Author: The Jade Sabre
Email: TheJadeSabre yahoo .com
Beta Reader: Kotomi Kusanagi
Gamma Reader: WiccianMethuselah
Genre: Drama, Romance, Angst
Rating: M for blood, violence, language, mature situations, and some sexual content Summary: Dark fic. Higurashi Kagome has changed drastically; betrayal by friends can do that. Searching for the shards, she enlists the assistance of one she assumes will not affect her and has similar mannerisms to her own, but hope can come in strange people. S/K
Disclaimer: I do not own Inu Yasha.
Chapter: Fourth Tome
Comments/Responses: The Answer to the quiz is both Kikaku and Bashô are haiku writers; Bashô was the master of Kikaku
.
To 1kenshinlover: Oh my God, wow, just wow; I'm so flatted that someone would call my work perfection. I'm speechless. I'm glad you liked the quote; who knew Christology could actually have a practical use (even though we don't really focus on Christology…Doc Sullivan wishes we were next semester's Philosophy class). I'm so excited it interested you. Oh by the way, more Kenshin refs.
To BloodyHues: Thanks so much and I really do appreciate your comment about my writing style; I've had some tell me it's confusing aka I don't know what x, y, z means and what are you doing switching POVs.
To Flame Ivy Moon: Um I don't update for a month and you're concerned with the fact that you didn't update on the day I post the chapter! Normally I don't use the Internet more than once a week for my own pleasure. Lucius does not have access to the web yet so I have to use my mother's laptop. I'm really flattered that you think so highly of my writing.
To gurl-of-togas-older-son: Well, I'm going to end up being a real bitch with the whole cliffhanger situation; you'll see soon enough. I knew you would love that paragraph, the funny thing was that I had written it before I even read your review. While you might not have seen it, there was a big symbolic significance and just a tad bit of foreshadowment of Kagome's accouterment with the Chinese girl. It mirrors her own problem in the Warring States where she is alone and hurt by her peers. And while Kagome is rather nicer than Sesshoumaru, they both came to be a rock in the storm. And also it serves a reminder to you, the reader, that Kagome still has her caring aura around her. Hawthorne would be so proud.
To Kagome21: Thanks; not to be arrogant or anything, but it would be brava, not bravo. (Bravo is masculine singular, Brava is feminine singular, Bravi is masculine plural, and Brave is feminine plural). I took two years of Italian so it's been ground into my head.
To MidNite Phoenix: You're right So Far From the Bamboo Grove was awesome; thanks for recommending it. And just because you're taking world history means shit. I took three semesters of it and the closest we got towards studying Japan is studying ancient China; I wish you good luck though.
To Niakal: Remember, she's never lost her humanity. Think, she's hanging out with Sesshoumaru and what do we know about Sesshoumaru-sama: he has an emotional barricade. That's all I'm saying.
To sasurai: Thanks, I'm glad you like all the quotes; I actually saw another author use them and thought it was really cool, so I kinda borrowed it. Shard hunting; they will get to it eventually, hopefully by next chapter, but definitely by the one after that. You have to understand that the next few chapters are full of plot development, which will be really important later on in the story. At times it will probably seem boring, but bear with me, I need to move the plot along. Life getting in the way, totally know what you mean. I have such a demanding course load, I'm a techie for the school fundraiser (to give you an idea of the magnitude of it, we start in February building sets for the last weekend in April, I don't have a spring break, it's reviewed by critics to be as good as some professional companies, oh and it makes about $100,000), and a girl scout leader. My proposal is adding another 6-12 hours in a day.
To Strawberrylover: What exactly happened, well that's the million-dollar question. There will be subtitle hints along the way, but more importantly, what helped to waken her miko powers? There will be a full story much later. I'm not sure how I'm going to bring it in, but I have a couple ideas. And her friends turning against her; it was easier to make them all turn, then just Inu Yasha; it saves the conflict between personalities in Inu Yasha-tachi. And I really didn't feel like writing Miroku's and Sango's characters.
