"The first thing I'm aware of is the sea. I can hear the waves crashing, in a soft soothing song. Then slowly, and one by one my senses return. Next I can feel the waves lapping at my feet and warm sand between my toes. Followed by the scent of the sea so strong I can practically taste the salt on my tongue. Finally I can see it, a beautiful ocean at sunset laid out before me. The picturesque scene is so vibrant with shades of red, and orange, and pink, even purple! I can tell that I am on an island and there are all kinds of exotic plants around.
It's then that I feel something bump against my foot and I look down to discover an odd fruit caught in the tide. Odd, because the fruit is shaped like a star. I pick up this star-fruit, amazed with how bizarre it is compared to any other I have known.
Then someone calls my name and I turn around to see a man with silver hair running in the other direction. I start to follow the stranger but before I get far I notice a mirror in front of me. It was not an ordinary mirror though as there seemed to be light coming through it, on the other side. I stepped closer until I am right in front of it only to discover that I have no reflection. This confused me and I reached up to touch it, only the mirror felt like water, and my fingers caused ripples to distort the surface. I found that my hand could go through the face. There was air rushing against my hand on the other side and after some hesitation I stepped through the looking glass to what lay beyond.
I found myself in a beautiful but lifeless place. The region was devoid of any color except for a glowing portal in the shape of a heart. I seemed to be in a castle of some sort and everything was black, white, or gray. The floor seemed hollow as my footsteps echoed loudly throughout. I felt impressed that this place held some significance but I was not sure how, only that I would need to know it later. I also felt drawn towards the portal that floated off the balcony. Yet, before I could do anything, the floor gave way and I found myself falling.
Somehow I managed to land unharmed, and on my feet even! Looking around it seemed I was in another dimension. The area was like a black void, dark and empty. Again, as with the last place, there was only one source of light and color; only this time it was beneath my feet as what appeared to be a stained glass window.
Before I had the chance to make out the picture I sensed a dark entity behind me. Spinning around I found two tall and lanky white humanoid creatures and three short shadow creatures which had antennae and glowing yellow eyes. I was scared, I had no idea what these creatures were only I that I would need to defend myself and had no way of doing so.
When suddenly, almost in answer to my thought there was a flash of light and a heavy weight in my right hand. I looked down to discover a magnificent sword. The blade was silver with a motif down the center, and a fierce guard surrounding the black hilt and a large glistening sapphire at the top.
I didn't have much more time as I was attacked. I moved to dodge one blow and parry another. The battle was tedious and seemed to go on forever. For some reason I couldn't destroy them, these alien creatures did not seem to take any damage from my blows. Meanwhile the tall white ones were incredibly fast while the shadow ones had the ability to melt into the floor and disappear before changing their position only to reappear and attack again. Then when one of the white ones was about to deal me a particularly nasty blow my miko powers flared to life and fused with the blade, much like my sacred arrows. This proved quite effective as suddenly the battle turned in my favor and went quickly after that. Something curious happened when I defeated the shadow creatures though. As each body was destroyed a crystalline heart floated free form each one, floating in mid air for a time before they too were swallowed by the darkness.
Subsequently a door appeared, it was a neutral color and ornate. I felt myself being drawn towards the door and just as I am about to reach the door...I wake up."
Keade looked thoughtful as she stirred the miso she was preparing for the noon meal. "Hmm...and you say you've had this same dream before?"
Kagome, who sat directly across the fire from her elder, nodded. "Yes, several time, and each one...the sensations become...more intense."
"Mmm..." The fire crackled beneath the old cooking pot and warmed the hut on the cool crisp day in late autumn. They were alone today as Sango, Miroku, Shippo, and Kirara were visiting Mushin. Inuyasha had followed Kikyo to a nearby village where she had been asked to heal the headman's ill son.
Five months ago they had defeated Naraku and the Shikon no Tama was whole once again. The jewel had been corrupted in such intensity that When Kagome picked up the tainted object she cried out in pain. Now, the small pink stone which had been the cause of havoc for over a century lay pure and quiet, sleeping. Surprisingly after Kagome made her wish the tama did not disappear. The duty remained hers to guard the jewel and keep it pure. Totosai had given her a beautiful necklace of jade beads to keep the fickle jewel on; Kagome wore the necklace at all times.
Having completed High School eight months ago, Kagome had since been torn on what to do now that her life seemed complete. What else could she do, and most importantly where would she go? Time travel had jaded Kagome in such a way that left her unfit to truly live in either time. The bone eater's well still allowed her safe passage between times, but she knew it would not last forever. Kagome felt that the well was only waiting for her to make a decision. The last five months had been brutal for that reason, and Kagome was torn over what to do. She only wanted to go home, but now she was not sure where home was.
"Well," Keade's voice brought Kagome out of her brooding. "I am not sure of what to tell ye Kagome. Unlike some miko I have never been much good with the interpretation of dreams." Keade paused to wet her tongue in a smacking sound. "However, some miko have been known to have the gift of foresight or even hindsight, perhaps ye have had a vision."
"Oh." Was all Kagome could reply as she suddenly felt unsure of herself.
"One journey may have ended for ye child, but destiny is through with ye yet, of that I am sure. Nothing ever truly ends, Kagome." Keade then made a noise in the back of her throat that gave Kagome the impression she was considering something. "Perhaps ye should go home for a while, and think things over there, and even find council, Inuyasha is not here to protest." She finished with a wink.
Kagome smiled, yes, perhaps she should.
