Chapter I: She's Home!

The door bell rang for a second time. Kagome leapt out of her room, sliding across her wood paneled floor in only her socks, "I can't believe it! She's home! She's home! She's home!" Souta ran behind her, slipping now and then. They both laughed, as the doorbell rang for a third time. Kagome slid to a halt at the door, fluffed her hair and straightened her blouse and skirt, and swung the door open. Kagome and Souta stood, speechless for a moment, staring at the person in their doorway.

It was a young woman, a year or two older than Kagome. She smiled, her hair exactly like Kagome's, with a camouflage bandana wrapped around her forehead. She wore a white wife beater, and tight blue jeans. Three inches of mid drift was exposed on her flat stomach. She held a gym bag over her right shoulder and large wooden staff in her right hand, and large wheeled suitcase with the handle sticking out, and carried a large trophy, almost half her size, in her left hand. She held up her right hand, holding the staff. She held up two fingers, "Hey" she said simply, smiling.

Kagome and Souta stared for a minute, beaming. Then, the two threw themselves at the girl, hugging her tightly and laughing. This girl was Kagome and Souta's older sister, Kanesa. She was seventeen, and for the past five months, she was away in the United States, competing in a World Wide Martial Arts Tournament. Kanesa was a strong girl, and had been studying Martial Arts ever since she was three. This tournament was the biggest thing that had ever happened to her. She had competed in Japanese National Championships, and won many of them. The furthest she had traveled for a tournament before her trip to the United States, was to Beijing, for the Asian Martial Arts Tournament. But this trip cost a lot of money, and due to the Higurashi's finances, they could only afford Kanesa's plane ticket, hotel, and admission fee to enter the tournament.

Kanesa laughed as Kagome and Souta released Kanesa "Geez guys, you almost made me drop my trophy!"

"Sorry Kanesa, we're just so happy that you're finally home!" Souta said, grabbing her leg.

Their mother and grandfather soon entered the doorway, and saw Kanesa. Their mother hugged her tightly around her neck, "Oh! My little Kanesa! You're finally home! Thank goodness! We missed you terribly!"

Kanesa placed her trophy and gym bag down and hugged her mother back. After her mother released her, grandfather hugged her tightly, "We're so glad you're finally home dear!" he said.

Their mother picked up the trophy, as Souta grabbed Kanesa's gym bag, under-estimating it's weight, and put the strap over his shoulder; the bag still dragged on the floor. "My Kanesa, this is the biggest trophy you've won, we'll need to make more room in your trophy case for this one!" she laughed.

Everyone helped gather Kanesa's things and helped her unpack. Afterwards, while their mother cooked lunch, Kanesa showered, and returned to the living room. It was far too early change into pajamas, it was only a little past noon.

After the whole family ate lunch, they returned to the living room, and talked about Kanesa's experience in the United States. She had toured though New York City, and saw all the sights. The tournament was held in Washington D.C. so she saw the sights there too. Kanesa had made it to the semifinals of the tournament. She was in the top ranking with only three other competitors, all boys. One was from Brazil, one was from Japan, and the other was from Thailand. She had lost to the boy from Brazil, with his technique of Capoeira, Brazilian dance fighting.

After they talked about Kanesa's trip, she wanted to know what had been happening with her family. Her grandfather talked about the stability of the shrine and how he was happy that Kanesa was home, so she could help lifting the heavy things that grandfather couldn't lift. Their mother talked about Souta's desire to learn karate and how he had just started at a dojo in town. Kagome was so excited, she barely spoke, except for the occasional 'Yes' or "Okay.'

But due to her excitement, Kagome completely forgot about the most exciting thing that had happened to any of them. But Kanesa would find out herself, all in a matter of time.