"Come on Kagome, your going to make us miss the bus!" Miyu was yelling at her as she ran down the street towards the Cafe. Kenta was standing next to Miyu waving at her to hurry. As she got closer she could see Ayumi walking out of the Cafe doors with Misaki and Yuka.
After all of the hugs from each of her friends, Kenta leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. The bus arrived and they all shuffled aboard for their outing. This is nice, Kagome thought, to spend time with my friends. With the final weeks of college behind her now, things can get back to normal. She relaxed back in her seat. Kenta smiled warmly at her. He has a beautiful smile, Kagome thought. She felt very lucky that her fell in love with her. Her family had been very excited when they announced their engagement. Kenta's family owned a nice little business on Dogenzaka Street. After he graduated from college his father handed the business over to him. Kenta made a few changes and doubled the revenue, making his father very proud of him. They were nice people, and accepted Kagome with open arms.
Ayumi and Miyu sat in the seat ahead of them. Their giggles made her laugh softly. Miyu had been her friend since gradeschool, but she had only met Ayumi during her third year of college. She had such a friendly smile, and helpful demeanor, that they swiftly became best friends. Ayumi had been there for her during tough times, and Kagome always returned the favor when Ayumi needed her. She was someone that Kagome could talk to about anything, and she trusted Ayumi completely.
Misaki and Yuka sat just behind them. She could hear them discussing their plans to go the movies later with their boyfriends. They were both great friends, but a little more chatty than herself. Maybe it was because they were three years younger. 'Was I like that three years ago' she thought back, and decided that she definitely wasn't. Their differences didn't mean anything to Kagome because they were a lot of fun to hang out with.
The bus pulled up to the museum entrance, and Kenta squeezed her hand slightly. They all stood up and quickly exited the bus. The museum had been under construction for three years, and Kagome could see why as she stepped down. It was a massive building, made of stone and brick. In the front there were huge pillars supporting the ceiling overhead. Fortunately, Kagome and her friends had arrived a little early, so they were very close to the front of the line. A lovely young lady, who met them at the entrance, escorted them inside. She briefly told them a little about the museum, then handed out pamphlets, which had a little map of the exhibits on the back. The floors were pink marble in the main entranceway, and their footsteps echoed throughout the high ceilings. As they browsed the exhibits the girls couldn't help but squeal in delight. Everything was so amazing.
"Look Kagome, Ayumi said, it's the Edo Period exhibit up ahead." Kagome was very excited. The Edo Period was her specialty, especially since she had actually been there! She chose Asian Archaeology as her major in college because of her love and in-depth knowledge of this period of time in history. Feudal Japan – The Edo Period adorned a gold lettered sign high above. Their group pushed forward and were soon surrounded by ancient pottery and delicate artwork. Huge statues of fallen warriors and famous leaders graced the massive hallways. An impressive assortment of swords were beautifully hung in a glass case covering one entire wall.
Misaki and Yuka were laughing heartily as they poked fun of some of the stone men. "Look at his nose," Yuka exclaimed. She was just ahead of them. Kagome heard Misaki and Miyu break out in giggles. The three women ahead of Ayumi, Kenta and herself, rounded a corner out of sight. "Wait for us," Ayumi shouted to them. "Wow... look at him," Miyu burst out! "He is awesome... who is he," Misaki questioned? "It says that he is the Unknown Warrior," Kagome heard Miyu reply
As they rounded the corner Kagome could see her three friends staring at a powder white, life-sized, stone statue. "Kagome, check this guy out.... he's simply fabulous," Misaki called to her. She glanced up at Kenta who was smiling at their antics. When she and Kenta stopped to look at the current object fascination, Kagome's heart stopped. Her head started spinning, and she felt herself getting dizzy. Kenta immediately picked up on her distress, and quickly grabbed her arm. "Are you ok," he asked in deep concern. She couldn't bring herself to answer him. She couldn't even move. Standing in front of her was the most beautiful statue of a man. A man she knew as Lord Sesshomaru. It had to be him. How is that possible? She blinked her eyes a couple of times, but the image before her remained the same.
"Kagome, you look like you've seen a ghost," Ayumi exclaimed to her friend. Kagome realized she was making a spectacle of herself. She had to say something. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't eat any breakfast this morning. I guess it's made me a little lightheaded. Don't worry, I'm fine now," she said this as calmly as she could manage. Yuka started laughing. "No girls, Kagome was just stunned at how gorgeous this mysterious warrior is!" All the girls burst out in laughter at Yuka's little joke. Kenta still seemed a little concerned so she looked at him and patted his arm. "I'm fine, really." He seemed to accept this as the truth, and she tell he relaxed a little.
Kagome just could not believe her eyes. Before her, stood a statue which held the spitting image of Inuyasha's half brother, the Great Youkai Lord of the Western Lands, Sesshomaru. There was no mistaking it. The fine work of art was completely white, and in perfect condition, as though he was a pillar of salt. She thought he would move at any moment. His celestial white, long hair spilled down his back. Even the armor Sesshomaru had worn was carved into the perfect stone. He even carried the fluffy boa, which she seen him use against Inuyasha as a fierce weapon. On his side, he was adorned with two swords. She knew them as the Tenseiga, sword of healing, and the demon sword Tokijin. The Taiyoukai's angelic face forever cast in an intense gaze. It was stunning.
Her friends had begun to move toward the exit, as this was the last exhibit for them. They were calling to her to hurry up, because they all wanted to get a bite to eat. She could hear Miyu telling them she would like to get some sushi. They sounded like they were calling to Kagome from a dream. She couldn't take her eyes off of the statue. It was no ghost Kagome had seen; it was a demon from her past. She felt a tug at her arm, and looked up into Kenta's smiling face. "Come Kagome, let's get you something to eat. You look a little pale." She smiled at him and nodded her head. She took one last look at the ghostly image of the Unknown Warrior and followed Kenta to the museum exit.
On the way out, they all stopped by the exit display, which held brochures and announcements of upcoming seminars and events. Kagome noticed that the museum had a couple of job openings. One for maintenance and one for artifact coordinator. She grabbed an application on her way out.
The little group boarded the bus after deciding where they would get something to eat. During the ride Kagome had a chance to reflect on the shocking piece of art. After all these years of pushing these memories to the back of her mind, something so unexpected happens. 'Sesshomaru of all people! It figures. He always thought he was mister perfect. It shouldn't surprise me that he would commission a statue of himself. Humph! That arrogant bastard.' Soon her thoughts were distracted by the banter of her friends. She decided she could contemplate the image of the youkai lord later, so she turned and joined in the conversation.