Disclaimers: I do not own Inu-Yasha
Chapter Two: Settling In
Kagome stared gloomy out the window, watching tree after tree passes her by. They had been on the road for quite some time now, and Kikir4a said that they still had half an hour more to go. Kagome took a glance at the woman who had giver her shelter for the past week. Kagome smiled at the memory of all the fun her and Souta had at the temporary home.
'But all good things must come to an end.' Kagome thought bitterly. Because that's exactly what the house was… temporary. It wasn't a real home and Kikira wasn't her real mother… just some cop who didn't want to send them to the orphanage. Now, she wanted to get rid of them. Kagome remembered the day she had 'accidentally' listened in on Kikira, Hiroshi, and The Chief's conversation. Though barely did she remember, but then again, I guess you could say that the part that made Kagome remember, will always make her think of it. For no matter what the reason, Kagome will never, nor can never, forget… never.
Kagome placed on a look of hard concentration, as she tried to block the voices in her head. The voices of the three that were now forcing her to go to boarding school…the three that decided to make decisions for her… the three that were suppose to protect her, but were now passing the role to others. No matter how hard she tried, Kagome just couldn't get the voices out of her head.
"Chief, Kagome has been accepted into the school," she could hear Kikira's voice say. She was speaking to The Chief who was a kindly old man, a bit on the chubby side and a wee bit under average height. He was always nice to people, but if he should get mad, you should run for cover. His cheerful stormy gray eyes would look as if fire were in them, and his bushy white mustache would stand on end.
"That's good… so when can we send her?" The Chief's voice asked out.
"Well Chief, we haven't quite found a safe dorm yet…" Kikira weakly replied.
"What are you saying woman?!" The Chief's voice boomed. 'We can't keep her at your house forever! You can't watch her as much as we need the girl to be watched. This school will be able to keep an eye on her twenty-four hours a day, and seven days a week!" The Chief shouted angrily.
"Sir may I say something," Hiroshi finally spoke up.
"It better be good." The Chief's voice held a warning tone in it.
"Well sir, we need to find a group of kids, or at least a room-mate that will be able to protect her. We can't room her with some floozy that won't care if she lives or dies." Hiroshi explained. "So just give us two days maximum to find the perfect room-mate." Then came an un-nerving silence that made Kagome uncomfortable.
"Fine," The Chief finally spoke out. "Just two days… if you fail then we'll put her in any room, even if it's with a floozy," The Chief smirked.
"Thank you sir," the two officers said in unison.
Kagome's face twisted in disgust by the sheer memory. She was still miffed by the conversation. 'They just wanted to get rid of me as fast as they could. They didn't care about me.' She thought angrily. But her anger sparked more when their next conversation began ringing in her mind.
"So… have you found a room?" The Chief went straight to the point."Yes sir… the girl is very… er… powerful. She'll be able to protect Kagome well, and her friends are also perfect for the job," Kikira explained.
"Hiroshi what do you have to say," The Chief wanted a second opinion.
"I think these are exactly what we were looking for. If you don't believe me, then take a look at this," Hiroshi commented. She then heard the shuffling of papers.
"Ha ha… ha ha ha…" The Chief started to laugh. Kagome wasn't sure if she should be worried or pleased by the laughing. "This is perfect. You and Kikira did a great job!" The Chief exclaimed.
"Yes, but to get close to the girl's friends, she first needs to become friends with the girl. But I'm not quite sure if Kagome is ready to care for others just yet." Kikira said in a quiet voice.
"Look, all the girl needs to do is talk, then everything will be fine," Hiroshi commented.
"If she could talk, then we wouldn't need to be sending her to the school! She could just ell us what happened and we could catch the bastard that did it!" Kikira snapped. "If she could talk, we wouldn't be in this mess, would we!" Kikira was screaming loudly, and Kagome had to cover her ears to muffle it somewhat.
