Reversed Circumstances by Thrill of the Forbidden

A New Life

Chapter One: A New Life

Kagome woke up to a strange noise in a strange apartment, in a strange bed. It took her a few moments before the panic faded and she remembered that the annoying noise was her alarm clock and she was in her new apartment and it was her own bed. Glancing at the alarm clock she didn't bother stifling her groan. 4:30 am. She juggled the idea of hitting her head against the wall for setting the clock so early before it dawned on her that she had to go to work. Why oh why did I have to decide to own my own book store? And what demon spirit possessed me to lease a building an hour away from my new home?

With a groan, Kagome pushed herself off her bed and accidentally did a very good zombie impersonation going to the bathroom. As she turned on the light and faced the mirror she nearly lost her balance. I really need to take off my makeup before I go to bed don't I? Braiding my hair then might not be a bad thing either. Sighing loudly, she stepped into the shower and went through the morning routine of getting ready for the day. After what seemed an eternity, she gazed upon the mirror again.

Who am I? Kagome had been thinking this same very thought, almost every morning for a very long time. For the past few years, she had been living in her time, not being able to go back to the feudal era, but still longing to go back even for one last time. The worst part of it was that she was remembering them less and less with each passing day. Even now, she had lost almost all of the details of her memories; she could barely remember their faces. Oh, what she wouldn't give to be able to go back and see Inuyasha, Sango, Shippo, Miroku, and Kaedae. Hell, she'd even be thrilled to see Sesshourmaru, Jaken, and little Rin. Little Rin won't be so little by now, Kagome thought with a pang, Shippo won't little anymore either. I've missed so much.

A lone tear rolled down her face. Angrily, she wiped it away. I don't need this know. Not today. She walked out of the bathroom before her mind could wander back to the place where she longed to be. Grabbing her purse, she walked out of her new apartment and locked the door behind her.

New Mirandia, it's a real little hell on earth. She thought as she opened the door to her Lamborghini Diablo. As she got in, she glanced at the clock, 5:30. The moment before she started the car, she considered not opening the shop and just going back to bed. If she hadn't owned the shop and hadn't been the only employee, she would have in a heart beat. I really should hire some help, shouldn't I? She thought as she pulled into the currently empty street. She turned the radio on as she made her way to the interstate and Rockstar by Nickelback came blasting through the speakers. We all wanna be big rock stars...apparently they've never met me. The recent me that is.

*Flashback*

"Kagome? Kagome? Are you listening to me? Did you hear a word I just said?" Dr. James, Kagome's eighth grade advisor asked, pissed because Kagome hadn't answered him. "I said: what do you want to be your major? You are starting high school next year. You need to decide."

Being just as pissed, Kagome replied: "How many times do I have to tell you people? I want to major in Fine Arts so I can be a musician."

"And how many times have I told you that a musician is not a very promising career. It is not reliable nor is it extremely high paying unless you are one of the lucky few. Not to mention that there is no guarantee that you even have the musical talent required to excel in the Fine Arts major."

Kagome decided to try a different approach, "Dr. James, I understand and appreciate your concern; however, this is my passion, this is my talent, this is my calling. I understand the risk I will be taking and I embrace it. I've never run from a challenge if I'm as determined to do something as I am to do this, no matter the circumstances and the obstacles that I face. At the moment the obstacle that I face is that my wise advisor who is trying to save my future from the demise that he thinks will come from my love of the arts. Please, don't halt my passion for this. Please, don't confine my talent. Please don't stop me from following what calls to me."

Dr. James's facial expression was one of pain, torn between what his head told him to do and what his heart said was the right thing. He stood up and went to the little coffee maker behind his desk, buying time while his two most vital organs fought it out. He made a show of adding creamer before he turned back to face the desk. "Kagome...I cannot let you through with this decision without knowing for certain that this is the right thing to do. I've decided that I will put you on a probationary period to ensure that this is the career path that you truly want. I will also ask to high schools guidance consular to keep an eye on you to make sure that you are meeting the criteria. That is all, good day."

"Thank you, sir. I won't let you down." Kagome could barely contain her excitement and joy as she headed home to tell her family the news. They wouldn't approve now but they soon would, she was sure of it.

*End Flashback*

I never was able to make either Dr. James or my family proud, was I? At least not in the way I thought I would. The first day that my 'probation' ended, I fell down that damned well.

Kagome was still lost in thought as she pulled off the interstate and turned down the street that led to the above ground parking garage. She pulled into the garage and waited for her ticket.

"Have you seen the news today?"

The new voice startled her out of her thoughts. She looked toward the voice and saw that it was the guard that had spoken. Glancing down at the name tag she read that his name was Kenta. "No I haven't. Why? Did something happen?"

"No one's real sure if something bad is going to happen or not," Kenta the Rent-a-Cop replied. "Scientists say that there have been exceedingly high rates of something called miasma."

"Hmm, that's fascinating. If you've got my ticket, I have to get going." She said absentmindedly.

Kenta the Rent-a-Cop nodded looking a little disappointed that Kagome hadn't been more interested by the strange gases that he himself where fascinated. "Of course, I apologize for keeping you." With that he handed her the ticket and watched as she drove away.

Kagome drove up to the top level of the garage before parking and placing the ticket on the dashboard. As she got out of the car, she felt a strange feeling. What is that? It's vaguely familiar. It's vaguely evil. Is it an aura? Why is it so...familiar? After a few moments, the aura vanished. You are losing it Kagome, losing it.

