Deadly Beauty

Deadly Beauty by Sachiko Hiskae

Summary: Kagome, a deadly beauty with a second degree black belt, is forced to deal with an arrogant bastard, family life, and the burdens of being a teenager.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, but use them because they are fantastic.

~Chapter One: Enemies~

The sun rose in the distance casting rays of light onto the sleeping inhabitants the city. Small flowers opened their soft petals to welcome in the needed sun. Birds awoke and began their morning songs. The light shone through the glass window into the room of Kagome Higurashi. As she turned in her bed, her jet-black hair fell aside revealing a soft white oval face. She moved her hands to her eyes to shield them from the offending light and to rub the nonexistent sleep that held her eyelids down. Blinking a few times, she bent over and looked at the clock on the side of her bed. It read 5:00 AM. Kagome let out a gigantic yawn before deciding to swing her body over the side of her bed to make a trip to her closet.

Fifteen minutes later Kagome stood in her black shorts and black t-shirt standing at the top of the steps to the shrine. She gave a sigh and started her routine jog down the many steps and through the winding streets of the city.

Kagome Higurashi considered herself an average seventeen-year-old senior high school student with nothing special to offer the world. She was not famous or rich, she was not the prettiest or smartest, actually most people did not even know her name. The only thing that set her apart from all the rest of the giggling, flirty girls of her generation was her love for martial arts. She lived, slept, and breathed tae kwon do. It was one of her main reasons to wake up in the morning and the last thing she thought about at night. Many might think of this as an unusual hobby and even too violent of a hobby for a girl, but say that to Kagome and they’ll get an earful.

Kagome’s labored breathing sped up as she finished the last part of her hour-long jog by sprinting up the steps of the shrine. She sat down on the topmost step and leaned against one of the wooden supports of the shrine entrance. Her breathing slowed to a soft whoosh of air going in and out. The sun rose higher and higher in the sky signaling to Kagome it was time to start her chores. She rose leaning against the entrance still looking once more at the waking city then turning her back and headed towards the house.

It took almost two hours to finish the daily doings of the Higurashi shrine. It needed to be kept in tip-top shape to keep its reputation of being the best shrine in the city of Tama, but their title was in no jeopardy considering there were only two other shrines in the city. Her grandfather was the one that chided Kagome and her brother, Souta, to continue the up-keep of the shrine. It was the single most important thing in his life that represented countless generations of Higurashi and it overjoyed him that he was able to bestow it upon his grandchildren, as was the tradition of the Higurashi family.

Kagome had just put away her broom as her mother called her in for breakfast. Kagome closed the shed and made her way to her house when a sound more annoying then anything in the world buzzed into her head like a fly that would not leave you alone.

“Ah Higurashi, cleaning your shrine, finally you know your rightful place as a women, behind a broom.” Kagome made a sharp turn, ending up staring into two golden eyes doubled over with amusement at his joke. He was leaning against the entrance of the shrine. His midnight black hair laced with snow-white tresses blew around his head wildly and his tapped his fingers flexing his well-chiseled arm.

“You are so hilarious Mr. Takahashi, “ Kagome managed to get out without spitting in his face with disgust. Ever since she began to practice tae kwon do at Crescent Moon Studio, InuYasha Takahashi had always loved to goad her to the edge of insanity. From the first day she started, he tortured her because he was her senior by one belt. At present time she was a second-degree black belt, he a third degree and he would never let her forget for one moment. One mere remark that offended him or put him down in anyway would earn her enough push-ups that would last a regular person a lifetime.

“You know if you don’t take your role as a woman seriously then you should be training because I have noticed that lately you are letting yourself go. Start toning up because you remind me of a white belt, but you know with the way your forms are and attitude or lack of, you might as well be a white belt,” he snickered again at his comment.

“I will take your advice into mind, sir. I need to go now. I will see you tonight.” Out of respect, she made a small bow to him and he waved her away like a peasant. She shot daggers into his head before turning and walking to her house. He stared back at her watching the flames in her eyes dance around, and he loved the fact that he caused her to become crazy with rage. He smiled to himself and continued with his morning jog.

‘His arrogance could fill a mansion and more and laughing at his own damn joke? Who does that? Stupid ass.’ She mumbled more curses under her breath as she made her way to the house. Kagome slammed the door to the house and gave the same abuse to the door to her bathroom. She turned on the shower and let it heat up while she prepared to get in. Instantly, the warm water soothed her muscles from the run and calmed her down enough so she could forget InuYasha.

