Chapter Five
"Bad Morning With A Side of Surprise"
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Kagome stirred from her sleep and turned over in her bed. She could see a soft light behind her eyelids which meant her room curtains were pulled open. A soft groan mixed with a sigh escaped her lips and she put a hand to her forehead.
"Headache?" A voice across the room asked her.
"The worst." Kagome responded, eyes still shut with a frown on her face.
"You must be pretty hungover then. You did drink quite a bit." Ryoko said.
"What time is it?"
"8:45."
"I slept 15 minutes through my alarm? That's strange. I'd usually wake up when I hear it, no matter how tired I am."
"You would have if it was turned on. I figured you'd be feeling pretty bad this morning so I turned it off and was going to wake you at 9 so you'd still have time to get ready for class."
"I really appreciate it, but now I won't have time to grab any breakfast."
"Look."
Kagome cracked her eyes open a little and looked at Ryoko who was sitting cross-legged on her bed in yet another long dress and reading a book then to her own nightstand. There was a small bottle of orange juice, plastic eating utensils and a black lunchbox tied up with a red ribbon. On top of lunchbox was a small packet of 2 pills and a note tucked under one part of the bow-tied ribbon.
"Huh? What's this?" Kagome sat up and looked down at her clothes as her blanket fell to her waist. She had no recollection as to how she got home but she must have been pretty tired to skip putting on her pajamas.
She gave her eyes a few rubs and they fully adjusted to the morning light. Swinging her feet over the bed, she slid the note from under the ribbon and read it.
The pills are for your headache I'm more than sure you'll wake up with. It's not much but I made you breakfast. You should put something on your stomach as soon as you get up so you won't feel sick. See you around.
-Inuyasha
"Inuyasha?" Kagome looked at the items once more as she tried to remember what Inuyasha had looked like. An image of him scratching the back of his head as he smiled and blushed flashed through her mind. Oh, I remember. Sesshomaru's hanyou half-brother. "When did he drop this off?"
Ryoko turned a page in her book. "About twenty minutes ago, actually. He seemed a little worried about ya."
Kagome untied the red ribbon and set the pills asid. The lunchbox held steamed rice, yakizakana (grilled fish), natto, three cuts of tamagoyki (rolled omelet) and a medium-sized container of miso soup. "Wow, it looks pretty good." Not much, huh? This is a full course meal! I'm not complaining, though. She blinked a few times and looked to Ryoko who was paying no attention. "I'm sorry. I wouldn't feel right eating in front of you but I won't have time to go to the cafe."
Ryoko waved it off. "Kagome, stop being so modest. I don't eat anyway. Fun facts about me: I don't need to eat or breathe to survive. If I do eat, it's only for social reasons. I don't even have any taste buds." She informed.
"Really?" Kagome went wide-eyed. "But the things you consume still affect you?"
Ryoko shook her head. "Nope. Only alcohol and I can even control those effects of how much."
"That's really interesting, Ryoko."
"Mhm, now hurry and eat so you can get ready for you class." Ryoko urged.
Kagome put her food in the microwave her mother purchased and pulled out some jean capris and a nice thin green and white blended shirt with ruffles going down the middle. he would wear a spaghetti strap tank top underneath so her bra wouldn't be exposed. She went to her closet and fished some tan platform sandals from one of her shoe boxes to complete her look.
Her clock read 9am on the dot and she made note as she took the medicine Inuyasha provided her and removed her food from the microwave. Not exactly taking her time, Kagome rushed through breakfast, enjoying the savoring hint of spice of Inuyasha's cooking. Besides her own and Mrs. Higurashi's cooking, his had been some of the best she's ever had. This all worked well in her favor because once she was done she had twenty minutes to shower and get dressed so she would make it to class early.
She was able to shower quickly in the half empty girls bathroom and get back to her room once she was dressed and gather a few notebooks in case she had to take any notes on the first day. She didn't want to buy any textbooks yet just in case she didn't need them.
As quickly as her Computer Science class had started, it was over. The professor seemed a bit lazy about his teaching but he still gave an in depth description of his class and what he would be teaching. He passed out the class syllabi and dismissed everyone an hour early.
Kagome packed her notebook, folder and syllabus into her pastel green tote bag, which was a parting gift from her family and pulled out her cell phone as she stepped into the hallway. Just in case Ayeka's class was still in, she texted her.
I'll be out in 15. Meet me in the courtyard in the West wing of the school.
