Okay. I am going to put this at the beginning of every chapter except the one after chapter two. I would call it chapter three, but I already have one. So the one with the notes on it is the one I won't put this on because… it's a bunch of notes! Don't assume that everything written here happens in every chapter. Because it doesn't Also, as my Algebra II teacher said last year, 'When you assume, you make an ass out of you and me." As she said 'ass', 'you', and 'me', she pointed to the words inside the word 'assume'. Assume. Cool huh? Learn something new everyday! Now, go tell your folks. Then, come back and read. Then R&R.
Arigatou- thank-you (might be spelled arigato, but it's the same thing)
Hai- yes
Hanyou- half demon or half breed ((We call my friend this. She's
half Caucasian and half Mexican. She wanted us to I swear. She calls
herself a hanyou all the time. Sad isn't it?)
Houshi- something along the lines of Buddhist monk (Miroku)
Iie- no
Kami- God or the equivalent thereof
Kawaii- cute
Kitsune- fox demon I do believe
Miko- priestess
Oi- something I made up or I heard from somewhere. I use it to get someone's attention
Osuwari- sit
Owari- something like 'Bye!' I think. I really don't know for sure.
Tensuaiga- Sesshomaru's sword
Tetsuaiga- Inuyasha's sword
Youkai- demon
Italicized words means the person is thinking to themselves in their own heads or something needs to be emphasized.
'Words
written in these' means the person is speaking to someone else in their
heads. Confusing I know, but you'll know it when you see it.
"Words written in these" means… Do I really need to explain this one?
I do not know what the future is like. I am purely guessing so no harping, okay? I am also guessing on what Kaede looked like when she was young. I've only seen her when she was young one time and that's right after Kikyou seals Inuyasha to a tree and then died. I'm sorry if I'm wrong. Just try to be nice as you yell at me, okay? Also, just because it says y'all somewhere doesn't mean they are in Texas. I am in Texas and the word y'all is something I say all the time. 'Kay?
I am very sorry if I have misspelled anything in Japanese, like names or the words above. I know 'ou' makes a long o sound. Like Shippo should probably be Shippou since Kikyou and Kouga follow that rule. But, I did Kouga like that from the very beginning and Kikyou became a sudden habit. Everyone else I saw it first as I have spelled it. If I have defined anything wrong, please tell me. It's not considered a flame if I ask for it. I promise. And if I've misspelled anything in English and you catch it let me know. I am a real big spelling and grammar freak. It's… Never mind. Also, my friend helped me write this. So anything wrong or stupid is her fault. wink wink And the cursing. That's all hers too. With that being said…
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"What are we going to do?" Seth asked during US History the next day. Mr. Lopez was done with his class for the day and they were able to talk. Instead of pulling out headphones and sharing CDs liked normal, the group was having an important discussion. They had been trying to figure out why they had been reincarnated in the first place. Sure, they weren't perfect during their former lives. But what now? No one had any answers. "Is there some mission we have yet to complete?" Seth asked, breaking the silence that had enveloped them.
"It's confusing," Immanuel started. "Back in our old lives, Karen was the reincarnation of Kimberly because Kimberly died with such a hatred for me. But even she was a reincarnation of Midoriko. So the real question we need to answer right now is who is the next reincarnation? Karen or Kimberly?"
"Well that's easy to answer," Sara said, shocking everyone. She was looking down at the paper she was working on for her Business Multimedia class. She and Karen were going to do a project on their past lives since they knew nobody would believe it except for Kris. "It is," she continued, "because Immanuel can answer this one." Immanuel arched on eyebrow slightly "Well, if the right question is asked. First, allow me to lead up to it. Matt, how do you feel about me?"
Stuttering slightly, Matt answered, "Need you ask Sara? I love you and would do anything for you. And you know that."
"Exactly. Now, it's not the exact same, but Seth? How do you feel about Karen?" Sara asked calmly. All eyes turned to Seth.
"I love her, but not like Matt loves you," Seth answered. "She's like a mother to me since I don't have one. Has been since I was in sixth grade. The orphanage loves Karen because she's so nice to all the kids there."
