-1Author's Note: Chapter the second is here. Thanks to everyone who reviewed or is going to review.
I'll Be Missing You
Chapter One
She tricked us. She manipulated us. She flat out lied to us! Now, my sister and I were sitting in a virtually empty train, going quickly up a mountain. And it was all Mom's fault.
"Mom, where are we going?" I asked. I had a window seat and mom was sitting between us.
"I told you, honey. Osaka." She gave a frustrated sigh and continued typing away on her laptop.
"What school, Mom?" She wasn't making it any easier for me. She bit her lip before replying.
"I don't want you to cause a scene on the plane, Kikyou."
"I won't, I promise. Tell." She turned the laptop towards me and I slowly began reading the information on the active page. "Seisen is a respectable, internationally acclaimed training school for mikos, demons, demon slayers, and monks. It is a year-round boarding school with co-ed dorms… Whoa, whoa, whoa." I stopped in mid-sentence and went back a few words. "Boarding school. Boarding school! Mom!"
"Quiet, Kikyou. It's a very good school and you'll learn a lot." She said.
"Have you gone completely mental? A boarding school? Co-ed dorms? Well, that's kind of cool, but still!"
"You said you weren't going to make a scene. Kagome is taking it well."
"Kag's dead to the world, Mom. What do you know about this place?" She held up a brochure and a set of papers.
"Here. Please read it all before passing any judgments. Here, Kagome." She passed us both a brochure and the papers.
"The grounds look beautiful." Was Kagome's first comment. I had to agree. There was a lush green lawn with a lake, all different kinds of trees and benches. The school itself was a European Gothic style with spires shooting up from the four corners of the main building.
"Oh, they are. There's all sorts of training grounds in the back. Buildings A-C are dorms, the ones to the far left. The other four are the administrations and basics building, gym, extra curricular activities, and dining hall." Mom said.
"It's really expensive." Kagome had opened the brochure and was looking at a list of fees. "Are you sure we can afford it?"
"That's why we're moving. I got a very good offer a new law firm and they're paying for everything."
"Wait, I found a bad side, Kag. Look at the uniform." I stifled a laugh as I looked at a picture of some students walking in front of the school. Kagome blanched as her eyes landed on the page.
"Is there any way I could pass as a male, Mom?" She squeaked.
"The skirts aren't that short, honey." Mom consoled.
"Mom, they're mid-thigh. I appreciate you giving us this opportunity, but there is no way I can show that much skin." Kagome shook her head.
"Come on, dear. You only have to wear it during school hours. After sixth period you can wear what you want and you don't have to wear it at all on Saturday and Sunday."
"Fine. But, if it attracts any undue attention I will not be held responsible for what happens after." She shifted the brochure to her lap and took up the stack of white papers.
"They're on an A/B schedule, so you'll have two schedules. Six classes a day with an hour break at lunch. Trust me, girls, you'll love it. I wish my mom had been able to give me this kind of opportunity when I was in school." Mom sighed and gently rubbed my arm.
"They don't usually accept people during the school year. Why did they this time?" Kagome asked.
"you two have very unique powers. When I told them about your capabilities they were very interested in having you there."
That was on Wednesday when we finally got on the plane to go to Osaka. It was Friday now. From what I could see, the sun was just rising. We had been traveling for at least a few hours.
"Kag, what do you think it's going to be like there?" I asked. The papers Mom had given me were in the seat next to me. They had been folded, creased, and a corner showed that I had attempted to burn them.
"I don't know, Kikyou. We'll find out soon, though. The stop is coming up." She stood up and grabbed the two bags that were above her head. I did the same, carelessly shoving the stack of papers into the pocket of the smaller bag. I placed my pillow on top of everything and braced myself as the train came to a screeching halt.
"All right, girls, the exit is to your left. The trail is about a mile long and leads directly to the school. Have a great time." The conductor announced over a loud speaker. I took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and stepped off of the train, Kagome exiting behind me.
"Test number one: Climb a mountain in negative five degree weather." I grumbled. After adjusting my grip on my bags and pillow, I started up the slope. Ten minutes passed and not a word was spoken. Another ten minutes, just the sound of our footsteps in the hardened snow. Five more minutes passed and I finally saw the school. The brochure didn't do it justice. It looked like a… dream. The lake was completely frozen over and icicles graced the trees. There were no footprints in the snow yet, suggesting classes had not yet begun.
