"Don't laugh at me,

Don't call me names,

Don't get your pleasure from my pain.

In God's eyes, we're all the same.

Someday we'll all have perfect wings.

Don't laugh at me."

- "Don't Laugh At Me" by Mark Wills

Chapter One: The Start

"Stop!" a ten year old girl with raven blue-black hair and brown sugary eyes yelled. Tears streamed down her face. She held her arms out bravely, taking any hits from her mother she could muster, her twin sister crouching behind her.

"Stop mommy! Stop!" the young girl, who's name was Kagome, kept screaming in an attempt to stop her mother. She sobbed loudly and the mother just angrily threw items about. She was just told her husband had commited suicide and was taking out her frustration on her daughters. Kagome was brave enough to take the hits her mother caused to defend her sister, Kikyo. Kikyo cried madly, hutched in a corner with her knees to her chin.

"Mommy!" Kagome kept screaming, sobbing uncontrollably. The mother, Mrs. Higurashi, was crying as well, her face red and swollen with anger.

"Why? Why?" Mrs. Higurashi screamed over and over, her eyes beet red. "Shut up!" she constantly yelled at Kagome. She slapped her daughter's face as much as she wanted, her hands trembling with anger and fear. "Your fault! If I never had you, he would've never..." her voice trailed off. Mrs. Higurashi collapsed to the floor, exhausted of her tantrum. Kagome trembled visibly and crouched to her knees next to her sister.

Kikyo turned her gray-brown eyes on her mother sobbing silently on the floor.

Kagome was the second to be born. Kagome knew her parents hadn't expected her to be born, they were sure it was only one child, the doctor's confirmed. But somehow she was born anyway. A twin. Her mother had been worried about the money and support but decided to deal with two daughters anyway.

"Another one, hm?" Mr. Higurashi said with full delight. He was very excited and loved his two daughters with all his heart. Mrs. Higurashi seemed to only have half a heart. That side was for Kikyo.

"Let's call her... Kagome." Mr. Higurashi grinned at his new daughter who smiled up at him with a toothless grin. The mother nodded nervously at her husband and cradled the two children in her arms. "Hadn't expected her, huh?" he continued, "Must've been a miracle." he beamed brightly and the mother just stared down at her 'miracle'. She was scared about the money. How could they support two daughters?

And now, Mrs. Higurashi blamed Kagome for her husband's death due to all the extra stress after Kagome was born.

The house grew silent. Everyone cried with silent tears.

Kikyo continued to stare at her mother's still figure. She had never seen her mother so heartbroken. It made her feel sad and mad for her own mother, the lady who loved her so.

"M-mommy?" Kikyo whispered and crawled over to her mother. Kagome didn't protest, and stayed in her corner.

"T's ok darling. Mother needs rest." her mother rasped and turned her firey eyes towards Kagome, sending her glare Kagome couldn't see because her face was crushed between her knees. "If you weren't born, ya little runt! We wouldn't have so much stress! He would still be here!" the mother screamed one last time before passing out on the floor. Her face swolen and red. Kagome shook lightly and kept her hair down.

That is exactly what Kikyo was raised to believe.

The death of her father's was Kagome's fault.

"Kagome wake up!" Kikyo yelled, still in her pjs, a white tang top and hello kitty fluffy pants. She banged on Kagome's wooden door roughly. It was 6:30 a.m. and they started their new high school today, Shikon High.

Kagome woke up with a gasp, sweat and tears streaming down her face. She had another nightmare. It was the memory of the day her father died. She had nightmares every night, unless she was lucky and had no dream at all.

"Your alarm has been ringing since six!" Kikyo yawned lightly and skipped back to her room to get dressed. Kagome stared at her door as she heard her sister's footsteps fade. She stifled a yawn and slowly lifted herself from her bed. She walked over to her closet and picked out some clothes for her new school day.

Kagome picked out a long sleeved green shirt and black jeans. After picking out some underwear, she walked over to her bathroom in her room to take a shower, timing her minutes so that she wouldn't be late.