To Darktemp, ingurldemon, LynGreenTea, & Tsurishi Karandengu: Thanks, I'm glad y'all liked it.
Higurashi Kagome walked down the streets of Tokyo, quite unsure of how she was to act, for it had been what felt like centuries since she had just ambled around her era with nothing else to do. Perhaps she was used to it, but that did not stop the stares aimed at her. A navy blue kimono with white lilies covered her tone figure, which was in turn was covered by a jade green obi. She, while understanding the cause of their stares, was still not comfortable with them and found herself walking to an old district of the city which, ironically, was about five to ten minutes walking distance from the school she had just recently attended.
There was a calming feeling in this area; old members of the community resided here and set up shop, ones more in touch with the ways of times forgotten by the younger generations. The roads were less traveled by motor vehicles, than by carts and foot peddlers. It was here she fit in more; philosophically it was closer to the era of living she was used to and, more practically, she wasn't the only one wearing a kimono.
There was a certain manner around the place; the air didn't seem so polluted, the aura was a bit more ancient. It was really something she couldn't put a finger on, but whatever it was, she liked it. She could keep to herself here; yet not feel rude or insensitive. People seemed to be friendlier, or at least more curious. It was here some of the most ancient temples and shrines were located, both Buddhist and Shinto alike, including a temple near Kaede-san's village. The shrine had grown grander over the years though she still felt at home as she passed under the torii.
The interior was nearly unoccupied; it's only company besides herself was an older woman and a middle-aged man, who appeared almost belong here and she seemed to feel that she was interrupting on their own private time, which was only confirmed by the man as he sent her a sharp look as she sank to the floor, which she merely reflected back to him. Folding her legs around her body, she let her head droop as the mind began to wonder, from thought to thought, entertaining notions before passing them up for others.
'Why did I even help Sesshoumaru? I could have easily been on my way and never had to worry about him again. What drew me to him, made me comfortable? I've never been so open about, well anything, to anyone in the Senguku Jidai since I received a knife in the back. Kami-sama, why? This whole experience brings a whole new meaning to "Et tu, Brute?"'
She brought her knees up to her chest in an attempt to comfort herself. It was horrible that, deep down, Inu Yasha's betrayal hurt the most. While she did love him, he had also been her best friend, closer than Sango even, in a strange way. 'Kami-sama why does he still cause me this pain? It was a weird relationship, but he was truly the yin to my yang. He may have been rough along the edges but he knew how to make me feel better when something was wrong, even if it was pissing me off even more so I would sit him. I swear he would do it just to let me vent sometimes. Why is it that I can find no one else like that? Well, there's always---'
"Excuse me, Jou-chan; you're blocking the exit."
The harsh voice of a man caused her to lose her train of thought. Looking up with an expression that mirrored his tone, she saw the middle-aged man towering over her, arms crossed in an intimidating way. Closing her eyes, she collected herself and settled her rising emotions. The now visible sapphires met the man's own charcoal orbs, showing no fear. 'He thinks he's so intimidating. Please, if I can stand one of Sesshoumaru's glowers, then there is no way in hell that any other could result in my cowering.'
"I was under the impression that the door was a meter to the left," she responded emotionlessly. "That is unless you have the ability to walk through walls which, unless you are some type of apparition, is physically impossible. So really I do not see what the problem is."
"Girl, you need to learn how to respect your elders," growled the man, whose face was beginning to turn red.
Slowly, she rose, till the height gap decreased to its minimum distance, which still left Kagome a half a head shorter than the man in front of her. Silently she cursed her genetics and height, for the gesture, which was supposed to be intimidating, emanated a sense of cuteness, like when Shippou used to stand in front of her to protect her from Naraku, than threatening. "You need to learn how to respect others, sir. This temple is a public place of worship. It was built that way five hundred years ago and it will remain that way for another five hundred. Who are you to designate who will worship here?"
