Kagome glared at her reflection. Around her ankle was a delicately wrought piece of silver. Kisuke had suppressed her powers with a flimsy piece of silver, cutting her off from most of it. He had left her with a small portion, at best enough to purify a low level demon. Kagome growled. That amount of power was worthless to her. But then, he said that when she was in school, more of the restraints would be lifted because she needed to learn how to do things with it. She sighed softly as she turned to the waiting captain.
"Are you done staring at your reflection?"
"Why? Would you like to stare at yours instead?" Kagome snorted. "Don't bother. You'll only break the mirror." Kisuke chuckled and ruffled her hair.
"You're so precious Kagome-chan. Now if only you'd stop being so bitchy." Agome shrugged.
"Can't. It's part of who I am." Kisuke turned away from her, missing the dark glare she threw at him.
"Soifon!!!" There was a crash as the startled woman jerked upright from where she had dozed off.
"Yes Kisuke-san?"
"Be a dear and take Kagome to the Academy. Let her room with her friend. The one Tosen found her with."
"As you wish sir." Kagome turned around to stare at Soifon. She studied the other woman for a while and then smiled softly.
"How are you today?" Soifon blinked in surprise. From the time she had entered the room, the small girl had insulted Kisuke Urahara more than any other person she had ever witnessed. Now she was acting sweet?
"I am well. And you?"
"As well as can be expected when have of what is you is sealed away in a place you can't reach unless someone says the magic word."
"Now, now. It isn't that bad." Kagome glared at the blonde man. "Okay, so maybe it is. But at least you have some reiatsu left to use. Soifon, Academy, now." Soifon nodded.
"Come on Kagome. Let's go get the things you'll need." She held out her hand to the small girl. Navy blue eyes stared at the offered hand with something close to disgust. Soifon pulled back her hand quickly, feeling a mix of anger and shame. The little girl had scared her. The girl turned to look at her reflection one more time. It was then Kisuke realized what was different about her.
"Your eyes! What happened?" Kagome turned to look at him. He cowered for a second; the look in her eyes was something one would reserve for staring at a disgusting bug.
"You sealed my power you idiot. What did you think would happen?"
"That never happened before!" Urahara defended. Kagome snorted. She played with the billowy sleeves of her outfit as she walked by him.
"Unless I heard wrong, you've never really used it before, have you idiot?" As she left the room, Soifon met Kisuke's eyes. Where had the sweet girl gone?
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Kagome glared at the school uniform before switching her gaze to the man that was holding it. Yumichika Ayasegawa smirked.
"What is it?" Kagome started at him for a second longer before her eyes turned watery.
"I look fat in red!!! How could you give me such a hideous thing!!!!?" She wailed, catching the attention of the other people in the store. "Soifon!! Tell me he's lying and that that isn't what I have to wear!!!" Soifon twitched.
"I'm sorry Kagome. But that is the school uniform for the girls. You have to wear it." Kagome sniffed. She turned away from Soifon to Yumichika.
"Can't I wear the boy's uniform instead? I have bad memories in red. I look fat and pale and unpretty!!!!" Yumichika stared at the crying girl as memories of his days in the Academy returned. He had hated his uniform with a passion, but no one had understood him enough to give him another color. This little girl was in the same predicament and he would save her!!!
"Little one I understand what you are going through!! The world does not understand what the beautiful people need to survive. I, Yumichika Ayasegawa, shall bestow upon you the boy's uniform. You will look stunning in the way I was never allowed to during school!!" Kagome's tears stopped suddenly.
"R-Really?" She breathed cutely. "Y-You would do that? For me?"
"I will!" Kagome smiled brightly as she hugged the man.
"Thank you!!!!" She smirked into the folds of his clothes. 'Score!! Now I don't have to look like Kikyou, even though no one knows who she is!!!!!'
"You don't have to thank me!! Let me get your uniform." As Yumichika ran off to the storeroom to find Kagome's size in the boy's uniform, Kagome turned to Soifon.
"I don't have to wear it after all!!!" The small girl cheered. Her joy was soon cut off by a vaguely familiar voice.
"Please tell me they aren't really sending you to the Academy with us." Toushiro ground out. "You'll just ruin it for everyone."
"Toushiro!! Don't say that!!" Momo smiled softly at the girl. "Hi! Remember us?" Kagome nodded.
"Uh-huh. You two are the ones I met before that Tosen guy showed up!" Kagome smiled. "How have you been?"
