Summary: A battle with a Shikon-holding witch turns into something more as Kagome is kidnapped and trapped in an alternate reality by the witch's mysterious powers. She's in an asylum. Everyone thinks she's crazy. What's a poor girl to do? How's she gonna get back home? ----------------------------------------
"MIROKU! BEHIND YOU!"
"Got it! WINDTUNNEL!"
"Inuyasha! Look out!"
"Kagome," Shippo whimpered into the girl's ear. "Shouldn't we move further away? Inuyasha said—"
"Yes, he said to hide. Go on, Shippo. I have to stay. Maybe I'll be able to help them!" Kagome fingered her bow nervously, but watched the battle with resolute eyes. Surely she could come in useful somehow...her miko powers had gotten a lot stronger lately! All three of her friends, and Kirara combined, seemed to have their hands full with battling their adversary. The little spell castress was amazingly quick and clever; despite her height (about two heads shorter than Sango) she seemed to be a good deal older. Her face was that of nearly a grown woman.
"WINDTUNNEL!" Miroku's shout echoed about the battlefield as a purplish energy field surrounded the witch and the wind began pulling her towards the monk. For a moment, the witch's face held traces of panic—but then, the panic was replaced by a manipulative smirk. She muttered something none of them could catch. Nothing happened for a heartbeat. For two.
All at once, a sparkling new energy force appeared. It snaked forward at an amazing speed, twisting around Miroku's staff, legs, and then, his cursed hand. The wind tunnel snapped close and the rosary beads wrapped themselves tightly about his wrist. The monk was thrown backwards. With a cry, he staggered and regained his balance, hastening to open the hole in his hand again. Everyone watched in shock as he tugged forcefully at the beads, trying to pull them off. They held, refusing to budge an inch.
"Ah, monk. Did you really think I'd be beaten so easily?" Miroku's eyes barely had time to widen in surprise before he was thrown backwards a second time, colliding painfully with a thick trunk of a nearby tree. This time, he didn't get back up.
"Miroku!" Sango's voice sounded pained and worried, but she held her position. With a mighty heave she released the demon-bone boomerang, which sped directly at the witch. The adversary gave an evil smile and laugh as the weapon moved directly through her once, and then a second time before returning to Sango's hand. Even as her slender fingers gripped the handle, a bright flash erupted, and Sango was thrown backwards just as Miroku had been. Hiraikotsu fell to the ground with a heavy THUMP.
"Sango!" It seemed to Kagome that all any of them could do was shout each other's names and get angry with the little witch. Kagome could see that Inuyasha was even more frustrated than she. He shouted a few curses at the witch mixed with some banter, but received only another devious smirk in reply.
"All right, then, if you're so arrogant..." Kagome noticed Tetsusaiga shift slightly as Inuyasha tightened his grip, and realized what he was about to do. He was going to attack, like all the others. Kagome had no doubt that the result would be the same as well. Could she stop him? She didn't think so. Even if she called to him, he probably wouldn't heed her advice—he was used to doing things his own way, and didn't care much for her interruptions. The most that could possibly happen was he would look up at the sound of her voice and get attacked by the witch while he was distracted.
So she satisfied herself by squeezing Shippo's little hand and glancing at him briefly.
"Inuyasha's gonna hurt himself, isn't he, Kagome?"
"I don't know, Shippo. Maybe, if he's careful...."
Both turned their attention back to the battle. Inuyasha raised his sword above his head again, and Kagome knew it was at moments like that that he was thankful that Tetsusaiga was light enough to wield again. Triumph flashed across his face as he shouted "WIND SCAR!" Tetsusaiga pointed forward and the blast of focused energy flew towards the witch. Again, she looked surprised for a moment while the force of the blast pushed her backwards, off her feet and blew the small body several feet from her previous position. Normally, the receiving end of that attack would've been cut and scratched pretty badly, but the witch only had one deep cut on her left shoulder, and a few smaller ones elsewhere.
