Bet you thought I was going to kill Kagome off LOL
Nope, I just altered her future and her relationship with Kikyo
Kagome bolted awake in bed, her brown eyes wide and panicked, cold sweat beading along her skin, her head aching and her mind fuzzy. Ripped from the comfortable peace of a lie in on a weekend, to suddenly being dragged back to reality. Like she didn't have to do that every weekday to attend school. Just once she would like some peace and quiet to enjoy her mundane life. She groaned softly, cupping her head in her hands as she tried to make sense of it all. She'd always been such a rational person, but even she was out of her depth to explain the images in her dreams. She'd had such a strange dream, she thought she was too old for nightmares. Maybe she was studying too hard, she'd been having so many study sessions with Yuka, Ayumi and Eri. She knew the building stress wouldn't be good for her, effecting her mentally and slowly worsening her health and moods. It was getting so much that her mother was urging her to take a break, her grandpa offering medicine and remedies to help her feel better. She felt it was her responsibility to do her mother proud, to achieve so that she could set an example to her brother of what his own future could be. She was so desperate to graduate high school and actually get into a decent college. She had no idea of what career she wanted yet, she had no idea of what the future would hold. But her guidance counsellor could help with that when the time came. Her mother warned her not to study too hard, her grandfather was always pressuring her about the temple and Souta was just plain annoying. She loved her little brother, but his cowardice, whining and stubbornness were never easy to handle. She just hoped that in time he learned to mature.
She tried to make sense of the images still lingering in her mind, wishing she had a sketch book to write them down on. She remembered a boy with silver hair and golden eyes, a handsome monk, a fox? And a girl about her age in some strange armour as well as a wolf. It sounded like something from a strange fairy story, tales of warning to teach small children not to be disobedient. Maybe she'd been watching too much TV or reading comics, people warned it turned your brain to mush. She sighed, rubbing her eyes and slowly climbing out of bed to shower. Maybe the hot water would help clear her brain a little "Man that was a weird dream" she sighed. She slowly stretched, opening her window to let in the morning air, the sound of birds filling the room.
Kagome paced wearily into the kitchen, sitting at the table as the smell of breakfast wafted around the room. It was familiar, comforting and ever so delicious, her mother was a great cook and taught her some recipes. Her mother turned to her with a sweet smile "Morning Kagome, hungry?" she asked kindly. She knew it was a weekend so Kagome would be making plans with her friends. She had been working so hard lately she deserved to have some fun. So long as she was home at a reasonable hour and let them know if she was going to be eating with them.
Kagome smiled at her mother, no matter her mood she was always in the mood for her cooking "Starved". She stretched wearily and joined her family at the table, prepared for another domestic morning. Hoping for some peace and quiet after such strange dreams. Hopefully she would forget about them soon enough.
Souta peered at his sister from his breakfast bowl, he could see the dark circles forming under her eyes. He knew she had late study sessions and held herself up in her room. She was always helpful with studies and she was very smart, but he worried that she was putting too much pressure onto herself. It made her moody and no fun to be around. "Hey sis, you look exhausted" Souta hummed.
Kagome frowned, softly tapping him on the head with her fist "Don't you know it's rude to comment on girls appearance like that?" she huffed. She wasn't naive to the fact that Souta had been sneaking on her, watching her and interrupting her study sessions. She didn't know if he was bored, lonely or just trying to annoy her. How would he ever hope to get himself a girlfriend if he kept shadowing her and being so annoying?
Her grandfather lowered his newspaper "Kagome, would you mind helping me this afternoon? As it's a weekend I need a helping hand..." he asked "..I need a ward put around the old well, it's become a hazard" he explained. It had become old and rotten and some visitors to the temple had a tendency to wander off, he couldn't afford such an accident occurring. People could still leave offerings and pay their respects. Their family had protected and guarded it for generations but it was now becoming too old to repair. It would need all new wooden panels, sealant, polish and more just to keep the wood in place. Also the elements affected the wood. They didn't have enough donations coming in to upkeep the cost of repair, so they would be sealing it off until further notice, until they could find the money to repair it.
