Chapter 1

I shot up in bed. The sheets were sticking to me like glue. My senses felt stronger, almost as if they were new and improved. I could feel beads of sweat trickling down my back and dripping down my face. The tears streaming from my eyes were starting to blend with the perspiration on my face and were only adding to my unease so I started wiping at them blindly.

I waited for my breathing to even out. I felt the blood thundering and beating in my ears. 'It's just a dream Kagome, it's just a dream.' Nothing I did was helping. I had to get out of this small room! I peeled the sheets off of me. I was sweating everywhere. My body shook involuntarily as I thought of the dream still lingering clearly in my mind.

I shakily swung my legs over the edge of my full sized bed and placed them on the floor. The wood floorboards chilled my feet but I refused to put on my slippers though they only rested a few inches away. The cold floor felt good against my already flushed body. I stood up and headed for my bedroom door.

I didn't bother to pull down my crumpled, damp t-shirt since I knew I was alone in the apartment. I hugged myself at that thought, I was completely alone. My roommate was probably out partying. I stumbled towards the kitchen flipping on every light I passed. I needed to get rid of all of the shadows and darkness before they closed in on me.

I walked onto the tiled kitchen floor and froze. The tile was much colder than the wood was. I let my body adjust to the temperature for a few seconds before I continued on my way. I walked towards the dishwasher and opened it. I pulled out the top rack to grab a glass. I got the largest glass I could find and closed the dishwasher.

I shivered again at the loud noise the dishwasher made when it snapped shut. The whole apartment seemed deadly silent. I glanced at the clock on the stove. It was only two in the morning and oddly quiet for a college dorm, especially on a Saturday night or Sunday morning. This was possibly the one time I wouldn't mind one of those college parties that took up the whole floor and lasted until the RA came to shut it down.

I walked over to the small sink and twisted the knob to turn on the cold water. I leaned on the cold chrome edge as I watched the water fill up the glass. I turned off the water and took a long sip. I shook my head, the water wasn't doing anything for me. I turned and looked around the kitchen at the oak cabinets. My eyes stopped at the cabinet above the stove.

I bit my lip as I thought about what I was about to do. I shivered as I remembered those chilling words I had heard only minutes before. I nodded my head in determination and dumped the water down the drain. I walked over to the stove and stood on my tippy toes to open the cabinet. I ran my hand against the bottom of the cabinet and grabbed the first bottle I came across. I closed the cabinet and frantically unscrewed the bottle. I tipped the glass bottle until I noticed my glass was full to the brim of the clear liquid.

I placed the open bottle on the stove and looked at the glass. I swallowed quickly before I raised the glass to my lips. I took a quick gulp and waited for the burning sensation of the drink to stop as it went down my throat and warmed my stomach. I grimaced and sighed. I hated vodka but liquor might be the only thing that could help me now.

I took another gulp and let out a long breath. I could understand why people became alcoholics. With the glass in my hand and alcohol in my system there was nothing to worry about, not even my disturbing dreams. I placed the half empty glass on the stove and ran my right hand across my forehead. I was no longer sweating but the drink had only helped to numb my fear. I still felt it there keeping me awake and afraid to return to my bed.

I knew what was waiting if I closed my eyes again. No matter how many times I had those dreams they always petrified me. The beginning varied slightly. In one I was trapped with a gorgeous man in a forest and in the other I was the daughter of some priestess and a monster. Both of them were very similar though, which only helped to increase my anxiety. Some of the names didn't change, Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, Takara, Akiyama and I always had a little boy named Kiyoshi.

The names never made any sense. I hadn't met anyone with those names before. The only people I actually recognized were my family, my mom, grandfather, and Sota. Even Hojo was in one of them. The ending was always what paralyzed, what always forced me to awake with a scream lodged in my throat. Those last few words in particular, "No Kagome, you're dead." There were a lot of things I couldn't understand about those two dreams, especially the one about me being the daughter of myself or maybe I was the daughter of another Kagome.

