THANKYOU! THANKYOU! THANKYOU! o.o I LOVE all of you guys!
Questions, Answers, and Info
Whispered Silence – Maybe she will, maybe she won't! You'll just have to read and find out! 0.…I'm so mean, lol.
Sesshy'sChild – They'll get closer soon! I swear!
kilalachibi14 – I decided not to have Shippo in this story! Sorry!
luvinukagome – I could never hate my reviewers! You guys are way too incredibly awesome!
kari konoko – Thanks for the suggestion! I actually tried it and it helped! .!
ZippyRox – Ah! That would be se awesome! I try to look for all the grammar errors but I just can't seem to find them all. That would be so GREAT and I would really appreciate it if you would be my beta! If you still want to then review and send me your e-mail! YOUR SO AWESOMLY NICE AND A LIFE SAVER!
I MIGHT have a beta now so I'm sorry for all the grammar errors in the past, there annoying in stories I know, sry! But there may be less from now on (not counting this chapter)
THANKYOU! THANKYOU! THANKYOU! to all the people who helped me with the spellings of Kagome's and Sesshoumaru's last names!
I am really sorry this chapter took so long to come out!
I looked around and couldn't find Kagome's parents names so in my story their names are going to be Tom and Mary.
One week later
Kagome looked out the smudged greyhound bus window and out at the flat farmland that stretched out beyond her field of vision. The weeks since the final tryout seemed to go by in a blur. Mr. Green had them dry read a few more scene's, but still hadn't seemed satisfied. Finally, in what seemed an act of desperation, Mr. Green pulled out two wooden practice swords and had the two pairs spar with each other. Kagome smiled as she remembered the look on Kikyo's face when after only a few minutes Mr. Green had announced that Kagome and Sesshoumaru would receive the leads. They were by far the better of the four with swords and Kagome sent a thankful prayer up to her parents for paying for swordsmanship lessons for her all those years ago.
Kagome sighed and placed her forehead against the cool window. The chill felt good on her warm brow, but still she couldn't shake the feeling of dread that seeded itself in the very core of her being. Fingering the tiny silver locket around her neck, Kagome could still remember the day when her mother had given her this precious necklace.
"Kagome," her mother said turning to look at her daughter. The morning sun's beams slid through the large glass windows behind her and illuminated her identical raven hair. "I want to give you something." Reaching behind her elegant neck, Kagome's mother unlatched the silver locked that was placed securely around it. "This is a very special locket that has been passed down from generation to generation. It is a love locket. When you meet someone that you love with all your heart and soul then you must give it to them. With it, you are giving them a little piece of yourself. Only give it to someone you generally love, and no one else. I want you to promise me that when you meet that special person, you will give it to him."
Taking the locket from her mother's warm palm, Kagome had promised. And she would keep that promise to her mother, no matter how long she had to search for her soul mate.
Shaking her head slightly Kagome sat upright and pulled out the letter that had caused Kagome's stomach to drop and her blood to freeze. She had received it from her great aunt and was greatly dismayed to hear what she had to say. Unfolding the letter, Kagome reread the letter for the tenth time.
Kagome,
By now I am sure that you are aware that Christmas break is fast approaching. One thing that you are most likely not aware of is that in Shikon Boarding School, it is tradition for every student to leave the campus and stay at their own house over this break, leaving only the poorer of the students at the school. Though I am not happy about this, at the same time I do not want people thinking that I have lost my status at the top of the chain, so to put it frankly you will be coming to stay at my house over the break. I am not happy with this, and do not approve of having a skinny twit staying at my home. My son will be staying at my house as well and if you even think of embarrassing me in front of him or any of my other friends so help me god you will be out on the streets before you can make your apology. There will be a bus at the front of the school that will take you to my house. The bus driver will be notified to who you are and to where to drop you off. Tread carefully girl, and remember one thing, I will be watching you.
Aunt Mildred
Kagome let another sigh escape her lips and slipped the letter into her back pocket.
"Something the matter?" asked the boy sitting next to her. Kagome looked over and gave him a small smile and shook her head.
"No." Kagome replied letting her head rest against the headrest. The boy gave her a smile that would probably turn most girls into jelly. 'He isn't bad looking,' Kagome mentally noted. '…but he still isn't for me, people like him aren't interested in people like me...' His hair was the color of wheat and topped off with eyes of melted chocolate. His form was well built and Kagome could see the definition in his torso through the folds of his plain white shirt.
"I'm Hojo." He said extending his hand. "And you are?"
"Kagome." She answered taking his hand.
"Attention." A voice boomed over the intercom, causing Kagome to jump. "We are fast approaching Great Falls Housing Community. We will arrive there within two minutes. Please gather you things and thank you for traveling with us today."