Shaking her head, she left the garage and walked down the maze of streets to Nooks and Crannies: Book Shop, Café, and Ice Cream Parlor. Kagome unlocked the door, flipped on the lights, and for the third time looked at the clock. 6:30 a.m. exactly...damn I'm good. Kagome started up the café part of the store thinking to herself about how lucky she was that the shop had a very small rate of clientele. Before everyone started poring in for the morning coffee rush, Kagome made herself a white chocolate frappuccino. She sat down on one of the stools at the counter and paused to look around the shop.

The only light source in the shop, at the moment, came from the frosted glass chandeliers that hang from the walls and frosted glass sconces from the walls. Behind the glass counter, was the café and ice cream parlor; the rest of the space consisted of a reading corner with stuffed chairs, love seats, and couches and shelves with hundreds of books. There was space in the back that held a small office and a storage area. The color scheme of the room was dark burgundy walls, mahogany shelves, and lots of glass.

At around 7:30 the customers started to stroll in, mostly students of every level; college, high school, middle school. This is going to be a long, long day and it will be the same as every other.

* * * * *

Thrill of the Forbidden: My first chapter of my first fic finished...I'm in shock...I may cry...

Inuyasha: Wimp...why would you cry? It's a chapter. A. Chapter.

Thrill of the Forbidden: Shut up! Why are you always so...Just Shut up. I created my own city so I'm proud of myself, okay!

Inuyasha: HEY! Don't tell me to shut up you who-

Kagome: SIT!!!

Inuyasha: Why...me???

Kagome: Don't be mean to Her!!! She never did anything to you. You made your own city?

Thrill of the Forbidden: Yeah! I could cut you out and rename your part Billy Bob who loves to eat grasshoppers and ladybugs!

Sesshoumaru: *smirks* Oh please do.

Thrill of the Forbidden: Tempting...I just might. Anyway I hope you- *Nightwalker and Darkness burst into room* what are you two doing...wait do I WANT to know.

Darkness: Probably not.

Nightwalker: We'll give you a hint anyway...Shiny.

Thrill of the Forbidden: Oh no...you went to that Chinese restaurant didn't you?

Darkness: Maybe...but we won't tell you without a price.

Thrill of the Forbidden: ...I'll let you pet the Fluff, hug Sesshy, and beat up Jaken.

Darkness and Nightwalker: *exchange looks* Okay *Kick and step on Jaken on their why to Sesshoumaru*

Sesshoumaru: Wait...What do two you think you're doing.

Nightwalker: *Pauses before jumps at Sesshoumaru yelling 'FLUFFY'*

Darkness: *Pokes Sesshoumaru* He he

Inuyasha: *laughs hysterically*

Kagome: Sit. Don't laugh at your brother's pain.

Inuyasha: Ow.

Thrill of the Forbidden: Now that we've all, with an exception of Inu and Sesshy, have had our fun...hand over the Shiny.

Nightwalker: NEVER!!! *Makes a run for it*

Darkness: No, no, no...we've had our fun, hand it over to Her.

Nightwalker: *hangs her head* oh ok.

Darkness and Nightwalker: *drop knives, spoons, forks, koi pond pebbles, chandelier crystals, and a wanton* Here you go.

Darkness: *looks at Nightwalker*...a wonton?

Nightwalker: *Innocent look* they taste good. And because we stole stuff, we forgot to eat.

Darkness: But the wanton isn't shiny...you could have at least stolen soup. It gets a glare in the light. Glare=Shiny.

Thrill of the Forbidden: *Shakes Head* you two are as special now as you are at school.

Sesshoumaru: *still frozen in shock*

Inuyasha: *pokes Sesshy*

Sesshoumaru: *punches Inu*

Inuyasha: *whimpers* I want my Mommy.

Thrill of the Forbidden, Nightwalker, Darkness, Sesshoumaru, and Kagome: *stare at Inuyasha with open mouths*

Thrill of the Forbidden: WTF!

Darkness: Wow...you're never living that one down.

Inuyasha: Leave me alone! *runs from the room*

Kagome: *looks at Thrill of the Forbidden* what exactly did you put in his drink?

Thrill of the Forbidden: *Puppy eyes* nothing...except...some sake...maybe *smiles innocently*

Kagome: Thrill of the Forbidden! You know perfectly well that Inu has a low, low, low tolerance for alcohol.

Thrill of the Forbidden: But that's what makes it so funny.

Nightwalker: Yeah...it really does.

Jaken: Just end the chapter *voice muffled by the floor*

Thrill of the Forbidden: Ok well thanks for-

Kagome: WAIT!!! Tell me about this city!!!

Thrill of the Forbidden: Yeah, New Mirandia is my made up city, and before you ask, I'll describe it later along with every other thing that needs to be described. Did I answer your question?

Kagome: Yes. But-

Thrill of the Forbidden: Ok now that you got your question answered. *turns to look at audience* thanks for *Kagome tries to interrupt* THANKS FOR...*silence from Kagome who went off to mope* thanks for reading my fic. Please keep in mind that this is my first ever fanfic so please be gentle and no flames. Hope you like it and if there is something that you don't like please send Constructive Criticism (if you don't know what that means, look it up) so I can improve my writing. Also, I want to apologize in advance for any delays in updating, I don't have a lot of time to write and my muse has been known to have a rebellious streak. Please send reviews and remember...NO FLAMES!!! ...please?