I glanced back at the clock. It was only two ten. I still had plenty of time to go back to sleep. Just the thought about those two dreams made my mouth go dry. I shook my head and grabbed both my glass and the bottle. I went and placed them on the kitchen table. I pulled out one of the old beaten maple chairs and sat down. I pulled the glass to me and cradled it in my two hands. I had work in the morning so I knew I needed to try to get a little more rest. I looked back down at the liquid lying within my grasp. If I was going to sleep I might as well go piss drunk. Maybe that would stop the dreams or at least the pain I felt coursing through my body.

I woke up with a start when Yuka touched my shoulder. I accidentally hit the bottle and it tipped over. The crashing noise caused me to grimace and clutch at my head. It was way too early for this. I looked over at the clock, it was almost seven. I groaned and laid my head on my arms. I glanced back up at the distinct sound of a chair being pulled out.

Yuka looked at me with disapproving eyes. "Really Kagome. You could have called if you wanted company. You didn't need this." She held up the empty vodka bottle that was lying on its side. "The whole bottle?!"

I screeched and covered my sensitive ears. "I had a bad night alright? You get drunk all the time what's the difference?"

Yuka shook her head at me but I ignored it. Yuka was even wilder than she was back in high school. She was a great roommate though. "Kagome, I can handle my liquor and you don't even like to drink. You had that dream again didn't you."

She patted me sympathetically on my shoulder. I resisted the strong urge to shake it off. I was sick and tired of Eri, Ayumi, and Yuka treating me like a little sick baby. I had bad dreams but it wasn't as if that made me a freak or something. I just nodded in agreement and tuned out Yuka's attempts at reassuring me that things would get better. I made a big mistake of telling them the truth about my nightmares.

"Wait! What did you say Yuka?"

She looked at me suspiciously. "I said you should take off of work and make an appointment with a psychiatrist."

I moaned and massaged the bridge of my nose. "I'm not crazy Yuka. I don't know how many times I have to keep telling ya'll this. They are just some bad dreams."

Yuka shook her head and sucked her teeth. She got up and I watched her walk around the kitchen. She yanked open the refrigerator and pulled out two cans. She placed one in front of me and the other in front of where she was previously sitting. "Drink." I nodded dutifully and popped the tab. I pulled my glass to me but Yuka picked it up before I could pour my new drink into it.

"No, out of the can Kagome." I nodded and tipped the can to my lips. My eyes squeezed shut and I forced the bitter taste of the Starbucks Double Shot down my throat. Yuka put my glass in the sink and threw the bottle away.

I looked at her curiously when she dropped our large phone book on the table in front of me. "You need to look up the number to a psychiatrist and make an appointment today."

"Yuka-."

"No, Kagome. I wanted to do this a long time ago but Eri convinced me to wait. We don't think you're crazy, we just want you to get help. Maybe a shrink can help to explain your dreams or maybe they can give you something so you can actually sleep more than three nights a week."

I took another quick gulp of my coffee before nodding. Maybe Yuka was right, it couldn't hurt. I placed the can down and flipped the yellow pages open. I found the right section and sighed. "Yuka there are so many. How do I know which one to use?"

"Close your eyes and pick one."

I looked up at her stupidly. "You can't be sober!"

"Hey, it doesn't really matter does it? A quack is a quack."

I rolled my eyes and followed her instructions. I opened my eyes and looked at the name under my index finger. "Okay Yuka, I found one. Now what? Am I supposed to just call them up and beg for an appointment or should I act delirious so they take me right away?"

Yuka glared at me. "Be serious Kagome. How about I call and make you an appointment and you go get cleaned up?"

"I can't go today anyway Yuka. I have work in about thirty minutes."

"I'll call in sick for you. Besides, you are in no shape to be helping any customers. You need to go take a cold shower and a few Tylenol. Now go!"

I rolled my eyes. I choose Yuka as my roommate because I thought she would be the most laid back. She was acting too much like my mother at the moment. I pushed the chair back slowly and stood up. I grabbed onto the table as my vision spun. Once I got my bearings again I started for the sink.

"Oh no Kagome. You need all of that caffeine in your system. Hey, hand me the phone."

I glared murderously at the back of her head as I shakily walked to where the phone was. I slapped the phone in Yuka's hand and took a deep breath before finishing off my hangover torture. 'Why couldn't orange juice or some chocolate be the "cure" to headaches?'

"Which one did you choose?"

I threw the empty can in the trash and looked over her shoulder. My eyes scanned the page until I noticed the only name that really jumped out at me. "Nakamura."

