Disclaimer: I don't own, so you don't sue.
By: Fire Chyranthemum
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Souta and Kagome were sparring like usual. They had grown accustomed to the daily patterns of life they had here in Tomoeda. They effortlessly swung their blades about, clanging as they made impact. Neither aimed to kill but they were completely serious. Souta smirked when Kagome stopped to breathe.
"Not getting old now are we, nee-chan?" he teased. Kagome pouted and then scowled, raising her blade and bringing it crashing down on Souta's.
"You do realize that my blade is heavier?" Kagome defended, neatly parrying his attack. She sidestepped elegantly and knocked the blade out of his hand with the butt of her sword. She cleaned the katana dutifully, though there was no blood. Souta mimicked her action and sat down with his own sword. They polished at the handle and blade until they were satisfied. Kagome wasn't satisfied though until the blade gleamed a wicked silver in the light and she could clearly see her reflection gazing back at her. She sheathed her blade and placed it on her stand. Any visitors would have believed it to be just ornamental. She snorted. What was the point of keeping a weapon you can't use? It just helps the intruders and enemies.
"So nee-chan, what's for eating?" Souta asked casually, "I wouldn't mind some Sukiyaki right now... mm mmm. Or maybe Shabu-Shabu? Something hot and meaty– What was that?" he broke off from his usual banter of food and raised his head. He ran into another room. Kagome lifted her own head. There were undercurrents of magic thrumming through the air and its pulsing made Kagome's head throb. She sighed and got up. She donned a white haori and black hakamas. Walking into her closet, she was playing eeny-meeny-miny-mo. The bow or the staff? She shut her eyes. Catch a tiger by the toe, eeny-meeny-miny-miny...
"HURRY UP SIS!" Souta hollered, already in his white haori and black hakamas, clutching a bow and a quiver of arrows slung over his shoulder. Mo. The staff. Kagome grabbed her staff and exited the house, locking the door securely behind her. She and Souta ran all the way to the park, where the magic was flowing from. They decided to hide up in the trees as to not be seen. Kagome watched from her perch as an ethereal looking woman flew into view. She was glowing, a soft violet that matched her skin tone. Not noticing Kagome or Souta, she looked around and spun. Sakura Kinomoto, wearing a rather cute costume burst through the bushes below them, brandishing a pink staff. Tomoyou Daidouji and Syaoran Li were right behind her, Tomoyou with a camera and Syaoran with a short sword.
The aubergine woman was a frightening sight as she let out a snarl and hurled hail at Sakura. She threw a card up in the air sprouted wings taking off into the center of the park, her entourage hot on her heels, as well as her enemy. Kagome then noticed the other two of her team.
Their auras shimmered with magic, so Kagome assumed that they were magical beings of some sort. The first was an elegant, regal tawny furred, winged lion. His roar was fierce. The other made Kagome catch her breath in her throat.
Kami, he was beautiful. He had long snow white hair that shimmered and hung in a loose ponytail down his back. He wore all white with hints of blue and perry winkle at his cuffs and collars. He had stunning silver eyes, framed by long black lashes as dark as Kagome's hair. A pale pointed face and the nicest lips Kagome had ever seen. He ran to the other children and carried them off, majestic snowy wings sweeping the air around. His companion, the lion, took to the sky himself. Sakura and the Ice Woman were in the air now, battling it out furiously. Icy kept throwing crystals of ice at Sakura, who was dodging them. She summoned something named Fiery and a woman made of red hot flames kept the cold woman at bay. Sakura landed on the ground and her wings vanished. She summoned Sword and Kagome had to admire the shining sword. Sakura dispelled Fiery and her and Icy were battling it out on the ground now. Icy had stunned Sakura's companions, leaving them immobile except for their heads. They shouted encouragements and Kagome was dragged back into the past for a minute, reminded of her times in the Sengoku Jidai. Sakura was having difficulties at fighting now, her stamina greatly weakened and her endurance slowly giving out. Just as Icy shot another crystal at Sakura, this time an enormous one with a deadly sharp point, Souta decided to step in. Carefully, he nocked his bow and sent a shaft whizzing by Sakura's ear and splitting through the hurtling ice. It glowed blue and deadly as it hit home. It struck Icy in the chest, its power radiating in waves. Souta had not used any of his holy powers, but the amount of Spirit Energy in the arrow was enough to momentarily cripple the woman. She cried out and the lion yelled, "NOW!"
