Disclaimer: InuYasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi and I take no credit for any of the original characters and story line from the manga and anime. I do, however, own the rights to the finer details of this story plot and original characters designed for the purpose of the story. Also I do not claim any right to Armani.
Welcome To Estas Tempestas - Summer Storm
By this point most people have a far greater understanding of the InuYasha fan world based both in the anime realm and that of the manga realm with the completion of each medium. For this story's sake we aren't starting post anime or post manga (for those who have finished). Most references are to the manga which I have most recently refreshed myself with. Assume that the general events up to volume 50-ish have taken place. Plus, my timelines a little different, I have stretched out the events in the story to work with how I want the story to work. Everything will be explained as the story goes, but don't be afraid to asked questions if you get lost at any point in the course of the story. - X.xVictorianXRosex.X
Chapter I : Vicis - Time
Sun beat down on the pedestrians of the large junction in the center of Tokyo. Along with the sounds of cicadas and the heavy traffic there was a crowded feel the in the streets. The heat was taking an obvious toll on all the residents of the city. People scurried from shaded over hangs to the dark interiors of the surrounding buildings with incredible speed. No one wanted to be stuck in the crowded streets, forced to share far more personal space with the other sweating individuals than they believed necessary.
One lone person seemed to be handling the close quarters better than her peers. While she had a look of utter annoyance on her face, it seemed to be directed at something other than people she passed in the crowd. Her stride suggested an uncommon level of determination in her course than most other people her age. Of course, other people her age generally weren't in possession of the knowledge she had or the experiences, for that matter.
Kagome had places to be and she was in no way going to be stopped by the clog of human bodies outside. She carried a book bag that appeared nearly empty and a bubble tea that had melted practically to juice. Her blue, chiffon, off the shoulder blouse flowed with her movements and the tight denim Capri's stretched with her strides.
The young woman didn't only seem to radiate confidence and self assurance based on the way she held herself. She was a classic beauty who seemed to be unaware of her own good looks. Brilliant sapphire eyes shone above high cheek bones. Her soft features were carved into pale marble like skin. Midnight hair that ran past her hips gave off tints of deep blue as she skillfully dodged a group of teenage girls clad in skimpy skirts and cowboy hats.
She was definitely not like most girls her age. Being eighteen wasn't about looking cute and getting into college. It was about completing a mission that had gone on far too long; a mission that had the potential to make or break her future, literally. Years of following the Shikon fragments around the rural landscape of Japan had taken its toll on many things in her life. That toll, however, was something she was willing to pay for everything she had seen and gained in her travels. The love and friendship she had in her makeshift family of youkai, humans, and her best friend. Her first love. InuYasha.
Right now, it was just a good plan to concentrate on what she had going for her. She was walking away from the last test she would ever have to complete for her academic career. It had taken summer courses and quite a few pathetic excuses from her family for years of 'illness' related absences, but she had done it. There was no university in her future, at least her immediate future. Kagome was okay with that plan. There was nothing of significance that troubled her about not having a solid plan for her future. If anything she could always help at the shrine if she needed work once this mission was over. Her grandfather wouldn't object. Plus she now had years of experience coming to terms with her miko powers and healing abilities.
Trying to avoid running into a group of men who apparently enjoyed suffocating in their business suits, she almost ran over an old woman. Kagome managed to catch herself before a serious accident took place. Unfortunately, her drink did not receive the same fate as the old woman. It went flying backward right behind the group of business men, in their expensive suits. The splash damage wasn't so bad, but that's not how the men saw it.
Two had been caught in the splatters range. The three other men just watched on with interest.
"I'm so sorry!" The apology sprang from her mouth out of sheer instinct.
"Young lady, I don't think you understand that an apology won't be enough. This suit was custom tailored in Italy, with a personal inspection by Giorgio Armani himself." One of the foreign men said in accented Japanese. He looked down his nose at her with distaste.
"Well, I'm sorry. I'll pay for a dry cleaner if you'd like." Kagome said, trying to be diplomatic about the situation and the man's rudeness.
"I doubt that will be enough. In fact I believe you are going to have to pay for the..." The man's original threatening tone began to run off as he stared beyond her. All the men in his group were also staring behind her with uncomfortable expressions.
Kagome slowly took her attention off of the man who had been talking down to her and turned find the source of their frozen state. Standing there in all his abrasive, baseball hat-ed glory was InuYasha.
