Hi everyone! Kinzie13 here with my brand new story. I hope you like it I've had this idea floating around for awhile now. Please read and review and tell me what you think. Thanks!
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha but the story is mine!
"Energy levels holding at 75% Doctor".
Dr. Kenji Iyashu kept his face professional even as internally he was almost howling with glee. 75% levels! They had never made it this far and unless they had some real results soon, the project was going to be scrapped. He reigned in himself mentally, knowing that no matter what small success they achieved, there was a lot riding on this project and less than 100% wasn't good enough.
"Raise energy output and let's see if we can't get closer to Singularity Point". The tech in front of him did as instructed, slowly raising the control lever as more energy was introduced to the system. But after 10 minutes it was obvious that no amount of energy would cause the levels to rise any higher. Would the project never succeed? All the other fall backs had less of a chance of working than Project Terminus. For the first time in a long time, Dr. Iyasu's energy levels spiked wildly out of control as his anger got the better of him, wishing with all his soul that the project would work and save them all. And a moment was all it took.
Maybe it was the year-long failure they had trying to get this to work, everyone's hopes slowly fading that caused the extensive safety procedures to become lax, maybe it was just a lack of observant management as those in charge had been much more focused on getting the project functioning. What ever the cause, at the moment the Doctor's energy spiked and he made his desperate plea, a data tech opened the sealed and energy balanced door.
On the screen, there was a spike in background energy and alarms started beeping rapidly as the levels rose immediately.
"Doctor!" The control tech screamed in fear. "The levels are rising too fast and by themselves!" Reaching for the manual shut down, Dr. Iyasu grabbed her hand to stop her.
"You fool! This is the closest we've ever gotten and you want to stop it?! Do you want us all to die! We may never get this close again! We need to see it through if we ever hope to replicate the event again!" Iyasu stared wide-eyed through the observation window, as the visible curtain of green energy in the air started to swirl in a circle like a whirlpool, becoming brighter and brighter.
"Levels at 85%. 90. 95. 100. Energy levels have reached critical mass Doctor!"
Suddenly there was a bright flash of light and a sonic boom forced everyone in the facility to cover their ears. Dr. Iyasu could only stare at the beautiful whirlpool, as a blue sky was visible through the tunnel at the center. Blue! Mother of God when's the last time the sky had been blue?
"We've reached Singularity! Record all levels and environment data. Measure background radiation immediately. I wanna know where we broke through at."
While they watched green trees became visible through the tunnel, with something small in the distance. Everyone strained to see what it was. Suddenly, the levels fluctuated wildly.
"Something has disturbed the Singularity's integrity. Oh god, do you think we picked something up? Would anything even survive the trip?" The control tech was visibly panicking.
"Get yourself together woman! Track the corridor location see if anything is coming through in here." Iyasu was close to panicking himself but he didn't show it. Someone needed a cool head.
"Tunnel direction has inverted and the end is now...here. As in above us. Whatever we picked up is going to come out on the surface directly above the facility."
Iyasu paled. "My god we have to get up there now! Get all the security we have up there as fast as possible before whatever came through is killed! Put the facility on full alert now!"
Anything else said was lost in the mad scramble to get to the surface as the Singularity flickered and died.
"OMG, I can't stand that arrogant, rude, ungrateful bastard for one more minute! I swear this time I'm never coming back!" A young woman about 18 years old came stomping into view along the trail through the trees that lead to Edo. Furiously kicking any rocks or sticks in her way, the woman shook her head as her hand was stiffly held at her side clenched in anger.
Logically she knew why Inuyasha had, yet again, said cruel things to her and hurt her feelings badly. Kikyo. It was always Kikyo. When they had come across Naraku 6 months before and realized he was actually there in the flesh they had hoped that it would be the final battle. Even Kikyo had shown up, apparently tracking Naraku. During the battle, just as Kagome thought they would win as she sent a charged spiritual arrow flying towards him, followed by an attack from Inuyasha, Naraku had been blown apart.
But before they could celebrate, loud laughter filled the clearing, chilling everyone's blood. Naraku was standing behind Kikyo with several tentacles thrust through her body, cracks appearing all over her clay shell. There wasn't time to react as Naraku pulled the tentacles in opposite directions ripping Kikyo apart.
