Meant to Be (Reposted)

"Kagome come on we have to go shopping!" Asako calls up, she loved these moments she could spend with her always on the go daughter. "One moment Mama. I need to finish this paragraph and save it!" came the honied tones, a few minutes later there's a triumphant "There!" and the pittering of stocking feet upon the upstairs floorboards and stairs, "Sorry I lost track of time while I was typing." Asako smiles, "It's fine Kagome but I'm sure you don't want to go out wearing your sweatpants...." Kagome looks down at herself and groans a hand covering her face, "You're right. I can't go out like this. Give me 5 and I'll be back." She lopes up the stairs two at a time.
Kagome walks back into her room running her hand through her hair, what to wear was the question and she was on the clock since she'd told her mother she'd be back quickly. Digging through her dresser she locates a pair of positivily ancient looking stonewashed blue jeans that make her smile, the style had faded into obscurity but seemed to be making a come back with the younger generation. She lay them on the bed before thumbing through her closet for a shirt, after a few minutes her eyes light upon a creamy yellow long tanktop and she nods pulling it out. She quickly changes from her oversized tshirt and sweats into the slightly snug jeans, which causes her to make a mental note that she may need to up her routine since she had a slight paunch there now, and the tanktop. She pulls her hair out of the back and lets it fall down her back humming softly to herself before she braids it.
She looks at the tail as she pulls it over her shoulder to work down the length, 'I used to envy Sesshomaru's hair... now I just wonder how he dealt with having so much of it all the time...' she ties off the long tail with a black elastic and tosses it back over her shoulder feeling the end of it hit the back of her knee, maybe it was time to get it cut... but every time she thought about it her heart hurt, she had not cut it once save for small trims since she'd gotten back from the past it was her last tangible connection to a time she had loved. She grabs her wallet sticking it in her back pocket and selects her black ballet flats out of the closet carrying them downstairs. "Sorry Mama." Asako just shakes her head as she pushes up off the couch, "You weren't even up there 10 minutes."
Kagome smiles at her mother and follows her to the door slipping on her flats as she stepped out of the door and glances around habitually, "When is Souta coming home?" Asako gives a slightly sad smile, at 18 her son was almost never home anymore, "He said he should be here at dinner. He has Kendo this afternoon after school." Kagome nods and locks the door behind her, it's as she's walking to the Goshinboku she stops and nods to the small marker by it's large roots, "Watch over the Shrine Oji-chan, we'll be back soon." She looks to the tree and smiles softly, "Please watch over our family Goshinboku..." Asako waits patiently through this, a soft understanding smile dancing on her lips, knowing that it wasn't just pretty words that as a Miko Kagome was paying her respects. It was almost amusing really when people realized that the writer that was taking the world by storm was actually the acting Miko of a shrine.
Once Kagome started moving again so does Asako, both women heading down the long stairs. Without a thought to the matter Kagome slides a hand under her mother's elbow for support without making a scene of it and Asako was grateful, both to the support and for the fact that Kagome never made a big deal about it. She wasn't quite as young as she once was, the two years of Kagome travelling back and forth through the well had aged her more rapidly then she would have due to the stress of worrying about what was going on on the other side but she'd had to trust that Inuyasha would protect her first born, and he had splendidly but that hadn't stopped her from worrying. She'd worried further after Kagome had come back because her baby had changed so much. Her once vibrant innocent oceanic blue eyes had dimmed and hardened, resembling blue steel.
Not that all the things that had changed were necesarily bad, as Kagome had become more responsible and she'd certainly learned a great deal of skills. Less then a month after Kagome had returned she had taken part of the yard and turned it into a herb garden. She had learned much from Jinenji and Kaede and collected seeds from them when possible, she had always known it was possible that she would end up back in her time, even if she was allowed to stay it wouldn't hurt to have the seeds saved; so she had carefully collected them in small snacksize plastic baggies from her time to keep them dry and seperated from each other. Her careful storing ment that her herb garden had a good variety of now mostly extinct herbs and she knew how to use them as well. She had used that knowledge to ease her oji-chan's last days before he had gone to the other side and even now used them to help her mama when aches and pains popped up.
