Night 2: Marked
"Maybe a hot bath before bed will help you sleep," Sango stated.
Dinner had long since been finished, the remains of it swept away to keep the area clean. Inuyasha briefly glanced up at the brunette, refusing to make a comment about her statement. Miroku frowned, he usually would have agreed so he could try to take a peek at them, but even Inuyasha could tell something was seriously bothering Kagome. The poor girl had hardly gotten any sleep the past several nights and the bags under her eyes were so dark they looked like bruises.
"A bath sounds nice," Kagome nodded.
The two gathered their stuff and headed towards the hot springs Inuyasha had camped them by that night. Sango glanced at her friend, hoping that whatever was bothering her would come out in their bath talk. Silently the raven hair girl stripped her clothes off and slipped into the water up to her waist. Her muscles relaxed and she sighed in contentment. Leaning back against a large rock she closed her eyes and willed herself to remain awake.
Sango followed her in, choosing to sit on the opposite side of her. She was glad to see her friend relaxing, though she couldn't help but worry that the other girl would fall asleep in the hot water. Her eyes were drawn down to Kagome's side. Above her right hip was a horribly large dark purple bruise. In the center the skin looked like it had broken open and then scabbed over in the healing process. The large bruise easily took up her whole side.
"Kagome," Sango gasped, "what happened to your side?"
Deliriously Kagome opened her eyes to glance at the piece of skin that had caught her friends attention, "I fell."
"You haven't fell or been active in a fight for several days," Sango said doubtfully.
"I fell," Kagome repeated, her voice turning whimsical, "in my dream."
"What do you mean you fell in your dream?"
"I climbed a gate and fell."
"Kagome, I think something is really wrong. Maybe you should go home, maybe you should go to your time and get looked at. I'm really worried about you," the worry in her friends voice startled her.
"What about the jewel, I can't just leave," Kagome shook her head in disagreement.
"How are you going to find the jewel if you can barely stay awake during the day and unable to sleep at night? And now you are hurt, look at that! It's huge and you don't even know where it came from!"
"Yes, I do! I fell off a gate!"
"Kagome, bruises from a dream don't appear on your body and you haven't fallen or been in battle all week. That bruise came from somewhere and you need to seek help before your whole body looks like that."
"Maybe," she mumbled sleepily, the heat of the water beginning to catch up to her.
"Lets get you washed up," Sango sighed.
A little over an hour later the two girls finally returned to camp. Kagome asleep in Sango's arms. The slayer sighed and set the sleeping woman down on her bedding. After Kagome was comfortable Sango sat down next to Miroku prepared to explain her side of the story and convince Inuyasha to send Kagome home.
"Kagome needs to go home," Sango frowned, "she needs to see what she calls a 'doctor'."
"Why? All that is wrong is her having trouble sleeping," Inuyasha shook his head, "we can't send her home just because she can't seem to sleep at night."
"It's worse then that. She has a large bruise on her side and she can't tell me how she got it. She just kept saying she fell off a gate in her dream. I think something is really wrong with her. I'm worried about her."
Inuyasha crouched beside Kagome, gently pealing her shirt back enough to see the darkness on her side that Sango had spoken of. Out of all the wounds Kagome had, had while there this was by far the worst of them all. Settling the shirt back into place, he pulled the blanket up to her neck and sighed.
"She will return home on the morrow. I'm not going to wake her to travel to the well tonight even if it's only a few hours away."
"Thanks, Inuyasha," Sango smiled softly, "if anyone can help her, it's one of her 'doctors'."
"Are you really okay with me going," Kagome asked from her spot on the side of the well.
"You need to get better," Inuyasha sighed, "go home, rest, see a 'doctor' and when you are better, come back, okay?"
"Okay," she smiled, leaning forward to hug him, "thank you, Inuyasha."
"Yeah, just don't think this will happen again," he gave her a friendly glare when he pulled back.
"Of course not," she waived his rude behaviour away with a laugh, "well, I'll see you later."
She jumped into the well and landed easily on the other side. The climb up the ladder seemed to take hours and the walk to the house drained her of any remaining energy. She had slept under two hours that night and really needed to catch up on all the sleep she had been missing. She entered her home to find it empty. Shrugging to herself, she climbed the stairs and clasped exhausted onto her bright pink sheets.
