Chapter One
She's finally home
Streams of sun light enters the ancient well house through the small holes and cracks on the wooden walls. It fills the small dwelling with bright colors of vibrant purples, soft pinks, and light oranges mesh with red. Aiko pace restlessly in front of the sacred well making soft whimpers and whines.
"Come here boy, Souta will come back soon with Kagome-chan." Hitomi cooed gently as she waves the pup over to her and Hina by the stairs. The chocolate fur colored pup look over his shoulder to the teen with moist gray eyes before trotting over to her and placing his snout on her thigh. "It's been two hours already since Souta went through the well. I hope he's okay." Hina said with a hand held worriedly to her mouth.
She already had one child taken to the past by faith she did not want to lose another. "Don't worry Hina, he'll come back and with Kagome-chan and then everything will be okay." Hitomi said hopefully with a gentle smile that lit up her beautiful face.
Hina laughs lightly and smiles at the brunette fondly. Her son chose well. "Thank you Hitomi, I feel much better now." She confessed honestly. "No problem." The teen responded while petting Aiko on the head affectionately. She was glad she was able to comfort Hina with her words. It must be hard having her children separated from her by an entire Era, especially one as dangerous as the Feudal Era.
Her green eyes soften as she looks over to the innocent well. Innocent wouldn't be the right word to describe the well more like the unfortunate well. No, she was most likely certain that it wasn't the well's fault, but the magic cast around it. 'Oh, Souta hurry up, I'm describing a well for Kami's sake.' She exclaimed hotly in her mind with both brows furrow in impatience.
She'd never remember being so impatient and restless before until these past few weeks or how Souta was becoming overly affectionate with his touches. He had earned himself a really good slap to the side of face the other day for grazing her backside and going for a grope. It had almost been instinct like when her hand had connected to the side of his face. She had never slap Souta before, but then again he had grinned like an idiot afterwards as if reveling in it with a distant look in his eyes. She was sure he did not realize he had that look in his eyes.
"Hitomi, I'm going to go and check on my father. Call me if anything happens, okay." Hina ordered lightly and when the teen nodded her head the older woman left. When the door to the well house close shut signaling Hina's departure Hitomi turns to Aiko with a tired expression on her face, "Looks like it's just the two of us, boy." She commented tiredly and soon afterwards lets out a long yawn.
Bored the teen stands up and stretches her body out. The resounding popping sound of her bones clink lazily back in place and once she's done walks over to the ancient well. It appears to be like any other ordinary well, but she knew better than to think that. "So, Kagome-chan travels through this well to the Feudal Era." She let her fingertips graze over the lip of the well, feeling the rough texture of the stone used to build it centuries ago. She rotates around the well with her fingertips still roaming along its edge.
"I wonder what it's like to travel through time." She mused deeply. It would be cool to be a time traveler and even more so being a hero and fighting against evil like Kagome-chan. Shaking her head Hitomi lets out a soft sigh before leaning over the lip of the well. She stares down at its length and feels a tinge of fear fill her. It was so dark down there and not to mention creepy. Her left brow twitch nervously.
How could Kagome-chan willingly jump down there?
As soon as she finishes thinking her concern an incredible pressure suddenly appear out of nowhere. It forces Hitomi to move away from the well and as she backs away the familiar blue glow of time fills the well house before slowly dissipating into thin air. 'Is Souta back?' She questioned herself silently before rushing over to the lip of the well and looking down with wide eyes.
There in the bottom was Souta and in his arms was a limp Kagome cover in dark patches of what looks like blood. Hitomi backs away in shock.
Was Kagome-chan died?
Immediately tears began to fill her eyes as she grabs her chest. Souta looks up to her and his gaze is hard and fearful. "Hitomi call an ambulance!" He exclaimed while placing Kagome flat on her back before titling her head up and opening her mouth. He places his face near her nose and mouth and froze when he realizes she wasn't breathing anymore.
Snapping his head up and finding Hitomi still there he angrily shouts at her, "She's stop breathing. GO!" Without a second to waste Hitomi soon disappears, running towards the house. Souta quickly administers CPR on his older sister, wondering how long she has stop breathing. Her breathing had been shallow, but it was still consider breathing. He quickly feels for her pulse and sighs out in relief. Her heart was still beating, but it wasn't strong either.
A few minutes later Kagome gasps in air on her own and breathes fairly evenly. Souta mutters prayers thanking the kamis for keeping his sister alive. Suddenly bright light flashes onto them causing Souta to look up to see three paramedics surrounding the well's edge with one climbing down to them. One of them was holding a flash light to light up the well.