"Great!! Toushiro and I have been sponsored. So we're being put into the Academy without that debt hanging over our heads when we get out. Have you?" Kagome turned to look at Soifon. She nodded.
"Yea. I guess."
"Who sponsored you?" Kagome turned to Toushiro to answer, only to be cut off by the return of Yumichika.
"Here you are my dearest child!! Don't ever be afraid to ask my help for anything! In fact, I shall help you pick up everything you will need for the Academy!!!" Grabbing her hand, he all but dragged her away from the two people she was talking to. The ten year old girl looked down at the six year old boy.
"Wasn't that odd?"
"Not any weirder than the Academy picking me up at this age." Momo sighed. That was true. Besides, the only reason she was there was because of Toushiro and Kagome. She hadn't been wanted by the Academy before because they had deemed her weak. Now, they would take her because of the promise of power Toushiro had.
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Soifon giggled softly at the bewildered expression on Kagome's face. She had been dragged around the store and had had everything that could ever pop up in class be dropped on her. In the end, there was no possible way for Kagome to carry her purchases out of the store. It was a pleasant surprise when Yumichika promised to deliver it to her dorm room. Soifon could only wonder what her roommate would say to the clutter that was sure to happen. Suprisingly, it was Kagome who found a way to get rid of half the mountain of junk that she would soon own.
"Yumichika-sama? As much as I appreciate your help, you know that I can't have all of this. How about this. You keep these things around for me, and anytime I need them, I'll ask you for it." Yumichika smiled widely. It would be great to help the little girl!! Not only that, but it would give him a reason to see her again and assist her in her studies so that she would be the most beautiful and powerful in her class!!! Kagome stared at the man as he went all starry eyed. She edged away from him and hid behind Soifon. So what if she was supposed to be twenty-two? They all thought she was six! Soifon chuckled as the small girl inched her way behind her. She couldn't blame her for hiding. This man was scary. She stepped back slowly, waiting for the girl to catch her drift and follow. As they quietly escaped the shop, they were stopped by Momo.
"Kagome? Wouldn't it be better if you took your uniform?" Kagome flinched from her hiding place as it snapped the man out of his trance.
"Where are you going!!? You mustn't forget to take this! Or this!" Kagome sighed as the man placed too many bags to count at her feet. He frowned when he noticed that she was glaring at the bags. Then,Yumichika realized that he had overburdened the tiny girl. Sighing to himself, he removed a good amount of the bags. "These are the basics. I'll send over your stuff tomorrow. The rest of it I'll hold onto." He placed some of the bags in her hands. Kagome smiled brightly.
"Thank you Yumichika-san!!!" The man smiled brightly, his teeth sparkling.
"Go forth and be beautiful my dearest!!! Do me proud!!" As Kagome escaped the store, she heard Toushiro snicker from the counter. She couldn't find fault with him though. If it had been him being haunted by the odd man, she would have laughed her ass off.
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When Kagome entered her dorm room later that day, she expected to see someone else in the room. She was wrong. There was no one in her room. She idly wandered around, looking to see if there was another door that would lead to a different room. There wasn't. She turned to Soifon, who was standing at the door patiently.
"Wasn't I supposed to have a roommate?"
"You were. But you were sponsored by someone of great importance. He believes it would be beneficial for you to remain alone. At least, until you prove your worth to him." Kagome frowned.
"Wouldn't it have been better if he had given me an annoying roommate and made me work to get away from them? Like this, I have no need to work, because I have nothing I want." Soifon blinked. The small girl was actually right.
"I…I don't know." Soifon smiled softly. "But at least you'll be able to fit the things Yumichika is sending over." Kagome shivered. She had a feeling that it would be a lot of things. "But, please. You are new to this school. It would be best for you to understand what this school is about. Read the texts that have been delivered. Understand what is expected of you." Kagome frowned and tilted her head to the side.
"What is expected of me? And who is my sponsor?"
"Your sponsor's identity is a secret. He mentioned something about his lieutenant getting jealous and searching you out. We expect great things from you. Now, I'll be here with Kisuke tomorrow to undo some of the bindings on your suppressor. It will remain that way fro the rest of the time. Do not abuse your power." Kagome sighed.
"I understand." Soifon nodded.
"Good." She walked into the room and placed her share of bags on the table. "I shall see you tomorrow then." Soifon turned to the door. It wasn't until she was closing it that the small girl called out.
"Soifon?"