“Kagome, dear, could you hurry up?” a voice said drifting in through the door, “I need to take a quick shower before going to work.”

“No problem mom” Kagome turned off the shower, dried up, and dressed quickly. She tried whenever she could to help her mom out even with the littlest things. Her mom, Mitsuka has never had the easiest life. It all went downhill for her after she married Kagome’s father, Shutaka Higurashi. At first, he appeared the sweetest guy you could meet, but after you dig past his outer shell you find a core of deceit and lies. Convinced by his articulate words, Mitsuka was coaxed into marriage, but upon their first year of supposed happiness, she uncovered his secrets. He was a hard-core drug and alcohol addict, not to mention abusive when he was high and/or drunk. Somehow, they still ended up with two children, Kagome and Souta, but as time went on, the worse his obsession got. Mitsuka finally decided enough was enough and filed for a divorce. Her children were very young and she knew it would have an adverse effect on their lives, but overall it would be a positive change. This was all Kagome knew about her mother’s life and when she was younger she resented her mother a lot for sending her father away, but she realized that he needed help and that was the only way for him to get it. But still she couldn’t help but wish he were with her.

Kagome staggered out of the bathroom trying to balance all of her clothes in her arms. She passed her mom on the way out and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and proceeded to her room.

Breakfast was a small muffin and then off to school. She walked to school because she knew her mom was too stressed for time to drive her and that taking the bus was expensive even though it was only seventy-five cents a trip. Yes, she believed that was expensive because she was a frugal person. Anyway, the trip was only about a thirty-minute walk and could be very pleasant if she avoided the route with all the traffic and crazy suicidal bikers, trying to dodge speeding cars, racing to school.

Kagome walked to her locker, then gathered her books, and went to class. Kagome had a very unique perspective on school. She had the usual teenage attitude about school being boring but also school was a very important part of her life. Her education was a way to escape out of the shadows of her past. If she had good grades then nothing will be able to hold her down. Currently, she was part of the top ten in the school and if she was able to hold down this position for the rest of the year she could become valedictorian and get a full scholarship to a medical college. Ironic, that a girl who could beat up people wanted to help people get better? Yes. Did she care? No.

School was a boring daily routine. There wasn’t much her school offered that was interesting. In the way of her social life in high school, there wasn’t much. Her real friends at school were limited. Most people she talked to were just acquaintances even then she still could not help but feel withdrawn and secluded from everyone else, but most of the time it did not matter to her.

“Hey Kagy!” said an overly excited boy waving frantically to Kagome as she walked into her math class. Considering it was calculus, she believed no person should act as happy as her friend. He came over to her and pulled her arm so she followed him to their table.

“Where’s the fire, Shippo?” She sat down across from him in the uncomfortable wooden school seats.

“Kagy, I have so much to tell you, first there is this one part and it was so good, and then at the mall, but you can’t forget at the café, then the alley…”

“What Shippo? What was that? Timmy’s stuck in the well and Lassie is going to save him?” Shippo stopped in mid-gesture and glared at her while refolding his arms so they crossed over his chest. Shippo, although a senior, was very small for his age making what was suppose to be a menacing look into more of a ‘child not getting the candy they wanted’ look. Since the first time she met Shippo, she had always looked at him as a little kid because of his height. For that reason she started to get to know him more and from the beginning they hit it off. They became close friends, almost like brother and sister.

She began to laugh at her little joke and his glare continued. She rustled his short light brown, spiked hair from across the table and told him to continue. While methodically placing his hair back into the ‘cool’ look, he caught her up on all the latest gossip.

As Shippo finished telling Kagome about the last piece of news, a girl with long jet black, waist length hair walked up to their table.

“So another freshman girl pregnant. What is happening to our youth? Don’t they know to always have protection?” She then pulled out a condom from her back pocket and said, “See look at me I’m always prepared!” Kagome quickly swiped the rubber from the girl’s out stretched hand and looked around to make sure no one heard or saw what took place.

“Sango, you can’t just do that in the middle of a classroom!” Kagome whispered. Sango slid into the seat next to her and replied.