The Shrine had prospered from Kagome's new found responsibility and Asako was grateful to her daughter as it eased some of the burden off her that had increased when her her father-in-law had passed on in the fall that had followed Kagome's final return from the past, it was as if he had held on until he was certain his granddaughter had returned safely and for good before he was willing to join his wife in the afterlife. Kagome waves down a cab and they climb in heading for the mall, she wasn't overly fond of the place as it was always jam-packed with people who either should be in school, since it was a schoolday, or people who seemed to lack proper hygene but since it was with her mother she wouldn't complain. When they get to the large building Kagome pays the man and helps her mother out of the cab. She hooks her arm through her mother's with a bright smile that actually reached her eyes, if only because she knew how little they actually went out into public together, and guides her into the store, "Where to Lady Higurashi?" She asks playfully.
Asako laughs, "We haven't been out in public 5 minutes yet and you're already calling me that?" her voice is highly amused, "Well, you should pick, we're here to buy you something for tommarrow after all." Kagome places a finger against her lower lip as if in thought, "Well you are a Lady 'kasan so it makes since I would call you one. I don't really know what's," she crooks two fingers on her free hand to qoute, "hip these days. Fashion changes faster then the flick of a whip." They were not far from the door and only partially blocking it so she doesn't bother to move them when she hears the door ding behind them. Though she crooks a smile hearing the voices behind her, "C'mon Yugi it's not like we hang out every day. I need to get something for Hojo-kun and I need your opinion." Kagome looks over her shoulder and the smile widens, "Tea-chan! It's been a while."
Tea blinks then waves, "Hey Kagome-chan, how've you been?" Kagome shrugs a shoulder, "Well enough. Lets move out of the doorway though." Tea nods and follows Kagome to the bench against the wall, there had been of course a secondary reasoning, Kagome didn't want her mother getting run into while she and Tea caught up, but she wouldn't say anything about it though she knew her mother knew. Yugi hesitates by the door, if anytime was a good time to book it it would be now.... but inwardly cursing his good-guy genes he follows Tea over, "How are things at the Shrine?" Kagome brings a finger up to her chin, "Well I think we'll be ready for Omizutori in March, it's been going over well even though it is not actually a Shinto celebration." Tea nods lightly, "You said it was Buddist before right?" Kagome nods, "Yes a good friend of mine a long time ago taught me about it and I introduced it when I took over as acting Miko for the Shrine."
Yugi blinks at them rather lost and shifts his weight his hands sliding into his pockets, right about now he really missed the comforting weight of the puzzle around his neck and Atem's voice in his head, at least he knew most of the time what the ancient Pharoah was talking about. Fortunately his shift reminded Tea of his presence, "Sorry Yugi. I've totally lost my manners. Kagome-chan this is my friend Motou Yugi, Yugi this is Higurashi Kagome." Kagome laughs softly and without thinking gives the light bow, "A pleasure to make your aquaintence Motou-san." Yugi was thrown a bit for a loop but deciding it was the Shrine raising that made her talk and act like that he gives a slightly awkward bow, "Likewise Higurashi-san." Tea smiles, "So what are you two doing here?"
It's Asako who anwsers, "Kagome needs something to wear for the event tomarrow." Tea's eyes light up, "That's tommarrow?! Wow time flies." Kagome looks confused, "Wait how did you two know? I just got told today." Asako gives a secretive smile, "I was told last month. We all knew you'd find a way out of it Kagome if you'd been told so we opted to wait to tell you until there was no way you could." Tea is nodding, "Yep. I even have my copy in my car. I can't wait til tommarow even if I could just ask anytime for you to sign it." Kagome blushes some, "Tea-san it's not such a big deal it's only one...." she gets cut off, "Bull Kagome-chan! It's an awesome book." Yugi blinks, "Book?" Kagome latches on like a lifeline, "See even Motou-san has no idea what you're talking about. It's not such a big deal."
