A Time for Changes

Author’s Notes: I feel like my Inuyasha is too far from the original in personality. I want your honest opinions, but don’t flame me to death. Should my Taishou-san be meaner? Or maybe curse more?

Also, there is a reason why Kagome hasn’t called him Inuyasha left, just you wait and see.

Additional note: Because I have to copy paste my story all the italics go away. So from this point further

‘ _____ ‘ = inner thoughts
“ Dialogue” = speaking

Description: Kagome's college years are getting complicated and just when things seem impossible she finds haven in a small café and its clerk. (Iny/Kagome)


Chapter 3 - No Time for Later Now

‘Fucking great, way to go you prick. Freakin family’s dead’ Taishou-san struggled to find anything to help him out of the hole he just dug, but found his mouth agape and nothing pouring out of it.

Kagome, sensing his discomfort, took a hand between hers and smiled, “It’s okay, Taishou-san. It happened a long time ago.” She felt his hand curl in hers into a comforting squeeze and she looked up to him.

His amber eyes projected such a sympathetic sadness, his free hand, out of her view, balled into a fist at his own stupidity. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, still unable to say much else. Inwardly, he wanted ask her a hundred questions; how’d she get through life, pay for college, her brother, anything. How did she do it?

“Don’t be, Taishou-san, you didn’t cause their deaths,” Kagome whispered back. She stroked the top of his hand gently, noting how calloused and dry the skin as, as if he’d been through hard years. “There was a fire. I remember them screaming ‘Kagome, take your brother and run! Run, Kagome! Take Souta and run.”

“The fire, was no accident?” he asked weakly, the feeling in his stomach so unfamiliar.

She nodded, staring at his hand and not him, unable to face him, or the images of her past. “It was a demon group, a demon yakuza, if you will. I’m not sure why they came after my parents, never will.”

‘I’ve only been able to tell Sango that, not even Miroku about those final moments. I only told Miroku they passed away. Why can I tell him?’

“Fucking bastards! Tell me you found them; tell me you ripped their flesh from their limbs?” Taishou-san had never felt such rage inside him. The damn demons, still believing their superiority was reason enough to remove the weak.

She shook her head, “No one could track them. The fire destroyed their scents, and I am unable to remember what they looked like.”

‘Tell me more; tell me everything about you. I don’t know why but I can’t stop listening to you.’

She felt his grasp on her hand tighten, her breath cut short, and she turned to look him in his eyes. Taishou-san’s eyes hurt her, because they were filled with something she hated to see, sorrow. But it wasn’t even Taishou-san’s own sorrow, he felt sorrow for her, she was the cause of this great distress he felt.

“I…” they both whispered, each trying to say something.

The chimes jingled above the door as someone walked inside, “So I’ve finally found you, my lovely Kagome.”

Kagome and Taishou-sans’ eyes locked briefly before her raven hair captured the front of her face as she turned to the intruder. There stood Koga, dressed in a nice polo shirt and dress pants, probably finishing up his internship work for the night.

Kagome cleared her throat and tugged at the front of her shirt as if it were askew but it were more of nerves and to hide the fluster on her face, “Koga-kun, you were searching for me? I’m sorry, you could have easily called me phone.”

Koga flashed a toothy grin, “I did my lovely, but unfortunately you left it in your apartment, as always. Sango answered it and told me you went to your night classes but hadn’t returned.” He frowned, “But she seemed slightly distressed, as if you two lovely girls had been fighting. I assumed you’d come here.”

“We aren’t fighting, gees, everyone seems to think we are,” Kagome huffed, putting her hands on her hips. “Crap, sorry, um Koga-kun,” she gestured to Taishou-san who had now risen from the couch, “This is Taishou-san. He works here and returned my sketchbook that I left at the museum during my break.”

Taishou-san didn’t bother to look up; he slowly bent down and picked up the cup and the wrapper of the muffin, “Yo.”

“Kagome-chan, talking with the cashier boy, how quaint of you. I’m sure you charmed this yob so quickly with your kind demeanor.”

