Cherry Blossoms
3
"So what club are you joining?" asked Sango as Kagome and her walked up to school. It had been a week since their first meeting, and it already felt like they'd known each other for months. "I'm joining either the judo or the kendo club. Or the karate club."
"I'm not sure," Kagome said. "I don't really play that many sports, so it's a little tough for me to choose."
"You don't have to play sports," Sango said. "However, I suggest that you do play some sport."
"No, forget it, I'm not good at anything," Kagome said, waving her hand to indicate that she didn't care.
"That's what you think now," Sango said, "but if you don't try, how are you expected to know whether you'll be good at it or not? I say you give it a try. Besides, someone once told me that a healthy body is the first step to having a happy mind. And sports is one of the best ways to stay healthy."
"When did you become so philosophical?" Kagome muttered. She sighed. "Fine, I guess I'll try it."
"Great," Sango grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Then the first thing we'll do today is find an appropriate club for you."
"Right," Kagome said uncertainly. This is going to be terrible, she thought, dreading it already.
The moment Sango and Kagome entered the school building, they noticed a huge crowd that had gathered in front of the bulletin board in the hall. Sango and Kagome shoved past most of the students in order to see what all the fuss was about. When they reached the board, Kagome rolled her eyes. A list of the clubs had been hung up on the board, along with instructions for how to join one and how to create one if necessary. The second Sango saw it, her face lit up. "Perfect!" she said. "This'll make it so much easier to choose the right club for you!"
After spending nearly ten minutes pushing past people, Sango and Kagome finally got to see the list. Kagome didn't pay attention to what was written, but Sango seemed to be observing the list very closely. Five minutes later, Sango pulled Kagome out of the crowd and told her that she had found the perfect club.
"What?" Kagome asked, yawning.
"I think," Sango said, pausing for dramatic effect, "you should join the archery club."
"Archery?" Kagome stared at Sango. Has she gone crazy? Kagome wondered. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, archery, I'm sure," Sango said, nodding.
So she has gone crazy, Kagome thought. "I've never...I've never shot an arrow in my entire life," Kagome said.
"So what? You can always learn," Sango said. "Besides, isn't that the point of clubs?"
"I'll think about it," Kagome said, although she honestly did not want to think about it. I'll just join the Ikebana club, she thought.
They entered their class. As usual, Kagome went to sit in the right corner of the class, and Sango sat in the seat that was in front of the seat two seats to the left of Kagome. This meant that the only person who Kagome could talk to was Takahashi Inuyasha, the weird guy who sat next to her. And he wasn't much fun to talk to.
As soon as they took their seats, Yamaguchi-sensei entered the classroom. "Good morning, students," he said cheerfully. Kagome mentally groaned. She didn't like Yamaguchi-sensei. It wasn't anything about him, it was just that he taught her least favourite subject: Maths. And Maths first thing in the morning was not Kagome's cup of tea.
Sango was good at Maths. She was brilliant, but she did have competition. Kobayashi Miroku, more commonly known as "Houshi-sama" to most of the people in the class, was also one of the most intelligent person in the class, and also her biggest competitor. However, as competitive as Sango was, Kagome noticed that she had a soft spot for Miroku.
"Higurashi Kagome," Yamaguchi-sensei called, interrupting Kagome's thoughts. "Can you tell me the answer to this question?"
Kagome got up and looked blankly at the equation written on the board. So many x's and y's... Maths never made sense to her.
"I-I don't know," she said hesitantly.
"Well, pay attention and maybe you will know," Yamaguchi-sensei said sternly.
During lunch break, Kagome had plans to study, but Sango wouldn't allow that.
"We have to get you signed up for the archery club," Sango said enthusiastically.
"Do you like embarrassing me?" Kagome asked, exasperated. Every time she'd talked to Sango that morning, they'd only talked about the archery club. "Why do you think I'll even enjoy it?"
"You know how sometimes people have secret talents?" Sango asked, and Kagome shrugged in response. "Well, I think you're secretly good at archery."
"But...but...how can I be good at something I've never even tried?" Kagome asked.
"Well then, try it!" Sango said.
