What Goes Around
*I will only post the summary and disclaimer one time. However, there might be a note from time to time, but only at the beginning of a chapter. Do make sure to read any notes posted as they are only done so if there is something that readers need to be made aware of, which I believe is a bit important.*
SUMMARY: AU. This is a two-story tale that starts off with Kagome's first year of high school. In this story she and her brother have been home schooled almost all their lives. In an attempt to enter society without being a complete castaway because of her hermitic-like beginnings in life, Kagome makes a daring move and puts herself into a situation that takes her from everything she has ever known. She will learn many things about her host family and basic society rules of the privileged teenagers she is now surrounded by.
Things are never what they seem and finding the reason behind that truth will lead Kagome to a revelation that will rock the very foundation of everything she was taught up until that point.
**As far as the 'romantic' side of things goes, this will start out as an I/K story and move through several relationships, both long and short, but it will eventually lead to the S/K ending that we will have. Not that said ending will be perfect, and I can't promise that it will be entirely happy, but it will be more realistic than some readers might want to know. I will try to keep this as In-Character as possible, but I have based this story around several people that I know and their life situations, so there will be some personality changes imposed on our poor characters from time to time, but nothing too dramatic … I think.
Authors licensing and all that - please be kind.**
DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the original characters in this story. They are property of Rumiko Takahashi and her chosen associates, of which I am not one. I write for the sheer exercise of it.
Enjoy!
Chapter 1
Kagome hummed quietly to herself while checking the food on the stove before setting everything to it's lowest setting to keep warm. The coffee maker quietly rumbled as it brewed a gentle morning concoction. She turned to the window and watched as false dawn began to disappear.
Turning quickly to pour herself a cup of the bitter liquid, Kagome made her coffee and walked out to the shrine steps. Her gait was slow and calm, a peace settling around her as it always did in the morning. Today was Monday and so would soon be the day of the week that she had to rise and ready herself for school. Granted it was summer, school a few weeks away still, but she couldn't help but feel the little butterflies of anticipation when she thought about such things.
Her eyes drifted over the rooftops and watched beyond the mountains for true dawn. She had been watching the sun rise every morning for a few years now, having taken to the habit just after the demise of her once-estranged father. He had been a good man and his influence was still strong with her; dawn had been his favorite time of day.
Kagome thought over her coming day, the chores she would need to complete still around the shrine, and the schoolwork that needed finishing for the day. Though it was summer, she still had assignments to turn in to her mother. Just after Kagome's first year in public schooling, her mother had decided that she would be taught at home. It was almost unheard of in Japan at the time, but her mother had made it work with no small amount of effort. And so her schooling was made year-round, though her mother had ensured that both of her children would have weekends as they would have had if they were within the public school system.
Kagome didn't understand all of the reasoning for her mother's decision to teach her and her brother outside of it, but she did know that her mother detested the public system with a fierce passion. She supposed it didn't matter. She was ahead of most her age since she was given the ability to learn at her own rate. But even with the advantages, Kagome was hoping to change her situation…and soon. While the advantages to home education were many, so were the disadvantages. One of them was the social awkwardness she carried with her.
While she had a few friends from childhood, none so many were close to her and none really knew her. They were more like play date friends. Having long grown out of the age for such things to be arranged, Kagome yearned for the social interaction that a public, or even private, school setting would have to offer.
The world was a dangerous and frightening place. In a way she had understood her mother's need to protect her children, but at the same time the protection would be detrimental at best. Her mother was setting her and her younger brother up for failure. She was teaching them to survive, but not to live. Oh she knew her mother meant no harm and was doing the best she could with what she had. In fact, her mother was one of the strongest people she knew. But all in all, she was almost angry at her for the actions she had taken so early on in her life that had bled over into her children's lives.
With a sigh, she realized that the sunrise reflected much of her inner feelings. There were many colors, beautiful and frighteningly clear, but completely jumbled upon one another in a mixed up myriad of…something she couldn't quite name. It was disconcerting, but all in all she didn't mind. She was a being prone to emotions and she knew that no matter how deep or how strong her emotions were, even she would never be able to fully understand them.