"It's this way." Kagome muttered. We had been directed to go to the headmaster's office as soon as we arrived.
"How do you know?" I asked. She pointed to a sign that read 'Headmaster's office-- administration building' in white letters. "Oh…" Kagome shifted her bags and walked the last ten feet separating us from the administration building. She pushed one of the double doors open and walked in. I slowly entered after her.
"This place looks like a church." I muttered.
"This building used to be a church." A deep voice stated. "We've been waiting for you, ladies. Follow me. You may leave your bags there. Someone will take them to your rooms." The initial shock of having him sneak up on us slowly wore off and Kagome and I placed our bags against the wall and followed him down the hall.
"For the next four years this place will be your home. If you choose to attend college here, then the next eight years." The man stated.
"Pardon me for asking, sir, but this is a college as well?" Kagome asked.
"Yes. And you may address me as Myoga. Do have a seat." He indicated to two chairs placed outside of a redwood door. "The headmaster will be with you in a moment."
"I do not need a moment, Myoga. Come in, girls." Another voice, male, called from the office. Myoga pushed the door open for us and we went inside. "Sit." We sat. "My name is Ryuu. I am the headmaster here. You will address me as Headmaster or Headmaster Ryuu. Understood?"
"Hai, Headmaster." We replied in unison.
"Here are you schedules and room numbers. Do not lose your keys, because I will not give you a replacement." He held out four sheets of paper and two keys. I took them, handing Kagome her schedules and room Key. "This is a very open school, girls. Most teachers, including myself, have an open door policy. If you have a problem feel free to come to us. Kagome, your room is in Building A on the third floor. Your mother notified me of your legs, so you may take the elevator if you wish. Kikyou, your room is in Building B on the second floor. Your bags have already been taken up. You will find your handbooks and uniforms in your rooms. I will give you fifteen minutes to change and get back here for your tour. You are dismissed." I stood up first and walked out of the office, glancing over my shoulder as Kagome came out behind me.
"Have fun with the stairs, Kag." I laughed. She glared at me and walked out of the administrations building. I followed her and quickly spotted the building I would be staying in. "Later, Kag." I ran off before she could say anything.
"Building A.." She looked around for a moment and finally found it. I started up the stairs of Building B and finally came to the second floor. Looking at the schedule in my hand, I muttered "214" to myself. The door in front of me was 204 and the one to the left of it was 202, so I went right. "206, 208, 210, 212... Ah, 214." I inserted the key into the lock, twisted it, and pushed the door open.
(Switch POVs)
Stairs are hell on earth. I had finally made it to the third floor, but it took me the better part of five minutes to get there. My room number was 135. All the way at the end of the corridor. Walking the length of the hall, I came to the door and twisted the knob. It was unlocked. I was greeted with a grunt from a corner of the room.
"They told me I was getting a new room mate. You must be Kag…ome." The student's voice faded as he turned to look at me. "You're a pleasant surprise. Name's Kouga, wolf demon." He held out his hand for me to shake. I refused.
"Which room is mine?" I asked.
"On the right. Where are you from?" Kouga replied. I ignored him and opened the door to my right. My bags were situated on a full size bed and a handbook was on top of a desk, along with a black laptop. I closed the door with my foot and twisted the lock on the door knob. Upon opening the closet, I saw the bane of my existence. Hanging neatly in sets was the uniform. A black pleated skirt, white blouse, black blazer, white knee high socks, and black shoes. I pulled a hanger down and quickly changed into the clothing. Sifting through the closet, I found a black messenger bag for my books. I opened the door and stepped back into the living area. Kouga whistled.
"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes." He smirked. I blinked and walked out of the dorm. I had about five minutes to get back to the headmaster's office.
(Switch POVs)
"Hey, you must be Kikyou." A calm voice stated. I nodded. "I'm Sango, demon slayer." She held her hand out to me.
"Kikyou, miko." I replied and shook her hand.
"Nice to meet you. It'll be nice having another girl on this floor. Anyway, I hope you don't mind me not standing up. I have a paper due fifth period and I need to add some things to it." She nodded towards the laptop computer on her legs. "Your room is right there, so you can go get changed and everything."
