Chapter Three: Interference
The mayor brought a car to pick Kagome up and deliver her to the train station. As the black sedan pulled into the drop off lane, Kagome saw a small herd of cameras and reporters cordoned off by the door. An irritated security guard stood nearby, telling them to get back every time they threatened to cross their designated area. When Kagome got out of the car, followed by the mayor, they started to shout questions and take pictures. The mayor helped Kagome get her suitcase out of the back, and followed her into the station. He placed himself between Kagome and the reporters, whispering to her to just ignore them.
Turns out, when the Shikon priestess decides to dropout of high school and move to the Youkai Sector, it causes a bit of a stir. Not that she really dropped out, she would continue her lessons with tutors to earn her degree. And not that she was really moving there, it was just temporary. But neither of those nuances seemed to make it into the media.
When the mayor first offered help in communicating with said media, Kagome was surprised. Sure, he'd given her family some help before, but hadn't been so personally invested. After she sent her letter to Myoga, the mayor had called her house and asked her to come meet him. Kagome was nervous. She'd only met the man once before, when he made their shrine an official historical site and gave it all the protections and benefits of that title. There had been a small crowd and a few cameras, but the entire affair had flown largely under the radar. He didn't stay long, and he never even really looked at her the whole time.
Kagome wasn't sure what to wear to meet him, and ended up borrowing one of her mom's blouses and skirts. It wasn't quite professional, but it felt more grown up than any of her own clothing. It's not like she could wear her school uniform to meet him, that would make her feel altogether too childish.
It was some consolation that Mayor Sakamoto seemed rather nervous to meet her too. He fiddled with his watch when she walked in, and his grip on her palm was light when they shook hands.
"Welcome, Ms. Higurashi. I'm glad to see you again."
"Me too," Kagome replied. Sakamoto motioned to the seat in front of his desk, and they sat down to talk.
"Ms. Higurashi, I understand that you intend to return to the Youkai Sector," Sakamoto started.
"Yes," Kagome said, "Is that...okay?" Sakamoto nodded hesitantly.
"Well, it is still currently legal," he supplied, "As the Shikon priestess you fall under the spiritual and religious persons allowance for Sector entrance." Kagome already knew that. She had looked up the actual laws before she replied to Myoga, not knowing if it was possible for her to return at all, even at his invitation. Not that many religious leaders visited the Floating City of Demons, but according to the letter of the law Kagome was allowed to. Mayor Sakamoto, however, was obviously less concerned with legality.
"Is there some problem with me going?" Kagome pressed. The mayor looked incredibly uncomfortable, shifting in his seat and locking his fingers together.
"Some people question your safety in the Sector," he said. Kagome narrowed her eyes.
"Sir, I was just attacked by humans, and I couldn't defend myself with my spiritual energy. I question my safety outside the Sector," she said. Sakamoto nodded.
"Others...well...question your intentions," he said.
"Are you talking about integration?" Kagome asked. The mayor flinched at the word 'integration'.
"I'm only wondering what you want to do in the Sector," he replied. Kagome eyed him. He obviously wasn't interested in having this conversation with her, which meant someone was making him have it. He would be taking her answers to someone else. She forced a smile onto her face and leaned forward in her chair.
"Mr. Mayor," she said sweetly, "I just think that I should do whatever I can to help humans and demons get along. Not everyone can go into the Sector and talk to them, but I can, you know?"
"What do you mean by 'get along'?" Sakamoto asked. He seemed relieved by her smile and new tone.
"I mean, like, you know," Kagome said. "I think it's important to be nice to everybody. And even though humans and demons are separate, it doesn't mean we should be mean to each other."
The mayor smiled at that. Kagome wasn't surprised-she was parroting back what teachers said to her in elementary school about demons. They only ever taught kids what politicians liked to hear.
