Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own Inuyasha….

A/N: This chapter I hope is longer, I don't necessarily like short chappies, but that was the default chapter anyway… Well here goes my attempt at Chapter 1, enjoy!

Ja!

Nya-chan

Chapter 1- Settling In

Kagome glanced around the room. It was small yet cozy. The bed had a canopy a deep shade of green, the walls a slightly lighter green. They had pictures of vines and beautiful flowers.

"I hope you like this room, unless you'd rather sleep on the couch…I'll let you settle in, call me if you need me, dear," Kaede said whilst turning around and walking out of the room.

"Thank you Kaede for your hospitality !" she called over her shoulder, hoping the older woman would hear her.

She turned back to the room, walking over to the mahogany dresser. She put her trunk on the top of the it, unsnapping the locks on it. She began taking out clothes and putting them in random drawers, but stopped when she saw a picture of she, her mother, and her brother.

She fingered it gingerly tears welling up in her eyes.

No! I will not cry! She thought angrily.

She scrubbed at her eyes, finding a picture frame atop the night stand, she picked up the picture, sliding it into the frame and setting it back down on the night stand she gazed at it for some time before returning to putting her clothes away.

A few minutes later

She walked down the old stairs, that were moaning with disapproval. She walked into the kitchen and sat in one of the chairs.

"Are you done unpacking, child?" Kaede asked.

"Yes I am, thank you again…"

"It is quite alright dear. How about I make some tea and we can speak about the school you will be attending."

Her eyes widened slightly, she had totally forgotten about school! "Of course, ba-chan. (aunt)"

The old woman hummed as she began taking items out of the cupboards.

After a few minutes she sat down, sliding a mug of warm tea towards Kagome. She sipped her tea before speaking again, "Kagome, I know you're still…suffering from your loss, but you must go to school."

"I know," Kagome said quietly.

"You will go to Hitomiake Public High school, I've already gotten your uniform."

"What will you do during the day?" she asked curiously, sipping at her tea once more.

"I own a daycare, most of the children stay with me. This is a fairly small town, as you know."

"Ah, I see."

The door bell rang suddenly, startling Kagome. Kaede got up and went to the door. She heard Kaede say happily, "Ah Sango! I would like you to meet my niece."

Soon Kaede and a woman with raven hair tied in a ponytail walked in. She looked just about her age, possibly older. Kagome stood and walked over to the woman extending her hand.

"I am Kagome Higurashi, nice to meet you."

The woman smiled warmly and shook her hand, "I am Sango Taijya, Nice to meet you."

Kagome smiled back, but Sango frowned slightly, noticing it stopped at her eyes. She could tell this girl used to be happy and full of life, but something had saddened her so deeply, it was no more.

"Kagome Sango shall go to school with you, I am sure you will make good friends. But excuse me if you may, I must check on Arisu, I promised I would," Kaede said smiling at both.

"Alright ba-chan. Bye…"

"Sango, will you stay with her?" Kaede asked.

"Of course," she said smiling.

At that Kaede pulled on a jacket and left.

"So, Kagome what would you like to do?"

"Oh, I don't mind really, would you like to just talk?"

"Sure," she said.

They walked to the living room and sat on the antique sofa.

"So..."

1 hour later

Kagome and Sango had talked for a long while, almost immediate friends. Of course, Kagome was a little touchy on the parents subject, but other than that it went good.

She waved her new friend off as she stood on the porch, Kaede next to her. (A/N Yes Kaede is back...duh nuh!)

She turned to Kaede and said, "Shall we go to sleep now Kaede?"

"Yes child, we shall."

They both walked in, Kaede walking to her room, Kagome to hers.

Kagome laid amongst the many pillows and blankets, fitfully groaning and sleeping.

She walked in, looking at her mother. Her mother smiled warmly and reached a hand out to her.

"Mama..." Kagome said happily, but soon the dream turned into a nightmare. Her mother was being stabbed reapetedly and she kept running, but couldn't reach her.

"Ka...go..me..." said her mother, choking on her own blood. "Why won't you h-help me!"

"I can't! Mother!" she yelled as she began to fade. "MOTHER!"

"MOTHER!" Kagome screamed, jolting awake. She rocked back and forth, clutching her blankets, sobbing.

"It was just a dream," she said,"Just a dream."

But she kept picturing her mothers face, looking at her, asking her why she didn't help.

It was her fault she decided. If she had not gone shopping, she would have been there for her mother, not having a good time while her mother was being killed.

All her fault...

She didn't know how wrong she was.

I know, I know, boring...Eh? I had to introduce Sango...yay! Gods I'm tired...2:45 am sharp! Heh, dad specifically told me to go to bed early (i gotta wake up at 6:30 -.-;;)and I specifically stayed up...eyebrows. Still short...gods I'm lazy... ne who...

Nya-chan