“And why not? The teachers should be happy I’m doing it with safety. You’ll never find me with out it.” Sango could see Kagome getting flustered about the subject and decided to continue because it was good entertainment. “Even when I was little my mom always would tell me ‘You can hug, you can kiss, you can suck, you can fuck
but never forget your rubber duck’. She actually just meant rubber but my mom wanted it to rhyme so she added duck. You know now that I think about it that is a weird rhyme maybe I should make a new one.” Luckily, their teacher walked in the room and yelled out an assignment for the class to begin. Kagome may have hated work but this time she was happy because it stopped Sango from making up a new rhyme. Kagome wasn’t naïve and knew sex was apparent everywhere. Still she was taught growing up that sex was a special act between to people who love each other (you all know the story) so to hear it being referred to so casually made her a little embarrassed.

Other than math class the day was boring, as expected. Her walk home was brief but took longer because today she had to stop at her little brother’s school to pick him up and walk him home. They discussed their usual things on the way home and instinctively after they got home they went to do their chores.

~Later That Night~

Kagome placed her bag full of sparring gear and her uniform next to the door so she could leave without any hindrance after she finished cleaning the dishes. Her mom was still at work. She worked two jobs a day otherwise they would not have enough money to support themselves. Kagome yelled up the stairs to see if her Grandpa was awake.

“Gramps, I’m leaving to the Studio and Souta is taking a shower. I’ll be back in a few hours.” She heard a few mumbles, which by now she knew meant ‘okay’. That was all she needed to hear before she went out the door and down the shrine steps.

The sun was setting in the distance and let off a pinkish glow on the city. It was a very pretty sight and she would have loved to take it in more but she was itching to spar tonight with InuYasha, his comments still fresh in her mind. Luckily enough, her studio was a few minutes walk away and she would be able to fulfill her wish soon enough.

She walked into the Crescent Moon Studio and strolled past the training mats and dojo entrances to set her bag down in the hall adjacent to the mats. Her studio was not the biggest, most modernized place in the city but it was well known for the fighters it had produced that have gone on to be the best in the country. On its walls, were pictures honoring the founders of martial arts and the past masters of the dojo. It was a very simple place, painted in an eggshell white with black trim. Mirrors were attached to the walls facing the training mats so that the trainers could watch their moves and critique themselves as needed. There was a small desk from which the secretary could work from scheduling new comers and serving the needs of current students as well. Aside from the desk and hall, two basic rooms took up the rest of the place, one twice as big as the other.

Students were already on the mats stretching for the grueling work they knew waited for them. Kagome put on her uniform in a precise manner following the same procedure with her belt. She had to make sure it was perfect because she prided herself on her rank at the Studio and had to live up to her rank in all aspects including trivial things such as the way her belt looked.

She finished with the more nonessential details then walked up to the entrance of her dojo and did the customary, respectful bow then entered. She went into a corner to place her bag down and began her stretches. Halfway through her regular stretching routine, she heard a loud bang and flood of voices enter. Without even looking up, she knew who it was and in response rolled her eyes to the comment that he said.

“…and so I said you can’t knock down the shelter ” he said with a flash of his smile to the younger girls who were following him and hanging on his every word. InuYasha had a way of entrancing the lower belts of the Studio, which were mostly girls with no skill or desire for the sport that they have signed up for. That was why Kagome didn’t really have friends that she talked to a lot at the studio, only acquaintances. She believed that the only reason the lower belts were there was to see and be with the legendary InuYasha and that angered her that they were abusing her special sport for social gain. Even though she was a bit mad about it, she couldn’t help but grin a little bit because her anger for the girls just made it all that more sweet when she sparred one on one with each of them.

She put on her sparring gear excluding shin guards and chest gear. Because she was a black belt she didn’t have to put on full gear like the lower belts did. The clock was close to 6:30 and a small Asian man bowed in and scurried to the front of the class, commanding everyone to line up. The line up consisted of teenagers and a few preteens who sat according to their belt ranking. Kagome was second in line and InuYasha first. Again, the small man commanded their attention. Everyone stood up straight and waited for the next command.

From an outsider’s point of view, it would look very unusual to see such a small man teaching a class of bigger and taller kids, but size is not everything. This short Japanese man, Mr. Hara, was much, much more than he seemed. If he wanted to, he could beat every student in a one on one fight and his knowledge on martial arts was so extensive that it would be a wonder if any encyclopedia could out do him. In his younger years, he even became the number one fighter in the country and held that position for many years. As he got older he decided to settle down and open up a studio so he could pass on what he knew to the generations of the future.

He bowed to everyone when silence was absolute around the class. Mr. Hara’s session had officially started. As it was customary on Mondays, people were paired up so they could spar, but today he had a special treat.