"All right, thanks." I walked into the room. It was standard. Bed, dresser, desk with a laptop on top of it along with the handbook, and some shelves. I opened the closet and mindlessly pulled a uniform down. It was better than the ones I had to wear in Tokyo. I quickly pulled the skirt and blouse on before slipping my feet into the socks and shoes. I walked back out of the room, waved to Sango, and exited the dorm.
"Five minutes." I muttered and quickly ran down the stairs. Kagome had just exited her building and was making her way to the administration building.
"Sexy mama." I joked, quickly catching up with her. She rolled her eyes and walked back into the administration building.
"All right, now that you've changed we can begin the tour." Headmaster Ryuu walked towards us. "I see you found your book bags. You will receive your books from your teachers. Follow me, please." He led us down the hall towards a set of stairs. "The first floor of the administrations/basics building is offices. There's my office, the guidance office, the nurse's office, and the like. The other four floors are classrooms. History, math, science, and English have their own floors. You will be assigned a locker by your first period teacher. You have ten minutes in between classes, so you should have enough time to go to your locker and get to class. The roof is accessible, but don't jump off." He didn't bother going up the stairs. Instead, he led us back into the frigid cold and walked towards the center of the lawn.
"The gym. Second floor is used for indoor training. Kaede will tell you about her policy. Extra curricular activities. Self explanatory. We have a very good equestrian club. Again, talk to Kaede about clubs.
"dining hall. Breakfast is served promptly at 8:00 a.m., lunch at 12:30 p.m., and dinner at 7:00 p.m. The forest," H swept his hand towards the forest, "is available for extra practice. But, we usually only use it for gym activities. Once a year we have prisoner games. The students enjoy them. More training grounds are at the back. You can go there anytime you like. Any questions?"
"What are prisoner games?" I asked. It was a new concept to me.
"We divide the school into mikos and demons, with slayers and monks being equally divided amongst them, as well. Then, we pick a student from the two teams and trade them. So, a miko goes to the demons and a demon goes to the mikos. They hide them in the forest and assign guards. The goal is to get your team member back first. But, the prisoner cannot release themselves." Ryuu explained. We both nodded. "Breakfast is about to be served, so come with me. I will introduce you to the school and then you're free." He walked silently into the dining hall and chatter reached our ears instantaneously.
"We discourage talking during school hours, so it gets pretty loud in here during meals. Naraku, leave Hojo alone." The headmaster barked.
"Hai, Headmaster. Sorry, Hojo." The boy with long black hair and red eyes returned the book he had been holding to the boy with short brown hair.
"Everyone's relatively close to all the other students here. You will notice that we do not segregate mikos, demons, slayers, and monks. Yura, no combing your hair at the table."
"Yes, sir." The girl laughed and put her comb away. "Fresh meat, Headmaster?" She glanced at me and Kagome.
"Please refrain from referring to new students as 'fresh meat', Yura. But, yes. Mikos from Tokyo." I saw a boy smirk and pick up a piece of toast, throwing it at us. Kagome caught it, allowing her hand to glow pink for a moment before the toast turned to ashes. "That is no way to test anyone's abilities, Onigumo!" Ryuu glared at the boy and led us towards a table at the front of the room. "You'll have to forgive him. It's big news when students are accepted in the middle of the year like this."
"Hai, Headmaster." Kagome bowed, followed by me, and the man walked up the steps leading to a long table. The talking quickly subsided and he finally spoke.
"Usually when I speak to everyone like this I have at least thirty students waiting anxiously to being their journey at Seisen. It is very unusual for new students to enter the school so abruptly, but when I was informed of two miko's capabilities I simply couldn't wait for them to join us. Without further ado, please welcome Higurashi Kikyou and Higurashi Kagome to our humble halls." He discreetly motioned for us to come stand behind, so we did. "Please do your part in educating them about the 'traditions' at this school." Several students laughed and Ryuu smiled. "Enjoy your breakfast." We walked back to the lower level of the dining hall and cautiously moved towards two empty chairs.
"New kids! Over here!" The boy who had thrown the toast at us waved his arm for us to join him.
