[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chapter 3 - The Family Meeting
"Kagome, are you awake dear?"
Kagome slowly awoke at the knocking on her door and her mother's voice. She
had slept for quite a while. Every time Ms. Higurashi would pass by Kagome's door, she
would hear Kagome talking in her sleep. Ms. Higurashi couldn't make any of it out
except for Nico's name. She was worried about Kagome. She and Nico had been like
sisters. For this to happen worried Ms. Higurashi greatly.
"Kagome, are you awake?", Ms. Higurashi asked again.
"Yes mom."
"Dinner's ready and after that we're going to discuss about Nico's living here."
"Okay mom. I'll be right out."
Kagome got up and walked over to her window. She stared out thinking about the
dream she just had. She had forgotten all about that day. About that promise. I promised
Nico I would always protect her. Kagome looked away from the window. Her mother was
calling her so she walked out of her room and downstairs.
"Kagome are you okay."
"Yes mother."
Kagome sat down with her family to eat dinner, but she was far from hungry. She
picked at her food and moved it around a few times. Finally Kagome's mother spoke up.
"Well, if everyone is done with dinner, I think we should all head to the living
room."
"I'll help with the dishes mother."
"No, Kagome. The dishes can wait for now."
With that, everyone got up and walked into the living room . Ms. Higurashi and
Kagome's grandfather took a seat on the couch while Kagome and Souta sat on the love
seat across from them. Then Ms. Higurashi spoke.
"As everyone knows, there is something very urgent that we, as a family, need to
discuss. I understand that it is hard to think at a time like this but we can not ignore this.
Grandpa, if you would like to tell us what you think we should do....."
"I think we should take the girl in. After all she is family. Yes, adjustments will
have to be made, but you do not turn your back on family."
"Alright. Souta, what do you think?"
"I agree with grandpa. Even though Uncle Keichi wasn't always a great guy after

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Aunt Chenoa's death, that shouldn't affect how we view Nico. Because of that, she will
need us now more than ever."
Ms. Higurashi looked at Kagome.
"Kagome. I know you want Nico to stay. I know we all do. Now we must consider
everything affected by this. First off, where will she sleep?"
Kagome began to smile a little and finally spoke.
"She can sleep with me in my room."
"Alright. What about the extra food and schooling?"
"I can get an after school job to help earn money. I can also tutor her."
"That sounds perfectly logical. Now, Kagome. What are we to do about your
situation with the well?"
"Nico can go to Feudal Japan with me. She would love it and my friends would
love her."
"But Kagome. You need to consider that might not be a good idea. Nico might not
be able to handle such information right now."
"Well I can't lie to her about it."
"Then maybe you should consider the possibility of not going through the well for
a while."
"WHAT! I can't do that! My friends need my help. What about Kouga?"
"Kagome. If we agree to take in Nico, that may very well be the case. What if she
couldn't even travel though the well? Then what? Are you just going to leave her here, by
herself.?"
"No."
Kagome thought for along time on this. She couldn't abandon her friends and she
couldn't abandon Kouga but she had made a promise to Nico and she would not break it.
She finally decided.
"If that is how it has to be, then that is how it has to be. I will go through one last
time and tell my friends what has happened. I will tell them good-bye and comeback for
good."
"Are you sure, Kagome?" asked Ms. Higurashi.
"Yes mother. If that is the case, then I have no other option. You see, when Nico
and I were real little, about a year after Aunt Chenoa died, I made a promise to Nico that I
would always protect her and that I would never leave her alone. I can't go back on that
promise and I won't."
"Then it is decided. Nico will come to live with us."

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With that said, Ms. Higurashi stood up and announced it was time for bed.
"In the morning, I will give a call to the social workers and tell them of our
decision."
Kagome got up and walked over to her mother. She wrapped her arms around her
and gave her a big hug.
"Thank you mom."
"Good-night dear."
Kagome and Souta headed upstairs to make ready for bed. Kagome got into her
pajamas and laid down. She thought about tomorrow and how hard it was going to be to
tell her friends why should couldn't come back for a while. Especially Kouga. She wept a
little at the thought of not seeing him for so long. But she made a promise and she would
not let her cousin down. Kagome loved Nico, just like a sister, and she would protect her.
Maybe she would let Kouga out of his promise to her. Kouga wanted to mate with
Kagome as soon as she told him of her feelings for him. But Kagome had to finish school
and she wanted to do it properly with a marriage first then the mating and Kouga
respected that. So he made a promise to wait for her as long as it took for them to be
together. Kagome loved Kouga with all her heart, but she couldn't keep him tied down
like that. He was a young wolf demon, and a prince one at that. He needed a mate that
could be with him now and give him pups. Kagome already told him it would be another
month before they could even marry. Now, who knows how long it could be. Yes. That's
what I'll do. I love him to much to do that to him. He needs a mate who is willing to give
him pups now. I'll release him of his promise and let him go.
With that final thought, Kagome rolled onto her side and cried herself to sleep. Yes
indeed. Serious changes would have to be made that would affect the rest of their lives.
Kagome never thought just how much until now.

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