Hello everyone-

Here's my next chapter, sorry it took so long for me to upload it, but, I was injured at work and had to go and get it checked out at the hospital and fill out theL&I form(etc., etc.)so I've been a tad bit preoccupied lately. But, without further delay, here it is.

Attica

Chapter Ten

More Questions than Answers

When Akemi got out of the bath and went downstairs for breakfast she discovered that Kagome had long since departed.

"…doctor's appointment?" Akemi asked, her voice muffled by the cereal she was shoveling into her mouth.

"Yes," Mrs. Hiragashi smiled and nodded, "we had forgotten about it in all the excitement with your arrival, but Kagome will return by this evening." She reached for Akemi's lunch as she called for Souta to hurry down. "But for today, I'm sure Souta would be happy to show you how to get to school."

It was a logical answer; Akemi had no viable reason to doubt Mrs. Hiragashi. But as she sat and ate her cereal, Akemi could feel that the words were forced. She's lying to me. The realization came as a surprise, but why would she lie?

Souta bounded into the kitchen, grabbing his lunch off the table. "You called Mamma?" He asked as he stuffed a piece of toast into his mouth.

"Souta, will you please show Akemi where to go today? It shouldn't be too much trouble since her school is only a couple blocks away from yours."

"Uh, yeah, of course," Souta replied rather confusingly, "but where's…"

"You two should probably get going; you don't want to be late." Mrs. Hiragashi remarked casually, deftly ignoring Souta's words as she escorted Akemi and Souta to the door. Akemi's suspicions grew nonetheless.

"See you after school!" Souta called over his shoulder, grabbing Akemi's arm. "Come on Akemi, I'll show you were to go."

It seemed to Akemi that there was seldom a place in Tokyo that wasn't filled with people. And I thought Seattle was crowed. Akemi thought to herself as she tried to avoid fast moving bicycles and slow moving pedestrians. I always kind of thought Papa was just exaggerating. Souta eventually decided to lead Akemi by the hand as he weaved his way through the throng of people.

"Don't worry the rest of the way isn't as bad." Souta remarked as they made their way down a lesser used side street. "So how do you like Tokyo Akemi?"

"I like it, it's a beautiful place. Though I'm not sure I could get used to all the people." Akemi answered softly. Souta still had a hand on her sleeve, though the need for it had long since passed.

"Do you live in a small town?" Souta asked after moment.

"Seattle's pretty big actually, just not as big as Tokyo." Akemi smirked slightly, allowing herself to be led down the street. Souta seems like a pretty cool kid… must be nice to have a little brother.

Akemi realized that she was beginning to recognize her surroundings, the school was only about block to the left.

"So Akemi," Souta asked as the school came into view.

"What's up?" Akemi asked, distracted by her own thoughts.

"Where did Nee-Chan go anyways?"

Eh? You don't know? Akemi's eyes widened slightly in surprise, so it wasn't only a lie, but it was sudden as well. "To her doctor's appointment of course…" Akemi replied matter-of-factly, watching Souta out of the corner of her eye.

Souta's cheeks flushed pink. "Oh, o-of course." Souta grinned sheepishly and scratched his head. "Guess I forgot."

Souta…you're lying to me too? Akemi smiled inwardly, a bond of trust only a family can have. Akemi admired his loyalty to Kagome; the only person Akemi knew who was that loyal to her was her Papa. And even then… Akemi felt her heart constrict in her chest, her inner turmoil boiling close to the surface.

"Akemi, are you okay?" Souta looked up at her, concern etched on his face.

Akemi sighed as she locked away her thoughts; Stupid, getting so emotional over nothing. "Yeah," she nodded absently, clearing the lump from her throat. "Guess I'm just a little homesick, that's all."

Souta didn't look entirely convinced, but it would have to do. "Well," Akemi shouldered her pack, smiling brightly at Souta, "we should probably get to school huh? I remember the rest of the way, so I think I'll be okay from here."