It was several seconds later before she stirred and sat up slowly. Her straggly, long hair was hanging in her face, obscuring it from everyone else as she stood shakily to her feet. Her head tilted up and her hair fell away to reveal an evil smirk and dark eyes sparkling with what could almost be called lunacy. "Insolent Halfling." Her voice was sharp, but her tone drawling. "Did you think I could be defeated with such a petty youkai's trick?" Inuyasha glared back at her, undaunted. The witch laughed. "Ah, I see. You're willing to try again? And maybe use a little more of your strength? If you've got a stronger attack, by all means, go ahead. I'm no little village you've got to be careful of harming." Her eyes flickered to Kagome for an instant, and then to the others, lying still across the battlefield.
"In fact..." A wicked smile crossed the girl's face. "I'd be a little more careful of them, if I were you. Wouldn't want something bad to happen to one of your friends accidentally, now, would you?" Kagome closed her eyes. Now she'd done it. 'Please, Inuyasha,' she begged silently. 'Don't do anything reckless.'
But, of course, he couldn't hear her mental praying, and probably wouldn't have cared anyway. He raised the sword again, obviously preparing to strike with another wind scar—after all, the witch had no demonic aura that would be useful in Tetsusaiga's ultimate attack. Kagome looked between the two nervously, sensing something was wrong. Something, she felt was going to go wrong. Instinctively, she grabbed Shippo from her shoulder and tossed him aside, away from herself.
It all happened very fast. The witch was behind her in an instant, holding her in a sort of headlock. One pale, clammy arm was beneath her neck; the other was holding her hands still. Inuyasha stopped in mid-attack, looking horrified and then angry in turn. "What's the matter, Halfling?" The witch cooed sweetly, stepping backwards and bringing Kagome with her. "Weren't you going to attack me with your great big weapon? Not so strong now, are you?" She took another smooth step.
"Let her go. Now." There was cold fury in his words and burning in his amber eyes. Only someone who knew him well could see that there was also something close to fear in their depths as well.
"Or what? I seem to have the upper hand here. You're in no position to give orders." She was right, and Inuyasha knew it, but he only looked more furious at her words. The control of the situation had slipped from being equal to being in the witch's favor, and he didn't like it at all. Kagome swallowed. The witch's grip was tight. And she smelled odd. Stuffy. Like heavy perfume. With every moment she was moving back a little further. Inuyasha's stance was unsteady. Unbalanced. Kagome's eyes widened in understanding of what he was planning.
Without a moment's notice, Inuyasha sprang up into the air and landed behind the witch. He had obviously intended a reverse-hostage situation: either put my friend down or I'll make you do it. But it hadn't gone as he'd planned. The witch immediately was ten feet away, with HER hostage still in tow. So THAT was how she'd moved so quickly before. It was something close to teleportation, Kagome thought. She didn't like it. It made her feel dizzy. Inuyasha looked around for a second until he spotted them. His confusion was soon replaced with the anger again as the witch laughed.
"Ah, you underestimated me again. Once more and it may cost you." She tightened her hold on Kagome's neck slightly for emphasis. Though she did her best not to do anything, Kagome couldn't help it—she choked. Her eyes met with Inuyasha's desperate ones for a split second, and their thoughts seemed to pass between them.
'What should I do, Kagome? Please don't get hurt—'
'Don't worry, Inuyasha. I have a plan.' She managed to mouth one word to him: diversion. He blinked in confusion, then seemed to get the message. He swallowed and let—or made—his shoulders slump a bit, as if in defeat. He even made his ears droop, a touch Kagome thought was quite clever. His eyes and voice held traces of defeat as he lowered Tetsusaiga to a limp position tip-to-ground and murmured, "What do you want from me?"
The witch blinked. "You'll give up so easily?"
Inuyasha stared at the ground. "I can't risk hurting my friend. I can't attack you. What do you want?"