"Kristen?" Sara continued. "What are your feelings on all of us?"
"You're like the family I never had," she answered happily. "Kimberly is there sure, but she's distant. It's… You guys are there for me emotionally. Kimberly has only been there for the physical things."
Sara grew silent for a moment. "I return Matt's love easily. But now to answer who is the real reincarnation… Immanuel? How do you feel about Kimberly?" The question was unexpected. Kristen's eyes bugged, Karen looked back and forth between Immanuel and Sara, and Immanuel… Well he paled and blushed at the same time.
"I don't," he answered after a few moments of silence from the group. "Kimberly… I just don't," he said again.
Sara nodded. "What about Karen?" A deep crimson color flooded their faces quickly. "Immanuel," Kristen prompted, "how do you feel about Karen?" As Immanuel started to open his mouth to answer, the bell rang to dismiss them for the weekend. Walking down the hallway, Immanuel stayed at the back. Karen and Seth were first, usually followed by Kris. Lately though, he'd been staying back a bit farther. Matt and Sara followed Karen and Seth, then Kristen and Rachel, and Immanuel after them. "Don't think you're done yet Immanuel," Sara teased from the front of their group. His blush remained all the way down the stairs, out the front doors, and halfway down the street. They stopped at the stop sign where they all went their separate ways. "Well?"
"I… Karen… She's Kagome. What am I supposed to feel other than love?" he said quietly, not looking at anything besides his shoes. Karen's blush returned, and there was a slight growl from Kris. "There, I said it."
"At least she's not dying this time," Sam said. The group turned to face him or jerked their heads toward him. He stood beside the stop sign, leaning on it casually. Kimberly stood beside him, glaring at her little sister. "Look who I found," he said, his eyes glancing at the girl beside him quickly. "She asked if I knew where her sister was when I came to find Immanuel"
"Who cares?" Immanuel asked. He'd been showing a bit more emotion lately. Just a little here and there. For seventeen years he'd been taught to show no emotion so suddenly showing emotion wasn't a possibility. He started to walk away when Sam moved in front of him. That's not what stopped him though. Sara's hand grabbed his arm.
"Wait," she said. He looked at her questioningly. "If what you said is true, and there's no reason it shouldn't be, then it's Karen. There's no questioning it then. Let's go guys. We have to work on our project Karen." Karen, Immanuel, Sara, and Matt all started to walk to Karen's house. They were spending the night to help Karen and Sara on their previous life homework.
"And where do you think you're going?" Sam asked Immanuel.
"To Karen's. I need to help her with her homework. I'm spending the night. I'll be home sometime tomorrow," Immanuel called over his shoulder. Karen linked her arm through his so as to keep him walking in case Sam tried to call him back. Immanuel still did almost everything he was told.
"Immanuel get back here," Sam said. Immanuel started to turn and walk back to his brother, but the tug on his arm was a reminder that it wasn't going to happen. "Damn him," he cursed under his breath.
"You know," Kimberly started, "if Kristen ever acted like that around me, I'd beat the crap out of her." Sam just growled at her. "Come on Kristen. We have things to do. Get in the car." She walked away from Sam and over to her silver 1967 Shelby Mustang GT, opened the door, started it, and waited impatiently for her little sister. Kris walked across the street toward his own home, and Seth headed toward the orphanage. Rachel stood there, looking at Sam for the second time. But the first she really didn't get to see him.
"Sesshomaru-sama?" she asked quietly. He turned a head toward her as the door to Kimberly's car slammed. Another door slammed to another car somewhere nearby. "Is that really you? You've changed so much. I… You…" Suddenly, Rachel didn't know what to say. It didn't matter much. Someone approached them and cut their conversation off for the moment.
"Sam! Sam where'd he go?" Jacob asked, irritated. "I swear. Ever since we moved here and he got all those stupid friends of his back he's been more and more defiant. I say we-"
"Jacob," Sam said, cutting him off, "this is Rachel." Jacob looked at the girl for a second, then back at Sam. He did a double take, looking at her for a bit longer.
"Rin!" he gasped. "Is that you? You've changed so much! But then again…" He looked at her black hair, brown eyes, childlike features. "It must be you. You're one of Immanuel's new friends aren't you?" he asked suddenly.