Tea ignores Kagome's grasping at the very thin line of hope and anwsers Yugi, "Yes. Aramitama: A Tale of Courage. Kagome-chan is Chiyoko!" As Tea explains Kagome glances at Yugi scanning from his rather uniquely styled hair down to his black leather boots, 'not bad... except..' she realizes with dawning horror that recognition has appeared in his violet eyes, "Oh!" Kagome feels her stomach sink but manages a smile considering Yugi gives her a genuine one, "You're really good." She blinks as he just lets it go so easily. Tea gasps at him, "Is that really all you have to say Yugi?!" Kagome opens her mouth then closes it as Yugi starts to speak, "Yes it is. She uses a Pen-name for a reason Tea, not that it will help after tommarrow, and thus probably would rather not have people all over her." Kagome gives a relieved smile, glad someone understands.
Asako gives Yugi a calculating glance that everyone misses before speaking up again, "Well since we're all going to be shopping anyways and we're already together how about we just stick together?" Tea shrugs and agrees, "Sure Asako-san I'd like that." Yugi just shrugs, "Not a problem for me." He enjoyed making new friends and he could tell that he and Kagome could understand the pain of fame, he'd not exactly enjoyed his reign as king of games because it had practically painted a bulls eye on his back; he can only imagine how bad things will get and just how quickly they will get that way for Kagome, specially since she is actually rather pretty in a barely tamed sort of way. Kagome nods, "Sounds like fun." She smiles and looks at the map across the way, "So where should we go first then?" Tea all but rubs her hands together, playing dress up Kagome was always great fun! "I know just the place!"
Kagome lets out a low groan of worry at those cryptic words... and more so when she thinks about just how crazy Tea tended to get when she was getting to chose Kagome's outfits which was why the dark haired woman rarely allowed it to happen. As they walk Kagome habitually slips her hand under her mother's elbow again escorting her without it looking like anything more then just mother and daughter out enjoying a shopping trip. Asako couldn't help but smile, even though there weren't demons running amok causing havoc she knew that Kagome was still constantly on the look out for danger and that it was a hold over from her time in the past. While the walk Tea glances at Yugi speaking lowly, "You know you could have tried to be a little more enthusiastic... I know you read the book you suggested it to me after all." Yugi shrugs keeping his voice just as low, "I'm aware Tea. I don't want to cause her to be uncomfortable, you said you met her through your boyfriend Hojo-san yes?" Tea nods, "They went to school together when she wasn't sick." Yugi glances at Kagome looking her over but shrugs, she didn't look like she could have been that sick in high school but he didn't really know her well enough to make that judgement, though he'd certainly like the chance to change that, making new friends was always a good thing and that she's so pretty is only a bonus.
Kagome calls back to Tea, "So which store are we going to?" Her voice somewhat playfully teasing as since this was Tea's idea really she should have been walking either with them or ahead of them not lagging back there talking with Motou-san. Tea startles and then lets out a soft giggle, "Ne. Lets head to the Gap." ((AN: Don't own it either just seemed to fit)) Kagome blinks and balks, "Tea-chan you can't be expecting me to dress like a teeny-bopper anymore..." Tea pouts "Well fine where were you thinking was a better place?" Kagome Shrugs, "I wasn't actually. It was Oka-sama's idea to come to the mall." Yugi blinks  at the term, he'd never heard anyone speak of their mother with a term of reverence before and actually seem to mean it. Asako smiles and turns slightly taking her daughter with her though she didn't really say anything. Kagome turns easily and follows, "This way." Tea shrugs and follows after the Higurashi duo with a faint smile on her lips before whispering to Yugi, "So what do you think?" Yugi shrugs as he walks beside her, "She's nice." he changes the subject, "Have you heard from Joey and Tristan lately?" Tea sighs and shakes her head, "Not since they called at Christmas. Why have you?" Yugi nods, "Yea said they were coming into town because Serenity's favorite writer is doing a book signing in the next couple days." "Chiyoko?" Yugi nods, "Yep. Seems like we're all going to be there. Might be a good thing too, Kagome-san will need the support when people figure out who she is." Tea nods in understanding.
