Disclaimer – Still owning nothing!

Authors Note – Do I dare attempt a chapter two the same night? –gasp- I think so!

Chapter Two – America?

ooo

The days had been trickling by slowly for Kagome, her strength was returning rapidly now and because of her fantastic improvement she was allowed to spend almost all of her time with her brother. All of her cuts had healed over, leaving her with a few small scars that too, given time, would fade. Her skin was molted with fading yellow bruises, but she hardly noticed them anymore. Her collar-bone was well on the mend, and she was very careful with her left arm – moving it as little as possible to help speed up the healing process. She still had her two larger wounds, but they too were starting to mend nicely.

It was her fourth day in the hospital when she called her best friends; Eri, Yuka and Ayumi. She had actually only called Eri, and hadn't even told her the entire story. Just that she was in the hospital and she wanted to see the girls. Getting the hint the girl called up the remainder of the quartet and they arrived at her room within the hour. It had been hard, explaining what had happened. Kagome stopped many times to fight back her tears. She didn't cry anymore, only when she was with Souta did she shed any tears.

Despite their dramatic tendencies, the three girls were rather sympathetic about the entire ordeal and remained mature about it. "Could you guys do me a favor?" She asked softly, when the story had been told and information swapped.

Ayumi looked up first "Anything. What do you need?"

Kagome gave a half smile "Could you maybe go to my house and get me some clothes, and bathroom stuff? And…can you get Souta his old bear? And that family picture on the mantle?"

She looked like she was about to add more so Ayumi held up a finger "Hold on, lemme get you a piece of paper so you can make us a list of some stuff you need ok?" Kagome's grateful smile was heartbreaking and she nodded. Ayumi walked out to the Nurse's Station to get some paper and a pen.

Yuka toyed with her fingers "Where are you gonna go when you get out of the hospital?" She asked "Are you gonna go back to school?"

Kagome looked out her window, she was high off the ground and the equally impressive towers of Tokyo were surrounding the hospital, giving her not much of a view "I don't know, I am gonna focus on getting better and then we will go from there. I can always emancipate myself and stay at home, I mean come on. 14 year olds have done it before right? I totally can. I can get a part-time job after school; it isn't like I would have to pay rent. Just for food and stuff really." She smiled at the girls, liking the idea more and more. Well liking the idea was the wrong way to put it. Rather she was content with the idea. She couldn't stomach the possibility of the state intervening and taking control of her and her brother, she wouldn't be able to see him as often if that happened. She shuddered at the thought. Doing all of this by herself sounded terrifying, though she would never admit it, but she would make her parents proud, she would take care of her brother.

Ayumi walked back in, followed by a nurse who was coming to check her bandages. "Here Kags," She said handing her friend the pages and the pen.

Kagome smiled and set them on her table, letting the nurse do her job, not complaining a bit as the tape tugged on her skin in a less than comfortable way. She winced softly, and glanced at the wound once before the new bandage was applied to the inflicted area "Good as new!" The nurse smiled "Call if you need anything ok dear?" Kagome nodded and sipped her water before she sat up all the way.

Crossing her legs she pulled the table closer and started on her list. "The list isn't gonna be very big, I promise." She blushed at her friends.

Ayumi laughed "No problem,"

Eri was looking at a painting on the wall before turning and asking "So, how is he? Have they told you anything new?"

Kagome glanced up briefly before returning her eyes to the page in front of her as she jotted down whatever came to memory, and where the item was most likely to be. She was a creature of habit, so she was most likely correct. Without looking away from her writings she said "No, his brain is responding to stimuli, so he isn't brain dead. Which is good, it means he has a much higher chance of waking up and sooner." She spoke softly, but matter-of-fact, like it wasn't her own baby brother she was talking about – it was the only way she could speak of such things, to be disconnected from it.

Eri nodded her head and then the room fell silent, the only noise was the scratching of Kagome's pen.

"There, done." She handed the single page to Ayumi and said "No rush on anything, just whenever you get the chance." She said but Yuka laughed and shook her head, trying to lighten the mood that had settled over the room.

"Kagome you are silly, we are going to go and get you your stuff right now, and bring you some food. And before you object, I already asked the nurse and she said outside food would be fine. So there!"

Kagome closed her mouth; she had been ready to object. But she smiled "Thanks you guys, it means a lot to me."

Ayumi smiled "Think nothing of it, we're best friends right? If I end up in the hospital I would expect the same from you three!" She shook her fist at the girls and then asked Kagome "You want anything particular?"

