~Kagome~
*Kikyou*
^Hiei^
#Kurama#
%Youko%
Thoughts
(Actions within the mind)
The next day Kagome woke with the sun. As she stood up, got a clean miko outfit and a clean demon exterminator outfit to go underneath, she noticed that Keiko was still asleep. Rolling her eyes at how lazy people are in the modern times she went and took a shower, all the while wishing for a hot spring instead. After she was showered and dressed she went downstairs and fixed a couple of pieces of toast for breakfast- she didn't see the point in eating too much when you first wake up, especially if there were chores to do. After eating her toast she headed outside to start the chores.
First she decided to sweep the steps, which usually takes a while if done right. All the while she was holding a conversation with her beloved 'other half'.
~I have forgotten how late people sleep in during this time…even though I grew up in this time period I feel like I have walked into an alternate universe~
*Uh, you did…remember when you went into the past, which was kind of like walking into an alternate universe.*
~Good point, I guess I'm so used to how things were then, that coming back is a little overwhelming. I feel like maybe it would have been best if we would have let the well close up and stayed in the past~
*Nah, that wouldn't have been any fun…everyone already knew about our situation…No one here does, think of all the fun we could have*
~Kikyou...I don't think-~
*besides what time does everyone around here awake up anyway* Interrupted Kikyou
~Umm…depends on the person and on the day. Considering that today is Saturday I would say between 7 and 8. Which is in about an hour…So they should be up by the time I finish the second half of the stairs~
*Let the awkwardness begin*
~How about we go shopping today? ~
*Oh yea! As much as you've described about shopping it sounds wonderful, lets go now!*
~Umm Kikyou? Weren't you the one that said we had a job to do here, and right now I think that job is to finish sweeping these last few steps. Besides As long as we've taken I think someone is starting to wake up in the house. The least we could do is to let them know where we are going~
*Fine (sigh) I just want to go shopping (starts to pout)*
After Kagome finished sweeping the steps- and Kikyou finished pouting, she headed back into the house to see who it was waking up and to let her family know where she was going, after all she did just disappear for a year, she didn't want them to worry needlessly when she was just going to pick up a few things. As she entered the house she noticed that her mom was in the kitchen making breakfast for everyone and that Keiko was helping her. They didn't notice her yet, so she listened for a few minutes to there conversation, curious to know how close the two of them were.
"Hey momma, did Kagome always wake up so early" Keiko was asking
"No, I remember before she disappeared that she would always try and sleep as late as possible, could hardly get that girl out of bed without there being an emergency" Kona said chuckling at a past memory.
"I know a lot can happen in a year, but it seems that she's changed even more dramatically than most in that time span"
"Oh Keiko darling, even though I don't know that much about why she left in the first place, I can tell you that she has went through a lot, she was bound to change after everything"
"Oh momma, do you think she likes me? I have a feeling she doesn't care for me. Do you know last night she slept sitting up on the floor, I woke her and asked if she would rather sleep in her bed, but she just told me no and to let her sleep"
"I guess it'll just take some getting used to" Kona sighed wishing her daughter wasn't changed so much.
Kagome felt that she heard enough and decided to let her presence known. "Good morning, I finished sweeping the shrine steps and was thinking of heading to the mall to pick up a new bedspread. Of course if that's ok with you"
The two females in the kitchen spun shocked to find her standing so casual there. "Oh Kagome! How long have you been there?"
"Long enough, is it ok that I go to the mall?"
"Of course dear, but what's wrong with your bedspread? It's your favorite one"
"Nothing is wrong with it, it's just I don't care much for pink" Kagome was getting a little annoyed with everyone talking about her changes and then turning around and trying to pretend like nothing changed to her face.
"Oh, well yes you can get a new one, I'm sorry; I should have realized that you would be out of the pink stage after so long a time. But at least wait until after breakfast, I'm making your favorite"
"That's ok, I've already had toast, and I'm not a big breakfast person. So I think I'll just go while everyone is eating"
"Umm, Kagome, if you wouldn't mind waiting and some company I was going to the mall today, we could go together" Keiko said, afraid of being refused.
Kagome saw the hope in her new sister's eyes and a pleading to get along in her mother's eyes, so with a silent sigh-only Kikyou heard it- she informed the two that she would be meditating while waiting.
~~~~~~~~After Breakfast~~~~~~
Keiko met Kagome outside under the God tree. Kagome was still in her meditation pose opened her eyes as soon as Keiko approached, reminding Keiko of Kurama. As Keiko looked over Kagome's outfit, she realized that Kagome was still wearing the same outfit as earlier.
"You ready to go?" Kagome asked, pulling Keiko out of her thoughts
"Umm, Kagome, don't you want to change first?"
"What? Oh umm, yea, I forgot that it was different here" Kagome muttered the last part, but Keiko heard it and wondered just where had Kagome gone, that she would forget that wearing a miko outfit to the mall was an everyday thing.
After Kagome changed into some clothes that she had left behind they set off for the mall. For the first fifteen minutes the girls walked in uncomfortable silence, finally not being able to stand it anymore Keiko asked the one thing that was on her mind.
"Umm, Kagome, are you mad at me or not like me? I mean I could understand after all, you did come home just to find out that there were two new members of the family" Keiko started to ramble, she couldn't understand why being around Kagome made her a little nervous, she usually could talk to anyone about anything.
"No, I'm not mad at you, nor do I dislike you; how could I when I do not know you."
"Perhaps we should try and get to know one another?"
"Fine. What would you like me to know about you?" Kagome asked, trying to make sure the questions stayed away from herself.