Kagome sighed, she understood how much the temple meant to her grandfather, he'd been caring for it for many years. He put his heart and soul into educating others on the history of the shrine. But the current generation weren't as invested in history as his were. "Might as well seal it up gramps" she sighed, it was dangerous and not many people saw the appeal.
Her grandfather frowned, as the eldest she was the one to inherit the protection over it. He knew Kagome was focused on her studies but she was too invested in trivial matters. As his granddaughter, she would be expected to protect and preserve it once he had passed on. He needed to know the temple would be left in good hands. "It's a historic legacy, we must respect it" he huffed impatiently.
Kagome rolled her eyes, it was too early for a history lesson from her grandfather "Yeah, yeah grandpa I know". The last thing she needed was to be berated by her grandfather over history lessons she never asked for.
Her grandfather frowned, the less respect she had for their family lineage, the more ignorant she would be to their sacrifices and lessons. "Your ancestor Kikyo Higurashi was the youngest of our family to become a priestess. She protected the well for generations before she passed the mantle onto her younger sister Kaede. She fought demons until her last breath. As her descendant you should respect her legacy" he grandfather stated. She was a wise young woman, respected and adored by all, many of her descendants and lineage had inherited her title and honoured her.
Kagome blinked, now this was something her grandpa never talked about enough, family history. This was almost interesting, one where she could actually speak to her grandpa, one where it wouldn't become repetitive and boring. She had never really heard much about her ancestors in name, only that they were shinto priests and priestesses. When she was so focused on other matters it was hard to take an interest in something. "Kikyo Higurashi?" she asked, why had she never heard that name before?
Her grandfather looked surprised, for once Kagome actually looked curious and intrigued, so he continued. The story of Kikyo was indeed a lonely one, but she had found happiness along her path and renewed her devotion to her cause. She was the unique case of building a brief and harmonious bridge between humans and demons during their family history. "She was a shrine maiden, one of the strongest of our lineage and the greatly respected. She trained her sister too. You resemble her immensely..." her grandpa smiled. He slid a picture across the table to show his grandchildren. "...She was the guardian of the shikon jewel, the same relic we sell tokens of at our shrine. Before it was destroyed and removed from the hands of demons. She protected the village and temple grounds. If not for her we would have no legacy" her grandpa informed. She acted as a teacher to many, healing the sick and injured, fighting demons and even educating many on the differences between malicious demons and harmless spirits. Educating others on the difference between enemies and allies.
Kagome hummed, taking the picture carefully as to not damage it, it was a well preserved picture given how old it was. It had to be the Edo period at least, making her wonder how an image like this was taken before the westernisation of Japan. The Meiji era, before the Edo period when Japan began to modernise. She gasped, her grandpa wasn't wrong, this girl did resemble her at least in face. She was a few years older at least, her hair was longer and straighter, while hers was at least chest length, Kikyo's had reached her waist. She was tall, she had long silky straight black hair styled into a hime cut, her hair tied back with a ribbon into a long ponytail. Wearing a traditional shinto priestess attire, with a bow and arrow in hand, she was very young, though she had a mature air about her. This woman was her ancestor, she was the woman who had fallen in love with a demon, coupling with him and trying to harmonise the world of humans and demons. She couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for the woman. Even she could admit her ancestor had been pretty, maybe she inherited that from her as well. From the way her grandfather praised her, she must have been a strong priestess, greatly respected. She softened, she would have liked to meet her.
Her grandfather raised a finger, pressing the matter further, sensing her interest "Rumour has it, she was educated with the wisdom of medicinal herbs. The reason we sell medicine to help people with tonics and other remedies is because of her knowledge. It's because of her legacy, to protect a new generation" he beamed. Kikyo grew her own herbs, made medicine for the villagers and created her own recipes to help aid others. She had started farming among the village to assure the village was self sufficient as to prevent further casualties from gathering herbs in woods filled with demons.