“Today class, we will deviate from the normal and do something that most will feel uncomfortable with, but I feel it is necessary to place others in positions that will test their skills. Miss Oisha with Miss Tomoha, Mister Dehila with Mister Hoyisho…,” this continued as he walked down the line and finally ended with, “Mister Takahashi with Miss Higurashi. Class, shake hands and introduce yourself to your opponent if you have never met each other. Now all to the sides and when I call your pair walk to the middle and prepare to spar.”

InuYasha and Kagome eyed each other with the hunger of a crazy animal that has been denied a meal. Rarely did the two get a chance to face off because all the lower belts loved to fawn over him, never letting him rest, and because all the higher belts knew that when the two got together it was like the atomic bomb in Hiroshima all over again. Ten minutes went by and other pairs went up and back with nothing but lack-luster kicks and unenthusiastic yells.

“Takahashi and Higurashi.” Immediately, all attention was on the two. Both walked to the center of the room. “Now charriot! Kyung yeh!” As they bowed they never took their eyes off of each other and the desire to be victorious seemed to be consuming their minds. “Ready…,” Kagome’s heart was beating wildly a small grin creeping across her face and in response he flashed one back to her, “Fight!”

Kagome took advantage of his cockiness, which still shone on his face from his smile, and did a quick round house kick to his stomach with enough power to let him know she wasn’t playing around. The clear shot and strength of the kick shocked him. His footing faltered a bit and you could hear a round of ‘oh no’ from his followers. He took up his fighting stance again and charged going for her head. Kagome ducked from his jab and quickly moved sideways, away from the cross. InuYasha yelled loudly and stomped on the floor in front of her, faking a kick. Startled only slightly, she countered with a feigned sidekick, causing him to block for what he thought she was aiming for. As he fell for Kagome’s feint, she changed the sidekick into a roundhouse to his now exposed head. The blow made him fall back and stagger. He was getting angry now. He couldn’t let a lower belt especially a girl beat him. He got up and started to circle the mat in cat like moves. Kagome mirrored his actions, their eyes never breaking contact.

InuYasha positioned his body into what he calculated as her next move. Just as he predicted, she came in with front kick and in response he jumped up pushing off with his right foot and while coming down from the jump blocked her kick with his left foot and simultaneously side kicked her with the right. Kagome took a sharp intake of breath. Her harsh breathing could be heard throughout the silent room. All eyes were on Kagome wondering what she would do next. She thought to herself the blow he made was going to leave a bruise but she didn’t care too much and readjusted herself.

Mr. Hara’s eyes twinkled, watching his two best fighters go at it, though no one noticed, the state being that everyone was staring, fully absorbed with the match. Every time his two best fighters had a face off he couldn’t help but be amused by the sight. It made an old man proud to watch his own teachings being put to action by his two best fighters and with knowledge only an old man could have he knew that the greatest fighters also made the best lovers.

More exchanges were made and soon enough both InuYasha and Kagome were breathing heavily with sweat beginning to form on the sides of their faces. Kagome could hear her heart pound and feel the adrenaline rushing through her veins. She ran towards him and he braced himself for another front kick but with the agility and speed of only a top martial artist, she leaped into the air and did a flying kick towards InuYasha. He slid out of the way just in time but right after she landed she did a back kick into his stomach as he turned to face her. Kagome couldn’t help but let a smile slip through even if it was tiring it was all worth it to see the look of surprise on his face.

InuYasha took advantage of the small break from Kagome’s attacks and did a tornado kick and ended with three punches in line through the middle of her body but before he could finish his combination she did a crescent kick knocking his hands out of alignment. Both were tired as you could tell from the lax stances they both held. To give a little more leeway for them to catch their breath they both attacked each other at the same time with a basic yet powerful front kick throwing each other off balance. By this time, they were both perspiring profusely but it wouldn’t stop them. They were about to retaliate but Mr. Hara walked over and called stop.

It was very obvious to all that InuYasha and Kagome wanted badly to continue sparring each other but neither would dare to go against their sensei’s orders. They bowed to each other and he told them to shake hands. Kagome walked up to InuYasha with suspicion and shook hands with him. He stared her down neither one of their gazes were wavering. With one more exchange of stares then both turned on their heels and walked to their respected sides.