"KIKYO!" Inuyasha rushed forward as Naraku disappeared, still laughing hatefully. Kagome was right behind Inuyasha dropping her bow as she kneeled down to the broken priestess preparing to heal her as she once had before. A light touch on her arm stopped her as Kikyo smiled sadly blood running sluggishly from the corner of her lips.
Although she said no words, Kagome heard her through the soul they shared.
'Please don't Kagome. I'm tired. I used to be so filled with hate and for awhile that kept me going but ever since you healed my wound, I have felt differently. I wonder what our soul went through in the time between us to allow you to be so selfless and pure as to heal the hate I carry. I know it will hurt him, but please tell Inuyasha that I will always love him and I hope he lives a long and happy life. I'll watch over you all'
Tears flowed freely down Kagome's face as she slowly pulled her hands away from Kikyo's wound.
"Oi, what are you doing! She's dying hurry and save her!"
"I can't Inuyasha."
"What do you mean you can't?! You healed her before so do it now."
Kagome stared sadly at Kikyo's face as she closed her eyes, her body slowly going slack. "I can't heal her Inuyasha. Kikyo is at peace. She's ready to move on."
Gold eyes narrowed as they studied Kagome's face as she tried to avoid meeting his gaze. "You mean you won't heal her, not can't, don't you? You want to let her die."
A fresh surge of tears spilled from Kagome's eyes as she nodded still not looking at Inuyasha. He inhaled loudly and everything grew silent. After a few moments, Kagome saw the blue ball of light lift from Kikyo's chest and float into her, her soul once again whole. A loud ringing crack was the only sound in the clearing as Kagome flew back and crashed into the ground. It took a moment for her to realize what had happened. 'Inuyasha...struck me. He slapped me...'
"BITCH! YOU KILLED HER!" Howling his fury Inuyasha leaped after her claws extended to slice her in half but was halted by a giant boomerang that struck him mid jump and threw him into a tree. No longer standing by silently, Sango and Miroku rushed to Kagome's aid realizing Inuyasha had gone mad with grief. With Sango holding him off, Miroku rushed to her side helping her up while she tried to get her thoughts straight. Taking a breath, Kagome subdued him before he could hurt anyone.
"Sit!. Sit sit sit sit SIT SIT SIT SIT SIT!" With every command Inuyasha was slowly forced to the ground, his eyes completely red as his demon half took over in his anger. At the final command, he finally slammed into the ground but unfortunately the subduing necklace shattered at the same time, pieces flying everywhere as soon as he landed. Before anyone could realize how screwed they were when the subjugation wore off, Miroku had dashed forward and pasted 5 seals around Inuyasha's head ensuring his rampage wouldn't continue.
Instead of freeing Inuyasha the next morning, they loaded him onto Kiara and headed back to Edo. They released the seal 3 days later after Inuyasha had blinked in agreement that he was better and would not attack. He also had not apologized, running off for another 4 days before coming back and demanding they hunt down Naraku. Nobody had protested, not even Kagome, knowing that the wound was still fresh and he needed this time to help heal. But that also hadn't improved their relationship as Inuyasha, who was always kind of a jerk to her but had still had his nice moments, proceeded to treat Kagome like his worst enemy and saying horrible things about her every chance he got.
For 6 months she had put up with it, knowing he didn't really mean it he was just mourning Kikyo and it didn't help that she looked similar and had not helped her. But she couldn't go against Kikyo's dying wish so she had to endure the emotional torture as best she could, knowing that confronting him wouldn't help, especially now that the subjugation beads were broken there was no telling how he would react.
Today had been the last straw. Being called a 'worthless waste of space who murdered her competition out of jealousy' and hearing things like 'if I wish hard enough maybe the Kami's will kill you and bring her back instead' was just something she couldn't deal with anymore. Whether or not he meant what he said, the last 6 months had finally helped her fall out of love with Inuyasha, for who could love someone who treated you so badly?
Still staring at the trail deep in thought Kagome was startled when a sonic boom rang out and the hair on the back of her neck started to rise. 'What the heck was that?' Whipping her head around wildly, a bright light above alerted her to the source. A huge green curtain floated above her looking like the Aurora Borealis, but closer than she had ever seen. Within seconds the curtain turned into a giant whirlpool that slowly came closer to the ground as a tunnel formed in the center. 'That can't be leading to somewhere here. The sky is yellow!'