It was with that last thought that Kagome stood from her morning ritual and returned to the breakfast that would soon wake the household from their nightly slumber. She had never slept much, not needing as much rest as most of her other family members, and so had taken to the task of breakfast with her early rising, and cleaning up at the end of the day when she couldn't sleep…which was quite often if she were to be honest.
+_+
The morning had been a success. With all of her studies completed, along with several for the next two weeks, Kagome was free to do as she pleased. For that reason alone, Kagome was lounging in her room and browsing around online for something interesting to do with her time. Unfortunately, she often found herself with free time and had lost interest in the world wide web quite a while ago. She just couldn't find anything worth her time on there any longer.
"Kagome, bring the books from your father's study please. I need to balance the accounts for the shrine."
Thankful for the chore that would shove the boredom from her mind, Kagome stood and powered down the laptop that was doing nothing more than take up electricity.
Knowing her mother wouldn't be able to actually sit down and concentrate on the accounts as she needed to, Kagome immediately went to the study and began pouring over the accounts and ledgers. There were a few items yet to be added that she knew of, and though there were a few others her mother would have to add since she wasn't privy to them, Kagome thought she would help by at least balancing what was there. It would save her mother a bit of a headache in the end since Mrs. Higurashi wasn't so keen on staring at numbers for long periods of time. That had always been her father's forte, and Kagome figured she probably picked up the habit from him.
With a happy hum, Kagome gathered the corrected books and delivered them to her mother in the kitchen. The scents that wafted around her made her mouth water with anticipation; her mother was a fantastic cook!
"This smells excellent mom, what is it?"
She felt the wooden spoon smart across her knuckles and jumped before she even had a chance to get a tiny taste…not even a drop was on her finger. With a playful pout, Kagome turned and sat at the table to wait patiently for her mother to finish the lunch she was preparing.
"Kagome, will you please tell Souta to come down for lunch? It should be ready in about ten minutes and he'll take at least that long to pull his eyes from the game he's trying to play in lieu of studying"
Kagome chuckled at the all-knowing comment and went upstairs. Her brother always thought that he was so smart when he was trying to be sneaky, but he never could quite pull it off. He just wasn't one for deception.
"Souta…lunch"
Kagome waited for a reply for several seconds before knocking on the door.
"I'm coming in"
With that she opened the door a bit and peeked her head inside just in time to see her little brother shove his gameboy under his bed.
"You should find somewhere else to put that. Mom already knows that spot"
She watched with satisfaction as the little twerp jumped and turned a glare on her.
"What's the point in announcing that you're going to come in if you don't give someone the time to prepare for your entrance?"
Kagome crossed her arms and leaned against the wall just inside his room.
"That was your warning. It isn't my fault you're entirely too slow to actually be able to hide something as small as a gameboy."
Souta pinned her with a flat look.
"Half a second doesn't count as a warning. That's just a rude way of saying you wouldn't say anything at all if mom didn't make you"
She watched him sulk towards the stairs and decided to close the door for him.
"No, that's my way of telling you I'm coming in. If you were a girl, I wouldn't even bother saying anything."
Souta's confused look was a little amusing, but the delicious scent that had made it's way upstairs distracted her from any further comments. Instead, she shoved her brother in the shoulder to get him to move a little faster down the stairs so that she could quell her curiosity and feed her never-ending stomach. She was a tall girl with a small build, if not a little muscular from her various forms of martial arts and Shinto training, but she could eat as though tomorrow would never come.
The food was already dished and on the table, settings out for everyone except her grandfather, and for that Kagome was grateful. She wasn't sure she could hold out much longer…she was really hungry! As they sat down at the table, Kagome's mother began serving small portions to each of her children and then one to herself before settling in for a well-deserved lunch break.
When most of her food was gone, and her brother's plate long cleaned off, Kagome figured that lunch was almost over. Her stomach felt like it had dropped several degrees in temperature when she realized that now was really the only time her mother would be able to focus on a deep conversation. She was just to busy throughout the day otherwise.
Kagome cleared her throat to gain her mother's attention and noted with a small amount of dread that her mother was quite distracted. Something was bothering her, obviously, so maybe now wasn't the best time to bring this up. But she had to do it now or else she would miss her last deadline for this year.