"Child, you have no idea of the sacred history of the Shinto faith, let alone the temples," he snarled. "It is just like you young people to desecrate a holy place."
"Desecrate?" Kagome's voice dropped a few notches, as the temperature of the room seemed to chill as well. "I am not desecrating this place as much as you are, sir. I came here with pure intentions and a pure heart to pray and reflect. You on the other hand seem content to display your own arrogance by decreeing who may and who may not enter a municipal place of worship."
"You, pure of heart, I find that rather difficult to believe."
It was for the first time in a long while that Kagome felt her blood boil in the way it was now; frozen, yes, but not this roaring flame that pulsed through arteries, at least not for four months or so. Closing the gap, which was in front of her, she stood close enough to the man so that her breasts just grazed his chest. Standing on the tips of her toes, she leaned over to whisper in the man's ear, "Say what you'd like about my knowledge or lack thereof, but never ever question my purity, for next time you do, you will find out how pure I really am."
Kagome was unaware of the spectacle she was causing up to this point. It was only then that she realized the old woman was staring at her with horror and aghast and the priest was giving her looks of disappointment. "Excuse me miss, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
She gave the priest a half smile and a bow. "That's ok sir, I was just on my way out." She then turned to the man. "I'm sure there are other shrines where I will be accepted. Oh and by the way, I live at a shrine; I know the customs." Unable to control her temper any longer, she muttered one word, purely out of habit. "Osuwari."
In a place not to distant, but far in the past, Inu Yasha fell to the earth, from where he was perched in a tree. "What the fuck?"
Shippou snickered at the once very common sight and couldn't help but shoot a bittersweet comment. "Geez Inu Yasha, why so clumsy lately? It's not like you have someone to subdue you."
"Thankfully," he muttered only loud enough for one with youkai senses to pick up. Unfortunately, Shippou was one who fell into that category, and was very protective of his absent surrogate mother.
Jumping on Inu Yasha's head, he started pulling on his ears, hanging on even tighter when he was being pried off. "Don't talk about Kagome-okaa-san like that; it's your fault she left."
Miroku seemed to see where this conversation was leading, and gracefully stepped in. "Shippou, Kagome left of her own free will," he lied. "She felt that it was more important to be in school to take her tests. And since Kikyou is here with us, it gave her the chance to return to where she belongs."
Tears swelled into his eyes as he turned to face Miroku. "I don't believe you," he cried. "Kagome-okaa-san would never abandon us, not without at least saying good bye."
"Believe it brat. And stop your fucking crying."
A delicate hand was placed on Inu Yasha's shoulder. "Inu Yasha," spoke Kikyou softly. "We need to keep moving; Naraku hardly ever stops, and we should do the same." Turning to Shippou, she scolded him in a harsh voice. "As for you, get over my incarnation; she didn't belong here. It would be best if you just forgot about her."
Doing his best impression of Sesshoumaru, he glared at her. "Her name's Kagome and I won't forget about her," he all but snarled. "The others may trust you, but I know what you're up to and I will never trust you. I don't know what you did to get rid of my okaa-san, but I will find out."
"Kit, do not speak of what you do not know and do not insult people who could kill you in a heart beat."
With that Kikyou turned to go, whispering something in Inu Yasha's ear, which caused him to look back at Shippou. Finally succumbing to the tears, he broke down, sobbing heavily, unable to move. He was not even fazed when the group began to leave, not even realizing that he was not with them. Recognizing this, he could only cry harder; the feeling of loneliness that only Kagome could sooth growing even bigger. It was just after the four humanoids and neko youkai left his senses that he composed and gathered himself. Mind made up, he headed in the opposite direction.
Higurashi Kagome wandered around the "old" district of Tokyo, the part of the city, in which the temple was located. It was there her eyes fell upon a decrepit-looking shop which, when examined closer, could be discerned to be a bookstore. She didn't know why, but something about this place which drew her towards it. The inside had an ominous air around it, like it was abandoned or hardly ever visited. Going to the nearest shelf, she pulled off a set of three leather bound books, parts of the titles written in some language, which used the Latin alphabet. 'Dante's Divine Comedy-1, but what does the rest say?'
