Heartbeats by Rikayu

Beginning

Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim any right or responsibilities for the characters used in this story.  All rights are reserved for the respective creator of Inuyasha, Rumiko Takahashi. 

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Heartbeats 

By Rikayu

Chapter One: Beginning

"Kagome?"

"I'm okay, don't worry."

"You always say that..."

Kagome watched her little brother lay back against the chair next to her bed that he'd determinedly kept himself seated in for the past four hours. He wasn't so little anymore though. He was taller than her in his all 20-year-old glory, but despite his growth into adulthood, Souta was still the same always curious and somewhat annoying boy he always was... And extremely worrisome, especially over his big sister.

When Kagome had opted to move out of the Higurashi household, he'd made a plan to later move close to her, or with her, after high school, if she'd allow it. About a month after his graduation, the boy'd settled himself in his sister's condo not far from the university he planned to attend. The same one where Kagome had started teaching a class on Japanese history.

He tried his best to take care of her and for that, she was grateful. The boy would, on top of his college workload, make sure that his older sister was eating properly and getting enough sleep. But sometimes, she'd stubbornly lock herself in her room with the lights on all night or sprawl on the living room floor with stacks of papers creating a kind of miniature city around her. She was a workaholic and now, she was dealing with the consequences.

"Hey," Kagome said as she affectionately brushed her hand on Souta's cheek. "Cheer up now, would you?" She ruffled his brown tuft of hair and gave a small snicker, "You're such a worry-wort."

The boy let out a laugh and brushed his sister's hand away. "Hey! You're the one who's always causing trouble!"

A curt knock interrupted and the door to Kagome's room slowly opened. Kagome paid in no heed but watched as Souta's eyes widened with confusion. "Hey, what is it?" she asked then turned to look at the doorway only to have her heart do a back-flip as her eyes ran over silver hair she thought never in a million years, she'd ever see again.

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A/N: I've been procrastinating on my other fanfics :P.

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