AUTHOR'S NOTE-Thanks for the reviews! Here's the second chapter I hope you enjoy it and on with my little Japanese key:
Oyasumi-good night!
Ohayo (gozaimasu)-good morning (formal)
yume-dream
honto(u)-really(another way to spell it)
ano-ummm
onegai-please
Baka-stupid
demo-but
watashi-I/me
doshite-why
Hai-yes/of course
Ittadakimasu(sorry if I spelled it wrong)-it's like Bon Appetit, you say it before you eat

Chapter 2: A Way Home?

Sesshou-maru went to help his father clean and store their fresh kill while Inu-yasha asked his mother something. Turning to face her, he asked, "Would it be at all possible for Kagome to attend the dinner tomorrow? It would be a shame to leave her out and it might help her to learn some more English." He gave his mother those all-important puppy dog eyes.

"I've already invited her to the dinner, thinking the same thing you were. Well actually, I invited her to stay here and by that I meant that she could all of our social events as well. I just hope she doesn't feel too out of place," his mother said reassuringly.

Kagome was still sitting quietly next to Inu-yasha. She was wondering whether she did the right thing and trusted these people. She knew that she didn't really have a choice, since there was no one else around here. Despite what she wanted this would be her home, at least until they found a way to send her back via the well. She turned towards Inu-yasha, just as he happened to turn towards her. They looked at each other; their eyes gazing into one another's eyes. She smiled at him and he gave her a gentle smile in return.

"At least there is someone who is friendly around here," she thought to herself. Sessou-maru just seemed like the guy to think that he was all high and mighty. The lord of the house was the type of man to be constantly busy and rarely home. Kagome felt that way from him and she only knew him for a short period of time. The lady of the house, oh she was friendly enough, but Kagome felt that she would be a burden to her. The lady had to run the household, and was also so many years older than Kagome. Inu-yasha was only four years older than Kagome and she was glad for that. She only wished that they were both able to speak the same language. After finishing that thought, the lord of the house and Sesshou-maru came in from the storehouse.

"Now it is time for a feast!" the lord said towards Kagome in Japanese. At that moment the servants came in from the kitchens carrying a fresh turkey surrounded by all kinds of greens. "I hope you don't mind, Miss, but we'll be skipping the soup for tonight so we can get on with our meat that we got today!"

"It is no big deal. In fact, most meals in my time don't have a soup unless it's a formal dinner. I just appreciate that you have allowed me to stay in this house with you. I don't know what I would have done if Inu-yasha had not found me by the well this afternoon," Kagome said in the politest way possible.

Inu-yasha blushed at that last comment she made. Was she just saying that to be polite or did she perhaps like him a little more than friends? He knew how he felt, or at least he thought he did. He couldn't keep his eyes off her, yet he claimed to only like her as a friend. Inu-yasha laughed at the thought of what Sesshou-maru would say if he knew Inu-yasha's real feelings. Not the feelings that he told, but those inner feelings that no one can describe. Sesshou-maru always laughed at his younger brother any chance he had. Inu-yasha laughed once again when Kagome asked in stuttering English, "What are laughing about?"

"Oh it's nothing really. I was just laughing about a weird dream I had. It's nothing really," Inu-yasha replied, lying through his teeth, but hoping that she wouldn't pester with any more questions.

"Yume? Honto? Would you ano…tell me onegai?" Kagome questioned in both English and Japanese.

Directed towards his mother, Inu-yasha asked, "Mother, what did Kagome say?"

"Oh dear, she only said 'A dream? Really? Would you, ummm, tell me please?' I think you should tell all of us. I'd like to hear it and I'll retranslate it back for her so she can understand it."

"But she understood me before, why wouldn't she understand me now?"

"That's very simple. Look at her," his mother said, turning towards Kagome. Kagome's face displayed a blank expression. "You see her? She understands only part of our conversation because we're talking so fast. Just tell us all the dream and then we can continue our peaceful dinner."

"Son, just tell us the dream and we can all finish eating," the lord of the house stated as though his decision was final.

"All right, all right. I'll tell it," Inu-yasha replied, knowing that the whole thing would have to be a lie that turned out to be funny that he was laughing over it.
'It was late, perhaps midnight, when I woke up in the dream. I felt hungry so I got out of bed and headed to the kitchens. I decided to go through the Great Hall to get there. When I got to the Great Hall, I saw in the shadows someone wearing a dress. I thought it was the neighboring estate's daughter, but when I got closer, it turned out to be Sesshou-maru in a dress!'
That's the dream and I was just laughing because I was thinking that he was wearing one now."

"BAKA!!!!!!!!!!! Doshite watashi?" Sesshou-maru shouted in Japanese because he refused to speak in English.

"Baka to you too. It's only a dream, c'mon. Sesshou-baby, you've got to lighten up. It was only a dream I had, nothing more. Now can I continue eating?" Inu-yasha said teasingly.

