MC: Here's is the revision-ized Chapter 3 of TTYH. NO, I haven't forgotten about this story…I promise I haven't and will not give up, lol. I've just been so busy with writing other stories (I've already been battling on whether or not to post some up or not now) and school…oh, and working 30+ hours in one weekend EVERY weekend.

Anyway, the goal is to have every chapter revised and posted (there's 7 in all, I think), then I'll start posting more chapters. I'm up to chapter 11, but like I've mentioned before, I'd rather not post chapters up while the ones that are up now are a mess. Hope you enjoy!

…

Chapter Three

"Kagome, wake up!"

"Huh…wha?" Kagome groaned, rubbing her eyes as she sat up. "What time is it?"

Sakura sighed from her position in the doorway, her apron covered in flour, a rag in one hand and a golden-orange fox-like animal tucked under her other arm. "It's late. Get up, and take Shippo out. He's your responsibility." She tossed the animal onto the bed, ignoring Kagome's irritated sigh as she left her daughter to herself.

"Good morning, kit." Kagome cooed, scratching the fox's ears affectionately. "Did you have a good night?"

Shippo let out an odd purr, giving her finger a tickling nip before snuggling in to her lap. Kagome giggled, stroking the animal's soft fur before picking him up and sitting him to the side. She stood up, stretching as she moved towards the clothes her mother had picked out for her to wear. "Blue again? Geez, I need a new wardrobe."

"Kagome, hurry up and come help me with the chores!"

"Coming, Mama." Kagome called, sighing as she slipped on her blue kimono. "I can't wait until I'm out of this house."

Shippo let out something between a growl and a yawn, his bushy tail swishing back and forth as Kagome turned to face him, an emerald green piece of cloth in one hand and a bell in the other. "I bet you've been tired of being cooped up inside all the time. You wanna help me with my chores?"

Blinking, Shippo watched as Kagome laced the bell on the cloth, tying and expert knot with it before sliding it over his head and tightening it to were he could breathe, but it wouldn't slide off. "There. Come on, kit, let's go."

…

"Jaken, do not fail me."

Sesshoumaru glared at the squat man in front of him, watching as the servant bowed shakily before quickly turning, tripping over the hem of his cloak. As he rolled outside and out of view, Sesshoumaru sighed heavily, allowing his exterior mask to fall, replacing his normally blank expression with a frown. This is just too much. I don't need to be here training fat men who are out of shape… I want to fight. Father, why do you want to torture me so horribly?

…

"Oh, Kagome, I'm sorry about what happened the other day with the matchmaker."

"But you looked so beautiful!"

"I second that!"

Kagome sighed, staring out across the garden of her family's home. Next to her on the bench sat a male that was a little older than her, his pale skin almost too perfect to be a male's skin. He had on a fashionable deep purple haori and a hakama with lily blossoms embroidered on it. His hair was done up in a high-ponytail, and as he examined Kagome, he sighed, nudging her with his own shoulder. "Come on, Princess, cheer up. You know if anyone sees us sitting here like bumps on a log, they'll throw me out."

"How is it that you get to sit here with us, Jakotsu?" Eri asked, brushing away in invisible piece of lint on her kimono. She was sitting in front of Kagome on the ground, her legs tucked under her as she watched Jakotsu with interest. "I figured they'd have caught on by now."

"Oh, Miss Higurashi knows I'm not really here to court Kagome. The only one we have to act for is visitors and peeping neighbors."

"Kagome, please be happy." Yuka sighed, patting Kagome's knee. She was sitting in front of Jakotsu on the grass as well, her legs folded Indian style, not caring what she looked like. Kagome blinked, looking down at her friend. "Easy for you to say. You guys all have someone, and the matchmaker gave honor to your families."

"Oh, Kags, don't be like that." Jakotsu sighed, gently picking up a lock of Kagome's long hair before twirling it with his finger. "Just so you know, I had to go through a lot of trouble to look like a girl so I could get some honor. Mind you, my older brothers were furious with me, but hey, you can't help who you love."

"Wait, wait, hold up a minute." Eri looked up at Jakotsu with suspicion. "Were you the girl that Tsubaki loved so much that she decided to deem all of us after you matchable without even seeing us?"

"Yep! Wait." Jakotsu's eyes widened as Eri made a swipe at him with her fist, and he fell backwards off the bench with a squeal, causing Yuka and Kagome to laugh.

Suddenly there was the rhythmic sound of a drumbeat. The four looked up, and when the beats began to get faster, they all stood, looking at one another in alarm.

"Uh oh, better hurry home. See you later, Kagome!" Eri said in a hushed tone, and the trio took off, Kagome following behind them as a slower pace. When she reached the barn, she looked around the grounds, and when she saw no one around, she quickly climbed onto a nearby barrel, scaling the barn wall as she pulled herself onto the lower part of the roof.

As she carefully walked across the roof towards the wall, the last echoes of the drum faded in the distance. Kagome reached up for the wall, pulling herself up before balancing on the top of the wall with her elbows.

Three white imperial horses were in the middle of the street, with two imperial guards riding on two of the horses. In between them sat a rather ugly man with a tall, purple hat, the mark of the crescent moon embroidered on it. Kagome saw her mother, brother and grandfather appear out of the corner of her eye as they approached the gate.

Kagome felt her heart speed up as the ugly man slid off the horse, unrolling a large scroll as he surveyed the townspeople with a critical eye.

"Attention all people of Edo! The dark lord Naraku has returned!"

There were gasps and whispers that spread among the onlookers like wildfire. Kagome looked down at her grandfather, who was standing straight, his hand clenching his staff with a scowl on his face. Souta was noticeably trembling, looking like he was about to faint.

"By order of his highness, Lord Inu Taisho, one man from every family must sacrifice his life and join the imperial army!"

"No!" Kagome exclaimed softly, watching as her grandfather's face fell.

Souta was trembling even more now, all color drained from his face. Jii-chan turned, looking sadly up at him as he quietly said a few words.

No, Jii-chan, no! Kagome wanted to scream as she quickly turned, sliding down the roof before landing expertly on the ground. She quickly headed toward the cracked gate, where her mother was standing, holding in her sobs. She looked up as Kagome approached her, sliding between the crack as the man began calling out names.

"No, Jii-chan, what are you doing?" Kagome whispered harshly as young men from different families approached when their family name was called. Jii-chan just looked at her from over his shoulder, his brows furrowed slightly. As he began to say something, the air tensed when their name was called.

"The Higurashi Family."

Souta suddenly moved forward, stumbling along the dusty road over to where the guard was. As he was handed the scroll, Kagome felt her mind go blank and her body go numb. Her breathing became shallow as Souta passed back by her, his head hung low, refusing to look at her as he hobbled towards Sakura.

No…Souta…

…

MC: Fixed grammatical errors. I really didn't add or revise any sentences or paragraphs, because I am somewhat unfocused on this chapter for some reason. Hope you guys enjoyed!