"All right everyone, take a seat," Kagome's teacher instructed as they all settled in for the journey back to school.

"That was boring," Yuka sighed, glancing out the window as the bus pulled onto the road and away from the shiro's property.

"I didn't mind it," Kagome admitted.

History had always been her favorite subject, after all. She was a product of her environment, through and through.

The bus passed over the castle's property line, and she breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't always quite so taxing on her, being followed by lonely spirits. But, she couldn't shake the ominous feeling she got from the one haunting the shiro.

He wasn't human. That'd been simple enough to deduce, what with the platinum hair, amber eyes, elven ears and claws.

Oh, and the power she felt radiating from him whenever he'd been curious enough to creep closer to her.

Never before had she encountered a spirit such as this, and it set her on edge.

She'd have to ask her grandfather about it.

"So, does anyone have plans for the holiday break?" Eri asked, and Kagome shook her head, staring out the window.

"Not really. The shrine is busiest during the holidays, so I'll be there." Kagome turned to look at her friend. "How about you?"

"We're going to visit family in America. I hope the jet lag isn't too bad this time."

"We're visiting family, too. In Yaeyama," Ayumi said, a grin on her face. She sighed, happily. "The warm weather is going to be so nice."

"What about you, Yuka?" Kagome asked, leaning forward to see past Eri to the seat across the walkway.

"We're spending a few nights in Hakone."

"Ah! Take me with you," Kagome joked. "I love a good soak in the hot springs."

"It's so nice, isn't it?" Yuka gushed, her excitement obvious.

The friends laughed, and changed the subject, Kagome doing her best to participate in the conversation. But, she never could rid herself of that ominous feeling that hovered over her shoulder.

It wasn't until later, after she'd returned home to the safety of her shrine, that she realized why.