Disclaimer: I do not own Inu Yasha, or any of its characters. The last time
I thought I did, I was rudely awakened by someone who you would think has
more manners. *Glares at a certain silver-haired demon lord.*
Title: The Exchange Student
Chapter: Prologue
"Kagome!"
"Over here, mom! I'm in the kitchen!" shouted Kagome. She had just arrived home from school and is now taking a drink. The hour and a half commute from her school in the heart of New York City to her house in Queens was rather exhausting and has a tendency to try her patience.
"A letter arrived in the mail for you." said Mrs. Higurashi after she found her daughter.
"Oh, really? Who is it from?" Then Kagome turned and saw her mother's face. Immediately, she realized who sent the letter. "It's here?!" she exclaimed, already panicking.
Mrs. Higurashi handed over the letter, watching her daughter closely. There was nothing special about the letter. Granted, it was the size of a 8 x 11 piece of paper folded in half, but other than that, it looked just like any other letter.
Except its return address said it came from the University of New York. It was the letter she had been waiting anxiously for, and dreading it at the same time.
A few weeks ago, the university she was currently attending announced that it was participating in a international student exchange program. It was looking for highly motivated and mature students to send as representatives to other nations for a period of time ranging from six months to an entire year.
Kagome had eagerly signed up after discussing it with her family. Not only was it the equivalent of two classes in credits, but it also represented a great opportunity for her to learn about her roots. You see, Kagome's mother's side of the family comes from Japan. Her grandparents had moved her shortly before her mother was born.
Kagome, like Mrs. Higurashi, had dark wavy hair. Her obsidian colored hair was so dark, that people often thought her natural bluish highlights where fake. Her long hair cascaded past her shoulders, halting its tumble a few inches above her waist. She was slim with slightly toned muscles that resulted from track and field, though it could also be from her mad dashes catch the buses and trains. Her petite figure, again from her mother, stood at five feet and three inches. She had a pale, flawless complexion, and ruby red lips.
The only thing Kagome seemed to have inherited from her American father was his blue eyes. Her mother told her that it was the exact same shade that her father's had been. Blue eyes that, being the same color as the sea, sparkled like it as the sun blessed it with warmth.
It was those same blue eyes, now with a nervousness about it, that regarded the white envelope in her hands.
Funny how big things can some in such small packages. This envelope was what will determine where she spends a whole year of her life in. This letter has the potential to make a big impact on her life. After all, a whole lot can happen within a year, and in another country half way around the world no less.
Kagome had always wanted to visit Japan, that mysterious land where her grandfather's stories were always set in. Though she knew that the outrageous stories about demons - 'Or youkai, as he calls them.' - or of a sacred jewel with awesome powers, was too farfetched to be true, Kagome, being a naturally curious child, couldn't help but wonder since her youth if there was a grain of truth in them. 'What could have inspired such stories, I wonder? Hmm. . .oh well. At any rate, I wanna go and see the country where grandma and grandpa grew up in.'
Besides constantly telling her and her little brother, Souta, about youkai stories when they were younger, her grandfather frequently talked about the beauty and natural splendor of Japan. The breathing taking beauty of the cherry blossoms, the glorious golden sunset over the serene sea. . . .
Kagome ceaselessly wished that she had been chosen as one of the select handful to be a representative of her school to foreign universities. It would be the perfect opportunity to learn about her heritage, as well as earing credits towards graduation. Another plus was that the plane ticket was to be paid for by the university. Housing arrangement was to be taken care of by Tokyo University. So all in all, its like an all expense paid trip to Japan. All she would need was some pocket money. 'But enough. I'm getting ahead of myself.'
Slowly, apprehensively, Kagome opened the envelope and read its contents, her hand slightly shaking. Her mother, stood a bit to her side. A sharp intake of breath and-
"Oh my God! I'm going! I'm going! Ma, I'm going to JAPAN!" she squealed as he threw her hands around her mother.
Mrs. Higurashi let out a sigh of relief, and returned her daughter's hug. Believe it or not, she had been just as worried about Kagome being accepted for the program or not. She knew her daughter met the requirements - she got high grades, was mature and responsible- but there were many other students who applied for the chance to go study aboard. And she hated to see either one of her children disappointed.
