In case you are unfamiliar with the game ' Secret of the cursed mask' , you might be confused on this story, so I suggest reading up on it.
It has been three long years since the great adventure. Three years!
Sighing I put my school bag away. I just finished entrance exams at high school. Apparently my grades are good enough to get me into a renowned university, though right now I could care less. "I wonder what they could be doing right now…" I muse to myself
Ever since I came back to the present, life has been a bore and I just have been missing everyone so badly. Sure, I meet up with Kagome every now and then, but it's not the same. I long to go back to that atmosphere.
I tried to go through the well at Kagome's house once, but that didn't work well. It only resulted in a broken wrist and shattered dreams. But I'm not ready to give up though. I've been reading tons of books about the Feudal era to make sure I would fit in more easily than last time. I want to be prepared in case I found a way to go back. And if I do go back, I plan to stay there for a while.
Changing into a priestess outfit and slinging my hair into a low pony tail, I get ready to help father at the shrine. Stepping outside I grab a broom to sweep the path. I will be doing a lot of sweeping from now on, just until classes start again of course.
As I think back about everything and everyone I miss I sense a cold wind go past me. I freeze and look around, paranoid. For a long time I've been getting the feeling of another presence at the shrine. It comes and goes without warning. And when it's there I feel like I'm are no longer alone, that someone is watching. Somehow I can tell that this presence means no harm, so I just let it be. I asked father once before if he could sense it. He said he didn't and that it was probably just my imagination due to stress from school. After that I didn't mention it anymore, but the feeling kept returning.
I look behind me when I hear my name being called. "Kaname!" I see my long time friend Emi running up to me. "Hey Emi, what brings you here?" She tries to gather her breath before speaking, "I was wondering if you wanted to come to a gathering with me. It's just some of our old class mates. We wish to celebrate graduating high school. So, what do you say?"
I smile at her but shake my head. "I'm sorry, I promised to help here today. My dad is really busy." Emi pouts. "That's too bad. Hiro is coming too you know.", she points out winking. I sigh inwardly. She's been trying to hook me up with him for a year now. It seems that the only ones bothered that I still haven't dated anyone yet are her and my mom. "He really likes you, you know.", she says with a sneaky grin. "So you keep saying.", I sigh.
Putting her hand on her hips she scowls at me. "You are hopeless Kaname. Why can't you give him a chance?" I turn around and go back to sweeping. "I'm just not interested." She throws her hands in the air in frustration before giving me a look of defeat. "All right then. I'll see you around." "Have fun.", I call. With that she leaves.
I finish up and put the broom away in the storage while humming to myself. I reach up to grab a box of charms so I can refill them when I see something in the mirror that is right in front of my face. I gasp while turning around abruptly, the box that I was getting falls onto my head before hitting the ground and spilling charms all over the place.
"Ouch.", I wince while rubbing my head. Opening my eyes I quickly look around. There is nothing there. I sigh sadly at this. 'I really thought I just saw Sesshomaru. But that would be a little strange wouldn't it? My imagination must be running wild.' Sesshomaru is a person I regret not spending more time with. I rather liked him really, even while he was acting all cold and silent. Maybe I could say I even had a crush on him at some point. I hope I get to meet him again someday. Putting my thoughts aside, I crouch down and gather all the charms back in the box before leaving the storage.
[Sesshomaru's point of view]
I watch as the image of Kaname walks away. It's like looking at a ghost as the image is slightly blurry and see-through. The image sometimes fades entirely. It was a few months after she left when I found this place. Deep within the forest I found a large clearing with flowers, a pond and a small shrine for travelers. I thought not much of it until I saw a flash of her walking around in this place.
It took me off guard at first. I found out that she could not see me and just observed for a while as she does those things that humans do. At rare occasions this whole clearing is full of images. I can see the surroundings that Kaname inhabits. With that, I believe her image lingers here because in the future, this will be where she is living. So strange that the connection between past and future seem so strong here.
Since then I came here every now and again when I found myself close by and I watched as she grew up from the girl she was to the woman she is now. I don't understand why I keep coming here. What is the point of it? I tried, but somehow I can't stay away for long. Lately though, things changed a bit. She seems more aware of me, though she still can't see me. Maybe she's becoming stronger. Feeling like I've had enough for now, I leave the place until next time.
[Normal point of view]
That night I just stare ahead as mom puts a bowl of rice and miso soup before me. "What, don't we say thank you now?", she scolds. "Sorry mom, and thanks." She smiles softly. "Where is your mind sweetie?" I sigh, "Far far away. Really far away." "I hope this isn't about your Feudal adventure again Kaname.", father says. "I still stand by my story.", I mutter before starting to eat. He shakes his head before eating as well.
When I returned I told them about what happened, but they just say I bumped my head or something since I was only gone from their sight for a few hours. "You know, I will prove it to you some day.", I say after swallowing my bite. "Sure honey, just as long as you don't do anything stupid." "Yeah dad." I sigh.
A few days later I sit at the pond with some iced tea and lunch. There isn't much to do today as it's incredibly hot. People would be mad to go out today and that's the reason why I sit here in the shade. I glance at the cat who is curled up in the sun on top of a rock nearby. "How can you not be bothered Kiko?", I wonder while wiping a drop of sweat away from my forehead. As expected, he just ignores me entirely. I throw a piece of fish at him which lands smack dab in front of his face. His nose twitches and lo and behold, he's wide awake.
Rolling my eyes I take a sip of my drink, feeling the cold liquid slide down my throat soothingly. I turn my eyes towards the koi swimming circles in the rather large pond when something catches my eye, making me nearly choke. Rubbing my eyes I take a double take. 'He's still there. Am I dreaming, heat stroke maybe?' I question to myself.
