CH 2

Kagome smiled as she skimmed along the ocean floor. Her bare stomach was mere inches from the sand, practically inviting any crabs that scuttled along its surface to nip at her. She flipped over and gazed up at the surface, miles above her. She loved doing this; the sight of light filtering down to her in watery layers was beautiful. She would never get tired of it. She wiggled her tail happily, feeling her fins propel her further along the sand.

"Kagome!"

She rose to an upright position, frowning. She didn't like to be interrupted when she was relaxing by herself. "What is it, Sango?" The fact that it was her best friend doing the interrupting barely reduced her annoyance.

Sango swam closer, murky green fins fluttering. "Midoriko wants to see you."

"It's about you skipping out on the lecture," added Kikyo, swimming along behind Sango.

Kagome sighed. "I knew that would come back to bite me on the butt." She twisted this way and that, loving the way the weak sun shimmered on her scales. "Do I have to go? Can't you just tell her that you didn't find me?"

"Sorry," apologized Sango. "You know how she is."

"Yeah."

Kikyo looked towards the surface. "You should have been at the lecture this time, actually."

"Oh really?" Kagome couldn't hide the derision from her voice.

Kikyo nodded. "She didn't just talk about the old stay-away-from-humans thing like she does every week. She said something about increased human activity on the surface, and get this! She actually laid down more regulations!"

Kagome groaned. "Are you kidding me? Like we didn't have enough already!"

Sango snickered. "Yup. Now the surface is off-limits, 'until further notice.'" The mermaid made air quotes with her fingers.

"No!"

"Maybe you can change her mind." Kikyo tilted her head to the side.

Sango scoffed. "Yeah, right. She listens to no one but her own, nagging self."

Kikyo shook her head, her hair swirling around her. "No, it could work. Everyone knows she favors Kagome." She shot Sango a sly look that went unnoticed by Kagome.

Kagome gave the pair a suspicious look. "You know that's not true. She loves all of us equally."

Kikyo sighed dramatically. "Maybe it's because you're the youngest. She always goes easy on you. No other mermaid would get away with as much rule-breaking as you do. It's obvious. Plus, you're a smooth talker. If anyone can get her to lower regulations, it's you." Kagome still looked unconvinced. "Come on, Kagome. Think of it. Unless someone does something, you're not going to be breathing fresh air for a very long time. No more wind ruffling your hair. No more sunlight heating up your scales. No more- -"

"Alright, alright," Kagome interrupted. "I'll give it a try."

"Great!" Kikyo looked quite satisfied. "We'll come with you to the pavilion."

Kagome ran her hand through her hair, wondering what was going on. Then, shrugging, she headed to the main pavilion.