Yuka nodded and opened her own can. The triumph was evident on her smug face. I headed back to my bedroom and closed my door. I leaned against the door and took a few deep breaths before walking over to my bedside and opening my side table drawer.

I pulled out my bottle of over the counter drugs and reread the directions. I popped the top and shook out two pills. I swallowed them quickly and put the bottle back on the nightstand. I didn't bother to close it since I knew the first two pills never helped the headache. I walked over to my closet and pulled it open. I fished through my clothes until I found a nice pair of jeans and a nice looking red blouse. I threw my outfit on the bed and rubbed my fairy necklace soothingly. My fingers traced the little fairy and her purple flower cautiously. This was going to be a big step for me. I took one more deep breath and went into the bathroom.

I came out my room feeling a little better. The shower did give me a little boost that I needed. I walked back into the kitchen and found Yuka cooking. I made a move to sit down but she stopped me. "No Kagome. Here's some toast for your stomach and the address to Ms. Nakamura's office. You don't have time to eat, your appointment is at eight."

I glanced back at the clock. "Yuka that is in twenty minutes! How did you get an appointment so fast?"

She shrugged and went back to flipping her eggs. "I don't know. That is the weird thing. I called and requested an appointment. First the guy said there was no openings for new patients, but when I told him your name he said he would fit you in the first thing this morning with no questions asked. Do you have people in high places that I don't know about?"

I took a thoughtful bite out of my toast before shaking my head. "No, I don't think so. I don't come from a really big family or a rich one at that. Besides Higurashi is a pretty common surname. I'll see you." Yuka nodded. "And Yuka? Thanks."

She turned and smiled. "No problem Kagome. You have always been here to help us through all of our problems and you are usually the one helping me out of a hangover."

I shared her smile and gave a wave before I headed for the front door. I exited the apartment and headed for the elevator, careful to step over the people sleeping or studying in the hall. Once I got to the lobby of the building I took a quick glance at the clock above the check-in desk and broke out into a sprint.

I took a quick glance at the address before slipping out of the door when another of my dorm mates was coming in. I headed for the corner to catch a bus. I would really be pushing it if there was too much traffic. I got to the corner just as the 7:50 shuttle pulled up. I quickly swiped my bus pass and looked for an empty seat. I didn't find one so I headed for the middle of the bus to wait for my stop.

I watched as the buildings flashed by. I wasn't sure if I really wanted to do this. I grabbed onto the pole as the bus jerked to a stop. I bit my lip. This was my stop. It was time to make a decision. I rubbed my necklace again before pushing my way back to the front of the bus. I stepped onto the curb and watched as the bus left for its next stop.

I headed up to the building and searched the directory for the right office. Luckily it was only on the second floor so I decided to take the steps. Exercise wasn't high on my list of priorities but I knew walking up the stairs would take longer than the elevator and it would give me a chance to think. I reached the second floor landing and searched for office 212.

When I came to the right door I grabbed the knob uncertainly and gave it a quick turn. The office was very warm and welcoming. There were plants covering different surfaces and most of the leather chairs were empty. I sighed in relief. Not too many people would know that I came then. I walked over to the cute guy sitting behind the sign that said receptionist.

"Hi-."

"Take a clipboard and fill out the papers. You're late-." He glanced up from the computer for the first time and gave me a quick look over. His eyes froze as they locked with mine. "Kagome Higurashi." I nodded. He smiled nervously. "I'm sorry. Please fill out those papers as and I'll go inform Ms. Nakamura that you are here."

I nodded and raised my eyebrow at his sudden change in character. I watched him walk down the hallway before I looked around the room for a place to sit. I walked over to a chair the farthest from the door and consequently the farthest from the bipolar receptionist. I took my time filling out the medical papers. Once I finished, I looked up and noticed the receptionist staring at me eagerly.

I swallowed and got up to give him my papers. "Thank you Ms. Higurashi, please follow me." He grabbed the clipboard and I followed him down the hall. He knocked once on the door before opening it. "She's here!" He handed the woman the clipboard and stepped out of the way. I noticed the woman when the man moved out of my way and I grabbed onto the door frame for support.