"I think that's important too, Ms. Higurashi. And I think it's important that everyone else understands why you want to go," he said. After that meeting, he had released a statement to the press, calling her a responsible young woman and a leader among her peers. Her mom had been excited by his words, but Kagome wasn't so impressed. He was talking about her like she was some martyr who'd died for her cause. Maybe he thought her living with demons made her as good as dead. Or maybe he was just saying what someone else wanted him too. Either way, it was patronizing.
It was also patronizing how he 'protected' her from reporters and journalists. When the house phone started ringing incessantly, he suggested they turn it off. When her cell phone number was leaked, he offered her a new phone-and told her to keep the number close to her chest. So when he whispered for her to ignore the people at the train station, she wasn't surprised. He'd been telling her that for the three weeks since they first talked. Obviously he wanted to control the story, and she gave him that.
Kagome made a few media appearances in the weeks before she left. The mayor's announcement of her trip in local news had been picked up by national news stations. Quickly, Kagome received invitations to share her story on talk and news shows. The same thing had happened when people found out she was the Shikon priestess. She had refused all those offers though, and intended to do the same this time. Mayor Sakamoto had different ideas. She (begrudgingly) appeared on local news broadcasts, did interviews with local papers, and even did a children's book reading at the local library. Everything national was ignored. In every appearance, Kagome made sure to say she wanted humans and demons to live as equals, understanding each other. The separate part of that equality was implied.
The week before she left, Kagome made a public appearance at a local festival. The planning committee for the festival had asked her to demonstrate her archery at the event months ago, and her grandpa was friends with a few of the committee members, so she said yes to please him.
The car-once again sent by Sakamoto-rounded the last corner to the festival and suddenly stopped. Kagome, reading through her homework in the back seat, jerked forward with the motion. After taking a second to recover from the unexpected stop, she leaned forward, putting a hand on the seat in front of her.
"What is it?" she asked. The driver pointed ahead of them. A group of people stood in the street, right in front of the festival grounds. They held signs and were chanting. A protest? Kagome narrowed her eyes, reading what a few of the handwritten signs said. 'Lock up the monsters' was one. 'Humans for humans!' read another. Her stomach flip-flopped. These were anti-integration protesters. A few had showed up outside the news and radio stations where she spoke, but nothing like this. A crowd of nearly thirty marched around the street, blocking people walking from the parking lot to the festival. Slowly, the driver moved forward and pulled into the parking lot. Kagome knew the protesters couldn't see her through the tinted glass, and so she peered at their faces as they passed. They looked angry, chanting about keeping youkai in their place.
The driver parked the car and got out, coming around to Kagome's side to open the door for her. He helped her out of the vehicle, holding her hand so she wouldn't trip over her traditional miko robes. Sakamoto made her wear them for nearly every public appearance. Well, he didn't make her, but he asked her insistently.
Kagome shouldered her quiver and picked up her bow.
"I'm ready," she said to the driver. He nodded, and followed her towards the festival grounds. When the protesters saw her, they started to boo and hiss. She ducked her head, hiding beneath her hair as she walked past. She was aware of her driver walking between her and the group of people.
"Demon lover!" one shouted after her. A few other people took up the cry as she left them behind. Obviously you've never met Karin, she thought to herself. The thought didn't brighten her mood like it should have.
"Are you okay?" the driver asked. Kagome nodded.
"I'm fine," she replied. It was obvious she wasn't fine, but he didn't press her on it.
Kagome met up with the committee chair, and he showed her to her target.
"We'll start in ten minutes," he said. Kagome nodded. She turned to her driver.
"You should go see the festival," she offered. He nodded and gave her a smile she didn't return. Then he walked away to check out some of the booths. Relieved at her newfound solitude, Kagome took up a stance before the target and held her bow at the ready.
Archery was one thing that she enjoyed even more now. The physicality of it distracted her from the things people wanted her to say and do. Plus, it would be good to have practice in case she ever needed to defend herself against another demon. She pulled an arrow from her quiver and positioned it on the bowstring. She pulled the arrow back experimentally, enjoying the familiar strain on her muscles. She didn't let it fly though, she needed to save that for the performance.