Taishou-san quickly jerked his head up to glare at Koga, who was smirking back at him as if to taunt, “What did you say, bastard?”

“Hmm? Oh nothing, I’m just saying it’s not hard to be entranced by Kagome’s perfection,” Koga chuckled, holding his hand out for Kagome. “Come on, I promised Sango-chan I’d get you something for dinner.”

Kagome hesitated, clearly seeing that Taishou-san had been offended by Koga’s choice of words. She looked back to Taishou-san, who was already going along with his work. Kagome reached into her purse and handed him some bills, “I never paid, sorry, Taishou-san.”

“Ah yes, those few dollars make such a difference,” Koga added slowly.

“Koga!” Kagome snapped back.

Taishou-san stared at her and then growled, “Keep the damn money. Don’t think I need your charity. I did not come and talk to you so you’d throw me a few extra bucks into a tip jar, I’m not that fucking cheap.” His eyes, filled with hate, went from Koga’s back to Kagome’s, “I thought you had enough fucking perception to know that.” With that he turned and stormed away.

Kagome turned back to Koga with a frown on her face, “That was quite rude, you know. Koga-kun, I expect better from you.”

“Heh, I don’t get it, Kagome-chan; why do you associate with a mutt like him? How long have you known him, two days? You’ve known me practically you’re entire life.”

“Common courtesy should be given to everyone, Koga-kun,” she muttered under her breath, knowing he could hear with his demon ears. ‘A mutt, what does that mean? Does he really consider the lower working class that bad, I mean; I’m part of that, aren’t I? I work a shitty job at the museum…’

Koga linked his arm through hers and walked her to the front door of the café, “I was in the mood for Chinese, are you okay with that?”

Unable to say anything to sway this wolf demon’s mind, Kagome sighed, “Sure Koga-kun, Chinese is fine.”

The two walked a couple of blocks, Koga leading the way both physically and in conversation. Kagome stood beside him, listening as much as she could, for that was the polite thing to do, but felt her mind wandering elsewhere. Now, she knew she’d only known Taishou-san for two days, but the guilt twisting inside of her was so overwhelming, she couldn’t believe she had allowed him to be hurt in such a way…

“—do you think, Kagome-chan?”

Kagome lifted her head to Koga, unable to hide the confusion on her face. He chuckled and stroked the top of her head, “Off daydreaming, Kagome-chan? Perhaps another inspiration has fluttered into your brain?”

“Gomen, Koga-kun, I’m sorry. What were you saying?” Kagome smiled weakly and found that his azure eyes showed no hint of irritation in them, if anything, a warmth and adoration for the girl.

He stroked he side of her cheek before turning back to the stars, “I heard about your problem with Sango-chan and Miroku-san, the moving out thing.”

“God, does everyone know?” Kagome whined lightly.

“I’ve got my connections dear, they are my friends too, you know,” Koga countered with another chuckle. “Anyway, I know how hard you work just to make ends meet with all you do, so you probably haven’t a clue how to find a new apartment, no offense.”

“None taken.”

“So I was thinking I’d help you. I’ve got connections all over the city, well, more like my parents do, hehe. If we can’t find you an affordable apartment for you within the four months, you can stay with me.”

Kagome’s eyes widened, never had anyone given her such a bold offer like that, to live with a boy she wasn’t even dating. “Koga-kun, I don’t think you-your parents would approve of that. They dislike humans as it is.”

“Ah, but I have a little secret,” Koga’s grin widened as he looked down to her, she being at least four inches shorter. “My parents will be away traveling for half of the business year, overseas with the Americans. They have a new branch out there, so I basically have the pent house to myself. It’s better than throwing wild parties, neh?”

“I don’t know what to say Koga-kun, this is, very generous of you,” Kagome stammered, clutching her sketchbook in front of her, unable think of anything eloquent to say.

‘Live, with Koga-kun? I mean, he’s been my good friend for years; I have no problem with it. But what if the rest of society perceives it the wrong way? I mean, Koga-kun’s one of the most pursued bachelors in the business world. People might think I’m his whore or mistress. I couldn’t stand for that. Then again, it can just be a last resort. I do need his help….’