"Look… I'm sorry that… that came out a little wrong. I'm just saying that if Kagome would just speak, then our job would be easier,' Hiroshi said in a soothing voice.
"That wouldn't work any ways… the girl can't remember what happened…. The Doc said that the trauma from the incident has deeply scarred her," The Chief said in a solemn tone.
"What's that suppose to mean?" Hiroshi asked stupidly.
"She can't speak because it's kind of her own punishment mixed with fear of what might happen should she talk… and she can't remember because the trauma was so bad that her body and mind couldn't take it. IT was easy for her mind to lock the memories away instead of facing it," this time Kikira explained.
"But will the memories come back?" Hiroshi asked. "Because once those memories come back, it'll be easier to catch this man."
"Well technically they will. But it might be years, months, weeks… we just can't tell when she'll remember," Kikira said.
"So the best we can do for the girl is provide a safe environment, is that what you're saying Kikira?" The Chief asked skeptically.
"Yes Chief," Kikira nodded. She knew The Chief had developed a soft spot for Kagome and Souta and that if anything should happen to either of them, then he would blame himself.
"Are you sure that this school and these people will be able to provide it?" the Chief's voice sounded a little unsure. "We want her to be safe… so you wouldn't place her in a harmful environment… right?"
"Chief!" Kikira exclaimed, appalled by the idea that she would purposely harm Kagome.
"I'm kidding Kikira," the Chief chuckled. "So when can she leave?"
"In two days time,"
'The nerve of them!' Kagome thought bitterly. 'Treating me like property! Come Kagome, you're going to live with Kikira… Kagome we're going to send you to a doctor… Kagome pack up your stuff, you're going to boarding school…' Kagome scoffed. 'Well screw you people.' She threw a dirty look at Kikira.
"What's on your mind Kagome… hm… are you mad at me for sending you to this boarding school. Don't think that I didn't see that look you gave me," Kikira commented, taking a glance at Kagome's shocked form.
'How? When? What is she thinking?' Kagome was really confused now.
"Oh look, we're here!" Kikira exclaimed suddenly.
She pulled through the opening iron gates, and Kagome's jaw almost dropped at the sight of the school. She'd never seen a school this big. It looked to be old English style castle type of building. Three stories and it looked like there were fifteen different buildings.
'Wow… but how am I going to afford this?' Kagome thought, her brows creasing together. 'Mama didn't have a lot of money… and with Souta going to a private school!'
"Don't worry, you're here on scholarship, so don't worry about money," Kikira laughed. Kagome gave her an incredulous look. 'No I'm not a witch, I could just see the questioning look in your eyes when you stared at the building. Kikira was giggling, trying to contain herself from just letting go of the wheel and laughing like there was no tomorrow. "So I guessed that's what you were worrying about."
'Lucky guess.' Kagome thought bitterly, as Kikira pulled into the guest parking space in front of what Kagome figured was the central building. 'I know I'm going to get lost.'
"Come on Kagome, let's go. We have an appointment with the headmistress," Kikira explained, climbing out of the car. Kagome just nodded, and climbed out as well. "Come on, let's see what this school is all about," Kikira smiled, wrapping her arm around Kagome's shoulders and pulling her towards herself.
"Aye it's good to meet you child," an elderly woman pronounced as she stood to greet Kagome. Kagome just nodded and shook the hand of the woman while taking in her appearance. The woman was quite short and plump, with long gray hair tied at the small of her back, and a patch over her left eye. "Come, come and take a seat," she said, gesturing to the chair located in front of her desk.
"Thank you Kaede," Kikira said, taking a seat. "Come on Kagome," Kikira said, patting the arm of the chair next to her.
Kagome just gave a small nod as she seated herself.
"Now, ye room is located in Friendship building room 8C, and it's located on the third floor. The rules of the school are simple. You may leave the school grounds only on the weekends. Weeknights, curfew is at 11:00 P.M. and weeknights it's midnight. You may have males in your room and vice versa, but they must be gone ten minutes before curfew, and the reasoning to that is dorm building doors will be locked five minutes before curfew so you wouldn't want to be late. If you are late, you will be locked out and there shall be severe consequences," Kaede explained in a firm tone.
