Vignetted Perception by Synyster Star

They Don't See the Angel Living in Your Heart...

Have you ever made the analogy that trust is like paper, once it's crumpled it can't be perfect again? It's the same as the phrases such as eyes are like mirrors to your soul, and photographs captures the person's soul. It makes it forever. A moment in time caught by a fleeting second, and the snapping of the shutter, freezing the moment on the lens. I had taken a picture not too long ago of an old woman. Although her face was worn, her mouth framed by laugh lines, and the hardships of her life displayed on her hands; she was beautiful. She was awe-inspiring. She taught me many things in life. For example, no matter how much you hurt or how much you work something can always bring you down. Those moments can swallow you whole, but she said to me: "Listen Kagome, you will have those moments where you seem as though the world is against you. All, you have to do is pick yourself back up. Live your life to the fullest, and let no one judge you. I may have made many mistakes in my life, but I do not regret any of them. I am happy, and you should be happy too."

This old woman held the wisdom of a thousand years in her six decades of life. She gave me so many life lessons, and she opened me up and showed me I didn't have to hurt anymore. Just because two people can betray you, there are 10 more people behind you that will love you and cherish you. The stories behind those age lines were all the more heart breaking. If I could spend the next 10,000 words telling her tale, you wouldn't believe me.

Her name was Kaede, and she died two months later in her sleep. She was one of the most pivotal moments in my career, and even though I only spent a few days with her, she was one of my most trusted friends, and I wish I could've had more time with her. R.I.P my dear friend, you will be forever loved and forever missed. This project dedicated to you, and the many that inspire me by their beauty. I hope we can change the world with your beautiful soul.

Kagome wiped the tears away. It still hurt learning about the death of her old friend. She had found out about Kaede's passing when her grand-daughter, Rin, had called to inform Kagome of her death. Despite her sadness, she was happy the old woman no longer suffered. Shuffling through the portraits, Kagome pulled Kaede's best shot. The aged soul smiled happily at the camera; the cane sitting between her legs held no clue to the pain she was going through. But her eyes, her eyes told the world she was ready to go.

Sucking in a deep breath, Kagome stood, holding onto the chair for support. Setting Kaede's photo onto the desk, she saved her work and shut off her computer. She had a meeting to attend, the damn agent had called her early in the morning to remind her of the meeting with his client, Sesshomaru. The scarred woman could only imagine his appearance. His name in itself could send chills down anyone's spine. "Killing perfection," that was what his name meant. The parents of that man must've had a sick sense of humor, but her imagination was getting the best of her. She tamed it the best she could.

Kagome dressed in a simple dress, fixing her hair to cover the worst of her scars. She touched her face to feel the trenches and puckered roots that marred the left side of her face. It still hurt looking into the mirror. She may put on the strong front, but Kagome was still abhorred by her appearance. If she never had the pictures of herself before the accident, she would've forgotten. Sometimes, she would picture her impaired face to be whole once again. Then, the sickening guilt in her stomach started to bubble within her gut. She hated hypocrites, but it was easier to love others for their imperfections than it was to love herself.

She tried to remember Kaede's wise words, the hard work she was putting into her photography project was everything. Perhaps her motives held an underlying selfishness. If Kagome could make other people see past her scars, and see the beauty beneath then... then maybe so could she.

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She felt like she was drowning in amber pools. He was absolutely stunning. Sesshomaru Taisho was beautiful. He was perfectly sculpted in everyway, but the thick perfume of vanity clung to the air around him. His shorter, more alive agent looked all too pleased with himself. Miroku Yamamoto looked just as she pictured him to be. Short, dark hair was pulled into a tiny pony-tail, large, violet eyes that were hinted with mischief. He was lean, but looked as though he ran five miles every day. Still, Sesshomaru was beyond any photographer's wildest dreams. But the uncanny likeness to her ex made her heart lurch.

If she was still working for Gumo Studios, all the photographers would've killed to be in her position. Miroku looked very pleased with himself; the anticipation of her answer was apparent on his face."Well, Ms. Higurashi?"

"No." It was a flat and simple answer. She knew she was taking a huge risk in saying no to the fine specimen before her, but he had nothing to offer for her project.

"Excuse me?" The doe-eyed look Miroku gave her was almost comical.

"I can't photograph him; he's too pretty."

Those cold, amber eyes narrowed at her. He was confused. It was the first expression she saw on his face. He was shocked that she was turning him down.

"I'm pretty sure you can do something with him," Miroku pleaded.

"I said no," Kagome snapped.

"Please, just give him a chance. I'm sure he can fit into any setting you put him in."

"He's not ugly enough," the photographer smirked.

"Wait, you're telling me my model is too pretty?" Miroku asked, completely flabberghasted.

"That's exactly what I'm saying. His looks are too perfect, like they were surgically made. I don't want him. The project I am working with is inner beauty, and he has none. He is not worthy." Kagome stood, smoothing out the skirt of her dress.

"Hn, she is not worth my time."

Kagome stopped and looked over her shoulder at the ice prince sitting next to the frantic agent. She was not worthy of his time? Well, excuse the fuck out of her."I can assure you, Mr. Taisho, that you are not worthy of mine."

"The pure hilarity of it all is you are looking for inner beauty, and yet you have none. You are as ugly on the inside, as you are on the outside. You do not have the balls to photograph me."

Kagome's cheeks flushed red; she furrowed her eyebrows in anger. How dare he?

"Come by my studio, tomorrow, noon. I'll see what I can do." Kagome huffed and stormed off.

She would show him.

Word Count: 1193

Prompt: Trust is like paper, once it's crumpled it can't be perfect again

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A/N: I would like to thank Smo for the brief grammar fixings I needed done. Also if you want the true effect of this fic please listen to the This is Gonna Hurt soundtrack by Sixx:A.M. This chapter is best represented by the song Skin off the said soundtrack.