It wasn't hard to see why the men had all turned their attention to the hanyou. In fact there were many reasons to be looking at him. The obvious being the same as it had been for four years now. Red hakama were out of place in modern Japanese society, InuYasha had managed to add a baseball hat and sword to that. Not to forget the bare feet. She could only thank pop culture for the excuse of cosplay at the moment. Add to all of this the distinct features that stood out in his face and hair. Anyone would be unnerved to be stared down by a golden eyed, silver haired young man with an attitude; and oh boy did he exude an attitude right now.
Kagome could practically feel the heat coming off of his body as he glared down at the men in front of her. Years of practice told her to take a step back toward InuYasha; leaving the awkward space in between, getting closer to safety, and avoiding making InuYasha any angrier in the present. The last being one of the most important things.
"What were you saying to her?" InuYasha asked in his rough tone.
The Armani suited businessman swallowed and attempted to stand back at his full height. Even than, he still seemed short compared to her irate best friend.
"She spilt her drink all over my custom suit. She should be more indebted to me than a simple dry cleaners bill. Kid's nowadays are so absent minded." He tried to squeeze as much disgust into his voice as possible.
Kagome watched as InuYasha took a threatening step forward. "I believe that you were better off not saying anything." He then cracked his knuckles menacingly.
The man lost what little spine he had managed to gain with his last sentence and backed away. The entire group seemed to swallow him has he removed himself from the confrontation. None made eye contact with the intimidating young man in front of them.
"Keh, that's what I thought." InuYasha said before grapping Kagome to drag her along behind him.
Kagome looked at him then back at the scene they had managed to avoid. "InuYasha, was that completely necessary?"
He huffed and allowed her to pull her arm away and fall into step beside him. They were beginning to escape from the busiest streets as they headed into her neighborhood. The heat also seemed to decrease as shadows were made by the hill's foliage.
"That asshole was obviously threatening you. Did you want me to let him go at you like a rouge youkai?" He said gruffly as he stared straight forward at the road in front of them. She saw the tightness of his knuckles as the tried to remain calm.
"I could handle myself. That guy was nothing compared to what I've seen with you. Anyway, you don't need to be so protective, especially here." The last part came out softer than the rest. Kagome knew that his over protective nature in the last few months has been a touchy subject.
"Kagome, you know that's not true. Come on, we need to get back home." He muttered. There were no more words after that, they walked along in silence. InuYasha was staring off straight ahead and Kagome down at her feet. They shuffled down the pavement to the shrine and the well.
InuYasha was dealing hard with losing Kikyo and she could understand that. She was the first one to care about him since the death of his mother. She had come back to him from the grave. Even though she had only brought confusion, heartache, and fights, she had been important to him. Then something that no one should go through happened, she was taken away from him again.
Kagome was ready to be there for him like she had been since Kikyo had come back, though she knew it could only be as a friend right now. Maybe in the future they could be more, but neither could handle more than friendship in light of the current situation. Somehow she was fine dealing with it in this way. They had to defeat Naraku and gather the last few shards from Koga and Kohaku. Not to mention all the side trips they always seemed to get dragged into. She wasn't sure if it was the extensive journey and struggles or years of unrequited love for him, but it didn't hurt so badly now. Just being his best friend.
"Kagome, dear, how did it go?" She looked up to see her mother walking down the top of the shrine steps to greet the pair.
"Great, Mama, everything's all wrapped up." Kagome smiled sweetly at her mother. InuYasha gave a nod of his head in acknowledgement of the woman.
"I'm glad to hear it. This means you'll be coming home less now doesn't it?" Her mother took Kagome's arm as the met half way up the steps. Her tone was mildly sad.
Squeezing her mother's hand she shook her head, a complete lie.
"I'll still have to come back for supplies regularly. Now, I won't be worrying about school when I visit though."
"Well, that's true. I know you've been back for over a week now, so I made sure to get your stuff set up by the well with InuYasha's help. You already said bye to your brother and grandpa, right?" The older woman asked as they walked toward the well house.
"Yeah, I did before I ran to the exam. Are you sure there isn't anything you need me to do before I go?" Kagome asked politely as she separated from her mother to join InuYasha's side again.
She received a shake of the head and a gentle hug from the woman who had given birth to her.
"No, honey; they'll be needing you more over there than I will. Anyway, I have to head out to shop soon and want to see you off."
Kagome just smiled at her mother as the three entered the well house and the hanyou and miko descended the steps to the well itself. She gave one more look up to her mother standing at the sliding door and picked up her worn yellow backpack.
"I'll see you soon, mom."
Without much warning InuYasha grabbed her around the waist and leapt into the time stream. She let the glow of the mystical blue light envelope her as they fell through time back to the feudal era.
Thank you for reading the first chapter. Please review, the more people encouraging me to write the better, and subscribe so you get notified at the next update.