"Well, I'm 18 years old, my birthday is August 15th. I'm friends with mostly guys, well four guys in particular. One used to be my boyfriend, he's name is Yusuke, but now we are more like brother and sister. Another one is named Kuwabara he's rather tall and not very good looking, but he's the nicest person out there. Another one is Kurama, he's so nice and cute, he's actually my boyfriend now, and I know it would seem awkward because of Yusuke, but Yusuke has given his blessing. And the last one is Hiei, he's quiet and aloof, you'll see what I mean when you meet them. Umm, I've been living here about a year, even though our parents have only been married six months. They wanted all of to live together first to see what it would be like for us, they were also waiting for you to come back, but after awhile they assumed you wouldn't. But we all still hoped. Oh dear I'm rambling"
"Yes you are, and besides we're here. If you'll excuse me I have some things I need to pick up" With that Kagome left Keiko standing at the entrance of the mall with a shocked look on her face.
*Thank Kami we are away from her. Does everyone around here ramble like that?*
~No, thankfully, though I guess she was nervous. We are used to silence, actually prefer it, but most people in the era do not like silence.~
*well, isn't that just great*
~Kikyou stop being such a baby and lets pick out a new bedspread~
After 10 minutes of arguing- mentally of course- the two finally agreed on a black comforter with silver stars and crescent moons on it, sliver sheets, and silver pillowcases with black edging. After picking out the bedspread and things, the girls then decided to get a new rug, so they could throw out the pink one. They found the perfect one. It was a soft, silky, black fury one, with silver throughout it. By the time the shopping was done Kagome decided to go to the food court and get some lunch. As she approached the food court, she heard someone shout out her name, and she groaned. She turned her head to the person who called her name and saw Keiko, with four guys walking to her.
~Could my day get any worse~
*Probably, but lets run, I don't want to hear Ms. Babble Mouth anytime soon*
~Kikyou be nice, she's our new sister~
*Correction, your new sister, my new headache*
~Shut up~
"Kagome, I was just telling the guys about you showing up, are you done with your shopping? We were just getting a bite to eat"
"Great." Kagome mumbled, earning an amused look from the guy dressed in all black.
"Oh I forgot to do introductions, Kagome this is Yusuke, Kurama, Kuwabara, and Hiei, guys this is my step-sister Kagome" Keiko introduced, pointing to the person that matched with the name. As each guy said hello in their own personal way, Kagome just nodded, turned around and went to order her a slice of pizza and a coke.
"Well she seems friendly" Yusuke said sarcastically.
"Yusuke, please be nice, she's been like this since she showed up yesterday evening. Momma said that even though she doesn't know what happened, she knows that Kagome has been through a lot."
"It's ok Keiko, I'm sure she'll come around, after all, you two just met."Kurama tried to soothe
"You're right! Let's go eat lunch with her"
"Umm, Keiko, I don't think that's wise. She didn't seem in the mood for company" Yusuke said.
"Oh, don't worry about it Yusuke. I'm sure she won't mind"
^Hn, fox did you notice anything strange about her?^
#You mean her powers, or the fact that she seems so unfeeling?#
^Her powers^
%I noticed something else about her%
#What's that Youko?#
%Her body! Did you two notice how fine she looks, especially in that tight shirt and very short-very fine- shorts?%
#Give it a rest Youko, we are with Keiko#
%I know, but a fox can still look%
^Hn, I'm going to leave you two alone to have this discussion^
#Not a bad idea, Youko you can look, but don't comment to me about anything you see#
%Fine by me, more for me%
As the three were having their mental conversation the group made it over to Kagome's table. As she looked up Keiko sat down, making everyone else sit as well.
"Can I help you with anything" Kagome asked
"No, I just thought we could all have lunch together and get to know one another"
"I thought that's what we did on the way here?"
"No, that was me giving some information about myself. I still don't know anything about you"
"Did you ever think that maybe not knowing about me was for the best? I know what you're doing. I know you want me to become comfortable around you so that I will tell you where I've been and what I've been up to, and after you find out your going to tell it to mo-mother. "
"What would be so wrong with telling us?" Keiko whispered. All the boys looked on, confused and intrigued. They knew that Kagome was gone for a year; they did after all hang out with Keiko at the shrine. What they were confused about is what was so secretive that she wouldn't tell anybody.
"Because it's none of your business, so drop it. Now if you'll excuse me I need to get back to the shrine and finish up the chores. The shrine is not being taken care of properly and I need to fix that. Good day." With that Kagome got up and walked away, intending to do exactly as she said; fix up the shrine.
~~~With Keiko and the gang~~~
"Well that's another conversation that has went bad" Keiko started to cry
"Shh. It's ok, it'll get better, if you want we can go back with you and hang out, maybe she will come around with more of us there" Kurama said, holding Keiko and rubbing her back.
"Yea, besides I might like her attitude, but she had no right to upset you like that." Yusuke said, already thinking that he was going to hate Kagome.
"Yusuke, please don't do anything stupid, she did have a point. What she did or where she went is none of my business"
"But aren't you both sisters now? Why wouldn't it be you business?" Kuwabara asked, no he wasn't stupid (most of the time) but he didn't understand why sisters wouldn't like each other.
"Its not that simple" Kurama answered
"Hn" was all Hiei was going to put forth. He personally agreed with the girl, it was her life and people should allow her privacy. Though he was a little curious as well.
After the group finished their lunch and their shopping, they headed back to the shrine and hopefully eventually into Kagome's friendship.