Chapter 4
That morning, Kagome work up and finished packing what she could afford to take with her. She didn't want so many bags so she hoped that she would be able to take everything with her in her carryon on the plane. After all, she had spent so much time in the feudal era that she never got a chance to shop like most of the girls in her time. She didn't have clothing so she didn't have to worry about it. If she packed it the right way she would be able to take everything with her. Just as she had finished packing the last of her belongings, Kagome turned around when she heard her brother ask, "Are you really going to be alright?"
With a smile on her face, Kagome nodded her head and said, "Yeah, I will be alright. I promise and I promise that I will be back before you now it."
"Can you do me a favor?" Sota asked.
"Anything." Kagome answered.
"Can you show Otu a picture of me…that way he knows what I look like right now?" Sota asked.
"I will, and I'll try to send you a picture of Otu once I've gotten a hold of a camera that why he know what he looks like now." Kagome explained. "Deal?"
"Deal." Sota said before running off with his soccer ball in hand.
After making sure that she had everything that she wanted, Kagome walked down stairs and place the bag by the door. She had to get to the airport early enough so that she could be through security and find her gate. Just as she had turned around to go back and double check her room, Kagome smiles at her mother and grandfather and took her leave. As soon as she had reached her room, Kagome closed the door and locked it as she let out a long sigh.
"Miroku, Sango, Shipp…my son…please forgive me…but I promise…I won't be long…I will go back. I can't stay here…not want all I can think about is you guys…" Kagome whispered as she walked around her room.
Just as she was about to go downstairs so that her mother could drive her to the airport, Kagome noticed that she still had a piece of one of the left over's of Inuyasha's attack. The Adamants Borage, as she looked at it, Kagome couldn't help but thank god that her mother had not found it. That her mother had no taken the last things she had to remember him. After making sure that she would not be walked in on, Kagome reached for the piece and quickly made it into a necklace.
Not wanting to be asked questions when she got to the airport, Kagome closed her eyes and began to focus her miko energy so that it would stay hidden. So that no one could see it, so that no one would be able to sense the last thing that helped her keep a piece f her mind in place. That would allow her to think of Inuyasha no matter how much it made her hurt, no matter how much she would feel the pain, she would keep it with her. She would never love anyone the way she had loved him, when he left to hell with Kikiyo, he had taken a part of her heart as well as the part of her soul that Kikiyo had kept.
Once she had reached the bottom of the stairs, Kagome found her mother waiting and her grandfather and brother waiting to say goodbye to her. Once she had hugged them all and smiled, Kagome and her mother took their leave so that she could start her trip to the states. She knew that it would be wrong of her to not tell any of her friends but a part of her didn't care. If they found out why she was leaving, why she was going then they would never let her drop it. She just didn't want to give them that chance. As she boarded the plane, Kagome took in a deep breath as she took her seat as she thought, 'I can do this…I will do this…it will only be for six months…just six months.'
Soon days, passed by and the village was as it should be. While some of the children asked for Kagome, there were some that understood what it meant to have Lady Kikiyo back in the village and Kagome, the miko they had grown to love, gone. While some of the villagers grew disappointed with the young hanyou, others tried to understand where he came from, he was only fulfilling a promise he had made long ago. He was after all a man of his word and would not back down or dishonor himself by not keeping his word, Inuyasha was just not that kind of man.
The night that Inuyasha had planned to take the jewel from Kikiyo had not gone the way he had hoped for it go. Kikiyo had found out about his plan and had not only made sure to increase the power in her barrier she had made it so that her barrier would react with the beaded necklace that Kagome had placed on Inuyasha would also keep him from entering the barrier and reached the jewel. 'Kami…forgive me but I will not make the same mistake twice in one life.' Was the only thing running through her head the whole night when Inuyasha could not stop trying to break through her barrier.
After he had gone through hell to break through it, Inuyasha had given up and had left the village only to be brought back by his brother. Of course it wasn't that he had planned to be brought back, Sesshomaru had been on his way to leave Rin when he was found. It was just about noon when Inuyasha had just come back with some fish and land birds that he and Shippo had caught when Miroku came running toward him. Just as he looked down at Shippo, Inuyasha heard Miroku say, "Inuyasha, Inuyasha we have a problem."
