CHAPTER ONE: A Letter from the Future
Inuyasha and Kagome had spent little more than two days in Kagome's time before they returned to the past.
The group gathered around at their arrival, anxious for the news. When it was reported that Naraku was indeed in Britain in Kagome's time, there was a heated discussion over their next plan for action. Should they try to pursue him immediately or find out more about what he's up to? Or perhaps just stay put till he returns? That was immediately nixed, though.
Finally it was decided to take action at once: Kagome and Inuyasha would travel to Britain in the present time and hunt down Naraku. It would have been better if everyone could go, but there was no way to get the others to the present because they couldn't use the well.
• •
It was an interesting set of coincidences that brought the story together. No sooner had Kagome returned to her home, than Mrs. Higurashi handed Kagome an odd letter with a strange look on her face.
Kagome herself had nearly fallen in a dead faint when she read the letter.
Higurashi Kagome:
You are reading this letter because you have been selected to enroll in Japan's National Wizard Training School, Hakurei Academy of Magical Craft. At the age of fifteen, you are fully ready to enter into the wizarding community. This may come as a shock to some. For "frequently asked questions", refer to www. (anti-Muggle security encoded.). Congratulations on your talents, and we hope to see you in the coming school year beginning August 28.
With respect,
Takashi Fumiyo
Director of Admission
Please read following papers for more vital information.
But Kagome couldn't do that. She was too stunned.
But when she recovered from her shock, a whole new world was waiting at her fingertips. And a whole new life was just beginning.
• •
"I've been accepted to a wizarding school in my own time," explained Kagome to Kaede. "'Wizarding' is what they call the spiritual powers in my time. It's a globally accepted word," she said, quoting from the website. "They only contact people at age 15, unlike in other countries, because they want us to have normal schooling first. Can you believe it!" Her voice was filled with wonder. "No more normal school…"
Kaede blinked back her surprise. "Well, that is excellent, Kagome. Completely suitable for your needs. Congratulations, indeed! But as for Naraku…?"
Kagome shuffled her feet nervously. "I think he might be in Britain. But I'm not sure when. And I think I could find that out easily enough… through the Wizarding Network. They'd notice if something like Naraku showed up, I think."
Inuyasha burst in. "Kagome, what's this I hear about–"
Kagome's jaw suddenly dropped. With all the intensely new and amazing facts coming at her since yesterday, she'd completely forgotten about Inuyasha's reaction.
"– you going somewhere?" Inuyasha finished, looking at her astonished expression with suspicion.
"I—Inuyasha!" stumbled Kagome. "Um. I'm uh– I'm gonna be going to a different kind of school, and…" Her heart sank. It was impossible. All of it was simply impossible.
She couldn't leave Inuyasha, Miroku and Sango to battle by themselves, abandoning them to pursue her future. She couldn't go to Hakurei school because it was a boarding school. You couldn't make up fake diseases to go jump in a well, there. And last of all, Naraku was somewhere in Britain, possibly– meaning that staying in Japan at all was useless.
Kagome hung her head, tears spilling down her cheeks. She walked past Inuyasha, saying nothing.
"Whu– What'd I do?" Inuyasha gulped.
• •
Kagome was back in her room, determined to make this go right for them all.
Sitting down with paper and a pen, she started to write a letter to the Admissions Officer at Hakurei Academy…
Dear Takashi-sama,
My name is Higurashi Kagome, and I received a letter inviting me to join Hakurei Academy two days ago. However there is an urgent need that I go to Britain as soon as possible. Would there be a way for me to go to a school like the Academy in Britain, a boarding school? Please excuse me, and thank you for your time.
Higurashi Kagome
Tokyo, Japan
• •
Higurashi–There is a way to make it possible for you to attend a prestigious school in Britain capable of taking you in. You must take the Wizarding Scholastic Aptitude Test and thus apply for a scholarship overseas…
It was difficult for Kagome to find out where to go to take the WSAT, but once she took it she felt very, very shaken. These were big steps she was taking, and she was afraid of where to go. Just place one foot after another, and you'll get there…
But when she got the test results back, she was more than a little happy.
"Mama! A full scholarship to go to Britain and study for one year at this famous school!" she shouted happily to her mother, who was making dinner. Higurashi-san took the results in her wet hands. "Kagome…" Kagome was startled to see tears on her mother's cheeks. "Mama, what's wrong?"
"My little girl is growing up!" sobbed Higurashi-san in tears of happiness. "Kagome, I knew you were made for great things. I am so proud of you. You will go to this school, Kagome– with this family's full blessings– and learn how to become a skilled young woman. After all, if you had to go to a boarding school, you might as well go…abroad…"
Kagome's own eyes welled with tears, and looking at the letter, she could only barely make out that magical word and the key to what the next year would bring:
Hogwarts.
• •
Now came the hardest part: breaking the news to Inuyasha that she would be attending this special school. Back in the past, she approached him in his tree.
"Finally," Inuyasha scoffed. "Took you long enough."
Ignoring his sarcastic comment, Kagome dove right in without hesitation. "Inuyasha, I…er…I'm going to a boarding school in Britain to advance my miko skills."
"What?" Inuyasha leapt down from his branch, landing mere inches in front of Kagome. "Why the hell are you going to school! You don't need crap like that. Besides I need you here." Realizing his slip he added, "I mean, I don't need you, but…"
Interrupting his mumbling, Kagome replied, "But Naraku's in Britain so I thought I could help and attend Hogwarts at the same time."