She entered the warm shower and let the water trickle over her body like rain would on a warm spring day. She closed her eyes to brace herself, then re-opened them to examine her brusies and scars that were scarred over her body. She didn't like looking at her body due to all of the ugly scars of abuse she recieved from her mother. She knew she couldn't ever wear skirts or dresses, short sleeves and so on unless they cleared up, which was not likely since she was bound to get more.

Kagome sighed sadly. 'Great. Pick on her because's she's a weird, quiet freshman.' Kagome thought about what everyone would say. She would be bullied again because of her strange acts and hated the thought of it. Kagome didn't like talking to anyone in school, mostly because she wasn't allowed to make friends and it was just better to be alone. 'Just like middle school...' she thought sadly.

Kagome turned off the water and let her wet hair drip over her shoulders. A cool breeze passed by her, making Kagome shiver slightly. She stepped out and wrapped her dry towel around her, soaking up the wet water on her body.

She exited her bathroom and looked across the room to her drawers where a picture of her dad was.

'Hey dad. I start a new high school today.' Kagome thought sadly as she walked towards his photo. She gently stroked the picture frame with her thumb. She smiled at the memory of her father. She loved him with all her heart. She knew her mother repeatedly said it was her fault her father commited suicide, but she knew he loved her just as much as she did him. He would take her and play piano with her, his big hands running across the keys delicately as she watched him with eyes of interest. That was why she loved the piano. It had a soft tone, the melody could make her cry.

She blinked to wipe away small droplets of tears in her eyes and turned away from her father's picture. She quickly got dressed and slipped on her black converse.

A fourteen year old with no freedom, no friends and no love. Why didn't she commit suicide? And although she questioned it to herself, she kept reminding herself that she wanted to be strong. Stronger than her father. Stronger for the both of them. She wanted to prove her mother wrong and someday walk away with a taunting smile her mother would gape at. But after four years of terrible abuse, her strength seemed to be weakening.

Kagome looked in her mirror to see how she looked for the day. Casual as usual. Her mother didn't buy her clothes of high fashion like she did for Kikyo. In fact, her mother rarely bought her clothes at all. Kagome worked part time as a waitress to make money for herself and buy her own things. Other than that, Kagome never left her boring, plain room. With it's brown walls and wooden floors. One closet, a small bed, but big enough for two people, a bookshelf for her books, a dresser with a small mirror above it, and her grand piano her father owned. She managed to convince her mother to keep it. Compared to Kikyo's room, Kagome's room was just empty space and air.

She grabbed her black bookbag she used as her school bag. She had another yellow bag which was much bigger, but only used it on special occasions, like when she were to visit her grandmother Kaede, who she loved very much.

She brushed her hair in to a ponytail that bounced cutely with her movements and exited her bedroom.

"'Bout time! Listen, I'm feeling generous today. How about I drive you?" Kikyo smirked as she saw Kagome walk out of her bedroom. Kikyo sometimes felt pity for her sister, but otherwise, treated her not too kindly. Kagome didn't despise Kikyo, but she didn't particularly like her too much either. Kikyo was, afterall, raised to hate Kagome.

Kagome looked soundlessly over at Kikyo, and shrugged emotionlessly. Kagome was good at hiding her emotions.

"Tch. Y'know it's really annoying when I don't get a reply." Kikyo scoffed angrily and skipped down the steps like the 'princess' she was.

Oh, that was another thing.

Kagome didn't speak.

She could if she wanted to, but she stopped talking last year at the age 13 because all her screams and cries were distant, and no one seemed to care if she talked anyway. So she simply stopped. She was so used to not talking, her voice was probably hoarse and rough. No matter what, due to her broken heart, she never spoke.

Kagome followed Kikyo silently to downstairs, quietly observing her sister. She wore a red v-neck shirt and light blue jeans with black high heels. She let her hair down loose as usual.

"Goodmorning Kikyo! Toast is on the table for you!" Mrs. Higurashi smiled brightly at her daughter and glared when Kagome passed by. "Yeah, I left a small piece for you too." she grumbled and went to sit at the table were Kikyo was picking up her toast. Kikyo stared at Kagome sympatheticly, and Kagome just looked away. She didn't need her pity.