Every time she slept she was able to get further and further into that mansion. Several times she saw Kikyo and the strawberry blonde haired woman walking through the halls. She had faced all different kinds of ghosts, some hostile and angry and other peacefully and sad. It was disheartening to know that she couldn't seem to figure out why she was having these dreams. Maybe now she could share them with her mother and get their heavy weight lifted from her chest and some insight as to what they might be.
She sighed happily as her mind finally drifted off into sleep. As her eyes closed to allow the world on the other side take her, she caught sight of a little girl curled up hidden under her desk watching her. A shiver of fear danced down her spine as sleep finally claimed her.
Opening her eyes she found herself laying on the ground of a cage like room. Wooden bars and a tiny cage door in front of her. Groaning she sat up and glanced at the desk Kikyo had been sitting at when she had first saw the room. It had been her luck that Kikyo was gone by the time she found the key and opened the door.
She leaned forward and plucked the piece of parchment off the desk, shocked to find the same writing on it as the first two notes she had found. It had to have been what Kikyo was looking at. A frown marred her face as she read and re-read it.
It feels like I've been here forever. The days pass by so differently here then in the real world. I don't know how long it's been since I've woken up and actually seen the day. I'm trapped here, lost within this world full of pain and horror. I'm surprised I've avoided her this long, I'm sure something horrible would happen if she touched me.
I can see it in her eyes, the pain that she is going through. Who she is, I'm not sure but for whatever reason she is calling me, begging me to go deeper into her mansion, but I can't. If I go, if I follow them, my family, if I follow the dead I will never be able to return. As much as I miss my family, my mom, my dad, my brother and sister, as much as I miss them, I have to continue living. I have to live to show that our family is still alive.
For them, for me, I must survive, but how do I do that if I can't even get out of here? Everyday the thought of just going on begins to weight heavier, sounding better with every passing minute that I spend running from the ghosts around me. Will I become one of them? When I die, will that be my fate?
Kagome frowned, folding the paper up and sticking it in the pocket of her jeans. The woman sounded so sad, so scared. She needed to find her. Even if this might be a dream, at least then she wouldn't be alone. Crawling she exited the small cage and entered into the main room. To her left was the door she had entered from, in her last dream, in front of her was a long hallway and to her right another door where a crimson butterfly sat on the door knob.
Smiling at the creature she pulled the door open to find herself standing in a hallway that didn't look like it belonged to the mansion she had been exploring. Interest peeked, she crept down the stairs. She had the option to head upstairs or down another hallway and she chose for now to stay on this floor. Halfway down the hall she noticed light pouring in from a hole in the roof. As she drew closer she was shocked to feel a wave of cold pass over her and see snow falling from outside.
It hadn't been snowing in the village. While the cloud cover had suggested that it would do so, it hadn't been. In fact the last dream she had it had been raining. Something triggered her to take a picture of the hole and she wasn't surprised to see a face develop on the image. Taking a deep breath of the freezing air she continued forward to explore.
Suddenly a ghost with a large Chinese butcher knife began chasing her. She raced through the new mansion, twisting and turning, rushing through doors in hopes that the ghost would stop it's pursuit. Pushing open double doors a cold gust of air hit her as she ran into an area that looked like a mass grave. Not watching her path she ran into someone sending the two into a sprawling mess on the ground.
The sound of a woman groaning brought Kagome's head up to stare at the same woman she had seen several nights before. Deep emerald green eyes opened and then widened in fear. She scrambled to stand and grabbed Kagome's hand and tugged the shocked woman to her feet.
"Come on," she said, her voice urgent, "he is coming!"
Kagome glanced over her shoulder at the man that had been chasing her. Not giving it another thought she let the stranger pull her along leading her deeper into the house. They ran up two sets of stairs and across the roof. The door opened easily and Kagome stepped in to a small storage room. Inside was only a couple things to repair any damages to the building. The woman shut the door and leaned on it with a small sigh of relief.
"How do you know he can't get here," Kagome asked nervously, feeling trapped in the small room.
"He never comes in here," the woman said softly sliding to the floor, "this room has always remained ghost free for as long as I've been here. I come here when I need to escape and I can't find another place to hide out there."
"My name is Kagome," she smiled softly, "Higurashi Kagome."
"My name is Hitomi Akiri."
"It's nice to meet you Akiri."
"You didn't listen to my warning," she frowned, "you should have turned back."
"You were hurt! I couldn't just leave without knowing if you are okay."
