Chapter 4- I'm a Friend
Kagome cried silently, her body rocking with the sobs as she tried not to draw any attention to herself. She'd hidden in the shadows of the town, behind all the buildings and away from all the things in the streets. She was scared out of her mind, her body was slowly growing more transparent with each passing second, and she still didn't have the slightest idea what was going on. The only thing she knew was that she wanted to find her family and go home.
The traumatized girl was much too busy wallowing in self-pity to notice that someone was coming towards her. She went on mentally wailing, until an arm was wrapped around her shoulder and Kagome tried to pull away automatically, her eyes opening wide as she looked at whatever was trying to get her now. Her cinnamon-brown eyes locked with golden suns as the boy she'd seen earlier on the bridge pulled her into his chest, not caring that Kagome was struggling in protest against his embrace.
In a strangled gasp, she stared in terror into those eyes of the boy who screamed at her to run earlier. Why didn't she listen?
"Don't you dare freak out on me," he hissed. "I'm not here to hurt you. I just want to help."
"No! Let me go!" she begged as more tears streamed down Kagome's cheeks and she tried to break free from the other's grip to no avail. The other simply pulled her into an awkward hug, rubbing her back soothingly in an attempt to calm her. Kagome tried to push him away but she could tell that he was far stronger than she was and she didn't stand a chance against him. She sobbed louder before finally giving in to dog-boy's embrace and crying into his chest.
For a few minutes she did nothing but just that, just crying and shaking uncontrollably as the handsome stranger rubbed her back and held her. It felt familiar and normal somehow, though Kagome had no idea how that could be possible. She didn't care much either at the moment though.
"Keh, don't be so twitchy. I'm not gonna eat you; like I said, I'm here to help," the stranger promised, his tone a bit more calming than earlier.
"No… no! Let me go!" Kagome said as she started to panic again, shaking her head while damp black strands flung over her cheeks. She tilted away from him, but her shoulders were still in his insistent hands.
The strange boy uncovered a red pill from the pocket of his red kimono and said, "Open your mouth and eat this." He bent closer, now demanding.
Kagome didn't cease her constant protests. With one last retort, she thrashed her arms out in an attempt to shove him away forever. "NO!"
But she felt nothing but a ghostly aura envelop her arms. She gazed into the boy before her, seeing her transparent arms positioned right through his slightly annoyed face. She contracted the muscles in her fingers a bit to grasp something other than air. Withdrawing her arms quickly, she noticed him bend forward even further, unfazed by her rashness.
After the few minutes of stunned silence the dog-eared teen looked into her eyes with an oddly gentle gaze and whispered, "Shh, I'm a friend, don't worry." The boy held the pill-like something in front of Kagome, "Here… don't worry," he guaranteed through an almost amused yet annoyed voice. "It won't turn you into a demon or even a pig." He wedged the pill between her lips despite her objection. "Damn, you're a stubborn one." She heard him huff under his breath. "If you don't eat something from this world you'll disappear! It won't hurt." He practically pushed the food into Kagome's mouth, she made some protesting sounds but in the end she swallowed the berry with disdain.
"Chew it then swallow," he said.
Kagome squeezed her eyes shut, chewing reluctantly until it was guzzled down her throat; though it felt like swallowing a rock. She licked the insides of her gums to remove the foreign taste, her eyes propped open; wondering if she was turning into a pig.
"There you go. You see?" the stranger almost babied her. He raised a hand, "Now you don't have to worry about being see-through."
Kagome gave his palm an alienated stare, but eventually softened her tired lids and reached out. With the utmost hesitation yet finalization, her gentle fingers pressed into his rough hand. She kept it there, eyes big and astonished. It didn't go through!
The stranger's lips coiled into a smile, his eyes falling victim to the soft entertainment at her childlike amazement.
"I'm okay…" Kagome realized. She looked down at her body to see that it was true. She had become solid again.
"You see? What I tell you? Are you alright?" he said in a know-it-all voice before he clasped her hand in two of his, the small smile lasting. For the first time since the time on the bridge Kagome looked, really looked, into his eyes. The cold look was no longer anywhere in sight and one of concern now showing quite clearly, making her heart skip a beat. Kagome wanted to just melt into that look, feeling safe for the first time since she'd entered this world.
"I think so…" she whispered as she relaxed slightly and the other finally released his hold. Kagome somehow found herself wishing the other had continued to hold her, the feeling of safety now diminishing greatly.
"Good, now we have to get you out of here. Come with me," he said as he stood up, taking Kagome's hand in his and trying to pull her with him. Kagome would have none of it though, preferring to just sit there and not go into the town of shadows where her parents and brother had disappeared.
"Wait!" Kagome grabbed his hands with both hers, not budging. "Where is my family? They… didn't really turn into animals, did they?" Kagome bit her bottom lip and looked down, pulling her hand free from his grip and new tears appearing in her eyes.
He sighed, "You can't see him right now, maybe later." He wasn't answering the question, and Kagome wasn't sure if it was because he didn't know or if…
Kagome slowly nodded and made to get up as dog boy suddenly looked up at the sky, seemingly sensing something.