"What is it now monk?" Inuyasha growled.
"I'll take the catch back to Kaede." Shippo stated before leaving the two adults to talk. As they days passed he began to close himself off, he was no longer the little happy boy that loved to make fun of his father, now he was becoming more and more like his father and the others were starting to get worried.
"Feh, just go play with the village kids…they've been asking about you…now go." Inuyasha growled as he took hold of his son's catch.
With a smile on his face, Shippo ran off and did what his father told him to do with a smile on his face. Miroku turned to Inuyasha and said, "You always know how to make him smile."
"Feh, it would be better if that wench would just come back to us." Inuyasha growled as he turned to lock eyes with Miroku. "Now what is it?"
"We're heard that there were some near by villages attacked and Sango went to go look for it but only Kirara came back, we need to go and look for her." Miroku answered.
"Why didn't you go with her and when the hell did she leave?" Inuyasha growled.
"She left really early this morning when you were gone and in the forest. Sango didn't want to call for you so she said she could do it." Miroku answered.
"But why didn't you go with your mate?" Inuyasha growled out.
"She asked me to do something for her so I agreed." Miroku stated as he avoided the angry hanyou's gaze.
"What did she need you to do?" Inuyasha growled. "Have you finished?"
"Well…um…she asked me to look after you. She was worried since you have been closed off like Shippo only more so. You only come to eat and make sure we are doing alright. Otherwise you're off in the forest alone all the time…it's not right." Miroku explained.
It was only then that Inuyasha had realized just how much he was making his friends worry. Just how much he was causing Shippo to close himself off as much if not more so then what he was doing. Knowing that it was too late and knowing that he would not be allow to apologize, Inuyasha let out a low growl and lifted the monk up as he growled out, "We're going to go and find her, and when we get back…I promise things will change. I promise."
"I'm glad, because we really are worried about you my friend." Miroku whispered knowing that Inuyasha would be able to hear him perfectly fine.
"Feh," was all Inuyasha had to say before he made his way to go and look for Sango. He would and think about Kagome when he could, right now he needed to go and help find Sango. She was one of his closest friends and he would not allow him to worry her to the point where it would kill her, in a matter of speaking.
Kagome had waited two hours before her plan was ready to leave, and she had traveled for about a total of fourteen hours just to get to where she was. (A/N: I would put the name of a state or city if I knew where it was…sorry. If anyone knows please let me know so that I can fix it…now on with the story.) As she walked out of the airport Kagome looked around for a way to get to her father. Her mother had handed her a letter that would explain everything that her father needed to know as to why she was there. In her other hand was a piece of paper that had the address of her father's work and house. As she looked around the streets, Kagome couldn't help but smile, even while others couldn't see, she could see some demons hiding amongst the humans that believe demons were nothing but myths and legends.
But what made her smile the most was the fact that even the demon were unable to feel her aura or even see the small piece of memory she had brought with her. 'And they'll never be able to see it.' Kagome thought as she continued to walk down the streets. Just as she had begun to walk down the streets, Kagome found a small stand and a map. 'Mind as well walk…I won't be walking much after I meet up with my father, I'm sure he has a car since you can't really go anywhere without a car…with that said…well thought…I need to learn how to drive too.' Kagome thought as she began to look for a map or someone that would be able to tell her which way she could go.
Just as she had reached a hill where she could see the full view of Kaleido Stage, Kagome noticed a small little shop that was run by demons in hiding. With a smile on her face, Kagome took in a deep breath and walked in only to find that it was a sports store. After looking around for a while, Kagome walked up to the clerk and said, "I'll like to get some weights, can I have those ones?" as she pointed to the weights that were boxed and on display in the counter as she noticed the demon markings on the box of the weights before her. 'They're demon weights; they should help me build up muscle faster and by the looks of it help build up my miko energy also.' She thought.