Once Kikyo finished, and Kagome ate the small piece her mother left, they both headed towards the bright white car Kikyo had gotten for her fourteenth birthday. Kikyo had a permit to drive with an adult who knew how to drive in the car, not her lisense. But still drove anyway. Kagome didn't really care.

"Uh... Kagome? Couldn't you have... uh prettied up?" Kikyo mumbled through the silence that hung around. Kagome stared outside the window and shrugged.

'That's not even a word.' she thought in her head. 'The minute we get to school, she'll act like a total stranger to me. Why do I care? Oh wait, I don't.' Kagome flicked at her fingernails and avoided any eye contact between her and Kikyo.

"Geez Kagome. I was just trying to be nice." Kikyo grumbled once they pulled in to the school's parking lot. Kagome got out of the car quickly and sped to the school before Kikyo could run her mouth any longer.

'What class do I have? Oh, English...' Kagome thought in her head to herself. She stared around the hallways full of crowded teenagers and tried to shuffle past the groups, looking for room 312. Kagome prayed nobody spoke to her.

"Oh, where the heck is room 312?" a girl with long brown hair tied into a ponytail grumbled rather loudly. She wore a pink tangtop with kahki pants and white sneakers. Kagome observed the girl and her movements and decided it was best to follow the girl, seeing as how they were both lost and Kagome didn't talk to anyone. Hopefully this girl would ask for directions. She sneakily made her way behind the girl and started following her path.

Kagome was just inches behind the girl when she abruptly swung around and saw Kagome standing there with a bored look. The girl with brown hair looked down the the blue paper in the girl's hand.

"Ah! You have the same schedule as me!" The girl beamed and stuck out her hand to shake. "I'm Sango, are you looking for room 312 as well?" she asked in a polite tone. Kagome shook her hand gently and nodded. So much for going unnoticed.

"Sango!" a voice from down the hall screamed. The halls were beginning to become empty due to all the kids leaving off to their classes.

"Miroku!" The girl screamed back in a 'thank goodness!' tone of voice. Kagome observed as the girl ran up to a teen boy with dark hair tied in to a small pony tail. Kagome wouldn't even call it a pony tail, it was too short for that. More like a stand of hair tied around the back.

"We're looking for room 312. Where is it?" she yelled in a rush and Miroku glanced over at Kagome. She quietly stared to the floor, avoiding eye contact.

"Well, well. Who's your friend?" Miroku chuckled and grinned sexily. Kagome's cheeks flared up at the thought of her getting hit on. Sango punched his arm angrily.

"Miroku! You pervert. Just tell us before the bell rings!" Sango asked in her most pleading tone. She cupped her hands together for good measure.

"Ok, ok. Down the hall, to your right." he pointed down the hall with his finger, unable to ignore her plead. "Do I get a reward?" he grinned cheesily and in one swift movement, groped her butt. Her face seemed to glow red but Kagome couldn't tell if it was out of embarrassment or anger. She slapped him across the face, leaving a sting in the silenced air.

"C'mon." Sango said in a rush and grabbed Kagome by her wrist. They both ran down the hall. Kagome smiled a little. The whole scene was pretty funny.

"Glad you two could come. With seconds to spare." the teacher, a cheery fellow with a round stomach figure smiled at the young two ladies who seemed to be catching their breath. He invited them in and they both chose seats in the back of the classroom. Kagome was by the window, the perfect view for day dreaming. Sango sat right in front of her. Hopefully talking to Kagome was only a one time thing because they were both lost.

"Now class, since this is english..." the teacher began. He had written his name on the board. 'Myoga' it said.

"That was a pretty stupid scene out there. Sorry you had to witness it." Sango whispered as she turned around to face Kagome. Looks like this girl would keep on talking to Kagome, which was surprising. She wasn't one to catch attention from others. Kagome stared up at the teacher to make sure he wasn't looking, then gave Sango a smile. In all truth, Kagome hadn't really minded.

"Don't talk much do you?" Sango asked in a quiet tone. She intertwined her fingers and glanced around to make sure she wasn't drawing attention to them.