"Courtyard in the west wing." Kagome read Ayeka's reply. "I remember where that is." She smiled to herself, happy that Sango and Misao had taken their time to help her and show her around since she moved there.
It took no time for Kagome to reach her destination. The weather was fairly nice out and she found a bench to rest on. She looked into her bag and pulled out Sota's comic, never have finished it on the plane. "Might as well." She shrugged, turning to the pages her bookmark rested in between.
"I never really struck you for the comic book type." A friendly voice pulled Kagome's eyes from the book to a pair of smiling blue eyes. "Oh, I'm not, usually. Just thought I'd read something to pass the time. A parting gift from my kid brother back at home." She explained to Kaoru, closing the book. "Good morning." She smiled.
Kaoru smiled back. "Good morning. You're done with your first class already?"
Kagome nodded. "Yeah. Not much happened. I'm just waiting for Ayeka to meet me here now." She checked her watch. She had already been waiting for ten minutes.
"Oh, yeah. She's taking you to visit Lady Kaede." Kaoru remembered, looking to her right. "Well, here she comes now."
Kagome put the comic book away and stood as Ayeka quickly approached. "Good morning."
"Good morning, Kagome, Kaoru." She panted lightly. Kaoru returned her greeting. "I'm sorry. I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long." She apologized.
Kagome shook her head. "Not at all. You're right on time."
"Okay. You're coming, Kaoru?"
"Yeah, why not? My next class isn't until two with Lady Kaede."
The three girls started walking with Kagome in between Ayeka and Kaoru.
Kagome impulsively took out her schedule to check and see what her next class would be, yet again. "I have Archery from 2-4:30...with Lady Kaede. How could I not have remembered that?" She asked herself.
"Awesome!" Kaoru exclaimed. "You'll be sticking with me, then. Lady Kaede is great." She assured Kagome.
They weren't walking for long until they were walking along the University's large running track, stepping between hurdles.
"So, something I've been thinking about," Kagome started. "If this school is mainly for demons and humans with special abilities, why have regular classes and sports like an ordinary university?" She looked to her left at a group of people playing a game of volleyball in front of a side of the west building of the school.
"It's simple, really. There are still majors available such as Math and English for people who wish to lead normal lives. They most likely come here to just get stronger and develop their powers for personal reasons, such as yourself." Ayeka explained. "When you graduate, you will get two certificates. One to show the people off the island that represents a regular degree and one representing your ability major."
"Since you're a Spirit Major, Kagome, that is the equivalent of a Bachelors degree in the real world. So, you'll get those two accordingly. A bachelor's in Spirituality and in the real world it would be for Psychology." Kaoru added to help Kagome understand better if she was confused at all.
"The administrators must go through a lot to keep this 'boarding school' cover-up." Kagome used air quotes. "But still, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't impressed."
The girls reached a traditional Japanese medium-sized building on the far end of the track and stepped on the porch. Ayeka led the way to where she knew Kaede would be. They entered the building and walked the short hallway that led to the back and back outside in a closed space.
Kagome looked out in the space to some target circles lined up on a wall beside one another. Just looking at them made her feel like she belonged in the school, like she was meant to be something other than a regular person in the world.
"Would ye like to try?"
Kagome was bought out of her trance by a fragile elderly voice. short woman with long greying hair and an eye patch over her right eye approached her, Ayeka and Kaoru. She wore a white kimono and red hakamas with white socks- the common outfit for a miko.
"Um, no thanks. I'll wait until class starts at two." Kagome declined. "My name is Kagome Higurashi. Pleased to meet you." She bowed to show her respect.
"I am Priestess Kaede. Good morning Princess Ayeka, Lady Kaoru." Kaede bowed to them. "How may I assist ye this morning?"
"Well, Lady Kaede, Kagome wanted to know if she would be qualified to compete in the Tamashi No Gemu for the summer exams."
Kaede looked Kagome over, studying her. "I see." She closed her eye for all of a few seconds and then looked back to Kagome. "Do you sense and indescribable power in the atmosphere?"
"Um..." Kagome paused and looked to the wooden floor boards for a minute. "Yes, I do. I felt that ever since I arrived here. I thought it was normal. Isn't it the Shikon Jewel? Can't everyone else feel it too?" She was confused.
"What? You can sense the Shikon Jewel?" Kaoru was shocked.
"Amazing." Ayeka said under her breath.
"Everyone is not able to sense the jewel, child. But since ye can, that tells me that ye are actually overqualified to participate in the Soul Games."