"They have names, you idiot." I saw Sango hit him on the back of the head. I laughed nervously and sat in one of the vacant chairs, Kagome taking the one next to the boy names Hojo.
"That was some impressive stuff you pulled. What was it, purification?" Onigumo asked Kagome. She nodded, but said nothing.
"You know, you two look a lot alike." Sango pointed out.
"No, they don't, you dolt." Naraku replied. "The older one has brown eyes and the younger one has blue-gray eyes." He thought I was the older sister.
"Actually, I'm younger than Kagome." I corrected hesitantly.
"Really? Is she a dwarf or something?" Naraku asked. Kagome shook her head.
"Naraku, you're scaring the girls. You haven't even introduced yourself." A boy with a short ponytail chided. "I'm Miroku, and may I say…"
"No, you can't." Sango snapped. "I'm Sango, that's Naraku. Don't get him confused for Onigumo or else he will coldly and ruthlessly murder you."
"Will not. Hojo, Kouga, Yura, Ayame, Hiten, Bankotsu, and screw it, I can't introduce everyone. We're just the guys. Basically." Naraku bit into a piece of fruit.
"Kikyou." I introduced myself.
"Kagome." My sister muttered.
"How long have you been in Osaka?" Hojo questioned.
"We arrived on Wednesday." I answered.
"So you haven't really gotten to anything?" Onigumo asked. I shook my head. "When's the next trip to town?"
"I think tomorrow. You have to come. We'll show you the ropes." Sango replied.
"Yeah. We get to go down about once a month and we spend the entire day there." Hojo chipped in.
"Sounds great." I smiled and took a sip of orange juice.
"What's your schedule?" Miroku questioned. I took the two sheets of paper out of the bag at my feet and handed them to him. "Oh, Kami. You have last period gym both days." Sango spit her drink in Kouga's face.
"Sango…" He growled dangerously, wiping the orange juice off with a napkin.
"Sorry, Kouga." She laughed sheepishly. "How did you land sixth period gym?"
"What's the big deal?" Kagome asked. "It's just a class."
"It's the advanced miko class. Usually only juniors and seniors who don't want to be in the combined class get it. It's one of the toughest classes in the school. Or so I've heard." Miroku replied.
"Did you get your schedules, Kagome?" Naraku asked. She nodded and he held his hand out for them. She pulled the neatly folded papers out of her book bag and handed them to him. "Kami, you got sixth period gym, too. The secretary must have made a mistake. There is no way two eighth graders could have gotten into advanced gym. No offence."
"None taken." I laughed and took my schedules back from Miroku. "Is today and A day or a B day?"
"B." Sango was reading Kagome's schedule over Naraku's shoulder. "We have basically the same classes. All of your classes for B day are in the E.C. building. Art, music, drama, junk like that. Back here between third and fourth for lunch, then back to class. You'll get the hang of it. The bell rings soon, so just follow us and we'll show you around. Looks like you have… debate first, Kagome. Naraku and Hojo have that class. I've got art, so you come with me, Kikyou." Four tolls sounded from an intercom system and everyone stood up. Naraku handed Kagome her schedule and slung his bag over his shoulder.
"I'll see you later, Kag." I followed Sango, Miroku, Kouga, and Yura out of the dining hall.
(Switch POVs)
"Coming?" He asked me. I nodded and stood up, grabbing my bag in the process. "You don't talk much, do you?"
"No." I muttered. Naraku nodded and led me out of the building.
"You'll like the debate teacher." Hojo stated. "We've been arguing about abortion lately. Pro-life, pro-choice, that sort of thing."
"Yeah. It gets pretty heated sometimes, though. Yesterday, Jakotsu made a girl cry. He's the undefeated champion of this topic." Naraku replied.
"We'll see about that." I answered. I was the co-captain of my school's debate team in Tokyo. Sesshoumaru was the captain. We entered the Extra Curricular building and took an immediate left.
"These classes aren't very organized like in the main building, so don't get lost. The band room is on the third floor, though." Hojo entered the room first, with me coming in after him and finally Naraku.
"Jakotsu, new student thinks she can beat you in a debate." Naraku said. A tall male with long black hair turned to look at me.
"You're Kagome, right?" Jakotsu asked me.