Kagome hummed, she had to admit this Kikyo person was very impressive, leading and protecting a village at her age, garnering such respect and gaining such power. Then to have all this knowledge to help people in a time before modern medicine. She was barely making it with her studies and being able to retain all the essay and exam homework. She had no idea of who she wanted to be in the future, where her path would lead. But her ancestor seemed to have it all figured out. But with all that studying and responsibility, did she ever have time to herself either? Girls back then were expected to be married by their mid teens, bearing children and having their own home. To be an unmarried priestess by the age of eighteen. She respected Kikyo's independence and desire to forge her own path by her terms, it seemed they had a lot in common. "Did she ever marry? Or fall in love?" she asked, priestesses weren't known to marry or even have that sort of connection. They were supposed to be pure, untainted. For her to fall in love, let alone allow herself that sort of vulnerability was unheard of.
Her grandfather smiled, chuckling in amusement "There is a tale, though I don't know how true it may be. It is said that she was visited by a powerful Inu-DaiYokai whom would observe the village. He harboured a rare compassion for humans and she was drawn to that. She would later marry that DaiYokai, their love helped unite some humans and demon-kind, casting aside their bitter hatred. Supposedly some of our ancestors briefly had demon blood" he reflected. There were a fiercely powerful clan back then, InuDaiYokai, known as warlords and fiercely powerful demons. Some of the most respected in the demon world. The two sons born of one were said to have married human women and created progeny. The youngest son fell in love with Kikyo and married her, the eldest son fell in love with an orphaned village girl who gained a bond with him and bore his children. Through Kikyo, their family created progeny that carried their DaiYokai lineage until it died out.
"WHAT?!" Kagome shrieked, how did her grandpa not think to tell her that one of her ancestors fell in love with a demon and that possibly she might have some demon blood in her?! That was some spooky ghost story sort of family history. The last thing she wanted to think about was her family heritage having some form of demon curse on it.
Her grandpa chuckled in amusement, there was no factual evidence of this, only written text and history. It wasn't as if they had the actual proof that this actually occurred. But to see Kagome so flustered over a rumour was indeed amusing "It's just a tale Kagome, no need to fret so" he teased.
Kagome pouted, joke or not she didn't appreciate it, it seemed despite his old age her grandpa was in fact a mischievous soul. She had no other nearby or living family she could ask about this, and any other relatives she had didn't live near a temple. The only person she could ask about this sort of thing was her grandpa. But she relented her frustration as her curiosity got the better of her "Was she the only priestess or were there more like her?".
Her grandfather took back the picture of Kikyo, replacing it with another of a young man, he looked to be around Kagome's age, albeit maybe a secondary high schooler, he was very handsome. Many people in that era were gifted with innate power allowing them to purify and exorcise demons, preventing them from possessing and corrupting humans. "Miroku, a young man of the Imai clan, grandson of Miyatsu and son of an unnamed father. He was said to be the only one to be capable of rivalling her power. So potent were his families spiritual power, they were feared by demon kind" her grandpa explained. Only the men of the family were said to harbour such power, but mainly because sons were born instead of girls for a period. Due to the time period they were immensely patriarchal.
To carry on such a lineage with every male born into the family, she couldn't imagine that kind of pressure. Having to live up to that kind of expectation "Wow, that's impressive" Kagome gasped. But to have that target on your head your entire life, they had to have been paranoid into watching their every move. Not knowing who was their enemy and who was their ally.
Her grandfather nodded "Indeed, sadly his family were infamous womanisers, so there are bound to be several of their descendants in Tokyo alone" he laughed. The Imai patriarch, Miroku's great grandfather was an immense womaniser which led to him almost being deceived by demons many times before. But they were persistent to carry on their lineage in case one befell the fate of being killed by a demon. They insisted on marrying the first woman they met in order to carry the family line.
Kagome winced, a potent lineage of powerful monks or priestesses if any girls were born into the family. She felt disheartened that they would be corrupt by such lechery. She had always seen monks as pure people, men of faith, protectors of temples and shrines. To imagine someone of such a holy position, someone seen praying at temples and carrying sacred beads. Aiding those in need. It gave her cold chills down her spine, trying to erase that feeling from her.
"There were all sorts of people combatting demons, there were said to be villagers of various Taijiya, or demon slayers. Paid mercenaries who hunted and killed demons for a price, using demon hide to create and forge their weapons and armour. The most infamous was one from a village named Sango and her younger brother Kohaku. She was said to have made a bond with a demon cat whom she rode into battle" her grandpa beamed.