She looked too familiar. Her hair was long and as brown as oak. Her eyes were large and gray and twinkled when she saw me. "Please Ms. Higurashi come in and take a seat." I couldn't move. She looked exactly like Takara! The man gave me and eager push and I felt my grasp on the door frame slip. Once I was completely in the office he slammed the door shut behind me. "Please sit down."

I swallowed nervously but took my place on the dark green sofa she was pointing too. "I'm sorry, Yuri can be quite pushy sometimes." My eyes widened in shock and she stopped smiling. "Is something wrong?" I shook my head. She glanced down at my paperwork and flipped through it. "Your roommate said you were having disturbing dreams, why don't you tell me about them?"

I nodded slowly, still shaken. I told her everything I could remember about both of my dreams. She nodded and made sympathetic noises the whole time. I even told her about Yuri in my dream, she didn't look surprised or horrified. Once I finished she stood up and walked over to her desk. She picked up a pitcher of what I assumed to be water and poured a glass. She walked back over to me and placed it in my hands. I smiled up at her and quickly drank it down. I didn't realize how thirsty I was from all my talking. I stole a glance at the wall and my eyes noticed the time.

"Oh my God! It's 11:30!"

"That's okay Kagome, can I call you Kagome?" I nodded and placed the empty glass on the glass table between us. "We have covered a lot today."

I looked at her apprehensively. "Weren't you supposed to be writing this down or recording me or something?"

She shook her head and ignored me. "What if those two dreams weren't really dreams but memories?"

I raised my eyebrows at her hectic tone. "Memories?"

She nodded her head up and down frantically. "Yes! What if it is your subconscious trying to get you to remember what happened to you in other lives?!"

I stood up. "I'm sorry but I'm late for something. I have to go."

She jumped out of her chair and ran towards me. "Don't you see?! You are remembering! Remembering what was supposed to be forgotten!"

I tried to walk towards the door but she grabbed onto my arm and held me in place. The door opened and we both glanced at Yuri standing there. "Oh, sorry Takara. I should have knocked first."

I looked back at the woman holding onto me. The fear in me escaladed. She looked at me sadly lightening her grip on me. "I'm sorry Kagome. I was going to tell you but-."

I took the opportunity at her distraction to yank my arm back. I broke out into a sprint and pushed Yuri out of the door way. I ran back down the hall to the lobby. It was now empty but I didn't stop to ponder it. I opened the door and ran out onto the second floor of the building. I ran for the stairs that I had walked up only hours before, being careful to dodge the people in a hurry around me. I ignored the curious looks I was getting and didn't stop running until I was outside breathing in the crisp cool air.

I sighed heavily in relief and started to walk back to the apartment. I had a lot to think about. It was too consequential that the two of them were named Takara and Yuri. I shook my head. Those were pretty common names in Japan. There was the fact that Takara didn't write anything down. I shook my head again. She could have been waiting to take notes until I told the story again. Maybe she was just trying to get me to tell her the dreams to let me get it all out in the open and we would expand on it later. Or the fact that she wanted me to believe I was remembering something. I shook my head once again. She could be one of those shrinks who believed we all had past lives dating back to Roman times.

I groaned and walked back up to my dorm floor. I made a complete ass of myself over nothing. I was over thinking everything. Takara, Ms. Nakamura, might have had a reasonable explanation for everything I was worried about. I took my key out of my pocket and unlocked the door. I sighed. I would have to call Yuri back and request another appointment. A thought occurred to me and I stopped. I didn't have to see them at all! I could go to another psychiatrist if I wanted help.

I smiled and opened the door. I could honestly tell Yuka that I went and that I wasn't too sure if I wanted to go back. That would get her off my back for at least a few months and when she demanded that I go back I would just choose someone else. I closed the door and locked it behind me. I smiled when I saw Yuka walk out of the kitchen.

"Hey Kagome. Your friend is in there." Yuka pointed back at the kitchen and settled herself down on the sofa in front of the tv.

"My friend?"

Yuka nodded and flipped on the tv. "Hey before you go, can you hand me the tv guide?"

I handed it to her and headed for the kitchen. I walked into the kitchen and stopped cold. Takara was sitting at one of the chairs staring straight back at me. I groaned painfully. This woman just didn't quit.