"Hai. Demo…" Sesshou-maru trailed off as he began to eat like the demon he was.

"Kagome-chan, do you mind if I call you that? Inu-yasha and Sesshou-maru like to tease each other if you haven't noticed. Just pay them no mind," the lady of the house said soothingly in Japanese.

"It's alright if you call me Kagome-chan. I really prefer to be called that as opposed to Kagome-san. I've finished my dinner, where may I go to take a bath and then sleep?" Kagome asked, trying not to sound imposing.

"Well, if you're sure you're done, I'll have one of the servants take you to the bathing room and then I'll have them show you to your room. Well are you sure that's all you want to eat?"

"I'm positive that I'm finished. I feel exhausted and feel that a good night's sleep will prepare me for tomorrow."

"I'll have a servant take you up there now if that's what you wish," the lady said with a sigh, wishing that she could talk to this young maiden a little longer. Back in English, she called for a servant. "Oh Clarissa! Won't you be a dear and bring Miss Kagome to the bathing room and then to the guest room that she will be staying in? Please show her how to bathe. I have a feeling that she isn't used to what we are used to. Thank you dear." She motioned to Kagome that she should follow Clarissa.

Kagome rose from her seat and in doing so caused Inu-yasha to shout, "Kagome-chan? Where are you going?"

"I am going to bath-rooms, then to sleep. Why are you questioning me?" Kagome asked again in stuttering English. That caused Inu-yasha to think. Why was he wondering where she was going? He decided that it just his "manly duties" to protect this young maiden and that he should walk her up there. Perverted thoughts then came to mind he decided against it, even though he really wished to follow her.

Clarissa showed Kagome how to bathe in the European baths and then gave her a nightgown to wear. "Miss Kagome, this way to your room." Clarissa walked down the hall until she reached the guest room that was specially prepared for Kagome. "Here is where you can sleep," she said as she opened the door and allowed Kagome to enter first. "Miss, if you need anything please just ask and I will be happy to serve you," Clarissa said with a smile as she left the room.

The lady of the house came up to wish Kagome a good night's rest. "Kagome-chan, how are you? I hope you're doing okay and that I am not disturbing you. I thought that it would be best to work on our English right now. If you're up to it, that is."

"I'd love to work with you, but I must ask you something first. What would you like me to call you?" Kagome asked wondering the polite way to address her.

"Shukujo-san will do fine for now, if you don't mind calling me that at all. Now let's get to work because you'd like to have some conversations with us tomorrow at dinner, ne?" Shukujo-san said with a chuckle.

They worked on practicing English for about two hours. Kagome was still confused a little, but at least she felt she could have a whole conversation. Japanese was still more comfortable to her, but English will have to do in this world. Having a conversation with Inu-yasha without any translations needed would always be nice as well. She continued going over the grammar in her head for a while after Shukujo-san left. Before she left though, she told Kagome to feel better and that she should get a good night's sleep.

For the first time today, Kagome felt alone in this place. When she first came here, she didn't feel loneliness, only fear. This castle was huge and she felt like a little ant at a picnic. She wished she had one of her stuffed animals to crawl up with it right now. Tears began to stream down her face as she thought about home. The home that she might never see again. The more she thought about it, the more tears that fell. That's when she remembered what the lord had said.

'Of course she may stay here! I would never turn away such a pretty lady! You say she came out of the well? I think I know what would get her home, but we should save that until tomorrow.'

Kagome wondered what could possibly lead her home and why he knew about it. This gave her a brief happiness before the crying she had done previously caught up with her and pulled her into a deep sleep. She awoke with a start. Hearing noises at the door, she got out of bed and tiptoed over to door. As she was walking, she grabbed a pole in case someone at the door was a stranger. Opening the door slowly, she peeked out of the door. No one was there. She climbed back into bed when she heard more knocks at the door. This time she grabbed the pole and walked to door faster. Opening the door as forcefully as she could, she saw Inu-yasha standing there.

"Oh, it's only you! What are you doing here? It must be past midnight!" Kagome whispered though she thought she was shouting.

"Well it's only around eleven and I thought I should say goodnight," Inu-yasha said, though he added in his head, 'to my princess.'

"You scared me! That's ummm, okay. Oyasumi!" Kagome said as she waved Inu-yasha off.

"Oyasumi to you too!" Inu-yasha replied as he was ushered out of the room. 'Why is she pushing me out? I wonder what Oyasumi means, but I can't go ask Mother or Father now. If I asked them, they would wonder why I was in Kagome's room. I can't tell them that I feel something towards her. Ah, well, Kagome is right, it is late. Better get some sleep!'

Kagome slept the rest of the night without any interruptions or dreams. She woke to the birds chirping peacefully outside of her window. It was unusual to have birds at her window or be able to wake up with the birds. The alarm usually woke her up because she slept so soundly. She almost always passed out at night from exhaustion due to studying for exams. It was a nice alternative. She walked to the open window and looked out at the little bluejays on the window. Kagome then decided to go down and have some breakfast.