The witch seemed to be contemplating what he'd said. At last, she looked up at him and spoke with a shrewd tone in her voice. "I don't believe you. Your acting....it's too sincere. No demon has that kind of emotions for a human." Her laugh was shrill, high, and arrogant. "What do you take me for, a—"
But what the witch thought they took her for they never found out, for at that moment, Kagome decided to make her move. She gathered all her panic- driven energy in her fingertips and grabbed a hold of the only thing she could reach—the witch's hand. Instantly, there was a bright flash of purplish light, and the two were blown apart. Kagome landed on her feet and staggered to regain her balance, while the witch did the same.
"Clever, my pretty," the witch acknowledged with a smile a moment later as she steadied herself. "I hadn't known you were a miko. You certainly haven't made use of your powers in the battle before. Was that your plan?"
"Of course," Kagome lied, but the witch knew it was fake and smirked leeringly. Inuyasha stepped forward, probably to place himself in front of Kagome and end the battle himself, but found an aura-created force field blocking his way. He looked down in surprise at the blue light that appeared when he tried to step forward.
"You stay out of it," the witch snapped silkily at the annoyed Inuyasha. "Give the pretty miko a chance to play. You can't have all the fun for yourself." Kagome swallowed again and reached behind her back to the quiver of arrows she always carried with her. With fingers as quick as lightning, she fitted the blessed arrow to the bow she'd been given. "Ah, pretty. You've got arrows with you? They're blessed with miko energy, no doubt." She squinted. "...Unless you're weaker than I suspect?"
"Why don't you see for yourself?" Kagome challanged, bringing to bow up before her eyes. She released the arrow.
The projectle flew forward with gathering speed, its aim perfect. The witch sidestepped, but was a bit too late anyway--the arrow caught her just at the center of her left shoulder. She let out a strangled cry, staggering backwards with sheer shock written on her face. Red-black blood seeped through the purple sleeve of her garment and fell in small droplets from her arm. "You little wench..." The witch looked up with vengence in her angry gaze. "So...you are powerful. I hadn't expected your aim to be so...practiced." She reached up and clutched the arrow, attempting to pull it out. Inuyasha and Kagome both smiled triumphantly as the arrow rejected the witch's touch with a cackle of purplish energy.
"What...what sorcery is this?!"
Kagome smiled. "It's positive energy. It rejects negative energy." The witch looked worried for a moment, then her expression cleared to the previous cold and blank.
"I see." She shrugged. "But it makes no difference." She turned to Inuyasha, her face mirroring a cold sort of triumph. "Tell me...does this wench mean much to you, Halfling brat?" Inuyasha blinked, wondering what she meant and how he should answer. The question couldn't bring anything good, he decided. The witch looked far too happy. "Ah...you've no answer." The witch smiled. "I suppose, if that's so, you won't miss her much."
Inuyasha's eyes widened in understanding. Of course. They had played right into the witch's hands. That forcefield could easily be used as a trap. "Kagome! Quick! Defend yourself!"
But it was too late. The witch gave one last smile and an evil cackle as she raised her arms. The forcefield began to shirnk, first slowly, but then gathering speed. The last thing Inuyasha could see was the witch taking hold of Kagome's wrist just before the bubble closed completely, disappearing into thin air with a little hiss. Inuyasha staggered foward, disbelief numbing everything but his hearing, which seemed to be working overdive to pick up any hint of sound from the two. This couldn't be happening...where had they gone?
"NO! KAGOME!"
-----------------------------------------------------
"Inuyashaaaaa!"
"Be quiet, impertinent human." The witch's tone was cold and clipped as she released Kagome's wrist and shoved her backwards. Kagome stumbled and ran into something hard and equally cold, feeling a rush of pain in her back as she slid to the floor. They appeared to be in some sort of dungeon as far as she could tell. The air was chilly; the walls, floor, and ceiling were made of hard, rough gray stone. It was dim--the only light sources were the narly-extinguished torches that were attached to the walls. Kagome blinked, looking around slowly. There were several long, wooden tables about the room, each covered with an assortment of bottles, basins, and other sorcery- related objects.
"What do you think of my humble little den?" Kagome was brought abruptly out of her pool of thought. Her brain snapped to attention.
"Where are we? And what do you want with me?"
