The jet lag and stress finally caught up to Kagome and she slept the whole ride. Souta on the other hand was wide awake, already having had his nap on the plane, and was giving Charlie rapid fire questions all about America. Charlie answered just as quickly,
enjoying the inquisitive kids curiosity.

Three and a half hours later, found them pulling up to Charlie's home. It was a quant two story. "I uh only have three bedrooms so you two will either have to share or one of you will have to sleep on the couch." Charlie explained.

Kagome gave a chilling smile, "That's okay! Souta will love the couch."

Souta whimpered, "What? Why do I have to have the couch?"

Kagome glared, "Because you are the uninvited guest, so you will be sleeping where we put you or you can find somewhere else to sleep!"

Souta cringed, "Couch sounds fine."

Kagome got out of the car to see a girl about her age, who she assumed was her older sister. Both girls looked the other over before smiling in greeting, "Hi! I'm Kagome!"

Bella nodded, "I'm Isabella but you can just call me Bella."

"Okay!" Kagome pointed behind her, "That is my annoying little brother Souta. He snuck onto my flight, so we are stuck with him until mom can get him a flight back home." Souta waved while he and Charlie grabbed her bags.

Bella waved back chuckling, "Well that's one I haven't heard before."

"That little moron nearly gave me a heart attack, and mom was worried sick." Kagome huffed.

Bella's eyes widened, "He didn't at least leave her a note?"

Kagome rolled her eyes, "He texted her after the plane started rolling down the runway."

Bella shook her head, "Wow! Is she okay?"

"Yea! She is really angry at him though." Kagome started calming down. The boys walked the luggage inside and the girls followed.

Kagome's room was right next to Bella's, just on the back side of the house. She got a clear view of the forest outside her window. Kagome got a good look around and her heart throbbed in longing. This place was lush and green just like in the feudal
era. She already knew she was gonna like it here. Kagome looked around her room. It was simply furnished with a double bed, dresser and desk. The side window had a built in bench where she could sit and read, if she wanted. The room was nearly twice
the size of the one she had at the shrine. She unpacked all of her stuff except for the bag with all of her feudal era mementoes that she hid away in the back of her closet.

Charlie called them down for pizza an hour later. When everyone was sitting he broke the news, "Your guys' mother called. With school starting back next week, we don't have enough time for Souta to be able to make it back before that. Unfortunately, the
next available flight that either of us could afford is in two months. So Souta will be with us until this summer."

Souta cheered in excitement and Kagome couldn't hold it in anymore, so she just busted out laughing, "You are such a moron."

"Maybe, but I get to stay!" Souta preened. That set the whole table into a fit of laughter.

When everyone calmed down, Charlie got a serious look, "Alright, house rules." Bella groaned. "No staying out after dark unless you have permission from me. Homework gets done before any Funtime. And everybody goes to bed at a decent hour. Bella has a
truck and will be driving you to and from school. Do you have a license?" He asked Kagome, who shook her head in the negative. "Alright, we will work on that then work on getting you a car."

Kagome nodded, "Okay, but when I do get one I want to go ahead and get a part time job too. That way I can have gas money and whatnot."

Charlie smiled, "That's fine but only if you absolutely want to 'cause I can give you gas money when you need it. I don't mind."

Kagome shook her head, she had been independent for far too long, "I would rather pay my own way."

"Alright, when we get to that point I'll help you get one. Have you had one before?" Charlie asked.

"No but I'd like to look at working at a Vet's office or an animal shelter." Kagome answered, already excited at the prospect.

Charlie smiled again at her excitement, "I know the local Vet and the owner of the animal shelter. The owner employs the Vet, so basically you would be working for him but I can talk to him." Kagome grinned thanking him and they finished their food. Soon
after they all went to bed with thoughts of what next week would bring.

A/N:
I am so very sorry my friends. I have had a very rough time of it lately but I am going try to get back out there and start writing again. I have a few chapters of this ready so I'm gonna get them out to you guys asap.

~Love, Angel