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Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or the characters from InuYasha. I do not make money off this Fan-Fiction and this story is my idea nothing more.
A/N: Thanks to Smortz for being my wonderful Beta!
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“Today’s test is a long one, but you will need as many points as you can manage. I know some of you are behind, so I also added some extra questions for bonus points. If you can manage them in the time given I suggest you do it. Due to the difficulty of this test, you are allowed scratch paper to work out your questions. Do not mark the test, and only write down your answers.”
The woman in front of the class began handing stacks of paper, several sheets stapled together, to each person in the front row, telling that student to pass them back. The whole class knew this test would be a hard one. After all, this was the last year for all of them, and knew this was part of the final testing.
Kagome felt as if she was going to die when she got her copy. ‘This may as well be Greek! I don’t know any of this!’ Her thoughts plagued her until the command to begin was given.
The time passed, and Kagome’s poor scratch paper was mutilated with failure. The scribbles and notes of information created a tangled mess of markings, not to mention the eraser marks because she ran out of room so many times. So caught up in her panic over the test, she didn’t notice her teacher when the woman stood beside her until she spoke.
“Higurashi, I will give you one more minute as I gather the others completed tests.” Kagome knew it wasn't going to help. She just finished the third question! She quietly thanked her teacher.
When the time came to give in her test the teacher looked over the four completed questions and then down at Kagome’s scratch paper. “Kagome, this could have been your final year, but with work like this you may have to go to a private school, one that will take a girl your age.”
Kagome could only nod to her teacher. The shame of failing school and being told you can’t keep going because you are no longer high school age was too much.
~*~
‘Home... Now what?’ She wondered as she began to mope about the house.
“Great! Just GREAT! No private school will take me... plus it would cost too much.” She griped as she dug around the kitchen for a snack after a long day of defeat and feeling like a failure. Quietly munching away at her chips, she was greeted by her mom.
“Hello, Kagome. How was your day at school? Did you pass your test?” Setting heavy bags of goods on the table, her mother began to sort and put the groceries away.
Kagome got up and helped her mom. “Not really good at all. I failed my tests... all of them. Math was the worst!” She paused to collect her breath before continuing her next rant, “And my Math teacher flat out told me I am done at school and they cannot help me move on.” Fiddling with a can of beans, Kagome found that after speaking she just felt more depressed about it than when she had actually failed the tests.
“Oh, Kagome, I don’t want you upset over this. I am sure you can find a way to learn what you need to. However, you have a whole other world of problems to deal with.” A warm smile on her mom’s face and the inviting arms made Kagome break.
Sobbing into her mother’s shoulder was all she needed at that moment – to be a kid for once and let it all wash away with tears. If only to move on and face things as the adult she was expected to be. “Oh, Mama, why do I not belong in my own time? Where is my place?”
“Kagome, your place is exactly where you are. In the hearts of those you have touched. You are a wonderful, caring and thoughtful young woman. I am very proud of you and how you came to be. I could never ask for anything more.”
Kagome knew very well her mother was right, but she still needed time to shake off the feeling of failure. For now, she had to go deal with other things. “I should get packed and ready to go back...”
“All right, darling. Here, I got a few extra things for you and your friends, and something special for InuYasha.” Two of the large bags of goodies that were brought in were mostly for Kagome to take back with her.
Kagome knew very well this was too much, but she learned not to question her mom on these things. After all, her mom was where she got her caring nature from. Kagome could not question that when she herself would be doing the same.
~*~
After some very thorough packing, Kagome had enough food and necessities for a small army. She knew InuYasha would help get it all but she also knew he would gripe about it. She laughed at this as she floated down the well to the bottom. Once she landed, she could again feel the full weight of her packages and called out for InuYasha to help.
A second later, a furry- eared grump came down to get her and her things. Once it was all up and out, she beamed her thanks to him. “These are so heavy! I am very glad you were close by. I have some extra treats, so it is worth it. I promise!” With a large smile, she carried her pack while InuYasha carried everything else.
“Gah, what did you pack this time?! This is the heaviest you have ever bothered to bring!”