"A teenage warrior who fought demons and made trophies of them? Sounds pretty badass" Kagome smiled, but she was curious of what kind of people they were. Thinking of how differently the teenagers of that time were compared to the modern era. She sighed reflectively, so one of her ancestors was a powerful priestess. She was descended from people who harboured such profuse spiritual power that demons feared them. In the modern era she had become the future to her ancestors, carrying a lineage she had never known about. And another family had become monks, she wondered what kind of people they were.
"Woah, so your ancient ancestor was a priestess?" Ayumi questioned, she knew Kagome's family had been protecting that shrine for generations. A sacred tree and well were on the grounds, protected and guarded. There were all sorts of stories about the Higurashi shrine but nobody really believed them but they were interesting. Kagome was so lucky to have that kind of family history, it was so interesting.
Kagome nodded, her mother was a homemaker and carried none of the powers, her grandpa had weakened spiritual powers. Her brother was too young to show any and Kagome was never born with any. Mostly they were all stories, but she respected that family history. The least she could do was preserve the shrine, maintain it and keep her grandfather happy. "Yeah, apparently the strongest in our lineage" Kagome explained, she pulled out the picture her grandpa gave her. She asked if she could keep it as a memorial, maybe find a frame to place it in her room so she could admire it. Maybe somehow wish for luck from her ancestor and hope she could channel her strength.
The three girls stared at the picture curiously
"Woah Kagome, she looks exactly like you! I mean, older and more mature but still uncanny" Yuka gasped.
Kagome nodded, she had to admit that it was scary how alike they looked. It was funny how genes looked, how much you could inherit through lineage. Which meant the genes had to come through her late father. She would have loved to have asked him about it but he died when she was very young. Sharing this odd connection with a woman she had never met, it was a little magical "I thought so too".
Eri piped up, an excited expression on her face, eager to hear more "So, do you know her name? Anything about her?" Eri asked eagerly. This was too juicy gossip to simply end so quickly. She needed to know more.
Kagome gazed at the picture, remembering all the stories her grandpa had told her earlier. She would have never believed such stories were real, but family history was such a funny thing. "Her name was Kikyo, she was the youngest girl in our family to become a priestess, her sister carried on the tradition too. Apparently she fell in love with a demon and married him" Kagome reflected.
"She married a demon?!" Her friends gasped in unison, that sounded like something out of a fairy story or a horror film. How could something like that even be real? It didn't make any sense. Weren't demons supposed to be scary, dangerous and wicked?
Kagome gave them an exasperated expression, though she herself had a similar reaction she didn't need them acting up too. She had enough on her plate with this newfound family history. She was still processing this, accepting and understanding all these secrets which she had never known about. But she was curious of how much of it was fake and how much of it was real. "It's just a story" Kagome sighed wearily.
Yuka peered at her suspiciously "Just don't go haunting us all with your demon power or whatever" she teased
Kagome frowned, she didn't appreciate her friends teasing her like this, she just hoped they would forget about it soon. She wanted to move on to another subject. "Apparently another family called Imai are descended from inherently powerful monks. Some of their descendants supposedly live in Tokyo". She had to admit she had a lot of questions, maybe as a hobby she could try tracking some of the descendants down. Maybe ask them some questions and see how much they knew about her own lineage. She could make some new friends and feel less like an outsider for being one of the only girls in her year who lived at a shrine.
"Whaaat? You mean there might be another family like yours who protect a temple?" Yuka gasped. Kagome was one of the few rare girls in her year who still had traditional family members like that. A majority had modernised and just visited local temples and shrines instead of having one n their backyard. I mean it saved going anywhere on new years and other places, why travel when you had one in your backyard. It had to get annoying with how many locals and tourists visited.
Kagome shrugged, she had to admit she had questions of her own she would love to be answered. Though she knew shintoism was a largely worshipped religion in her country, that she herself was raised with it. She had never taken the premise of demons, spirits and more all that seriously. But she knew to many it was a very respected worship system connected to nature and the land. "Maybe? I mean I'm not the only family in Tokyo who has a shrine in their backyard".