Kagome shook her head, her smile fading.

Sango frowned. "Could I at least know your name?" she asked politely. Her fingers drummed against the chair she sat in. Kagome silently stared at the floor embarrassingly. She obviously couldn't say, and this girl would think odd of her.

"Higurashi, Kagome?" Myoga called out, staring at his clipboard, then looked up at the class. Kagome raised her hand and from the corner of her eye she could see Sango grin. All eyes were on Kagome, and she felt very uncomfortable over their gazes. Soon enough they looked away to see the next student being called. Kagome let out a breath of relief.

"Kagome, hmm? Nice name." Sango smiled sweetly and Kagome just nodded. Now Kagome thought of this girl strange. Normally, people would stop talking to her by now. "Well, it's nice to meet you Kagome. I'm a freshman here too, although I have two friends that come here. Miroku and Inuyasha. You've already met Miroku, he's a pig right? But don't worry, I wouldn't ever let him touch you. You should meet Inuyasha! He's a little on the rough edges, but he's pretty cool once you get to know him."

Kagome nodded slowly, catching every word this girl said. Why was this girl talking to her? Kagome wasn't actually making a friend, was she?

"This is Kagome. She doesn't talk much." Sango said, smiling apologetically at Kagome, saying she was sorry for telling her friends that she didn't talk. Kagome didn't mind. She rather others are told about her than finding out themselves.

She stood in front of Sango's two friends. Miroku and Inuyasha. Inuyasha was a handsome teen but looked a little bit odd. He had long white hair and cute dog ears at the top of his head. He had fangs and long nails. No not nails- claws.

"Hey, I'm Inuyasha." the boy said gruffly, shifting in his seat. He tried not to stare at the girl much, but it was obvious he was observing her.

"I'm Miroku." the boy next to Inuyasha grinned. Kagome bowed shyly as her way of saying hello.

They all sat at a table near the far end of the cafeteria. Apparently, the cafeteria was so big it was big enough to hold everyone for the same lunch period. Sango dragged Kagome along with her in order to meet her friends.

Kagome sat in front of Inuyasha, and Sango sat beside her in front of Miroku. As they all engaged in a conversation, Kagome observed Inuyasha. 'Why does he look like that?' Kagome thought to herself.

Inuyasha seemed to turn his gaze on the new girl as well, and once they locked eyes, Inuyasha blurted out, "Watcha starin' at wench?"

Kagome's face twisted in to a scowl Inuyasha smirked at. Sango turned to her new friend to see what the problem was, and glared at Inuyasha.

"What the hell, Inuyasha? Be nice!" she grumbled in a low dangerous tone. Inuyasha glared right back at her, and then sighed, looking away from the whole group.

"She was the one gawking at me." he growled out and Kagome shivered at the sound of his growls.

"She probably doesn't know you're a half demon. You are an odd sight to look at." Sango commented dryly and Inuyasha glared at her.

Kagome shook her head roughly to catch all of their attention. She blushed at their stares and took out a paper and pen.

'Wait. Half demon?' she wrote confusedly, the pen shaking in her hands. Inuyasha smirked at her question and Sango turned to Kagome to explain.

"Yes. Half demon. Didn't you know demons, humans, and the mixture of hanyous go to this school?" Sango asked, patting Kagome's hand. Kagome cocked her head like a confused puppy, and then shook her head no. "Well, yes. Demons exist." Sango laughed shyly and turned back to Inuyasha. "There's your proof."

"Got a problem with me wench?" Inuyasha grumbled at Kagome who shook her head quickly. She wrote on the paper once more.

'No problem. I think it's good. It's pretty cool... I just didn't know is all.'

All nodded at her writing, and continue on with their conversation. This was a lot for Kagome to take in.

Why was Kagome sitting with these people? And demons? What was the deal with that? She actually didn't seem to mind about the demons even though she didn't know they existed in this time period. She was surprised. But more surprised at the fact that she was sitting with people. Talking with people. And they didn't care she didn't actually talk.

This was the start of something new.