CHAPTER 4

A Dream or a Nightmare

***

The house was dark went Kagome returned. Her parents were out for the night. Souta was at a friend's house. She knew he was angry at her, but she had to study. Her work was behind and she feared she wouldn't make the year. She could not flunk. She just could not. Her parents did not have the money to put her through an extra year of high school.

I will surprise him! Yes! She thought. She ran to her room. She changed into a cute pink spring dress that her mother has given her as a present. It was the first dress her mother made, and wore one the first date with Kagome's father. It was magical, being able to bring people together.

She wore cute sandals as well. She phoned a cab to take her to his house. He will like this surprise she was sure of herself.

She got out of the cab, stretching slightly. She was so excited, and so very nervous. Maybe we can do it again... she blushed at her thoughts; maybe we can build our spiritual bond to an unbreakable level. The house was dark, with only a few lights on. She snuck around the house to the back yard. The back door was open, just like he always told her. His mother and stepfather was out for the night. She slowly opened the door and snuck in.

The house was colder than usual. She felt out of place. Her mind screamed that this was a bad idea. But she loved him. She really did. She knew it deep down inside of her. But why? This feeling. This feeling screaming that something was horribly wrong.

She was a few steps away from his bedroom door. She stopped suddenly as she heard two very familiar voices.

Kagome's eyes shot open as she sat up. She was drenched in sweat and her eyes burned, a warning of the tears to come. She breathed deeply as a soft knock came from the door.

"Yes?" Kagome tried to sound normal.

"You awake already?" Sango came in with a cup of coffee.

"Another nightmare?" she placed the coffee on the nightstand and sat down on the edge of Kagome's bed.

"Yeah, I guess," Kagome knew it was her worst nightmare. She has been having so many dreams the past week. Many from her high school years. Some she missed dearly, others ripped her to shreds.

Especially the one she just had. She was so happy it did not finish. She hugged herself tightly. Sango knew what Kagome was dreaming about, even if Kagome did not tell her directly. She knew, because she was the only one who was there for her in that time.

"Come on, time to get up. Today is Friday after all," Sango opened Kagome's closet, taking out some clothing for her overslept friend.

Friday? How the hell has the week gone by so fast? she shook her head. Never before has she enjoyed teaching as much, as at Shikon Private High. She slowly got up, walking over to her wall calendar. Her eyes widened as she practically screamed with excitement.

"What the fuck?" Sango spun around in surprise, at both Kagome and her own language.

"We are fetching Shippo today!" she embraced her friend tightly.

"I can only imagine how much you've missed him," Sango hugged her back.

"It feels like forever," Kagome felt like crying tears of joy.

Her little boy. Her Shippo was finally coming to live with her. She felt a new wave of happiness engulf her, giving her strength to finish her first week at Shikon high.

The day was rather uneventful. Rin wasn't at school that day, which made Kagome worry. Rin was such a bright young girl. Rin is a year younger than Shippou. Oh Shippou. He would really like it here. He is so clever she thought to herself. The bell rang for lunch break, and all her student took their time to pack up. They had to discuss different topics in groups today. They seem to have enjoyed it a lot. The chatter was pleasant. Kagome smiled as each and every individual student came to greet her.

Koyo and Miya, her two 'body guards' as Sango has dubbed them, was waiting for her at the door. She smiled at them as she raked her things into her bag.

"So your son is arriving tonight?" Koyo enquired, taking her heavy sling bag,

"Thank you Koyo. Yes, Shippou is arriving on the late flight," she looked for a photo of him on her cell phone.

"He is so cute!" Miya beamed at the photo. On the photo, he was hugging Kagome from behind, as she sat at a table, his brown unruly locks stood in every direction, his one eye was closed in a wink, the other was open, revealing his light blue eyes. He looked nothing like Kagome.

"But, if he is your son," Miya started, not knowing how to word it, "why is he so old? And why doesn't he look like you?" biting her lip, she was awaiting a scolding from her teacher.