“Okay Koga-kun, I will gladly accept your help. But I’ll only stay with you as a super last resort, okay? I don’t want some female youkai trying to chase me down because they think I’m your girlfriend or something. You know I can’t outrun them,” she joked lightly, elbowing him and then continuing down the sidewalk, unable to see the sad frown on Koga-kun’s face.

Kagome ran up ahead and found the Chinese restaurant that Koga had mentioned, waving her hand slightly, “Come on, you! I can’t have dinner by myself, I need my favorite wolf youkai to protect me.”

That made Koga smile, “The one and only, right?”

“Of course!” she chirped, holding the door open for him.

Taishou-san threw open the front door to his apartment and threw his uniform onto the floor, “I cannot believe that fucking prick. God damnit.”

“Yo, rough day at work?” his roommate called from the kitchen.

Taishou-san threw off his shoes, letting them thud against the wall at a high speed, emphasizing his irritation, “Fucking worst!”

“Aw what, no mysterious girl today?” his roommate teased. “Making dinner, grilled cheese and ramen fine?”

“God, huh, fine I don’t care, thanks,” Taishou-san mumbled, pulling off his jacket and hurling it onto the floor. His bandana was torn from his head and also met the floor. “Fucking prick. I cannot believe—god I just want to rip out his throat---fucking snickering at me like he’s so damn superior.”

“Whoa, sounds bad. What happened today? Did that girl show or not? You seemed happier once you mentioned her.”

Taishou-san sank into a chair at the kitchen counter and rested his head on the table, “Yeah, she came today.”

“And?” his friend’s back was to him as he stirred some instant ramen in a pot of boiling water.

He ran his hand through his hair, ears twitching slightly, “She came in real upset, you could just tell it in her aura. I thought part of it had to do with the sketchbook, you know, the one I told you I found that was hers?”

“Oh yeah, I remember, you came home before your second shift and mentioned it.”

“I asked her what was wrong and she just said nothing, that she was fine. God it pissed me off, anyone with a brain could tell she was upset. So I told her to go sit down and I’d bring her something to drink.”

“Ah, are you becoming a real Romeo again?” his friend teased, spooning the ramen into the bowls.

“Can it. So I brought her over white tea, you know, that special mix I’ve made for you a couple of times my mom used to make. I sat down next to her and told her I thought she needed cheering up.” Taishou-san leaned his cheek against the counter and stared off into space. “I said she’d been crying…”

“What happened, boyfriend?”

“Nah, but everything else; between her friend and her boyfriend, her brother, and her classes, she basically wanted to curl up and hide. And then, for some reason, she got upset because she had told me all this stuff.”

“Well, you’re practically a stranger. Haven’t you only seen this girl what, two times?”

Taishou-san nodded, “That’s true, I guess. It wasn’t even that she was embarrassed, just sad, that she was telling a stranger and not someone else. It’s like, she has no one else.”

Ramen and grilled cheese were slid before his nose and Taishou-san immediately perked up, “Thanks, ‘Roku.”

“Is that what really had you cursing about such a bad day? That she didn’t trust you, an almost stranger?”

“Part of it, I guess. But the more I talk to you the more I realize you’re right. I don’t even think she knows my first name. Her friend, he bothered the fucking hell out of me.” Taishou-san paused to take a bite out of his sandwich, “Fucking wolf youkai prick comes walking in, all high classed, and talks to her like she’s her girl, when she’s not, you can just tell. On top of that he insinuates that I’m a charity cause because she’s so delicate but associating with a barbarian like me! I mean where the fuck do you get off saying that!”

“Please tell me you didn’t hit him.”