Class continued and ended way too fast for Kagome’s taste. She packed up her stuff and quickly left before the halls became crowded with other students. The cold rush of night air hit Kagome’s face as she opened the doors leaving the studio. She loved that feeling and wouldn’t trade anything for it. She took a big gulp of air and then continued back to her house.

Half-way home she could hear accelerated footsteps behind her.

“Higurashi, wait up,” Kagome rolled her eyes back, but decided to stop anyway. He caught up easily and stood in front of her. “I just wanted to say you did pretty well for a girl going up against someone like me. I know you must have been terrified but you handled yourself well.” Kagome tried to hold it in but couldn’t and started laughing.

“You are so full of yourself.”

“Even if I am, you got to admit I do have the right to be.”

“I think you have the right to jump in front of car, save me the effort.” She kept walking and just decided to ignore his presence. InuYasha promptly hastened his steps and grabbed her shoulder and pulled her head towards him. He dipped his head towards her ear and whispered into it.

“Higurashi, your boldness and fire entices me but even so you should be more respectful to your senpai.” His voice and closeness sent shivers down her spine. She felt him release his grip and heard his footsteps go off in the other direction. She took a minute to compose herself before continuing on her way.

~Later that Night~

Kagome eased herself into the steaming bathtub. She could feel the bruises on her body and already saw the blue and black marks forming. She thought back on her fight and realized that she hadn’t had a fight like that in a while. He seemed to drive her to the brink but at the same time he brought out the better fighter in her. She felt a little disgusted to think of him in a positive light but reflecting on her feelings she couldn’t help but feel… interested.

~Next day~

Kagome awoke to the loud sound of the annoying buzzer. She slammed the snooze button quickly and collapsed into the coolness of her soft pillow. She had one of the worst nights of sleep with a particularly ugly nightmare of an annoying man with white and black hair. She turned over and sighed while pulling her sheet over her head. Her body relaxed against the cool material, preparing itself to fall back into slumber when Kagome’s door was opened.

“Kagy, time to get up.”

“Go away Souta. I’m tired.”

“Kagy, come on you are going to be late if you take too long.”

“Souta, go a-w-a-y!”

“Alright you are forcing me to do this.” She heard him take a deep breath and his footsteps started to hastily head for her bed. Five seconds before he reached her she figured out what he was going to do, but it was too late. He leaped up off the floor and slammed his body on to hers.

“SOUTA STOP!” Souta ignored her and grabbed her feet, and using all the strength left in him, he tickled her. Her body convulsed with fits of laughter. It took her a full thirty seconds of torture before she could regain some composure and go in for an attack. She flipped over to the side and threw him off balance then got him into a headlock for a major nugie. This was how Mitsuka found them.

“Souta, Kagome! Get ready for school now!” They stopped and answered back with a ‘yes mom’ but the minute she left the room they continued their fight.

“Now you two!” Kagome released Souta from her killer headlock. He backed away from her and rubbed his neck and head.

“You know sis if I didn’t know you were a girl, I’d think you were a guy because of your grip.” She threw a pillow at his head, which he dodged.

“Shut up, munchkin.” He laughed and left the room.

Kagome dressed in her usual causal wear, throwing up her hair in a ponytail. No makeup for her, she believed that her natural skin was more beautiful than anything makeup could do. With one more brush of her hair, she grabbed her backpack and went downstairs and out the door to school. Souta walked with his friends in the morning so she didn’t have to wait up for him.

Kagome walked through the halls, actually early for once in her life, to her locker. She switched out books and binders and went over all the homework she was supposed to have done by that time. She was brought out of her mental checking, by the echoing sound of hyena-like laughter. A group of girls, mostly cheerleaders, were heading towards her with someone they were goggling over in the middle of their circle. She turned her attention away from the barbies and tried to, as best as she could, continue with her work. While transferring a book, she accidentally ended up having it slip from her hand and onto the floor. She bent down to pick it up and out of the group of girls passing by came a hand that slammed shut her locker. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and steadied herself for what ever the girls were going to do. She opened her eyes and staring back were the eyes of the person she least wanted to see.

“What are you doing here InuYasha?” She said with disgust.

“I go here.” He replied, while the girl shrieked at what they thought was a joke.

“Since when,” she said out loud and quietly added, “I thought I could at least get rid of you during the day.” He smiled at her comment.

“I told my parents that I didn’t want to go to a private school anymore because it was too easy. I thought that a public school would challenge me more and plus I felt an urge to come here because I know you come here.” Kagome rolled her eyes.