"What are you doing here?"

"Kagome, we need to talk. There is some much I have to tell you. I-."

"No. What are you doing in my apartment? How did you know where I lived?"

"You wrote it on the information forms you filled out. But about your memori-."

"How did you get here before I did?"

"What? Oh, I took the bus. Now really-."

"I don't know who you are but I think you need to leave."

"Kagome, I can't. Don't you see? You were supposed to come see me. It's destiny!"

I shook my head sadly. "No, you're crazy." I turned quickly and headed back for the front door. I walked past Yuka and quickly unlocked the door again. I ignored both Takara's protests and Yuka's questions. I walked quickly to the elevator and pushed the down button frantically. I stepped in and pushed the close button. I was about to step back and wait for the doors to close when I noticed Takara rushing from my apartment towards me. I started to push the down button with renewed vigor.

Once I was back in the lobby, I ran outside. I wasn't sure how quickly Takara could catch another elevator or run down the stairs. I went back to the bus stop and waited for a bus. I kept glancing over my shoulder but I didn't see her. I got onto the bus and swiped my bus pass again. I walked to the back of the bus and stared out of the large window looking for any sign of Takara. I sighed in relief and turned around. I yelped when I hit someone.

The man looked down surprised. "Are you okay?"

I nodded and looked at him. His black hair was long and tied back in a ponytail. His cobalt eyes were looking at me nervously like he was afraid I was about to attack him. "I'm sorry."

He nodded and fixed his dark tailored suit. "Are you running from someone?" I looked up at him guardedly. He noticed, "You keep looking out of the back window."

I sighed in relief. "Yes. I think I lost her."

"Are you going to the police?"

I smiled at his concern but shook my head. "No, I'm going home."

"Are you sure that is safe?"

I bit my lip. "I'm pretty sure. She doesn't know where my mom lives."

He shook his head. "That doesn't mean anything. Where are you going?"

"Higurashi shrine."

He nodded. "I know where that is. I'll walk you to your mother's house."

I bit my lip in concentration. I had just told a stranger where I was going but he would have found out anyway. The bus had a stop right in front of the shrine. "Okay. That would be nice." The shrine was usually busy at this time with my grandfather giving tours and such. I doubted he would be able to do anything with that many people around and I would like some company while I was on the look out for Takara.

We waited for my stop in silence, for which I was grateful. I really didn't feel like making small talk. We walked off of the bus and I started up the steps to the shrine right away. I paused when I noticed the man wasn't beside me. He was still staring at the steps. "Don't worry. There really aren't as many as you think. Only eighty-eight."

He nodded and started up the steps after me. When we finally reached the top he was slightly sweating. I laughed. "Since you were so kind to walk me here how about I return the favor and get you something to drink before you start back down?"

"Down? I have to go down again?!"

"Come on." I smiled at him and gestured towards the house. "You can take the lift back down the hill." I pointed over to monorail next to the steps.

"You have a monorail and you let me walk up the steps?!"

I opened the door to my mom's modest house and laughed. "I thought you could handle a few steps. Besides the monorail was at the top of the hill, usually you have to call ahead to request it if you are handicap." We took off our shoes and left them in the foyer. We padded into the living room and I looked around for any sign of life.

"Hello Kagome."

I smiled and ran to my mom. "Hi mom. I just decided to stop and visit today."

She smiled and held out her hand towards the handsome man. "And I see you brought your-, friend with you."

I blushed but he only smiled and shook his head. The smile fell off of my mom's face and she suddenly looked solemn. "I think we should all sit down. Some drinks should be brought in in a few moments." We all sat down in the different chairs scattered throughout the living room. "So how did you two meet?"

"Oh, on the bus ride here. He was so kind to offer to walk me up the stairs." I blushed again. "I'm sorry! That was so rude of me! I didn't even think to introduce myself. I'm Kagome Higurashi."

He smiled and nodded. "It is also my fault. I didn't think to introduce myself either. I'm-."

A loud crash echoed through the room and we all looked up towards the kitchen. Takara was standing in the doorway with a pile of broken china and tea lying in a puddle at her feet. She looked at the man beside my mother horrified. "Akiyama, what are you doing here?"

AN: Okay, this chapter is now edited.