"Oh! Haha! Shippou is my godchild. My friend made me his godmother. Sadly she passed last year along with my mother," Kagome felt tears prick at her eyes.

"Oh, I am so sorry, I didn't mean to-" Miya felt Kagome's hand on her shoulder,

Koyo eyed the young girl as well. He saw a beauty in her he has never seen before. So caring. Kagome picked up on the vibe between Koyo and Miya, and decided to leave them alone. So sweet that buy she thought, excusing herself and making her way to the ladies room.

Kagura was applying a thin layer of red lipstick when Kagome walked in. Smiling at Kagome she quickly finished up.

"Oh where has the week gone?" she chimed, obviously very happy that it has.

"You're telling me," Kagome splashed some water on her face.

"Oh yes! Kagura, mind joining us for some pizza later? We're fetching Shippou from the airport -"

"Oh I'd love to meet your little prodigy!" Kagura was truly happy for her new friend.

"Yes. My little mathematics genius," Kagome cooed. She showed Kagura the photo from earlier.

"Yes and quite the looker," they all just laughed, Sango joining them, they left for the cafeteria.

Sitting down at their usual table, Kouga and Miroku joined shortly after.

"I honestly don't know how I am going to get the seniors to stop giggling every time i mention a body part," Sango sighed, resting her chin on her hand.

"What do you mean?" Miroku lifted an eyebrow,

"Well its biology, and we need to get through the reproduction topic before we can move one,"

"Hmmm, we could always give them a tutorial, what do you say? Sweet, sweet Sango,"

~Slap~

Sango's handprint was imbedded in his cheek. Miroku simply crossed his arms and sat back. Trying to deal with the rejection like a gentleman.

"Just imagine if Sango was a six-armed goddess, don't think you would have survived" Kouga chuckled, Sango's lips spread into an evil grin as she considered this idea.

And people think teachers' don't have lives Kagome smiled to herself. Her head snapped up when she saw InuYasha walking towards the table. He was waving a white napkin until he got her attention. She narrowed her eyes at him, but allowed him to proceed. Shortly after, Sesshomaru appeared next to him.

"Let us all play along nicely today, shall we?" Sesshomaru voice was calm and his face an emotionless mask. InuYasha took a seat next to his stepbrother.

"Mr. Naraku has put me in charge of handling this little ... dilemma ... we experienced on Monday," he looked at InuYasha, then at Kagome. She looked ashamed of herself. Sesshomaru had to suppress a laugh as he thought back to the incident. He would never admit it to anyone, but he was expecting something like that to happen. Clearing his voice, he continued,

"I told Mr. Naraku why Ms. Kagome here reacted the way she did. Needless to say, Mr. Naraku found your retaliation quite amusing," As did .

He waited for a response, but no one said a word. InuYasha looked like he was going to explode.

"I have come to the conclusion that no hearing needs to take place, however, both of you will get a verbal warning," Kagome just nodded, InuYasha pouted like a little boy, about to throw a tantrum. In the corner of his eye, he saw Kouga. It looked like the man was going to explode. The same scene played over in Sesshomaru's mind. He literally had to bite his tongue not to give himself away.

Sesshomaru decided it was time to break the silence. To everyone's surprise, he reached across the table, tilting Kagome's face towards him, and then placing his hand over hers. Kagome's world went silent once more as a tingle ran up her arm and down her spine. Their eyes locked. His eyes looked straight into her very soul. She felt her face heat up. Everyone was staring at this slight show of affection.

"Congratulations on Shippou acceptance. I know he will enjoy it here," with that, he stood up and walked away. Kagome breathed for the first time. Everyone, including InuYasha, was staring at her. InuYasha got and stomped out of the room.

"Is that jealousy I see?" Kouga called after him. Miroku got up, excused himself, and went after InuYasha. Kouga did the same.

"Wait? What the hell was that? Sesshomaru does not show emotion!" Sango felt very confused. Kagome rubbed her hands, trying to make the static go away. She felt very dizzy.

The bell rang for the day to proceed.

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