The weeks following Souta's accident passed quickly as Kagome's life fell back into her usual routine of chores and more chores. Though the townsfolk had been wary of treading on the ice for a few days, eventually the desire to skate outweighed the fear of the ice and soon there was life again on the river. Even Souta had worked up the courage to join his friends. At first he had stayed close to the shore, just in case misfortune were to befall him a second time, but now he meandered freely about the ice, racing with his friends and getting into all the trouble that a 12 year old should.
With the decreasing temperatures as the winter season progressed, Kagome's mother saw an increasing number of patients in the small hospice. It was getting to be too much work for one woman, and her mother was showing signs of strain. Kagome knew her mother was reluctant to expose her children to the contagion, but it could no longer be helped. In addition to her regular household chores, Kagome was now also tending to a few of the ill herself, monitoring their progress and administering what little treatment they had to offer.
Currently she was seated on the floor next to the bed of Abigail Sawyer, a sick young girl, rubbing her back as the small child coughed up blood-streaked sputum into a collecting dish. Abigail was pale and small, and for as much broth as she drank, she would not gain weight. Kagome feared the worst and she knew her mother agreed with the prognosis, as she had overheard her mother discreetly discussing funeral arrangements with Reverend Whittaker before he retired.
The new Preacher was due to arrive at any day now and a small party had been arranged for the day he arrived. Since he would be forced to travel inland by a horse-pulled sled, his arrival time would be variable. One of the nearby barns had already been decorated with boughs of spruce and pinecones to allow for the party to begin whenever he arrived.
Once the coughing young Abigail had quieted, Kagome stood as silently as possible and began retrieving the empty pitchers from the bedsides of the ill. She was half way through refilling them when there was a loud rap on the Sick Room door. Confused by the unexpected interruption, Kagome stood quickly and brush the small amount of wood-dust from the floor off her skirts before she approached the door.
"Kagome! The Reverend has just arrived! His party was spotted by the boys on the ice!" Sango exclaimed from her distance from the Sick Room door. Sango's father had given her very strict instructions not to step within the Sick Room, particularly after the death of her mother from the same disease.
"Just now?" Kagome asked with excitement, stopping by the basin of water they kept by the door to wash her hands with the tough lye soap. Sango's father had warned his daughter about smith's hands, but there was no time for Mrs. Higurashi to worry about how her daughter's would suffer from the harsh soap. Kagome rinsed her hands clean and dried them before stepping out to meet her friend.
"Yes. The whole town has already begun to gather. I spoke to your mama outside and she said you should come! Come on!" Sango grabbed her hands friend and began to pull her towards the door, barely allowing Kagome a moment to grab hold of her cloak before they were down the steps and out the door.
The young girls weaved between the slowly gathering crowd, making quick time to the river's edge. By the time they made it there the horse had already been released from the sled and led to a fresh bucket of water. The sleigh was small, only large enough for the Reverend and the coureur des bois.
For a moment the townspeople were confused. Both occupants of the sled seem to be an athletic –looking young man. If both these men were coureur des bois, where was the Reverend? The confusion was quickly dispelled when one of the men stepped forward and greeted Reverend Whittaker in immaculate English.
"Good afternoon, Reverend Whittaker I presume?" He inquired, his hand extended to greet the older man.
As the older and respected members of the town went up to greet him, Kagome and Sango remained part of the crowd that continued to assess him. The final verdict was that he was certainly handsome, with eyes the colour of twilight and long black hair collected in a tail at his nape. He was on the tall side, though certainly not a giant. In fact, he may only be a thumb's width higher than Sango.
When Kagome turned to measure her friend to consider if her observation was accurate, she noticed Sango had a most peculiar look on her face. "Sango, are you alright?" Sango remained oblivious to her call as she continued to stare intently at the Reverend, requiring Kagome to ask for her friend's attention at a louder and louder volume until she finally shouted, "SANGO!"
Unfortunately that drew not only her friend's attention, but also the attention of the rest of the crowd. Even the Reverend looked over to see what the disturbance was. Sango's father decided to take this as an opportunity to introduce his only daughter.
"Reverend Hiroshi, this is my daughter Sango." Her father gestured with his large hands and the crowd moved out of the way as if swept aside. With the path clear to the now-blushing Sango, the Reverend and Sango's father advanced towards them.
