I do not own InuYasha or any of the characters created by Rumiko Takahashi
Arms tightened protectively around me as a warm, bright light engulfed us. Tightly shutting my eyes I turned into my protectors embrace feeling the tears of relief fall down my cheeks. "It's finally over," he softly mutters against my ear, sending chills down my back.
Without warning, wind furiously starts to whip around us and I hug him tighter to brace myself but its no use, we are pulled apart. Crashing down hard on my right side, I cry out feeling the sudden dirt beneath me scrape against my skin before I lose consciousness from the pain.
Shivering slightly, my muscles begin to tense up and I become painfully aware of how sore my body is. Trying to stretch, there's a sharp pain in my shoulder causing me to let out a soft whimper. Rolling on my back to relieve some of the pressure off of it, I slowly start to open my eyes only to be met with more darkness. Blinking a few times, my eyes are able to adjust and make out the ceiling of the well house. Another shiver travels down my spine, the dry, cold air causing me to cough with every breath I intake. All of a sudden loud noise echoes through the well house followed by a pool of bright, blinding light that surrounds me.
"Mom! Grandpa! Come quick! The well has reappeared!" I hear someone yell in the distance. I can't help but panic, what if whoever is coming is the cause of my current state? Using my hand to shield my eyes, I try to make out the figures descending the stairs towards me.
"Kagome!" my mother's tear stained face is the first to come into view, her voice shrill and on the verge of hysterics. "Thank goodness!" she says lunging herself at me, roughly gathering me in her arms and burying her face in my hair. "We were so worried! You were gone for three days!" she lets out a small sob. "And then.. the well disappeared," tightening her hold, I involuntarily let out a cry in pain. "Oh, I'm sorry dear! Are you hurt?!" she says, quickly pulling away to get a better look at my face. I'm assuming I look as bad as I feel by the pained expression she gives me.
"Mama.. what happened?" my voice is strained and rough. I feel someone tug on my injured shoulder, wincing slightly I turn to see my little brother Sota. His features distressed, tired and eyes red from crying. Oh Sota..
"We were so worried Kagome! But I told them Inuyasha would bring you back, that he would keep you safe!" he says as fresh tears begin to brim his eyes. A lump starts to form in my throat, leaving me unable to speak not that I would even know what to say. What happened to make everyone so worried?
"Thank goodness you are safe," an older voice comments, interrupting my train of thought. Touching my cheek softly with his withered hand I look up to meet my grandfather's exhausted eyes and gentle smile. "Where is Inuyasha? Did he go back into the well?" he says standing up. "Why didn't he come and get us as soon as you returned?!" his tone is harsher, his temper rising as his eyes searched the interior of the well house.
"Inu.. yasha?" my brows knit together in confusion, the name sounding strange yet familiar at the same time. "The well? What are you guys talking about?" Returned? Returned from what? And who is this Inuyasha person? Pulling my face towards her, my mother mirrors my confused expression.
"Do you.. not remember dear?" her voice is a little shaky, if I didn't know any better she was close to tears. "You went to Inuyasha's time, to fight that big demon Naraku," There's that name again. Her eyes worriedly search mine, but I'm not sure what exactly they're trying to find. Shutting my eyes tightly, I try to escape the uneasiness in her gaze. Gathering up all my strength I make an attempt to sit up, but the pain in my shoulder becomes unbearable and my head begins to spin from the sudden movement. Noticing my discomfort, all three quickly help me to my feet while silently exchanging worried looks.
"Now you guys lost me," gripping onto Mama for balance, I turn to point at the bone eaters well. "Me? Go into the well and fight a demon mama? Are you sure you weren't the one who fell down the well stairs and knocked your head?" I lightly joke to try and break up the tense atmosphere, but it only makes things worse. I mean thats what had to have happened right? What else would explain me being here unconscious and hurt?
"Let's just get you inside dear," Mama says swinging my arm around her shoulder and leading me up the stairs, but not before throwing grandpa and Sota one last long look of concern. What is up with everyone? And how did I end up on the ground in the well house?
Man, I need a nice hot bath and a good nights sleep.