Up ahead Kagome blinks as she notices where her mother had subtily lead them to, the clothing was more traditional and relief surged through her. Tea pouts lightly but glances about, "I have an idea Kagome-chan!" Kagome blinks and looks at her questioningly, "How about we each pick an outfit, right down to accessories and you can try each one on to decide what you would like." Kagome tilts her head a playful smile  forming, "That could be fun. But I'm sure Motou-san would prefer to sit the picking out Tea-chan." Tea spares a glance at Yugi who shrugs, "I don't mind trying just don't laugh. I've never had to dress a woman before." There is a very faint tinge of blush to his cheeks as he said that but there is a more pronounced blush on Kagome's. Asako notices it but holds her own council while wondering just what had caused her normally fairly unflappable daughter to turn even the slightest shade of red let alone this pretty blush that was staining her cheeks. Kagome finally speaks after a moment, "Am I picking one out too?" Tea shakes her head quickly, "Nope! If you do you'll pick yours just because you picked it out." Kagome laughs a low warm sound, "Alright alright I'll just go wait by the fitting rooms then."
She glances at her mother who nods with a smile before releasing her and heading that way, weaving with silent steps to the back. Yugi watches her go then rubs the back of his neck, "Higurashi-san..." Asako looks at him questioningly, "Does Kagome-san have a favorite color I could work off? I really don't have any idea where to start." Tea was already off like a shot looking around though she was dismayed at the fact she was supposed to pick something so old fashioned for Kagome.  Asako smiles, "Anything could work. It depends on my daughter's mood but bolder colors are what she tends towards." Yugi nods, "Thank you Higurashi-san." Asako nods and it's after Yugi has moved off that she smiles to herself, what a pleasant young man... maybe she wouldn't get grandbabies with cute little doggie ears but maybe she could get grandbabies with pretty amethyst eyes instead... She sighs lightly to herself knowing she was getting ahead of herself and slowly moves through looking cautiously through the racks. Tea is all but having a fit as she picks up and discards things, how could she possibly pick something amazing out of old stuff? Eventually she picks up a super cute pink cheongsam from a rack, it was pretty and delicate a lot like she viewed Kagome to be. With it draped over her arm she moves to find her accessories wondering idly how Yugi was fairing.
Yugi for his part is strugling, he hadn't been kidding about having never picked out a females clothes before and he wanted to actually pick something out that wouldn't get himself laughed at. He is sorting through hoaris idly as his brain wandered, she gave him the impression of really being someone, not in the normal aspect but someone more like Atem had been so he wanted something classy but at the same time he was sure by gut feeling that she wasn't really a super girly girl if she had been surely she would be wearing something pink right now right? right. So it's as he's sorting through that his hand suddenly comes to a stop and he pulls the hoari gently from the rack, it was vibrant and beautiful even if he wasn't usually one for traditional clothing. In his mind's eye he could see Kagome in it and knew it would look good on her. Thrilled with having a starting point he moves towards the obis knowing from the displays about the store that she'd need one. It took him a few minutes but then he found a pale squashy yellow-orange colored obi that would compliment the vividness of the oranges in the haori, or at least didn't look like they clashed too badly. He taps his lip before deciding bold colors she may like but the pants should be a darker color so she doesn't look like a festival float had thrown her up, which prompts him to gather up a pair of black hakamas though he had to guess on the size and hope to be right. Content with the outfit draped over his arm he sets off to find appropriate accessories.