"Yes." I replied.
"Well, hi. Obviously, I'm Jakotsu. Have you ever debated before?"
"A few times."
"We'll see how good you are. And welcome to Seisen." He turned back to the students he had been talking to. Naraku laughed and led me to a chair.
"He's actually really friendly. Doesn't argue with anyone outside of this class. If you get lost he'll help you. Who's your room mate?" He and Hojo took seats on either side of me.
"Kouga." I answered. Naraku laughed again and shook his head.
"Watch out for him. He's already claimed you as his." I was to respond when the teacher walked in.
"Hello, hello, hello. And welcome, Miss Higurashi, to your first debate class. Jakotsu, please give her the book. By the way, I'm Kibou." The teacher spoke rapidly and walked to the front of the room. "My policy on tardiness is that you had better have a damn good reason for it or pray that Kami loves you." Jakotsu dropped a small paper back book into my lap. "That is your text book. Read it, memorize, love it. Who would like to start the debate today?"
"Same topic, sir?" Jakotsu asked.
"Let's change it up some. Gay marriage." Several hands shot up, mine included. "Jakotsu and Kagome. Go."
Jakotsu began. Apparently he automatically chose the opposition and I was to be the affirmative. "Not only is gay marriage unnatural, in the Bible it flat out says marriage is meant to be a union between man and woman."
(Switch POVs)
"Hello, class. Kikyou, welcome. You may sit with Sango and Miroku." The teacher, Yuuki as the students called her, stated. "We're doing nature now, so everyone gather your supplies and follow me."
"Sensei, I believe you told us we would be doing modeling soon." Miroku pouted.
"And we will. Just not right now." Yuuki replied.
"When do I get to see Sango nude, then?" Sango reddened.
"Can I please hurt him, Yuuki?" She growled.
"Not too badly, Sango. He almost didn't wake up last time."
Sango smiled and slapped Miroku across the face. "You never get to see me nude, monk!" She shouted.
"All right, now let's go." Yuuki stifled a laugh and led us outside.
"Stupid pervert. I'll kill him." Sango muttered. Miroku trailed behind us, rubbing his cheek.
"Does he do that often?" I asked. She nodded.
"Too often. I suggest you watch out for him." I laughed and looked back at Miroku before facing forward.
"Sit where you like and start drawing. I'll give you twenty minutes." I sat on a low brick wall with Sango and Miroku beside me. I placed my sketch pad on my knees and bit the tip of my pencil.
"She wants us to freeze to death." Miroku muttered. I laughed and looked around the front lawn. My eyes stopped on a tree by the lake, all the leaves gone.
Perfect. I thought. I put the tip of my pencil to the paper and slowly started to draw the tree and lake.
(Switch POVs)
"For Kami's sake, idiot!" I exclaimed. Jakotsu and I had been 'debating' for ten minutes straight. The teacher merely chuckled and wrote down some notes. "Gender has nothing to do with marriage. Being homosexual is just as natural to some people as being heterosexual is to others. People fear it because it isn't as common."
"Man's purpose in the world is to reproduce, young Kagome. Two males and two females cannot conceive children." Jakotsu replied calmly.
"It's the twenty-first century. There's this thing called artificial insemination. Still makes having babies possible."
"We're running out of time. And I'm sorry, Jakotsu, but I must declare Kagome the winner." Kibou chuckled. I sank back into my seat and opened the text book. Jakotsu rose from his chair and walked over to me, his hand extended.
"You made some excellent points. I commend you." I hesitantly shook the limb.
"You did as well." I replied before turning back to the book. It wasn't actually a text book, it was more like an informational guide on debating.
"See what I meant by they can get pretty heated?" Naraku laughed and stood up. "Time for Sex Ed." I paled. It had never been one of my favorite classes.
(Switch POVs)
"Nice work, everybody. 'A' for effort. For homework I want you to draw the first thing that comes to your mind. Due on Tuesday. You're dismissed." Yuuki announced. The bell tolled four times and Sango, Miroku, and I walked out of the room. I spotted the back of Kagome's head in the sea of people and grabbed her arm.
"How was debate?" I asked. She shrugged in response.
"She beat Jakotsu in a debate about gay marriage." Naraku laughed at the image.
