Alright, I have obviously gotten some reviews since I am back to haunt you. *cackles evilly* But I need more if you really want to inspire me!

This chapter is a little longer, and is mostly in Marisa's perspective. BTW, Korva and Coey are my two closest friends, and keep me in check. ^.^

Disclaimer:

Nenuiel: *grabs Inu-yasha* mine Mine MINE!!!!! *Sees Sessho-maru* Definitely Mine!!! *glomps the pretty lord*

Korva: *sighs* There she goes again.

Coey: Do you think we should stop her? *glances at Nenuiel hug-choking the two brothers*

Korva: Naw, let her have her fun.

Coey: We do disclaimer then? *Korva nods*

Korva: Despite her deepest desires, Nen-chan does not own Inu-yasha. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi. Please don't sue her for loving her bishounen. *bows*

Coey: Now onto story! *chews on Oreo*

~*~*~

Blood Oath: The Arrival

~*~*~

The taxi quickly drove away as a woman picked up some of the luggage around her. It was a cool winter afternoon, and she felt snow on the air. *Better get up to the temple,* she thought. She had only been there three times, once for the interview, and the other times to help her get to know the family. Still, it felt like she really was coming home. She slung one large bag unto her back, and arranged the three smaller bags on top of her two roll-away suitcases. Marisa looked up the long flight of staircases and groaned amusingly. "I guess I could carry a couple up first, and then ask for help with the others," she said to the wind. It whispered gently around her blue earmuff, like it was speaking to her. She nodded her head, then murmured, "I did tell them I was a hard worker, I guess this is a test to prove that." She rolled her shoulders and began the slow and tedious climb just as the first few snowflakes began to fall.

Kagome sat her desk, trying to study for her English exam as a snowflake came through a cracked gap and landed on her test book. Sighing, she stood up and closed the window, then stared at the staircase that was starting to quickly gain a pure white coat. *Damn,* she thought, *this is going to keep me here longer than expected.* She groaned, "Inu-yasha is going to kill me..." Then something else caught her eye. Climbing up the stairs was a shadow of a woman. She was obviously dragging something, but the thickness of the falling snow prevented Kagome from seeing exactly what. Worrying that it may be a lost mother with a sick child, she ran down the stairs to tell her mom what she had seen. "Mom! There is a woman outside! I think she has a passed out kid with her!"

Mrs. Higurashi immediately rose from her sewing project and headed straight towards the door, with Kagome right behind her. Before either could reach it, the door swung open, allowing the now-howling snowstorm to come in. It took all three women to close it after the caller came inside. Panting from the exertion, Kagome finally looked up at the visitor, and stared. She was tall, very tall. At first Kagome thought she was six foot. Upon further inspection she saw she was about 5"8, the flattering black trench coat she wore made her appear taller. She had dark brown hair, almost black, which fell in a single braid to a few inches above her knees. A navy blue scarf covered the bottom half of her face, bringing out the blue in her light grey eyes. Kagome watched as gloves that matched the scarf pulled off her mask and revealed high cheek bones, a slim nose, and rosy pink lips that stood out against her pale skin. *She's beautiful,* thought Kagome, awed.

The lady caught Kagome's eyes as she gently, yet sadly, smiled. "You must be Kagome, it is a pleasure to finally meet you," she said in musical tones. It finally dawned on Kagome who it was as her mother made introductions, "Kagome this is Marisa, I already told you why she is here." Marisa made a graceful bow, and, so that she was not outdone, Kagome followed suit. "Why don't you show Marisa where she will be staying?" Mrs. Higurashi told her daughter. "S.sure..this way," said Kagome as she picked up a few of the bags and made her way up the stairs.

*Feudal Era*

"Why can't I go through the well?" Growled a very irritated, and wet, Inu- yasha. Kaede-baba sighed, "The snow is almost two feet deep, and still falling. If it be snowing like this in Kagome's time as well, that path be closed." Shippou cried out, "You mean Kagome can never come back?!" At that thought Sango's eyes became moist, and Miroku tried to comfort her by rubbing her butt. "Hentai!!!" But in her anxiousness she did not hit him as hard. "No," said the old woman, "but the path will remain sealed until the storms end. Ye will have to wait until that time." Inu-yasha crossed his arms, thoroughly annoyed, as well as worried. *I can't protect her from this side.damn it all. Live Kagome, live until I can come to save you!*

*Higurashi Shrine*

Marisa smiled amused as she followed the girl up the staircase. *She must have been expecting a blonde, why else would she be so surprised?* She chuckled softly despite her attempts to stop herself. Kagome gave a slight glance over her shoulder before continuing down the hallway. The smile disappeared as Marisa studied the change in Kagome's walk pattern. Before, it had been slightly unstable, and a little skittish. Now, it was firm, with more than a small amount of anger put into each step. They stopped at the last door in the corridor, and Kagome forcefully pushed open the door. She entered and carelessly dropped the bags she carried on the floor, and then turned to walk out of the room. "Wait, Kagome-san, before you leave.I have something for you." Marisa said very respectively as she shuffled through one of her smaller bags. The girl stopped and reluctantly turned to wait. "Gomen," Marisa began, "I did not mean to laugh at you. Ah, here they are." She picked up a package wrapped in pink tissue paper. Bowing slightly, she handed over the package and said, "Please accept these as a token of my apologies, as well as my gratitude for allowing me to work here. I know it is hard for you to allow me to live with you." Kagome, some of her anger dissipated by the seemingly sincere apology, took the gift and stared at the woman in front of her. "I have nothing to give you."

"Don't worry about it. I don't expect anything in return." Marisa gave another of her soft smiles as she added, "These are homemade, I hope you enjoy them." Kagome gave another short bow before leaving the room. Returning to her desk, she carefully unwrapped the tissue paper. Inside the package were six large chocolate-covered rice balls. She nibbled daintily on one and smiled broadly. *These are really good, and they even have almonds in them. How did she know I liked almonds?* She took a big bite before the answer came to her, "I guess she asked Mom what I liked." She heard Marisa moving things around, *I guess it won't be that bad having her around if she makes rice balls like this all the time.*

Marisa gently placed a photo on top of her fold-out desk. She had no 'real' furniture in her room, but she liked it that way. Her futon was folded up neatly against the wall underneath the window, and her clothing was now stored in a trunk that Mrs. Higurashi was kind enough to provide. Suddenly, a slight itching around her ears caught her attention. She growled, "I forgot about the earmuffs...kami, they itch." She quickly removed the warm covers from her ears. She gingerly fingered the very tips of her ears; they had rubbed continuously against the fabric and were now sore. She looked into the small mirror she had brought and studied her reflection. "They really wouldn't notice, unless they really looked, or really did see the supernatural everyday. She smirked at that thought. Then she looked sadly at the photo residing to her right. "I guess you're not very proud of me are you? Choosing a life that cost me my humanity," her family said nothing as she gazed at their smiling faces. A single tear fell from a very dark grey eye as she whispered, "I miss you all so much, but this place should help me ease the pain, he told me it would..." *But what if it doesn't? What would I do?* She discontinued the thought, for she did not want to think of what could possibly happen as rivers formed down her cheeks.

~*~*~

Oooo~!! A mystery! And another lame cliffhanger! At least this chapter is longer. ^_^; I hope to add more action and adventure next time, but I wanted to go more into depth with Marisa, so you could get to know her personality. Yeah so uh.R& R!! You know I will not add more until I get more reviews!!