"What do you mean you're going home!?" Inuyasha argued with Kagome's back. Her scowled when she remained silent for a few seconds, loading her last book into the big yellow backpack she carried then clipped it shut.
"Don't get upset. I promise it won't be to long this time." Kagome flashed him a cheerful smile. "With all the studying I got in while you were sick I should have no problem with the test."
"I wasn't sick." Inuyasha protest irritably.
Kagome sighed. If coughing and sneezing for 5 hours straight then sleeping for 2 days didn't count as sick she didn't know what did. But she was in too good of a mood to argue so simply retained her smile. "Whatever. Bye Inuyasha." She pushed back the door hanging of Kaede's hut and glanced back over her shoulder at him. "And don't even think about coming to get me this time. Or else I'll be real angry." She let the cover fall closed behind her as she stepped out, tugging her shoe over the heel of her foot.
"Kagome!" She lifted her head to Sango, Miroku, and Shippou walking across the yard towards her. She dropped her foot down and smiled.
"I can't stop. I have to get home."
"Oh. Here, take Kirara." Sango offered, tiny cat demon lifting her head from where she was perched on Sango's shoulder and mewed softly in Kagome's direction.
"Is Inuyasha still sleeping?" Miroku asked as Kagome lifted the cream colored demon from Sango's shoulder and stroked his fur drawing a contented mew from the creature.
"Yes. He just woke up a few minutes ago actually. And he seems back to his old self again."
"I'm glad." Sango put in. "He slept for so long I was worried that chill had really gotten to him. You should be proud. Your magic pills must have really worked."
'The power of Advil' Kagome thought to herself and laughed softly. "I'd better get going. Try to make sure he doesn't hurt himself."
"Come back soon Kagome!" Shippou pleaded.
She smiled "Don't worry Shippou. I'll be back before you know it." Kagome looked down at the cat demon in her arms. "Ready Kirara?"
The demon answered by jumping down from Kagome's arms. Fire flared as she transformed, massive maw opening in affirmative reply. Kagome braced her hand on Kirara's neck and swung up onto her back. Finger's tangled in the demon's thick fur and Kagome glanced back at Sango, Miroku, and Shippou as Kirara launched into the air, and lifted her arm in a wave.
'I just hope Inuyasha doesn't hurt himself now that he's just gotten better.' Her lips parted in a soft sigh. "Inuyasha, you're so much trouble."
Kagome touched down on the other side of the well a few minutes later. The violet glow faded from around her and she lifted her head to look at the wooden ceiling of the main shrine above her. She braced a hand on a rung of the rope lower and climbed up out of the well, tossing her bag over and climbed out. She sat against the rim for a moment and let out a breath then glanced around the shrine room.
'It's so nice to be home again. Home again and not worrying about failing.' She pushed away from the well and walked up the steps, sliding open the door. 'Maybe this time I can actually do something fun. I haven't gone to the movies in a long time.'
"Mom! I'm home." Kagome called out as she crossed the yard. The side door opened and her mother's form appeared.
"Kagome. You're back early." She smiled. "Well come inside. Dinner's ready and your just in time to help Souta with the dishes."
'Perfect.' Something pricked at the edge of Kagome's consciousness and she turned her head, glancing towards the Great Tree that grew in their yard. 'A jewel shard?'
"Kagome!" Her mother's voice called from inside the house.
"Coming mom." Kagome lingered for a moment hesitantly before disappearing into the house.
"That was close." He smiled from where he sat, crouched on the branch smiled, one hand braced against the trunk of tree as he peered through the tangle of leaves that hid him from sight. Pale silver blue hair fell over the stranger's face as he shifted to better improve his view before sitting back with another smile. "She's gone." Soft features contorted with gentle laughter and soft green eyes turned towards the second behind him. "I told you."
The second boy stood, balanced precariously on the tree branch with flawless grace. Leaned against the trunk with arms crossed over his chest, face turned away with disinterest. "Fascinating enough I guess."
"Don't be difficult Leather." The first boy smiled and stood, brushing the azure locks back from his face. "You were as captivate as I." Her touched the jewel shard that burned in his forehead, with a slender finger. "I almost dropped the chi spell. We were almost caught." Soft amusement played in his voice, and the smile remained on his face. "So what do we do?"
"Follow her." Leather sighed gently. "Damn it, Lace…"
"Oh. You're so upset she got to you." Lace laughed. "Me too." Leather shot him a glare, Lace shrugged it off. "I found her first."
"I'm older."
"Only by a few seconds." A second shrug following the first.
"Then what are we doing." Leather growled lightly, turning emerald eyes on his brother who has returned to watching the house with a fond smile.
"We'll figure something out."
"Her name's Kagome isn't it?"
"Higarashi. Kagome Higurashi." Lace answered before dropping down from the tree, changing form as he did. He slid a hand into the pocket of his jeans and straightened as Leather landed beside him, glancing towards his brother, older now in appearance.
"And you think this'll really work, Lace?"
"It's bound to be fun." Lace smiled serenely again. "Let's go."
And the pair faded from the yard.