"That's wonderful, honey!" she said with a brilliant smile. "Now you'll be able to fulfill your childhood dreams of seeing Japan and actually get to know it-know its people and its places-something that I never got the chance to do. Make the most of it, sweetie!" She placed a kiss on top of her still ecstatic daughter's head.
"Don't worry, I most definitely will!" With one finally squeeze, Kagome released her mother. "I've got to tell Souta and grandpa. They'll be so pleased!"
"Souta's not home yet. He's still at his friends house. He'll be home for dinner. Why don't you make the announcement over dinner instead?"
"Oh, ok! But still, I have to tell someone, or else I'll burst! I know!" With that, Kagome ran out of the kitchen and into her room. She grabbed her cell phone, pulled her friend's number from the memory, and threw herself on her bed.
By the time Mrs. Higurashi arrived at her daughter's room, Kagome was already talking excitedly to her friend.
"I know! I can hardly believe it myself. Imagine me, in Tokyo! . . .Of course, I'll take plenty of pictures and send them via email! You can count on it. Oh, we've gotta go shopping. Call the others! I need to pick out some new outfits for the trip. You guys can help me. . . .Yeah, tee- shirts, a pair of jeans, some dresses. . .What do you mean for finding a boyfriend?! I'm getting a dress in case I have some place to go!"
Mrs. Higurashi allowed the girls to talk a few more minutes before interrupting them.
"Kagome, I've decided that we are going out for dinner to celebrate your acceptance."
" Huh? Really? Great! Where to? The usual?"
Mrs. Higurashi laughed. "Are you sure that you what to eat at a Japanese restaurant tonight? After all, next year you'll be eating Japanese food all the time."
"Oh, that's all right. I can never get enough of them. Besides, think of it as an appetizer for the main course!" Kagome replied. To her friend, Annabel, "OK, gotta go. See you tomorrow!"
"Thanks, mom." She called after her mother, as she began to get ready to go out for dinner.
***q(^_^)p***
A knock on his door made him look up. Hesitantly, he closed his book and walked over to the door. Somewhat annoyed that he was interrupted, he paused, then opened it. He wouldn't get any peace and quiet if he didn't anyway.
"Sesshoumaru, I want to talk to you for a minute." After a lack of response from his son, Inu Tasho asked, "May I come in?"
The young man opened the door fully and let the older man past him by to sit on the bed across the large and spacious room. It was sparsely furnished, yet very pleasing to the eye nonetheless. Sesshoumaru never could stand cluttered and messy places and therefore always kept his own private abode clean and organized.
He closed the door and leaned against it. He looked at his father for a few seconds, trying to figure out why he had come. "Well," he prompted, " what is it that you want to talk about? Somehow, I don't think its about the nice weather today nor is it to ask about how I've been doing lately."
Inu Tasho chuckled. "Ever the conversationalist, aren't you Sesshou? Straight to the point as usual."
The young man patiently waited. He won't ask again.
"Well, I've come to tell you that someone will be coming to live with us starting in the fall, right before school starts. The exchange student will be spending the year here."
'What? Since when did this house become an orphanage?' Sesshoumaru frowned just ever so slightly. "You volunteered to house a foreign student? Why wasn't I told of this sooner?"
His father raised an eyebrow. "I wasn't aware that I had to ask for your permission to allow a guest to stay here, in my house."
Sesshoumaru glared at the man before him. "Fine. Just make sure that his room is as far away from mine as possible." He strode across the room to his desk to pick up his book, which he laid face down on the solid oak furniture. Nearby, a sleek black laptop was turned off.
"Ah-uh, I didn't say I was done just yet."
Repressing a sigh, Sesshoumaru placed the book down once again to indicate that he was listening.
"The exchanged student will be going to your school of course. Therefore, you will be his guide. Show him around town, and around the school campus," continued Inu Tasho
Sesshoumaru felt his anger building. "No."
Inu Taisho raised both eyebrows and looked at his son directly in the eyes. "Pardon? I don't recall giving you a choice in the matter. I said, 'show him around.'" He let a smile to come onto his lips. "Besides you need to get out more."