Kagome closed her eyes in contemplation and decided that she could wait at least one more day. Time wouldn't run away too quickly and she could even do a little more research on the selection she had chosen. Better preparation would help convince her mother to agree after all.
With a small nod of satisfaction with her decision, Kagome stood and began clearing the lunch dishes and leftovers from the table so that her mother could relax for a few more minutes and enjoy a cup of tea.
"Souta, bring me your gameboy and then take your books to the study. You're three assignments behind already and I'll not let you continue this path of laziness"
The grumbling that could be heard as her little brother made his way to his room and back, and then back to his room and finally into the study, was funny to say the least. She had caught little snippets that sounded suspiciously like "unfair", "don't understand", and "slave driver". The last one made her laugh outright at his petulance. He was too cute!
"Mom, was I ever that difficult with schooling?"
Mrs. Higurashi's chuckle was filled with a humor that spoke of years of knowledge and memory.
"No, but you were a little difficult with playing. I never could get your nose out of one book or another. You were quite the student at his age and a good first student for me. I don't know that I would have been able to pull through such a thing if you had been as against it as he seems to be."
"Hmm"
Kagome sat with her mother and refilled their cups from a fresh hot pot of tea. After several moments of enjoying the peace and daydreaming about different places she hoped to go to in the next few weeks, Kagome made to stand up and return to her room for a bit more research. Her mother's words broke her reverie…and her resolve to remain quiet.
"Are you not going to tell me what is on your mind then?"
Kagome turned startled eyes to her mother. She had thought that she hadn't heard her earlier when she tried to gain her attention by clearing her throat. Or maybe she was just that transparent. That was a more likely thing than she cared to admit. Instead of lingering on the thought for too long, Kagome slowly sat back down and turned fully to her mother.
"Actually, there is something that I want to talk with you about. You seem a bit distracted though and I'll need your full attention. I didn't want to take you away from any of your duties if I could avoid it."
She watched her mother's face for any signs of thought, any emotion at all to give away what she was thinking. Instead her mother simply nodded her head with her eyes closed softly. She was certainly thinking something about what Kagome had just said, but for the life of her she couldn't figure out what it might be. Her mother gave no hints at all to her inner musings. When her mother opened her eyes and looked at her, she seemed a little distracted still. It was as if she were in another place at the same time that she was there having her conversation with her daughter.
"Well, I do have to balance the books today, but I'm sure you've already managed most of that for me…"
The knowing gleam in her mother's eyes made Kagome blush quite prettily. She really was transparent, wasn't she?
"…and I still have to finish the household chores, grade Souta's work if he ever finishes it, clean out the storeroom, and tidy up the front entrance for the end of summer events. But if you want to help me with those items, then I'm sure we can spend a little time talking now. There really isn't much left to do if we're both doing the work"
"Of course I'll help! You really shouldn't have to do it all on your own anyway"
The comment was made nonchalantly and with complete honesty, but she could swear she saw her mothers shoulders relax just a little bit. Had she really been so unhelpful? Maybe she should take on a few more chores for her mother. It would be temporary, she knew, but it would probably be something her mother needed. If nothing else she knew that her mother would appreciate it.
"Well then, how about you tell me whatever it is that's on your mind that has you so distracted"
Kagome blushed again and nodded.
"I want to go to school this year"
The words spilled from her lips in a rushed, though intelligible slur. She had thought long and hard about how she was going to present this to her mother, but that was not what she had come up with at all. Her mother really set her on edge…but maybe that was only because Kagome knew how much her mother disliked the public school system.
"Kagome, I don't think that's such a good idea"
Without giving her mother time to say more, Kagome interrupted the soon-to-be speech about all the things that were wrong with her idea. It was rude of her, she knew, but if she didn't speak first then she knew that her mother would never hear her out. This was not the first time she had tried this. Her attempts to attend a Junior High School were thwarted quite effectively by her mother in less than two minutes.
"Please let me tell you about this before you tell me why I shouldn't do it."
Her eyes were pleading with her mother to just hear her out, just let her tell her all of the wonderful and difficult things she had endured to try to get what she wanted. Other than her eyes though, her body sang of sheer confidence and poise. She was quite proud of her composure at that moment, especially when her mother nodded for her to speak and she didn't cheer like she so badly wanted to do.
