Three…two…one….

I watched the hands of the clock hit the 2 as the last bell rang, signaling the end of school for the day and the beginning of visitation hour. I got up from my maple oak desk and gathered my books grinning at Ayame as I made my way towards her through the throng of uniform clad girls eagerly making their way down to the main grounds.

"So…. How was it?" Ayame chirped happily

Someone had a bottle of perky this morning. I gave her a confused look. What was she talking about? She herself knew that Professor Kaede's lectures were always a hit. All of her stories about things we couldn't see that could very well exist. Ghosts, magic, miracles, guardian angels, demons…

Vampires.

Professor Kaede's philosophy class was always so popular it was almost impossible to get in it. My mother, who attended the school when she was my age, knew this and was able to get me in before I was even born! I think….

Sango, however, was here on a scholarship didn't make it in time to get into the class.

I pursed my lips. It was probably for the best. She'd just poke fun of it anyway. She was more interested in fitness and her Kendo lessons.

"Sorry?" I breathed out, "I don't know what you mean."

Ayame giggled. "The book silly!"

I cleared my throat loudly, "Oh, that. Yeah. I finished it last night, it was pretty good!"

A small sound of shock fell from her lips.

"You finished it in a day?!"

I shrugged my shoulder, "Yeah, I was up a bit late though. No big deal."

Ayame just shook her head, her red curls dancing like a fire around her heart shaped face.

"Geeze Kags, I knew you were a book worm, but not a speed reader too!"

I allowed myself to blush and made my way to the door, the wooden floorboards creaking slightly under my feet.

"Thanks Aya-."

I ran into something warm and soft.

"Professor Kaede!" I gasped, stumbling backwards. "I'm so sorry!"

The elderly woman straightened and smoothed out her blouse calmly. Her long gray hair slightly mussed.

"No need to worry, Miss Higurashi. I am not harmed." She warbled in her deep voice.

I straightened my back, relieved.

"Oh thank goodness! I really enjoyed you lecture today!" I complimented, changing the subject inconspicuously. Or at least, I hoped it was.

The aforementioned professor nodded in thanks, her gaze shifting to Ayame who was making her way to where I stood.

"I could tell you enjoyed my lesson Miss Higurashi. You did not fall asleep this time."

Was I imagining it or was there a faint twinkle in her eye?

Ayame snorted, holding back a guffaw that surely would have burst from her chest.

I gave my professor a sheepish look, my ears flaming up in embarrassment.

Stupid ears! The one weakness that I can't control!

"Well… uh, I uh, have been having trouble getting to sleep lately..." I stuttered stupidly.

I held back the urge to bang my head against the nearest wall. Stupid! Stupid! Keep the problems to yourself! Attention just brought rumors. I definitely didn't need to have the school's shrink chasing after me, trying to delve into my nightmares. Wait, excuse me, I meant "guidance councilor."

I missed the look that flashed through Professor Kaede's eyes.

I caught the confused gaze of Ayame and smiled weakly at her, trying to appear unfazed.

"I see." Kaede stated. "It is from the nightmares that have been plaguing you, am I correct?"

My mouth had a free-fall to the floor.

How had she?

I squirmed uncomfortably, "Yes, professor."

Her intelligent baby blues rested on my downcast face.

"Miss Higurashi, may I ask when these nightmares began?"

I scuffed the toe of my shoe and looked up to meet her inquisitive gaze.

"Three months ago…"

Professor Kaede looked at me sharply. "Am I correct to believe that they began when you first started attending Shikon Academy?"

I felt my heart sink. How could she know this? I hadn't told a soul. Not even Sango.

"Yes professor, but I'm curious. How did you know this? I haven't really mentioned it anyone, because it's not that big of a deal."

Kaede smiled at me, but it seemed to be forced, unnatural.

"Your roommate Sango thought it would be wise to mention it to me. She is very concerned for you Kagome."

I tried not to allow my shock to display on my face. Sango? How did she know? I tried my hardest to keep it from her, knowing it would cause her to worry. Pointless it seemed.

"No need to worry Miss Kagome, after all, they are just dreams." Kaede reassured me, but why did I have a strange sense of foreboding instead of comfort well up inside?

I forced a smile and nodded, "Thanks Professor. Sorry again for running into you."

She waved my apology away with a flick of her hand.

"No harm done, now off with you! You and Miss Oniyuri should be down at visitation like the other girls!"

I glanced at Ayame noticing she was still giving me a weird look. I felt sweat begin to build up underneath my bangs. Was she going to make me explain this conversation to her? Judging from the determined look in her eyes, it probably was a definite yes.

Sigh.

We began to make our way out the large oak door when Professor Kaede called out my name. I turned slowly, the feeling of foreboding creeping up my spine like a spider.

"Be careful in your endeavors today Miss Higurashi." Her voice rang out.

My endeavors? Did she over hear my conversation with Sango about wading in the reflection pool…? Naw, she couldn't have. Then why was she obviously warning me about something? I mentally shrugged. She was old. Really old. It'd be best to excuse her.

"Oh, okay. Thanks professor."

I turned and bolted through the door, Ayame hot on my heels.

"What was that about? Is it true you've been having nightmares? Ayame questioned as we scampered down the hallway and veered off into another.

"I haven't the foggiest idea. The nightmares are happening, but it really isn't that big of a deal. Everyone has nightmares."

I wondered though, if mine were normal. They were extremely graphic…. I pulled back from the thoughts. I didn't want to rehash my dreams. They were too disturbing.

My breath was beginning to come out in short puffs as I struggled to keep up with Ayame. Man! I needed to work out more!

Ayame remained silent as we made our way closer to the main grounds. I began to fall back hesitantly.

Kouga.

The overzealous git wouldn't leave me alone despite my desperate actions. We'd barely met two months ago while I was going on one of my escapades of boredom and entertainment. But with my extremely crappy luck, it ended up with me falling off the third floor and into the arms of a surprised and very pleased Kouga Yamazaki. From then on he declared my lack of balance and extreme sports as "fate" that had brought us miraculously together. And when I say together, I mean together. As in, he won't leave my side whenever visitation rolls around with Feudal Academy. It's endlessly annoying, but in a weird over-obsessed kind of way…cute.

But that didn't mean that I liked him

Oh heavens no!

The large and flowery monologues he'd recite to me about fate, love, and destiny- reminded me of the nerdy guy from that movie: Back to the Future- constantly gave me a headache and were almost identical to Sango's latest conquest- I mean punching bag: Miroku. I rubbed my temples feeling a migraine coming on.

"Are you okay Kags?"

I looked up into concerned jade green eyes.

"I'm fine Ayame, absolutely chipper."

I heard a small feminine sigh.

"It's Kouga-Senpai isn't it?"

I looked up again, startled at the sound of sadness laced into her usually perky voice. The energetic redhead took my silence as confirmation and looked down at her brown shoes identical to my own.

"Why do you dislike him so Kagome? Kouga-Senpai is really very sweet."

I took a small step back as a light blush began to develop on my friend's cheeks.

What the?

Then realization fell like a bucket of cold water onto my head. Ice cold. Frigid.

Oh, no! No way!

Ayame? Kouga!? I withheld the urge to gag, or worse, laugh. How could Ayame be fooled by Kouga's cheesy grins and languid flowery words?

"Ayame…Do you like Kouga?"

The blush that tinted her cheeks darkened in shade.

"Well, uh. He is really sweet and very handsome." Ayame replied shyly.

I couldn't seem to stop gaping at her despite my internal attempts. Today just got a whole lot weirder.