Star Crossing by Eerie

The 'Cure'

The sun hung low in the sky and graced the horizon with the combined colors of fire and night, gently caressing the temple home of the Higurashi family. The world quieted, preparing for a night's rest before returning to it's normal bustle of life when the sun rose again to it's throne in the sky. The four members of the shrine family finished their last tasks for the day and began their preparations for sleep.

A ringing broke the lazy calm of the evening.

"I'll get it mama!" a young lady's voice called out, as a delicate hand grabbed the receiver and pulled it towards her ear.

"Moshi moshi."

"Higurashi, how are you this evening?" the voice of a young man's voice responded, sounding cheerful, sweet, and just a bit hopeful.

"Hojo-kun. I'm fine, how are you this evening?" the girl responded, wondering what he was calling so late for. Not that she was upset, but usually he talked to her at school, or at least called or came to her house in the afternoon, not ever so late at night.

"I'm well. I made a discovery this evening. I had been reading through some of my family's old records, and I think I have finally found a cure to your many illnesses. I would like to get it to you as soon as possible. Who knows when you might contract something truly life threatening!" he said in a rush, sounding honestly afraid for her health and wellbeing. Kagome balled her fist and refrained from cursing her Jii-chan. He did mean well...but at this point, his excuses for her absences were getting really out of hand. She could imagine that half her class thought she might not live to see high school. Unfortunately, Hojo, helpful, honest, persistent Hojo, kept trying to cure her non-existent illnesses. While it was sweet, it was also annoying when it was for no real reason than her Jii-chan getting free remedies for his aches and pains.

"I see. That's wonderful, Hojo-kun. It must be a really big discovery to have called this late." The voice on the other end stuttered for only a second, and Kagome could imagine that he was blushing just a bit.

"Ah, yes, well. My apologies, I became quite excited at my find and did not think of the time. May I bring it to you tomorrow?" Kagome paused for a moment and thought about the request. She was supposed to head back to Sengoku Jidai the next day, but all the same, that wasn't until the afternoon, and it was better to have him come around while she was there to see him, than have him visit while she was away and have him try and see her then.

"Alright. I have some tasks to run in the afternoon, so how about you come over at lunch time?"

"Yes, that's wonderful." He responded with enthusiasm. "I'll see you tomorrow at noon, Higurashi."

Kagome sighed and hung up. Truly it was a lot better now that Hojo realized that she wasn't available and had stopped asking her out all the time. His continuously trying to give her cures though, got no better. It certainly wasn't as annoying when not paired with a hopeful request for a movie, but still, she wasn't sick! Of course, her family were the only ones allowed to know that. Truly, how else was she supposed to get away with traveling to the Sengoku Jidai for weeks at a time without anyone questioning her absence. The truth certainly wasn't an option.

Sighing again, she abandoned the overdone train of thought and slipped into her bed. Her last thought before she fell into sleep was pondering what kind of 'cure' Hojo could have found that he was so certain would fix all the problems that Jii-chan had thought up for her over the course of her travels.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Higurashi!" Kagome looked up from her sweeping and noticed Hojo quickly ascending the many stairs to the shrine. She stopped her chores to greet him, and noticed the wrapped package under his arm.

*That must be his 'miracle cure.* She thought to herself as she welcomed him. "Hello, Hojo-kun. How are you today?" The boy smiled and took the wrapped item in both hands, then held it out to her with a bow.

"Please, Higurashi-san, accept this gift from me. I deeply pray that it will cure you and give you back your normal life." He stated formally. Kagome gave a mental gulp.

*Normal life?* She thought, *Not until Naraku is defeated and we can safely deal with the Shikon no Tama, at the least*, and with a nervous laugh, took the package with a bow in return, careful not to drop the broom.

"Arigatou Gozaimashita, Hojo-kun. I accept your gift and thank you for your well wishes." Straightening and turning the package over carefully, lest it be something breakable. She wondered what was within it. The boy before her fairly glowed with anticipation.

"Uh, Hojo-kun? What is it? How is it supposed to heal me?" The boy's face fell, and he reddened, fidgeting nervously. Glancing up for a second, he grinned sheepishly and adopted a somewhat hesitant smile.

"I'm...uh, not exactly sure. All I know is that it's supposed to be a powerful relic that can heal just about anything. I don't really know how it works." He stated glumly, staring firmly at the ground.

Kagome, on the other hand, stared at the wrapped object in her hands with some hesitation. *Powerful relic? I wonder what he could have found among his family's things that has that kind of legend behind it? I wonder if it's something like the Noh Mask that was in our shrine's storage house?* she suppressed a shudder at the memory of the horrible thing that had put her jii-chan in the hospital, and had pursued Souta and her across town, before Inuyasha had managed to put a stop to it.

Almost afraid of what it might be, Kagome had to stop herself from dropping the thing and purifying it just to make sure. Instead, she decided that she would take it back with her that afternoon before unwrapping it. There, if it was a threat, then she would have the help of Inuyasha, Sango-chan, Miroku-sama, and Kaede-baa-chan in dealing with whatever sealed demon or cursed object she now held. Call her paranoid, but she had had enough trouble with ancient powers and secret relics to learn her lesson and be cautious.

So instead, she merely smiled and bowed again to the one who had brought her the gift.

"Thank you again, Hojo-kun. I hope this works as well as you say."

"I hope so too, Higurashi. I'll let you get back to your chores now. Ja ne!" He said, waving and heading back down the stairs.

"Ja ne, Hojo-kun." Kagome waved him off, and went inside to pack the thing into her massive yellow backpack. When that was done, she returned to her chores, wondering what the 'cure' she now had would unveil to her and her friends in a few short hours, when she returned to the Sengoku Jidai.

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Translation Key:

Moshi moshi - Hello, usual greeting for answering the phone

Sengoku Jidai - The Warring States Era of Feudal Japan. The time period Kagome travels back and forth to

Shikon no Tama - Jewel of Four Souls

Shikon no Kakera - Shard of Four Souls

Jii - Grandfather

Arigatou Gozaimashita - Formal 'thank you'

Ja ne - Casual way of saying 'See you later'