"Yes?" The girl opened her mouth to say something but hesitated. Something close to fear flashed through her eyes.
"Never mind." Kagome reached up and her small fingers encircled the jewel. Soifon's eyes softened.
"You can ask me."
"Do…Are we supposed to carry over things from our life before?" Soifon frowned.
"No. But it isn't unheard. Usually, it is something that you were so attached to that even in death, you couldn't part with it. It's attached to your very soul." Kagome sighed.
"So I was right…"She murmured softly. "Thank you Soifon."
"Is that chain special to you?" Kagome shook her head.
"I despise it." She turned away from Soifon. Smiling sadly, the woman closed the door, leaving Kagome to her thoughts. Kagome pulled off the chain and held it in front of her face at eye level. "So, you're attached to my very soul." She stated mockingly. "How sweet." With a flick of her wrist, she flung the jewel away from her. "It's a grand thing that no one knows what you are. I won't have to protect you anymore." Digging into the bags, Kagome searched for a brush. She found a bow instead. Pulling it out, she gazed at the pastel colored wood and smirked. "Well, well, well. Looky what I found." Kagome placed it on the table as she methodically emptied the rest of the bags. Her navy blue eyes clouded over with thoughts as she put her belongings away. After, she was left with her brush, a wooden box, and her chain. Murmuring softly to herself, she placed her only true belonging in the box. As the words of an ancient spell tumbled out from her mouth, Kagome couldn't help but be elated.
This was in a way, a second chance at a decently normal life….right?
If only she knew how wrong she was.
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Kagome woke to the sound of someone banging on her door.
"Ten more minutes Shippou!!" She rolled over and pulled the pillow over her head. When the door opened, she ignored it. At least, until someone's very cold hands grabbed her ankles and yanked her off the bed. With a shriek, she tumbled to the floor in a mass of soft blue sheets and pillows. Looking up, she saw Kisuke staring down at her.
"Wakey, wakey! It's time to remove some of the suppression bindings for you to go to class!!!" Kagome glared at him from her spot amongst the pillows. Slowly, she stood, pushing pillows out of her way. When she was finally done, she realized that Kisuke was staring at the box on her table.
"What?"
"What did you do to it?" Kagome frowned and then shrugged.
"I wanted to see if I could still do things I could when I was alive. I had enough power to do that."
"Reiatsu." Kisuke corrected her distractedly while he picked up the box. "Not power. Didn't you read?"
"Seeing as I wasted all the reiatsu I was allowed to play with the box, I wasn't able to. Well, not get through all the books. I read the more interesting ones," Kisuke nodded as he attempted to open the box.
"Good morning Kagome."
"And to you Soifon." The woman smiled.
"What is he doing?" Kagome giggled.
"He's attempting to open a box I sealed shut." Soifon frowned.
"Why would you seal a box shut? And how? You have not yet been given lessons on how to use your reiatsu." Kagome shrugged, giggling softly when Kisuke put the box down.
"Well, now, time to remove those pesky bindings." He sat on the floor and stared at the delicate chain. Encircling her delicate ankle with his hands, he began to chant even while fearing for the small child's life. Her sponsor had assigned her into a class that was advanced. She knew nothing of the life she was getting into and yet he had placed her into an area where the best went. Finished, he released her ankle and was gifted with a surge of power washing over him. Kisuke frowned, wondering if he had released to much. He moved to grab her ankle again when she danced out of his reach. He looked up to see her smiling brightly.
"Thank you!!" Her eyes were now a softer blue, like a lake.
"You're welcome. Now, prepare for class!!" Kagome grumbled under her breath as she gathered her stuff for a shower. She disappeared inside the bathroom. Soifon chuckled softly at the girl as she looked around the room. Making up her mind, she walked into the small kitchen to get the girl something to eat on her way to class. When the door opened again, twenty minutes later, Soifon kicked Kisuke out of the room.
"You're going to be very late if you are not ready within the next minute." Kagome shrugged as she got ready. It was simple to pull on the layers of clothes and tie back her hair. Finished, she picked up a slim book and walked out of the door, leaving Soifon behind. Soifon followed her, closing the door. "Here." She gave the girl an apple. "You would do best to eat it." Kagome nodded.
"Thank you." As they walked towards the Academy in companionable silence, Soifon found herself looking down at the girl every couple of seconds.
"Aren't you nervous?"
"About what? A bunch of brats like me? What is there to fear?" Kagome smiled up at her sweetly. Soifon reached up to open the door. Instantly, the class inside fell silent.