"Yep," she answered with a large smile. She ran over to Jacob and hugged him around the middle. "You say I've changed, but look at you!" She lifted her head to look up at him. He was slightly taller than her. Jacob didn't like to be hugged, but Sam found it amusing. "You're not green anymore!" she laughed.
"Yes well…" He started to peel her arms off from around his waist. "We have somewhere to be, don't we Sam?" he asked trying to get the girl to leave him alone. He didn't like her in their past life and he didn't like her now. "Sam?"
"Not really," Sam answered. "We were just going to go home and berate Immanuel. And although that was usually fun, he's gone. So, tell us about what you're doing now Rachel. I want to know just how you've adapted to this new world." Jacob turned and walked back to Sam's car in a huff. Sam and Rachel slowly made their way back. Instinctively, Jacob sat in the back seat since he knew Sam would want Rachel in the front.
"Well, not much has changed from our time," she started. "I live at the orphanage with Seth since neither of us has a family anymore. Both of our parents died. I've been going to school out here for eleven years. I'm a junior this year with Karen and Kristen and Immanuel. I play the violin now," she said, motioning to the case between her legs. "I met Karen five or six years ago, but I just 'woke up' as they called it last night. Seth and I did it at the same time. The orphanage was freaking out." She giggled a bit. The car pulled to a stop in front of the orphanage she was talking about.
"Come with me Rachel," Sam said as he got out of the car. She followed with her stuff in tow as they walked in through the front doors. "Excuse me," Sam said to a lady sitting a desk, "I need to speak with someone about Rachel Goss please." The lady nodded and smiled, pushing some buttons on a pad in front of her. He waited for a second as Rachel stared at him in confusion.
"Follow me please," the woman said as she stood and started to walk away. Sam followed her, motioning for Rachel to follow him. They walked through the halls, some kids were staring at them. Seth came out of his room as Rachel passed by. She shrugged her shoulders to the unasked question. "In here please," the woman said, opening a door for the two. Sam sat down in one chair, leaving the other for Rachel.
The door closed and they sat in silence for a while before a man walked in with a file in his hand. "Good afternoon sir," he said, shaking Sam's hand. "My name is Jonathan Witherby. I run the orphanage here. How may I help you today?"
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Karen, Immanuel, Sara, and Matt walked into Karen's seemingly empty house. "Mama!" Karen called. "Mama, I'm home! Matt, Sara, and Immanuel are here! We're going to work on our homework project, okay?" When there was no answer, Karen went to the back of her kitchen and opened the sliding glass door. "Mama!" she called out over the backyard. "I wonder where she is," she said as she closed the door and walked back inside.
"Be quiet for a minute," Immanuel said, closing his eyes. "I can hear pretty well so be quiet and I'll listen for her." Everyone went silent for a few minutes. Immanuel opened his eyes and shook his head. "There's no one here besides us." Karen scratched her head slightly in confusion.
"Maybe she went to the store or something. No big deal. Come on," she said as she grabbed her backpack. "If we're gonna get this done then we need to get started right away." They walked up the stairs and into Kagome's room. There was a note on her mirror. She read it aloud.
Dear Karen,
I left a note just like this one in the refrigerator in case you went
there first. I have a surprise for you, but you can't have it until I
get back because I'm going to get it. I think you'll enjoy it. In fact,
I know you will. Call it mother's intuition. I'll be home by five at
the latest. Get started on your homework and make sure to keep Matt's
hand off of Sara's backside. I don't need the paramedics at my house
again.
Love you lots,
mom
"You hear that Matt?" Karen asked at the ever sounding smack sounded around the room. "Even my mom knows you're perverted! I was reading what she wrote out loud and you were trying to grope Sara. You're going to be over here next to Immanuel. I'll be next to Sara. Now, the project we're doing is on our past lives. Listen and don't freak out yet. We have to make up a fictional story and since the only other person who knows in there is Kris it will be no big deal." Immanuel nodded, looking at the papers the two girls were pulling out of their bags and placing on the queen size bed.
