Disclaimer- None, because I own Inuyasha….

Okay, I really don't. :-(

Comments and constructive criticism are welcome. Flames will be used to roast weenies and make s'mores.

Prologue

Another day, another pile of homework.

"Twenty-five algebraic equations, three workbooks, two research papers…and a partridge in a pear tree." Kagome smiled slightly at her last addition. The smile faded as she silently went over her list of class assignments for the week in her head, hoping she hadn't forgotten to bring anything home.

"I hate Mondays," she sighed to herself as she plodded down the sidewalk to where she lived. As she neared the steps to the entrance of the shrine she resolved to get an early start this time so she wouldn't be rushing the day before everything was due. Again.

Coming to a sudden halt, Kagome balled her hand into a fist and brought it up to mid-chest with a determined look. "And I'll actually follow my advice this time! Uh huh!" With a quick nod Kagome resumed her walk. She was just starting up the steps when she heard a voice.

"Do you always talk to yourself like that?"

Startled, Kagome whirled around to see who was there.

"Huh?"

There was no one there.

Looking up and down the sidewalk in search of the owner of the somewhat rude comment, Kagome heard a soft chuckled from behind her. She once again spun around to find only empty air.

"Souta! Is that you? Stop fooling around!" Sure that her little brother was playing a prank on her, Kagome shrugged off her confusion and continued her way up to her front door, determined to ignore any further disembodied comments or laughter.

As Kagome walked into her house and called out to her mother she was home, she failed to notice the teenage boy watching her from the steps where she had just been. Even as she turned to close the door and took one more quick look around the entrance way, her eyes skimmed across the youth as if he wasn't there. As the front door shut the boy gave a quick shake of his head as if to clear it. The slightly puzzled expression he had been wearing was replaced by an impassive look as he set off after the school girl.

"That was a first," he whispered, before walking into the Higurashi shrine through the wall.


If this seems promising to anyone, let me know and I'll continue.