Sakura held her wand at the ready. She struck at the ground and a circle of magic appeared under her. "Return to your power confined! ICY!" and she struck at the glowing rectangle. The woman was sucked into the card, and the card turned pink, with little detailing of yellow stars on it. Her companions rushed up to her.
"Thanks for shooting that arrow," she thanked the angelic being weakly before collapsing into his arms. He held her gently and turned to his companions. He looked slightly pensive.
"Who fired that arrow?" he wondered aloud. "There was enough energy in it to assume it was a strong being." Kagome and Souta decided to hightail it, dropping silently from the tree and beginning to run. The other group had not noticed them. Whew.
Snap! Souta had crunched down on a twig. Cursing their bad luck, they ran even faster, casting glamours on themselves to not be seen. All Yue glimpsed was the girl's long, dark hair.
"Who were they?" Yue asked Tomoyou, Syaoran and Kero out loud. They shook his head. They too, had no idea.
Meanwhile, the Higurashis made it back to their home. They collapsed tiredly on their floor. "Wow, I had no idea Sakura-chan was a sorceress," Kagome said. Souta nodded, "Ditto." They sat there for a little while longer.
"I'm going to change," Kagome told him, "Then I'll cook dinner. How's Shabu Shabu sound?"
"Great!" Souta enthused. "But Kagome, won't that make Sakura a big target?"
"Shabu Shabu?" Kagome asked, non plussed.
"No! Her being a sorceress!" Souta rolled his eyes, "I mean, after all, the darkness can sense this sort of stuff can't they?"
"Aye," Kagome said, nodding sagely, "We'll have to keep a vigilant watch."
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Dinner was, as usual, a delicious affair. Souta munched contentedly on the beef. Kagome said nothing during dinner, looking absentminded.
"What's up Nee-chan?" Souta asked curiously. Kagome blushed a bit and stopped her musings.
"I'm just wondering who the guy with wings was," Kagome told him vaguely. Souta thought for a moment. Then he decided to add his own cheeky remark.
"Hey, I thought you like Tsukishiro-sempai!" Souta said. Kagome glared at him.
"Tsukishiro and I are just good friends," Kagome told him frostily, emphasizing the word friend. Souta snickered, "HEY! I'm serious here!" she wailed dramatically, waving her hands about. Souta smiled and nodded almost patronizingly.
"Like you and Sesshoumaru?" Souta said jokingly, though he knew that once the stoic lord and his sister had weird affections for each other. Kagome's eyes dulled and she clammed up immediately. Souta cursed himself for his stupid loose tongue. The silence grew awkward and tense.
"I'm going to bed," Kagome said automatically, rising from her seat and putting her dishes away. She walked mechanically to the sink and washed her dishes, dried them and put them in the correct cupboards. Souta looked torn, not knowing whether to call her back or give her space. He watched her walk up the stairs, soundless as a ghost.
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Kagome walked silently into her room. Turning on her lamp, she reached under her bed, groping for her black leather-bound diary. She opened the diary and flipped to the latest page.
Dear Diary,
Souta mentioned Sesshoumaru today. It's so weird. When we were living in Tokyo on the Shrine, I would have come up to have a good cry after I get reminded. Now, I got that familiar twinge, but it doesn't hurt as much. I've been so happy here in Tomoeda, even if I've only been here for maybe about a month.
I've been having so much fun hanging out with Nakuru, Touya and Yukito. Nakuru and Touya remind me of Sango and Miroku except this time, it's the girl being all touchy-feely. But it's fun to watch and good to laugh with them. Touya reminds me of Inuyasha a bit though. His rough demeanor but he's a total softie. Nakuru is so light hearted and she is really bold. Yukito is a totally different matter though. He's sweet and quiet, with such intelligent olive eyes. He's so perceptive about everything except feelings. Then he becomes as dense as a rock. I don't think he even notices the fifteen girls in our class making cow eyes at him. I like to hear him laugh and talk, his melodic voice always seems to fit the mood.
Goddess! There I go again! I always start talking about my dear friends from S.J. but then I immediately wander off and talk about my new friends in Tomoeda. Sometimes I feel like I'm betraying them by moving on with my life. I miss my baby Shippou so much and little Rin too. I wonder how many kids Sango and Miroku had and if there are any of the descendants nearby. And Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru. Has Sesshie-kun fallen for some beautiful demoness yet? And Kouga and Ayame? Did they have pups? Are they all living happily. Demons are immortal creatures that can only die of wounds and battles after all, so where are they? Did they forget about me?
