"Kagome! Kagome, could you spare a moment?" Her mother called from downstairs. Kagome discontinued coming her wet hair to answer the call. She came to the foot of the staircase on her level, looking over the rail.
"Yes, Mom?" She said cheerfully, "I've gotta get ready for school." Her mother beamed, and laid her hand to rest upon the handrail.
"Well, Kagome, I have a job for you," she replied. Kagome perked up, raising an interested eyebrow. "Oh?" She chimed. Her mother rolled her eyes, still holding a smile.
"Yes, the Takahashi's just called. They said the need someone to look after little Kenji and Ayame. Can you baby-sit Friday night?" Sota had been climbing down the stairs at this point, listening to the conversation. "They are offering 200 yen an hour. Feeling up to it?" She asked. Kagome thought about it, considering the fact that she had promised Inuyasha she would return to the Warren States Era to continue in their quest of collecting the jewel shards. They had collected a large amount, which lie safely in her room. Perhaps he wouldn't mind if she took one night off from risking her life for once.
"Sure!" Replied Kagome.
"Wonderful!" Her mother clasped her hands together; "I'll go call them back." She bustled away to the kitchen; the location of the cord phone. Kagome sighed, her mother had been so encouraging her for to make some money. Kagome would rather work at McDonald's then do nothing, she had to admit. Then again, fighting a demon, collecting shards, and battling oncoming new emotions everyday was to say—something.
School that day left her feeling rather exhausted. She decided to ride her bike instead of walk home with her friends like usual. The faster she got home to her bed, the better. It was fair fortune that she had no homework that afternoon.
She opened the front door to her home. "Helloooo! I'm home from school!" She called. Sota walked into the entrance hall. Buyo followed curiously.
"Oh hey, Sis! Mom's about to get back from the grocery store. Tomorrow Kenji is coming over right?" Inquired he. Kagome yawned, tossing her backpack to the side.
"And Ayame too. Now, just because Kenji's your age and Ayame is younger doesn't mean you can ignore him. You three have to play nicely," she grunted. Sota crossed his arms, pouting.
"When did you become my mother?" He snorted. "I'm not, but I am your older sister and on Friday night, their babysitter. What I say goes. Now get lost I'm exhausted," she snarled, climbing up the stairs. Sota heard the door of her room shut before saying anything aloud.
"Gees, what got her so moody today..."
Kagome plopped down onto her bed. She sighed, facing upward and staring at the ceiling. Ever since she had came upon the walkway of her home, Kagome had begun to feel...odd.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha had suddenly appeared over her.
"AH!" Kagome screamed as a reaction, "Inuyasha? Oh come on, can't you come back later? I'm not feeling that well..." She said truthfully. Kagome had begun to feel weary—sweat came easily, and she felt cold, even underneath her covers.
Inuyasha raised an eyebrow.
"Kagome? What happened to you? What's wrong?" He said. Kagome had seen Inuyasha very worried few times in their time together, and she was frightened to see this had been such a moment, if not more so.
"What do I look sick or soemthin'?" She slurred. Everything began to twist and turn—Inuyasha became a fuzzy figure in a mind-boggling sequence of colors and lines that had once been her room.
"Kagome! Kagome...." Faint words faded into the blackness of her unconsciousness.
What....happened? Thought she, I...I can't feel anything...I'm so tired...I need to....rest...
It felt as though she would be swimming in the darkness for eternity...
...And when she felt she could no longer swim, she felt a hand sweep across her brow. She could hear, as well—hear herself moan.
"Kagome, dear. Are you awake?" Her mother's voice said softly. Kagome followed the noise, and opened her eyes. In her room, surrounding her bed was her Grandfather, Sota, Inuyasha, and at her side, her mother, holding her hand. Inuyasha bore a look of relief, and loosened his shoulders, as did the others. Buyo hopped onto her bed, and curled up into a tiny ball by her side. She stroked him carefully.
"What...happened to me?" She asked, her voice a bit scratchy.
"You passed out on me, that's what!" Inuyasha intervened. "I did?" She inquired. Kagome slowly began to sit up, beginning to feel woozy, as if her body had not moved for several days. Inuyasha looked as though he disagreed with her movement.
"Oh hunny, you're sick! And you have to baby-sit Friday! I'll have to call them back and cancel..." her mother sighed. Kagome was quick to react.
"No! I mean.....No, don't worry I'll be fine, I can recover in two days don't worry I'll be fine," she reassured them.
Or at least, let's hope...