Kagome looked her over, noticing quickly that the other woman looked malnourished, her skin was a greyish unhealthy looking colour. Her dress barely clung to her, showing that she had loss too much weight. Her eyes travelled down her legs and to the bottoms of her feet. The skin there was broken and bleeding in many different places. Rocks em-betted in the skin, making her cringe.
"Let me help you," she offered, pulling one of the other woman's feet onto her lap.
"I've gotten used to it," Akiri allowed the other woman to pluck the rocks from her feet and rip strips of her shirt off to bandage it.
"It's really cold outside, how can you stand wearing that dress? Aren't you afraid you will get sick," Kagome questioned.
"I'm used to it. You'll get used to it too," she sighed.
"I just don't understand. One minutes I was in that other mansion and the next I was here, where is here any ways?"
"The mansions are all connected," she gestured backwards toward the door, "each mansion is different, but they all are the same. Shinto religions connect them in ways that they otherwise might not have been. You will figure out why you are here. I can't give you that answer because we each have our own reasons."
Kagome watched her closely, "I don't understand."
"You will. Read books, find scrolls. They are everywhere and they will help you understand. They will tell you why you are here and what purpose you serve."
"So you know why you are here?"
"Yes, because I share her pain," Akiri sighed, "but that doesn't matter. What matters is getting you out of here."
"How do we do that? And if I go, you have to come with me."
She let out a semi-dark chuckle, "that's only if someone can wake me."
"What do you mean?"
Kagome's question hung in the air as Akiri stood and peeked out the door. She stepped out onto the small balcony. Gesturing for her to follow, the red head lead her back the way they had came. Kagome wanted to stop her, to force the woman to tell her what was going on here, but she knew she wasn't ready to talk. The halls blurred by her, hours seeming to pass as they walked along.
During their time together Kagome asked question after question. She found out that Akiri was the only living person in her family line. She learned that she was also part American and was only visiting Japan as a way to feel close to her father's side of her family. She had also confirmed her thoughts on the woman's age. Akiri was eighteen, one year older then herself.
Akiri told her about America and all of her friend there. Saying she had always been an outcast most of her life because she could see things that other people couldn't see. She learned that throughout her childhood Akiri had taken many kind of martial arts courses as well as played many sports, she enjoyed her active lifestyle.
After Akiri spoke all about her life and everything about herself, Kagome began to tell her stories of the past and her friend. Akiri listened intently, soaking up every word that she spoke. She told her all about the youkais and hanyous, about her family waiting for her back home in her time and how different things really were in the past.
She had just finished explaining that she was sent home by her group when her eyes suddenly grew heavy. Her feet stilled and she swayed in her spot. Akiri turned around in shock, reaching out to steady her.
"Kagome, Kagome," Akiri gasped, "are you okay? What's wrong?"
"Kagome, Kagome," a familiar voice called to her.
Opening her dazzling blue eyes she was shocked to find her mom sitting on the side of her bed. In a cry of happiness she sat up and wrapped her arms around her mother, squeezing just a bit tighter to prove to herself this was real. Her mom returned the hug before pushing her away from her with a worried look on her face.
"I was just getting ready to put some clean clothes away and was surprised to find you sleeping here. I thought you were still in the past."
"I was, but I haven't slept well so Inuyasha sent me home!"
"When did you get here?"
"Monday."
"You have been asleep since Monday," her mom asked shocked.
"You mean it's not Monday?"
"No honey, it's Thursday."
"Thursday," she whispered in shock, "maybe I should see a doctor."
"Did Inuyasha say you should," her mom asked getting off the bed and placing the clean clothes away.
"It was suggested," Kagome nodded.
"I'll set up an appointment for later today," her mom frowned, "take a shower and get dressed, okay?"
A long shower and a few hours later found Kagome in a doctor's office with her mother. The man in the white coat listened to Kagome and frowned. His solution was to give her pills that would keep her awake. He couldn't find a single thing wrong with her or a reason as to why she was sleeping days at a time.
Kagome stared down at the innocent bottle filled with pills as her mother drove her home. She had the urge to chuck it out the window, but she refrained, merely choosing to glare at it instead. She followed her mom up the stairs and into the house. The older woman moved into the kitchen to prepare dinner.
She entered her bedroom and sat down on her bed, contemplating on if she should take the pills or if she should just let her body ride this out. After all she had left Akiri all by herself, even if it only was a dream. She wondered if the other woman was lonely. Shaking her head of such silly thoughts she set the pills on her night stand and laid down.