"You have the great pleasure of joining me in my home. It's an honor shared by few others." Her dark eyes glittered. "I want nothing but your company as of the moment, my sweet. Your friends will come to save you soon enough, and then MY reward will be recognized." She stretched leisurely. "Until then, d'you think you could get rid of this dreadful arrow...?"
"No!" Kagome snapped. Just who did this woman think she was? "I'm not doing a thing for you until you set me free!"
"I'll set you free, all right," the witch said. "I have special plans for you."
"Wh-what d'you mean?" Kagome asked shakily. She didn't like the sound of that. The witch moved closer with a smile that—suddenly—could almost be described as kind. She knelt beside the young miko.
"Aren't you tired? That battle was hard for you, wasn't it?" Kagome blinked dazedly, feeling suddenly tired. She forced her eyes to open, but couldn't force her mouth to do the same. "Ssh, now. Rest. Your friends will be here to pick you up soon. I'll watch over you until then." If Kagome had been thinking logically, she would've recognized that the witch—their adversary!—was trying to trap her into something again, to do lord-knows- what to her while she was sleeping. But the voice was so soft and comforting...and she was so tired...so tired...
Darkness chewed away at the edges of her vision. At last, Kagome allowed the sleep to take her in its embrace and hold her. Warm tendrils of blessed numbness engulfed her body as the pitch black swam and twisted about her, pushing away all light and sound and thought. All images and memories and words abandoned her for the moment, replaced only with peace, which filled everything and anything...
The witch smiled down at the now-sleeping priestess. This process was entirely too easy. Placing her fingers on Kagome's temples, she murmured an incantation to seal her spell. Of course, the little girl's friends would come to her rescue. She'd go to them later and offer them a trade—their pathetic miko for all the shards of the sacred jewel they had gathered. She was more than sure that they would agree in the end. They would trade, thinking it worth it—but they would be wrong. The witch was no without a sense of humor. She would banish the girl's soul to an alternate reality. Her body would be nothing more than flesh and bones. A breathing corpse.
The witch laughed a shrill, careless laugh, pulling away from the still body lying on the cold stone floor. There was preparation to be done for her bartering later.
"MIROKU! BEHIND YOU!"
"Got it! WINDTUNNEL!"
"Inuyasha! Look out!"
"Kagome," Shippo whimpered into the girl's ear. "Shouldn't we move further away? Inuyasha said—"
"Yes, he said to hide. Go on, Shippo. I have to stay. Maybe I'll be able to help them!" Kagome fingered her bow nervously, but watched the battle with resolute eyes. Surely she could come in useful somehow...her miko powers had gotten a lot stronger lately! All three of her friends, and Kirara combined, seemed to have their hands full with battling their adversary. The little spell castress was amazingly quick and clever; despite her height (about two heads shorter than Sango) she seemed to be a good deal older. Her face was that of nearly a grown woman.
"WINDTUNNEL!" Miroku's shout echoed about the battlefield as a purplish energy field surrounded the witch and the wind began pulling her towards the monk. For a moment, the witch's face held traces of panic—but then, the panic was replaced by a manipulative smirk. She muttered something none of them could catch. Nothing happened for a heartbeat. For two.
All at once, a sparkling new energy force appeared. It snaked forward at an amazing speed, twisting around Miroku's staff, legs, and then, his cursed hand. The wind tunnel snapped close and the rosary beads wrapped themselves tightly about his wrist. The monk was thrown backwards. With a cry, he staggered and regained his balance, hastening to open the hole in his hand again. Everyone watched in shock as he tugged forcefully at the beads, trying to pull them off. They held, refusing to budge an inch.
"Ah, monk. Did you really think I'd be beaten so easily?" Miroku's eyes barely had time to widen in surprise before he was thrown backwards a second time, colliding painfully with a thick trunk of a nearby tree. This time, he didn't get back up.
