Chapter two – Schooling?

Kagome slowly looked around, gaining her first impression of the large home. The grand foyer was filled with majestic furnishings and a beautiful chandelier. Kagome was impressed at her family's wealth.

"Kagome you'll be staying in the spare room for the time being," her Aunt started, "and when we sort out your schooling, we'll see where it goes from there. Come now, into the tea room where your cousins are waiting." Her Aunt finished with a happy smile.

Kagome was led through a beautiful arched doorway and into a room off to the side. As the three family relatives entered they were greeted with the smiles and happy faces of Kagome's cousins.

"Kagome I'm sure you remember Harumi, Natsuru, Akira and Fuyuki." Her Uncle pointed to his children as he spoke their names.

Kagome nodded, "Of course I remember!"

"Kagome!" her youngest cousin Fuyuki was the first to jump from her seat and leap into Kagome's arms. It seems her she'd made an impression on her cousin the last time they'd met.

Her cousin Natsuru soon rose from her seat and joined Kagome and Fuyuki in the hug. As she was surrounded by her female cousins, Kagome thought that perhaps a large family was what she needed again. A large smile grew upon her face.

"Come now dears!" Aunt Nanami stated, "It's getting quite late and dinner should be ready to eat now."

Kagome and her family walked towards the dining room.

"Kagome, your cousins have come home from school for the weekend to be here to meet you. Harumi and Natsuru are attending Akotama College in the next city and Akira and Fuyuki each go to the best boarding schools around." Aunt Nanami never seemed to stop speaking.

"Yes Kagome, I'm in my first year! I'm studying finance. It's really interesting so far. What do you think you'll study in college?" Her cousin Natsuru questioned.

"Eh," Kagome thought hard before answering, "I think I'd like to study something I'm interested in. Right now I'm not so sure, but I do love kendo and history lessons!"

"Ahh! Kendo!?!" Fuyuki exclaimed.

Kagome blushed and lowered her head, "Yes."

"Why would you play such a sport? Won't you get hurt? I don't want you to get hurt Kagome!"

"Fuyuki!" her Uncle scolded, "Your cousin is allowed to choose her own hobbies, just like you are. I personally think kendo is very good and creates lots of inner and outer strength."

"Ye-es dad."

The family sat at the dining table, Uncle Hidetoshi at the head and everyone else in order of age.

Kagome ended up between her cousins Akira and Fuyuki.

The dinner was not a formal affair and the family seemed comfortable enough around her that they talked openly amongst themselves. Fuyuki in particular kept dragging her into conversation. Kagome could only laugh at the twelve-year-old's interest in her handsome male classmate.

Fuyuki was drawn into a conversation with her mother and Kagome was left to her thoughts. It was at times like this, surrounded by many happy people that she felt the depression really hit.

It was only ten days ago that Kagome had lost her second family. They'd fought so hard. When it was finished, she was surprised by the loss. She hadn't even noticed her friends Sango and Miroku die. She'd given Naraku the final blow when he'd killed Shippo mercilessly and by that time, it was too late for anyone else. She'd made it home only to be in a deep depression for the last few days. So it had come as a surprise when her mother told her she needed new scenery.

"Kagome?" she was shaken from her thoughts by her cousin Akira, "Kagome are you alright?"

She blinked the tears out of her eyes that had somehow broken through twice in one day and looked around the table. Every single pretty face was looking at her in concern.

"I'm fine Akira." Kagome plastered a bright smile upon her face and turned to the boy next to her, "How are you?"

Akira frowned slowly. "I'm good Kagome." And he turned back to his plate, mind in contemplation.

Dinner was finished in silence and soon Kagome found herself following her Uncle Hidetoshi into his study. Her uncle pulled out a large manila folder with 'Higurashi, Kagome' stamped on the front.

'Oh gosh, school records!' for some reason Kagome became anxious.

"Now Kagome," her Uncle started, "You don't have a particularly good school record and Fuyuki's boarding school has rejected our request for your attendance. Nanami sent five requests in total and your attendance has been rejected from four of those."

"Hmm, I didn't think my illnesses would have such a bad influence on my school work." She muttered to the room.

"Never the less, one school has accepted. Though there is a slight, ah, problem that has come up."

Kagome looked at her suddenly nervous Uncle.

"The school which has accepted your enrolment is Fujimori."

They sat in silence for a moment as the school name ran through Kagome's mind.

"Ah! That's the school Akira attends isn't it?"

Her uncle coughed and stuttered his reply, "Well, yes, yes it uh, it is."

Kagome smiled brightly, "Well that's good! I'll have at least one friendly face"

Uncle Hidetoshi sweatdropped, "You're fine with this?"

Kagome nodded her head happily as her uncle sighed. Well then, I'll collect Akira to take you to your room."

Uncle Hidetoshi left the room and returned only minutes later.

"Now Akira, make sure Kagome knows her way around the hallways. We don't want her to get lost on the way to the bathroom do we?" her Uncle asked rhetorically.

Shaking his head, Akira motioned for Kagome to follow him.

They walked at a leisurely pace towards the room Kagome would be staying in. As Kagome took in all the interesting paintings, furnishings and rooms of the house, her cousin remained uncharacteristically silent.

Akira stopped in front of a carved wooden door, fitted with a simple golden handle, much like any other door in the house.

"This is where you'll be staying. I hope the bed is comfortable enough for you."

"Ahh, it should be fine. Thanks Akira!" Kagome appreciated the simple elegant design of the room and she felt a bit of serenity return to her.

As she entered the room, she felt a gentle hand on her arm.

"Kagome," her cousin started as she turned to face him, "I don't want to pry but you should talk about your feelings to someone. Life is precious and you have to take it in your palms and treasure what you have left. You can't live eternally in sadness, because you won't really be living at all. I'm here if you need to talk."

Akira wandered down the hall and Kagome's heart and mind felt lighter.

'Thankyou.' She thought in silent reply.

……………………………………

Word Count: 1145

First and foremost, I'm trying to portray Kagome's depression and sadness at having lost all her friends. This will soon change as Kagome finds love. For the purposes of this fanfic, Sakamoto-sama also boards at Fujimori. In the next chapter Kagome will make it to Fujimori, but I tried to show the trust slowly build between the cousins Kagome and Akira.

Poll will close with the unveiling of the fourth chapter. Results so far:

Kagome/Tohru = 1
Kagome/Yuujiro = 2
Kagome/Tohru/Yuujiro = 7

Review?