"Still, that's really cool Kagome, having such an interesting family line. All my family does is work in business" Eri sighed. Her dad worked as a salaryman in an office all day, her mother was a working business woman too. So she often came home and had to take care of herself, their family made money but she had to admit is was lonely sometimes and boring. A shrine seemed far more interesting in comparison.
Kagome pouted, to the outside observer it would seem cool and interesting, but when you had to live it everyday it lost the appeal. She had lived in that house since she was four, it was her whole childhood, exposure to it after a while became less exciting. But just maybe instead of her grandpa's opinion she needed a new perspective, someone else's view. His wasn't the only voice she could learn from. "Believe me, it's less fun when your grandpa keeps drilling it into you at breakfast every day" Kagome sighed. At this point she had merely learned to drown it out by blanking out.
"You aren't the slightest bit curious?" Ayumi asked suspiciously
Ok Ayumi had her there, she had a small peak of interest, a small gnawing that wanted to know more. But she had so much more to think about, so much more to consider. She didn't have time to waste when she was focusing on her future. "I mean, I'd love to do some research on them, just on my terms, my grandpa makes it sound so boring" Kagome admitted. She would love to read books alone, actually absorb the information instead of her grandpa looming over her shoulder.
"Hojo, can you help me with some research?" Kagome pressed curiously, she knew this was a lot to ask and she could easily try the library or a museum. But it was such a niche topic, she would be lucky if anyone had the information she needed. At a time like this more brains were needed to assist, more manpower to get ahold of resources. She knew his family ran a medicinal shop and he was always offering her some, but somehow her family's tonics were still superior to his own. He was a kind and thoughtful person, he was also rather handsome she had to admit, but she had never really paid him much attention. So long as he was willing to help her she would be greatly appreciative.
Hojo blinked, it was rare Kagome ever asked him for help, and she was so cute it was hard to ever reject her. She spent her time focused on her studies or spending time with her friends, living in her own little world oblivious to admirers. He never knew the right way to ask her on a date, it often felt too awkward and Kagome never seemed to understand his intentions. Unless someone actively pursued her or expressed they were romantically interested in her, she would be non the wiser. She was the prettiest girl in their year and he'd tried so hard to attempt to earn her affections, but she remained oblivious. But if she was ever in need he would do what he could to help her, assuring that he was made expandable to her in hopes of growing closer. "Uh, sure I'll help where I can" he offered shyly.
Kagome took a deep breath, ok this was the leap "I need help looking up the Higurashi clan and Imai clan" she asked. She was running around in the dark here, expecting answers about a family that he had only just learned existed. Her friends had his contact details so she had asked them to call him, knowing he probably had plans or wanted to see his friends. She knew she was being selfish but she didn't know who else to ask. She knew how strange of an ask it would be but she just wanted to understand, maybe find the connections. Perhaps answering some questions to her family lineage.
Hojo stared at her, he had expected help with studies, maybe some suggestions about something. But this was unfamiliar territory, even where Kagome was concerned. It seemed every time he met her she had a new hobby. But he would try and be as useful as possible, he would hate to disappoint her "I mean it should be easy looking up your family, it's a common name. But... why the Imai clan?" he asked. He didn't think Kagome was all that interested in history.
Kagome sighed, she couldn't be completely honest about it, after all she might come up with a dead end and she would hate to be disappointed. All she could hope for was luck, that this might just work out. "Apparently they have descendants living in Tokyo, it would be pretty cool to befriend someone whose family also owns a shrine. Maybe find some common ground" Kagome admitted. She only knew one by name, Miroku and his grandfather, maybe using those names might sound familiar to someone. Maybe they had shared history and they could learn about one another's family lineage, honestly she had to admit this felt a little exciting. Like a new adventure of sorts.
Hojo smiled, he didn't know Kagome had an interest in ancestry, he could see the eager twinkle in her eye, like a child at Christmas. How could he let her down when this was so important to her? But then she was always full of surprises, so unpredictable. It was what made her so intriguing, that appeal, you never knew what to expect "I'll try my best" he offered.