"I understand everything you told me those years ago when I first asked you to let me join a public school. I spent three years considering those words and your opinion. After doing a lot of research and really considering my options, I think it would be a good decision for me to attend a High School for a couple of good reasons. First and foremost, I need the social interaction. I'm not worried about making friends or dating…or anything of that sort. Actually, I'm worried a little about my ability to live outside of the Shrine once I've graduated. I don't have the social skills of most people my age because let's face it…I haven't been around anyone but my family for years. Going to the park and the mall does not count. Second, there are programs that I could join that would be beneficial for my University applications. Not many scholarships are doled out to candidates with no social networking to speak of. Mom, the list goes on. There are literally dozens of reason why I should do this. I need to do this. Please let me do this."
Kagome sat with bated breath while her mother considered her response. She had carefully left out a couple not-so-small details for the time being. She didn't want her mother's decision swayed in any way; she had to make the decision free and clear of any influence other than cold, hard facts.
"You do have a point, I'll concede to that. But even if I did agree with you, it is too late in the year to take your entrance exams and apply to a good school. If you do ever return to school like this, I will not have you going to one that you were forced into merely because it was the only option available"
Kagome bowed her head, her shame a little more than pressing on her conscience.
"I already took the exams and applied to several schools. Three of them accepted. I'm to give my reply by Friday"
The silence was deafening. Kagome was terrified to look up and see the disappointment that she was certain her mother was feeling written all over her beautiful face. She was not left waiting long for her mother's verbal response though. "Did you now?"
The words were soft, barely more than a whisper, but Kagome did not look up because of that. No, it was the lack of conviction, the shear amount of true curiosity that she heard in that gently worded question that made her look up into the eyes of her mother. What she found there had shocked her to her core.
Resignation.
Curiosity.
Shock.
But most of all, approval.
Kagome smiled at her mother and left the table. She made her way upstairs to grab her small stack of letters and results and returned to the kitchen, her excitement building along with her confidence with each step she took.
She handed the information to her mother, the results of her exams being the last her mother would look at, and sat down to wait again in agitated anticipation. This was the deciding moment and it was eating her alive from the inside out!
"Fukushima High School, Nara High School, and Osaka High School. Kagome, these are very impressive. Your exam results are even more so, though I expected as much from you. But perhaps you could explain to me first why you chose schools so far from home and then maybe how you expect to get there. What exactly did you think would happen once you accepted these? We can't move. I can't leave the shrine. Even if I could, I haven't got the funds or schooling available to support such a thing. This is not possible"
Kagome felt her stomach turn with disappointment. This was exactly what she didn't want her mother to focus on.
"Well, Tokyo was booked almost a year ago with acceptances. I'm not surprised by that actually. I had applied anyhow, and their letter indicated that I could attend there next year if my grades were good through my first year at whichever high school I happened to attend, but they didn't have room for me this year. And I already knew that it was a possibility. I planned for something like this to happen…just in case…"
Her words tapered off as she saw the anger glint in her mother's eyes. This wasn't going at all like she had hoped.
"What exactly do you mean you 'planned for something like this'? What could you have possibly 'planned' that would change anything, Kagome? We live here. In Tokyo. Not in Nara, not in Fukushima, and not in Osaka. Tokyo. Those places aren't even close! I will not move."
"Mom-"
"No Kagome. I won't listen to another word"
"But mom, if you'd just-"
"NOT another word!"
Her mother rarely raised her voice. Kagome couldn't honestly remember the last time that she had done such. It frightened her in an all too primal way and had her standing before she could think any further. Her legs shook beneath her and her eyes filled with tears. She didn't want to cry and didn't feel that the situation truly warranted such a reaction, but she couldn't help it.
She turned and walked up to her room in silence, her tears slipping away before she could stop them. She would never know how much her mother slipped down into her chair or how she cradled her head in her hands and let her own tears fall.
Kagome spent the evening going through the motions of cleaning the front of the Shrine grounds and then tidying up the storeroom, paying special attention to the display cards of each item so that her mother and grandfather could easily find what they needed. She also made a list of the items that would need to be restocked before the summer events began so that they didn't run low on some of their more popular trinkets.