"Miroku!" Sango's voice sounded pained and worried, but she held her position. With a mighty heave she released the demon-bone boomerang, which sped directly at the witch. The adversary gave an evil smile and laugh as the weapon moved directly through her once, and then a second time before returning to Sango's hand. Even as her slender fingers gripped the handle, a bright flash erupted, and Sango was thrown backwards just as Miroku had been. Hiraikotsu fell to the ground with a heavy THUMP.
"Sango!" It seemed to Kagome that all any of them could do was shout each other's names and get angry with the little witch. Kagome could see that Inuyasha was even more frustrated than she. He shouted a few curses at the witch mixed with some banter, but received only another devious smirk in reply.
"All right, then, if you're so arrogant..." Kagome noticed Tetsusaiga shift slightly as Inuyasha tightened his grip, and realized what he was about to do. He was going to attack, like all the others. Kagome had no doubt that the result would be the same as well. Could she stop him? She didn't think so. Even if she called to him, he probably wouldn't heed her advice—he was used to doing things his own way, and didn't care much for her interruptions. The most that could possibly happen was he would look up at the sound of her voice and get attacked by the witch while he was distracted.
So she satisfied herself by squeezing Shippo's little hand and glancing at him briefly.
"Inuyasha's gonna hurt himself, isn't he, Kagome?"
"I don't know, Shippo. Maybe, if he's careful...."
Both turned their attention back to the battle. Inuyasha raised his sword above his head again, and Kagome knew it was at moments like that that he was thankful that Tetsusaiga was light enough to wield again. Triumph flashed across his face as he shouted "WIND SCAR!" Tetsusaiga pointed forward and the blast of focused energy flew towards the witch. Again, she looked surprised for a moment while the force of the blast pushed her backwards, off her feet and blew the small body several feet from her previous position. Normally, the receiving end of that attack would've been cut and scratched pretty badly, but the witch only had one deep cut on her left shoulder, and a few smaller ones elsewhere.
It was several seconds later before she stirred and sat up slowly. Her straggly, long hair was hanging in her face, obscuring it from everyone else as she stood shakily to her feet. Her head tilted up and her hair fell away to reveal an evil smirk and dark eyes sparkling with what could almost be called lunacy. "Insolent Halfling." Her voice was sharp, but her tone drawling. "Did you think I could be defeated with such a petty youkai's trick?" Inuyasha glared back at her, undaunted. The witch laughed. "Ah, I see. You're willing to try again? And maybe use a little more of your strength? If you've got a stronger attack, by all means, go ahead. I'm no little village you've got to be careful of harming." Her eyes flickered to Kagome for an instant, and then to the others, lying still across the battlefield.
"In fact..." A wicked smile crossed the girl's face. "I'd be a little more careful of them, if I were you. Wouldn't want something bad to happen to one of your friends accidentally, now, would you?" Kagome closed her eyes. Now she'd done it. 'Please, Inuyasha,' she begged silently. 'Don't do anything reckless.'
But, of course, he couldn't hear her mental praying, and probably wouldn't have cared anyway. He raised the sword again, obviously preparing to strike with another wind scar—after all, the witch had no demonic aura that would be useful in Tetsusaiga's ultimate attack. Kagome looked between the two nervously, sensing something was wrong. Something, she felt was going to go wrong. Instinctively, she grabbed Shippo from her shoulder and tossed him aside, away from herself.
It all happened very fast. The witch was behind her in an instant, holding her in a sort of headlock. One pale, clammy arm was beneath her neck; the other was holding her hands still. Inuyasha stopped in mid-attack, looking horrified and then angry in turn. "What's the matter, Halfling?" The witch cooed sweetly, stepping backwards and bringing Kagome with her. "Weren't you going to attack me with your great big weapon? Not so strong now, are you?" She took another smooth step.
"Let her go. Now." There was cold fury in his words and burning in his amber eyes. Only someone who knew him well could see that there was also something close to fear in their depths as well.
