Chapter 9: Back to the Future part 1
A few days went by with nothing out of the ordinary occurring. Kagome looked up at the sky and sighed.
"Inu Yasha?"
"What is it Kagome?"
"I was just thinking, maybe I should go home for a day or so and check on Sandi."
"That's probably a good idea Kagome-chan," commented Sango. "She may have been shaken by her visit here."
"She's the one who decided to stay and she's the one who decided to go home," Inu Yasha muttered.
Kagome thought for a moment and then a smile sprang to her face.
"I've got it! Why don't we all go to the future for a few days? We can check on Sandi and get a break from this whole Amaya thing."
It took a second for what she said to sink in. Aside from Inu Yasha, no one in the group had gone to the future yet. The idea was intriguing, yet scary. Before long it was agreed, they would go to Kagome's time! It would take a few trips, but it was time they all got to see Kagome's second life. . .
*In Kagome's Time*
"Kagome!" smiled her mother. "Welcome home. Sandi's out studying under the. . . tree. . ." Her mother did a double take.
"You brought more friends home with you this time. Well, I'll just have to make more food then," she laughed and went on her way. Ms. Higurashi was seldom fazed by anything it seemed.
Of course, Sango, Shippou, and Miroku were too busy looking around in awe to really pay too much attention to her.
"Kagome-chan! Minna!" came Sandi's voice.
Sandi had just come in the door way. Her hair had been cut in the last day or so and clung closely to her head; it was rather becoming to her. She smiled warmly at them as she sat her books down.
"What are you all doing here?"
"We were worried about you," smiled Kagome.
"Feh, Kagome and these guys wanted a vacation when we should be hunting jewel shards," Inu Yasha grumbled.
Sango hit him on the head with Hiraikotsu and smiled at Sandi. Inu Yasha glared as Sandi laughed in amusement; she had missed them. She had wanted to go back, but she was afraid they'd find her a nuisance.
"So, Kagome," began Miroku, "how long are we staying?"
"Yes, and can we see the new villages?" questioned Sango.
"Oh, and can I get more candy!" piped up Shippou.
Kagome laughed. "Don't worry guys, there'll be plenty of time for that. For now, let's just relax and enjoy the beautiful, youkai free weather!" Her companions laughed and began their tour of the shrine and its grounds.
Later that evening, Sango stood outside, admiring how this 'Tokyo' place looked in the sunset. It was so incredibly different from the world they'd lived in; but it was still the same place.
"It's beautiful, in a way," she murmured.
"Yes," agreed Miroku.
WHACK!!!
"Hoshi-sama," she growled to the unconscious monk, "stop groping me!"
Inside the house, Shippou and Kirara were playing with Buyo, the family cat. Sota, realizing the presence of his hero, dragged Inu Yasha off towards the television and video games. Kagome took the opportunity to go upstairs and lie on her bed for a moment. Sandi was already there, putting her books away.
"Sandi-chan"
"Yes Kagome-chan?"
"Are you okay? We were worried when you didn't come back."
"Heh, I was fine. I just missed talking to my family and to Ben is all."
"Ben?"
"My boyfriend back home. I missed his voice." She paused for a moment before continuing. "Has Amaya been back since I left?"
"Not yet . . . of course, that probably means she's plotting something."
"So when are you all heading back?"
"Aren't you coming along?"
Kagome studied Sandi's face for a moment. The girl had looked down at the floor and turned away.
"Sandi-chan, don't you want to come back?"
There was no response.
"Why did you really leave Sandi?"
Sandi still said nothing. Fortunately for her, Ms. Higurashi called for Dinner and every one, including Kagome and Sandi, rushed off for the table.