4-4-2

4-4-2

Chapter One: Out of the Gray

Rain poured down onto a deserted street, draining the color from the world. An occasional flash of lightning brought life’s vibrant hues back, but the rain quickly washed the color away and misery re-took control of her world. The thunder that followed echoed her father’s harsh words through her mind and she flinched and bit back a sob at every loud resonation. To her it seemed as if the entire world had decided to forsake her. The rain that fell tasted like tears that her mother had cried only hours ago. Kagome realized that it was her own tears she tasted, not the sky’s or her mother’s. Colors bombarded her eyes again and she braced herself for what would come next. The sky rumbled softly for a moment, growing in fury and intensity. ‘I won’t be the father of a whore like you. GET OUT!’ She tried to fight a sob, but failed. Her sorrow overcame her and she had to lean against a street light to keep her knees from buckling as her body lost it’s strength. Her mother had just looked away and cried. Her father had disowned her. Now she was alone. She knew she had to keep going. She had more to live for than just herself now, and she wouldn’t give up like this. She regained her composure and resumed walking. Another flash. Another rumble. Another wave of agony that brought her to tears. It passed and she kept going, walking into the night. Kagome heard a low rumble and braced herself for more thunder, but realized there had been no flash of lightning. The rumbling grew and suddenly she recognized the sound. It was the sound of an old V-8 engine like the cars her father had worked on. She fought back a sob. Another memory she would never be able to enjoy. A single dim light burned its way through the thick sheet of gray that seemed to envelop Kagome. A small smile came to her lips. She moved to the edge of the road and put out her thumb. As the light drew closer, she could make out the form of a large older car. The left headlight was out. The car sped past her, unaware of her because of the heavy rain. Lightning flashed again and Kagome lost control. Her father shouted and reality collapsed around her. She fell to her knees and sobbed. She couldn’t comprehend time, or where she was, or the rain. All that existed in her mind was her father’s disgusted face. She heard a car door slam and was returned to the street. A figure moved towards her slowly blacked out by the rain and the dark night. All she could think of was protecting her only reason left to live. She returned to her feet and took a step back. The figure walked into the cone of light from the streetlight above. He was young, maybe a couple of years older than she was. His long white hair was soaked and hung limply down his back, and his shorter bangs fell into his eyes. He wore torn jeans and a black leather jacket. His face was twisted with worry. “Are you alright miss?” he asked. She just stared back, unsure of what to say. Her eyes were full of hurt and it was obvious to him that she had been crying. “You look like you have had a rough night.” He extended his hand. “Can I give you a lift somewhere?” Kagome just nodded appreciatively. The boy helped her to the passenger side and opened the door she sat down on the leather seat and closed the door. As he walked around and got in, she noticed the inscription 4-4-2 on the dashboard. She dismissed it, not recognizing the numbers. She quietly thanked him for picking her up and he smiled and drove away, heading towards the edge of town. “Where can I take you?” he asked, and then it hit Kagome that she had nowhere she could go. “To a cheap motel I guess…” she trailed off, unsure of what she intended to do from here. The boy frowned. “You don’t sound too sure of yourself.” Kagome looked away ashamed. He cleared his throat. “Are you in some kind of trouble miss?” he paused “I mean, I don’t mean to pry. It’s none of my business, but maybe I could help.” Kagome frowned. “I doubt you could. Thank you for offering, though. Not many people today would offer to help strangers they picked up on the side of the road.” He grinned. “Well, to be honest, it sounds to me like you need a place to crash for the night.” Kagome looked at him in surprise. He frowned. “I could be wrong.” She opened her mouth to speak, but closed it when she realized that she didn’t know what to say. “Listen, if I may say so, you look like someone just beat you and left you in the street to die. I don’t think you’re the kind of person who deserves that. If you need a place to stay I have an extra room at my place.” Kagome smiled a little at the offer. “I don’t want to bother you like that.” He grinned. “No bother at all. You need a place, and I have a room. Must be fate.” He chuckled as he rounded a corner and pulled down an unlit road. Kagome didn’t recognize this part of the city. “Where are we anyways?” she asked. The boy pulled into a driveway and under a collapsible carport. “I live on the edge of town. Not many people live out here. A couple of my friends rented the house across the street. No one else is around for half a mile. My girlfriend and I… well… not any more. It’s just me here now.” He frowned and was silent for a moment. “Anyways, we’re here. I didn’t catch your name. I’m InuYasha.” He smiled. Kagome smiled back and introduced herself and thanked him again for letting her stay.