"I'm sorry miss, but these are for professionals, perhaps you would like some that aren't that heavy for you." He answered a she moved to go and show her the weights for humans.
After making sure that there was no one else in the stores, Kagome took in a deep breath and said, "I know what you are, I'm not blind, I'm a miko, I want those weights, and I need to train hard for the Kaleido Stage and I don't have time. Just please, sale me the weights."
After making sure that there were really no other customers in the store, the demon jumped over Kagome, switched the sign on the door from open to closed, before taking a calming breath after showing the young miko before him his speed. As he turned to face her, Kagome turned to face him and added, "I don't want them for free if that is what you are thinking; I just want to buy them."
"You'd be surprised with how miko young miko's I get telling me the same thing you just told me little one." He growled out.
"I'm serious, I will pay for them. I am not that young and you can feel for yourself, my training is almost complete." Kagome replied as she allowed some of the aura out so that he could see that she was not lying to him in any way.
After sensing her aura and realizing that she spoke the truth, he took in a deep breath and said, "I can tell that you are not a regular miko of this time, therefore I will help you and explain to you the dangers of these weights."
"Thank you…if you like I can bless your store so that any miko that has bad intentions cannot use their miko energy in your store." Kagome offered with a smile on her face.
"Who are you? How can a miko of this time be so pure?" he asked as he walked back to the counter and pulled out the weights for her.
"I guess you can say that in a small way I am not from this time." Kagome whispered as she made it clear that she did not want to talk about it.
"Every well then, here are the weights you wished for miko. But you will have to make sure that you do not take them with you should you ever go into the ocean. It will end badly." The demon began as he began to put the weights in place.
"I understand…just place help me get stronger faster." Kagome whispered as she unknowingly held onto the necklace she had hidden.
After helping her put on the weights on her wrist, ankles, neck, and around her waist the demon began to explain everything and anything that she needed to know about the weights she now had on her. Once he had done so, Kagome placed the spell around his shop and made sure that it would not harm any other demons that might walk into the store. Just as she had finished, the demon turned to Kagome and asked, "Is there anything else I can help you with? You look like you are trying to find someone."
"Actually I just came here from Japan, I'm trying to look for my father, and I only have his work address for right now. Can you tell me the quietest way to get to Kaleido Stage?" Kagome replied.
"Oh, are you going to be working there?" he asked. "My children love that place, I'm always taking them there."
"Oh, I'm not sure, I just came to live with my father for some time, I had an incident back in Japan and my mother wanted me to come live with him for just a while." Kagome explained with a sad look in her eye. 'Yeah, I lost the love of my life to some undead bitch and instead of staying with friends and my son I ran like a coward.'
"I see, well then how about I take you." He offered.
"I'm alright but thank you, I just need to know if I continue going straight and if I will be able to reach the stage without much time passing." Kagome stated.
"Of course, it would be the main entrance to the place; I hope everything goes well for you little one." He answered.
"Thank you, well I have to get going, my father should know that I'm on my way but I don't think he remembered the time or day since he wasn't here to pick me up." Kagome stated.
"Well at least this gave you the chance to get the weights you need." He replied.
"I suppose your right. Thank you." Kagome replied.
"If you have any problems with those weights please come and see me, I will help you, if not me than anyone that works for me will gladly help you." He stated.
"Thank you, bye." Kagome stated before running out of the stores so that she could test out her new weights.
To her amazement the weights began to get heavier until she it had felt that she was near her limit. She would reach her limit at some other time but since it was her day with them she was not surprised when they did not get too heavy for her. Just as she had reached the front of the building, Kagome could feel herself starting to feel the pain of her training; in such a short while, the weights were already starting to make her ache. 'There are very good, it will not take me long to reach the point I use to be at.' Kagome thought as she continued to walk. Just as she had let go of her bag, Kagome took in a deep breath as she heard a voice ask, "Can I help you?"
"Oh, hello, I'm here looking for a Mr. Higurashi." Kagome stated in English as she stood up straight while trying to ignore the weights. 'Well no pain no gain.'