Kaggie
Kagome stuffed her diary quickly back under her bed when she heard Souta's footsteps. It sounded like he had paused by her room for a moment. She held a breath. She didn't really want to talk about anything yet. Ichi...Ni...San...Shi...Go...Roku...Shichi...Hachi...Kyu...Ju... She sighed in relief when she heard his footsteps continue. She crawled under her covers and went to sleep.
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Kagome opened her eyes blearily. Two pots were clanging above her head. She looked up and Souta's grinning face swam into view. "Wakie Wakie, Eggs and Bakie!" Souta said in a singsong voice. Kagome turned over, mumbling as she did. "What was that, dear sister?" Souta asked innocently.
"I said," Kagome said gruffly, "Souta, if you wish to live, run now." She sat up, her long black hair curtaining her face, eerily reminding Souta of Kyoko from The Grudge. She slanted a look at him, warning enough. He fled like the hounds of hell were chasing him. She chuckled dryly, turning over and trying to fall back asleep. She turned again. Aww hell, no point in going back to sleep now. She had school anyway. Yawning, she headed for the washroom. She let the water cascade as her brain slowly awoke. Awoke... at 8:00! Crap! School! She ran out of the washroom clad in her towel and with the speed of probably a full fledged adult demon, she got ready for school and ran to it.
She heard the tolling of the school bell as she was walking up to the gate, now short of breath and flushed. She quickened her pace and fell back with a bit of force as she smacked into a tall somebody. She saw the person feel around for their glasses and when she saw a ghostly pale hand grab the square glasses she looked up and realize that it was Yukito she had bumped into.
"Sorry about that," he apologized, "I have a habit of not watching where I go." He held his hand out for her and she grasped it firmly and hauled herself up. She smiled at him widely.
"Hey Yukito-chan!" Kagome said softly in her rich alto voice. Yukito grinned at her and replied with a small good morning. She and he walked to their first class, strolling in minutes before the teacher.
"Well, good morning you two. Where have you been this morning?" Touya asked, keeping his voice neutral. Kagome blushed slightly pink.
"What are you implying, Kinomoto?" she asked in a creepy deadpanned voice. He flinched but kept up his teasing.
"Why, anything of course," he said, a grin spreading on his face. She pouted and turned her back on him with a hmph! Nakuru took this as an opportunity to add her good news.
"But Kaggie-chan! If you date Yukito-chan, then we can all be couples together and do double dates and stuff!" Nakuru told her. Kagome's jaw slackened and her eyes got round.
"YOU GUYS ARE DATING! KAMI-SAMA! HOW KAWAII! SINCE WHEN?" Kagome squealed delightedly. Touya winced as he listened to Kagome and Nakuru chatter endlessly. Yukito laughed softly at their antics and Kagome froze and stopped talking.
"What's so funny, Yuki-chan?" Kagome asked Yukito, hoping to draw him into a conversation. He smiled easily at her and she felt her stomach flip flop.
"Nothing, Kaggie-chan," Yukito told her, and Kagome and Nakuru resumed their conversation, but something stuck at the back of her mind. His silvery laughter and calm, quiet voice. Where had she heard that voice? A fleeting recollection of snowy wings made Kagome's eyes widened. No way.. It couldn't be...right?
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Souta was in class again, his head resting on one of his arms propped up on the table. He watched as Syaoran and Sakura were talking, Syaoran desperately trying to hold the conversation while Sakura was completely oblivious. Souta smirked. It was all too obvious the way Syaoran acted around Sakura. Thankfully, she didn't seem to have an interest in him. Well, Souta hoped not. He felt something for Sakura, though he wasn't exactly sure yet.
Meanwhile, Tomoyou was trying to draw Souta into a conversation of their own. He gave her brief replies, either hai or iie. She slowly began wearing him down until Souta felt his self control slip and he said as calmly as he could, "Listen Tomoyou... I'm not in the mood for talking. How about we sit for lunch and you can ask all the questions you want then okay?" His voice had undercurrents of tiredness and annoyance. Nobody caught that except for one being. Urahara clenched his fist tightly. Sakura got more into the conversation between her and Syaoran.
Kero, who had been sitting in her backpack all along was quietly mulling things over. Obviously, Urahara-san liked Tomoyou who liked Souta who liked Sakura but Syaoran also liked Sakura. Plus, Souta would be a liability to Sakura because he was a normal human. But he was nicer than Syaoran and who was Kero to deny Sakura the right to like a normal guy? Well, above normal, with his natural good looks and excellent skill in everything. Hmm.. What to do, what to do...
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