Asako hums softly to herself as she made her way over to the more traditional kimonos, while she was sure the kids would pick something attractive she wasn't about to be outdone, this was sort of a contest and she wasn't about to be beatten so easily! A light smile plays on her lips as she lets her mind wander a bit, that young man that had made her precious daughter blush, was he seeing anyone? Did he realize Kagome is quite single despite her, Asako's, wishes otherwise? With matchmaking in her heart she sets to looking for something that would not only flatter her daughter but hopefully help attract young Motou's eye as well. Recalling the pictures that Kagome had taken in the past of Sango she begins to slowly pick through the long kimonos, discarding them one after another before she finds one done in three shades of purple, a deep bruised plum color made up the majority with accents in a lighter shade of purple and small swirling flowers done in lilac. Pleased with the kimono she moves to search through the obis until she finds one that is close to the same shade of lilac and drapes it over her arm. She smiles to herself and sets off to find a pair of sandals to go with the outfit figuring the kids would be picking over the accessory section at the moment.
Somehow despite the store not being overly large Tea and Yugi didn't bump into each other while picking things. Tea chose more delicate looking accessories, a silver necklace with a ball pendant and matching earrings, slim silver bracelets and a silver anklet. Yugi on the other hand kept with the bold statement, instead of a necklace he chose a golden hued scarf, the earrings were topaz studs. He debates a few moments but then snags a pretty golden haircomb that was elegant yet casual enough to be worn during the day... at least he hoped so. Both content with their accessories though having not seen each other yet, they head for shoes. As luck would have it Asako was already leaving the area with a pair of black sandals to head for accessories so they managed to miss her as well. Asako hums as she moves through the accessories pondering just what to pick before she smiles seeing a pair of hair sticks which would go nicely considering the pretty purple blooms they were decorated with, after that it wasn't so difficult to pick things out, a dusky purple choker and silver dangle earrings with flower adornments and amethysts make her nod and she carries her finds towards Kagome since she was finished.
Tea quickly snaps up a pair of heeled sandals that would strap half way up Kagome's calves though she was disappointed to find out they didn't have them in any color but black. Yugi frowns as he looks at the options, the load in his arms feeling slightly heavy after holding it for so long but eventually he settles for a pair of black ankle boots with flat bottoms. With them both content they head back towards Kagome blinking to see Asako already there and Kagome not. Tea speaks up, "Has she come out in your choice yet Higurashi-san?" Asako shakes her head, "She just went in a few moments ago." That being said it only takes a few minutes before Kagome steps out an arched brow, "Oka-sama you do realize this is a book signing and not a date yes?" She wouldn't lie and say it wasn't really pretty, the purples of the kimono really brought out the blue in her eyes after all, but it was far too formal. Asako shrugs lightly, "I know that." She knew then as Kagome spoke though that her choice wouldn't be the one picked for the event. Tea bounces forward, "Try mine next Kagome-chan!" and she thrusts the pile into Kagome's arms without actually waiting for her to ask for them.
Kagome chuckles softly to disguise her dismay, she already knew this was going to be a nightmare as she stepped back into the changing room to get out of the pretty kimono and into the bubblegum colored monstrosity. But she would play along and pray that Motou-san had picked out something that she could actually use otherwise Tea's game was shot. She quickly changes and steps out causing Tea to squee "You look very pretty in pink Kagome-chan." but her glee fades quickly at the half amused half exasperated look on Kagome's face, she tilts her head, "Wrong color?" Kagome turns her attention to Yugi who seemed to be wanting to fade into the woodwork; he swallows thickly suddenly nervous though he wasn't sure why it wasn't like this was a life or death thing after all. With a heavy sounding sigh he lay his choices in her arms and then steps back pushing his hands in his pockets. He was really not sure to start with then seeing the other's choices well... that made him even less sure but he wasn't about to back down now. Kagome steps back into the changing room not overly optimistic but as she slipped out of the cheongsam she actually looked at the clothing and a slow smile forms.
