Chapter 3: Stranger by my Bed

Naoke ran her brush through her long black hair, staring at herself in the mirror with her very light brown eyes. Ever since she had woke up she thought back to during the night when the stranger had touched her cheek. She placed her brush back on her desk and come to the conclusion that it was all a dream and not worth discussing.

Later that same day-

"So you're mom wont talk to you about whatever it is," Naoke's friend Emi asked as they sat for lunch at school.

"No," Naoke said getting a bite of her sandwich, "all she does when I mention my past or anything she changes the subject, I don't know, she's keeping something from me and that's all I know."

Naoke grabbed another bite from her tray to eat, "I've even tried talking to her about my father, that's when she really avoids the topic," she shook her head.

"Maybe your dad's a psycho," Emi replied half teasing.

Naoke snorted sarcastically, "I don't know, I've never met him."

Emi was surprised, like it was the most abnormal thing, "Really, ever?"

Naoke just shook her head as she got a drink.

"Wow," Emi said, "you know there's ways to look up who your father is," she told her taking a sip of her own drink.

 Naoke froze and looked at her friend, "What?"

"Yeah, I knew this other girl who didn't know her father either and she went to the library and kept researching until she finally found out, worked for her," Emi shrugged as she finished.

Naoke thought about this then shook her head, "No, I'm going to try and talk to my mom again."

"I don't know," said Emi, "she seems set on keeping you from knowing anything about him."

After school as soon as Naoke got home she dropped her bag by the front door and entered the living room to find her mom and grandmother sitting on the couch having herbal tea and chatting. She was a little surprised to see her mother home because wherever she went she would go during school time.

"Mom, can I talk to you," Naoke asked.

Kagome looked at her mother and she nodded that it was a good idea before getting up and leaving. Kagome smiled and patted the sofa for her to join her.

Naoke took a deep breath before sitting beside her then she turned to her, "Mom, please tell me about dad and where you go when I'm not here, like are you going to see him?"

Kagome looked a little stunned, what was with all the questions?

"I told you that I like going out sometimes," Kagome answered.

While she tried covering up Naoke shook her head and closed her eyes disappointingly, "No, that's not what I meant, I know you're keeping something from me and I want to know what."

Kagome bit her bottom lip, a nervous habit she had come across over the years, "Sweetie, you know I love you and everything I do is to protect you, so just drop it," she gave her a stern look.

Naoke frowned slightly, not knowing how to respond.

Kagome casually got up and walked into the kitchen to leave a totally confused Naoke sitting on the couch in ponder.

'Was she trying to protect me from my father,' Naoke thought.

That night Naoke had the same dream again where all she saw when she woke up was something red escaping her window and she was beginning to get a little freaked now. This was no dream, she had concluded this time.

Naoke hurried downstairs the next morning, her bag slung over her shoulder, she was going to be late for school.

"Good morning dear, would you like breakfast," her mother greeted her downstairs.

"No thanks I'm late," she was almost to the door, hearing her grandmother tease to her mother about how she was so much like her, but then she remembered her dream. She suddenly stopped and saw her mother and grandmother stop laughing and looking confused at her for her sudden hesitation.

"Mom, something weird has been going on, for the past two nights I've felt someone touch my cheek and for the past two nights when I wake up I see a blur of red and my window is opened and then I see nothing else strange afterwards, it's really weird," Naoke explained.

Kagome glanced at her mom, "Perhaps you've been stressing because of the exams coming up and you're seeing things in your sleep."

Naoke nodded, that actually made since, she had been stressed with not only exams, but all the secrets.

And without another word, but just a wave, Naoke left the house.

Kagome let out a relieved sigh and looked at her mom with an annoyed look. She stomped off and grabbed her traveling bag before going to the door, "I'll be back mother," she told her with greeted teeth before leaving and heading straight for the family shrine. Kagome was so pissed that she didn't even close the front door.

Her mother watched as she got to the family shrine and slid the door back angrily. Kagome's mom sighed before going inside and closing the door. All this stress couldn't be good on them.

A/N: I know the chapters are short, sorry, sometimes that's just how I like doing things, but anyway, how was it, please review, thanks;) and yes Inuyasha will be in it more.