Chapter Two: The Taste of Ink

Sango squinted her eyes and turned as the sunlight beamed on her face through the curtains. She sat up and yawned before getting to her feet. Morning in Tokyo seemed more peaceful. She went to the sink to brush her teeth and wash her face, then took a shower. She dressed in ripped jeans, a white shirt, and a pair of vans. She brushed her hair out and then tied it back carefully. Today she would go to rent an apartment. Sango tucked her money into her pocket and walked out of her room. She couldn't help but looking around to see if a crazed father would be running towards her. Once feeling safe, she walked past the parking lot and onto a sidewalk. This would be hard. Tokyo was a big city to just be roaming around in without a clue of where she was going. She turned a corner and walked into a coffee shop, unsuccessfully resisting the sweet smell. Sango sat down at a small table and looked up to see a waitress walk over to her.

"Hi, what can I get you today?" she asked.

"Just a latte please," Sango said.

"Comin' right up," she said nicely.

Sango nodded and looked out the window. She saw a girl with raven hair walk in wearily and take a seat at the table opposite of her. She was dressed in a white and green uniform, looking as if she was going to school. Sango watched her but quickly looked away when she looked up. Sango could see out of the corner of her eye, the girl stand up and walk over to her. Sango looked up and smiled at the girl. She looked about her age and had deep brown eyes.

"Hi," the girl said. "Mind if I sit with you? I don't feel like being by myself right now."

"Um, sure go ahead," Sango said awkwardly. No one had ever asked to sit with her before.

"I'm Kagome, I haven't seen you at school before. Are you new?"

"Oh, well, not exactly. I haven't enrolled yet."

"Really? Did you just move here?" Kagome asked.

"Yeah, you could say that. I'm Sango by the way."

"Nice to meet you. Are your parents going to enroll you later on?"

"Uh, no, actually I'm on my own."

"On your own? How old are you?" Kagome asked surprised.

"16."

"I see, where are your parents?"

"...My mom died and I...ran away."

"Oh Sango, my mom would have a heart attack. Shouldn't you call?"

"Here you go hon," the waitress said handing her the latte.

"Thank you," Sango said handing her the money. "My dad won't care."

"Do you need a place to stay?" Kagome asked concerned.

"I'm at a motel right now but I'm going to rent an apartment."

"Well, I have a guest room at my house. Maybe you'd like to stay there?"

"I don't want you to get in trouble or-"

"Trust me, my mom would be happy to have you there."

"Are you sure?" Sango asked hesitantly.

"Positive, come on. I'll take you there right now. If your not busy."

"No, I'm not."

"Do you mind if we go get my stuff?"

"Not at all," Kagome replied.

Sango took her cup and walked outside wit her nervously. Her first friend had already offered her a place to stay, this could work out. Sango lead her to the motel room and unlocked the door. She went in and packed her toothbrush before getting her things. Kagome helped her with her suitcase and the two walked out again. Sango followed her down another street as she was lead to her home. Sango gasped at how big her home was. Kagome opened the back door and was greeted by an older women. Kagome then turned to Sango and introduced her. Sango turned red and shook the woman's hand.

"Well your welcomed to stay here," her mother said.

"Thank you," Sango said.

"Of course. Kagome's friends are always welcomed here."

"Mom, could you help to enroll her at my school?" Kagome asked.

"Sure."

"Come on Sango, I'll take you to the room."

Sango smiled at her mother and then went up to the room. A bed and dresser was sitting in there along with a nightstand. Sango laid her bag down on the bed and looked around amazed. Kagome's house was paradise compared to Sango's. Kagome smiled eagerly at her and showed her around the house. Later, the three girls got into Mrs. Higurashi's car and drove off to the school. They arrived about 15 minutes later and parked. Sango walked with Kagome into the school and then into the office. The registration was shortly finished and Sango was placed in Kagome's homeroom. Sango paid for a some uniforms, received her locker and her books.

"Welcome," Kagome said happily.

"Now, school will start in about 10 minutes. Do you want to change and go ahead and start today?"

"Um, sure," Sango said.

She walked down the hall with Kagome and entered the girls' locker room. She changed into her uniform and folded her clothes neatly. She held them in her arms and walked down the hall to a classroom. She placed her books and clothes inside before taking a seat next to Kagome. No one had given her any dirty looks, no one was whispering about her, nothing. Maybe things wouldn't be so bad here afterall. She wasn't sure about starting school again but it was worth a shot. Kagome had already showed her that people weren't too judgemental around here. Yet she was still worried. Worried about being picked on for things that weren't her fault. Sango sighed and looked at the cheery friend she had just met. If she had a little faith she could probably get through the year.