Opening the first volume, she skimmed through it, already enchanted by the words weaving a tale of hell, damnation, and sorrow. Grabbing the three books, she tucked them under her arm, as she lost herself among the shelves of books. Perhaps it was just the atmosphere or maybe something more, but she felt that she had laid herself down to sleep and was, at present, in a dream world. She was currently reading the first act of The Twelfth Night in a book with the complete works of some British playwright that sound semi-familiar and there was another dozen or so books piled at her feet.
"Can I help you with anything?" asked a deep voice from behind her, startling her and resulting in a jolt. Whipping her head around, ponytail slapping him in the face, she found herself staring at a man with the most stunning violet eyes, which were currently glaring at her, hand laying on his presumably stinging cheek. "Oi bitch, watch what the hell you are doing!"
"I am not a bitch; do you see any canine properties?" she inquired, sending the platinum blond man an intimidating glare. Inwardly, she was smirking, but not for the most obvious reason. Yes, she would definitely be making Sesshoumaru proud, what with her cold persona, icy glares, and her just plain antisocial personality.
"Well, aren't you just a bundle of sunshine," he mumbled.
"Excuse me?"
The man clenched his teeth and forced a smile. "I said 'do you need any help?'"
Smiling like she had just eaten honey, yet holding a look like she had just feed him arsenic, she gave him a negative answer. As he turned to lose himself amidst the labyrinth of books and shelves, she suddenly remembered something. "Actually, there is something you can do."
Knowing he was rolling his eyes, he turned around, a fake smile plastered on his face. "What is it, miss?" His forced politeness along with his look caused Kagome to totally lose it and resulted with her dropping to her knees in peals of laughter. "What the hell is your problem?"
Regaining her control, she looked at the man. "You."
"Me?"
"Yes, you. The forced politeness is positively entertaining," she spoke reverting back to her even toned voice. "It is very obvious you are agitated; it simply rolls off you. You really have no control over your emotions."
The man was visibly angered by her comments, for he came back with a rather harsh rebuttal. "Oh, well what about you; shouldn't you be in school? I mean, you're like, what, sixteen, seventeen?"
"Biologically, yes. But really that's not what matters; mentally I am much older than you." The man was treading on thin ice, very thin ice.
"What did you do to make yourself older, have a kid from some one night—"
The violet-orbed figure was not able to finish his heart-shattering tirade, for he was pinned to a bookcase, a sai, which she always carried with her purely out of habit, pressed to his throat. The look she had in her eyes was of something of pure danger and would be quite frightening, if not for the gloss in them, indicating the tears she was holding at bay. "Never, ever suggest such as thing. You should not talk about something you could never understand. I'm sure you never had someone you loved dearly say to you that he never wants to see you again, that he did it only because he and his ex got back together. You've never been told the only reason you were allowed to stay around because you were just a replacement for his ex. You never had someone you considered to be a sister tell you to get lost. I was a mother-like figure to a child, who lost both his mother and father in a freak accident. You've never been raped!
"I've put my life on the line for all those people, including my rapist, I even considered him a friend! I nearly died for them countless times, yet they still left me, betrayed me." By this time much of the animosity had left her voice and the tears she was trying to hold back now streamed down her cheeks. "You don't know about anything."
The man was stunned by her confession and really did not know what to think as he watched the once composed and confident young women in front of him silently sob, completely losing her composure. The sai had been long since removed from his neck and was lying harmlessly on the floor. Tentatively, he wrapped his arm around her, unsure of her reaction. When she did nothing, he brought a hand up to stroke her hair, trying to comfort her.
When the tears finally dried up, she looked up to the man who held her. "I'm sorry for crying all over you," she spoke timidly, reminding her of the days when she still traveled with the ones she once, and partially still, loved.
