Chapter 9

It had been two days since Sango and Miroku had shown up, and everyone was withholding opinion about Inutaisho. They often sat together late at night, talking about the mysterious dog demon and trying to guess why he had come back and how. It was during one of these discussions that Kagome said that she would have to head home in the morning.

"What!" Inuyasha blurted, surprised. "What do you mean? Why do you have to go home?"

She glared at him. "I have a test tomorrow!" she said, giving him her no-nonsense look. "I have to take this one, it's the one I've been studying for for ages!"

"How many of these test things do you have?" Shippo asked, curious. "It sure seems as if you have a lot."

Kagome shrugged. "They always want to see how well we're doing, I suppose. All I know is, if I flunk, I'll never get into a good high school!"

Inuyasha did not look happy. "I don't see why you have to go back now," he muttered. "I mean, won't the tests still be there when you go back?"

She glared at him again, so he was quiet.

"Kirara, would you take Kagome to the well in the morning?" Sango asked, scratching the little kitty's ears. Kirara mewed her agreement, and Kagome petted her as a thank you.

"I'll bring you some of those kitty treats you like so well," Kagome said, smiling. She turned to face the rest of her friends. "Since I'm going back, is there anything you'd like me to bring back for you?"

Everybody smiled. Kagome always brought such good things to eat! Shippo immediately asked for some candy, and Miroku said, if it wasn't too much trouble, he'd like a bubbly drink. Kagome promised Sango some chocolate, and when he was asked, Inuyasha said, "That stuff I like, you know what it is."

Kagome sighed. "Ramen it is."

They turned in early that night, but Kagome went to sleep with a science book on her chest, having tried to study before sleeping.

Space

Everyone bid Kagome goodbye in the morning, even Inutaisho, who asked Kagome to return soon since Inuyasha seemed melancholy without her. Inuyasha choked, stared at Inutaisho, and then turned away. He told Kagome to hurry up and come back, and to let Kaede know that he was all right.

"All right," Kagome said, smiling. "I'll be sure to let her know. I'll see you all soon, okay?"

They waved her off, and once she and Kirara was out of sight, they headed back inside the castle.

"I wonder what sort of test she has to take," Shippo said as they sat down in one of the gardens.

"She said it was about plants," Inuyasha said, trailing his fingers in the fish pond. "Photo-something."

"Oh. I thought a photo was the pictures Kagome took of all of us?" Shippo asked, sounding very confused. "You know, with the little box that flashed?"

"You're right," Sango said, sounding confused herself. "I guess we'll have to ask her once she comes back."

"I'm gonna go crazy until she does," Shippo said, sounding unhappy. "I'm going to be thinking about this all day."

Space

Kagome sighed happily as she handed in her test, and then coughed slightly. Her grandfather had told the school office that she was getting over a nasty case of strep throat, but that she would be able to come to school. By coughing every now and then, she would be able to convince everyone that she had been sick instead of skipping school.

"Hey, Kagome," Eri said, coming up to her. "Do you want to walk home with us?"

"Sure," Kagome said, smiling. "How did you do?"

"I think I did all right," Eri said, grinning. "How did you do?"

Kagome found herself grinning back. "I did great! I knew all the answers, and I didn't even have the slightest trouble."

"Lucky you," Arimi muttered. "I'm pretty sure I failed."

"Oh, come on, don't think like that," Eri said, giving Arimi a little friendly punch in the shoulder. "I'm sure you did better than you think you did. After all, you always know all the answers in class."

"I suppose," Arimi said, sounding a little less gloomy.

"Hey," Yuka whispered, making all of her friends lean in close. "Guess what my uncle did?"

"What?" they all whispered back.

"He sent me some money, so I can take all of you out!" Yuka said, grinning and making the V-for-victory sign. "Isn't that great?"

Everybody, even Kagome, cheered. It had been a while since she had been out with her friends.

Wacdonald's was packed, but they managed to snag their favorite booth with a pile of hamburgers and some milkshakes.

"So, Kagome, how's that guy of yours?" Yuka wanted to know. "Is he still rude and inconsiderate?"

Kagome looked thoughtful. "Ah, not really. He's more tense than anything else."

Everyone looked surprised. "Why is he tense?"

Kagome took a sip of her milkshake before answering. "Well, it has to do with his dad. He hasn't seen the guy since he was a baby, and now, all of a sudden, his dad's taken him to stay at his house."

Arimi dropped her hamburger. "Really? Just…took him? Like, kidnapped him?"

"Well, it wasn't as if he could do anything about it," Kagome told them. "He's been sick, and his dad found him and took him so he could take care of him until he gets better."

"Oh. That seems…nice," Eri commented, sounding very doubtful. "Where's he been all this time?"

"His dad? Well, he works overseas," Kagome lied quickly. "Apparently, the mom's family didn't like him and they told him to stay away, so he did, but he sent money home and the like, but now he's back. He wants to know his son." That was true, as far as the situation went.

"Oh, your poor guy!" Yuka said, hamburger and milkshake forgotten. "It's not fair to him at all!"

"It isn't, really," Kagome said, poking at her sandwich. "His older brother knows him, and is a little more comfortable with him, but that's not really the case with the younger brother. I don't think he believes that the guy is actually his father."

Everyone was quiet. "Has he proved it?" Arimi asked, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, he's proved it, but that doesn't mean a relationship will blossom overnight."

Everyone agreed, and once they finished their shakes, they walked Kagome to the shrine. Once there, Kagome changed into civvies and grabbed her purse. Seeing her getting ready to go out, Souta asked if he could come along.

"If you want to," Kagome said, shrugging. "I'm only going shopping."

"You're always going shopping," Souta said, sounding happy enough to go along. "You always buy the coolest stuff, though."

"Ah, I see what it is," Kagome said, messing up her little brother's hair. "You're hoping I'll get you treat!"

"Well, since you mentioned it…"

Space

Kagome and Souta got back home just as it was getting dark, and they were weighted down with packages.

"Cat treats, chocolate, soda, ramen, candy, potato chips, cookies…." Souta said, looking at everything. "Who do you buy all this for?"

"For Inuyasha and everyone else," she said, smiling as she packed her backpack so she could be ready to go just after breakfast. She was so glad that the next day was Sunday. She could go back without having to skip class.