After that was finished, she made her way into the courtyard and took over the sweeping for her grandfather so that he could get some sleep. Already it was dark and the moon was full, turning to a bright white with it's new skin at the beginning of a new cycle. It was because of said moon that Kagome had no need of unnatural lighting to clean the stone steps around her.
When she completed the courtyard, she noted that the light above the kitchen entry door was on and the door was cracked just a tad so that she could enter for the evening. Deciding that it was best to call it quits for the night, Kagome returned the broom to the storeroom and went into the main house.
She noted that everyone was asleep, or at least in their rooms already. She had not wanted to talk any longer with her mother today about the school issue, but she still held out a small glimmer of hope that her mother would at least realize that she had more to say and ask her to finish her conversation. She felt deflated and altogether defeated.
This wasn't working the way she had wanted it to, but she didn't want to give up hope just yet. As she had tried to tell her mother, she had made plans for such a situation already that would not impact her mother in the least bit. Well, at least not apart from allowing her to go that is.
With a sigh Kagome moved through the house and tidied up all the things that she knew her mother had been aching to clean up but clearly did not have the time to do. Kagome didn't mind in the least that she was the one taking care of most of the items on her mother's to-do list from this afternoon. As a matter of fact, it had given her the time she needed from her thoughts and kept her from sinking into a dour mood. She never could think straight when she was upset, so she was grateful for the reprieve.
Once she was finished with the household chores, Kagome set the coffee pot to brew a fresh pot in the morning on automatic. If she was going to be able to get into one of the schools that she had been accepted into, then she needed to get working on her backup plan right away. Even though it pained her to go behind her mother's back like this, Kagome just couldn't give up. She wanted this more than anything else in her young life and needed it more than she wanted to.
This was going to happen. She was going to go to school. It would be this year and it would be all her own accomplishment. That would be her greatest gift to herself and a bit of a gift from her mother. She would thank her mother for forcing her hand one day, she just knew it!
Kagome spent the next few days carefully working through her plans. She was terrified and thrilled all at the same time when the letter she had been waiting on arrived on Wednesday morning. She had needed that letter more than anything before she could send out her response to one of the schools. That letter would determine which school she would go to…if she would even go at all.
With a trill of fear and anticipation running through her veins, Kagome hugged the letter to her chest and thanked every deity she could lay name to that her mother was out grocery shopping at that moment. She needed to do this on her own and determine her next steps before her mother was informed of any of her movements at all.
Kagome sat on her bed and shook with an unnamed emotion. She wasn't sure if she was excited, nervous, or about to puke. Perhaps it was a bit of all of that meshed together to create the trembling thing she had become at that moment.
She was careful to slip a finger under the lip of the envelope, not bothering to go to the study for the letter opener. But her frustration at the glue that held the envelope closed and kept the letter from her fingers was more than she could bare at that moment and she soon found herself ripping the envelope almost too forcefully. Thankfully though, the letter was not torn, only a little crinkled.
With ease and more care than she thought she could muster, Kagome laid out the letter on her desk and sat down to read.
"Miss Kagome Higurashi,
It is with great pleasure that we extend this letter of invitation to you. Your conditions as a resident student under our program will be discussed upon your arrival on 3 September 2001. Please accept our sincerest congratulations on your recent accomplishments and our warmest welcome. We look forward to assisting you in seeking to further your education within our great school. We are pleased to announce that we have found a donor family that is willing to take you into their home for the complete 4 year term of your education.
Your donor family has agreed to pay 100% of your transition and education fees as long as your grades reflect that of an above average student. Their information is attached, along with a personalized letter for your perusal. You will meet them and sign your release forms with them upon your arrival.
Attached you will find the itinerary for your first and second day here and also the tickets necessary for your arrival by train, as requested.
Please be well and return response to the contact information listed below.
Thank you and congratulations once again.
Senior Headmaster,
Tokogawa, Shiro"
Kagome's eyes watered as she gasped for air. It was happening, it was really, really happening! She did it! She found her own way! And these people, this donor family, HER donor family, was willing to pay…for everything!
She couldn't have asked for a better gift than this. She had thought that she would have had to get a job to pay for at least some of her tuition and supplies, but this… this was so much more than she had ever dared to hope for!