The black-haired girl shook her head "Anything works for me,"

Eri shook her head "Alrighty, we should get going before it gets late and they don't let us back in!" Each of the girls took a turn hugging Kagome and then they left. About five minutes later she stood up and stretched which she often did and looked around the small room before smiling. With some of her own things, the place would feel a bit like home. Walking out to the Nurse's Station she spoke to the head nurse, asking if she could send the three girls to Souta's room when they returned, she was going to sit with him.

Kagome had started reading a thick novel to her brother, it was an American author named Dean Koontz who he was rather fond of. The doctors said it was actually a good idea, it stimulated his brain more when he was listening to words. So, every day she would read a few dozen pages to him and spend the rest of the time talking to him. She always was there to help the nurses brush his hair and teeth, and help sponge him down when they did. She wanted him to know that she was there, and that she cared about him.

She had been in his room for nearly an hour and was just closing the book and saying "Ooh, I can't wait to read what happens next Souta. I think that somebody is gonna come and save her, don't you think? Maybe that valet parking guy."

There was a knock on the door and she looked up as it opened slowly, her friends peered in "Kagome?" Ayumi asked. The girl stood and motioned them in. She set her book on the seat and the girls all looked at the boy they each considered a brother

"He is so…frail." Yuka whispered, her eyes tearing up.

Kagome looked at her brother and said "The doctors say he is strong…he should pull through in good time." She said the words with a fierce determination that attracted the eyes of her friends, her hand held the smaller boys and she was staring at him with love and pride, the way her mother used to look at him.

Eventually Eri spoke up "Come on, there is food waiting in your room. We can help you unpack." Kagome nodded, but didn't look at them. Instead she walked around her brother and tucked him in.

Ayumi walked up and held out a few items "Here, we figured these were for him."

Kagome looked up at the three items. One of them was an old and worn stuffed black bear, another was a knit blanket, their mother had made it for Souta when he was just a baby, the last was a family photo from a year earlier "There is another picture in your room." Ayumi said softly as Kagome set the picture right next to Souta's head on the table there.

She draped his blanket across the hospital one and tucked the bear next to his side. Kissing his forehead she whispered "Sweet dreams Souta." Turning she grabbed her book and set it on the table behind the picture and then said "Ok, let's go. I'm starved." As her friends walked away she wiped a lone tear from her cheek and followed them.

Ooo

The three girls ate their teriyaki dinner together happily, Kagome and Aymui sat on the bed and Eri and Yuka took two chairs. The small table was packed with their food and drinks. Her friends were laughing, talking about school, the girls keeping Kagome up to date on the lovely drama of their school, Kagome was just content to listen and try to pretend for a few minutes that this nightmare wasn't real.

"It really is no different than middle school was." Eri said, sipping her Coke "We're just older now."

Kagome laughed lightly, but it didn't sound right to her friends, before slipping a bite of beef into her mouth. Chewing she nodded her head in agreement with Eri's thoughts. Once her mouth was empty she said "I'm surprised Hojo hasn't come to visit."

Yuka made face "He has the flu or something is what I heard, so he doesn't even know yet. But when he finds out – there will be flowers and candy and cards galore. This room with be bursting at the seams!" She imitated an explosion with her hands and the others laughed.

Once they had finished and cleaned up their meal, the girls started to help their injured friend unpack the things they had brought her. Kagome had set one of her bags on her bed and was looking through it. It was all clothes so she pulled a comfy outfit out and changed quickly "I am so glad they took the IV out, it would have made getting dressed so hard!" Her friends didn't mind her changing in front of them one bit, they had been friends since they were children.

Slipping her shirt over her head she tied her hair back into a pony-tail and then shoved the clothing bag into the small closet in the corner of the room. She lined the window's edge with pictures of her family and friends. Eri set up her small radio next to her bed and said "I hope they don't get mad at you for having this."

Kagome shrugged "I guess as long as I don't blare it at 2am they won't care." She winced and sat on the edge of the bed, she had been very active today and it was starting to get to her.

Yuka was stacking a few books, CDs and DVDs on the far shelf, holding the stack up with a glass wolf that Kagome had requested. Once her few things were set up Kagome laid back down, looking tired and drawn "Are you ok Kagome?" Eri asked, sitting on the edge of the bed looking concerned.

Kagome just waved her away "I'm ok, just tired."

"We can come back later. Let you get some rest?" Ayumi offered from where she was leaning on the wall, her arms crossed casually over her chest.

Kagome shook her head "No, please. Stay as long as you'd like." Just then though, there was a brief knock on the door and Kagome frowned "Come in?" Usually the doctors and nurses would knock and then walk in, but this person waited for admittance.

