Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of its characters. In fact, last time I checked, Rumiko Takahashi does. Oh well.

"Kag-chan, I, Kiyoshi Kikyou, welcome you to Nibori Private High." Fourteen-year-old Kikyou spoke in her usual soft tone, giggling like the school-girl she really was. She waved an arm above her head, gesturing at the entrance.

"Sugoi! It's magnificent!" Kagome Higurashimanaged to breathe out, as she gaped with wide eyes and open mouth.

She had never seen a school like this before. It's vast property that stretched for miles beofre her; it's high, iron black gates with Nibori Private High in big, bold letters across the top; its seven-stories high building still in its perfect image of white silver and glinting glass; and its beautiful garden despite the cold weather of late autumn.

'Mama, I miss you...'

She turned her gaze onto the other girl. She noticed the dark glaze in her eyes and the slight frown forming on her lips. Her own twinkling orbs and lightened smile changed into ones of worry and wonder. She called out to her, "Kiki-chan? Kiki-chan?!"

"Eh-huh?" Kikyou answered, in surprise of having been snapped out of her thoughts so unexpectedly.

"What is going on in that head of yours? You've been like that all morning. I'm starting to worry about you. Is there something wrong?"

"Nothing-it's nothing, really. We should go to the office."

She didn't believe her at all, didn't doubt that she was hiding something. But she'd let it go for now, and wait until she was ready to tell her. Her patience had always been a problem, though.

'But I'll do my best...'