When Kagome attempted to take a step aside, Sango caught her hand quicker than a snare. "Oh, no you don't." She hissed, tightening her grip, "you're staying right here by my side."
Kagome attempted to respond but the Reverend was already in front of them. "Good afternoon ladies." He greeted politely, offering his hand.
Kagome offered a friendly smile but knew she should wait until after Sango introduced herself, as it was her that they came over here to greet. After an awkward pause where her friend did not do anything but blush and stare at the hand offered, Kagome decided now was a good time to repay Sango for always helping her with her chores.
Deftly inserting her hand into the waiting hold, Kagome smiled kindly and introduced herself. "I am Kagome Higurashi. Welcome to our town, Reverend Hiroshi."
While Sango's father looked surprised at the sudden introduction, the Reverend did not appear perturbed in the least. "It is lovely to make your acquaintance, Miss Higurashi." He released her hand and turned toward Sango. "Then you must be Miss Adachi?" He asked kindly, again offering his hand to the frozen Sango. The young woman still did not move.
Kagome laughed nervously and wrapped and arm around her friends stiff shoulders. "Sango is also delighted to meet you..." Kagome floundered for an excuse to save her friend further embarrassment.
Fortunately her father was able to interject and excuse. "Sango is very weary from a long day of... embroidery and the excitement of a new face in our town has proven too much for her nerves." Sango's father turned his stern eye to Kagome and it made her want to take a step back. "Kagome, would you be so kind to escort my daughter home? Hopefully she can recover in time to attend the public ball this evening to be held in the Reverend's honour."
Not bothering to reply in the affirmative, Kagome steered Sango towards her house and propelled her through the curious crowd to the safety of her parlour. After Sango was seated, Marie, an astute maid, hurried over with a cup of tea and set in front of the still-silent woman. Marie and Kagome exchanged a concerned glance before Kagome seated herself beside Sango on the settee.
"Oh Dear Lord," Sango moaned , coming out of her stupor to rest her head in her hands, "I have never been so embarrassed."
"There now, Sango. It could have happened to anyone." Kagome consoled, smiling in a manner that she hoped was reassuring. "What...did happen?"
"I don't know. It was just seeing him up close and..." Sango trailed off, a warm blush across her cheekbones and her gaze dropped demurely down to the side.
It took Kagome only a moment to figure out what was going on. "Sango...do you find the new Reverend attractive?" She was only half-teasing, as Kagome was pretty sure she already knew the answer.
"No!" Sango's response was immediate and reflexive. "He was just much...younger than I had anticipated." Sango trailed off, more to herself than to Kagome, "and much more handsome."
Kagome could have given a shout of glee. Finally her friend was showing interest in a man! Not that it mattered much to Kagome, but it was also a relief that it was in a respectable man like a Reverend. Unfortunately it was also likely that many of the single girls in town will be having the same thoughts about the attractive Reverend. Those same girls are also likely primped up and already at the party, stealing his attention away from Sango.
"Well, perhaps we should get ready for the Party to celebrate his arrival?" Kagome suggested, hoping that she didn't sound too excited. Spending a whole evening arranging for Sango to spend time with the Reverend sounded like too much fun, and Kagome couldn't wait to get started.
Sango stood after considering the suggestion. "I suppose it is only polite to look my best when there is a new person in town." Sango commented, moving towards the stairs.
Kagome followed after her, responding in the affirmative. "Yes, of course. Only polite." Kagome smiled to herself behind Sango's back in amusement.
Once in her room, Kagome helped Sango select her dress quickly and then assisted her in getting ready. It was only when they realised the lateness of the hour that they noticed that Kagome had not had time to change at all.
"Oh dear!" Sango exclaimed, feeling terrible for occupying so much of her friend's time. "You can borrow one of my dresses if you would like. We still have a bit of time to do your hair."
Kagome looked at her dress critically and then laughed. "Sango, I have already introduced myself to the Reverend and he already knows what I look like. I see no point in pretending to dress like anything else now." Kagome released her hair from its bun and gave it a light brush, allowing it to settle around her shoulders in a light natural wave. Deciding that would have to do, she smiled at her friend and invited, "let's go!"