Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or its characters, that right belongs to Rumiko Takahashi; nor do I own Tokyo Ghoul or its characters, that right belongs to Sui Ishida.

Kagome sat there, smiling to hide the fact she was grinding her teeth. Already three months into her third-grade year, and she was at her wit's end. And it was all due to her teacher, Mr. Umeki. If the demon's existed, she'd claim he was a damned demon. But the answer to that was more straightforward; he was a Ghoul. Her second day of school, she was put on his radar due to having a small fever, and her Reiki had accidentally zapped him in passing.

Instinct was never to be underestimated. But in that time Mr. Umeki hadn't made a move to attack her or even corner her one on one. Smart man, not wanting to blow his cover.

"Miss Higurashi, do you have anything to add to the lesson?" Mr. Umeki spoke.

Lifting her eyes, Kagome slowly shook her head to indicate she didn't. This charade had become routine. And after living many lifetimes and having traveled with her original group, she knew what he was doing — trying to get a rise out of her, to make her mess up and use her Reiki. It was not her damn fault that she had a small fever, and due to her body being so little, she didn't have the best control.

"If you say so," Mr. Umeki stated cynically.

No, Kagome would continue to play this game. She had a plan, and it would be put into action soon. Since the middle of April, she had been prepping for the confrontation and hoping that he would start to be more forceful with her. Yes, if there was one thing she had learned in her time amongst the Gods and the many lifetimes in the multiple parallel worlds, was patience was a virtue one had to work on. Biding time and making a strategic move. Then again, no one in this world knew exactly how old she was, how much she was capable of even in her current state.

"Hey, Ryouko is bringing Kagome, right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"What time do you think they will arrive?"

"Well, it is about four-thirty now, so soon. She wanted to take Kagome out. Ryouko is her aunt."

"Would you two be quiet!"

Silence fell over the darkened interior of Anteiku at the harsh comments from Kuzen. Each person shifted as the sounds of the first door to the cafe opened and closed. The softly spoken words as the stairs were climbed. The tension of those gathered mounted as they tried to stay as still and quiet as possible.

The moment the handle turned, giving a soft click as the door was pushed open, they all jumped out the moment the lights were turned on after a curious comment about it being dark, and as one shouting Happy Birthday! A few quick flashes of a camera to capture the moment and look on Kagome's face. Each was knowing that doing this was a risk on her freaking and using her Reiki, but it was agreed it would be worth it for her ninth birthday.

It was hard to keep a blank face as she sat there in the Principal's office (again). This time with the student counselor, her aunt Ryouko and Kuzen were there, along with her teacher Mr. Umeki. Said man was looking rather ill as he kept his distance from Kuzen, or as he was being called in the office, Mr. Yoshimur, her caretaker. On the desk before them was a tape player, and it was currently playing today's encounter with her teacher.

"I don't have anything to add, Mr. Umeki," Kagome stated softly. "But I do have a question for you."

"Oh!? Then ask, Kagome," Mr. Umeki said, his voice sounding exceptionally sarcastic.

"Why do you dislike me?" Kagome asked. "Did I do something to make you dislike me?"

There was a long pause. Kagome's mind was conjuring up the face he had made when she had asked that question with all her peers listening in. She had chosen the timing just perfect.

"What do you mean? I do not dislike you. Why do you accuse me of such a thing, Kagome?" Mr. Umeki asked, his voice holding a small note of insecurity.

Again another brief pause.

"Well, you always seem to ask me that same comment as if you are expecting something of me since the first week of school. I wondered if it had anything to do with the note's Miss Saiyaka had left in my student file," Kagome said, clearly explaining herself. "But when it continued when I didn't do anything, having learned my lesson last year, I began to think you disliked me for another reason. And it bothers me. I feel kinda scared of coming to class every day."

There was sputtering, and then Kagome was told to go to the Principal's office for making false accusations, which had led to this meeting that was happening right now. Besides, the Principal on the desk were two card boxes, each full with recorded tapes front and back: each a day or two worth of confrontations. The Principal, counselor, and aunt having had listened to each of them.

Kagome knew she was going to get interrogated later, back at the cafe. But she would explain herself and then make it clear that she would address her problems. In a safe, non-violent manner. Though she hoped that Mr. Umeki didn't lose his job over this, he was a decent teacher, and he worked hard to hide; he was a Ghoul. Then again, it was like a wolf amongst the sheep, give or take a few of those sheep also being wolves.

Hands shoved into the warm jacket as she walked the streets, Kagome looked up at the trees. A smile was curling the corners of her mouth as she took in the beauty of the colored leaves still hanging onto the trees. Fall was, and always will be, her favorite time of year when nature began to turn colors and shed itself for the coming winter, alighting the world in a myriad of colors.

"Miss Kagome."

She was starting as she blinked and drew her attention to who had spoken. Instantly the smile that was hidden beneath her scarf. Who was standing before the last person she wanted to see. It had to be that thing where familiar souls found each other in each lifetime. And there was no denying who was before her.

"Hi," she muttered through her scarf.

Next to her, Koma went still, watching and waiting, having picked up on her less than happy state at seeing the boy before her. She had gotten lucky that he wasn't in her class again. Though in this world and lifetime he was so much bolder. Having kissed her last year, claiming her liked-liked her and leaving her stunned and utterly horrified.

"Are you going somewhere today? And who is this person? I do not recall seeing them at the parent-teacher meeting? I thought it was an older gentleman."

The slight stiffening from Koma let her know that while the question was innocent and well-meaning, born from genuine concern. It touched personal and private things.

"He works for my Caretaker, and we are on an errand to pick up some stuff from the store, Hojo," Kagome stated, trying to deter him.

"Oh. Okay," Hojo stated. "Well, I don't want to interrupt you if your on an errand. I will see you tomorrow at School Kagome."

She stood there, silent as he walked away, waving happily back at her. Kagome didn't have to look at Koma to know what he wanted to ask her.

"I will answer you after we reach the shrine, Koma," she said as she started in the direction of the nearest shopping center.

He sat there, sipping a hot cup of coffee and staring out at the snow falling outside. Below him, he could feel the clash of power as a battle raged on. It didn't cease to amaze him the levels of complexity that was his charge. Even now, Kagome was pushing herself to better defend and attack with her sword in the old sewers below. Only now her partners switched out constantly.

Today was three on one, with Yomo, Irimi, and Itori. The latter had surprised him when she said she wanted to fight with Kagome. The woman was keen of mind and loved to gather information as a safety net even if she and Uta were both in the Clown Gang. Either way, he trusted the two youngsters where Kagome was concerned. Same with her Aunt Ryouko, another rather intriguing human. They both gave him hope.

Smiling as he lifted his cup back to his lips, Kuzen looked over to Yomo, who wore yet another pensive look on his face. He knew the gist of what was bothering the young man. Why he seemed to be driven, the reason was one he was very familiar with, and he'd let the boy be until he was ready to talk about it. Until then, well, he would sit back and watch as those he considered his to take care of growing, each in their way.

The sound of clapping echoing in her ears as she once more stood with her (new) class waiting for her turn to be called up for her little placard to say she finished third grade. And that she would have a few days rest before attending Meiou Academy as a 9yr old ninth-grader. Something she was sure would be a huge upset.

But what she was looking forward to was the fact that Meiou had an archery club. With all the muscle she had been building and toning training with the sword and hand to hand with everyone would make it somewhat easier for her to shoot a bow — a far cry from the first time she had done it.

TBC!