"Eh, okay." Souta nodded, still slightly confused.

"See you after school!" Akemi called as she ran towards the schools entrance.

"Bye!" Souta called as he headed towards his own school.

Well that didn't go exactly as I had hoped. Akemi thought to herself as she walked down the main hallway. God, what is wrong with me? I feel like I'm losing it! Akemi rubbed her temple slightly. Kagome and her family must think I'm nuts. And especially that Inuyasha…

Akemi arrived at her classroom but was loath to enter it. She would be forced into small talk; all of her spare time would go towards making friends she would eventually have to leave. It seemed pointless. But I have to anyways. Resigned, Akemi walked to her desk and sat down.

The day went by rather quickly; Akemi was occupied by her own thoughts for most of it. Aside from everything else that had happened, Akemi's suspicions were nonetheless confirmed. There was something strange going on with Kagome and Akemi was certain it had something to do with Inuyasha. But what is it? Akemi racked her brain in frustration. She didn't have all the facts, that's why none of is made sense. And despite her inner promise to stay out of it, Akemi's curiosity was getting the better of her. It's just too strange to ignore.

Akemi found herself thinking of it almost all of the time; she was thinking of it as she walked with Souta back to the house, and again as they sat down to dinner.

"Kagome's running late." Mrs. Hiragashi remarked softly as she was setting the table. It was more to herself, but Akemi had heard it as well.

"Is her appointment far away?" Akemi asked after a moment.

"Well, slightly…" Mrs. Hiragashi looked slightly flustered.

"Sorry," Kagome's grandfather spoke from behind his newspaper. "I forgot to tell you, I sent Kagome on an errand for me, since she was in that area."

"Errand?" Kagome's mom asked, slightly surprised.

"Yes, Kagome's dropping off a package for me to an old friend. Not sure how long it will take." He replied as he resumed reading his paper.

He's lying too. Akemi couldn't believe it; everyone in that house had now lied to her. What is going on with Kagome that her whole family needs to cover for her?

When Kagome did return, Akemi decided it was best not to force any more lies upon the Hiragashi's and simply be absent for the initial hello's. That way they can at least get their stories straight.

When Kagome made her way to her room she seemed in much better spirits than she had been the night before. She must have cleared things up with Inuyasha. And as happy as Kagome was before, she was even happier when Akemi produced her notes from the classes Kagome had missed.

They worked side by side, Akemi not asking about Kagome's whereabouts, Kagome not offering any explanations. But when they said their goodnights Akemi was no less consumed by her curiosity.

Where does she go? Why must it be such a secret? Akemi screamed in her mind.

Suddenly Akemi's pendent began to pulse, and the disembodied voice from before whispered softly in her ear; "Do you really want to know?"

Akemi felt her heart begin to race; did I really just hear that? She could feel the vibration her pendent gave off, its rhythm matching that of a heartbeat.

"Do you really want to know?" The voice whispered once again.

Is it asking if I want to know about Kagome? Akemi thought as she felt beads of cold sweat begin to collect on her forehead. What is going on?

"Do you really want to know?" The voice seemed insistent.

It was her moment of choice. I should leave it alone; it's none of my business. Why am I even considering trusting in something as completely absurd as a voice in my head? But it was still there, that relentless compulsion for the truth. It was a bad habit she acquired from her papa, but it was a part of her. She had to know…

In a voice so small that she almost thought she had imagined it, Akemi heard herself say "yes."

Warmth spread from the pendent to her chest and throughout the rest of her body as her mind seemed to disconnect from her body. The presence she had felt every time she heard that voice seemed to grow solid and a wave of pleasure flowed from it into her.

"Good."

P.S.

I'm not sure how much I like this chapter, but I have to get my story moving! I know I'm impatient, but I really want to get to the next part of it (I think you guys will like it too) ASAP.

Next chapter should be uploaded soon!