Used to the rude awakening into her dreams, Kagome simply sat up and stretched. She looked around finding herself in an unfamiliar hallway. The door in front of her looked different then all the other doors she had seen in either mansion. Glancing around once more she realized that Akiri was missing, the only evidence that the woman had been there was a set of bloody footprints.
Standing she opened the door in front of her, finding herself once more in a different mansion. Akiri had said something about there being more then two mansions combined. With a frustrated sigh she pushed further into the mansion. When would these dreams end, when would she be allowed to sleep at night without running from ghosts or trying to find her way through room after room.
She walked down the hallway, ropes hung down eerily from the ceiling, their tips stained in blood. She avoided each, not wishing to touch them. At the end of the hallway a single door to her left stood. Pushing the wood it slid back easily, opening to a large room with the middle of the floor collapsed in.
Kagome barely had time to take in the room before she was gripped by her neck, dangling above the floor. She tried to breathe, her hands gripping the wrist that held her. Her blue eyes flew up to the face of her captor. A strangled gasp left her lips when she recognised the golden eyes glaring daggers at her.
"Sesshomaru," she whispered around the restriction.
A shocked look shone in his eyes while his face remained impassive. Slowly he set her back on her feet and released her neck. A grateful smile graced her lips as she rubbed the bruising flesh. She looked up to see him, Sesshomaru, her best friend's older half-brother, looking just as he always did in the past.
"How is it you are here miko," he asked with a raised eyebrow, "the hanyou told me you returned home."
"But, I am home," she furrowed her brow, "I don't know why I'm here to be honest."
"How long have you been here," he glanced over his shoulder.
"A couple weeks maybe," she guessed, "why is something wrong?"
"Rin has gone missing."
"Oh," her eyes widened, "and you think she is here?"
"My nose says she is," he glanced back down at her.
"Would you let me help," she asked meekly afraid the lord would turn her down.
"Rin would be upset if something happened to you," he turned and walked to the other wall where an angry looking mask was hung.
"Well, I guess I should thank her later," Kagome giggled nervously.
Sesshomaru merely nodded as he prodded at the wall, "do you know how to work this?"
"It's an old age secret door. The lever that the mask hangs on opens the lock," Kagome gently pushed the left side of the wall, letting the piece of wall spin.
She stepped through and waited for Sesshomaru as he followed. She should be afraid, she should be worried about spending time here with Sesshomaru but she couldn't find it in herself to worry. This was just a dream and it didn't hurt to be around someone so she wasn't alone. He stepped up beside her, glancing down at her briefly.
"Tell me, miko, have you seen any others here?"
"Are you talking about the ghosts," she asked knowingly.
"The creatures that can not be killed," he corrected, not wanting to believe in the existence of ghosts.
"Yeah, I've seen them around," she pulled the camera up from her side where it had be hanging off the shoulder strap, "this seems to scare them and send them away for a short time, but they always come back."
"Are you not afraid," he asked seriously.
"Why should I be," she shrugged, "Akiri says they can't actually harm you, they just make you feel the pain they suffered in death."
"Akiri?"
"She is an American girl, trapped in the mansions too," Kagome smiled
Sesshomaru remained silent, his eyes not leaving the walkways in front of them. Kagome almost hit her forehead for her stupidity. Sesshomaru had no clue there were other mansions and there was no way he knew what America was.
"You know," she started, "I am not from your time. I'm actually born five hundred years in the future. I got pulled down my family's well and ended up meeting Inuyasha and the gang after the jewel was ripped from my side. In my time, America is what we call the mass of land to the East of ours. Our land is actually called Japan where I'm from."
He watched her out of the corner of his eye, "it certainly explains you."
Kagome flushed, "and there are other mansions here. I had actually just been in a mansion that Akiri dubbed the 'Manor of Sleep' before I found you in this one."
"Indeed. It will be difficult to find my ward if she has wondered into a different mansion."
"It's always possible, but I have been all over in the other two mansions and I never saw her at all."
"Tell me miko, why have you strayed from the hanyou?"
"What do you mean? I still travel with him," she frowned.
"While you remain there in body, your heart no longer resides there by his side."
"Oh," she sighed, "I care for Inuyasha, he is my best friend and I would do anything to protect him, but I have to do something for myself. I have to give myself the same chance to be happy as I have given him. His heart would never have been mine. It was time for me to move forward and find someone who could love me just as I loved them."