"You are late!! I will not stand for this insult!! Present yourself so that I know who…I….Kagome!!!! My beautiful friend!!!!" Kagome paled as Soifon snickered.
"Please, no. Don't do this to me." She grabbed Soifon's hand as the woman began walking away. "You can't torture me like this!! It isn't right!!!!"
"Sorry. Sponsor's rules." Kagome dropped the woman's hand as she turned back the class. Her shoulders drooped as she walked inside.
"Introduce yourself my dearest!!!"
"My name is Kagome Higurashi. I have some sponsor who won't tell me his name, an insane man who places suppressions on little girls, a lady who leaves her charge in the grips of scary men…and that's around it." The class murmured softly.
"My dear!!! You look stunning in that uniform!! I knew I was right to clothe you in another color!!" Kagome looked down at her uniform.
"Oh yea, I hate red." She smiled brightly as the class looked at one another. Why was she getting special treatment?
"Kagome!! Go sit by…..Rukia! Hand up!!" Kagome watched as an older girl raised her hand. She walked up the steps to where the girl sat and slipped into the seat next to her. Rukia looked at her and then looked away. "Now, back to class!! What are hollows!!?" Kagome moaned and slammed her head into the desk. This was going to be boring, wasn't it? Half an hour later, she was woken up.
"Move. You're in my way." Kagome sat up and stared into cool brown eyes.
"Your point being?"
"Look, it's time to train with our swords. Just because you're new, it doesn't mean you can disregard these classes." Kagome shrugged and stood. As people filed past her, she caught a glimpse of white.
"Toushiro!!" She ran over to his side. The white haired boy looked over at her in obvious annoyance.
"Why'd they place you in an advanced class? You aren't anything special."
"I could say the same for you." The two glared at each other. Simultaneously, they hmphed and looked away. When they reached the dojo, Kagome looked around, eager to see it. Her eyes were met with a plain room that was rather dull. Following the students, she walked to the walls and began inspecting the swords. The people around her picked up the ones they had chosen in the beginning. Next to her, Toushiro also inspected the dulled blades.
"These swords suck."
"Couldn't say it better myself." The duo sighed. Suddenly, a flash of white caught Kagome's eyes. Wandering over to it, she found a sword that wasn't in as crappy shape as the rest of them. It had an almost perfect balance. Next to her, Toushiro sighed.
"You would find one of the better swords, wouldn't you?" Kagome shrugged and placed it back on its hook. Confused Toushiro followed her down the rack until she came to a halt. Then he saw what had caught her attention.
"Yumichika-sensei?"
"Yes my dear?"
"Could I have that one? And the one next to it?" Yumichika nodded and removed the swords she had indicated. He smiled when he realized that she had picked out two of the last remaining swords that were actually useful. Most of his other students had failed him in that aspect. They had just picked a sword and left. She chose hers carefully. He handed her the two and was surprised when she handed the second to the white haired boy next to her.
"Thanks." Yumichika nodded as he went back to the rest of the class.
"Why'd you get me one too?"
"Would you like to use the crappy swords or one that you'll fight with best?" Smiling, Toushiro gave Kagome an awkward one sided hug before they joined the rest of the class. Once there, people who already had partners walked away to their normal spots. In the end, it left Kagome and Toushiro together. Toushiro sighed.
"This is getting bothersome. I do not want to be stuck with you through my entire Academy experience." Kagome smirked.
"Awww…come on Toushi. I could teach you a thing or two." Yumichika sighed as he watched the small girl and her opponent. When the fight began, he was startled out of his reverie by a cry of pain. Toushiro lay on the ground, clutching his hand. Kagome stood over him with her sword at her side.
"What happened here?"
"I disarmed him." Kagome tilted her head to the side as a cute look of confusion came over her face. "Wasn't that the point?" Yumichika sighed.
"I take it you're too advanced for him. I'll get you another partner." Kagome shook her head.
"No!! I like Toushiro!! Besides, I can just remember stuff from before!! I can help him be better!!" Yumichika looked at Toushiro who was pushing himself to his feet. The white haired boy glared at the other six year old.
"Bring it on!!!!" Yumichika could only shake his head. He had a feeling that those two would be the horror of his class.
If only he knew how right he was. It wouldn't take more than a year for Kagome to be able to master some of the lower level spells that were forbidden and less than that for Toushiro to learn to shunpo without instruction. The poor man wouldn't know what hit him when they were through with him.
