Ch 20

Like every other discussion they have had they sat around a fire. Kaede was sipping tea. Inuyasha gorging himself with cup noodles, while also bopping Shippou's little head. Kagome comforting a crying Shippou afterwards. Sango getting irritated with Miroku. And we all know what Miroku's was doing…

SMACK. "Hoshii-sama I have told you time and time again. Stop touching me!" Sango barked at him. He sat there holding his face with a pleased look.

"But dear Sango. There was a bug on you…" Kagome interrupted.

"And you were merely doing a good deed Miroku-sama?" She eyed him as he laughed nervously.

"Enough of this shit. What are we gonna do about the damn jewel?" Inuyasha just had to chime in.

"Well Kagome is the new protector of the jewel. She must follow through with her duties and keep it pure."

"But for how long? Not to be shallow but I do have life and plans for my future."

Everyone looked at each other. Ayumi sat in the corner keeping Shippou entertained.

"Well child, I really don't know what to say. Kikyou never got any farther." Kagome pouted. But inside she was jumping with joy. Well there's something Kikyou hasn't done. I finally have one up on her. Kagome came out of her thoughts and concentrated.

"Well maybe you can try to…make it disappear?" Ayumi took a shot in the dark. Everyone looked at her.

"That…isn't a bad idea. But how?" Kagome was pacing now.

"Kagome-sama. Can't you make a wish on it? Isn't that what Kikyou tried to do?" A grimace flashed through Inuyasha but only slightly.

"Remember how that ended!" Inuyasha yelled.

"Inuyasha. Please calm down." Inuyasha snorted and sat down. Kagome regained her composure and continued their brain storming.

"I got it!" Everyone looked at Kagome eagerly. "Well, what if we did make a wish on it…"

"Damn it Kagome we just went over that."

"I know, but let me finish. We could make a wish, but not for someone to change. Not a wish to be demon or human. Not even a wish that has to do with any of us…" She looked at everyone before continuing. "A wish to Midoriko. She is fighting a battle that still goes on. I think she deserves the end of the battle and a peaceful rest. Don't you?" Everyone looked around.

"Kagome-chan. That is so noble of you. I think it is a wonderful idea." Ayumi smiled to her friend. Sango nodded as did Miroku.

"Yes it does sound like a rather good idea."

"But have you thought it all the way through? The Shikon no Tama can manipulate what happens."

"But how do you know it will, Inuyasha? You never actually made a wish on it. I'm sure that if it is used purely it will not back fire." Kaede nodded.

"She is right. If used wisely it has no Side-effects." Kagome smiled widely.

"See! Now we need to figure out how to put the plan into action." Ayumi stood.

"Ah, Kagome do you think we can put that plan on hold? I have been here for almost a week. And we have a very important exam tomorrow. We haven't studied at all." Kagome tapped her finger on her lower lip.

"I see, okay. Everyone we will have to put the plan on hold. I will take the jewel with me so that the village wont be in danger. We will be back in 2 days." Kagome smiled to everyone and bowed slightly before her and Ayumi took off for the well.

PRESENT DAY

"Mama! We're back! Where are you?" Kagome ran into the kitchen and her mother was sitting at the table with Ayumi's mother.

"Okaa-san? Wha…what are you doing here?" She started to fidget under her mother's intense gaze. Her mother started to turn a light shade of red.

"Ayumi, don't even try that innocent act. It will not work. You have missed the whole week of school. And you decide to come home at the end of the week? What is this all about!"

"Taimashi-san please, it isn't her fault. I took her with me to my aunt's. I didn't expect to be this long. I am truly sorry. Please don't blame her." Kagome bowed deeply to her. This explanation seemed to calm the woman down a little, but not much.

"Well, I don't know what to say. I am not your mother there really isn't much I can say. I forgive you, but I do not want my daughter going there anymore." Kagome shot up.

"NO! Ur…I mean why? Couldn't she still go as long as it wasn't a week long trip? My aunt is really responsible and she just adores her."

"And vise versa." Ayumi raised her hand.

"So anyway, please don't shut her out please?" Kagome looked earnest. Ayumi's mother sighed.

"Fine, I will let it slip. BUT, if your grades slip the slightest bit. You will never see beyond the walls of our house again." She eyed Ayumi who nodded vigorously. Then she smiled. "So…was it fun?" Ayumi looked surprised but relaxed and the two girls sat down with their mothers.

After some mother/daughter time the girls went up to Kagome's room to study for the test they had the next day.

"So this is what it is like for you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well the rush for tests and cramming? How do you do it? There is no way I could keep my grades up so I can continue to go back. What am I going to do." Kagome started to laugh.

"Maybe we could wish for you to get good grades so you can keep coming." They both started to laugh. Then a large yawn came out of Kagome, almost causing her to fall off the side of her bed.

"Hm, I think it is time to go to bed. It's like almost 12 a.m."

Ayumi nodded and Kagome climbed into her bed and Ayumi crawled onto the cot Kagome's mother had set up.

In the morning Kagome's alarm went off to her dislike.

"Ugh…hmm." Kagome groaned as she sat up and stretched. "Ayumi…Ayumi, it's time to wake up." She didn't move. Kagome made an irritable growl and stood up with a pillow above her head. She made a very quick motion with the pillow smashing against Ayumi's back while saying. "Ayumi-WAKE UP!" SMASH.

"OUCH! Kagome-chan that hurt!" She sat up rubbing her back.

"Well, you wouldn't get up. We have the test today so we have to get up." Ayumi nodded disappointed.

After they were dressed they headed down to the kitchen to see Kagome's mother running around frantically.

"Mama?"

"Can't talk. I'm late. I still need to get Souta to school. I'm not gonna make it to work in time. Oh crap." Kagome raised her brows as her mother cursed.

"Mama. Ayumi and I can take him to school on our way." Her mother seemed to instantly relax.

"Okay, well I got to go then. There are pop tarts in the pantry. I'll see you after school." Kagome kissed her goodbye and watched as she rushed from the shrine.

Souta came down the stairs in a rush. "Nee-chan, where's mama?"

"She left. You're going to school with us. We'll drop you off on the way."

They ate their breakfast and left for school.

That afternoon

"Aw, Kagome-chan. That test was horrible."

"Oh yeah? Well I'm sure you probably got a better grade than me. You've been here for most of the review."

"Still, it isn't gonna be pretty." Kagome nodded to her friend. They ate a small meal and were off to the past.

A/N: I would like to correct myself referring to chapter three. Where it had mentioned Naraku had most of the jewel. And now they somehow get the whole thing without confronting Naraku. Well I made a small oops mentioning that. I will correct myself in that this story is taking place after Naraku is killed. And it is about 2 ½ years after Kagome and Inuyasha met. So I just wanted to point that out. If this doesn't make sense let me know and I will try to make sense of it.

So I hope you enjoyed this chapter and keep in touch for the next!