"My half-brother is a fool," he stated, startling her.
She looked up at him in shock, unsure on what to take the meaning of his words as. Not sure she wanted to know she continued down the path. Her thoughts turned to the woman that was probably still searching the other mansion without her. A frown tugged at her lips, she wanted to be there for the other woman, but she wanted to help Sesshomaru find Rin.
"You may go if you find that your other obligations are in greater need," Sesshomaru spoke softly, easily picking up her mixed emotions.
"I just worry about Akiri," she shook her head, "I want to find Rin first."
"She has been asking for you."
"Really? I miss her too."
"Is the reason you stay away, this Sesshomaru?"
"Oh no," Kagome waved her hands in front of her, "of course not! It's actually Inuyasha. He says even though Naraku is gone, there are still threats out there and he believes you are one of them."
"And you do not?"
"Well," she laughed, "I know you could kill me with a flick of your wrist, but you have more honour then that. After all we became allies in the end and your honour would keep you from killing me simply because it would dishonour my memory of helping you that day."
"You are wise," he pushed the next door open, holding it for her to walk through.
"I really don't think Rin went this way," Kagome walked over to the large stone doors on the other side of the blood stained raised circle surrounded by five wooden turners.
She touched the doors before turning around to glanced over the room. Sesshomaru stood at the door they entered from, watching her carefully. Kagome touched one of the wooden pillars. Glancing back at the raised stone surface she frowned in thought. She knew she had heard or seen this somewhere.
"Shinto," Kagome whispered, "it's a Shinto religion, it's a sacrificial area for the Kamis."
"What do you know?"
She glanced up at Sesshomaru and frowned, "it's the ritual of the Rope Shrine Maiden. I've read stories about it here in the mansion. They take a woman of purity, like myself and turn them into a Shrine Maiden. When she comes of age, they lay her down on this and use ropes to pull her limb from limb. After her death they take the stained ropes and tie them in front of hell's gate to keep it closed. If the Shine Maiden is pure, the ropes will hold up and the doors will remain closed. If the Maiden isn't pure or has worldly attachments, the doors will open and calamity will spill into our world."
"Then it is possible that the gates are open," he glanced at the dried blood in the crevices of the floor.
"It explains why two people who have never seen a ghost in our life can now suddenly see them everywhere," Kagome walked over to him, "I think we should try the other mansions, maybe Rin will be there."
"Already twelve hours have passed since you joined me, we must pick up the pace."
"Are you serious," Kagome asked.
He nodded gravely, "I can tell the passing of time even here. Let us go."
As she led him through the dream manor and into All God's Village, she filled the silence with tales of her time. Sesshomaru listened, randomly telling her tales of his childhood. She smiled, knowing she would love to see the real Sesshomaru like this, instead of only in her dreams. She blushed when she realized that she was dreaming about the handsome Taiyoukai.
He was in her dreams with her, he was treating her well, as if she was an equal. He talked more and even gave her information about himself. She almost laughed out loud when she thought of how the information he was giving her were stories she had made up about his past, things she had believed he had done when he was little.
"Do you find my misfortune funny, miko," Sesshomaru asked her, humour dancing in his eyes.
"You have to admit," she laughed, "you falling into a pond and having your father fish you out is rather funny."
"I was merely attempting to get mother her favourite flower," his lip twitched ever so slightly.
"A water lilly," Kagome smiled, "they are beautiful."
"You know of them?"
"I know of many flowers," she nodded, "my favourite is actually an orchid, but they don't grow wild as much in the future as they do the past."
"Orchid," he nodded, "it suits you."
She smiled up at him, "thank you. I mean, for being so open with me," she blushed, "it's just. The last few weeks I've been so lonely and so isolated. It really is a lot easier to travel through these mansions with someone."
Sesshomaru gave a slight nod before he froze in place. Kagome held her breath, having learned that when he turned this way a ghost was nearby. She shivered at the thought of having another run in with the creatures that could not be killed. Turning slightly she glanced over her shoulder to see a woman standing at the end of the hall. Her body was covered in blue tattoos, she wore no shirt only a pair of hakamas.
"Sesshomaru," she whispered, "Akiri said don't let her touch you."
"I understand."
"We should run," she stated when the woman began to come towards them.