A barely audible snort came from Sesshoumaru. "I like the way my life is as it is now. I don't need nor want some moron to babysit. God knows that idiotic brother of mine is punishment enough." A pause and, "Why don't you make him the babysitter instead?"
Inu Tasho sighed. He let the insult directed at his younger son slide by. He was painfully aware of the hostility between the two brothers.
"As you yourself just said, Inu Yasha could still use some looking out for every now and then." 'Alright, more like constantly.' he admitted to himself. "I am asking you because you are the mature one. I am hoping that you will make a good impression on the exchange student on behalf of our people."
Once more, the smile appeared on his face, and a glint of laughter appeared in his golden eyes. "We couldn't very well have our guest return home as a pervert, now could we?
Sesshou smirked. He knew what his father was talking about. That monk-wannabe that his brother hung out with all the time was notorious at Tokyo University as a playboy and a pervert. Sesshoumaru was thankful that the exchange student was a guy. Otherwise, he might just be tempted to feel pity for any girl unfortunate enough to come within arms reach of the pervert.
"Fine. I will show him around for the first few days."
"Good." Inu Tasho glanced at his watch. He was running late. "Now I have to tell the driver to step on the gas again. I have to hurry to my meeting." With that he swiftly exited the room.
Sesshoumaru sighed. He was actually looking forward to his last year at the university. He taking very advanced courses and only one or two at regular level. He already completed the requirements for graduation last year, so he doesn't really understand himself why he was bothering to take the extra classes, except for curiosity's sake. 'Oh, well. I always did find the feudal ages and its wars interesting.'
It was going to be a long year.
***q(^_^)p*** AN: Ack. That was my first attempt at writing. You guy have to review and tell me what you think? Was it ok? Or was it terrible? I know that not much happened and that the idea of Kagome going to school w/ Sesshy isn't original, but I think that Kagome's being an exchange student is new. So well, I only have about 3 chapters planned ahead. After that, who knows. That depends on you guys!
I'm not Japanese, never have seen the Japanese version only the American of the anime, have no clue what the names of Kagome's mother or Sesshou's father, etc. So if anyone can tell me their names, what san-, sama- and so on mean (I don't know the level of formality) . So in other words. Help! If you see any thing that I need to correct, please tell me so!
OH! Can't forget, ideas welcome!
Title: The Exchange Student
Chapter: Prologue
"Kagome!"
"Over here, mom! I'm in the kitchen!" shouted Kagome. She had just arrived home from school and is now taking a drink. The hour and a half commute from her school in the heart of New York City to her house in Queens was rather exhausting and has a tendency to try her patience.
"A letter arrived in the mail for you." said Mrs. Higurashi after she found her daughter.
"Oh, really? Who is it from?" Then Kagome turned and saw her mother's face. Immediately, she realized who sent the letter. "It's here?!" she exclaimed, already panicking.
Mrs. Higurashi handed over the letter, watching her daughter closely. There was nothing special about the letter. Granted, it was the size of a 8 x 11 piece of paper folded in half, but other than that, it looked just like any other letter.
Except its return address said it came from the University of New York. It was the letter she had been waiting anxiously for, and dreading it at the same time.
A few weeks ago, the university she was currently attending announced that it was participating in a international student exchange program. It was looking for highly motivated and mature students to send as representatives to other nations for a period of time ranging from six months to an entire year.
Kagome had eagerly signed up after discussing it with her family. Not only was it the equivalent of two classes in credits, but it also represented a great opportunity for her to learn about her roots. You see, Kagome's mother's side of the family comes from Japan. Her grandparents had moved her shortly before her mother was born.
Kagome, like Mrs. Higurashi, had dark wavy hair. Her obsidian colored hair was so dark, that people often thought her natural bluish highlights where fake. Her long hair cascaded past her shoulders, halting its tumble a few inches above her waist. She was slim with slightly toned muscles that resulted from track and field, though it could also be from her mad dashes catch the buses and trains. Her petite figure, again from her mother, stood at five feet and three inches. She had a pale, flawless complexion, and ruby red lips.
The only thing Kagome seemed to have inherited from her American father was his blue eyes. Her mother told her that it was the exact same shade that her father's had been. Blue eyes that, being the same color as the sea, sparkled like it as the sun blessed it with warmth.