He suddenly crouched down, pulling Kagome with him once more and making them as small as possible, Kagome safely in his arms.
Before Kagome could respond, he was at her eye level and shielding her body behind his to the wall.
"Don't move," she heard him order and did her best not to start worrying. What could be happening now? She didn't know what it was he was looking at, but apparently there had been something in the depth of the skies looking for them. Frankly, she had tried not to look to spare herself.
Kagome tried to look up from the protective hold she was in to see swarm of the biggest and ugliest bugs she had ever seen. They were the size of small birds with large red eyes and blood red stingers that made Kagome shiver. They seemed to be searching for something… and Kagome had a bad feeling that it was her.
"He's looking for you," the boy said. Kagome wanted to ask desperately what the bugs were that her new 'friend' was so worried about, and especially who this 'he' was, but decided against it. Her brain was already on overload and she probably couldn't handle more information right now.
Kagome just went on staring at him like an idiot, jaw-slacked by his mood change. Grudgingly, her cheeks tainted pink like her cherry blossoms as she finally realized just how close they were.
The swarm flew towards the large castle Kagome had seen and the teen abruptly stood up, the determined look he'd shown on the bridge back on his face, "We have to go, let's run." Kagome wanted to get up to follow him, deciding to just go with whatever he said since he seemed to be trying to help. Her legs however, wouldn't move an inch, somehow not wanting to work.
"I can't stand up!" she screamed as panic once again showed in her cinnamon eyes and Kagome bit her bottom lip again. The older crouched down next to him and put a soothing arm around her shoulder.
"Relax, take a deep breath." Kagome calmed down slightly and did as she was told, not really knowing what taking a deep breath would help but the other seemed to know what he was doing. She closed her eyes forcefully and breathed in a penetrating gasp of air into her lungs.
The boy picked her up into his arms and they started to run at a speed Kagome thought to be impossible. They passed through several restaurants and kitchens and Kagome was sure she'd fall at one point but somehow they kept running without bumping into anything or losing speed. Kagome once again couldn't bring herself to be surprised; too much had happened already.
The lights from the buildings and lanterns were blurred out by the velocity he carried her in. They hurried through an alleyway, the boy using the flick of his hand to prop open a blockade door without truly touching it. He led her astray through a maze of kitchens, a freezer, and past the pigs' stand.
Kagome found herself looking for the faces of her parents and brother behind the fencing, but the pigs all looked the identical. They passed through a pig-pen quickly before she could get a better glance. Could her family really be pigs now?
When the running was no longer needed, the unnamed teen put her down gently. She grasped hold of his arm to keep herself from falling before he began to her back to the castle bridge. The only difference it was to the emptiness from before was the mass of deformed bodies ambling across it.
"We're going to cross the bridge. You have to hold your breath while we're crossing or the spell I cast will stop and everyone will be able to see you. As a human you won't be welcomed here with open arms." Kagome turned a nervous gaze on the other, wondering, if that was true, why this sexy teen helping her at all in the first place? A small hesitation came back to her. Was this a trap?
"Come on," he said as he opened the gate and they walked over to the bridge. Kagome's heartbeat quickened as they got closer, knowing she'd never been good at holding her breath for long periods of time. That bridge suddenly looked awfully long to her.
The boy didn't seem to mind it when she clung to his masculine arm through the sleeve of his kimono and embraced it to her breast. She was squeezing the juice out of it, she was sure.
"I'm not gonna lie. I'm scared out of my mind," she divulged her fear to him, not that he didn't already know, but she felt like she were installing all her trust in him by verbally admitting and accepting it to him.
"It's gonna be fine," he muttered, face a valley of emotionlessness.
"Ready?" Kagome would've loved to say no to that question, but she nodded nonetheless, calming herself slightly so she wouldn't start hyperventilating.
"Now!"
Kagome took a big gulp of air and held it just as they stepped onto the bridge. No one started to panic so Kagome figured she hadn't been too late and the other had been right. Now all she had to do was keep a firm grip on her lifeline – which was in a death grip right now so no problems there – and hold her breath until they'd crossed, something that would prove more difficult.
Kagome eyed the blind, overgrown demons that hosted the guests at their end of the bridge. They bowed respectfully and welcomed each spirit with their night lamps.
As they walked Kagome couldn't help but be amazed by all of the people… rather creatures that are here. She wondered what they are. But she couldn't tell at the moment. Suddenly, a strange little girl dressed all in white with matching white flowers in her white hair, walked up to them.
The boy spoke dominantly over her, "I'm back so you don't have to bother asking where I've been alright?"
"Welcome," she said so quietly that Kagome almost didn't hear her. Her voice sounded so… empty. It was almost as if there was an empty void inside her. It sent shivers up Kagome's spine. "Welcome back, Master Inu."
'Inu?' Kagome blinked up at the profile of his face, dismissing the fact that these mutated demons were speaking. 'Is that his name?'
