Star Crossed Lovers

Chapter 7 New Friends and Old Friends

To say these last few weeks have emotionally and psychically drained Kagome would be an understatement; though not necessarily in a bad way. Walking home her legs felt like lead as she dragged them, just wanting to curl up in her bed and sleep the day away. Since, well, a person can only take so much startling news before they reach their break and Kagome was right at the door. To distract her, she looked down at her ring. Besides those around her that knew the true value of the ring, she told everyone else it was a fake. She could only guess how much it was worth and she didn't want someone else's greed to rob her of her most precious possession.

Looking at her ring made the walk home pass by and soon she was at her front door. She went and started getting things ready for Shizumi and Mitsuyo to come over for their study session. She was so glad they found a way to come back into her life. She didn't know what she would have done without them to talk to. A fond smile made its way to Kagome's face as she recalled they day the two of them found their way back to her.

It was back on her first day of school. She had been shown the way to her next class by Yugi and was making that dreaded trip to Calculus. She may have excelled in the rest of her classes, but math was her mortal enemy when it came to understanding. She was lucky if she got a B; and if the gods happened to grace with momentary confidence by giving her an A, she would do a little party rocking in her head.

The closer she got to the classroom though, she begin to have a foreboding feeling in her gut. She hated this feeling. It was the same one she got before she was introduced to Yugi and we all know how that went. That little voice in her head gave another small whisper to run but she knew she wouldn't. If would be like throwing all of mom's hard work at trying to make her happy back in her face…No she was just going to have to mentally prepare herself for what was to come.

She stopped at the classroom door for a moment, other students passing her by as she glared at the door, trying to will it away so she had an excuse for not going to class. The glaring continued until an amused chuckle from a familiar voice came from behind her.

"Man I feel ya; if there was one class I wish would spontaneously combust…all variations of math would be it. Unfortunately the door doesn't seem to sense your hostility so how about we make our way in before the bell rings again? I do loathe being late."

The voice made her stop her glaring in shock. She knew that voice! Without any doubt in her mind. She woke up to that voice…followed by a slap…followed by the voice again. However, despite the rising excitement that was building in her belly, she couldn't help but think 'what the hell man?...What the actual hell?' Do the gods want her to die so young from a heart attack with all the surprises they're sending her way? It just wasn't fair!

"Um...hello? Anyone there?" The voice called from behind her; oddly enough, it still sounded amused, not weirded out in the slightest.

Realizing she had yet to turn around and acknowledge the speaker, she turned to face them and only one word fondly found its way into her mind.

'Miroku.'

There standing in all of his amused glory, was the reincarnation of her friendly perverted monk. Still towering over her, he looked down at her with an amused smirk. When she met his gaze, she couldn't help but notice his eyes soften slightly at the sight of her. It almost looked like he recognized her. This was a little confusing because, despite being his reincarnation, he shouldn't have any idea who she is. She had no idea who Inu Yasha was when she first met him, despite being Kikyo's reincarnation.

The curious raise of his eyebrows made her realize she was staring and a blush found its way across her cheeks.

"Ah sorry! Yeah you're right let's go."

She heard him chuckle and she turned back around and twisted the knob and opened the door. He held it open for her with his hand and followed in after her. She came fully into the semi-crowded room and, failing to notice a girl start to walk towards them but abruptly stop, turning towards the Miroku look alike and smiled.

"There you go safe and sound," she said sarcastically.

His smiled widened as he looked at her.

"Yes it would appear so. Thank you Kagome," he said with a wink before walking away leaving a shocked Kagome to interpret his words.

Wait…when did she introduce herself? Did she even introduce herself? Then…how did he know her name?

That feeling that she had in her gut from before still hadn't gone away. It died down for a moment after she met Miroku's reincarnation, and now it was back even stronger than before.

*SLAP!*

"Mitsuyo, really? Is it too much to ask for just one day without being sexually harassed?"

Kagome turned towards the voice and had a major case of déjà vu as she looked on to a girl with her back to her, hands on her hips, hovering over Miroku's reincarnation, guessing now his name being Mitsuyo, as he sat on the ground rubbing his cheek with affection. Kagome couldn't help looking on…a sweatdrop forming at the familiar sight. It seemed rebirth did nothing for Miroku/Mitsuyo's wandering hand.

"If you continue to look this enticing everyday Shizumi then yes…yes it is," he said with a light chuckle causing the whole classroom to erupt in laughter, Kagome included.

When the girl huffed and turned around to where she was facing Kagome, Kagome made a vow at that moment. One day she was gonna find whatever god was in charge of her fate and wring their immortal neck for screwing with her life so much, followed by a hug.

The girl had her hair down and looked exactly like Sango, popping vein and all.

'Wait….Shizumi?'