Kagome shook her head, but she couldn't stop smiling. Just a few days ago, Sango had been this quiet, shy and antisocial person who never seemed to want to talk to anyone, and now she was this bubbly, overenthusiastic girl who couldn't stop talking. The transition was ridiculous. It was almost as if Sango and Kagome had switched roles.
"Fine, but can't we go later? I have to study right now," Kagome said, turning back to her textbook.
"Later?" Sango asked. "When exactly do you propose on going?"
"Um..." Kagome shifted uneasily. Honestly, she was trying her best to avoid going anywhere, but Sango was persistent. She'd never realized how stubborn Sango could be at times. "Perhaps...never?"
"You do realize it's compulsory to be in a club," Sango said, raising her eyebrows. "And even if you tell them you're not going to be in one, you'll probably never get into a good college, because they won't allow you to graduate if you don't do any activities in high school. And before you say anything," Sango continued, stopping Kagome before she could say a word, "no, there isn't any point in being in a club next year or the year after that. If there's anywhere to start, it's here and now."
"You really are incredible at giving inspirational speeches," Kagome said, "but I can't be in a club if I don't want to be in one."
Kagome felt Sango's heart sink. She felt bad too, but she couldn't help it. Was she being selfish? Maybe she was, but she always believed in following her heart, and ignoring what everyone else thought.
"I think I should be in the Ikebana club," Kagome muttered.
Sango's sharp ears heard her. "Hey, uh, Kagome," Sango said gently. "You know I'm your friend, and I support your decision no matter what, but please don't tell me that you'd rather mess around with flowers than shoot an arrow."
Kagome looked away, embarrassed. "I don't know. I just don't feel like I can do anything other than that."
Sango looked at Kagome for a while. Suddenly, she realized exactly what the problem was. "OH, so this is about your self-esteem, huh?" she asked. "Well, I know the perfect way to boost your self-esteem!"
"Yeah?" Kagome asked, uninterested.
"Join the archery club," Sango said.
Kagome sighed. "Fine, since you're so eager, I'll think about it."
"Okay," Sango said, grinning, waiting for Kagome to answer.
It can't hurt, can it? Kagome thought. I mean, to be honest, it is a much better option than the Ikebana club...but what if I fail? What if I'm no good? Is it possible to change clubs then?
Kagome turned to Sango and smiled. "Yeah, I will."
Sango squealed in a way that was very un-Sango-like and hugged Kagome like a five-year-old kid thanking her mom for her birthday present.
"Um, Sango," Kagome coughed. "You're...killing me..."
Sango quickly pulled away. "Whoops, that wasn't supposed to happen," Sango laughed, and Kagome laughed along with her.
Kagome stood nervously at the door of the archery club. She turned around, only to see Sango giving her a thumbs-up as a sign of encouragement. Kagome turned back towards the door and let out a long sigh. She then turned the door handle.
The room which she entered was a large one, with wooden walls and floors, and long ceiling-to-floor windows. The room was empty, except for a desk in front and a few targets for archery practice, which were lined up at the back. There were also a few bows and arrows next to the targets. Suddenly, Kagome felt this unusual urge to pick up a bow and arrow and just shoot a target. Before she could even think, she was moving towards them, and in no time, she was standing in front of a target with the bow and arrow in her hands. They felt a little heavy, but she didn't care. She just wanted to shoot the target properly. Concentrating on the center, she pulled the arrow back, and positioning it, let go.
The arrow pierced through the air. It seemed to have a mind of its own, a mind that was determined to reach that target no matter what. The arrow hit the target, but missed the center by a centimeter.
"Impressive, but you lack focus," a voice said behind Kagome.
Kagome spun around to see a girl, probably around her age. She wore the same seifuku as Kagome, but for some reason, it seemed like she was royalty, and not just an ordinary high school student. When Kagome saw her face, she was stunned. This person...she looks just like me!
The girl seemed just as puzzled as her, but regained her composure quickly. "Who are you?"
"M-my name is Kagome," Kagome said, her hands shaking by her side. "Higurashi Kagome. I-I want to join the club."
"I see," the girl said. She had a serious expression on her face, and Kagome couldn't help but feel like she was looking at her own reflection in the mirror. The girl came closer to Kagome and studied her face.