"It's not your fault; I had no idea."
Shyly, she smiled, a small smile, but genuine. "Thanks, I needed that. It's kinda funny; you're a complete stranger yet I feel so comfortable telling you all this. Actually you're the first person I ever told."
"Well, we're not quite strangers after that. My name's Sumiko."
"Kagome."
"So, Kagome, what did you mean that you've never told anyone this before?"
"Just that, I've never told anyone. I told Sess some of it but not all. I haven't even told my mother."
"Sess?" he asked hesitantly.
"My…I believe companion is the right word. He's not really a friend, but he's helping me. He's actually the half-brother of the bastard that hurt me."
"You are one fucked up chick!"
"That's what they say. So, can you help me with something?"
"Oh, so now you want my help," he joked, lightly punching her shoulder with his tan fist. Catching her pout/glare, he dropped the act. "Seriously, what do you want to know?"
Slightly embarrassed she pointed to the titles of the three leather bound books. "I know the second and third words are Divine Comedy and I'm guessing that Danté is the author's name, but the last words really stump me."
"Danté Divine Comedy," he mused to himself. "Well, they read 'Inferno,' 'Purgatorio,' and 'Paradiso,' Italian for hell, purgatory, and heaven."
Leaning down, he picked up the first four books on the stack at their feet. "You certainly have a wide range of literary tastes; The Aeneid, Lord of the Rings, Scarlet Letter, Utopia. I've never seen someone your age interested in these types of books."
"Well, I just am."
Nodding he grabbed the rest of the books as Kagome sheathed her blade back in her obi. She followed Sumiko, ruminating on the man she had just met. '"The clear one," how ironic; I've never seen things so clearly since I met him. Perhaps it was just because I spilled my bowels to him, but perhaps it was fated for me to do so. Whatever.' "What?"
"Like I said before, you have the most unusual taste in literature."
"Excuse me, but you said and I quote, 'You certainly have a wide range of literary tastes' end quote. And that was a very awkward sentence."
"You certainly are interested in classics, that's for sure, The Faerie Queene, Le Morte D'Arthur, Beowulf, Mythology, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight."
Kagome glared at him. "Shut up."
His words were true though. The books ranged from the two epics of Homer and Manyoshu to Pride and Prejudice and Shakespeare. She paid Sumiko the asked total and he handed her two brown paper bags. "I do hope I see you around, Kagome."
She smiled widely, the first one in awhile; the feeling of truly being wanted could not be suppressed. "Yeah, me too."
Higurashi Kagome looked at her watch. Noon, she would be having lunch right about now, if she was in school that is. However, she was wandering around Tokyo, looking for a place to eat. Just a block away from the school building, she noticed a small restaurant and could not help but to be drawn to its quaintness. She listened to the tinkling of the bells on the door, only to be bombarded by three girls.
"Eri….Yuki….Ayumi….can't breathe," she gasped, quite pleased when they quickly jumped back, but winced as they screeched.
"Kagome, it's been like six months since we've seen you. We thought you died or something from the avian flu. You should have seen Hojo-kun though, he was so heartbroken. But you look perfectly healthy now; you should go out with him, you two would look absolutely gorgeous together. And why are you out of school?"
She smirked at her inquiring friends. "Four months, Yuki. I transferred to a vocation school of a sort in Osaka. I'm taking college courses, but instead of them lasting only a semester, the class goes for the entire year. I'm only going to be here about three days every month, sometimes every other month." She felt bad for lying to her friends, but it had to be done.
"Oh," exclaimed Eri. "You're going to school in Osaka, that explains your gorgeous tan. You should definitely go on a date with Hojo-kun now. I mean, you're healthy, you look great, and besides, you're not going to be around that much. It doesn't even have to be a date, just two friends hanging out together."
She did her best to ignore her friends' puerile ideas as she kneeled down at the traditional low table. She had questions for them, but patience is a virtue.