It is taking her much longer to get into the last outfit, mostly because she found herself reminising while she was supposed to be changing. Asako calls in, "Kagome? Are you going to let us see?" Causing Yugi to wonder why he had bothered participating in Tea's game, "Oh. Yes Oka-sama I will be out in a moment." She shakes her head at herself and smoothes the Hoari one last time before stepping out. She arches a brow lightly when no comments were made, "Well?" It's Asako that finally speaks, "You look wonderful Kagome. Is that the one you would like?" Kagome nods softly, "Yes I believe so though I haven't seen the accessories for it yet." she spoke playfully but it prompted Yugi to hand over the small basket with them in it and she nods, "Well Let me get out of this so we can pay for it. Then perhaps lunch in the food court?" Three nods has her turning and heading in to get changed again. As Kagome gets changed Tea is talking to Yugi, "After lunch we should try to find something for Hojo-kun's birthday." Yugi nods but he's really only partially paying attention, the rest of his brain is sort of in shock that she actually picked the outfit he had chosen... not bad for a guy who dressed in monochrome most of the time and had never picked out clothes for a female at all.
Kagome comes back out the clothing over her arm and heads for the cashier, her fingers idly caressing the hoari as she muses over how the oranges reminded her so of Shippo's hair and the fractal pattern that broke up the different shades of orange kept it interesting. She pays for the outfit and accessories, taking the two bags and heading back to her mother with a light smile, "Let's go get lunch." Asako nods and watches with barely restrained glee as Yugi proved to be a gentleman taking the bags from Kagome without so much as a grumble. Kagome however is surprised as the bags are gently tugged out of her hands a faint blush staining her cheeks once more which only increased the amount of happy that Asako was feeling. Tea is watching the matchmaking wheels starting to turn in her head, "Lets go get lunch then." Kagome nods and slides a hand under her mother's elbow once more, the four of them walking towards the food court, Tea subtly watching Yugi subtly watch Kagome who seems to be rather oblivious.
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Feel free to skip to the next chapter. This is just Author Notes down here.
AN: And that is the end of that chapter. Things are moving smoothly at the moment for everyone involved. This is a reposting of the original story. It was violating ToS somehow, I think it was the summary chapter but I'm not 100% sure on that. It did give me a chance to reread and edit a little bit since i didn't catch spelling errors the first time around.
AN: This is an Inuyasha and Yugioh (original cast) crossover story. I (as the authoress) will be taking liberties (obviously). I do intend to stay as cannon and factual as possible... which may mean that some of my chapters may be slow in coming out as I will likely research the daylights out of something before I'll be comfortable using it (specially the Shinto Celebrations should I end up deciding to use them which is likely as Kagome's shrine is a Shinto Shrine....). In some cases I will favour the Manga over the Anime. Such as with Kagome's eyes being blue rather then brown. I am aware that in the cannon Yugi ends up with Tea.... I'm not entirely thrilled with that since to me she only really starts to notice Yugi when Atem is in control rather then Yugi himself so I'm taking the liberty for this story to place him with Kagome. I am also aware that cannon Inuyasha has the well reopening. For my story to work it never does enough said since that's two big spoilers for folks who haven't watched both shows and/or read the mangas. So yes this is a Yugi/Kagome story don't like it there is a back button and you won't hurt my feelings any if you decide it's not your cup of tea.
This story will be taking place in 2016 (current year) which means that for Kagome she fell through the well 11 years prior (making her 25 as her birthday is in the summer and i'm starting this in Febuary) and Yugi, who was a junior in high school at the time of his adventures with Atem and the puzzle (again Manga facts... makes him 27 as his birthday is also in the summer). As we are never actually given a name for Mama Higurashi I will be using Asako because that is the first name of the actual Japanese voice actor for said character.