hello again! I'm so sorry, I kinda died there for a while... got caught up in school and stuff, went to a bunch of competitions with my honors chorous... ugh. anyways, i revised the first chapter, pretty different... next one will be a lot different.

onward ho!

Je suis le chasseur

Chapter 1: Exchange Student

I'm home! Kagome clomped through the door, shaking the rain out of her hair. It had started pouring on her way home from school. Just my luck... the one day I actually go to school, it rains. she thought wryly.

Oh good, I need to talk to you. Go find your brother , and tell him to meet me in the kitchen. You too, Kagome. her mother called from said kitchen.

Whatever... wonder why she wants to talk to us. Shrugging, she went to find Souta.

Later....

Now you two, I wanted to talk to you about a very important issue. Kagome, you remember the french pen-pal you had in 6th grade? her mother was talking to them, wringing her hands nervously.

Kagome smiled, remembering with fondness the fun, playful, and at times, serious letters they had exchanged. Sixth grade was a horrible year, and one of the things that kept her sane was being able to write to Soleil. She had always wondered what had become of her french friend.

Well... the exchange program of the local system has set her up to stay with us for a year. Her mother looked nervous, as if she were scared of what their reaction might be.

That's great! Which room will she be staying in? Kagome was sincerely happy to be able to catch up with her old friend.

Well, she isn't coming until next week, and the addition on your room is almost done, so I thought we could just add another bed in your room, and you and Soleil could redecorate when she gets here...? Her mother looked at all of them for an answer.

Oh no... another girl to hog the bathroom... Souta looked depressed.

Kagome, meanwhile, looked pale. What about... the Feudal Era and the well? And Inuyasha? Soleil knew nothing about those.

Oh well, I expect you'll just have to tell her! Mrs. Higurashi bustled off to call the Exchange Student Offices and give their assent.

Oh great... wonder how she'll take it... Kagome headed off to her room.

Kagome sighed and open her door, all set to flop down on her bed and listen to some music, chill out. Unfortunately, there was no room for flopping, as the bed was already occupied.

Kagome was about to yell at Inuyasha for being in her room without permission, and on her bed, no less, but the shout died on her lips as she noticed the look on his face.

Normally, his face was guarded and closed, even when sleeping. But now he had a peaceful expression on, and he was smiling slightly.

She smiled too, and went over to her desk, trying not to wake him. She would do homework instead.

Jeez... so much make-up work... and I was only gone for 3 days this time... she sighed, but started on the huge stack of work.

Later

Inuyasha awoke to the sound of light breathing. He sat up quickly, feeling rather guilty. He hadn't meant to fall asleep, but he had been tired after keeping watch all last night.

He looked around, and saw Kagome slumped over at her desk, sleeping. How long had he been asleep?

Kagome woke up suddenly, and feverishly started writing before she noticed that Inuyasha was awake. Inuyasha winced, bracing himself for the assault that was sure to come.

Instead, Kagome just smiled. Hey, Inuyasha. Have a good sleep?

Wha...? She's not gonna yell at me? he was confused. Hadn't he done anything worthy of at least a reprimand? Oh well, it's better than getting

Her smile grew wider. You want some ramen? she got up from her chair and looked at him.

Even though he was puzzled at her behavior, he could never pass up a chance for his favorite food.

Later, in the kitchen

Kagome hesitantly asked the inu-hanyou who was currently snarfing ramen.

He looked up, ramen hanging from the corners of his mouth.

Do you know what an exchange student is?Yeah, your grandfather was talking to me the other day. You get one, huh? he returned to eating, deeming this conversation unworthy of distracting him from the almighty ramen.

Wonderful! This is going so much easier than I thought! Kagome was relieved that he was taking this so well.

When he was done, they said goodbye and he headed back to the wellhouse to return to his time.

Later the next day, at Kagome's school
Kagome was surrounded by a cluster of babbling girls, telling them about Soleil, and instructing them on a few customs that they might want to learn, for when they met her in a week or so. Ayumi and Eri were flurrying around her head, twisting and fiddling, trying in vain to make her hair stay up without an elastic. (Ayumi was on a I-want-to-be-a-hairdresser' kick).