Kagome scrambled the papers out of her way to find the itinerary with a very nice photo of the school attached to it. Beneath that, she found a packet with several tickets that would take her to her new destination, a new life. And finally she came upon the letter.
With awe and gratitude that nearly choked tears from her eyes, Kagome moved to her bed and lay on her back before unfolding the letter and reading what was contained within; it was her first introduction to the new family she would be staying with.
"Miss Higurashi,
Though I know that it is not common practice, I wanted to send a letter with your award news so that you might be able to have a bit of information about my family before you arrive. My name is Taishou, Touga and I am married with two sons around the same age as you. My wife, Izayoi, has long wanted a daughter and as we were never blessed with one, she has taken in many girls under her tutelage. I am certain you will find her doting most pleasant, for it can be considered nothing less.
My two sons are Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha, ages 17 and 15 respectively. Both of them will be attending Osaka High School and will be there for you if you should need anything. I will say this though, boys are boys and do not expect them to be more than that. I am certain you will enjoy their company. They too were schooled at home, though only until they were finished with their elementary schooling. You will find much in common with them I am sure.
Last but not least, I would like to congratulate you on your accomplishments thus far. You are very brave to be undertaking such a task as education so far from all of those people that you know and love. I would like it to be known even before you arrive that should you feel the need to return to your home for any reason and at any given time, all you need do is say so and it shall be done.
Please feel free to return correspondence at the address below or call me. Your arrival is very much anticipated my dear. Be well and we will all meet soon.
Yours Sincerely,
Taishou, Touga"
Kagome smiled with wet eyes and a swell in her chest that she couldn't quite explain. He sounded so wonderful! She was eager to get there even more after reading the letter he had attached and she realized that she did not expect to be as excited as she was at that moment. She was nervous as all hell, that was certain, but her excitement was more.
With deft fingers, Kagome refolded the letter and got up to place it in her treasure box. It was one of the few trinkets she would be taking with her on this incredible journey. She looked down to the itinerary and stared at the schedule for a minute, not quite absorbing everything that it had to offer. But she did happen to notice something that made her heart pound furiously in her chest.
Kagome picked up the tickets and held them up for perusal, the itinerary still clutched gently in her other hand. Her train would leave at 5 am on the third. Kagome's eyes widened in shock…today was the first…she only had two days before her arrival!
Kagome closed her eyes and forced her breathing to even out, lest she pass out from a panic attack. This was all a bit sudden and she was finding air difficult to come by. But, she reminded herself, she did still have a day to pack and to let her mother down as gently as possible. Granted it wouldn't be as gentle as she had wanted since time was not on her side, but it could still be done. Her determination to see this through would allow for nothing less.
It was then that Kagome noticed another small problem that she hadn't quite anticipated. The letter on the back was a release form for her mother to sign. How was she going to get her to do that?!
Several hours after the mail had come and Kagome had received her incredible news, said girl was sitting on the shrine steps waiting for her mother to return from the hospital. Apparently her grandfather had run into a wasps nest and been stung. He was most unfortunately allergic to the little insects and not just a little old. He just couldn't fight off the poison the way he had when he was younger. It was one of these little things that she knew would one day take him away from them, but not today. She knew it wouldn't be today because, well, she just knew it. She could never explain why her instinct on such things were so adept, but they were and she would not question it.
Kagome let out the breath she hadn't known she was holding when she finally saw her mothers figure coming up the Shrine steps. More than anything Kagome had been worried that the woman would run into some sort of danger at this late hour of the night.
"Child, you know you shouldn't be out here this late"
Her mother's chiding was considerably downplayed by the laughter in her voice. Kagome smiled.
"I can't help worrying. Is grandpa okay?"
Mrs. Higurashi's nod was short but easily read. Grandfather was going to be fine, but he was not doing well at that moment. Aging could do that to a person though.
Kagome stood when her mother made it to her side and reached out for a hug. The quick embrace said many things, but more than anything it was their apologies. They were each sorry for the way their tempers had gotten out of hand yesterday and both were ready and willing to move forward. That was their way. With that, they made their way inside the house, each going directly for their rooms to let go of some of the stress from the day.