"How long has it been since she's fallen?" The paramedic asked seriously while checking on the patches of blood covering Kagome's arms and legs before going to her head. Souta took a step back to give the woman space to work on her sister. "An hour ago," He tells the paramedic with an unsure tone. He couldn't tell her the truth and besides she wouldn't have believed him if he did tell her.
"She wasn't breathing a while ago, I gave her CPR and she started to breathe on her own again." He informed her as the paramedic checks Kagome's eyes with a mini flashlight. "She's out cold, but doesn't have a concussion. Her pupils appear normal." The paramedic said slightly baffled by the finding. She turns to the Souta with furrow brows. "How did she come to be in the bottom of the well? She couldn't have fallen or else she would have a concussion or some type of head wound yet she has none." Souta swallowed heavily at the question directed at him.
'Oh crap, how am I supposed to answer that?' He thought sweating slightly. He shook his head and quickly blurts out the main issue at hand. "Is my sister going to be okay, I just found her down here and told my mother to call the ambulance?" He countered roughly inwardly praying that the woman would just take Kagome to the hospital already.
The paramedic asks no further questions for she quickly turns to Kagome and carefully hoists her onto her shoulder and climbs back up the well. Souta follows closely behind and soon watches as the paramedics place Kagome on a stretcher and out the well house to an awaiting ambulance.
Hina and Hitomi were waiting impatiently in the back yard near the Sacred Tree. They hadn't seen Kagome and were beyond worry. "Kami please let her be safe and alive." Hina prayed feverishly with tears flowing down her cheeks. Hitomi wasn't better off with red eyes and nose. "Look there she is!" Hitomi exclaimed loudly catching Hina's attention from her prayers.
"Oh Kagome," The frantic mother cries out while running to the stretcher. She takes in the condition of her daughter and could barely believe it. She was so limp lying there and so very pale. There was blood, so much blood covering her skin. Some of them were dried while others still bleed. She couldn't tell if all the blood was her own blood or someone else's. "Ma'am we need you to come with us to the hospital." One of the paramedics informed her and Hina only nods her head rapidly, "Of course."
She quickly turns to Hitomi with wide, fearful eyes. "Take the car and meet me at the hospital with Souta and my father." Hitomi nods obediently and watches them disappear down the long flight of stairs in the front of the shrine. "What's going on, why was the ambulance here?" Souta's grandfather asked from the back door to the house. "Was it because of my granddaughter? Is Kagome okay?" He asked panicked at the thought of her being injured greatly this time.
Hitomi could only shake her head in uncertainty. "I don't know." She muttered out in a soft sob before being pulled into an embrace by Souta. "She's going to be fine." He told her softly while rubbing her back soothingly. He then turns to his anxiety filled grandfather. "We're meeting mom over at the hospital and we need the car keys." He told the elderly monk who quickly wobbles inside on his wooden cane.
A few seconds later he returns and tosses his grandson the keys. "Let's go." Souta told them and when he notices his grandfather not moving along with them he questions him. "Go on boy, I will stay here and pray to the kamis for Kagome's safety. Take care of your mother." He ushered them with a wave of his hand before taking his leave to the main Shrine to pray.
Souta nods his head before placing his hand behind Hitomi's lower back and leading her away to the car. 'I just hope I won't get pulled over for driving without an adult.' He thought silently to himself. He had his permit's license, but without an adult he could get a ticket and lose it.
Starting the car he soon drove away and towards the hospital. The car's occupants were silent. Hitomi was thinking about Kagome's well being and if she would survive and Souta was thinking back on what he saw back in the Feudal Era. How he found his sister and saw how the others were either slain or unconscious. Like his dream he did not see Inuyasha anywhere or the other youkai who look like Inuyasha, but he did saw the monk and demon slayer.
As he climbs up the well using the vines within it Souta finally made it to the top of the well and leaps over to land onto the ground. He was taken aback by his new surroundings. There were trees everywhere with any buildings or roads in sight for miles away. It was truly fairy tale like with lighting bugs floating along the grass and flowers. It was so peaceful and quiet with only the sounds of crickets creaking through the field.
He shakes his head to refocus on the task at hand and ponders on which way Kagome was currently in. His dream had only shown him the battle field in which the fight took place, not how to get there. He looks around scanning as he did for Kagome's aura. When he did not pick up on anything he sighs in defeat. She was most likely too far away.