Kagome sighed, sliding a band off her wrist and digging a clip out of her bag. Best to humor them...

Out of the corner of her eyes, she caught a flash of red. Ignoring the shouts of protest, she whipped her head around, just in time to catch a glimpse of Inuyasha, staring at her with a very strange look on his face. He almost looked... admiring.

When he dropped out of sight, she grabbed Ayumi's hand mirror, looking at her unfamilar reflection. With her hair up and curled around her face, she almost looked... elegant.

One week later

Kagome remarked, I've actually been in school a whole week... She hummed lightly as she tripped up the shrine stairs.

When she got home, her mother told her to clean her room, because Soleil's flight arrived in three hours.

Wonder what she's like after all this time... Kagome thought for a bit, then went off to do her mother's bidding.

On the plane with Soleil

Ah, bliss. Escape from this insane country for a whole year... Soleil didn't much like France. Oh, it was nice enough, but not someplace she would want to live.

Unfortunately, she did live there.

Wonder what Kagome's like now? she hadn't heard from her friend in a while.

Please place all seats and tray tables in an upright position. The plane will land shortly. Thank you for flying InterAir. The sickly sweet voice of the stewardess crackled over the intercom, bringing a message of salvation to the poor Soleil, who had been squashed between two smelly old ladies the entire ride.

Ah well, it was worth it to get out of there. She took a deep breath as she retrieved her luggage from Baggage Claim.

Now... they said to call a taxi and give him this address. she set off to find a cab.

Later, Higurashi Shrine

So this is the place... different than I thought it would be. Soleil stood in front of the shrine, looking up at her home for a year.

Soleil! Great to see you! Kagome came running down the steps.

You to! she called out, stopping to give her a hug, which was not the traditional greeting in France, but Soleil wasn't sure how she'd react to that, having never been to France.

Come on, let's bring your stuff up to our room. Kagome led the way, helping Soleil with her bags.

Oh, by the way, Soleil, I love your hair! It's so... vibrant! Soleil's hair was shoulder legnth, straight, but most of all, bright pink.

Thanks. I mostly did it to annoy my family, but I've grown fond of it. Makes a statement. Soleil dumped her stuff on the bed, looking around at the room.

Nice room, Kag, just kinda... bare.Yeah, we get to decorate it this week, they just finished the addition.Um... Kag, I promised my mother I'd call her when I got here. So even though I reeally don't want to, she will not send over my guitar unless I do. Ultimate threat. shudder

Kagome told her where the phone was, and she wandered off to call her mom.

She sat back down on her bed after Soleil left, thinking about her French .

Certainly different than I expected, but she still seems the same as she did in her letters. I never expected the hair, that's for sure. The corners of her lips quirked up in a smile. Can't wait to get to know her better.

Oui, mamá, I'm fine! Really! Yeah, they seem like nice people.

Of course, I've only really met Kagome so far... she thought wryly.

Yeah, yeah... Now, please send over my guitar as soon as possible! She debated with her mother for a few more minutes before returning to her and Kagome's room.

Jeez... my mother is insane... Kagome sat up when Soleil came in, shaking her head at her mother's folly.

Join the club. Kagome agreed.

Follow me, k? There's something I have to tell you.

Later

To Kagome's suprise, Soleil had taken the news quite well. She had thought it was awesome, in fact. Then they had gossiped for a while on life in the Feudal Era. Soleil had agreed to come along with Kagome whenever she went to that Era to help in her quest. She confessed that while she wasn't sure about demons, she was a a swordfighter and would enjoy time to practice her skills, as they had gotten a little rusty.

Cool... and you play guitar too?Oui. Electric. Taught myself to play at age 6.Takes lots of hard work, I'm assuming.Yup. And, could we head to the Feudal Era now, as we don't have any school?Hold on! You haven't met the rest of my family yet, and I want to take one last bath with the conveniences of indoor plumbing before we go. How about we head out tomorrow morning? Kagome was amazed at her eagerness.

Sounds good.

()

Well, all done w/ chapter 1!

R&R!

later,

pink