Kagome found it hard to sleep that night as she warred with herself for hours. Every bit of her soul begged her to know the words, the actions, the when, the where, the how… all of these stupid little details didn't just matter, they were everything. But no matter how hard she tried, Kagome just could not piece together the puzzle of telling her mother that she was moving out in barely more than twenty four hours. And then her doubts set in again.
She was 14 for crying out loud. Her birthday was only a mere two weeks away and she was, in effect, running away. What was she thinking? Why had she ever thought that this would work? What a disaster!
But she had to do this. She had known that it was going to be hard…had made her decision with this very scenario as a very real and the most likely outcome in mind. She could do this. She would do this! She just wished her mother would listen to her for five minutes.
The next morning found Kagome with all of her bags packed (the whopping two she was taking) and stored secretly in her room. Who knew she had so little to call her own? But all of that packing and planning had caused her to only sleep for a mere hour and a half. There were now bags under her eyes that looked like bruises.
Her morning ritual was done in quiet, almost zombie-like steps. Her state of mind at that moment was questionable at best. As she sipped on her bittersweet coffee, she f\reflected how much of a liquid lifeline it was just then. Her thoughts kept circling back to her mother and the upcoming discussion they would have. She knew that it was going to be a very heated one, but she held out hope that her mother would at least hear her out this time.
But, she mused, it could also be very cleansing, and open, and honest, and calm, and…who was she kidding? Her mother was going to skin her alive. Period. No question to it.
With a groan, Kagome went back inside to finish breakfast and wait for her impending doom. Her nerves were really starting to get to her.
Morning came and went with her mother in her usual flurry. The act was expected and Kagome had planned to have her nice little heart to heart let down with her mother after lunch. But when two o'clock rolled around and her mother still hadn't returned from the market, Kagome began to worry.
She fretted over her clothes, her nails, her hair, and then took her nerves out on the shrine and the main house. When her mother finally came through the door at almost seven that night, she found a house that sparkled in a way that it hadn't in many years. And when Kagome spied her, she took note of the much too tired appearance of her mother.
"Oh Kagome, bless you! What would I ever do without you here to help me?"
Her sincere gratitude hurt like no other. Guilt kicked her in the gut like the hooves of a powerful mule.
"Hi mom, is everything alright?"
Her mother looked surprised for a mother, but that quickly turned to a look of apology and light regret.
"I'm so sorry baby! I forgot to tell you that I'd be out all day. I had to meet with the school regarding you and your brothers new grade assignments"
Kagome felt everything inside her drop into a bottomless pit until she wanted to puke. On the same note she wanted to dance in circles because she had just been given the perfect opening for her dilemma.
"Actually mom, I need to talk with you about that…"
Her mothers eyes turned on her with a quiet fury that held her feet pinned to the floor and her tongue tied in knots that she just couldn't seem to undo.
"We'll not be discussing those schools again"
It was a tone that brooked no argument, but Kagome had no choice. Instead, she steeled her resolve and straightened her back.
"I have it all worked out-"
"Not. Another. Word"
Each word punctuated with the short and firm anger in her mothers eyes should have shut her up, but she couldn't go without trying to get through to her. She was leaving in less than twelve hours.
"Why won't you-"
"ENOUGH!"
Her mother never raised her voice at her like that.
"But mom-"
"Your room. Now!"
Kagome's eyes widened as she took in her mothers shaking form. Her anger was palpable. There was no helping it though. She had tried. There wasn't more she could do…she didn't have the luxury of time.
"I'm sorry mom"
Kagome took a deep breath and walked calmly to her room. She knew her mother wouldn't understand her apology for what it was at that moment, but it was enough that she had said it because was sorry.
As she laid on her bed, secure in the knowledge that she would at least be rested by three thirty in the morning, Kagome had only one thought.
I tried
Mrs. Higurashi rose early the next morning in hopes of having at least a few extra minutes with her daughter. She didn't want her to give up on this, this year just wasn't possible. If they planned this properly, then Kagome could attend Tokyo High School next year. It would be a set-back in her daughters plans, she knew, but it was the only solution that the older woman could come up with that would appease them both.