It was those same blue eyes, now with a nervousness about it, that regarded the white envelope in her hands.
Funny how big things can some in such small packages. This envelope was what will determine where she spends a whole year of her life in. This letter has the potential to make a big impact on her life. After all, a whole lot can happen within a year, and in another country half way around the world no less.
Kagome had always wanted to visit Japan, that mysterious land where her grandfather's stories were always set in. Though she knew that the outrageous stories about demons - 'Or youkai, as he calls them.' - or of a sacred jewel with awesome powers, was too farfetched to be true, Kagome, being a naturally curious child, couldn't help but wonder since her youth if there was a grain of truth in them. 'What could have inspired such stories, I wonder? Hmm. . .oh well. At any rate, I wanna go and see the country where grandma and grandpa grew up in.'
Besides constantly telling her and her little brother, Souta, about youkai stories when they were younger, her grandfather frequently talked about the beauty and natural splendor of Japan. The breathing taking beauty of the cherry blossoms, the glorious golden sunset over the serene sea. . . .
Kagome ceaselessly wished that she had been chosen as one of the select handful to be a representative of her school to foreign universities. It would be the perfect opportunity to learn about her heritage, as well as earing credits towards graduation. Another plus was that the plane ticket was to be paid for by the university. Housing arrangement was to be taken care of by Tokyo University. So all in all, its like an all expense paid trip to Japan. All she would need was some pocket money. 'But enough. I'm getting ahead of myself.'
Slowly, apprehensively, Kagome opened the envelope and read its contents, her hand slightly shaking. Her mother, stood a bit to her side. A sharp intake of breath and-
"Oh my God! I'm going! I'm going! Ma, I'm going to JAPAN!" she squealed as he threw her hands around her mother.
Mrs. Higurashi let out a sigh of relief, and returned her daughter's hug. Believe it or not, she had been just as worried about Kagome being accepted for the program or not. She knew her daughter met the requirements - she got high grades, was mature and responsible- but there were many other students who applied for the chance to go study aboard. And she hated to see either one of her children disappointed.
"That's wonderful, honey!" she said with a brilliant smile. "Now you'll be able to fulfill your childhood dreams of seeing Japan and actually get to know it-know its people and its places-something that I never got the chance to do. Make the most of it, sweetie!" She placed a kiss on top of her still ecstatic daughter's head.
"Don't worry, I most definitely will!" With one finally squeeze, Kagome released her mother. "I've got to tell Souta and grandpa. They'll be so pleased!"
"Souta's not home yet. He's still at his friends house. He'll be home for dinner. Why don't you make the announcement over dinner instead?"
"Oh, ok! But still, I have to tell someone, or else I'll burst! I know!" With that, Kagome ran out of the kitchen and into her room. She grabbed her cell phone, pulled her friend's number from the memory, and threw herself on her bed.
By the time Mrs. Higurashi arrived at her daughter's room, Kagome was already talking excitedly to her friend.
"I know! I can hardly believe it myself. Imagine me, in Tokyo! . . .Of course, I'll take plenty of pictures and send them via email! You can count on it. Oh, we've gotta go shopping. Call the others! I need to pick out some new outfits for the trip. You guys can help me. . . .Yeah, tee- shirts, a pair of jeans, some dresses. . .What do you mean for finding a boyfriend?! I'm getting a dress in case I have some place to go!"
Mrs. Higurashi allowed the girls to talk a few more minutes before interrupting them.
"Kagome, I've decided that we are going out for dinner to celebrate your acceptance."
" Huh? Really? Great! Where to? The usual?"
Mrs. Higurashi laughed. "Are you sure that you what to eat at a Japanese restaurant tonight? After all, next year you'll be eating Japanese food all the time."
"Oh, that's all right. I can never get enough of them. Besides, think of it as an appetizer for the main course!" Kagome replied. To her friend, Annabel, "OK, gotta go. See you tomorrow!"
"Thanks, mom." She called after her mother, as she began to get ready to go out for dinner.
***q(^_^)p***
A knock on his door made him look up. Hesitantly, he closed his book and walked over to the door. Somewhat annoyed that he was interrupted, he paused, then opened it. He wouldn't get any peace and quiet if he didn't anyway.