He sat at the foot of the bed with one leg hanging off the side while Matt sat up against the wall at the foot of the bed. Sara sat directly in front of Immanuel, both of her legs hanging off the side of the bed. This left the corner that the bed was in for Karen. She sat Indian style while pulling stuff out of her bag. "We were going to write about the adventures we had, describe the people, and dress up like we would have dressed back then," Sara explained. "We won't have any weapons however. That might get us in more trouble than anything. We will talk about them however. Our report is going to be really long Karen," she said, looking at Karen.
"No big," Karen answered with a wave of her hand.
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"Right this way ma'am," a woman said to Mrs. Bassi. She followed the woman to a room silently. "Seth? Are you in here?" the woman asked as she knocked on the door and slowly opened it. There sat a boy doing his homework on his bed. "I need you to come with me please."
"Am I in trouble?" Seth asked, a little scared.
"Oh no sweetheart. I just need you to come with me please," the woman answered. Seth wasn't comforted much. He walked out of the room and saw Mrs. Bassi. She smiled at him and he returned her smile with a nod of his head. They started walking again and followed the woman into an empty office. "Mr. Witherby will be right in." She left, leaving Mrs. Bassi and Seth alone.
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"Mr. Bazan," Mr. Witherby started, "do you understand the responsibilities of taking care of a child? Rachel may be seventeen, but she is still a minor. We have to be sure that she stays in school, is surrounded by a good and loving environment." Rachel was still confused at the conversation happening before her. But Mr. Witherby and Sam seemed to understand perfectly. "Are you able to provide such things, as well as the physical and emotional support a child will need"
"Yes. I live just down the street from the school she attends. I am in guardianship of my little brother, who is the same age as Rachel. They are friends in fact. I have a close friend living with me, my age. His name is Jacob. I was orphaned as well at a young age and I understand the emotional scenarios of such a case. And although Rachel is seventeen, I do not want her to live in an orphanage much longer than she needs. I will make sure her schoolwork stays up and anything else. She mentioned she plays the violin. I myself enjoy music so it would be no problem. We live in a rather large house so room would be no problem," Sam explained.
It finally clicked in Rachel's head. He's going to adopt me! I'm going to be adopted! A large smile broke out on her face and she launched herself at Sam. "I just figured it out!" she cried, tears forming and falling down her face. "Thank you thank you thank you Sam!" she called out, hugging his neck tightly. She broke away suddenly and sat back down. "Sorry," she said quietly.
"Well it seems that Rachel likes you," Mr. Witherby said with a smile. "I will allow this, but know that we do have check-ups. Please, talk with my secretary about good times to come by for you. We want to know the rest of the household, get to know the grounds, and we'll be talking with her teachers to see if her grades slip or anything. I thank you Mr. Bazan for coming today." He stood and shook Sam's hand as Sam stood. Rachel jumped up with her backpack in her hands once more. She was getting adopted. She was seventeen, and could legally leave in less than a year since she'd be eighteen, but it didn't matter. She was leaving! To live with her Sesshomaru-sama no less! "If you'll excuse me, I have another case. See you around Rachel," Mr. Witherby said with a smile before leaving.
"What do you think?" Sam asked Rachel. She launched herself at him again. This time Sam caught her with his good arm so he could hug her back. He'd missed her, though he wouldn't say it out loud.
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Mr. Witherby went down the hall to another room where Mrs. Bassi and Seth sat waiting. "I am sorry if I kept you waiting. How are you today Mrs. Bassi?" he asked with a smile. He smiled at Seth too. Mrs. Bassi said she was fine. "I know you're scared because you don't know why you're here Seth, but don't worry. You're not in trouble. I promise. It's the opposite in fact. Seth, do you know Mrs. Bassi"
"Yes sir. She's Karen's mama. I know Karen because we go to the same school and Karen's really nice and she comes to visit Rin and me all the time," Seth answered, still not relaxing.
"What if I were to tell you that Mrs. Bassi is here to adopt you today?" Mr. Witherby said with a large smile. Adopt? As in leave? Seth asked himself. I'd be living with Karen. Again! I'd be living with all my friends! This is excellent! This is great! A large smile spread across his face.