Kagome just nodded her head in understanding.
"We're pretty loose on the rules, so those are the main ones that we hold strict to. Now child, here's your schedule," Kaede smiled, holding a piece of paper over the desk. Kagome raised a trembling hand, and lightly pulled it out of Kaede's hand. "Do you have any questions child?" Kaede smiled.
Kagome raised up one fore finger and gave her a timid smile.
"Aye child, just ask," Kaede nodded her head.
Kagome just moved her hand up to chest level, palm upward. Then she used her hand as if there was an imaginary pen. Soon she pretended to be writing.
"Do you have pen and paper?" Kikira asked, getting what Kagome as trying to say.
"Aye, but why would ye need it?" Kaede was confused.
"I don't need it, Kagome does," Kikira explained, waving her arms in front of her.
"Kagome…" Kaede looked more confused until something clicked in her mind. "Ah, ye would be the mute?"
Kagome nodded her head vigorously.
"Then this is for you," Kaede said, handing her a laptop. "Ye teachers shall have cables to connect to ye computer, and that is how ye will be able to communicate with ye teachers," Kaede explained.
Kagome's face lit up in happiness and surprise as she took it. When she opened it, she saw it was already on Word, so she typed in her question. Then she turned the screen to Kaede.
"You said on weekends we could leave the schools, where can we go?" Kaede read. "Well child, ye can go into town, to the plaza, movies, mall, things young'uns like to do."
Kagome opened her mouth in an oh manner.
"Will that be all ye questions?" Kaede asked, looking at Kagome kindly. Kagome just nodded her head. "Okay, then ye be wanting to get settled into ye room, yes?" Kaede stated it rather than asked, as she rose up.
Kikira and Kagome too both rose from their seats and walked to the door behind Kaede.
"Here child, ye will be needing this," she said, placing a key into Kagome's hand. Kagome just nodded her thanks.
"Come on Kagome, let's get your bags out of the car, and have you get settled in," Kikira commented, practically pushing Kagome through the door.
"You'll like it here Kagome… it's a good school," Kikira tried to lighten the mood as she pulled Kagome's two bags out of the car. "Well, here you go," she handed them to Kagome. "Listen, I wish I could help you settle in, but I've got to get back. The Chief needs me on this case. You understand, don't you Kagome?" She gave a kind of pleading look. Kagome just nodded her head.
'I understand that you don't care for me.' She thought bitterly. She adjusted her hold on the bags so she wouldn't drop her new laptop.
"Bye Kagome," Kikira said, kissing Kagome's cheek. "Oh, and here's something to help you talk to people!" Kikira exclaimed happily, placing a small notepad and black ball-point pen into Kagome's hands. "Well, I'll be seeing you!" Kikira shouted as she jumped into the driver's seat started the ignition and drove away.
'Thanks! Couldn't even point me to the way to my dorm building.' Kagome angrily thought, walking off in a random direction. But stopped as something collided with her.
"Oh sorry," a female voice said. Kagome looked up to see a girl her age, wearing dark blue hip huggers, and a black tee with pot pink stripes. The girl's long brown hair hung loosely, and her matching brown eyes had a look of friendliness in them. "Are you okay?" She asked, offering her a hand.
Kagome just nodded as she gladly took the hand. Then she pulled out the notebook and wrote something down. She handed the girl the notebook and waited for her reply.
"So your room is in Friendship Building," the girl smiled. "What's your room number?"
Kagome took the notebook back and wrote what she was told.
"8C… that's my room!" She exclaimed. "Hello room-mate! My name is Sango," she said, giving Kagome a bright smile.
Kagome smiled herself and took the notebook back to write her name.