"Kags, do you want us to order you some oden?"
Kagome sighed, her friends really did know her too well, from the fact she really didn't want to date Hoj,o to the fact that oden was her favorite food. "Actually no. I think I'll have a bowl of miso shiru, three osushi, and a cup of jasmine tea," she told the waitress, not really wanting a lot of caffeine.
"So, what's up with your two timing boyfriend?" asked Ayumi, sipping her ramunedo.
Her eyes hardened at this. "He was never my boyfriend, first of all. Second, he and I haven't spoken, let alone seen each other for four months."
"You mean the asshole never wrote, emailed, called you while you were in Osaka!"
"Listen, it's nothing like that; Inu Yasha simply got back together with Kikyou." Noticing their confusion, she added, "His ex."
"That bastard, how could he do that to you?"
"Easy, he told me to, and I quote 'fuck off, bitch; you're not needed here anymore' end quote." Kagome enjoyed the reactions of her friends; they seemed to realize the magnitude of this, which they had exponentially downsized before.
"Oh Kami-sama, I can't believe he would do that to you. What kind of guy is he? Is that why you left to go to Osaka?"
Kagome did her best not to cry. "I'm over him; and the two reasons I went to Osaka was because I was: a) accepted and b) I can start working on college credits," she said coolly, as their food was delivered. "Yuki, I can't believe you like that!"
"What's wrong with kinton, I ask you?" she inquired between bites.
"The lima beans, duh."
The four girls ate in silence for a while before Ayumi looked at Kagome with a mischievous look, promising no good. "Sooo, Kags, you're taking the loss of the backstabbing dick quite well—"
"It was four months ago," spoke Kagome dangerously, not liking the direction this conversation was going.
"Whatever, that's not the point. Since you obviously have no interest in Hojo-kun, are there any other men in your life we should worry about breaking your heart?"
She should have expected something like this; it would be so out of character of Ayumi not to inquire about her love life. She was tempted to say there were no guys, but she just didn't have the mental stamina to continue with the lies. The least she could do is give them half-truths. "There is a guy," she spoke slowly, carefully choosing her words as the three girls leaned in feeding off her every word. "Not a guy like you guys think; he's more of a companion at my new school."
The girls squeaked at this and Eri was brave enough to inquire if it was just a cover up for a "hot and steamy romance."
"Eri, get your mind out the gutter; it's nothing like that. Honestly, you need to stop reading those NC-17 romance novels," she explained, before elaborating on the lie about the school. "He's a grad student in his last semester. The school ranges from the first year of high school to graduate school. Anyway, he's been assigned by the administration to help show me around. It's kinda weird; he's apparently Inu Yasha's older half-brother."
The audible gasp showed their surprise. "Kami-sama, what a small world. How old is he?"
'That's a good question; in the Seguku Jidai, he's got to be at least 150 years old, at the minimum. Must remember to ask him that later.' "He's about 26."
Kagome did her best to ignore the gasps and speculations of her friends as she ate. Honestly, her relationship with Sesshoumaru couldn't even be considered platonic; they were only business partners, and that's all they would ever be.
Higurashi Kagome, dressed in her clothes from long ago, double-checked the bag, much larger the hip pouch she had left at Sesshoumaru's fortress, which would carry her supplies back to her place of residence eras before this time. Her newly purchased books sat at the bottom, covered by a fresh supply of toiletries and more importantly, tampons, then eighth wonder of the world, granting her free access during certain times in the months. It was also a plus that it hid the scent of her menstruations, making it impossible for a youkai to be able to tell if she was in heat. There also was a hint of her origin, for she packed two pairs of flannel pajama pants she used to wear under her skirt and two yoga tops.
Looking at the shrine, she could not help but sigh, for it would be the last time she would see the torii of her shrine, the god tree from her side, the well house, for two months. Slipping her quiver over her back, she secured her bow and sais. 'Back to ground 0. Ready, set, go.'