Kagome beamed, ok the ball was rolling and now she had a research companion, she couldn't wait to tell her grandpa about this. He would be so pleased "Thanks Hojo, you're the best".
Hojo grabbed a giant book and some files, he'd spent all break researching and asking around. He'd explained to his teacher it was extra curricular as a favour to a friend, he knew the school wasn't open on a saturday but he'd pressed that it was an urgent matter. Sports and other after school clubs were still allowed on the premises to train and prepare for events. Teachers stayed to keep a watch on them and prepare other matters, but the school remained mostly quiet. Hojo spent the afternoon gathering information and expanding resources. Finding contact details and more. He just hoped Kagome appreciated all the effort he put into this, book after book, page after page, document after document. How had he not gone blind from staring at a screen for so long. Apparently the Higurashi clan was descended as far back as the Meiji era, they were all descended from temple guardians, and some later expanded to work in trade. As the modern era started, there was less demand for priests etc. Before the westernisation of Japan, a time when demons and spirits apparently ran rampant. He had learned about Kagome's ancestor Kikyo, whom had been a rather impressive and beautiful priestess.
But from what he learned of the Imai clan, there were a few living descendants who attended this school and others. They lived privately and were a respected family, taking their tradition very seriously. He couldn't wait to tell Kagome, knowing she had expected very little.
Kagome wanted to punch the air, she never expected this to pay off so well, but Hojo had pulled through. She owed him immensely for this, she just wondered how she could repay couldn't believe her luck, someone had to be looking over her shoulder "There are Imai family descendants at this school?!" Kagome beamed. She wondered who they were, if she had ever passed them in the hall or had classes with them. So close and yet she never knew.
"That's lucky" Yuka agreed, Hojo worked fast but then nobody was naive to his crush on Kagome. Where she was concerned the boy would bend over backwards for her.
Hojo nodded, blushing with pride at seeing how happy Kagome was with his research. She was practically jumping on the spot "Only a handful from what I know, distant but still bloodlines. However, there are a few from another school, one all girls school and another public one like ours" he explained. He had managed to get their names, as well as other family members that were not students, but he didn't think bothering elderly family members would be polite.
Kagome gripped his hands eagerly, she didn't know what to say, only that she was immensely grateful "Hojo I cannot thank you enough". She felt elated, like nothing could ruin her mood. God when was the last time she had felt this energised? When was the last time she got so excited over a project? Maybe this little hobby of researching her family would lead to something new. Her grandpa could add it to history about the temple and maybe connect some friendships.
Hojo blushed, Kagome's eyes were sparkling, she was so excited, all thanks to him. He never really knew what to say to her or ask about what her hobbies were, despite how approachable she was. But at least he knew how to find something to bond over, maybe he could make more invitations to other social events. Maybe ask her to the cinema, go to a museum sometime. He couldn't deny the fluttering of his heart, the way she was like sunshine, so warm and comforting "I...no problem" he stammered.
Kagome gave him an apologetic gaze, she wouldn't be done with these anytime soon and she would do better with them at home. Knowing how much time and effort he had put in she felt so bad. She hoped she wasn't getting him into trouble by borrowing them, she would need to explain to a teacher or librarian. "Do you mind if I borrow these? I can do more research at home" she explained.
Hojo shifted, he knew her grandpa was a shinto priest and historian, maybe he would want to know as well. It was rather sweet how she was invested in her grandpa's work "I... sure..." he stammered.
Kagome grabbed the items, running off eagerly, using these she could show her grandpa and possibly track some down, though she hoped she wouldn't sound too odd. She waved to her friends and Hojo eagerly "Gotta run, thanks so much for this Hojo" she called. She was aware it appeared rude to cut them off so soon, but she had so much to do and this would become time consuming. She couldn't stop her mind from racing, all that was to come. How would she act when she met them? What was she supposed to say?How was she supposed to introduce herself?
"Wow, rejected without her even knowing it" Yuka sighed, patting Hojo's shoulder sympathetically. He had put in all the effort for a study session and she had robbed him of the research.
"You could have been research buddies" Eri admitted, he had found all the pieces he needed and she was still not interested.
"Kagome is such an airhead" Ayumi sighed, how could she not understand he did it so they could research together?
