yes, mama, he is very nice.”