Inuyasha put his face right up to hers.
"Yeah? And what will you do without me there to fight him for you?"
Kagome fought down her resentment. "I'll be able to hold my own, hopefully," she said angrily.
Inuyasha looked at her, eyebrows raised. "You really want to go against Naraku alone?"
Kagome bit her lip and said nothing. She wanted to say something, anything, but she couldn't find the words. Then her breath left her in a little gasp: Inuyasha had pulled her to him for a brief one-armed hug. She felt as though she was aware of his presence all over herself.
"You don't need to fight him by yourself, Kagome," Inuyasha said quietly.
What could she say to that?
• •
Which left exactly three things left to be seen to: Sango, Miroku, and Shippo.
"Okay, let's try this," instructed Kagome, sounding like a drill team manager. On the backs of the two adults were all their earthly belongings, and on Kirara's back was Shippo.
"You're sure demons can survive in your world, Kagome-sama?" said Sango with an anxious look to Kirara.
"Yes, I've met some. It's the same world, basically, just with different rules. Just do what I do, I'll take care of you," Kagome said reassuringly. "The only problem is getting you through the well."
She stepped onto the well's ledge. "Take hands, everyone…now… jump!"
They all jumped in a chain into the well– but while Kagome vanished, Sango, Miroku, Shippo and Kirara all fell in a heap.
Inuyasha looked down on them with amusement glimmering in his eyes, but jumped in to help them all back out again.
Kagome reappeared, climbing out of the well. She looked guiltily up at them. "Sorry," she said. "I can only think of one other way this might work…and it's risky."
Miroku instantly said, "Kagome, we all must go after Naraku together. We must take necessary risks to accomplish our goal—for after all, Naraku has not only escaped to your land but taken the shikon shards with him."
"All except these," Kagome said, holding up her small jar with three shards inside. "Which is where the dangerous part comes in." She gave Miroku, Shippo and Sango each a shard. "Slip them gently into your skin," Kagome said quietly. "I'll be here to use my miko powers the best I can to make sure they stay safe." If only she could control the power better! But soon that wish would soon come true, wouldn't it?
Sango gasped as the shard allowed itself to be slid under her skin. "Kagome, what--"
But Kagome had her eyes closed in concentration, trying with all her might to channel the miko powers at keeping the shards neutral.
Sango said quietly to her, "Ok. We've all got shards, now." Kirara was held tightly in her arms.
"Okay," Kagome said carefully, "take my hand. Inuyasha, take Shippo. On my count: 1. 2. 3!" And they all jumped.
In less than thirty seconds the well was alone, the grass moodily blowing under the watchful breeze.
• •
A man sat at the gate of the train station, King's Cross, Britain, reading a newspaper. No one was around. Then suddenly he looked up, thinking he heard something unusual. But no, there were three adults and two children walking peaceably by him. Several had backpacks, and one child, a teenage girl, had a trunk.
"Keh! What is this place?" said a young man, wearing an interesting outfit and a baseball cap.
What kind of accent is that? Thought the man amusedly.
"It's a train station, Inuyasha," said the girl, lugging her trunk.
"And this is how we'll get to Hog–"
"Shh," said the girl, giving the man with the newspaper a quick glance. The man raised an eyebrow at her, but she just smiled and gave him a little wave.
Soon he went back to his newspaper. When he looked up again a few minutes later, the little group was gone. The man shrugged and continued reading the first-of-the-month report for September.
Out of his hearing, however, an interesting conversation was taking place.
"Lost, dear? Are you…trying to get to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters?" said a kindly British woman. Kagome nodded, embarrassed, and showed the woman the tickets. "Well, no problem, dear," said the woman. Her bright red hair was falling out of its bun. "Here, let Ginny show you."
A beautiful red-haired teenager gave Kagome a nod, flashed a curious glance at Kagome's little party of four, and took off at a brisk run straight for a pillar wall. Kagome's eyes widened as the little girl completely vanished, trunk and all.
"What the– Was that–?" Inuyasha started to say, but Kagome hushed him. She'd already given them all the briefing about how wizardry was a secret, and they mustn't say anything about it without making sure they were saying it to the right people.
"Thank you," she said to the red-haired lady with a little bow.
"Where are you from, if you don't mind me asking?" asked the woman with a smile.
"I'm from Tokyo, Japan," answered Kagome.
The woman beamed at her. "Enjoy school!" she said. "I'm sure it will be very different than what you're used to, but don't be afraid to ask for help. Oh!" she said, suddenly alarmed. "I forgot to give Ron his toothbrush! Would you mind…? He's got red hair and freckles. If you could just try and see him and give him this for me? His name is Ronald Weasley."
"No problem," said Kagome, taking the toothbrush. "Bye!"
"So long, dear. Remember, just run straight at that pillar. Are these people coming too?"
"Er, yes," said Kagome. "They've got permission from Sensei Dumbledore to ride the train and then stay in a village there or something."
"Well, off you go," said the woman. "I'll take these four around to go in through the visitor entrance."
"Thanks," said Kagome again, and to the others, "I'll see you in there, okay?" She ran at the pillar. She shut her eyes in dread at the last second–
–and was suddenly running along an outdoor train platform.
Hogwarts Express, read the train's engine. Kagome's heart beat faster. She was here!