As they entered the community Kagome could feel her mouth drop wide open, and totally forgot the boy sitting next to her, although she could still feel his eyes on her.
The community seemed to be a circle drive on a steep hill. The houses here were the biggest Kagome had ever seen, there gates and lawns larger than most city parks.
The bus slowly stopped, "Heather Anton" the same voice announced over the intercom.
Heather climbed out and walked toward a Hispanic themed house on the edge of the community. One by one the students around her disappeared until it was only her and Hojo left on the bus. The bus stopped and announced Hojo's name over the intercom. Standing up slowly Hojo took Kagome's hand and kissed it slightly.
"It was a pleasure meeting you Kagome." He purred suavely and slowly walked out of the bus. Kagome watched his back as he walked toward a large white house, and then looked down at her hand. It still tingled with the connection of his lips to the back of her hand.
'Wow…' Kagome thought smiling happily. 'I could get used to this!...But something is not right. Why don't I feel-'
Suddenly the bus jerked to a stop and the driver announced that this was her stop.
Walking off the bus Kagome turned to the bus driver.
"Um, excuse me?" she said meekly. "But where are my bags?"
The driver turned to her and smiled crookedly. He was a large man, in his mid-50's that was balding slightly on the back of his head. "Allready at your house Miss, they were transported ahead of us."
"Right." Kagome said shaking her head and smiling down at the man. "And um….do you know where I live?"
The bus driver gave her a puzzled look. "Right there," he answered pointing towards one of the largest houses in the community. Kagome felt her eyes bulge out of her sockets. "You feeling all right miss?"
"Yes, yes, of course." She replied stepping down the steep bus stairs and onto the concrete below.
"You have a nice break now!" The bus driver called after her and sped away.
Kagome stood rooted to the ground for a while trying to decide what to do. Finally taking a reluctant step forward Kagome started her slow ascension to the house. The gate to the house cast a foreboding shadow down on Kagome and she reluctantly pressed the call button on the speaker attached to the stone pillar.
"Hello?" a deep raspy voice said.
"Hello? This is Kagome." She stated unsure of what was normally said on these things. There was a minute of silence until finally the voice came back.
"Right, come in." it announced. Kagome stepped back as the silver gate slowly creaked open. The road up to the house was a steep one, made out of inky pavement that was unnaturally smooth. The grass was perfectly cut and even, barren of any weed.
There were great oaks randomly sprinkled throughout the yard and flowers framing the house. The house itself was a work of art. The large white columns in front where huge and reached to the sky. The clear windows gleamed with the setting sun and showed the furnishings held within. Oak double doors with large sliver knobs were the entrance to this well conceived hell hole. The doors groaned slightly as she pushed them open, revealing a large entry way. The marble floor shown with newly polished pride and helped the crystal chandelier illuminate up the room. The winding staircase started on opposite sides of the room, only to meet at the center again.
"There you are you stupid girl!" Mildred croaked form behind her. "It's about time that you arrived."
'Nice to see you too,' Kagome thought sarcastically and putting on a fake smile. "The bus was running late." She explained.
Mildred just fixed her evil stare on Kagome's form. "Hurry child dinner will be served within the hour and I expect you to look decent. Paula will show you to the room that you will occupy during the duration of your unwanted stay. My son will be joining us tonight so you better be on your best behavior girl." He little speech done, Mildred huffed and turned on her heel, marching out of the entryway.
As soon as Mildred retreated behind the doorway corner, another woman emerged. She was along in her years, but not so much so as Mildred, with a frame that was large with warm eyes that sparkled with motherly kindness. Her small nose seemed almost oddly so against her other plump features. Her attire was a simple white dress with blue stripes and a plain dark blue apron. Seeing her reminded Kagome of the fairy Godmothers that fairytales always told of.
"Hello there dear." The old woman purred. "My name is Ms. Rosemary, but Paula if you prefer. Your room isn't too far from here, only a little walk up the stairs. Do you need anything before I show you too it?"
"No." Kagome replied thankful that there was someone in her Aunt's household that seemed to have a heart. Kagome fallowed Paula through the never ending corridor down to her room. The red velvet carpet underneath her cushioned her feet as she slowly marched five paces behind her. The painting on the walls stared down at her in a judging manner that made Kagome feel even more uncomfortable.
Paula suddenly stopped outside a pair of double mahogany doors.
"This is it!" she announced cheerfully turning around the face Kagome. "There should be plenty of dresses in the closet that you can choose from and wear to dinner, and I'm sure we can find something fancier for you to wear to the yearly Christmas party."
