The rest of the day past in a blur for Kagome. Somehow she found herself back at the temple. In the entryway to her house, she found several pairs of shoes all neatly lined up along the wall. They were mostly men's business shoes, with a few ladies pumps intermingled, all where various shades of black, clearly polished but well worn.

In corner, on the other side of the room, a pair of platform sandals sat by themselves. The shoes where a deep shade of burgundy, with tiny silver roses stitched into the material; they looked brand new, possible purchased earlier that day. The large shoes seemed out of place amongst its quieter cousins.

"Kagome is that you," her mother called from somewhere in the house.

"Yes," she slid her own shoes off and ran in to living room, hoping to find her mother, "whose shoes are in… the… en…try…way…"

Several people in suits sat with her mother and her little brother, Souta, in the living room. It was quiet when she entered, everyone staring at her. None of the people seemed interesting enough to be the owners of the sandals; they were carbon copies of each other, changing only gender.

"Kagome," her mother indicated for her to sit down, "These are the applicants for your new tutor."

"You've got them already."

Mrs. Higurashi just smiled and handed her a cup of tea from the set on the in table. "I've interviewed them all but I would like your input, since you would be spending the most time with them. So I thought we could enjoy a nice leisurely tea together to get to know one another."

"That won't be necessary," her grandfathers voice boomed from an adjacent room, "I've found the perfect tutor for Kagome."

"You have," Kagome and her mother said at once.

"Yes I have," he beamed proudly, entering the room, "She's bright, funny and best of all she work for room and board."

"She?" Kagome asked.

"How did you find her," asked her mother.

"I didn't find her," he chuckled to himself, "She found me. Just wondered into the temple and I invited her in for tea. We talked and I found out that she used to teach kindergarten. She'll be perfect."

"She was a Kindergarten teacher?" Kagome was skeptical.

"That'll be perfect for Kagome…she can brush up on her ABC's." Souta laughed.

Mrs. Higurashi decided to humor him, "I'm sure she's wonderful but of course I'll need to speak with her first."

"Bah," he scoffed, "there's no need for that. I've all ready hired her. She can start today."

"Oh… well… do we a least get to meet this mystery girl?" Mrs. Higurashi's tone was disapproving. She was standing now, frowning at her father. She knew he was impetuous but she thought he realized that she was going to take care of this matter.

"Of course you'll get to meet her. She'll be living with us after all," he looked toward Kagome and smiled broadly, his eyes twinkling with merriment. "She's in the kitchen if you'd like to speak with her Kagome. I'm sure you'll get a kick out of her."

"Why don't you invite her in here," her mother said quickly, "that way we can all meet her."

There was a slight pause before he agreed and raced out to retrieve his guest. Kagome and her mother pacified the other tutors and had emptied them out of the house before their new guest arrived. Now only the family, silently, waited in the living room. They sat facing the doorway, Kagome getting up now and then to pace the length of the room.

"What on earth could be taking them so long?" Kagome huffed down on to the couch, arms crossed as she grumbled.

"Sorry we took so long," a soft voice came from the doorway, "Your grandfather decided to give me an impromptu tour your lovely home."

All eyes fastened to the speaker, their jaws dropping in astonishment.

"Hey…mom," Souta asked after a moment, "Can I have tutor too?"

***~***

Kagome lay in her bad later that night, staring at the ceiling. So much had happened that day she had a hard time believing it was real. Just down the hall her new tutor slept soundly, peacefully as though she'd always been there. Kagome had been surprised as every one when her grandfather brought her in; she wasn't what anyone expected. She was lovely, an exotic sort of beauty that overwhelmed its audience and left them gapping like fools in its wake.

The first thing she'd noticed were the girls' eyes, deep compelling green orbs that dominated her face. Long black lashes and finely arched brows framed them ready to snap shut behind the fools who found themselves drowning in their depths. She had freckles, finely sprinkled across the bridge of her nose but they were barely noticeable against the pale cream of her skin. The girl was smiling at them when she'd entered, a charming smile that showed her little white teeth. Chestnut hair plunged down her back, brushing against her knees as she moved farther into the room. She had it trapped back in a braid but wisps had escaped and framed her face. Her clothes weren't fancy, just a pair of plain flare blue jeans and a tiny white T-shirt. The sobriety made her seem more reachable and unattainable.

After the initial shock dulled, Kagome and her family pulled themselves together enough for introductions and discovered that she was as sweet as she looked.

Kagome sighed and rolled over. She hated to admit it but she was slightly jealous of her new tutor. Not that any one could blame her, she argued to herself, the woman had curves that would make Venus* green with envy and she's seems so nice.

She rolled over again, kicking off the covers. She couldn't sleep, something about the girl just bothered her; she seemed too perfect. Then a thought struck her.

No one had told them her name.

***~***

The scent of waffles woke Kagome the next morning; it was heavy aroma that led the sleepy eyed girl straight to the kitchen. There, everyone else was already up and feasting. Souta and her grandfather stuffed their faces on waffles oozing with butter and syrup, while her mother nibbled on fruit and toast.

"Good morning, Kagome. Have a seat, the next batch will be done in a few seconds," the tutors cheerful voice floated over from the stove. "I trust you slept well."

She mumbled something underneath her breath as she sat down. Pick up a strawberry from the tray on the table as glanced at her tutor. The girls' back was to her, the long braid still sweeping to her knees. Her clothes weren't much different from the day before but the T-shirt had become a tank top. As Kagome watched she skillfully pulled the waffles from its iron and dropped in on a plate as she turned.

"So Kagome," she walked over to the table, grinning ear to ear, "What do you like on your waffles. Syrup, jam or my personal favorite…peanut butter."

She looked down on the food in front of her and back at its cook, "Who are you?"

She laughed, "I'm your tutor remember."

"No, I mean what's your name."

"Kagome don't be rude," her mother snapped as she finished off her kiwi, "Her name is…is…" she blushed, "oh my… I seem to have forgotten."

The tutor laughed again as she returned to the stove. Kagome's grandfather looked up from his plate and smirked; "It's Ann."

***~***

*Venus is the Greek Goddess of Love

I want to give a shout out to Sashlea, you were my very first review. Thanks. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Happy reading. ^^

P.S. I've said once I've said it a thousand times. I don't own Inuyasha.. T_T