With that, she sailed through time, via the well until she once again smelled the crisp clean air and saw the vines, which doubled as a ladder. Home sweet home. It truly was funny how even though she had virtually no one in this era she still found herself much more comfortable than in the era of technology. It really was funny how things worked out.
Quickly she threw herself over the edge of the dry waterhole to find a red blur launch itself into her arms, sobbing and muttering nearly incomprehensible sentences, but she was able to discern one word, okaa-san.
"Shippou." Dropping her stuff instantly, her arms wrapped around her adopted son, soothing his tears as only a mother could, relieved when his sobs lightened and green eyes barely shimmered.
"Okaa-san, I knew you would never abandon me. They said you left, but I knew you didn't; you would have at least told me. They left me; left me in a clearing and never realized I was missing." By this time, the tears were seeping through his eyes, causing Kagome to pet his hair soothingly. "But if you were here all this time, why did you leave me with them?"
"Shippou, calm down, one question at a time. You know I would never leave you and yes, Inu Yasha-tachi and Kikyou did tell me to leave."
"But why didn't you come and get me?" With his wide eyes and innocent tone, she felt her guilt increase ten fold.
"Shippou, you must understand it was extremely dangerous traveling out there. I was by myself and could never put you through that. I nearly died, and if you were there, you might have died as well."
Kagome watched as Shippou visibly began to connect the dots, coming to a conclusion. "You're going to leave me again."
"No, Shippou, no, I'm not going to abandon you."
"But…but….you…said….that," he sobbed, the tears flowing much freer now, further breaking her heart.
"Shippou, I have new traveling companions to help me look for the shards. Sesshoumaru…agreed to help me." Noticing his shock, she added, "He's not as bad as we thought he was; it was really just Inu Yasha he hated and then us through association. Besides, even if you don't travel with me the entire time, his ward, Rin, will be there to play with you, ok?"
He nodded, tears dissipating. "So, did you bring me any pocky?"
Parting Notes: Well, another chapter under my belt, though it's a little shorter than normal. Sorry it took so long thought; I've just been so busy with school. Midterms are in three days and I've been studying for those and well, I was kinda lazy. Please excuse me, but unless I can write a chapter in three days (aka 21-24), I'm not going to be updating till after the New Year since my family is leaving to go skiing in New Hampshire the day after Christmas until January 2nd.
I love jasmine tea almost as I love black leachy tea, but alas I figured it would be better for Kagome not to drink a Chinese tea. There are also many foreign words in here so here are the meanings:
Tori: a decorative gate found at the entrance to Shino Shrines
Manyoshu: a classic collection of Japanese poems
Jou-chan: Little missy
Miso Shiru: miso (soybean) soup
Osushi: rice cakes rolled in seaweed
Ramunedo: a Japanese soft drink which tastes like a super carbonated combination of lemon and lime juice
Kinton: sweet bean cakes which are a mound of curshed lima beans
As y'all can see, this chapter was purely plot development, and a good chunk of it wasn't even planned to end as it did; at least three of the five sections ended completely different than I anticipated. Needless to say, there is a lot of plot changes going through my mind right now. It's funny how two small actions/words can change an entire plot, manly 'osuwari' and Kagome raising a weapon. It's so much more angstier than I expected, the scene with Shippou was supposed to more comic relief and Kagome wasn't originally going to spill her guts to Sumiko, who originally was a one time only character taken for Yu-gi-oh (A cookie to whoever can figure out who).
It's sad, in Latin there are like 10 words that mean 'for' and 5 or 6 that mean 'and,' yet in English there is only ONE! And when you use them a lot, it sounds horrible. And just so all you non-uniform wearing kids know; it is quite normal for girls to wear pj pants under their skirt to keep warm. Trust me, I do it all the time.
Strawberrylover, you can see I wrote the response before the story. There was a big hint of what happened to her. That's all I'm going to say.
Bacci e Ciao
♥The Jade Sabre ♥