Eye of the Tiger
by Anueye
Chapter 1: Just a Dream
Summary: Kagome starts to feel different; not just the normal, over-reacting different either. She starts to get these weird aches throughout her body, like it's rapidly changing from the inside out. Her eyes feel weird and everything starts to look more heightened. Her prowess has seemed to improve overnight. And what's this?! Sesshomaru? What's he doing here?!
It all started with a dream. Kagome opened her eyes to see herself in a dark forest.
'Huh...where am I? This doesn't look like feudal Japan at all!' she thought worriedly as she sat up slowly.
She took in her surroundings slowly, not missing a single detail. The trees were much taller here than in Japan, and much more rough looking. Covered in moist green moss that seemed to glisten in the moonlight; the trees blanketed in a swirly mist that eased its way through the terrain. The trees had wispy vines that hung from the branches like snarly snakes waiting to ensnare it's helpless victims. The roots of the trees curving in and out of the ground like clever coils ready to trip the next passerby. The grass itself was a deep olive green and wild and untamed. The place held a very musky earthy smell, like untouched wilderness; pure, raw nature. The place itself seemed to be alive; buzzing with sounds of creatures hidden in the deep.
'This must be a rain forest," Kagome thought as she silently got to her feet.
As she got to her feet, she got a sudden chill run up her spine. It was like she was being watched. Kagome peeked behind her into the darkness, but she saw nothing but the wild trees and bushes of the forest. Kagome just shook her head and started to walk forward, hoping to find her way out.
'I better get back before the others worry about me. I wonder how I got here in the first place? Inuyasha will probably nag at me for holding up the gang in the search for the jewel shards.' Kagome sweat dropped at the thought.
As Kagome continued on with her journey she swore that she was being followed. Kagome heard a twig snap behind her and she quickly spun around facing the noise. But as she looked, there was nothing there. Kagome's eyes narrowed in confusion. She just shrugged it off as her imagination. As she continued walking she took in more of her surroundings. She spotted a few animals along the way. She came across a poison dart frog clinging to a leaf, a musk rat that scurried off into the bushes, and a tree boa that hissed above her head on a branch as she passed underneath it. The forest seemed to go on forever, an endless maze of wilderness. Kagome sighed to herself as she seemed to be really lost. Suddenly she heard a rustle beside her in the trees. Kagome froze and slowly peered over to her left, looking for whatever made the noise. But yet again, she saw nothing but trees and wilderness. She kept walking with a nervous sweat building on the back of her neck. Yet again she heard another snap off to her right. Kagome twisted in its direction, again spotting nothing. She was being hunted. She just knew it by the creepy feeling in her gut. Kagome began to walk faster, her heart beat increasing with each step. As she walked faster and faster she heard more snaps and rustles. To the left, to the right, behind her! It was toying with her! Like a cat with a mouse. It didn't want to catch its prey without a little bit of fun first. Kagome started to feel fear deep within her chest. Kagome's brisk walk turned into a fast jog, and the speed increased when she heard more snaps and cracks within the darkness. She was soon running as fast as she can without tripping on the sneaky roots hidden amongst the leaves. Suddenly she stopped when she saw a large shadow in front of her with glowing violet eyes.
'What in kami is that?' she thought frantically as she started to back up as the creature slowly advanced toward her.
Slowly the creature stepped forward into the light, and Kagome gasped at what she saw. The creature before her was a bright white Siberian tiger with stunning violet eyes. Kagome gasped in awe on how beautiful it was. The tiger stood proud with knowing eyes. It held a aristocratic aura about it. The tiger slowly advanced toward her. Kagome stood petrified with fear and confusion.
"W-what do you want?!" Kagome asked in fear as she backed up.
The tiger seemed to blink in arrogance as it suddenly advanced towards her.
"You," it said before it came at her full speed.
Kagome screamed in fear as the tiger leapt at her roaring powerfully. Just as the tiger's paws touched her Kagome bolted up right in a cold sweat from her sleeping bag. Kagome met a concerned face of a kitsune.
"Kagome-san? You okay," the young kit asked concerned.
Kagome took a deep breath in relief, realizing it was just a dream. She took a look at her surroundings just to be sure that she was really back in feudal Japan. When she saw her sleeping companions around the campfire and the red haori of Inuyasha up in a tree she relaxed.
"I'm fine Shippo. It was just a bad dream," she whispered to the kit softly, comforting him.
Shippo smiled at her, giving her a big hug around the neck with his tiny little arms.
"I'm glad you're okay momma!" he said cutely as he snuggled back in to sleep in her arms.
"Me too, Shippo. Me too," she whispered softly, her mind going back to the mysterious dream.
She was certain the tiger had said something before it leapt at her. She thought back through the dream before she could forget the details. She remembered the intense violet eyes that seemed so familiar but yet so unusual. She then remembered that the tiger did indeed say something.
"You."