Despite that once again annoying voice telling her to keep her mouth shut she couldn't help but ask.

"Shizumi Hikaru?"

The girl, Shizumi, turned to Kagome and stared at her for a moment. Kagome could almost feel what she was feeling. Shock. Shock at seeing Kagome in front of her. It was almost the same look she gave Yugi upon first meeting him. The shocked look of recognition.

'It can't be…' Kagome thought, opening her mouth to ask her that important question that was nagging at the back of her mind. She was cut short however when Mitsuyo stepped in. He looked almost anxious as he tried to divert Shizumi's attention.

"Uh Shizumi? I do believe you're scaring the poor girl with all your staring. It might be wise to say something right about now," he said in a hushed whisper.

That seemed to get Shizumi's attention as she shook her head and looked at Mitsuyo before looking back at Kagome with a bright smile on her face.

"Right, sorry about that. You must be Kagome. I'm Shizumi Hikaru, the principal's daughter. My mom told me all about you and that I would be showing you around. Hopefully we can soon become friends," she said walking up to Kagome and locking arms with her and half dragging her back across the room.

Now Kagome went to high school just like any other teenager her age and she knew one thing that girls especially were notorious for; fakeness. Though in her case Kagome could kinda understand; Shizumi must be popular, because everyone in the classroom was watching their conversation like a reality TV show. Kagome would sometimes act the same way around Eri, Ayumi, and Yuka when all their attention was focused on her.

It seemed though that the fakeness was only temporary the moment all the other students went back to their business, Shizumi lost her forced bubbliness for a more natural tone.

"Well it seems that introductions are in order; while you two met just a couple minutes ago, he didn't seem courteous enough to offer his name. This is Mitsuyo Hayate; he's a senior, which makes his IQ a tad bit lower than ours for waiting so long to get in calculus but I'm not one to judge," she said with a grin that made its way to Kagome's face and caused a rolling of Mitsuyo's eyes; "and is rather well know around here for his wandering hand—"

"As well as his bewitching good luck," Mitsuyo cut in, earning a mock glare from Shizumi and a giggle from Kagome.

"Anyway," Shizumi said rolling her eyes. "The both of us will make sure that you feel welcome here. I don't know if my mom told you, she probably did, but neither me nor Mitsuyo have first period with you and I also don't have fifth with you but you're in luck because, while he's not in your class, Mitsuyo does have the same fifth period as you. The only drawback…it's P.E," she finished with a deadpan expression that had Kagome laughing.

Before Mitsuyo could make a comment about how appalled his was at the at the accusation, the teacher came in and the class session began.

Kagome knew she should take notes, and she did to a certain extent, but she couldn't take her mind off of the Shizumi and Mitsuyo. There was no question that they were Miroku's and Sango's reincarnation; however, the real question was rather or not they remembered her as all the evidence points to the fact that they do. But how do you go about asking the question. It's not something that just comes up in conversation, but Kagome felt like she had to know or else she'd lose her mind. She entertained the possibility that perhaps they knew her because of Shizumi's mom but Shizumi's initial reaction to her wouldn't make that the case. Shizumi looked at Kagome the way an old friend looks to another whom they haven't seen in forever. That, also, wouldn't explain Mitsuyo's reaction to her in the beginning.

'It's official. Break's next and them I'm getting those two alone and getting answers.'

With that thought in mind Kagome focused on the lecture and time just seemed to swing by and soon break started and the time had come. Kagome went to Shizumi and Mitsuyo and the three of them exited. The attitude after class just further cemented Kagome's thoughts that they were who she thought they were. As they left the classroom, they both were reserved; with expecting expressions on their faces as they made their way to the rooftop.

Once they knew they were alone they turned to her and waited for what she was going to say. Kagome felt nervous under their gazes but summed up her courage before it was gone.

"Ok first question; do you have an idea what I'm going to ask?"

Mitsuyo smiled and answered, "I have an idea." Shizumi smiled as well agreeing with him.

"Ok then…did you two know who I was before your mom told you?"

Shizumi answered this time with, "Yes."

"…Are you two the reincarnations of Miroku and Sango?"

Both answered in unison with a, "Yes."

Kagome felt the wind leave her lungs. She was overwhelmed with an emotion she couldn't quite place but she knew it was leaning towards happiness and relief in knowing that no matter what, she wasn't alone. She held onto the wall for support as tears formed in her eyes.

"But we didn't always."

Shizumi's voice somewhat snapped Kagome out of her trance and she looked up at them in slight confusion.

"What do you mean?"

Mitsuyo stepped in.

"Midoriko came to us Kagome. She said that we were needed once again to help protect you and gave us back our memories as well as these strange items."

Kagome furrowed her brows in further confusion and watched as Shizumi and Mitsuyo murmured something to themselves and a bright light appeared and temporarily blinded Kagome.