There Sesshomaru is, in the reflection of the water, right next to the bridge. I strain to look closer as the ripples in the pond blur the image. It's like he could be sitting right by the pond, his eyes closed in relaxation. Why isn't it fading away?
I silently stand up and take a step closer. No change. Carefully I creep even closer, afraid that he'll disappear if I'm being too loud. My eyes grow wider as the reflection remains and I pinch myself. 'No, I definitely felt that.' Soon I stand right next to the spot where he would be sitting, my reflection in the pond is right beside him.
My heart pounds heavily and I swallow hard when I reach out a hand next to me while still looking at the reflection, reaching for his shoulder. The area is cold, like the wind that sometimes passes through. Suddenly his eyes open, looking straight at me. Stepping back in shock I hear the cat call out in pain as I step on his tail. "Kiko!" I step off quickly but place my foot on a loose rock. It gives way, making me trip and fall butt first into the pond.
I submerse completely while swallowing water from the shock. In reaction I wave my arms around wildly, searching for the surface. Suddenly a large hand clasps around my wrist and pulls me up. I gasp and cough as air is able to reach my lungs again. My upper body is pulled out before the hand lets go.
Digging my hands into the dirt I cough some more. When I finally am able to breathe normally again I look tiredly ahead of me to see black old fashioned shoes and white pants. I blink in confusion before looking up. My eyes squint at the harsh sunlight before the person moves a bit to block the sun. I gasp at what I see, or rather who.
Sesshomaru himself, in the flesh, is standing right in front of me. "S-sesshomaru?" Pulling myself out of the water completely I take a moment to look around and smile widely. "I can't believe it, I'm back." I breathe. Suddenly a heavy dizzy spell hits me. "Oh oh.", is all I can bring out before I fall over out cold.
When I wake up, its morning judging from the light that flows in from the opened lattice shutter. 'Wait a minute…' I sit up quickly and look around the room. My mouth drops open in awe. I was sleeping in a futon on a tatami matted floor. It's not a small room considering that this is the Feudal era. On the far end of the room stands a decorative folding screen and all around the room, other ornamental objects can be found. There is also a small table with a cushion to sit on.
Standing up I notice my priestess outfit laying neatly next to the futon so I glance down to see what I'm wearing. It's a simple yukata to sleep in. I can't help but wonder how I got into that. I shuffle towards the open shutter and look outside to see a grand garden and some of the outside of the rest of the building. Judging from what I can see and what I read before, this must be a house in the Shinden Zukuri style. It's a housing style reserved for the higher class.
I'm pulled out of my fascination of the architecture by a voice just outside the sliding screens. "Miss, are you up?" "Huh, yes. I am." I answer timidly. The door slides open and a lady enters after bowing. "Miss, may I help you get ready for breakfast?" "Huh? Oh, of course. Thank you.", I say reminding my manners and etiquette.
She gets up and takes a nice furisode kimono out of a cabinet. It's a royal blue with many petals on the bottom and the sleeves. She helps me put it on. "May I ask where I am?", I ask her curiously. "Oh, I suppose you wouldn't know since you were unconscious when lord Sesshomaru brought you here. You are at his home." My eyes widen. "Since when has he got palace like this?" The woman chuckles. "He just had it build two years ago." "No kidding.", I breathe out in awe.
She finishes tying the obi when the door slides open with a rush. "Kaname! It's really you! You're back.", yells a young girl before rushing in and glomping me. I fall over before I can stop myself. I can't help but laugh as I hug Rin back. The woman laughs too before scolding Rin for her behavior. "Hello Rin. It's been so long." I laugh.
Letting go she sits beside me. "It's been years. What happened?" "I really wanted to come back sooner, but I was never able to find a way. I'm not sure what happened though, that made me able to come here." I tell her. She bounces up and down happily. "I'm really glad that you did though." I smile at her and look her over.
"Wow Rin, you've grown a lot." She grins happily. She must be eleven years now. The woman butts in, "I'm sorry to interrupt the reunion, but breakfast is waiting." I nod in understanding, still not quite believing that this is Sesshomaru's place or that he brought me here for a matter of fact. Why did he do that?
Standing up I straighten my kimono before walking out the door with Rin, following after the woman. "Say, what is your name?", I ask her. "My name is Suki. I'm the head maid here.", she smiles pleasantly while speaking. She reminds me a bit of an aunt of mine. "Nice to meet you. My name is Kaname Kururigi." She nods before stopping beside a door. She slides it open for us. Rin takes my hand and drags me forward before motioning me to sit.
As the food is brought out I look around questioningly. "Hey Rin, where are Sesshomaru and Jaken?" "They are out for a while, but I'm sure they will be back soon." I nod at this. It's a bit awkward being here without those two around, but luckily Rin doesn't stay silent for long. She asks what I did while I was gone, so I tell her about school and my work as a shrine maiden.
"Wow, you must be really smart after so many years of school. It sounds fun." I just shrug. "Trust me, after the excitement here, everything in the present just seemed rather boring. So you can't imagine how glad I am to be back." Suddenly I can see an idea pop into Rin's head. "Hey, could you teach me some of the things you learned?" I look at her surprised, "Huh?" "What is it?" I giggle, "I just never saw someone your age so thrilled to be schooled. Most youngsters at home rather stay home and play games these days." She smiles brightly, "But it's okay right?" "Well sure, if Sesshomaru doesn't mind." "Then we'll ask him as soon as he gets back!"