Author's Note: Over the last few months I have been striving to be accepted into a private high school. I spent hours suffering over my appilcation, went to their school play and other school functions, talked to teachers about courses while visiting the school, and did anything else I could think of to make a good impression. Unfortunatly it seems like my efforts weren't good enough because I was put on the waiting list.
This story is my hope. Just as there's hope for Kagome, there's still hope that I will get into my high school. Therefore that is why this story is called A Story of Hope.
Wish me luck because from here on all I can do is pray and hope that I get accepted into the school.

Sorry I haven't updated lately but I've got some news for everyone... I GOT INTO MY HIGH SCHOOL! I'm so happy! And if anyone's wondering, no this won't mean that I will stop writing this story.

As Inuyasha carried Kagome into the village, people looked up from their work. They knew Inuyasha and Kagome and they knew that Inuyasha carrying Kagome and Kagome letting him was not a good sign. They exchanged nervous glances.
Walking into the hut, Inuyasha put Kagome down on the floor gently. "We're here." he told her.
"Are the others here?" Kagome asked.
"No. We're alone in Kaede's hut."
Kagome nodded. There was a moment of silence. Inuyasha looked around the hut while thinking about how Kagome's problem would effect to search for the shards. Sighing, he sat down next to Kagome. She had said herself that she could still see the shards. That was a good thing. They could continue on. But there was no way that Kagome could shoot her arrows or protect herself. She already had a hard time protecting herself. This would just make his job harder.
At the same time Kagome was wondering how the others would take the news of her being blind. She guessed that at first Shippo wouldn't get what had happened, but when he did he'd be extremely upset. Sango would take it quietly. Miroku... Kagome didn't even what to think about the pervert. Sure, he was a nice guy, but if she couldn't see him coming, how badly would she get groped?
Inuyasha turned to look at Kagome. She looked upset. He didn't like it. The hanyou hoped she wouldn't start to cry. Taking a risk, Inuyasha decided to talk to Kagome. "What's wrong?"
Kagome was pulled out of her thoughts. "Oh, nothing." she replied, "I was just thinking about how Miroku, Shippo, and Sango would take the news about me being blind. That's all."
"But you look upset." he insisted.
"I'm just worried about how they'll respond." Kagome explained.
"We're not going to abandon you Kagome."
The girl's eye's widened in surprise, but she didn't bother to turn her head to Inuyasha. "I know that." she said softly, "I trust you guys. But what if they treat me... differently?"
"They won't." he assured her, "I promise."
Kagome smiled. "Thanks Inuyasha. That makes me feel better."
"You're welcome."
The room lapsed back into silence, but it was short lived. There was a patter of footsteps outside and three figures ran into the hut. Shippo gave a gasp of surprised excitement and launched himself towards Kagome.
"Careful runt!" Inuyasha exclaimed.
With Inuyasha's warning of the incoming kitsune, Kagome put out her arms, somehow catching Shippo. "Hey Shippo!" she said, trying to sound more cheerful than she really was.
Shippo looked at Kagome. His big grinning face turned to a frown when he saw she wasn't looking at him. "Why won't you look at me? Are you mad at me?" he asked unsurely, "Did I do something wrong?"
"No Shippo."
That answer wasn't enough for the little kitsune. His imagination was much too strong. "Do you hate me!" he questioned.
"Of course not!" Kagome exclaimed, hugging him close to her, "It's just that it wouldn't matter if I looked at you or not... I'm blind."
Sango gasped. Miroku didn't make much of a movement, but his face turned hard. Shippo laughed. He didn't get it.
"It's a joke, right?" he asked, "There was no way you could turn blind!"
"It's no joke." Inuyasha told him, "Kagome got medicine in her time that cured her, but took away her sight as payment."
"Oh Kagome!" Sango whispered, half in horror. She hurried over to her friend and hugged her gently, "This must be terrible for you!"
"I've almost gotten used to it actually." Kagome told her, "It's just if I blink or close my eyes for a second, I expect to see everything when I open them. But it's no big deal really I guess."
"Yeah." Inuyasha agreed, "She can still see the shards."
He was swiftly hit over the head by Miroku's staff.
"Miroku!" Inuyasha yelled, "What the hell was that for!"
"Kagome has just gone blind and all you can think about is the shards!" the monk said, "I can't believe you! You know we can't even think about putting Kagome in the danger she would be in if we continued the quest!"
"Miroku." Kagome said calmly, "I'm still going with you guys! That's why I'm here!"
Miroku's ranting on Inuyasha ended. He stopped and turned to Kagome. "If you can't see what's coming you could be in more danger than you ever imagined." he insisted, "You'll be an easy target for our enemies. Especially Naraku."
"That's why I'm going to protect her." Inuyasha growled, rubbing a bump on his head in between his ears.
"And so will I." Sango added, "Come on Miroku, if we all watch out for Kagome she'll be safer than she was even before she lost her sight!"
Miroku sighed. "I guess you're right." he said, "But only if this is what Kagome really wants and Inuyasha hasn't put her up to it."
Inuyasha glared at the monk. "I did not put her up to it." he said, "In fact I wanted her to stay in her own time longer. It's her decision to come back."
"I'll help protect Kagome too!" Shippo declared.
Kagome laughed. "Thank you guys so much!" she exclaimed, smiling her first real smile in days.
Inuyasha looked over at Kagome. Seeing her smile, he almost smiled herself. It had felt so uncomfortable when Kagome had been sad. Something had been nagging at him the whole time. He felt it was his duty to make her feel better. Now she did and that was all that mattered.