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After an unorthodox amount of begging on her mother's part, Kagome was allowed to take the final exams for her former school in order to finish out her second year. The only stipulation was that she wasn't allowed on the school grounds. Snorting at her average scores that had come back in, the miko tossed the packet of paper aside and flopped onto her bed.
Th phone rang in the distance, but she ignored it when she heard her mother answer. Closing her eyes, Kagome started to drift off, wondering what school she would be forced to attend for her final year of high school. Her eyes snapped open when a knock on her door brought her back to the waking world and she noticed her mother peeking in.
"Kagome? Can I talk to you?"
"Sure Mama," the teenager sat up, fixing her attention on the older woman.
"That was your grandmother on the phone just now," Mama Higurashi started, sitting down on the bed next to her daughter. Kagome's eyebrows drew together in confusion.
"Grandmother..."
"My mother, sweetie." The curiosity cleared on the miko's face to be replaced by a stony expression. Her mother's mother was extremely wealthy and extremely petty. The old woman had disowned her wonderful mother when she'd rejected an engagement with a business partner in order to marry the man that would become her father.
"What does she want?!" Kagome hissed, blue eyes slitting angrily. It was safe to say that she hated her snooty grandmother. Seventeen years of belittlement and snubs and suddenly the woman was interested in what her granddaughter got up to?!
"Well... Kagome, she's found out about all of your problems with school, and she's willing to make a compromise."
"Hell no! I don't want anything to do with that woman! I wouldn't even be here if she'd had her way!" the miko exclaimed, crossing her arms in what was undoubtedly a pout.
"I know, Kagome. And under normal circumstances, I wouldn't really consider a proposition from her," Mama murmured, her soft brown eyes staring imploringly at her eldest child, "But this is different. Your grandpa and I have been trying to get you enrolled into a new school, but no one is willing to take you now. You've been through so many already, and with your record the way it is..." She trailed off and Kagome finally was beginning to understand the situation.
"So, what do I do? I mean, I don't really care if I go back to school," the miko shrugged, biting her cheek when her mother gave her a distressed look. Kagome sighed inwardly and continued in a sullen voice. "Is she still going to make you marry some stuffed shirt?"
Mama laughed and shook her head. "No, sweetie. She's offering to pay for you to go to a private school. Her stipulations are that you can't get kicked out or flunk out or you'll have to pay the tuition back to her. You have to keep your grades up, Kagome. The tuition is not something to scoff at."
"A private school?!" Kagome spluttered, a flabbergasted expression on her face, "With those snotty rich bastards!"
"Kagome!"
"It's true! Why would I want to go there?!"
"If you can graduate from either St. Lobelia or Ouran Academy, you'll have so many doors opened to you!" Mama went on excitedly, her eyes sparkling with hope, "You might even be able to get a scholarship to America and be able to visit your friend Shippo there!"
Kagome stopped to consider the idea. It was true that Shippo lived permanently in America. To be able to afford a way there was near impossible for her right now. But...
"... All right. I'll go. But if she thinks this means she can control me, she's got another thing coming," the dark-haired girl growled, flushing when her excited mother hugged her.
"I promise you won't regret this, Kagome! This is a wonderful opportunity for you!"
'I can't believe I just agreed to this torture,' the miko groaned inwardly.
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