When she regained her sight she looked at them again in shock.

In Shizumi's hand was the Millennium Key, and Mitsuyo had the Millennium Ring. Those items were worn by Shada and Mahad back in "his" court. She would never forget them; neither the items, nor their weilders.

She knew this and meeting Yugi earlier in the day couldn't be a coincidence, but what could be the reason for it? What did Midoriko have planned? Hasn't she done enough?

Sensing Mitsuyo and Shizumi waiting for her reaction she spoke, "The Millennium Key and Ring."

Mitsuyo inclined his head.

"So Midoriko was right. You do know them," he said.

Kagome looked to him in confusion but it was Shizumi who answered.

"Midoriko showed us what you went through after you left us. She asked us afterwards if we would be willing to help and," looking to Mitsuyo before smiling and looking back at her, "the answer was obvious."

"Well what does this mean?" Kagome said trying to sound serious, when in reality all she wanted to do was hug them.

"It means that we will always be here to help you and as time goes on and the reasons for us receiving these items becomes clear…we will face them together as a team," Mitsuyo said with a smile.

"Oh Miroku," Kagome said, giving into her emotions and throwing herself in his arms and crying some much needed tears, though now they were of joy instead of happiness.

"I haven't been called that for a long time, and while I don't mind you or Sango calling me that, I think it might be best if you get accustomed to calling me Mitsuyo, at least while we're in public," Mitsuyo said throwing a wink Shizumi's way as his arms tightened around his old friend as Shizumi came up and rubbed her back.

Hearing the school bell, the teens made their way back to the door leading downstairs and, for the first time in a while, Kagome felt a little bit of joy knowing she had her old friends back.

….*SLAP*

The slap could be heard in the halls as well as a conjoined, "Mitsuyo you PERVERT!" from Shizumi and Kagome.

Kagome's mother was thrilled when Kagome came home that day; her face alight with brightness she hadn't seen on her in a while. She knew then that Kagome was going to be fine.

Kagome broke out of her trance as a knock came on the door. Answering it she smiled and let Shizumi and Mitsuyo in for their study session. Midway through the session, Kagome felt her heart clench with an emotion she couldn't identify and excused herself. She went to the bathroom where the feeling continued on for several minutes, each minute intensifying before stopping altogether. She had felt something similar she met Yugi, Mitsuyo, and Shizumi, but yet it was completely different at the same time. She knew something was coming but pushed it back to worry about it later and went back out so to not cause worry.

He coughed a bit and stood up dusting himself off in the process before looking around. He could tell by the scenery that he was in Egypt and felt irritation seep in. How was he supposed to get where he was going with no means of getting there? Never mind the fact he would be on the other side of the world.

A surprised shout drew his attention and he turned to greet an enemy now friend. Explaining the situation to him, this now friend and his fellow comrade immediately made reservations for him to get where he needed to be along with any other necessities he may need on his travels.

The plane ride was long. He was in first class as expected but he couldn't find it in him to sleep. He was too restless. In addition to finding "her" there were many others he was anxious to see again. No matter how much he willed it, the plane seemed to take days to reach its destination.

Upon arriving he met with the sister of the enemy turned friend as his transportation. Catching him up on recent events and asking where he wanted to go, he gave her his planned stop and she took him there without question.

She dropped him off and only left at his request. He stared for a moment at the familiar game shop. He looked to see a familiar old man sweeping for future costumers and smiled before walking up to him. He probably should have called out to him instead because he nearly gave the old man a heart attack. He got a talking to for a moment before the old man looked at him with a sweet fondness that was returned.

Asking for his patience before entering the shop, the old man went inside. He could him talking to that so very familiar voice and his patience was through.

Stepping inside his fondly stared down the shocked, tearful expression of his lookalike. It felt like hours but it was only a few moments.

"Hello Aibou," he said to his former partner and that seemed to break the ice as Yugi jumped over the counter and ran to Atem, tears streaming down his face and pulling him into a big bear hug, as if wanting to prove that this was in fact real.

XD He's back! This chapter literally took me forever. I kept on revising it because it never felt right and this is the final piece. Well at least for right now lol. It's not my best and the next chapter will be even better because Atem and Kagome will meet! Hecks yes!

So let's review; Atem has the puzzle, Seto has the rod, Ishizu has the necklace, Kisara has the scales, Misuyo/Miroku has the ring, and Shizumi/Sango has the key. Just one more and I think you guys will be pleasantly surprised. Now he won't appear till later and maybe not even in this story but the next one but he will be in.

I'm sorry I haven't updated recently, but I've been super busy. Got braces on finally which are a pain in the butt. Job hunting as well as working out every day to get my fatass in shape can be exhausting. I will try to update soon though so hang in there.