“You are too kind, “ she remarked with obvious sarcasm and turned her back to him so she could reopen her locker.

“Hey nerd, you shouldn’t treat InuYasha like that. You should be grateful that he even notices you,” one girl with blonde locks spat out.

“I don’t know why you even wanted to talk to her Inu. She is so ugly and look at all the crap in her locker, she is such a bookworm,” added another brunette haired girl.

“Now, now ladies, lets play nice. Kagome is a fine girl,” the cheerleaders stifled giggles at the comment, again thinking it was a joke, “and plus she is special to me.” He winked at her and led the group down the rest of the hall and she could hear them all asking him if they were more special to him than Kagome. Only one word was left in her mind, dumbass.

Kagome gathered up the rest of her stuff and headed off to class. Once the bell rang and the teacher set the assignment up on the board, Sango bent towards her.

“Hey Kagome, have you seen that hot new guy around school?”

“Does he have black hair with white streaks and acts like the god of the cheerleaders? Then yeah, unfortunately I have seen him.”

“Actually I was referring the guy that he hangs out with, Miroku. I heard that they both from high society families who are loaded. They transferred from this rich private school to our high school for some unknown reason and they are both currently single.”

“Figures, not even one hour that they are here and you know all about them.”

“Hey, one needs to be informed to get on top.”

“If you weren’t talking about guys, I would think that you are actually smart.” Sango glared at Kagome while she smiled sweetly back. The teacher slammed his pointer on the textbook in front of Sango.

“Are you girls working?”

“Yes, we are.” Kagome answered. The teacher looked suspiciously at both but then noticed a pair of boys playing catch with a hat in the back of the room, and took off. Kagome and Sango laughed and continued with their work.

Sango led Kagome into the cafeteria during the middle of lunch. She wanted to get a good look at the two new students who were already surrounding by a group of girls.

‘Great, I’m going to get sick before I even get to eating my lunch’ thought Kagome as Sango continued to tug at her shirt to get closer to Miroku.

The boy named Miroku seemed to be, at first glance, made of the same typical teenage boy mold, perverted and lecherous. Kagome thought she even heard him ask a girl he was talking to, to bare him children. She turned around to get a better look at Sango’s newest crush. He was dressed in the same type of apparel as InuYasha. He had a more laid back look with a white Polo shirt covered by a blue checkered button down shirt and a light blue pair of polo shoes to match. InuYasha was dressed in all Nike.

‘Figures, rich boys and their rich clothes and why do they always need to match?’ Kagome compared her own clothes to the guys and she had no designer clothing on at all. For that matter, she had no two pair of clothing on at the moment that were from the same maker. She felt a little out of place next to all the people who had matching outfits planned for everyday.

Clothing is nothing but cloth and as the saying goes “clothing does not matter, it is the person that is underneath it that counts”, and one may say that the opinions of others do not impact their decisions, but those people are kidding themselves. People believe that they make choices based solely on their own mindset but we are all self-consciously including what others think of us into the choices we make. So, although Kagome did think of herself as a person who does not care what others think, when she is the ugly duckling surrounded by swans she cannot help but feel ousted and wish she had something to make her blend in more. After all, she is only human.

Kagome quickly tore her eyes away from the group and spotted the quickest route to an exit. She could not stand being next to these people anymore. It wasn’t that she plunged into depression knowing that she could not be like these people; she just needed a quick breath of fresh air after such as revelation. She pushed on the cold metal bar that led to the quad area of the school. The door closed with a soft –click-. The quad was completely deserted and as the wind encircled her she felt a chill run down her spine, and knew why no one was out her. Still, she continued to walk past the quad to sit on a wooden bench under a bare sakura tree. The fall weather was chilly yet comforting as the wind wrapped around Kagome’s small body like a knowing friend. Kagome leaned back against the tree hoping it would create a barrier between her and everything else but this idea was shattered as the bell sounded the end of lunch.


A/N: If anyone is interested, there were a few martial arts terms and kicks mentioned in this chapter. If you would like, I have provided links to other sites that will explain the kicks and translations. Please remember that every martial arts studio is different, so if you are involved in this sport and the kicks or terms above do not match the ones you are brought up with, it does not mean it is wrong. Thank you to all who read and a big thanks to all who review.

Terms: http://www.madisontkd.com/terms.php
Kicks: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Taekwondo_techniques

I hope you all enjoy!

Sincerely,
Ms. Hisake