Disclaimer: Rumiko and I were talking and yeah… she's giving me the rights to InuYasha… Oh yeah, I haven't started writing the fiction yet… I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA, BUT I DO OWN THESE WORDS.
Dedication: This chapter is dedicated to my lovely assistant in "The People We Can Be" (or rather I'm the assistant) (yay I just called myself lovely (smirks) I am rather pretty….) Oh right! This chapter is for TheGiantMushroom!!
A/N: Surprise! I shoved a chapter in that you don't have a clue about! I wasn't going to include the high school graduation, but I decided at the last minute that I should for unnamable reasons. So the teaser from last time pertains to the next chapter, not this chapter. Sorry for the inconvenience, but I think you will be pleased with this chapter.
P.S. for everyone that's miffed… I'M THE WRITER!
P.S.S. I have already fixed the teaser for last weeks chapter if anyone is wondering.
About: The 1st ceremony
My high school graduation ceremony would be the first of the two. I was actually getting to graduate with my class, after a strong talk, and a little bit of bribery, with the high school principal.
The strange thing was when I called Sango to tell her the great news. She was so happy she wouldn't stop jumping around and screaming. I knew was something strange going on. She was evasive and slightly scatter brained, not at all like the Sango I grew up with. She was even more excited than she usually is when I have good news. I couldn't begin to guess what might be wrong, but I couldn't put too much thought into it anyway.
I couldn't put much time into any one thing as a matter of fact. Then next week was very hectic. Between working to ready myself for both of my graduations and reading the book, I barely had time to sleep.
Reading the book was not easy. As soon as I was deep in a passage, a knocking would resound through my room and I would be whisked away to a fitting or a meeting. I longed to return home more than anything, but when I mentioned it to Izayoi, she would ignore my comment and start going on about more plans. Was she purposely avoiding me?
My high school graduation was set for 6 pm and then Training Graduation at the Higurashi Shrine at 9:00 pm. I had spent the whole day in Izayoi's car, going from meeting, to hair salon, to another meeting, and then to the nail salon. It was so hectic.
"Kagome you are going to do fine." Sango spoke with confidence as we waited in line. Diligently, we were forced to wait until everyone was seated before us seniors could make our own appearance by walking into the gym via one of the downstairs doors.
"I really wish mom was here, or even Izayoi." I fidgeted with my blues robes, hating the fact that they enveloped me like a cape. Obviously someone much larger had worn them before me. It was my fault for reregistering into my high school at the last minute. At least I got a robe.
"They are here, just in their seats." Sango grabbed me by the shoulders, "Don't worry Kagome, we're seniors at our graduation. What could go wrong?"
"I could trip and fall halfway across the stage."
Sango looked away for a minute thinking then looked back nervously, "Well what else could go wrong?"
"Mass hysteria."
"How many scenarios has your mind put you through?" Sango asked incredulously.
"You have no idea."
Sango waved the idea away, "Everything will be fine Kagome."
"Hey! You girl!" Some angry looking teacher called to Sango, "Turn around and be quiet! The ceremony is about to start!" Sango twirled around quickly and stuck her tongue out at the man as he passed. After he left she turned back around.
"Yeah your right, I'm just worried about the other ceremony." I trailed off.
"Hey, at least Miroku and I get front row seats. Not even the richest person in Japan gets to be where we are." Sango replied excitedly.
"You get to be in the house when I walk through." I commented dryly.
"Yeah, but only your family gets that privilege!"
I sighed, "You don't even get to see the real ceremony. You can't be in the courtyard, and you can't watch. It was forbidden by ancient miko laws."
"It's still cool."
"Is that the only thing you're concerned with? I'm the one in the ceremony. What if I don't remember what to do?" I asked sarcastically.
"Well you've been rehearsing it in your room at Izayoi's night and day haven't you?"
I thought back to the open book on my desk, "Of course!"
"Then you'll be fine."
"I don't feel fine."
"Jitters. You really should get used to ceremonies Kagome. You'll be going to enough of them." Sango sighed.
"Hey girl!" That man shouted again. Sango looked over her shoulder aggravation to find the person in front of her walking away.
"Crap!" She whispered loudly and ran after them. I followed just as quickly, blush staining my cheeks slightly at us being the cause of a big gap in the line of a very formal ceremony. We ran to the door then walked gracefully into the gymnasium, passing a very angry teacher. Oh if looks could kill. We walked gracefully to our seats next to each other and sat down, glad to be out of the spotlight again.