After a few moments of silence, Kagome spoke. "S-so can I join the club?" Kagome stammered.
"Do you always talk like that?" the girl asked.
"N-no," Kagome said, before realizing her mistake. She straightened herself and said firmly, "I mean, no."
"Well, that's my answer to your question," the girl said, looking Kagome up and down. She then locked eyes with Kagome. "No, you cannot join this club."
"Why not?" Kagome asked.
"It seems that you're trying to impersonate me," the girl said, narrowing her eyes. "I've had to deal with a lot of posers like you, and I honestly hate them. If you think you can pretend to be me, you're going to have to surpass me, and I guarantee you, I cannot and will not be defeated by someone like you."
"I'm sorry, but I think you're mistaken," Kagome said, laughing a little. "I'm not pretending to be you. In fact, I have absolutely no clue who you are. I'm a freshman, and this is my second week at this school, and I know pretty much no one. And I'm just as surprised as you to find that we look similar."
The girl looked at Kagome carefully. "I suppose I believe you. But I still don't trust you."
Wow, this girl is complicated, Kagome thought, mentally sighing. "Look, I understand if you don't want me to join, but if that's the case, just say it. I don't care whether you trust me or not."
Kagome wondered when she'd become this brave. The girl then took one last look at Kagome and then gave a small smile. "You're welcome to join," she said calmly. "I apologize for doubting you. You don't seem like a bad person, honestly. Also, I haven't introduced myself yet, have I? Sorry. My name is Inoue Kikyo, and I'm the manager of the Jundo High School Archery Club. It's a pleasure to have you join." Kikyo extended her hand. Kagome shook it awkwardly. She didn't know that joining clubs was this formal.
They both pulled away. "We practice everyday from 3 PM to 5 PM, but you are allowed to stay for longer if you wish to," Kikyo said. "Please be punctual. I can't stand it when people are late for classes." Kagome nodded.
"One last thing," Kikyo said, looking Kagome in the eyes. She wasn't smiling anymore. "Don't even think of disobeying me."
Kagome gulped. "Of course not," she managed.
"Good," Kikyo said, smiling again. "I'll see you tomorrow, then?"
"Definitely," Kagome said, half-smiling. "See you."
As she walked out the door, she felt chills going up her spine. Something about this Kikyo was quite...strange. She seemed like a mysterious human being, and even though she knew so little about Kikyo, Kagome felt like the two of them would never get along. Also, it seemed like Kikyo didn't even like her. The whole thing made no sense to Kagome. It didn't even make sense to her that she looked like Kikyo.
Sango stood outside, waiting expectantly. Kagome was now certain that it wouldn't go well, and she wanted to shout at Sango and blame her for everything, but she couldn't. Sango was worried about her, and she needed to be grateful. She was in the archery club now, after all.
"So?" Sango asked Kagome, eager to hear the answer.
Kagome forgot all about Kikyo. The archery club. You're in the archery club. Be happy. She grinned. "I got in."
"I told you!" Sango said, grinning as well. She gave Kagome a high-five, and the two of them walked back to class, with Sango telling Kagome what an amazing experience it'll be and how she knew Kagome could do it, and how much she'll enjoy it.
Kagome had absolutely no clue how much trouble lay ahead of her.
AHHHHH! IT'S FINALLY OVER! Goodness, I can't believe it took me that long to write a chapter, I sort of had writers' block midway so I'm sorry if I didn't do a good job. I'm also really sorry about the fact that I made you wait, I was working on Bits and Pieces too, and also I have (the dreaded) exams for the next two weeks, so I've been studying (yes, I study weeks in advance, that's the kind of nerd I am) and haven't had time for writing fanfiction, unfortunately. I will, however, be on almost all the time after the exams are over (i.e. the 30th!) so be prepared for *a lot* of fanfiction.
Anyways, I'll see you! Hope you enjoyed this, and if you didn't, yes, I am here to listen to you scream at me so you are totally welcome to do exactly that. And as usual, I hope you won't have to do that. Even so, thank you for reading!
~maddie-nee-chan