"Kagome where are you?" He cries out desperate.
Just as he spoke those words he was suddenly surrounded by shimmering pink light. "What's this?" He asked out loud in wonder. "You know the miko Kagome?" A voice suddenly asked him from out of nowhere. Frightened, Souta looks around to spot the voice belonging to a woman and finds none.
"Who are you?" He asked wearily and freaks out when he is suddenly lifted into the air and was sent flying eastward. In the middle of his little freak out the voice decides to introduce herself, "I am the miko Midoriko who created the Shikon no Tama." She starts out with a smooth calming voice. Souta instantly cease his flaring arms and takes in the name, "Mi-do-ri-ko?" Souta tests out slowly saying each syllable carefully before his eyes widen in realization. "You're the Midoriko!" Souta exclaimed loudly in shock.
"Yes I am Midoriko. Your sister needs to return to her Era." The ancient miko told him with urgency lace in her tone. "She has done a great service for the world and has done a great sacrifice on her part." Midoriko informed him with great reverend towards the young miko. Souta wonder what sacrifice his sister agreed to this time. He hoped it wasn't something too drastic. "What exactly did she sacrifice for the world?" He had to know what his sister had given up in order to protect the world.
The ancient miko was quiet as she took the teen to their destination. They were close; the field was already coming in to sight. "Kagome will be the one fit to tell you not I and I am eternally grateful to her." Souta felt his stomach tighten in dread at her words. He stops interrogating her and looks forward to see a field with bodies spread out everywhere.
As he flies over the field he sees no sight of Inuyasha or the one that look so much like him, but he did spot the monk and demon slayer. His solemn eyes took in their forms and he couldn't help, but feel a sense of déjà vu, and to think that he had just died not too long ago. 'It would have been cool if I had the chance to talk with them.' He thought with furrow brows.
Suddenly he felt his sneakers touch ground and he immediately went in search for Kagome. He looks around and notices that everyone was push in the same direction as if blown back by some sort of explosion. He finds the source of it and sees a figure dress in red with a mass of dark hair. "Kagome!" He exclaimed loudly before breaking out in a sprint towards her.
He kneels down mid run, bruising his knees, as he carefully picks up her head and cradles her in his arms. He quickly searches for a pulse and finds that it is weak, but there. He looks her over and like his dream she had a heavy bruise on her neck. It was horrifying to look at. It was like an animal had bit into her neck and left marks marring her skin.
"You need to hurry. The well will close soon now that the Shikon no Tama is completed." Souta nods and carefully picks Kagome up in his arms. Her head lulls to the side resting on the front of his shoulder. As soon as she was secure in his arms the same mystical shimmering pink light surrounds them and takes them away from the field and to the sacred well.
When they reach it Souta was place down onto the ground once more. Once he swung his leg over the well the pink light began to fade away. "You're not coming?" Souta asked suddenly feeling weary. "I will always be within the Shikon no Tama that is now nestled within Kagome's body. I am not going anywhere." Her tone was mournful, but not regretful. Sighing in relief, Souta cast Kagome one last look before jumping down into the well and being encase with the blue light of time.
The hospital wasn't as pack with ill or injured people when they arrive. It was actually quiet and somewhat peaceful. It made Souta feel sick that a place could be so calm when his sister was in surgery for internal bleeding. The doctor had told them she would make it out fine through the surgery, but Souta knew that things could take a turn for the worse in an instant.
His sister could actually die.
He was in the family waiting room with his family and girlfriend. Hitomi's parents were on their way here after Hitomi told them about Kagome's accident. They were coming to support Hitomi and Souta.
A half hour later they arrive and Hitomi's mother immediately went to hug her daughter before hugging Hina. She pulls back after several seconds, "Hitomi told me what happened to Kagome. I hope she's alright." She told the other woman with worry green eyes. "Kagome is strong I know she will make it." Hina said with a confident smile on her face. Her eyes were sad yet held strength and confidence only a mother can when referring to their children.
"How did this happen? Hitomi said Kagome was found in the bottom of the well." Hitomi's father asked with furrow brows. He didn't know about Kagome's double life only that she got sick often and was struggling to keep up with her school work. "We don't know." Souta muttered while passing a hand through his now loose hair.
"She was cleaning the well early this morning. She didn't come for breakfast so I went to get her and found her in the bottom of the well unconscious and cover in blood." He explained to him, his voice trembling slightly through the lie. He sees his sensei rise a questioningly brow at him, but does not ask further questions.