"No flipping way." Sango replied.
"Who's Jakotsu?" I asked. He must have been good in debate.
"A sophomore. Never been beaten before." Miroku answered.
"Kagome called him an idiot." Hojo grinned and walked into the Sex Ed. Class.
"Kag!" I exclaimed. "Why'd you do that?"
"His argument was weak." She replied. The room was already darkened and a projection screen was pulled down.
"Have a seat, students. We will begin momentarily." The teacher stated. I noticed that there were no desks, but couches to sit on instead.
"Don't ask. You do not want to know." Sango muttered.
"Yes, they do!" Miroku replied excitedly. Sango clamped a hand over his mouth.
"I'll put it in the females perspective. This class doubles as a self-defense course. The couches provide a soft landing spot for the boys who feel it's necessary to put their hands where they don't belong. By the end of the class period Miroku will be unconscious."
"Actually, my dear Sango, I believe I have become impervious to your punches, kicks, stomps, eye gouges, headlocks…" His eyes widened. "Kami, you're violent."
"You make me violent, monk." She sneered before sitting on one of the couches. Miroku sat next to her, his eyes fixated on the screen. Kagome sat on one of the smaller couches, Kouga and Naraku on either side. I situated myself next to Onigumo and Hojo.
"Everyone, state your name for the benefit of Kikyou and Kagome." The teacher said. I started with a girl towards the back.
"Kagura."
"Kanna."
"Bankotsu."
"Hojo."
"Onigumo."
"Sango."
"Miroku."
"Hiten."
"Naraku."
"Kouga."
"Ayame."
"Yura."
"And I am Himitsu, your Sexual Education teacher. Welcome to the class. You will find that I am easy to get along with. We mainly just watch the assigned video, which usually takes up most of the class period. Enjoy." He pressed play and the movie started.
"This is your body. Usually around the age of thirteen for girls and fifteen for boys, your body starts to mature. This is called puberty." The monotonous voice of the narrator spoke.
"Kami, no." I heard Sango groan. She buried her head in her hands. Miroku had a huge smile plastered on his face.
"Kami, yes." He sighed.
"Hand, monk!" Sango shrieked. For the second time that day, Miroku was slapped across the face.
"Sango, can't you go one class period without slapping him?" Himitsu rubbed his eyes.
"I could if he didn't grope me." Sango replied defensively.
"True. It's about time for that assembly, so I'll see you all on Tuesday. Have a nice weekend."
"I forgot we had the assembly today." Sango rose from the couch and walked out of the room. I followed, with everyone else trailing behind.
"What assembly?" I asked.
"Same one we have every month. Ryuu just tells us that we're reflecting the school when we visit Osaka and he expects us to behave accordingly." Naraku replied. "For future reference, all assemblies are held in the dining hall."
We stepped into the dining hall, which was now only filled with students in the eighth grade and up.
"Take a seat, kids. You know the drill." The headmaster told us.
"Must you call us 'kids', Headmaster?" The girl named Kagura asked.
"Until your group can go to Osaka unchaperoned, yes, Kagura. Now, hurry." Ryuu replied.
"Kami, that man never forgets anything." Miroku muttered. We sat at the same table we had eaten breakfast at.
"Now that everyone is seated, let's begin. Tomorrow is the monthly visit to Osaka, as you all know. Kikyou, Kagome, read the letters you received fro details.
"I expect this trip to go a lot better than the previous one." Sets of eyes shot glares at Miroku. "Miroku, keep your hands to yourself. If you end up in the hospital again, I am not coming back for you."
"Sango had massive PMS that time, Headmaster." Sango gasped and kicked him from underneath the table. Miroku groaned and rubbed his shin.
"Too much information. All school rules apply. If you behave badly and I hear about it, may Kami have mercy upon your souls. The train leaves promptly at 7:00 a.m. to go to town and will leave at 10:00 p.m. to come back tot eh school. If you miss either, start walking.
"It's supposed to be colder tomorrow, so dress warmly. Everyone except the eighth graders is dismissed." The sixty or so other students walked out of the dining hall. The bell tolled four times for third period. I would be going to band now.
"Now for you guys." Ryuu sat at the table across from us, his hands folded on top of it. "I expect you to behave tomorrow. I mean it."