"Or what? I seem to have the upper hand here. You're in no position to give orders." She was right, and Inuyasha knew it, but he only looked more furious at her words. The control of the situation had slipped from being equal to being in the witch's favor, and he didn't like it at all. Kagome swallowed. The witch's grip was tight. And she smelled odd. Stuffy. Like heavy perfume. With every moment she was moving back a little further. Inuyasha's stance was unsteady. Unbalanced. Kagome's eyes widened in understanding of what he was planning.
Without a moment's notice, Inuyasha sprang up into the air and landed behind the witch. He had obviously intended a reverse-hostage situation: either put my friend down or I'll make you do it. But it hadn't gone as he'd planned. The witch immediately was ten feet away, with HER hostage still in tow. So THAT was how she'd moved so quickly before. It was something close to teleportation, Kagome thought. She didn't like it. It made her feel dizzy. Inuyasha looked around for a second until he spotted them. His confusion was soon replaced with the anger again as the witch laughed.
"Ah, you underestimated me again. Once more and it may cost you." She tightened her hold on Kagome's neck slightly for emphasis. Though she did her best not to do anything, Kagome couldn't help it—she choked. Her eyes met with Inuyasha's desperate ones for a split second, and their thoughts seemed to pass between them.
'What should I do, Kagome? Please don't get hurt—'
'Don't worry, Inuyasha. I have a plan.' She managed to mouth one word to him: diversion. He blinked in confusion, then seemed to get the message. He swallowed and let—or made—his shoulders slump a bit, as if in defeat. He even made his ears droop, a touch Kagome thought was quite clever. His eyes and voice held traces of defeat as he lowered Tetsusaiga to a limp position tip-to-ground and murmured, "What do you want from me?"
The witch blinked. "You'll give up so easily?"
Inuyasha stared at the ground. "I can't risk hurting my friend. I can't attack you. What do you want?"
The witch seemed to be contemplating what he'd said. At last, she looked up at him and spoke with a shrewd tone in her voice. "I don't believe you. Your acting....it's too sincere. No demon has that kind of emotions for a human." Her laugh was shrill, high, and arrogant. "What do you take me for, a—"
But what the witch thought they took her for they never found out, for at that moment, Kagome decided to make her move. She gathered all her panic- driven energy in her fingertips and grabbed a hold of the only thing she could reach—the witch's hand. Instantly, there was a bright flash of purplish light, and the two were blown apart. Kagome landed on her feet and staggered to regain her balance, while the witch did the same.
"Clever, my pretty," the witch acknowledged with a smile a moment later as she steadied herself. "I hadn't known you were a miko. You certainly haven't made use of your powers in the battle before. Was that your plan?"
"Of course," Kagome lied, but the witch knew it was fake and smirked leeringly. Inuyasha stepped forward, probably to place himself in front of Kagome and end the battle himself, but found an aura-created force field blocking his way. He looked down in surprise at the blue light that appeared when he tried to step forward.
"You stay out of it," the witch snapped silkily at the annoyed Inuyasha. "Give the pretty miko a chance to play. You can't have all the fun for yourself." Kagome swallowed again and reached behind her back to the quiver of arrows she always carried with her. With fingers as quick as lightning, she fitted the blessed arrow to the bow she'd been given. "Ah, pretty. You've got arrows with you? They're blessed with miko energy, no doubt." She squinted. "...Unless you're weaker than I suspect?"
"Why don't you see for yourself?" Kagome challanged, bringing to bow up before her eyes. She released the arrow.
The projectle flew forward with gathering speed, its aim perfect. The witch sidestepped, but was a bit too late anyway--the arrow caught her just at the center of her left shoulder. She let out a strangled cry, staggering backwards with sheer shock written on her face. Red-black blood seeped through the purple sleeve of her garment and fell in small droplets from her arm. "You little wench..." The witch looked up with vengence in her angry gaze. "So...you are powerful. I hadn't expected your aim to be so...practiced." She reached up and clutched the arrow, attempting to pull it out. Inuyasha and Kagome both smiled triumphantly as the arrow rejected the witch's touch with a cackle of purplish energy.
"What...what sorcery is this?!"
Kagome smiled. "It's positive energy. It rejects negative energy." The witch looked worried for a moment, then her expression cleared to the previous cold and blank.