"We don't have anyone by that last name, are you lost?" he replied in a worried voice.
"Oh, sorry, well I guess you would know him as James." Kagome added as she lifted her bag up so that she could start walking again.
"Oh, he's one of our stage crews, just follow me." He stated as he began to lead the way, "I'm Ken by the way."
"Oh, I'm Kagome, Kagome Higurashi."
"Higurashi…are you…are you related to James?" Ken asked with curiosity.
"Yeah, I just need to speak with him." Kagome answered in a low voice.
Not wanting to upset her again, Ken led Kagome to the stage where her father along with the other stage crew members, were going over the next plans with Mia for the next show. Just as she had walked in, Kagome dropped her bags and couldn't help but walk toward the stage while they continued to talk. Thinking that she had stayed by the door, Ken walked up to the man and said, "Sorry Mia but I need James, there is a girl looking for him."
"Finally you get a girl." The others replied.
"Did she give a name?" James replied in a confused voice. "I don't remember inviting a girl over."
"I believe she said her name was Kagome, Kagome Higurashi." Ken answered.
"Is she Japanese?" Mia asked.
Before James could answer the question, Kagome appeared by Ken and said, "Yeah it is, hi dad."
"Dad?" everyone that surrounded them repeated in a confused voice.
"Kagome what are you doing here?" James asked.
"I'm here because mom said I could come live with you for a while." Kagome answered. "She told me that she had spoken with you about me arriving soon. Did you forget that I got in today?"
"Sorry but I got caught up here. Did you find your way here alright? Where are your other bags?" her father replied.
"I only bought one, mama said that you would give me money to buy some and that if it was a problem that I would just get a job." Kagome answered.
"Uh…would you mind giving us some time to talk?" James asked as he turned to face everyone.
"No problem, we're all done here, just make sure that she is out of the way before its time for the show." Ken was heard as everyone began to clear out.
"Can I watch?" Kagome asked as she stopped Mia from leaving.
"I'll see what I can do." Mia replied with a smile on her face.
Once they were alone, Kagome handed her father the note as she dropped her things so that she could take a step toward the stage and said, "Everything you need to know is in this."
"Kagome, what are you doing here? I thought you just wanted to be a doctor. I don't mind that you came but it worries me." James replied as he took the note from his daughter.
"I did, but things change, anyway can I give it a shot?" Kagome asked as she pointed to the stage.
"The safety net isn't up." James replied as he began to open the letter.
"Since when has that stopped me?" Kagome asked as she took off her shoes.
"You are going to try it in a skirt?" her father slightly growled.
"I have shorts under, anyway just read the note." Kagome replied as she began to walk over to the stage.
Before he could even stop his daughter, he watched as Kagome did a flip onto the stage without a single problem. It wasn't until she had begun to work the trapeze and the stage effortlessly that he realized her training had been stopped but she had not stopped practicing what he had already taught her long ago. He watched with interest as she spin and twisted her body with ease while jumping higher and higher never knowing that she could go higher without the weights she was wearing now. Just as she had reached the highest of the trapeze, Kagome looked down to find that her father was about to finish reading the later.
'Please don't let him ask any more questions.' She thought as she dropped down.
Just as she had jumped off the trapeze she was currently holding, Kagome twisted her body as she moved her body so that she waved in between the wirers so that she could land on the lowest on. Just as she had landed, she landed with her arms up and parallel to the floor as she landed with one foot on the wire while saying, "So, now you know why I'm here, but I'm still not sure I want to work here."
"Well, it is oblivious that you were still meant for the stage." James replied. "If you need time to rest I'm sure you'll have time for training and for rest."
"It's not that, I want to train but I don't' think I should appear in this upcoming performance, oh and just to let you know, you need to check the A6 trapeze, something doesn't feel right." Kagome answered.
"I'll go let the guys know, just please stay out of trouble, I'll leave your things in my car and then I'll go ahead get you after the show alright?" James stated as he moved to pick her bag up.
"Alright, thanks dad." Kagome stated before walking out of the stage room so that she could look around the building before the show began.