"Sesshoumaru, I want to talk to you for a minute." After a lack of response from his son, Inu Tasho asked, "May I come in?"
The young man opened the door fully and let the older man past him by to sit on the bed across the large and spacious room. It was sparsely furnished, yet very pleasing to the eye nonetheless. Sesshoumaru never could stand cluttered and messy places and therefore always kept his own private abode clean and organized.
He closed the door and leaned against it. He looked at his father for a few seconds, trying to figure out why he had come. "Well," he prompted, " what is it that you want to talk about? Somehow, I don't think its about the nice weather today nor is it to ask about how I've been doing lately."
Inu Tasho chuckled. "Ever the conversationalist, aren't you Sesshou? Straight to the point as usual."
The young man patiently waited. He won't ask again.
"Well, I've come to tell you that someone will be coming to live with us starting in the fall, right before school starts. The exchange student will be spending the year here."
'What? Since when did this house become an orphanage?' Sesshoumaru frowned just ever so slightly. "You volunteered to house a foreign student? Why wasn't I told of this sooner?"
His father raised an eyebrow. "I wasn't aware that I had to ask for your permission to allow a guest to stay here, in my house."
Sesshoumaru glared at the man before him. "Fine. Just make sure that his room is as far away from mine as possible." He strode across the room to his desk to pick up his book, which he laid face down on the solid oak furniture. Nearby, a sleek black laptop was turned off.
"Ah-uh, I didn't say I was done just yet."
Repressing a sigh, Sesshoumaru placed the book down once again to indicate that he was listening.
"The exchanged student will be going to your school of course. Therefore, you will be his guide. Show him around town, and around the school campus," continued Inu Tasho
Sesshoumaru felt his anger building. "No."
Inu Taisho raised both eyebrows and looked at his son directly in the eyes. "Pardon? I don't recall giving you a choice in the matter. I said, 'show him around.'" He let a smile to come onto his lips. "Besides you need to get out more."
A barely audible snort came from Sesshoumaru. "I like the way my life is as it is now. I don't need nor want some moron to babysit. God knows that idiotic brother of mine is punishment enough." A pause and, "Why don't you make him the babysitter instead?"
Inu Tasho sighed. He let the insult directed at his younger son slide by. He was painfully aware of the hostility between the two brothers.
"As you yourself just said, Inu Yasha could still use some looking out for every now and then." 'Alright, more like constantly.' he admitted to himself. "I am asking you because you are the mature one. I am hoping that you will make a good impression on the exchange student on behalf of our people."
Once more, the smile appeared on his face, and a glint of laughter appeared in his golden eyes. "We couldn't very well have our guest return home as a pervert, now could we?
Sesshou smirked. He knew what his father was talking about. That monk-wannabe that his brother hung out with all the time was notorious at Tokyo University as a playboy and a pervert. Sesshoumaru was thankful that the exchange student was a guy. Otherwise, he might just be tempted to feel pity for any girl unfortunate enough to come within arms reach of the pervert.
"Fine. I will show him around for the first few days."
"Good." Inu Tasho glanced at his watch. He was running late. "Now I have to tell the driver to step on the gas again. I have to hurry to my meeting." With that he swiftly exited the room.
Sesshoumaru sighed. He was actually looking forward to his last year at the university. He taking very advanced courses and only one or two at regular level. He already completed the requirements for graduation last year, so he doesn't really understand himself why he was bothering to take the extra classes, except for curiosity's sake. 'Oh, well. I always did find the feudal ages and its wars interesting.'
It was going to be a long year.
***q(^_^)p*** AN: Ack. That was my first attempt at writing. You guy have to review and tell me what you think? Was it ok? Or was it terrible? I know that not much happened and that the idea of Kagome going to school w/ Sesshy isn't original, but I think that Kagome's being an exchange student is new. So well, I only have about 3 chapters planned ahead. After that, who knows. That depends on you guys!
I'm not Japanese, never have seen the Japanese version only the American of the anime, have no clue what the names of Kagome's mother or Sesshou's father, etc. So if anyone can tell me their names, what san-, sama- and so on mean (I don't know the level of formality) . So in other words. Help! If you see any thing that I need to correct, please tell me so!
OH! Can't forget, ideas welcome!