“No! But the fucking bastard then tells her that the only reason I’m talking to her is to get some extra tips out of her. Fuck that, I wouldn’t give just anyone white tea. I wanted to know what had made her cry. He didn’t even notice it, didn’t even pick up on the scent of tears on her face, or the puffiness under her eyes.” He slammed his fist into the table, his black haired friend winced, “And Then, her personality totally changes. She just listens to this prick like he’s her teacher, and tells me she hasn’t paid for her drink. I mean fucking come on, I didn’t make her pay last night either, I wasn’t going to make her pay today, especially with her coming in so bummed out. I can’t believe her, of all people, would do that to me, God!” He poised is arm again for another punch.

“No no no wait Inuyasha, don’t---“ His hand dented the table inward, the plate broken. “Damnit, Inuyasha, this is the third time you’ve done that this month. You’ve got to remember not to do that.”

His ears flattened on his head, “I’ll pay for it.”

His friend patted him on the back gently, “What are you more upset about, that a full youkai accused you of being barbaric, or that she followed his example?”

Sipping at his ramen, Inuyasha stared into the bowl, “How the hell would I know? They both pissed me off. I just, can’t believe that, she’d tell me all these things, seems so, real and hurt, and then turn on me like she did.”

“I’m sure she didn’t realize what she was doing, she doesn’t know you’re even a demon. You wear the bandana for that reason, to hide that you’re a demon. As for the money thing, she probably felt guilty somehow. Don’t take all your anger out on her.”

“A little fucking late, ‘Roku, I already fucking yelled at her face.”

‘Roku slapped his hand over his face, “Come on man, you have to think straight before you go out assaulting women verbally. You haven’t met anyone since ---“

“Don’t say her name in front of me, Miroku. You know I can’t….”

“Sorry, Inuyasha.”

Kagome crept into her apartment a little after twelve, quietly leaving her things by her door besides the sketchpad. The den was empty, so she assumed Sango had turned in early. She changed into pajamas and then sat down on the couch, turning on a dim light.

Today had not been the best day, not at all. Taishou-san had made her feel a little bit better. She smiled lightly as her pencil danced across the sketchpad. Kagome was upset with herself though, she couldn’t even tell Koga how offended she was at the way he spoke to Taishou-san. ‘Then again, I’ve only known Taishou-san for two days. Why did I feel so compelled to defend him? I mean, I’m always the one to say respect everyone, but why did I feel so especially enraged by it?’

The sketched on through the night, she hadn’t pulled an all-nighter for art in quite a while. She was so unaware of the time as the random pencil lines slowly came together for form a picture. Before her eyes, the picture was complete, and the outcome was something she had not expected.

There, on her page, was a girl trapped under ice. Her hands pressed up against the layer, emphasizing every grove and line etched into her palms. The hair spread out around her, like a jagged circle of gray, her eyes, opened wide, fear pouring from them. As if the water didn’t exist, Kagome could see the tears, as clear on her face, without seeming out of place. Was it the way the light caught the girl’s face? Her lips, parted, were shouting for help, air bubbles all around. The girl was trapped, and going to die. The girl, in this drawing, knew it too.

Kagome found the drawing all too disturbing and pushed her sketchpad onto the floor.

It was already five in the morning. There’d be no point to sleep now, not with the sun already coming up. She showered quickly and tied her hair up in a sloppy bun. With a sip of orange juice, her sketchpad, and her bag, she wandered outside.

Once down the six flights of stairs, she still insisted to Kaede that she fix the elevator, she walked over to the wall of mailboxes. She hadn’t checked the mail yesterday on her way in, and hoped to find something inside. She did, bills. Bills, bills, free subscriptions to bad magazines, a church missionary group, and more bills. No letter from Souta, Kagome frowned and stuffed the envelopes into her bag.

To her surprise, she found Miroku by the front door, stretching his calves. “Up so early, Miroku-kun?”

“Hai hai, Lady Kagome,” Miroku smiled as he bent down to tie his shoe. “I was supposed to go jogging with my roommate, its one of the only things we do together because we’re so busy. But the bum, he didn’t bother to wait for me because I slept in by accident. He’s probably lapped the whole city by now. I’ll never catch up.”

”You Miroku? You’re a marathon runner, how fast could that guy be that you can’t catch up?” Kagome asked in astonishment, leaning up against the wall.