Kagome froze, "What Christmas party?" she asked slowly, and the last thing she wanted was to be dragged to some party that smelled of smoke and arrogance.
Paula just smiled, "You find it all out in good time, for now just focus on getting to dinner on time, Mrs. Mildred can be quite the drama queen if one is late for supper."
Kagome snorted, "You mean more than she normally is?"
"What-"
"Nothing." Kagome replied quickly.
Paula eyed her suspiciously. "Be down quick." She said opening up the doors to Kagome's room and retreating down the hallway.
Kagome walked into her room, closing the door behind her, and plopped down on the queen sized bed. The white satin sheet felt good against her arms. The room was simply decorated. Blue paint covered all four walls with a balcony stretching out from the north one. The bed was a regular queen sized bed with white sheets and pillows. The oak floors matched the dresser drawer placed in the middle of the south wall with a walk in closet standing to the left of it. As Kagome looked around she rolled her eyes.
'Gee Aunt Mildred; don't bother pulling out even the old dusty red carpet for me. Just stick me in your plainest room and all is just fine.' Kagome thought bitterly.
Kagome sat up and walked over to the glass balcony doors. Opening them slightly, Kagome stood in place for a few moments, just letting the soft wind caress her face. Walking out on the balcony, the room suddenly didn't seem so bad to Kagome. Her room happened to be on the very edge of the property on the second story. To the left of the balcony stood a wooden fence-like structure that leaned up against the houses west wall and placed upright. The colorful vines growing around the wooden bars gleamed in the setting sun.
'That's good.' Kagome thought happily returning to her room and closing the balcony doors behind her. 'If there is ever a reason for me to really escape this hell hole then at least I have means to do it.' Kagome smiled and drew the curtains so no peeping tom could watch her change.
The closet door squeaked as Kagome opened it, revealing a never-ending line of dresses in all shapes and sizes. Looking vigorously for the right dress, Kagome finally settled on a simple midnight blue dress that came to just below her knees. The dress fits her well and accents the almost blue-like highlights in her hair.
Looking at herself in the mirror Kagome patted down her hair and let out a deep sigh. 'Here goes nothing.'
Kagome sat uneasily at the table trying her best not to look at the man that was sitting across from her. His short black hair was gelled back causing the light to shine off its sleek surface. His almost black eyes looked around the room hungrily as if he just couldn't wait for his mother to croak so he could gain all her inheritance. The suit he was wearing looked tailor made and fit his average body well. He was not an ugly man, but his very presence screamed money and it made Kagome uneasy.
Her Aunt had informed Kagome before dinner not to talk, and Kagome obliged happily.
"Who is that?" He asked with a hint of irritation, lifting his nose to Kagome.
Mildred just chuckled. "Just ignore her Dan, sweet heart. She's just Tom and Mary's orphan brat that I got stuck with. She won't bother you dear, I'll make sure to that." She informed shooting Kagome an evil eye.
Dan looked over Kagome with distaste, "You are too kind mother. You can't let every sewer rat that comes crawling up from the streets into your home and under your wing." He stated unfolding his napkin with a snap and setting it neatly into his lap.
"Now, now, dear, you know me better than that. The lawyers made it very public knowledge around the country club that she was to either go to me, or if I said no, to some god awful orphan edge. I couldn't have people whispering that I would do such a thing, no matter-" Mildred gave Kagome the once over then sighed deeply. "No matter how much I didn't wanted to."
Kagome held her head up high, pretending not to hear their hurtful words. She refused to stoop to their level and lash out like they were expecting her to.
The evening continued on that note throughout the entire course of dinner. Never straying from Kagome's imperfections or where her parents had gone wrong with having her. Kagome did her best to block out their harmful words, and to her surprise found that she could care less to what the two of them thought.
'If they have nothing better to do than criticize me, then it just shows how below me they are.' Kagome thought wiping a stray piece of hair out of her eyes.
When dinner was over, knowing that she couldn't stand to be in their presence much longer, Kagome decided to throw them a curve ball. Standing up with the most grace that Kagome could muster, she bowed her head slightly towards Mildred and Dan.
"Great Aunt, Cousin Dan, dinner has been delightful but I am afraid that my trip here has left me exhausted so I must retire. I look forward to seeing you in the morn. Goodnight."
Taking her exit, Kagome smiled to herself sensing their confused stares. 'That one should keep them scratching their heads for a while.'
A.N: Okay, I know that this chapter might have been a little duller than the other chapters but I needed to get some stuff explained. You'll like the next chapter I promise! (I haven't written it yet, but I have it planned out!)
Please review! It gives me motivation to write when I see that I have review!