A/N: Hey guys! I haven't been able to update because of these things called Iowa Assessments, the most annoying tests ever. Sorry! From now on, you will get review replies sent to you by PM, or get the replies here… So here we go! (Who can guess who the Elsewhere people are? You'll get a shoutout!)
This chapter is dedicated to pammazola, for inspiring me to write my very own fanfictions.
Chapter 3: Secrets
*Kagome*
"Shippo!" Kagome cupped her hands around her mouth, trying to make the yell more effective.
"Jeez Kagome," Shippo rolled his eyes and scampered on to her shoulder, "I mean, you can see me, right?"
"SHIPPO!" Kagome cried happily, hugging him tightly. "I was so worried!"
Shippo rolled his eyes again. "Well, at least I didn't almost get killed! If that mutt hadn't plowed you over, you would've been killed.
"What was that runt?"
"Kagome, pay attention, and lay-off the name calling, don't you need to take something for that sore throat…your voice is off," Shippo rambled on.
"Uh, Shippo, that wasn't me." Kagome peered nervously at something behind Shippo.
"What do you mean that wasn't you? I don't see anyone else here," Shippo didn't get it! Kagome always listened to his rants.
"That's because I'm behind you, idiot!"
Shippo froze, and turned his head slowly to see a very angry Inuyasha glaring at him.
"AH! Kagome, help me!" Shippo immediately burrowed into Kagome's arms, sticking his tongue out the poor Hanyou when he thought Kagome couldn't see.
"HEY!" Inuyasha didn't have to take this! Once he got the jewel, this Shippo guy would be sorry!
"Inuyasha, you jerk! Shippo is just an innocent kid!" Kagome cuddled Shippo closer, completely oblivious to his taunts. "Yeah, what she said!" Shippo began to make even more faces, and that Hanyou finally snapped when Shippo started imitating his ears and mouthing 'bark' over and over.
"THAT'S IT!" Inuyasha roared, snatching Shippo from Kagome and bopping him once, twice, than a third time for good measure.
"Enough already!" After having no one to yell at for 15 years, Kagome, now 18, was more that ready to blow off some steam. Kagome stomped closer, the tone she'd previously taken making Inuyasha back a few safe steps away.
"You," She jabbed a finger in Inuyasha's face, "You should act more mature!"
Shippo laughed, "Yeah, what are you, ten?" Inuyasha glared and was about to retort when the angry girl cut him off.
"And you," Kagome snarled this time pointing at Shippo, "You should learn to make allies instead of enemies!"
"She's right, you know." Everyone whirled to see Miroku and Sango smirking at them. "Saw the whole thing," Sango added when she saw Kagome about to ask.
"Just give us the jewel and you can go," Inuyasha had had enough of this troublesome wench and her irritating fox boy.
"What jewel?" What were they talking about?
"Don't play dumb!" Inuyasha was so close to what he'd been looking for! How could this girl try and blow him off? Kagome's expression told him a whole different story, though.
'The jewel, Shikon no Tama.'
'Where did that come from?' Kagome shook her head frantically, having no idea of what was happening to her.
'The jewel, the jewel…' it was repeated in a dizzying mantra, filling her mind to the brim, telling her secrets... Kagome's legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground, unable to hear Shippo's panicked voice or see the other three's worried looks.
*Elsewhere*
The blood still stained the dirty ground, as did the tears. Just fifteen years before, large chocolate eyes peered at him, showing only open admiration, not the fear he'd come to expect. Those eyes, belonging to that girl, had vanished the very same night. Her blood and scent still told the story, mauled by wolves and left broken, dead, before his sword Tenseiga had compelled him to the girl's life back to her.
'Would she be a woman by now?' he wondered, carefully inspecting a patch of cloth that was old, torn, and smelled like the girl, probably from her kimono.
'Should I go and look for her?'
He decided then and there that he should, as he stared at the crescent moon that mirrored his own forehead. He would begin the search at dawn.
*Inuyasha*
"Shouldn't she be awake by now?" Shippo asked for the umpteenth time. After Kagome had crumpled, Sango had asked Shippo where they planned to go. All she'd gotten in response were teary green eyes and a troubled, pouting face.
"So, would you like to travel with us for awhile?" Sango offered, her face softening. She had it in her heart for kids, they reminded her of Kohaku, her little brother she'd left in the care of old Kaede.
"That's it!" she'd suddenly exclaimed, startling Shippo, who had fallen right on his bushy fox tail. "Oh, uh, I'll tell you later!" She'd left it at that, needing to tell Miroku and Inuyasha her new idea.
"She looks a little better," Miroku told Shippo, "Scoot her closer to the fire, maybe some warmth will help."
Shippo readily agreed, straining to move the girl closer.
"Weak," Inuyasha muttered even as he got up to help, "You could hurt her like that." The last part was said far too low for anyone but Kirara and Inuyasha himself to hear.
*Elsewhere*
She smiled to herself as she observed the dagger she had just thrown. Stuck hilt-deep in the tree, you couldn't even see the blade. Not to mention that it had been a perfect bulls-eye, dead-on.
Dead.
The smile disappeared.
Dead, along with her parents, her brothers, and every last member of her family. Dead, like the bandits that had killed her village soon would be. Dead, similar to how she now felt in every way, shape and form. When you've got nothing to live for, doesn't that make you dead? Would dreams count as something to live for? Golden eyes, magenta stripes, and blue crescent moons danced behind her eyelids every night. Who was this person that seemingly haunted her? Feeling like she should know something that she didn't, the woman took one, last lingering look at the dagger before disappearing into the woods, fingering the other deadly weapons at her side.
RoseAngel16: That was one of the best reviews I have ever gotten! I love the advice you gave, and I think I know why I'm making Sango such an ice cube. Remember in the beginning, Sango never really warmed up to anyone? Well, her personality will be developed, and the softer side of her will be revealed in certain conditions…Miroku may or may not have something to have to do with that! ;)
MustacheMeister3: WOAH! Threatening effectively my friend! Well, I think I also like hash-browns if that's what you were going for! :P
Review, review, review! You'll get virtual cookies! ^_^