“You’d be surprised, he’s super fast.”

“So fast that I’ve never met him, even after two years.”

Miroku chuckled, “That’s quite a shame. He’s got a wild temper, sort of like you, Kagome-chan.”

“I do not have a wild temper!” she huffed, folding her arms in front of her chest. “There is nothing wrong with being passionate about the things you care about as long as you defend them without hurting anyone. Honestly Miroku you think that after all this time you---“

“As much as I love a pissed off woman in the morning, I do have to at least attempt to catch up with him. I’ll see you later, Kagome-chan,” Miroku chuckled, making a run for it.

“Wait! What’s his name at least?” Kagome called after him.

Miroku looked over his shoulder, “It’s Inuyasha. I’ll tell you more later.”

‘You know, for a perverted guy, I still like him. He’s good to Sango, and is a decent person all around. Maybe I’m being too selfish with this whole moving in and out thing. They’re in love, they should live together if that’s what they want.’

Kagome stepped out onto the street and found that there was a light flurry in the air, it wasn’t enough to even coat the ground, but it brought flush to her cheeks and nose. She didn’t mind it, it was relaxing, to have a cold rush through your body, as if you were invisible. Her boots clicked against the sidewalk, occasionally sliding from the lack of traction on the bottom of them, as she continued to wander the city.

Only the super early workers were up and busy, most people were just starting to wake, staring that long grooming process before acceptable to step out doors. Today was one of those days where Kagome had one class and work later in the evening; the morning was she had to herself. With no desire to share with Sango the confusion of last night, she decided that this wandering was good for her soul and brain.

Her sketching and dream the night before had startled her. In her first dream a car, hit someone after a huge fight, if she recalled correctly, and the sketch involved her being trapped under the ice. Now, Kagome was in no way a seer, or anything mystical like that. Some tarot cards even suggested that death was a coming for change or good fortune, but that didn’t settle quite right in Kagome’s gut.

She also wanted to make up with Taishou-san, she felt last night she had no spine, and didn’t defend her new friend, nor chastise the old one. But what could she do to help Taishou-san? He obviously didn’t like being made into a charity case. Was there anything he’d really told her that could help? Then she remembered, the women and the child sketch she’d done, he’d told her not to ruin it. Maybe a picture would help?

Now in the local part, she dusted off a bench and sat down on it. It was positioned so she could stare at the local lake, coincidence, most definitely. She opened the pad but found that, despite her desire to draw, nothing happened. Creativity never seemed to work that way for Kagome; when she wanted to paint, nothing came, but when she was working on something else, inspiration just came to her and she’d sketch right then and there, despite the anger her boss or teachers would give.

She sat there on the bench for a long while, still no inspiration. A few futile attempts left her with nothing but wasted paper and eraser. It was so frustrating for her. She wanted to make amends with Taishou-san, she liked him and the tea there, and it’d be horrible if she couldn’t visit a place like that.

There were few other people in the park, a few joggers, a dog walker, and a man with his paper and coffee. Each person was going about his or her respected way, not disturbing the other. It was peaceful, until her cell phone went off.

“Crap!” she scrambled to answer the phone, silencing the ballot Utada Hikaru was blaring from her phone. “Hello?”
“Hey, its me,” Sango mumbled into the phone.

“Oh, what up?”

“You left the alarm clocks on, again, it went off at 6. I hate you, I just thought I’d let you know.”

”Oh, I’m so so sorry!”

“Yeah, you owe me a bento lunch box or I’m not forgiving you.”

“Alright,” Kagome chuckled. “Go back to sleep now, Sango.”

“With pleasure. Click. Beep~ Beep~ Beep~”

Kagome closed her phone gently and looked around to see if she had disturbed anyone. No one seemed to be phased, even though to Kagome, it felt like the world had heard a car crash because her phone was so loud. You know, one of those moments where you think you’ve destroyed the serenity and in reality, no one cared?

Sometimes Kagome felt like her life was the serenity constantly being disturbed.

She got up from the bench and headed to the grocery store, no sketch in sight.