Chapter Three

It was a strange feeling to complete an entire week of school without InuYasha showing-up to pick a fight, without some strange demon or human attacking her for the Shikon-no-Tama, and without flunking one of the major tests she'd been cramming for. In light of recent times, it was a week of paradise so Kagome felt sure that starting bright and early that morning she would be faced with some difficulty to make her next week a living hell. Lying awake in bed, daylight peeking through the lace pattern of her curtain, she let her mind wonder why everything had been so calm. She had not been in the well shrine since leaving the week before, because she knew that seeing InuYasha again was going to be hard enough, there really was no reason in her mind to shorten her time at home. Plus Hojo had become one of her best friends.

The guy had made a habit of coming to get her before school everyday, spending time with her at lunch and during breaks, and then walking her home after school. Though normally they would intend to go straight back to the shrine, she realized that usually there would be a park, or new store, or interesting tangent that would capture their attention and lead them off the path. Yesterday, after finding out she'd passed one of her exams, Hojo'd taken her to the ice cream parlor and they'd shared a chocolate shake.

She'd not had that much fun, just shooting the breeze and venting her anxiety about life, with someone who actually listened. Before Kagome had always just thought, "Hojo, the guy I don't have time for, is not as interesting as all the stuff I go through with InuYasha, and a normal person." Now after only a week she knew better.

Rising, dressing, and heading down to breakfast, she was not surprised to see a note from her mother saying the rest of the family had gone out. At the hospital again, Kagome thought. Probably treating Grandpa for his arthritis. She dug in the fridge for a moment, finding that they needed to go to the store, and ended up settling for a couple of bananas. A breakfast of champions…

With her meal in hand, Kagome wandered out of the house and into the backyard. The arrow she'd stabbed into the tree was still there, of course. Hojo had not asked her about it yet though she knew he'd seen her walk up to the tree and put it there. He'd carried her pack into the house last weekend, helped her get cleaned-up after her nightlong vigil, and then silently patched her up. They'd gone out for some food then, rented a VCR and some movies, and then come back to her place to sit and vegetate for the rest of the day. He hadn't asked her about the shrine, the arrow, her reason for being upset, or what she was going to do next. He had simply kept her company, promised to see her tomorrow, and left. It had been the best thing for her then, and now she felt ready to deal with the whole problem.

After packing a reasonable lunch, a few medical provisions, and some extra clothes in case she decided to stay, Kagome wrote a quick note to her family, then sat down for a moment to write a separate one for Hojo. She folded it in a special way he'd taught her, printed his name gracefully on the front, and taped it to the front door.

Walking hesitantly towards the mini-shrine she began to work out in her mind what she was going to say. First of all there was the Kikyo thing. Though five days ago it still hurt incredibly to think about, Hojo had helped her get through that. It still sucked and caused her to feel used and not the tiniest bit cheap, but she was doing better. Second, there was the Shikon-no-Tama. If both her and Kikyo were going to be looking for the shards now, then who was the real priestess and who was the extra? She knew she'd have to watch her and InuYasha interact, which would be hard at first, but with Kikyo around she could also spend more time at home. InuYasha would not have to have her there to search for the Shikon Jewel because Kikyo could see and sense the Jewel's aura just as Kagome could. It would give Kagome more time with her family, for school, and for Hojo.

She stopped at that thought. More time for Hojo, or more time for Hojo and me, she pondered. It made her smile to think about. With a light heart she jumped into the past.