"Hai, Headmaster." We replied.
"If I get another call like last month…" He stopped.
"I'm telling you, Headmaster, Sango had massive PMS." Miroku defended.
"I'll show you massive PMS, you corrupted monk!" Sango clenched he fists and stood up.
"Stop! Sit, Sango." The headmaster pointed to her chair. Sango obeyed. "That's just what I'm talking about. It's a disgrace when I still have to send a teacher with your grade for these trips. This excludes you, girls." He glanced at me and Kagome. "I've chosen Kaede this time. You are to check in with her every three hours. If someone ends up in the hospital again I'll do worse than two weeks detention."
"Yes, Headmaster." Kagome and I stayed silent that time.
"How's your day so far, girls? Are they being helpful?" I was surprised by his sudden change in personality.
"Oh, very helpful, sir." I smiled.
"Yep, yep." Ayame nodded enthusiastically. "Kagome beat Jakotsu in a debate."
"Really? That's quite an accomplishment. He gets it from his father. We went to school together here."
"Called him an idiot, too." Hojo added. Ryuu lifted a quizzical eyebrow. "I believe she said his argument was weak."
"It was." Kagome muttered.
"Well, as much as I would like to hear about it, it's time for you to go to class."
"Headmaster Ryuu, I was hoping that I could have a word with them, first." I'm assuming it was the teacher named Kaede. "You know, just to set a few ground rules."
"All right, Kaede. But, could you talk to them in the gym? We have to start setting up for lunch."
"Certainly, Headmaster. Follow me, little troublemakers." She grabbed Miroku by an earring that was dangling from his ear and dragged him out of his chair.
"Yow! Pain, Kaede! Pain in the ear!" He hurried to keep up with the withered woman.
"Silence, prude." Kaede snapped. "Come along, kids. I don't have all day." The rest of us clattered to our feet and rushed to catch up with her. Once the dining hall door thudded closed behind us, Kaede released Miroku.
"Kami, I thought you were serious." Miroku rubbed his red ear. "Can't you go for the hair, Kaede?"
"Oh, be quiet, Miroku." Kaede sighed. "Be happy I'm your chaperone. Aiko volunteered." A shudder went up Naraku's spine.
"Thank you, Kaede, for doing us all that favor." He gulped.
"You're welcome. And hello, Kikyou, Kagome. I look forward to training with you." The woman smiled at us. "Don't bother asking about Aiko. You'll find out soon enough."
"Sensei, didn't you tell us to come with you in order to establish some ground rules for tomorrow?" Kagome asked. Kouga chuckled and shook his head.
"So naïve." He placed a hand on her shoulder. From the look in her eyes I thought for sure she was going to at least flip him. But, she didn't.
"Remove your hand or I will do so for you." She hissed. "And believe you me, I'll make sure it hurts."
Sango nodded her approval. "I like her." Kouga hastily removed his hand from Kagome's shoulder and shot a glare at Sango.
"Yeah, she's violent, like you." He muttered. A little girl, looking to be around four, ran up, keeping Sango from dealing Kouga some heavy abuse. The little girl hid behind Kagome's leg, clinging tightly to it.
"Make him stop, Kae-Kae!" She cried.
"Is Shippou bothering you again, Rin?" The old woman asked. Rin nodded. "Did you do anything to him?"
"Rin did nothing. He just a bully." The girl pouted.
"Well, let's go have a talk with him, okay." Kaede held he hand out and Rin gladly took it.
"I'll talk to you later, kids." The teacher led the little girl away.
"You, little Higurashi, have a lot to learn." Kouga once again placed his arm on Kagome's shoulder. She growled and flexed her fingers before grabbing the offending hand before he had time to react.
"I said, 'Keep your hands off of me'." Her hand glowed but I could tell she wasn't putting much effort behind it. Only enough to burn him a little.
"All right, I get the point. Don't like to be touched. Make a note of that, Miroku." Kouga shook his sore hand.
"Yeah… I'd like to keep my manhood. " The bell tolled four times. Time for lunch. "Ah, the best class of the day." Miroku sighed happily.
"You're such a glutton, Miroku. It's going to catch up with you one of these days." Sango rolled her eyes and walked back into the dining hall.