"A boy at your school found this?" Grandpa Higurashi gasped in awe, this text was old, very old. He had to have had these on request for a long period, or he had asked in a favour. He had to care about Kagome a great deal in order to get these for her. These books had to be on loan or transferred from a much older library somewhere. They were well preserved and cared for, given when they were published. She owed this young man a great deal of gratitude for his gesture.
Kagome nodded, she wasn't about to bring up Hojo in case it engaged questions about her love life. That was a subject she wanted to avoid right now and seemed trivial in comparison. "He was able to find some modern living relatives of the Imai clan, some at my school and others" she pressed. She didn't know how he had managed to get all this information but she was still pleased with it. Now herself and her Grandpa could add more history to the shrine as well as hopefully finding new friends. If they could create a unified museum with another shrine, it could become local history.
Her grandfather smiled proudly, Kagome had truly put effort into this, it was a delightful surprise "And you wish to find them?" her grandpa asked. He knew Kagome had no interest in this before, but a spark had been formed, a sense of enthusiasm he had never seen her display before. He had hoped that someday she would become the next shrine protector in his place, as he was becoming older and frailer. It was a proud moment.
Kagome shifted, she wasn't abandoning her hobbies and interests, but it would be nice to have a separate part to call her own. Something private, something she didn't need to share. "I mean... it would be nice to have some friends with that in common, and I'm open to a bigger friendship circle" she sighed. Yuka, Eri and Ayumi just didn't understand, their family didn't have this kind of connection to the past, this was just something they would never be able to bond over. They cared more about gossip, dating, pop idols and other matters that teenagers her age would talk about. A separate part of her life.
Her grandpa sighed but smiled fondly "I'm pleased to know you are taking such an active interest..." he trailed off. This was a mantle she would someday carry, a lineage that she was part of that someday Souta would be educated on too. "However...don't try to juggle it all at once, pace yourself and take your time. Think of this as another lesson, study, absorb" he encouraged. She could read the texts in her room when she wasn't studying, wander the temple grounds and explore. He wanted her to actually find this interesting instead of a chore.
Kagome softened, she didn't want to disappoint him or hurt his feelings, knowing how much this meant to him. Despite how annoying he could be sometimes she truly loved her grandpa "Thanks Grandpa".
Kagome opened the pages of the many texts that Hojo had found for her, pouring over texts and images. As it happened, some of these students were around her age and seniors. Some were even in college, all of them being descendants from the Imai clan. Some were even descended from the demon slayer Sango. She scanned the pages, reading the words, her fingers delicately tracing the pages with enthusiasm. Even Sota hadn't disturbed her sensing how much she was enjoying herself. "Fumiko Imai, a college student from Nara, but attending a university in Tokyo. She's only a few years older than me. I wonder what she's studying" Kagome reflected. She wondered what she looked like, if she was capable of wielding the same powers as her lineage. Whether she had inherited the perverted gene of her ancestor Miroku. She wondered if they had similar appearance, like herself and Kikyo Higurashi. Genes were a strange thing, the lottery of what you would inherit was tricky. But this was a good start, she had already found name and that was better than nothing.
She carefully turned the pages, making sure not to damage the books and keeping them preserved. She didn't know how long she would keeping these but it would be for a period. Hopefully she didn't owe Hojo any late fee's. "Akito Miyake, he's a lot older than me, way past college age. But he's a descendant of the Taijiya, from Sango's family" she reflected. It was strange to think he was descended from mercenaries who were paid to fight demons, wondering if he had chosen a similar career? This was already something she could work with, she had found two names, from different parts of Japan but living in Tokyo like herself.
What were the odds of this happening? If she had never discussed this with her grandfather she would have remained oblivious. Unaware of these people who she shared so much in common with. She couldn't help the flutter of excitement, maybe she could be a historian or a journalist when she went to college. She was having a lot of fun doing research, she could easily do this a great deal more. Smiling to herself as she considered all these new faces, linked to the people from her dreams. She could imagine how crazy this sounded to someone with a different perspective. But a small part of her didn't care, she could feel this pull leading her on. A new adventure from her mundane life.