Chapter 2 "And so life begins"

The temple shrine maiden was walking around the grounds when suddenly she heard a small child whimpering. She knew she had to do something and she would have to do it fast, because it was getting weaker by the minute. The young maiden, who's name is Kaneko Higurashi, ran, and got her father and her new husband. The three set up a search party to find the infant before it was too late. While the group was panicking, they had quite the crowd form and they also joined in the search. Well, a small boy and girl no older than 6 or 7 years of age crawled into the forbidden well house and searched in there when the young girl looked into the well and found the bundle of cloth that was the entire cause of the commotion. They ran out to get the adults but only end up being ignored the entire time.

Therefore, the young boy got an idea and starts yelling like banshees. All the adults paused and asked what was wrong. The kids said that they found something in the well. The crowd then rushed to the well and watched as the husband and wife of the property slid in. The woman being the most trusting, reaches down, picks up the cloth, and finds a giggling little baby. The husband finds a leather coated book and a group of other items, including a small necklace, charms, spell scrolls, and other assorted items.

The trio climbed out and decided that they were keeping the little ball of joy as their own and when the child got old enough, they would explain to the best of their knowledge about her origins, but until that time she was their child. The ceremony of adopting the babe was held that very night and thus the child, who they learned from the title of the book was named Kagome, became a true Higurashi and heir to the entire Higurashi estate and all of the worldly possessions. Meaning when the child was old enough she would inherit the temple, the estate in the countryside, all of Japan (Thanks to her father he's the emperor's son), a huge business started by her mother, a large sum of money, and many other goods. The people of the city prayed that this wouldn't affect the child by giving her a big head. They all admired the Higurashi but because of who they were; they had quite a few enemies and even fewer true friends. They prayed that the little child would be able to handle all that she was now in for. Many also hoped that the child would marry one of their own children so that they could get the money of the Higurashis.

Five years later

A small child is trotting around while her mother sings and rocks her chair. The little girl is singing about getting a very special surprise. "I'm gonna get a brother! I'm gonna get a brother! I'm gonna get a brother!!" she sang sweetly. "Kagome, its I am going to get a brother." Stated her mother. "That's what I said momma." Kagome told her. "I know it's what you said but others do not know that." Said Mrs. Higurashi. "Momma when is he going to come I want to make him a special gift." Kagome said with an air around her that always appeared when she said something that sounded older than her. "The doctor said he should be here in about a week, Honey." Said Mrs. Higurashi. "I just wish your father was here to see him, he was so proud when we told him I was pregnant!" she said as she began to cry. "Don't worry momma he knows. I'm sure of it!" Kagome said with such an understanding of the pain, for it was her father as well. She loved him with all her heart, as did he. When Kagome had first come home, he obsessed about her. "I'm sorry Kagome I didn't mean to worry you." Her mother said.

Her grandfather burst in smiling like he did when he found out Kagome loved his stories about history and myths. "Guess what today is!" he said in a joyous voice. "What day is it Granpa?" she asked. "Grandpa, Kagome, its grandpa." Her mother said exasperated. "Never mind her grammar, child. Today is the day of the festival of summer blossoms!" he said quite happily. "You need to go get your kimonos and get ready for fun!" "O.K., come on momma we need to get ready!" Kagome said as she ran towards her room. Kaneko was always amazed at how much her daughter loved ancient artifacts and ancient customs. It was almost as if she was from the past. She didn't know much about her past because they had found a note attached to the book with specific directions to follow. One of which was to not read the book. So they had obeyed the rules. A few moments later Kagome and her family left for the festival. They walked around and saw quite a few ancient sites. They also saw many artifacts and costumed people walking around the city. They walked around the city until late at night. "Kagome come on we need to get going." Her mother yelled to get her attention. Except that, Kagome was nowhere to be found. "Kagome, Where are you?!" her mother began to yell franticly. They found her lying in a puddle, Unconscious. Her mother ran to her, picked her up, and saw she was bruised and beaten. Then she saw the shadow of a man coming at them. She got up ran and quickly made it back to her father. Then she felt something she was worried about. She felt labor pains, the worry and panic must have caused her to go into labor. Her father helped her to the car and drove to the hospital.

Kaneko woke next to her daughter who was covered in bandages when she heard her father enter in. "Father how is she? Is she going to be okay?" she asked voice shaking with fear. "She is fine. She's a fighter and she will pull through. She's just going to be sore for a few days. They say that she was mugged, probably they were going to rob her." He spat the last part out of his mouth as if it was poison. "The one we were worried about was you. We were afraid that you weren't going to wake up after all that. Oh and just so you know you gave birth to a healthy baby boy." He said as he looked at his precious gifts slip off to sleep. "Momma are you alright?" Kagome asked her mother once she regained consciousness. "I'm fine honey. How are you?" "I'm okay. Can I go see my little brother now? I haven't seen hem yet." Kagome pleaded. "Alright, but be safe."

At the nursery

Kagome stood in a chair leaning against the glass trying to get a good view of her baby brother. She could scarcely reach the window and she wasn't sure which of the little bundles was him, when a nurse from the ward saw her squinting into the glass window. "Hello little one, how may I help you?" she asked to the little bandaged up girl. "I'm trying to find my little bro. Can you help me find him?" "Sure little one what is your brother's name?" "I don't know. I do know his last name, it is Higurashi!" she said beaming with pride at the mention of the name. "Oh well that is easy. Everyone remembers when a Higurashi is brought in!" the old woman said to the little girl. "Come on sweetie. I will lead you to him. By the way my name is Keade." "I am Kagome!" "Here he is. He sure is a cutie, just like you!" The young girl climbed up to see him. When he saw the figure standing over him he began to laugh. "Hi, I am your big sister, Kagome and I 'm going to call you Souta!" she said as she smiled at him. Right then Kagome's grandpa came in and ratified the name to be Souta on his birth certificate.

At a private kindergarten

Kagome was standing outside the building she just left because she had accidentally shown she was much smarter than all the others there. So now, she had to wait for her mom and she would have to go to a new school for older children. Her little brother, Souta was at the daycare. Her mom walked up a few moments later and took her home until she would have to go to the fourth grade class. She knew that her daughter had to be worried, but she seemed so calm and serene. It was shocking to see her acting so much like an adult. "So Kagome how was your day?" she asked. "I guess it was okay, except that I can't go back." "Well I guess you can stay at home until then and cook with me. We can clean and make new garments, or we could study more books in the library." "I'd like to do all of that. I can't go to school for two weeks because that is when they start their classes." She said happily. They then skipped all the way home singing and chatting about all that they would do together. They had a delicious meal and then went to bed for a good night sleep. Kagome woke the next morning and rushed around getting everything that they would need for the work that they would be doing today. She got the sewing kit from the laundry room, the cookbook from the kitchen, the cue cards for studying from the library along with many books, she got the music papers and musical instruments, and finally she got anything else she didn't know. She ran to her mother's room and woke her up at around three a clock in the morning begging her to get ready. "Alright Kagome I will get up, Just give me some time I am not as young as you!" Her mother said laughing. "Alright I will wait for a little while." She replied calmly. In a few minutes, they ran downstairs and began their extravagant training day. At the end, Kagome was a little genius and was ready for anything. When she went to school the next day she would be in for quite a surprise.