A tall and thin man walked in, carrying a briefcase in his hands. He looked at the girls apologetically "Miss Higurashi?" He directed his words at Kagome who nodded slowly, uncertainty crossing her face.

"Yea, the one and only. What can I do for you?" 'Is he a reporter or something..?' She asked, eying him nervously. Her friends all moved almost as one to come closer to the bed, as if protecting their friend. Kagome smiled at the gesture.

The man cleared his throat and looked at the young woman who all were staring him down "Yes, well. My name is Lee Young and I was your parent's attorney?"

Kagome's eyes widened and she sat up more "Oh, that's right, they had updated their will a few years ago when Grandpa died. He was supposed to be our guardian, but when he died they changed it…but I never asked." She had forgotten all about the fact that her parents might have something else in mind for the kids.

Of course they wouldn't think, 'sure lets have our young daughter take care of her little brother all on her own'. She felt like an idiot, her parents were always prepared. Of course they would have a plan for her and Souta if something were to happen to them. Kagome motioned to a chair and he sat down, opening his briefcase. He looked at the trio of guard dogs that surrounded Kagome and said "I'm sorry, but this is a private-"

Kagome cut him off "No. It's ok. They are ok. You can say anything in front of them."

Shuffling a few papers the man adjusted his glasses and said "In your parents will, they left the family temple in equal parts to you and your brother – each able to claim it once you turn 18. They also have a savings account set up for each of you, which you are welcome to once you are 16. Which since you are, you are able to access yours?" Kagome felt relief surge through her, her parents had left them money? She smiled at the ceiling, silently thanking them. Things were going to be much easier now.

"What about where we live? You said we couldn't claim the Shrine until we were 18, I had been planning on getting custody of Souta and emancipating myself."

The attorney looked uncomfortable "Ah, well. In your parents will, since the death of your grandfather left no relatives they have placed you in the care of a Tashio Takashi," He said reading the name from the page in front of him "Apparently he was a business partner and close friend to your father,"

Kagome just stared at him, some random guy she had never met? If he was such a good friend of her dad's why had she never met him? "Where does he live? I bet you I can talk to him – he'll understand that I would rather live alone." She crossed her arms over her chest, feeling hope slip away from her as his face got that pinched up, uncomfortable look again "Ah, well. Mr. Takashi and his two sons moved to America, California specifically after the death of his wife."

Kagome was at a loss for words. America? She thought just moving into another house would have been bad, maybe at worst she would have to go to a new school. But, another country? Another hemisphere?! Her mind was screaming, but she never said a word. She just looked at her hands, ignoring the gasps and whimpers from her friends she said, sounding much calmer than she felt "Does Mr. Takashi know we are coming?"

Lee frowned "I'm sorry miss but, we?"

Kagome gave him a blank stare "Well, you don't really expect me to leave my brother here in a coma. Either I stay until he awakes, or he comes with me. Simple as that." Lee fidgeted, sure he may have prepared himself for a teary and weepy young girl but this headstrong woman with plans of her own? No. Probably not.

He sighed and said "Listen, I will call Mr. Takashi this evening, but the point of the matter is Kagome, you are only 16. Your parents left you in the care of their friend should anything happen…and for the next two years you don't have any other choice. We can work on getting your brother transferred to a local hospital, but that is all I can do for you." He stood up and touched her shoulder "I am sorry for your loss. I'll return tomorrow when I have spoken to Mr. Takashi."

Turning, he left the room. A chilling silence followed him Ayumi was the first to break it "Kagome, you can't go! We'll call the news and the papers – you just can't leave the country! We were all supposed to graduate together and then go to University together!"

Kagome sat there, staring at the ceiling for a moment – her mind running a mile a minute. While she desperately agreed with her friend, what could she do? She wanted to make her parents proud and prove she could handle everything on her own. Would that be best for her brother though? His medical care would devour her money left to her in a heartbeat and then what?

Kagome shook her head, her eyes closing tight to lock in any of her tears before they could fall "No, Ayumi. He was right. I'm only 16, and Souta is in a coma." She looked up at her friends and said softly, a single tear falling down her cheek "I'm going to America…"

Ooo

2800 words! HECK YES! And I wrote both these chapters in ONE night =) I have an issue with updating sometimes, and since my muse and I have been bickering lately…I have all but stopped writing. I guess I should crack open a bottle of wine with her and rejoice no? Well, anyways. You know the drill review or I won't update! I got 2 updates on my first chapter already, so I want at least 3 more before I consider updating again! Remember, if I get even more – I update faster!

-PEACE OUT!