"Overqualified?" Kagome's heart started to race. Since she was taking the first step in seeing if she was qualified to compete, hearing she was overqualified scared her just a little. She was starting to look forward to seeing what competing would be like. The thought of having to tell her family she wouldn't be able to hurt her. It would hurt her grandpa.
"Yes, but that does not mean ye can not participate. Ye are actually a great candidate for the games. I sensed from your spirit that ye come from a long line of priests and ye have a remarkable power that has not yet been released. Only ye and Kikyo are the only ones who have the power to sense the jewel."
"Who's Kikyo?"
"She is my young sister who is also a student of mine. She too is a powerful priestess with a gift from our priest ancestors. Come to think of it, ye two actually favor a bit." Kaede paused to collect her thoughts. "Well, I suppose I shall see ye in class."
"Wait," Kaoru blurted out. "So, that was her test to see if she was qualified? No spirit questions or anything?"
Kaede shook her head. "No need for any. I know all I need to by knowing she can sense the Sacred Jewel. This is a good thing."
"Wow, that's incredible."
"Oh, I can't believe I almost forgot. Follow me, please."
Kagome, Ayeka and Kaoru obeyed and followed Kaede into a room with many bows, arrows, sitting mats, white kimonos and dark blue, tan and red hakamas. Kaede use a stool to reach on a high shelf to pull down a white kimono with red stitching just like her own and some red hakamas.
"This is our uniform for my class. Ye will have me all year for archery. If ye happen to have meditation this year as well, uniform is not required but I urge ye to dress comfortably. Since ye are qualified for Tamashi No Gemu, ye will train with me every Friday at undisclosed times and locations. I send out emails every Thursday morning with all of the information ye will need so make sure ye check frequently. I do not use text books and I don't require ye to take notes. All tests are performance wise to test your ability of what ye have learned. Understand?"
Kagome nodded. It was a lot for her to take in, but she absorbed it all. "Yes, I understand. Thank you, Lady Kaede." She and her friends joined in a bow with Kaede.
"I look forward to having ye as a student, Kagome."
Kagome had a quick brunch with Ayeka and Kaoru and Ayeka left the two to get to her next class. Kaoru left Kagome soon after and made plans to meet back up with Kagome so they could walk to class together.
Enjoying a sandwich in her room, Kagome was texting Sango, telling her a little of the conversation she had with Kaede. Sango was just as surprised as Kagome had been earlier. The next person on her list to talk to had been her mother. They only got to speak for a brief moment before Mrs. Higurashi had to finish running a few errands before Sota returned home from school. She promised to call Kagome back once the family had finished dinner later that night.
Kagome was done with her sandwich and the movie she chose to watch on Netflix an hour before her Archery class started. She had to meet Kaoru in the same courtyard she met Ayeka in that morning. She closed her laptop and set it side, reaching for her tote bag. She pulled her Computer Science folder and notebook out and replaced them with the miko uniform Kaede provided her with. Then, her eyes fell upon the lunchbox on her nightstand.
"I'll go wash this out and return it to Inuyasha. He probably wants it back." She thought aloud. "Kaoru might know where he is."
Kagome grabbed the lunchbox, her bag and ran down the hall to the girl's bathroom to wash the container then headed out of the building to meet Kaoru. Kaoru hadn't seen Inuyasha that day yet and Kagome shrugged. She could always ask Ryoko where he was.
...
"Momiji, Botan. Excellent posture." Kaede complimented two of her sophomore students. She started her class with a brief lecture of what she felt was important, did a quick demonstration of how to hold a bow and arrow, how not to hold them and how to shoot for newcomers and those who were rusty.
"Nice, strong posture, Kaoru." Kaede stopped behind her and watched her shoot. The arrow hit a yellow ring, one color close to the red circle in the middle.
"Man, I almost had it that time." Kaoru was a little disappointed.
"Practice slow deep breaths more and ye will have it in no time." Kaede encouraged her.
"Yeah, you still did a good job, Kaoru."
Kaoru smiled at Kaede and Kagome. "Thank you. I'll hit the target before class is over. I know I will."
"Well, Kagome?" Kaede asked as Kaoru kept practicing. "Ye haven't done anything yet. I'm curious as to why."
Kagome looked out at her assigned target. "I guess I'm just nervous. I've never done this before."
"Ye cannot tap into your true powers unless ye try. Go ahead. No need to be nervous." Kaede smiled and tried to make Kagome comfortable.