A rush of air and Sesshomaru was gone. Kagome stared in utter fear as the woman continued to stalk towards her. Unsure of what to do, she took off running heading for the manor of dreams. She dashed through the rooms, her fear riding high in her heart. She cursed, wishing Sesshomaru had grabbed her when he took off.
"Over here," Akiri yelled, waving her over, "this way!"
"Help me," Kagome cried out in fear.
Akiri pushed her into the room and shut the door, leaving herself the only one in the hallway with the blue tattooed woman. Kagome beat on the door, screaming for Akiri to come with her.
"Go Kagome," Akiri commanded, "once she touched me she will try to go after you. Run! Run and head to the third floor. Stay in that room I showed you! Go!"
Kagome felt tears drip down her cheeks when she heard Akiri's pained filled scream. She ran as she was instructed, racing through the halls trying to find her way to the third floor. The stairs left her breathless but she didn't stop till she was cramped up in the small room hidden off the side of the roof.
Drying her tears she looked up at the room around her. Something was off. The door that they had moved from the far wall was back in it's original place. Silently walking over to it, she tried to calm her heavy breath as her nerves ran high. Fear filled her being, but she didn't stop. Grabbing the edge of the door she pulled it, in her shock she allowed the wood to fall slamming hard against the floor. Behind the door, Rin was huddled. She was curled into the wall, her hands covering her face to hide herself from whatever had found her.
"Rin-chan," Kagome gasped, gathering the small girl into her arms.
"Kagome-chan," she clung to her with tears dripping down her face, "I was so scared. I followed this little girl into the mansion, she said she needed help, but it's so scary here! Then this really nice yellow-red haired lady told me she knew a safe place where I could sleep."
"Sesshomaru is looking for you," Kagome said softly, "he will find us and he will help you out of here. But for now, I think you should stay here."
"Will you come back for me," Rin asked pitifully.
"Of course, I would never dream of leaving you behind. But, Akiri got really hurt by the blue lady and I need to make sure she is okay."
The door opened and Akiri stumbled in, slamming hard into the wall, sliding down into a crumpled mess on the floor. She moaned in pain, a blue tattoo forming on her chest, spreading outwards. Kagome gently set Rin down and moved over to the woman who had saved them both more then once.
"Akiri," Kagome whispered, "are you okay?"
"She touched me," her voice was weak, "I can feel her pain."
"We will take care of you," Kagome assured her, helping her into a more comfortable position.
"Do not bother," Akiri sighed as tears leaked down the sides of her face, "I shall die within a few weeks. Those who are touched by her, always die."
"No," Kagome shook her head, "no, we are going to do what we can!"
"Don't let her touch you The blue lady, the shine maiden, or the twins. Don't let them touch you."
"But, the twin... she already," she whispered fearfully.
"You are marked," Akiri coughed, "you must find a way out, and hurry. Each spirit must be put to rest."
"How, how do we do that," Kagome begged.
"Restore the mirror, push her body across shore, and kill her."
"What does that mean?"
"You will know," Akiri's eyes closed, her chest rising and falling peacefully in sleep.
"I think I know the first one," Rin said softly, pulling a piece of broken mirror out of her kimono, "the little girl pointed to this before I was chased by a crazy lady."
Kagome pulled the piece into her hands and looked it over, "still doesn't tell me how or where I need to put this, or how many pieces are left. I need more then just three clues."
"Maybe you already know what they are, you just have to put the pieces together," Rin hummed softly, curling up next to Akiri to sleep.
"I'll be back," Kagome kissed her temple before leaving.
'I'll start in the mansion with the Rope Shrine Maiden. I know the story of that ritual better, it's where the mirror is suppose to go. I'm sure of it,' Kagome sighed with a shake of her head.
Hours passed as she searched the mansion top to bottom. After many ghosts chasing her, many different traps and secret doors later she still could only find four pieces. The mirror was only missing one piece and no matter where she looked she couldn't find the last piece or Sesshomaru.
A door to her left opened and she prepared herself to start running. A hand on her shoulder stopped her, glancing back she was glad to find herself looking into familiar gold eyes.
"You scared me," she grinned.
"I see that," he glanced her over, "you smell of Rin."
"I found her," she nodded, "she is safe. Though, my friend got hurt because of you."
"How is that so?"