"Don't count on it, Sango, my love. I'll have a six pack until the day I die." I laughed and pulled on Kagome's arm.
"Come on, Kag. Even though you hate food it's a necessity of life." She gave me 'the look'. The look that could make hell freeze over. "You remind me of Sesshoumaru when you do that." I caught myself too late. "Oops…"
"I'll eat at dinner." She wrenched her arm from my grasp and walked towards Building A. I bit my lip and fought the urge to go after her. She needed some time alone.
"Question: Who is Sesshoumaru? Sounds hot." Ayame asked.
"He's a friend of hers back in Tokyo." I replied, though with some hesitation.
"If he's her friend, why did she react like that?" She inquired.
"I don't know." I lied. I knew perfectly well why she reacted like that. I just didn't want to believe it at the moment.
Lunch sped by, as did fourth and fifth period. I had fourth period, drama, with Miroku, Ayame, Kagura, and Kanna. Kag had art with Naraku, Hojo, Onigumo, and Yura. Fifth period was 'study hall'. In student language, that's 'talk to your friends'. Then, sixth. The big class. Advanced miko training. In short, I was terrified. Kag seemed okay. She had calmed down since lunch and was now waiting patiently for instruction.
"Hi, girls. You're in my advanced class?" Kaede asked quizzically. We nodded. "Odd. Maybe the secretary made a mistake…" She trailed off and looked us over. "Please forgive me. I've never had anyone below junior year in this class. I suppose I could just check, though…"
"Don't we need uniforms, Sensei?" Kagome asked. All the girls currently practicing were wearing black shorts or pants and either a pink, blue, or white shirt.
"Not yet. We've been working on purification. See those targets at the far end of the gym?" She nodded in the general direction of the targets.
"Hai." I replied.
"Do your worst to them." It was a vague command and I was the first to obey. The blast of energy I sent at one of them didn't even make it half way before dissipating.
"Your turn, Kagome." My sister looked at the targets and closed her eyes.
Normal energy won't work. Too weak. Focus, Kagome. She told herself. Her hands glowed blue and I felt her aura spike considerably.
"Girls, duck!" Kaede shouted before Kagome thrust her hands forward, the light leaving them. In a spectacular flash, the target disappeared in a heap of ashes.
"Holy…" One girl began.
"Shit." Another finished. "Who the hell is she, Kaede?"
"She's a flipping prodigy. Come with me, Higurashi's." Kaede gently took Kagome's arm and pulled her out of the gym with me running to keep up.
"Did I do something wrong, Sensei?" Kagome asked.
"Wrong, child? Kami, no. You purified the target! I've been trying to get them to do that for weeks. The closest anyone has come is a scorch mark!" She was positively giddy. "Now, you two wait right here. I need to speak with the headmaster." She had led us back into the Administrations Building and we were now standing outside of the headmaster's office.
Kaede knocked on the door and opened it when she was granted entrance. The door closed abruptly, but voices were still audible.
"Oh, Kaede. How are the girls doing? Did I put them in the right class?" Ryuu asked.
"Kikyou, yes. Kagome, no." She answered. I was confused. My little pink ball of energy hadn't even made it half way to the target. Kagome vaporized the thing. I could tell by the expression on Kagome's face that she was confused as well.
"Is she too weak?" The headmaster questioned.
"Just the opposite!" Kaede replied excitedly. "She completely destroyed the target she was supposed to purify. I haven't seen that much power in a girl so little since their mother was in school!"
"So, what seems to be the problem?"
"I can't teach her a damned thing in a regular class. I have a proposal. Let her be an aide for some teacher in sixth period and then let me have her after school gets out for the day. Only twenty minutes or so would be perfect."
"You're in luck, Kaede. Nani was just in here saying she needed an assistant. It'll be perfect to work on Kagome's social skills. She seems a bit cold to me."
"Thank you, Headmaster! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"Don't let me down, Kaede. If I find she doesn't make any progress she's out." I looked at Kagome. I knew she was powerful, but I had no idea she was that powerful. It was scary… almost.
Author's Note: I know it isn't that long, but as with the original of this story, it focuses on their older years. In the next chapter it skips to them being juniors. Three reviews equals a happy authoress and an update. So… REVIEW!