Inu-yasha could not sleep well after leaving Kagome's room. He only thought that she might not like him, but why would she have to like him? He certainly didn't like her, or did he? Was it love at first sight? It couldn't be that. Well there goes his stomach, he decided then to go down and eat breakfast before the whole castle could hear his stomach. Getting out of bed and dressing in his normal clothes, he headed downstairs.

Kagome was still in her nightgown when she reached the Great Hall. Already in the Great Hall was Shukujo-san, eating her breakfast. "Ohayo gozaimasu Kagome-chan! Are you feeling better?" she asked.

"Ohayo gozaimasu. I slept well, if that's what you mean," Kagome said, using both English and Japanese.

"I think that it would be best if you used all the English you knew. Practice makes perfect you know!" she replied in Japanese. "I must tell you that my husband and stepson will be returning shortly after we finish lunch around here. They have gone out to the neighboring estate to fetch our guests who will be staying here for two days. Tonight, there will be a grand feast! I do hope you enjoy it."

"I hope so as well. I have a question for your husband though. He said something last night and I was finally able to understand it by this morning. He mentioned something about knowing how to get me home, but he said that it would have to wait until tomorrow. It is now tomorrow and I would like to hear what he has to say."

"Oh I'm sorry dear, but he's not home now. I'll make sure the two of you get some time to discuss this later though. Ah and look at the sleepyhead now!" she said as her son, Inu-yasha, came into the Great Hall.

"Ohayo okaa-san. What's for breakfast?" Inu-yasha said.

"Ah practicing your Japanese I see. We'll be having oatmeal, if that's okay with you."

"Ohayo gozaimasu Inu-yasha-san!" Kagome cheerfully said.

"Ohayo Kagome. Any plans today?" Inu-yasha replied.

"Only waiting for your father to come home so he can tell me how to get back to my home. Otherwise nothing, may I ask why?" she questioned.

"Well, if you're free, I'll take you on a tour around the castle. I'm sure you'd like to see everything so you won't get lost around here. Trust me, it's not fun to get lost."

"I'll take your word for it then. I'd love to go on a tour. Thank you for asking. Now let's eat! Ittadakimasu!" Kagome said as Inu-yasha sighed. She wondered why he was sighing.

Inu-yasha sighed. 'I thought she was going to say I'd love to go on a tour with you, but no no, she had to end it there. What am I going to do now?' He drifted off into thoughts before continuing his breakfast. Breakfast ended peacefully, which was a surprise to him. Usually Sesshou-maru was cursing him off right now for something pointless that no one remembered anyway. It was nice to have a quiet breakfast. His mother broke the silence.

"Now Kagome-chan, before you do anything, I must have the seamstress make you up some things to wear at least until you can get home and also some things that will just be here. Even though you've only been here for such a short time, I do hope you decide to come back here after you travel back to your time. I think I would miss having your cheerful face around here. I'm sure everyone else would as well. It's nice to have a young lady around the house. Well then enough chitchat, I'll show you the way to the seamstress' room. Inu-yasha, you may follow and wait outside the door until we have finished. After we are done, you may give a tour around the castle. Well come now come now. Catherine doesn't have all day now."

Kagome followed reluctantly because she knew that in these times women only wore dresses and Kagome didn't want to always the kind of dresses that they wore during this time period. They were huge and she didn't want to deal with it. Yet, the lady didn't wear dresses like those she had seen in her textbook. At least her hair was being left alone. She wore it down. The style was rather simple, but her hair was always nicely brushed. Arriving at the seamstress' room, the seamstress ushered her in and took her measurements. "Miss, you're all done." By the time she had finished though, the lord of the house had come back. Kagome was very excited now.

"Dear, dear! Come here! Kagome-chan wants to talk to you! Ah hello friends! Welcome to our humble home! Please follow me to the Great Hall!" the lady said excitedly.

"Miss Kagome, what can I do for you?" the lord asked calmly.

"You mentioned that you knew a way to get me home. What is that? I'd like to be able to get home and hopefully be able to return to thank you for your hospitality," Kagome said politely, though still stuttering with her English.

"I believe Inu-yasha should be here to hear this. It concerns him. Now where is that boy of mine?"

"He's out in the Great Hall. I can go get him, if you want me to. It would be no trouble at all for me."

"All right then, if you say so."

Like a lightning bolt, Kagome was in and out, dragging Inu-yasha behind her when she came in. Inu-yasha had a blank look on his face, confused as to why his father would want to see Kagome and him alone.

"Kagome-chan I believe the way to get home is to go through the well with Inu-yasha. You may be wondering how I came up with this. Would you believe a dream?" the lord paused to take a breath and then stopped to sit down.