(Note: Though shinto and buddhism are two different religions, there is not going to be conflict here. It makes life easier to just have the two monasteries close together.)

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha

Chapter Three

"Yamami! One Letter. Masi! Two! Kagome! One," Kaede called out the daily mail delivery. Kagome rushed up to the head table to retrieve her letter. Breakfast was over so she left the dining hall to read it in peace. She recognized the handwriting as that of her younger brother, Souta. "Maybe they received the notice of my graduation."

She moved to a staircase that was rarely used and sat on the bottom step. She opened it and found a short note in it. She began to read.

"Dear Kagome,

Jii-san's handwriting has gotten worse. Lucky for you, mine has gotten better! Everything is good here, the crops are thriving and the whole village is healthy. We received your letter saying that you were graduating. Unfortunately, we can not make it. But the whole village is happy for you. Kisa-san said that she knew you had major talent. We were wondering, does this mean you can come home now? At least for a visit? Everyone wants to throw a celebration for you and Jii-san and I would really like to see you again. You could bring that Miroku fellow with you if you want. Write back with the answer or I suppose you could just show up.

Ai Shiteru,

Souta"

Kagome became very excited once she finished reading. Going home? She actually hadn't thought about what she would do once she graduated. It would be wonderful to go home. Kisa-sama was aging and her miko powers were declining. Kagome knew Yuka wanted to take her place once she finished so Kagome hadn't thought about taking that position. Now that she thought about it, maybe she should go home, take a vacation, and help Kisa-sama till Yuka was ready. She tucked the letter into her pocket and ran off to find Kaede-sama. This was definitely something that she wanted to ask her advice for.

Miroku walked the halls of the monks monastery, watching as the young men were cleaning. He still needed to see about when exactly Kagome's graduation was, but that was easy enough. Just a few more things to take care of here then he would head over. He wondered about the prince, Inuyasha. He knew exactly what happened for he was at the palace at the time. After that little incident, it was a good thing he was there, a major spiritual cleanup had to be performed afterwards.

He also didn't tell Kagome why the Ojii-sama was coming. He didn't think it was a big deal before, but when he found out that she had finished her training, and therefore became the only one who qualified for such a position he felt himself avoiding telling her. He was also a little worried. From what he remembered of her face the last time he saw it, she looks so much like Kikyo. I mean, though you could tell they were definitely not the same person, in personality also, there were resemblances. The Ojii-sama was probably going to be bitter about that. All Miroku could hope was that nothing horrible would happen to Kagome.

He sighed. "But with what's happened lately," he thought, "I cannot be sure of anything anymore."

He walked down the lonely halls, praying to Buddha that things would turn out fine.

Inuyasha stuck his head out the carriage window as Sango rode her horse up next to it.

"Are we there yet?"

"No"

"Okay"

"………….."

"Are we there yet?"

"Inuyasha! Will you just STOP! We've gone over this for the past 10 miles! We are almost there!" Sango was getting very annoyed at this point.

Inuyasha now had his turn to stifle his laugh. God it was fun to get on her nerves.

Sango glared at him, then got down to business. "Once we get there we'll make a stop at the two monasteries, probably stay there for a night, then get on our way to the chalet, then…."

"I know I know, we've gone over this Sango. I just have one question." He leaned a little farther out the window.

"Yeah?"

"Are we there yet?"

Slap

"HEY! ABUSE, ABUSE! I'VE BEEN HIT! GOING DOWN!" Inuyasha dropped out of sight.

Sango sighed. She was tempted to ride off, but knew that Inuyasha would call her back if she did. "Anything else? And be serious."

Inuyasha's head popped up. "Kinda."

"Kinda?"

"How long will it take to get to the chalet? I really want to start my vacation soon."

"I don't really know….I mean….I've never been there. I think it's near a little village about 100 miles from Hakodate."

"Great, just wonderful."

"We'll get there soon enough Inuyasha."

"I don't think I'm going to make it." His head disappeared down into the carriage again.

"Baby."