Before she could run from the strange sight Kagome realized she was being pulled toward it. Dropping her bag and gripping the ground didn't help and she was quickly pulled in. Screaming on the outside she was laughing hysterically inside her mind. 'I'm being pulled god knows where through a strange tunnel when just a minute ago I thought life couldn't get any worse and wishing like hell I could just disappear!'
The blue sky vanished as the end of the tunnel closed behind her and Kagome was carried through towards the strange yellow sky and what looked like dry, dusty ground. With a yelp, she landed and jumped up quickly looking around. It was nothing like the place she left. Few trees were visible in the barren land, everything taking a strange cast under the unfamiliar yellow sky. The wing whipped up small dust tornados through the few scraggly patches of dry grass. Even the sunlight felt strange on her skin like it was heavier somehow.
Never in her life had Kagome felt so alone. No matter what had happened through their various adventures over the last 3 years she knew that her friends would always come for her. Now, no one would come for her. Her friends didn't even know she had disappeared and couldn't guess how long it would take them to find her backpack and realize something was wrong. Until then she would have to hope no youkai stumbled upon it and the hidden jewel shards inside. She had warned them but you never knew. One thing was for sure, she was on her own for now.
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Throughout the Sengoku Jidai, all the creatures of the land heard a massive boom, but only youkai or those with spiritual powers followed by a huge wave of energy that followed it. Not far from the source, the shard hunting group that was currently heading towards Edo detoured to check it out. After all, Kagome had left earlier that morning very angry and that always meant it would be some time before she returned. Whether by herself or dragged back by a hanyou. Coming into the clearing that was determined the source of the disturbance Inuyasha immediately went on alert.
"That wench came through here not long ago." Eyes wide Sango and Miroku exchanged looks.
"You don't think she was here when whatever happened sent out that pulse of energy, do you?" Sango's voice held the hint of fear they all felt. Silence met her words as Inuyasha ran forward to investigate the clearing. Going up the slight hill, his whole frame filled with tension as he caught sight of a familiar yellow backpack at the bottom of the shallow slope. Heart thudding in his ears he picked up the bag confirming that it was indeed Kagome's. The scent on the fabric told him that she had held it recently but after the bag, her trail disappeared.
"Her bow is still strapped to it. She wouldn't just leave that behind. But it doesn't look like anyone else has been here. So where is she?" Miroku mumbled to himself while looking for clues that he might be wrong. He turned around to watch as Sango begin to dig through the bag. At her gasp, both males turned around.
"Guys something definitely bad happened to her." As she spoke she pulled her hand out of the bag, the object in it becoming visible once it left the confines of the backpack. There in her hand was a small glass jar that held Kagome's purified jewel shards. At their looks, Sango explained. "Youkai are always grabbing Kagome because they can sense the shards. So she figured out how toward them with her powers in her bag to ward off attacks. She would NEVER leave these behind willingly."
Even Inuyasha managed to look concerned as they stared intently at the bottle, wondering what had happened to their friend and shard detector. Inuyasha growled whipping around and pulling his sword from its sheath as Sesshomaru came into the clearing, golden eyes searching carefully around the area.
"Half-breed. What was the cause of the power surge?"
"Why the hell should I tell you bastard?!" Sango stepped around Inuyasha before he could yell another insult.
"My lord do you know anything about this? Whatever it was we think that it took our friend Kagome. Her jewel shards are still here so she must have been taken by force."
"Hn. This Sesshomaru does not know what has happened to the miko. The power this one sensed was unparalleled and of the very fabric of the world itself. If such a power has taken the miko she may be gone for good." With a final glance around the clearing, he turned and disappeared into the trees.
"Ugh useless bastard! Of course the wench will come back she still has a job to do finding jewel shards." Inuyasha crossed his arms a frown on his face.
Sango looked much more worried. "But we don't even know what took her. What if she can't come back? And would she even want to come back if she could?"
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at her. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"It means you've been treating Kagome like shit lately and we put up with it at her request because you were grieving over Kikyo's death! You chased her away once again and once again she is in danger because of you! The only difference is this time we can't save her! What are we gonna tell Shippo?" Sango ended her rant on a wail and stomped off in the other direction to cry for her lost friend who was more like a sister and some of the only family she had left.
Grumbling to himself that he didn't give a shit, Inuyasha turned away from the slayer choosing to ignore her angry words. But in the back of his mind, a small seed of guilt had been planted as he wondered where his missing shard detector was.
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Well here's the 1st chapter guys! I'll try to get a regular update schedule going. Please let me know what you think!