"Excuse me," she heard someone say behind her, making her jump. She turned to see a young man with a phone, recording her.
"Yeah, uh," he said with a smirk, "Why do you hate youkai?" Kagome frowned, leaning forward.
"What?" she asked.
"I said, why do you hate demons, bitch?" Taken aback, Kagome's mouth dropped open.
"Well?" the guy pushed. Kagome's eyes flicked from him to his phone and back.
"I don't hate demons," was all she could think to say. The guy stepped up to her, and she stepped back, holding her bow defensively with two hands. If he attacked her, she could hit him with it.
"Then why do you want to keep demons and humans segregated, huh?" Kagome's driver came up from behind her and put a hand over the guy's phone.
"Leave her alone, dude," he said. The guy yanked his phone from the driver's grasp and held it up again.
"Kagome Higurashi, demon hating bitch, everyone!" he shouted, then ran off. The driver turned to Kagome again.
"I'm fine," she said automatically.
In her demonstration, she shot five arrows at the target, hitting the bullseye twice. She could do better if she weren't so freaked by that guy. Demon lover, demon hater, people couldn't seem to make up their mind about her.
That night she stared down at her new phone and the messages open on it. She'd tried to text Sango, but her friend had never replied. She assumed Sango was doing some sort of training that meant she couldn't use her phone. Rokuro was probably with her, because he wasn't answering either. What was weird was Karin not responding. The girl had always texted back right away. Maybe her parents had taken her phone. Kagome knew they didn't approve of her interest in youkai. Maybe they wouldn't like her texting the 'demon loving' Shikon priestess.
Someone knocked on her door frame and she looked up to see her brother standing there. He had been quiet ever since the break-in. The one guy was in jail, but the other two hadn't been caught yet.
"Hey, sis," he said.
"Hey, bro," she replied. He smiled, but she couldn't return the expression.
"What's wrong?" he asked, coming into her room. She sighed.
"My friends aren't texting me back," she said, "I think they're busy."
"I'm sorry," Souta replied.
"I'll deal. Anyway, what's up with you? You never come into my room," she said, teasing him. He grinned momentarily, and then his expression fell. Kagome tilted her head to the side.
"What?" she pressed.
"I'm worried about you!" he said quickly, embarrassed.
"Me? Why?" she replied. Her brother dropped his chin and raised an eyebrow, looking at her like she was dumb.
"You're going to live with a bunch of demons," he said. Kagome rolled her eyes.
"Not you too! I've lived with a bunch of demons before," she said. Souta mumbled something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like 'look how well that went'. Kagome elbowed him.
"Okay, smarty-pants, what's wrong with youkai?"
"They're dangerous," he said. Kagome paused. Of course her brother would think they were dangerous. Last time she went to the Sector she came back with new powers and injured friends.
"Souta, you met Inuyasha," she said, "Did he seem dangerous to you?" Souta bit his lip, considering.
"No," he answered eventually. Kagome nodded.
"Most demons are like Inuyasha. They don't want to hurt humans. But some do, you're right." She held a hand up and made it glow pink.
"Luckily, they can't even touch me without getting fried," she said. Souta smiled a little, watching as the pink glow faded.
"So don't worry about me," Kagome said, "I'll be fine. But I do need you to do something for me." He looked up to her, shocked. She'd never asked him to do anything before.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Look after mom while I'm not here. Grandpa will be fine, he's tough like old leather, but mom is gonna need some help. Set the table for her, and help her unload groceries. Do all your homework without her telling you to-" Souta grimaced but nodded- "and don't give her a hard time about going to the doctor."
"I can do that," Souta said confidently.
"What are you guys up to?" Mama Higurashi asked, appearing in the doorway. Souta looked to Kagome frantically, a guilty expression on his face. Kagome just smiled.
"Making fun of Grandpa's new robes," she said, "Yellow really isn't his color." Souta burst out laughing, and Mama Higurashi gave Kagome a knowing smile.