She stared at the dark kitchen and then turned to see the time on her large wall-mount clock. Six thirty. Kagome had never slept in before. Perhaps she had been a bit too harsh these past few days.
Mrs. Higurashi sighed and walked upstairs and into her daughters room. When she sat on the bed and found it empty, her heart dropped.
Rushing to the light switch by the door, Mrs. Higurashi flicked on the switch and took a steadying breath. Her fears were met with an empty room bereft of most of her daughters belongings. She did notice, however, that there was a letter lying not-so-innocently on the bed where her daughters head should have been.
As she sat and read the confession, Mrs. Higurashi couldn't help the tears that fell from her eyes or the regret that filled her heart.
"Mom,
Please don't be angry at me for too long. I tried so very hard to tell you about this. I wasn't only accepted at those schools, I was also accepted into a program that covers my full tuition and living expenses for the next four years.
I know that this is hard for you, and I understand that you're scared right now. What you have done for Souta and me is nothing short of incredible; I couldn't ask for a better mother.
But mom, you had to know that things had to change some day. I'm sorry if I forced this on you before you were ready, but I need this. More than anything right now, I need to learn who I am and how to make mistakes.
I have to take my future into my own hands and learn how to shape it the way that I want it to be. I know that you can understand that more than most. For better or worse, this is the path that I have chosen. But more than anything, I just don't want to fight with you mom.
I love you. As a mother and as a person, I love you so much!
I know that you need to know where I will be and who I will be around. And I'm sure that you will meet everyone in my life soon. Please call me when you're ready to talk about these things.
Your daughter forever,
Kagome"
There was no small amount of anger flowing though her just then, but Mrs. Higurashi was nothing if not honest. She was more proud of her daughter for her decision, her courage, and her follow-through than anything. She would call her, but first she would get a cup of coffee and straighten her thoughts just a bit.
Kagome stared out the small glass window and watched as her breath created patterns on the pane that muted the scenery just beyond her reach.
Japan was beautiful in her early morning bath of light, but the mountains were downright majestic. The earth practically hummed with power in those predawn and early morning hours.
Kagome loved every minute of it.
She took her eyes away from the world and looked down at the small cell phone in her hands. The clock read seven am. Her mother was definitely up and would have found her letter by now, if not then fairly soon she was sure.
Kagome blinked when the screen flashed, her home number blinking before her eyes. With a deep breath to steady her pounding heart, she answered.
"Morning mom"
"Kagome"
Her name, the way her mother said it, said so many things all at once and Kagome had to close her eyes to keep from crying.
"Oh mom…I tried to tell you"
"Kagome listen to me. I am angry…but I'm very proud of you"
"What?!"
Kagome's eyes opened with her pure shock and she felt her lips tilt up ever so slowly as she listened to her mother talk.
"I should have listened. You deserve to be heard and I didn't do that for you. I'm sorry. And I want you to know that you will be visiting me on holidays…I won't bend on that!"
"I'm sorry too. I just need to take this chance, to be me, and to learn what that really means. I love you so much mom!"
Her tears threatened to swallow her alive. Thanks the gods she had her own room on this train. She wasn't sure she could handle others seeing her tears.
"How long is your ride dear?"
"Oh, um, I'll get there tomorrow morning around six am. I'm going to Osaka. Do you want me to call when I get there?"
Her mothers soft laughter was filled with tears and broke the dam that had kept her own at bay.
"What a silly question. Of course I want you to call me…the moment you step off that train! No matter how big you get or how far away from me you move, I will always need to know that you are safe and well. You are still my baby girl after all"
"Always"
"I love you Kagome. Be strong and call me often. And send me lots of photos of your new home and all of your new friends. Now you settle back for your trip and enjoy the journey. It's the best part."
"Thank you mom. I love you too!"
The call ended and Kagome sat back against her plush seat with a sigh, fresh tears running down her tanned cheeks, only this time these tears were filled with relief. So much stress and doubt had been washed away with the few well placed words her mother had offered.
Chapter 1 pre-summary: Kagome meets her new school officials, tours the school grounds, and meets the family that she'll be living with for the next four years. She will notice how strangely white-picket-fence they are and at the same time how completely different they are from any others she has ever met. They definitely have a family secret, but will she want to know what it is?