“Would you hush?! I said it is worth it! I didn’t get it all; Mom sent it!” Suddenly at the mention of Kagome’s mom, it was all okay. Even if it was all the same things that Kagome ever brought, it was fine coming from her mother. All this slightly peeved her, and add that on top of her depressed feelings about her schooling and this makes for a very frustrated Kagome.
They both arrived at the village, only to find that a demon messenger had brought news. The whole village was in an uproar about this news and everyone seemed to be chattering about and whispering things. Kagome knew the rumor mills were going to be running heavy tonight. She was too tired to care about whatever was so exciting. She only wanted to unpack, have some good food, and go to bed.
Once inside Kaede’s home, Kagome began sorting through everything, packing her backpack with things she can take around and leaving the rest in a large chest Kaede provided for her. “InuYasha, would you like your treat now?” She held out a packed thing of candies that she knew InuYasha loved.
“Yeah... sure, whatever.” Inuyasha grumbled, playing it off as being casual, when really he was very excited to have his treat. So much so, that he left the hut and ran off to hide with his candies. Kagome laughed as she watched. She knew the truth.
Kagome returned to unpacking and rearranging. Afterwards, she cleaned up the sudden mess she had made and left a small package for Kaede to find.
~*~
Feeling done with her chores, she headed out of the village to find her friends. After asking some of the villagers, she ended up in a small flower field where Sango was sitting against a tree in the shade, watching Shippo play with a very frisky Kirara.
“Hey, Sango!” She called out, waving happily to her sister as she walked closer. Sitting down next to Sango, she released a laugh when Shippo was pounced by Kirara. “They seem to be having fun. How was everything while I was gone?”
“Everything was quite well. How was your test?” This caused a stick of depression, which skittered across Kagome’s face, and Sango saw. “I’m guessing not well?”
“I did not pass, but overall considering what I have been doing besides studying I think I am still okay. I have done so much more than math or science. I am sure that things will work out, Mom seems to think so.” Deep down she wanted to cry again, but she was passed that, and now should focus on the here and now.
Sango knew that was not how it was; she knew her friend was still bothered by failing. She doubted Kagome would have spent years going back and forth and arguing with InuYasha over each time if it wasn’t important to her. She smiled and hugged Kagome.
“I am sure you will find a way to work it out. You know things I couldn’t even make up in my dreams. You should be very proud.” Kagome leaned into her sister and sighed.
“I know that, but in my time it is not enough.” Sango sat with her and patted Kagome’s head and smoothed down the stray hairs in an attempt to comfort her. ‘I wonder which time is really mine anymore?’ Kagome thought.
Quietly giving reassurance was all Sango knew how to do in such a situation. She never understood the things Kagome talked about when it was about her schooling, but she knew it was an important thing.
As if sensing his mother’s sadness, Shippo wondered over and crawled into her lap. “I missed you!” He shouted, giving a large smile and offering a handful of fresh berries as a welcoming gift. “I picked these for you!”
Kagome happily accepted the present and shared her gift with both Shippo and Sango. “Where is Miroku?” Kagome asked, having not seen him yet.
“He is helping Kaede take some herbs to the next village over, they had a slight breakout. The children played a little too close to some ivy-weed. They should both be back by morning.”
~*~
After getting dinner ready, Kagome, Sango, Shippo, and InuYasha sat in Kaede’s hut and enjoyed a good meal.
“Yo, did ja find out what all the villagers are fussin’ about?” InuYasha hadn’t bothered to get close enough to ask himself, but wanted to know.
“No, sorry. I unpacked everything and then went to see Sango and Shippo. I have no idea what they were talking about, but that messenger was a demon, maybe it is from a demon Lord? Could it be from your brother?” Kagome sipped her tea and started stacking her dishes together, an old habit.
“No, can’t be Sesshomaru, he wouldn’t waste the time sending a message to a human village. So it is probably somethin’ else from someone else...” Not really caring anymore, he opened a bag of chips to chase down his dinner.
Once dinner was cleaned up and everyone ready for bed, they all settled down for the night. Morning would come soon enough, and Kaede and Miroku would be back.
~*~
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