Chapter 2: First day of school
The three of them walked to school, it not being too far away from the Higurashi residences. Aiko is skipping down the sidewalk ahead of them as Yuudai walked with his grandmother. They would notice that Aiko would keep looking at her locket and holding it close to her heart.
"I still don't get why we have to come to this time and go to school," Yuudai stated to his grandma as she just smiled down at him.
"Because it is a good experience for you and your sister, you can think of it as a new adventure."
"You sound just like mommy," he replied as his grandmother giggled.
"That's my daughter."
"So is uncle Souta going to play with us after school?" the young boy asked.
"I'm sorry, Yuudai. But he is away at college right now and won't be back until the holidays."
"What is this, College?"
"It's another form of school that you will attend when you get older."
"Another school?" Yuudai complained, "How many schools are there?"
"Well, first there is Elementary School. Then there is Middle School, after that you go to High School, and then after you graduate there you go off to College."
"But that's like," he starts counting on his finders and shows four, "this many schools. Why did my mommy do this anyway?"
"Because that's what all kids at your age do at this time, they get a better education so they can achieve more in their life."
"I don't understand how this edu-something will help me?"
"Don't worry, you will understand soon enough," his grandmother said as Aiko asked while pointing at the school.
"Is that the place, Gran-Gran?"
The older woman nodded. "That's it."
Grandma Higurashi escorted her grandchildren into the classroom as she met with the teacher. "Hello, these are Yuudai and Aiko Higurashi."
"Hello, my name is Mrs. Machiko, and I will be teaching their 1st grade class," the young woman, barely even twenty-five replied as she shook Mrs. Higarashi's hand, "are you their mother?"
The children's Grandmother giggled. "No, I'm their grandmother. But did you really think I'm still young enough to be their mother?"
"Mrs. Higurashi?" a voice called out as she turned to see Hojo behind her.
"Hojo," she said, "What are you doing here?"
"My son is attending this class," he then looked around, "hold on a second."
He then left the room for a second and returned with a young boy hiding behind his leg. "This is Hojo Kiyoshi, my son. Come on son, this is a family friend of mine, say hi."
The boy peered out from behind his father's leg to see Mrs. Higurashi smiling at him. "H-hello."
"Hello there, you can call me Mrs. Higurashi."
The boy opened up a bit as Hojo asked. "So why are you here?" but then he looked down at the young girl with silver hair then asked, "no way, is she, Kagome's daughter?"
The young girl looked up at the older man as Higurashi replied. "Why yes, this is my granddaughter, Higurashi Aiko."
"Don't forget me," Yuudai said as his grandma giggled.
"I would never forget you, and this is my grandson, Higurashi Yuudai. They are starting class today as well."
"I haven't seen Kagome since we graduated High-School, or most of the time during High-School in that case. How is she?"
"She is doing well."
"We really should make a time to catch up."
"I will ask her when I can, but I haven't seen you in a while either. I still remember when you would bring over medication for my daughter all those times."
"Yeah," Hojo blushed a bit, "I now own my families Drug Store and expanded it."
"That's great to hear."
Then as they continued talking, Kiyoshi walked over to Aiko. "Hello, my name is Hojo Kiyoshi, what's yours?"
She blinked twice then replied. "My name is Higurashi Aiko; it's very nice to meet you Hojo Kiyoshi."
She smiled at him, which caused the young boy to swallow hard until Yuudai stood between them. "You better not be being mean to my sister."
She grabbed onto her brother's sleeve. "It's ok, beloved brother. Hojo Kiyoshi is a friend."
"Well, it looks like the kids are getting along," Higurashi said.
"Yeah, it looks like," Hojo replied as he looked at his watch, "oh I better get going. Play well, Kiyoshi."
"I will dad," Kiyoshi replied as they hugged and he walked out.
"Don't get into any trouble you two," Higurashi replied as the children nodded and hugged their grandma.
"Bye," their grandma said as she waved and walked out and the teacher announced.