Kagome nodded and took a deep breath, grabbing the bow that was sitting on the wall behind her. She adjusted the strap and container of arrows on her shoulder and grabbed an arrow, slowly drawing it on her bow and pausing. She steadied her left arm as it was extended, her hand gripping the bow tightly.
"Nice posture. Great start. Take your time. No need to rush. Take deep breaths." Kaede coached.
Kaoru stopped practicing to watch Kagome. Kagome took in Kaede's words and focused on her target. Deep breaths, Kagome. She told herself. When she felt she was ready, she was about to release her arrow, but someone releasing theirs to the right of her broke her concentration.
The arrow hit right in the middle of their red circle and that amazed Kagome. She looked to the person who had just shown up seconds before and it was like she was looking in a mirror. She was caught in awe and felt the need to compliment the pale girl wearing the same uniform as her. This meant they were in the same rank as far as skill. Red hakamas represented the best archers in the class while dark blue was intermediate and tan meant beginner. Kagome had never held a bow and arrow in her life but Kaede trusted her powerful spirit enough to put her in red hakamas.
"Hey, that was really good." Kagome relaxed her arms to say. She hadn't mind that her concentration had been broken.
The pale girl smirked and rested her own arms and turned to look at Kagome, her long low ponytail flowing with her motions. "Well?" She nodded her head towards Kagome's target.
"Oh, right." Kagome pulled her arrow back into her bow again and took three deep breaths. "Here goes nothing." She whispered to herself right before she let go of her arrow. As the arrow travelled towards her target, it was suddenly engulfed in a light purple light which shocked everyone and caused them to stop practicing. Unfortunately, when the arrow hit, it did so right on top of the red circle into the yellow space above it.
"What was that?" Kagome still stood in the stance she was in when she released her arrow, unable to move, surprised at what she just witnessed.
"Your miko powers are starting to awaken. Archery is your form of defense and offense, therefore ye are more powerful in your form of art. Ye may be more powerful than I thought." Kaede was amazed.
Kagome was at a loss of words and heard a barely audible snort come from the pale girl beside her. She looked and the girl was already walking away towards the changing rooms. "Who was she?"
"My sister, Kikyo." Kaede said, looking in the direction Kikyo walked in. "Alright everyone, ye all have done well today. I will see ye on Wednesday. You're dismissed."
Kaoru and Kagome stepped off of the porch of the mini dojo and headed towards the central building of the University to get to the library.
"You're just full of mystery, aren't you?" Kaoru teased.
"I guess I am." Kagome raised her brows with a smile and gave a loud sigh. "This is so weird. I feel like a brand new person or something."
"Well, I suppose finding out how powerful you are and actually witnessing some of it for the first time would make you feel that way. But, just like you'll get used to this melting pot called Feudal Island, you'll get used to this new you. Lady Kaede knows a lot about that stuff, though so she's the perfect person to talk to."
Kagome looked down at her feet as she walked alongside Kaoru on the sidewalk then over to her. "You're right. No worries."
"Hey, there goes Inuyasha." Kaoru pointed out a little ways in front of them. Kagome looked ahead and smiled, reaching into her bag for his lunchbox.
Inuyasha's ears twitched as he smelled the familiar scent of Cherry Blossom and remembered the sweet awkward memory that came along with it and its owner. He recognized it to be Kagome's. When he carried her home last night the scent of her lotion was strong on his clothes and in his hair, especially on his shirt. Humans wouldn't have noticed so easily, but since he was mixed with a dog demon, it was too obvious to him.
He turned around to Kaoru pointing him out to Kagome and she smiled at him, reaching into her bag.
"Hey, Inuyasha!" Kagome called. Before she could get any closer to him, Kikyo came out of nowhere, pulling on his arm and into a surprising kiss. Kagome stopped in her tracks, her smile quickly fading.
Kikyo glanced back at Kagome and smiled then put Inuyasha's arm around her shoulder and led him away. Inuyasha looked back at Kagome with eyes that said 'I'm sorry'. He mouthed the word later and looked ahead to see where he was going.
Kaoru shared a look with Kagome and shrugged. "No better way than to show you date one of the most popular guys around, huh?" She said in a disgusted voice.
"I'll say. I had no idea they were dating. I just wanted to return this to him." She looked at the lunchbox. "Guess I'll try another time." She shrugged, putting it back in her bag and changing the subject.