"Sango I think you should watch your back for the rest of your time here." I whispered from one corner of my mouth, "That teachers going to put out a hit on you."
"He'll just do it himself, I have him for English. I can't believe he doesn't remember my name." Sango whispered back.
We kept quiet after that to avoid anymore mishaps we could be the cause of. This ceremony was going to take forever. We watched as several people we knew walked across the stage.
Mine and Sango mutual friends Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi walked across the stage almost at the very beginning and because of our last names, were somewhat toward the middle.
Suddenly we heard Miroku's name called out and craned our necks to find him. Sure enough, he was placed in line between two pretty girls, probably from a little bribery of that angry teacher. I snorted at the thought.
As he walked behind one of them, you could just see it in his eyes. His hands shook a little as he made gestures with them as a thief would before snatching something. I couldn't help but giggle. It was only a matter or time. I looked over to Sango to tell her this when I hear a slap. My head whipped around just in time to see Miroku stumble back with his hands cupping his face. I sighed. Even at graduation Miroku couldn't help himself.
I looked over at Sango to comment and found her looking a little hurt. My suspicions were confirmed. Sango had feelings for Miroku! I decided to let her be and watched the procession again. Kouga's name was called suddenly and as he stood up from the row of chairs behind the principal, the whole senior class cheered. He was the valedictorian and pretty popular after all.
He caught me glancing at him and smiled and nodded in my direction. Oh boy! I forgot he still has a thing for me! I looked away quickly and he collected his diploma and sat back down.
Soon Ayame was called. She stood up and gave a glare in my direction before flaunting up to the stage and jerking the diploma from the principal's hand. Great… I forgot she had a thing for Kouga and despised me. Everything was just like it was before I left.
Then I heard my name being called and I panicked, "Get up Kagome!" Sango whispered harshly.
I jumped to my feet and walked as graciously was possible for a girl in a robe designed for a large man. I knew Sango was following behind me since I faintly heard her name called too.
The stairs were just before me. This was surely everyone's nightmare, the stairs to the stage on graduation day. Don't you dare trip Kagome! The critic cried out in my head.
I lifted my robe so I could see and carefully placed one foot on the first step, then the other on the second step. This was going well! I climbed the four steps unscathed and the critic cheered in victory.
I started walking toward the principal with total confidence now. He was only a few steps away. Success! I grabbed for the diploma but my foot caught on my robe at the last second. NOOOO! I thought in slow motion as I fell toward the ground, diploma in hand. I waited for the impact… and the laughing. But it never came.
I looked up and saw the Kouga had jumped from his chair and caught me at the last second. Oh Ayame would die. Better yet, I was going to die, at Ayame's hands! No! I jumped away from him and practically ran back to my seat, feeling the heat of everyone's stares, especially Ayame's! I knew that stinking robe would be my downfall! Literally!
The rest of the ceremony was uneventful. I sat in my chair arms crossed, pouting, and silently begging for someone else to slip or mess up too. No luck, which was my luck. Just before we got to leave, Kouga had to make his speech. He stood from his chair when announced once more and approached the podium. Our eyes met before I looked away quickly.
"Seniors, I can't believe it. 13 years we've worked for this. From kindergarten," he looked at me specifically and smiled, "to now. We laughed at joke, messed around in the halls between classes, and gossiped about the latest who's dating who… But none of that matters. What matters is that we have accomplished the first achievement of many. We are now one step closer to being great, that's what matters. It has been a joy to go through school with you and, I hope to see you all in the business world. Congratulations seniors of 2008! We made it!"
The crowd erupted in clapping and cheering. Hats suddenly filled the sky, tassels flying in every direction. Mine quickly joined then and I laughed and cheered like the rest. I did it! I embarrassed myself… but I did it!
Teaser:
Izayoi looked at me intensely for a moment, "…I know what book that is Kagome."
"I had to know what you were hiding from me." I whispered in shame.
"How much do you know?"
I gasped. Finally it was falling into place. What Izayoi had to do with Kikyo was…
A/N: Ohhh! (giggles) So what do you think? I broke up this chapter so the next ceremony (wriggles eyebrows) is in the tenth chapter. Can anyone guess what happens? If anyone guesses it right in a review I will give you credit! The tenth chapter is the longest one I've ever written so love me!! Remember I'm not counting the prelude as a chapter, so this is actually the 9th chapter. One more week! (giggles) I could be more excited than you guys!
Was this one more fun? I've been in an awesome mood these past couple of days. I could swear this chapter is funnier than my usuals.