Souta was glad for it and all fell silent as they waited for the doctor to tell them news about Kagome. It wasn't until an hour later did the doctor arrived and told them good news. "She made it through the surgery well and we've managed to stop the bleeding." He began with a hopeful smile before frowning slightly. "There's just one thing. One of my staff members, a nurse, informed me that Kagome was holding something in her hand and wouldn't let it go." He started with a bewilder look on his face.
The others were confused as well.
What was Kagome holding onto so dearly?
"What was she holding onto?" Hina asked in wonder and curiosity. The doctor holds his chin with his hand and widens his eyes. "That's just it no matter what we did we couldn't get her hand to open up. It's as if her hand has been glue shut around whatever she's holding." The doctor mused with a strange tone. "But other than that she is fine and stable. You can see her now although she won't be waking up anytime soon." He informed them before leading Hina and the others to the Kagome's room.
Once the doctor took them to the room he left to attend to his other patients. Hina wasted no time and quickly went to Kagome's side, taking her hand into her own. "Oh, sweetheart," She mutters out in a motherly tone while pushing back the miko's long bangs from her eyes. "You get into so much trouble on the other side. I was afraid I was going to lose you this time." She whispered out for only Kagome to hear while wearing a weary smile.
Hitomi's parents were standing by the door way to give the Higurashi's their space to see their loved one.
"Kyo we should go." Looking down to his small wife Kyo agrees. "Alright," He tells her before bringing his gaze onto his teenage daughter. "Hitomi your mother and I will see you at home and don't come home too late okay, hime." Hitomi nods and hugs them goodbye before walking back to Souta's side. She takes his right hand into her left and holds him tight.
Souta tighten his hold on her hand as well in comfort before turning his gaze back onto his sister. She was still so pale, but he knew a couple of hours in the sun, along with a healthy diet will get her original color back. He glances at her right hand and sees that it was clutching onto something just like the doctor had told them earlier. He knew it couldn't be the Shikon no Tama because Midoriko herself told him it was back inside Kagome's body.
He wanted to know what it was and gently took her right and pries it open. Her fingers wouldn't budge and Souta found himself being aided by Hitomi. After struggling for several minutes they finally manage to pry her fist open and uncurl her fingers away to see the object she was holding onto so dearly roll off her palm and fall onto the marble floor.
Everyone's eyes widen at the sight of the small oval shaped crystal as it lands onto the floor and rolls towards Hina's shoes where it comes to a stop when it collides against her heel.
Nobody notice a pair of eyes snap open.
Shock that Kagome would have such a gem in her possession Hina slowly bends down to pick the small crystal up when a voice suddenly snaps out at her and stops her motion.
"Don't touch it!" The voice exclaimed with a sharp edge to its tone. Hina quickly brings her gaze onto the speaker and nearly cries out in joy. "Kagome, you're awake thank Kami." The older woman forgets about the gem and goes to hug her daughter, but before she could the teenage miko weakly climbs out of bed and picks up the crystal. Upon contact the crystal glows brightly in a bright flash that catches everyone's attention. It seem to warm the room up rather pleasantly.
It remains shimmering and glistening in Kagome's hand as the miko makes her way back onto the bed. Everyone in the room gazes at Kagome questioningly, but they did not voice it out in respect to her recovery.
Not being one to like being stared at for long periods of time Kagome sighs, "I don't want to talk about it…" She tells them in a soft voice. "At least not right now and as for this gem…" She gestures to the oval shaped crystal in her palm with her tired azure colored eyes.
"I guess you can say I've created my very own version of the Shikon no Tama," She reveals to them in a solemn tone with her gaze solely on the gem as if it were her lifeline.
A/N: Well this is an awfully fast update, don't you think? Anyways this is the first chapter to A Single Tear. I didn't really know what to call it so I just went with that one and I think is suits the story somewhat. It's just a feeling I have and don't know for sure, but time will tell.
So I have gotten really awesome reviews from The Silver Strand that has filled my heart up with joy. Thank you all so much! I will try to do my best with this story as well. ;)
So in this first chapter you all learned that Kagome is not stuck within the Shikon no Tama with Naraku, which is a good thing. Instead she practically created her own version of it and the name of the gem will be reveal in the next chapter. As for the other questions that you still have from the first installment will be reveal slowly throughout the future chapters.
So soon you all will know what become of Sesshomaru and Inuyasha and many more. Let me stop here before I spring up more questions from you all.
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Lady Manami