"Well, don't tell Gramps," she said, then, "Dinner's ready."
So, about a week later, Kagome and Mayor Sakamoto walked into the station, and to the train that would take her to the Sector. It was a private train, arranged by the government, so she wouldn't be disturbed on her journey. The mayor made a big show of seeing her off, with her family standing by for one last hug, while people and a couple of approved cameras looked on. As soon as the cameras were gone, however, his smile dropped.
"You're absolutely sure about this, Ms. Higurashi?" he asked, fixing her in his worried gaze. Kagome nodded. He'd asked her that question multiple times, as if trying to give her an escape route. He didn't seem to understand she wasn't interested in that kind of escape.
"I'm absolutely sure," she said, when he lingered on the question. He sighed.
"In that case, we'll go forward with this. Please, say goodbye to your family and we'll send you on your way." Kagome nodded, and was about to turn to her mother, when she heard a commotion at the end of the platform.
"Please miss, you can't go this way," a guard was saying to...Sango! Sango replied fiercely, holding a paper up for the guard to see. Kagome glanced at the mayor to see a dismayed look on his face. Ignoring the odd look, she rushed over to the guard just as he tried to take Sango's arm. Sango, not one to be pushed around, flipped him over her shoulder. He landed on his back and all the air was knocked out of him. The other guards jumped into action, going for Sango to take her down. She evaded them easily, and directed them with her dodges, crashing them into each other. After a quick scuffle, the guards were all lying on the ground, groaning or unconscious. Sango relaxed, looking up to see Kagome.
"Hey," she said. Kagome grinned, and pulled her into a hug.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"You wouldn't answer my calls," Sango replied, hugging her back tightly. Kagome frowned, pulling away to look at Sango's face.
"Calls?" she asked. The mayor stepped forward, clearing his throat.
"You are Ms. Tayama," he said. Sango pulled away from Kagome and crossed her arms.
"Yeah, I am," she said.
"Ms. Tayama, you are aware that Ms. Higurashi is allowed to travel to the Sector under a special allowance for spiritual practitioners. You have no such allowance." Kagome looked between Sakamoto and Sango, confused. Sango held up a paper. It was a letter, addressed to the mayor.
"There's also an allowance for those whose "industry is dependant on contact with demons". As a demon slayer, I'd say my job pretty much requires contact with youkai." A sour look came onto Sakamoto's face, and he took the letter. After taking a minute to read it, he looked back up at her, then to the crowd that was watching the goings-on. Sighing, he nodded.
"Well then, I suppose I must let you accompany Ms. Higurashi." Sango smiled triumphantly.
"Me too please," a male voice said. Kagome looked to see Rokuro standing behind them, holding two tickets up. Sakamoto opened his mouth to protest, but Rokuro gestured to his purple robes.
"Spiritual practitioner," he said. He held out the two tickets-one for him and one for Sango. Sakamoto took them, holding them up like he didn't know what to do with them.
"Thanks, man," Rokuro said with a smile. He handed Sango her bag and they walked towards the train. They greeted Kagome's family, then got onto the car and took a couple seats. Sakamoto looked at Kagome, still holding the tickets.
"What did Sango mean when she said I didn't answer her calls?" Sakamoto's face turned sour again. Kagome stepped closer to him.
"After I'm gone," she said, "Leave my family alone." She started towards the train again, but Sakamoto stopped her.
"It wasn't my decision," he said, sounding genuinely sorry for the first time. Kagome sucked in a breath, then smiled at him.
"Neither is this," she replied. She walked over to the crowd, and a couple of the reporters that had made it into the station in the chaos.
"I'm for integration," she said, "Demons and humans can live together, and I'm going to prove it."
Then she turned on her heel and walked past Sakamoto, who was too stunned to react. She hugged her family quickly, stopping only when her mom grabbed her shoulders and said:
"I believe in you, but please, be careful." Kagome nodded. Then she picked up her suitcase and boarded the train. She sat down next to Sango, and grinned at her friends
"Let's do this," she said.