Youkai Academy

Chapter 2

The school halls were abuzz with whispers and hushed tones, the students seeming to delight in openly gossiping about the two, and only, transfer students. Most of the rumors came with a snide or prudish remark of their social class and the possible implications that the school would soon be overcome by "commoners." Kagome rolled her eyes and paid the comment no mind; after all, she had heard far worse as a miko that had traveled in a skirt during the Edu period- now that was something to be embarrassed about. These children knew nothing of war, or of the dangers of prejudice and ignorant people, if anything that is what they encompassed with their wealth, they knew nothing of the world beyond their pampered lives.

Kagome sighed, she doubted the youkai here would even know what to do if she exposed herself as a miko, they'd either panic, run or fight, though she had only felt a handful of youkai on campus that would pose a challenge. No wonder the Dean of Students had been curious of what her presence may bring.

Looking towards the library, Kagome spotted what at first appearance seemed to be a boy; they were dressed in worn formal pants and shoes along with a weathered sweater. But having already met the other scholarship student, Kagome knew it to be Haruhi. Something must have happened to the girl since the last time they met for her appearance to change so drastically in such a short period of time.

With a warm smile, she approached the frazzled girl. Her short brown hair was mused and messy, with her bangs and shabby haircut falling into her gentle face. "Hi Fujioka-san, everything alright?"

The young teen jumped, doe-eyes framed by thick frames, quickly meeting her own. For a second, she looked confused, and then as if having an 'ah-ha' moment, her eyes widened. "Oh Higurashi-san," she bowed lightly in greeting, a cool composer falling over her face with a gentle smile. "I'm just trying to find a quiet place to study."

Her shoulders fell. "Is this one crowded too?" Kagome asked dejectedly. Kagome had already gone to all the libraries on campus, and had found each bursting with students that didn't understand the concept of using their "inside voices."

Haruhi nodded in defeat. "Stupid rich kids," she muttered, and Kagome laughed.

Gesturing with her own books toward the quieter halls up ahead. "Want to join me in my search for a quiet place to study?"

The girl nodded with a soft, please.

Kagome chuckled lightly. "What happened to your hair Fujioka-san?"

The girl looked at her owlishly before examining a long bit of her bangs. "Some kid in my neighborhood put gum in my hair."

Kagome briefly grimaced, thinking back to when her brother had gotten some stuck in her own hair, it had been quite a traumatic process getting it out. "I think it suits you," she offered with a smile.

Haruhi beamed, her gentle beauty dazzling even Kagome as she smiled, and heat colored her pale cheeks. "Thank you, Higurashi-san," she paused. "Higurashi-san?"

"Please feel free to call me Kagome."

The teen nodded with a pleased smile. "Kagome, why are you wearing the boy's uniform, if you don't mind me asking."

"Have you seen the girl's uniforms?" She teased, and both girls laughed, both agreeing that the uniforms were loathsome compared to the male uniform and their own previous uniforms they'd had to wear. But Kagome was still surprised that Haruhi had only asked so as not misgender her, which Kagome found very thoughtful of the other teen.

They continued to talk softly, going over most of the topics they had gone over in class as they turned down a quiet hallway. And then Haruhi noticed a quiet room. Despite the sign saying the room ahead was a music room, there wasn't a sound to be heard, unlike any of the libraries. And although it seemed like the perfect place to study, the aura of six youkai behind the large white doors informed her that this room was very much taken.