"Ok class, find your seats and let's start the day."
Back in the Feudal Era, Kagome is at Sango's place having some green tea. "So, you sent your children to school in your time?" Sango asked while she was holding her sleeping three year old son, Hen.
"Yes, I believed that it would be good for them. I just can't believe they are already five. It feels like only yesterday that they were still in their cribs."
"Mommy!" Sango's four year old daughter Sakura called out while pulling on her mother's sleeve, "daddy's doing that thing you told me to look out for again."
"Thank you dear, I will be right back, can you hold him for me for a moment?"
"Sure, no problem," Kagome replied as she takes the boy from Sango.
"If possible, could I borrow that necklace on Inuyasha for my husband?"
"Sorry, Sango. It only works on people with demon blood in them."
"Couldn't hurt to ask," Sango said with a smile on her face and walked away.
Then as Kagome sat back down with the boy in her arms, she felt Sakura tug on her kimono. "Yes, Sakura?"
"Where is Yuudai and Aiko, I wanted to play with them today."
"I'm sorry, Sakura. But they went to school in my time, they won't be home till later in the afternoon."
"Then I want to go to school in your time too then, so I can play with Yuudai."
"There is more to school than playing, Sakura. There is a lot of work to be done as well. And don't you want to play with Aiko too?"
Sakura's face turned a shade of pink as she quickly added. "Yes, I want to play with her too. I thought I said her name."
Kagome only smiled as Sango returned while dragging the unconscious Miroku back into her house and then returned to pick up her son," I swear, I don't know why I love him so much."
"Mommy, I want to go to school like Yuudai and Aiko," Sakura said.
"Kagome, did you give her this idea?"
Kagome shook her head. "I swear, she thought of it all on her own."
"Please mommy, can I go to school too?" Sakura asked again.
"Ah, Kagome, would that be ok?" Sango asked.
"Well, she won't be able to till next year, she has to be at least five to start school.
"So if you are still interested in going to school by next year, Sakura. I will let you go."
"Thank you, mommy," then Sakura skipped off.
"Children, you wish you could give them the world," Kagome said.
"Yeah, it feels like that, doesn't it?"
Back in school during the last period, art class, they were assigned to draw a picture of something they care about. "What are you drawing, beloved brother," Aiko asked.
"I drew our family," Yuudai replied as he showed his picture of them standing in front of the well, "what about you Aiko?"
She smiled. "Me with my, beloved brother."
She showed off the picture she drew of her holding onto her brother's arm and he blushed. "Aiko, please stop calling me that."
She smiled as she looked at Hojo completely focused on his picture. "What are you drawing, Hojo Kiyoshi?"
He snapped out of his focus as he replied and he held up his picture of a beautiful woman with long brown hair and smiling. "My, mother."
The two were astounded by his artwork. "She's beautiful," Aiko said.
"She looks like a nice person," Yuudai said as Hojo replied in a quivering tone.
"I wouldn't know."
"Why is that?" Aiko asked.
"Because, she died when I was born," he replied as a small tear fell down his face.
"I'm so sorry to hear that," Aiko replied with water filled eyes and Hojo wiped his.
"It's ok, forget I mentioned it."
"Well, class is about to end for the day, I hope that you all had a pleasant time today."
Just then the bell rang as the students started to gather their belongings. "Don't forget; tomorrow is show-n-tell so bring something to present to the class," Mrs. Machiko announced over the noise of moving seats and chit-chatter of the students.
"Well, it was nice to meet you, Hojo Kiyoshi," Aiko said as she bowed and Hojo put one hand behind his head and his face turned a shade of pink.
"You too, Aiko," but please call me Hojo."
She nodded and smiled. "Sure thing, Hojo."
"Aiko, Yuudai! It's time to go home," Grandma Higurashi called out as the two looked over at her.
"See you later, Hojo," Yuudai said as they ran over to their Grandma.
To Be Continued
Looks like the two made a new friend, read and review.