Ch. 5

With a wistful look in her eyes, Kagome stared out the window. The doorbell rang downstairs, but she ignored it. Sadly, she kept her eyes trained on the well, as though she could will InuYasha to suddenly jump through it.

"Kagome-chan! He's here!" Her mother's clear voice rang up the stairs, and Kagome scowled. She dragged herself off her bed and down the stairs, eyeing the tall man as he came into view. He had pale skin and long, dark hair. He was quite ordinary looking, but there was something in his eyes. Something vaguely familiar.... Kagome shook her head and bowed slightly.

"I'm Higurashi Kagome. Welcome to our house." She said softly. The man bowed back, smiling. She did not return his smile.

"Pleased to meet you, Higurashi-san. I am Nayamo, the owner of Aralia. We're dedicated to making life better."

"That's nice." Kagome said offhandedly. Truthfully, the guy sounded like a total fake. She brushed some hair out of her eyes and sat down at the table.

"I'm glad you think so, Kagome- can I call you Kagome?"

"Whatever."

"Be polite, Kagome-chan..." Her mother admonished her, giving her a sharp jab in the back.

"Well then, Kagome, I certainly hope you'll be joining us this summer. The session is only for a week, and it is very, very fun." He smiled again, his eyes traveling over her scars. "Yes, I think a session at Aralia is exactly what you need. Right now, we just received a new girl, about the same age as you. She might go to your school: do you know a Midori Fujishima?"

"No."

"Ah. Well, we just got her parent's approval for her to come this week. And we've even got a few quite nice looking boys in there, as well!"

"See, Kagome? You'll have fun!" Her mom grinned genuinely, and Kagome didn't have the heart to keep scowling. Painfully, she pasted a smile onto her face.

"Yeah. It might be fun." She said, the fake smile hurting her cheeks. Nayamo grinned and pulled out a stack of tedious looking papers.

"We just need your guardian's consent, and then we're all set! This is an overnight kind of thing, and it will only last for a week. However, if by the end of the week you've shown no signs of change, we may have to try a bit harder. But I'm sure that won't be a problem, hm?"

"No. It won't be." Kagome said firmly. There was no way she was going to stay in that crazy house any longer than needed.

"That's fantastic." Nayamo smiled and handed Mrs. Higurashi a blue pen. "Just read and sign these forms. And Kagome, here's a pamphlet for you to look at. We will pick you up at eight o' clock AM on Saturday, the day after school ends."

"Can't we take her ourselves?" Her grandfather asked, his brows arched.

"We pride ourselves on having a private place. Also, we will be picking up a-" he checked a slip of paper. "A Hikaru Kimihiro. Mr. Kimihiro has no transportation to Aralia, seeing as his mother recently passed away and his father has no driver's license. It's just overly convenient, don't you think? Hikaru is a very nice young man, one of the most intelligent I've ever had the pleasure to meet. But he does have quite a problem with depression. I can hardly blame him, with his family history. Well, a week at Aralia should cheer him up, hm?" Nayamo grinned.

Doubtful...Kagome thought to herself, trying to resist rolling her eyes. This kid's mother was dead, and his father had to be a total loser if he had no license. A week at this weird place wasn't going to help him at all. Outwardly, though, she smiled at Nayamo.

"I'm sure it will."

The next three days passed quickly, too quickly for Kagome's taste. Much sooner than she would have liked, she was watching students file past her, excited about the start of summer. Feeling horrible, she hoisted her backpack over her shoulders and pushed past them, ignoring their shouts of protest.

"Higurashi-san...." Alisa's familiar voice penetrated Kagome's skull, and she nervously wheeled around to face the tiny girl.

"What's up, Alisa?" Kagome said brightly, trying to hide her fear. It didn't make sense to be afraid of someone so much younger than her, but nevertheless, there was just something about her....

"My father...said you'll be...joining us this summer..." Alisa smiled, an action that did not suit her saddened face.

"Your father?" Kagome asked incredulously.

"Nayamo Satoshi."

"Wow...that's interesting...."

"Hm. Yes, Aralia is an interesting place. It's...named after our mother...."

"Our mother...? You have siblings?"

"...yes. My elder sister...Katsuya...she's.... married.."

"Ah. Is your mother-?"

"She passed away when I was three." Alisa said shortly, her ruby eyes narrowing behind her thick glasses.

"I'm very sorry..."

"Don't worry...it's not....it does not matter...now...." Alisa's face returned to its normal gloom, and she nodded slightly.

"I look forward...to seeing...you this summer..." She said quietly. With that, she turned and walked toward the black car. Kagome watched her go.

"No wonder she's so sad all the time..." Kagome said softly, fingering her backpack strap. Alisa got into the dark car with the tinted windows and sped away, leaving a cloud of grey dust behind. Sadly, Kagome began her trek home, thinking about random things as she went. As she walked up the steps to her shrine, she turned and stared at the many buildings of Tokyo. The faint sound of car horns and children laughing was comforting, and she smiled. If Aralia could help her to feel like this all the time, then by all means, a week there would be incredible.

"I doubt it'll be that successful, but it's worth a shot, I suppose..." She mused, pulling on a strand of hair. With a faint smile on her face, she trudged up the last few steps and into her house.

me: sorry for the shortness! If it's a bit boring, I'm sorry, but it should all get better in the next chapter!

Kikyo: yeah...it's very, very boring

me: SHUT UP!

Kikyo: well it is! School is more exciting than this!

me: grrrrrr....please R&R.....and i know this chapter wasn't really interesting, but i have to write it, before she gets to Aralia. you know what i'm saying?

Kikyo: um...no. i think what she's trying to say is: Sorry this chapter is boring as hell, and the next one will be better.

me: i hate to admit it, but yes. XD