"I see." She shrugged. "But it makes no difference." She turned to Inuyasha, her face mirroring a cold sort of triumph. "Tell me...does this wench mean much to you, Halfling brat?" Inuyasha blinked, wondering what she meant and how he should answer. The question couldn't bring anything good, he decided. The witch looked far too happy. "Ah...you've no answer." The witch smiled. "I suppose, if that's so, you won't miss her much."
Inuyasha's eyes widened in understanding. Of course. They had played right into the witch's hands. That forcefield could easily be used as a trap. "Kagome! Quick! Defend yourself!"
But it was too late. The witch gave one last smile and an evil cackle as she raised her arms. The forcefield began to shirnk, first slowly, but then gathering speed. The last thing Inuyasha could see was the witch taking hold of Kagome's wrist just before the bubble closed completely, disappearing into thin air with a little hiss. Inuyasha staggered foward, disbelief numbing everything but his hearing, which seemed to be working overdive to pick up any hint of sound from the two. This couldn't be happening...where had they gone?
"NO! KAGOME!"
-----------------------------------------------------
"Inuyashaaaaa!"
"Be quiet, impertinent human." The witch's tone was cold and clipped as she released Kagome's wrist and shoved her backwards. Kagome stumbled and ran into something hard and equally cold, feeling a rush of pain in her back as she slid to the floor. They appeared to be in some sort of dungeon as far as she could tell. The air was chilly; the walls, floor, and ceiling were made of hard, rough gray stone. It was dim--the only light sources were the narly-extinguished torches that were attached to the walls. Kagome blinked, looking around slowly. There were several long, wooden tables about the room, each covered with an assortment of bottles, basins, and other sorcery- related objects.
"What do you think of my humble little den?" Kagome was brought abruptly out of her pool of thought. Her brain snapped to attention.
"Where are we? And what do you want with me?"
"You have the great pleasure of joining me in my home. It's an honor shared by few others." Her dark eyes glittered. "I want nothing but your company as of the moment, my sweet. Your friends will come to save you soon enough, and then MY reward will be recognized." She stretched leisurely. "Until then, d'you think you could get rid of this dreadful arrow...?"
"No!" Kagome snapped. Just who did this woman think she was? "I'm not doing a thing for you until you set me free!"
"I'll set you free, all right," the witch said. "I have special plans for you."
"Wh-what d'you mean?" Kagome asked shakily. She didn't like the sound of that. The witch moved closer with a smile that—suddenly—could almost be described as kind. She knelt beside the young miko.
"Aren't you tired? That battle was hard for you, wasn't it?" Kagome blinked dazedly, feeling suddenly tired. She forced her eyes to open, but couldn't force her mouth to do the same. "Ssh, now. Rest. Your friends will be here to pick you up soon. I'll watch over you until then." If Kagome had been thinking logically, she would've recognized that the witch—their adversary!—was trying to trap her into something again, to do lord-knows- what to her while she was sleeping. But the voice was so soft and comforting...and she was so tired...so tired...
Darkness chewed away at the edges of her vision. At last, Kagome allowed the sleep to take her in its embrace and hold her. Warm tendrils of blessed numbness engulfed her body as the pitch black swam and twisted about her, pushing away all light and sound and thought. All images and memories and words abandoned her for the moment, replaced only with peace, which filled everything and anything...
The witch smiled down at the now-sleeping priestess. This process was entirely too easy. Placing her fingers on Kagome's temples, she murmured an incantation to seal her spell. Of course, the little girl's friends would come to her rescue. She'd go to them later and offer them a trade—their pathetic miko for all the shards of the sacred jewel they had gathered. She was more than sure that they would agree in the end. They would trade, thinking it worth it—but they would be wrong. The witch was no without a sense of humor. She would banish the girl's soul to an alternate reality. Her body would be nothing more than flesh and bones. A breathing corpse.
The witch laughed a shrill, careless laugh, pulling away from the still body lying on the cold stone floor. There was preparation to be done for her bartering later.