"You didn't take me with you when you ran from the blue lady," Kagome frowned, "I ran, but I wasn't fast enough. Akiri threw herself in front of her to let me get away, she was suffering and covered in blue tattoos on her chest when I left. She claims she will die because of this and not to let the blue lady, the shrine maiden or the twins touch you.."
"The shrine maiden has already laid her hands upon this Sesshomaru's person," he pulled back his sleeves to show her the rope marks upon his writs in between the magenta stripes.
"I guess it's good that I decided to solve this puzzle before the others," Kagome smiled softly, "you wouldn't happen to know where a broken piece of holy mirror is, would you?"
Sesshomaru reached into his haori and pulled out the missing piece, offering it to her. Kagome smiled brightly, grabbing the piece gently from him.
"Would you like to come with me?"
"I shall accompany you."
"Thanks."
They turned and left, walking back to the place where the raised white stone lay stained in blood. Sesshomaru pushed open the stone doors on the other side and slowly they walked down the long paths.
"I get a bad feeling about this," Kagome shivered as the air began to cool.
"You can turn back, I can continue on if you prefer," he offered.
"No, I can do this."
"We met up several days ago, are you not tired with exhaustion yet?"
"I'm not tired," she shook her head and continued forward.
A large gate appeared before them, good size rock placed in front of it. Quickly, Kagome placed the mirror back together and as she was setting it down in it's rightful resting place a woman appeared, grabbing her and yanking her roughly backwards. She startled, her shriek echoing around them.
Sesshomaru watched in shock as the woman began to drag Kagome toward the gate to hell. He picked up the mirror she had dropped and forced it into the depression in the rock. A bright light lit up the area forcing the two humans there to close their eyes tight.
"Sesshomaru," Kagome screamed hoping he was okay.
"Miko," he responded, his voice sure and free of any pain.
Relief flooded her as the light dimmed. Behind her, ropes tied the door closed, a woman's body hung in between them. Kagome frowned, trying to gain her barrings. An Earthquake rumbled the surrounding area as her eyelids began to droop. The last thing she remembered was the feel of Sesshomaru picking her up.
Kagome shot up and out of bed. Her feet carried her down the stairs and into the kitchen. Breakfast was cooked, set out upon the table where the other three members of her house were sitting. She glanced between them all, confused why it wasn't night time.
"Kagome, dear," her mom frowned, "you didn't take your medicine and have been sleeping the last week. Come, sit down and eat something. You are starting to look thin. I think we better take you back to the doctor."
Silently she sat down at the table and forced herself to eat even though she wasn't as hungry as her body looked. She sighed, wanting nothing more to fall asleep and see if Sesshomaru was able to find Rin. After she finished eating she went back to her room sitting down on her bed with a heavy heart.
Her mom walked in, sitting down next to her, "Kagome. Is there something you aren't telling me?"
"My dreams, mom. They seem so real," Kagome frowned, "Sesshomaru and his ward Rin were in them this time. Akiri got hurt and her pain seemed so real, like she was truly suffering."
"Akiri," her mom asked, "where did you hear that name?"
"She told me. Her name is Akiri Hitomi."
"Kagome," her mom said gently, "Akiri Hitomi is currently in the hospital. She fell asleep one day and hasn't woken since. She was living here with her sister, when her sister died in a car crash. Several months later she went to sleep and just never woke up. It's been almost a year since that day."
She looked at her mom in shock, "I'm going to go. I got to see if it's the same person!"
"Be careful Kagome," her mom's words followed her into the bathroom, "I hear she has been spirited away."
Kagome let her mother's warning echo in her mind as she washed her body, dressed and got ready. She pushed her feet into her shoes and then left on the long hour walk it would take to make it to the hospital. She ignored the sights or the people around her, her mind determined to figure out what was happening to her.
The hospital was busy that day, people rushing around, doctors and nurses caring for patiences. She strode up to the desk and waited for the receptionist to acknowledge her. The woman behind the counter looked up from her work and smiled.
"I was wondering if Akiri Hitomi was here," Kagome asked gently.
The smile on the woman's face fell, "you are her first visitor since she was admitted."
Kagome followed silently as the nurse showed her to the room that held comma patients. She walked forward into the room, her heart beating fast in her chest. In the middle bed a beautiful woman laid, at the age of eighteen, her silky strawberry blonde hair laying around her like a shining halo. Tears leaked down her cheeks as she caught sight of the blue tattoo like marks on her chest. There was no denying it, Akiri was alive and her dreams, really weren't dreams.
They were reality.