"Kagome Higurashi…" She read aloud. "What a pretty name."
Kagome shook her head as she wrote something down.
" 'I've heard better,' ha ha ha," Sango broke out into laughter. "Well I think it's a lovely name.
Kagome wrote her thanks down.
"Can I ask you a question Kagome?" Sango's eyes held a curious look. Kagome just nodded her head. "Um… well… why are you writing in that notebook?" Sango asked.
Once again, Kagome wrote her answer down, and Sango read.
"Oh… I'm sorry, I didn't realize you couldn't… that you were…" Sango was struggling to find the right words.
Kagome just shook her head. "That's okay, no one ever really realizes I'm mute. The only way for you to have know is if you are psychic or if there was a huge sign around my neck that said I'm mute!' She wrote.
"You're funny!" Sango exclaimed, laughing loudly. "Come on, I'll show you the way to the room. That's where you were heading, right?"
Kagome nodded her head vigorously.
"Then let's go," Sango said, walking off with Kagome behind.
"Here we are!" Sango exclaimed, opening the door. She walked in, carrying Kagome's bag, with a tired Kagome behind her. "Don't worry, you'll get use to the stairs," Sango laughed.
Kagome just threw her a look that clearly said 'yeah right.' Kagome gently shut the door and walked further in.
"You can have the right side of the room," Sango commented, throwing Kagome's bag onto the four poster bed. Kagome looked around the room in awe. Both sides contained four poster bed, desk, night table, dresser, computer, and alarm clock. On the desk in the corner sat a printer and scanner. The room was white and the carpet was smooth hard wood flooring. Kagome looked at her side, it was plain, but Sango's showed personality, with splashes of colors, and posters and pictures hanging off the wall. The only problem Kagome had with the room was that there was no window.
"Kagome… you've only got three outfits," Sango frowned. She dug through Kagome's bag only to find two shirts, one pair of shorts, one of pants, and on long skirt and one tee. In the rest of the bags were books. "I am so taking you shopping Saturday after I get back," she muttered as she moved the books into the bookcase.
Kagome gave her a questioning look as she moved her only outfits into her dresser.
"Oh, I have a family get together tomorrow, that's why I was in a hurry today because I had to grab my bag, that's when… I ran into you," Sango turned pale. "Crap! Inu-Yasha is going to get mad! I'm going to be late!" She panicked, but then she suddenly calmed herself. "Who gives a crap about Inu-Yasha any ways. So let me see your schedule," Sango commanded, holding out her hand.
Kagome was shocked at first by the girl's personality changes but then nodded her head and pulled the paper Kaede gave her out of her pocket. She unfolded it and handed it to Sango. Sango gave her a bright smile as she took it.
"Hm… you have a lot of classes with me…" Sango mused. "I feel bad for you, you've got every class with Inu-Yasha and Miroku."
Kagome just threw Sango a confused stare.
"They're my best friends, but don't ask why after you meet them," Sango commented, waving her hand in a 'that's not important.'
"I'm sorry though, I can't help you around school tomorrow because I won't be here," Sango apologized, giving Kagome a weak smile.
Kagome just shook her head and gave Sango a bright smile. She then grabbed her notebook and wrote something to Sango.
"It's okay? Are you sure?" Sango gave Kagome a questioning stare. Kagome just shook her head yes. "Well I don't know… as your room-mate, it's my duty to make sure you know your way around school," Sango mused, placing a thoughtful finger to her chin. "I'd feel better if…" But Sango's voice trailed off as a new low voice interrupted her from behind.
"I'll help you…"
A/N: Thank you all reviewers. I was so glad to hear that you guys liked my story, because I was worried about how strange it might have sounded. Oh, well, I'm just glad that people want more. It was fun reading those reviews and I want to thank all the reviewers, because that was the most reviews I ever got on the first chapter. Well, I'll try to update faster now that I know the story is liked. Sayonara. Oh and thanks for telling me what author alert is!