Kagome squeezed her nostrils shut behind a bracing palm. They were about halfway passed the bridge when Kagome noticed that someone was following them with his eyes. Rather… it was a small child that looked more like a fox than anything else. He had bright green eyes that looked great with his red hair, along with the fox tail, ears, and feet. She panicked for a second as the fox looked her straight in the eye, but didn't say a thing. Although Kagome was unnerved by the fact that someone could still see her, she was glad that the little fox demon hadn't said anything about it.
But he was so CUTE though!
They walked along the bridge of eerie spirits of every size and format. Human-looking women greeted them on the other side into the castle through wheedled voices. Near the end, Kagome was groaning for oxygen.
"Hang on, almost there." Inu muttered under his breath, but her face was turning blue.
The other side of the bridge came closer and Kagome resisted the urge to sigh in relief. Her lungs were starting to protest against the lack of oxygen and she really wanted to take a deep gulp of air. Inu squeezed her hand lightly, "Almost there, just hold on for a little longer." Kagome nodded, looking at the end of the bridge longingly.
At that moment, a little flea dressed up came jumping from somewhere inside and up to Inu. "Master Inu! It's good to see you!"
Kagome was so shocked to see the talking flea that she couldn't help but gasp. The flea then noticed Kagome and said "Huh? A human?" Making sure his eyes didn't deceive him, the little bug sprung up to reach their faces again, but this time, he wasn't going to land.
Thinking quickly Inu, (and just after Kagome heard a hissy-fit of, "Shit") pushed a pressure point in her neck causing her to freeze. Inu stomped the flea and quickly ran and found a door dragging Kagome with him.
"Let's GO!" Inu's strong fingers imprisoned Kagome's as he yanked her down with him, running pass the employees and the demons that were at the entrance. Not even noticing the blur of red and white that went flying by, this gave Inu the chance to sneak Kagome into the garden behind the bridge.
The flee that was squashed into hard surfaced wood was able to pull himself up long after Inu and Kagome had disappeared. He blinked his pain away and snatched a glance from right to left. "M… M'lord?"
They didn't stop running until they were crouching in a side room of the castle, out of sight of everyone. Chaos had taken over in the room next to them, voices shouting for Inu and that there was a human in their world. Kagome sighed as she felt Inu put an arm around her shoulder again.
Inu tugged Kagome through the garden patches beside the castle until they were safely hidden behind the refugee of bushes. The chattering of alarmed workers scampered back and forth around the castle.
"Master Inu! Oooh, Inu! Master Inu!" The demon workers cried out frantically. "Good GRIEF! Find the human before Naraku finds out!"
"Just great, they finally realized that you're here," the guy called Inu said in disgust.
"I'm sorry, I breathed," Kagome muttered. "I couldn't help it."
"Keh, humans. Look… You don't need to be sorry. It's that good-for-nothing flea Myoga. You did great, Kagome."
"So… what now?"
Inu sighed and leaned back on the wall they were sitting against.
"They'll find us if we stay here. I'll go to distract them so you can escape." Kagome's eyes widened and she immediately clutched onto Inu in another tight grip.
"No! Please don't leave me! I don't want to be alone! Especially not in a place like this! You're the only person here who can tell me what's going on!" she buried her face in the other's chest, somehow not feeling awkward at all doing so. A sigh was heard as strong arms wrapped around her.
"It's the only way to save your family." Kagome's grip tightened at those words. So her parents and Sota really turned into animals then?
"They… they really are pig then? So I wasn't just having a really bad dream or hallucination?" The arms around her tightened in a silent answer and Kagome pushed back the tears that wanted to come out. She'd cried enough for one day. 'Come on Kagome!' she thought angrily. 'Toughen up!'
"Listen," Inu pulled away and looked straight into Kagome's eyes, "There's still time to save your folks and kid brother but you have to get work her in the castle. If you don't, the demon controlling this world, Naraku, will turn you into an animal as well." Kagome bit her lip and nodded, not wanting to leave but knowing it was the only way.
A cool hand was pressed to her forehead as Inu intently stared into her eyes. Suddenly the image of a door appeared in her mind. Kagome's eyes widened at the strange sensation against her forehead. A wooden door guarded by twin bushes of red orchids was nailed into Kagome's visualization. She could hear the long-haired Inu's voice funnel her through the images:
"When everything quiet down, go through the back door and take the long stairs down all the way to the bottom."
The door in Kagome's mind opened and a long wooden staircase appeared. The image went down, going faster as it went until a new door appeared.
"Go through the door at the bottom to get into the Shrine. This is where Miroku lives."
A tall, wooden door opened to reveal the entrance to a shrine before the hand on her forehead was removed and the images faded, as well as the mental voice.
"Miroku?" She repeated once Inu's hand withdrew, leaving her somewhat lonesome without the touch.
"A monk. Ask Miroku for a job. He'll refuse you but you can't give up. Naraku can't touch you if you get work, but until then he can do whatever he wants with you. Understand?" When Kagome nodded he went on, "Tell Miroku that you want to work here. Even if he refuses you have to keep arguing with him. He's got a thick head and doesn't know when to quit. But he's also a womanizer…" Kagome's eyes fired up as soon as he said that. She would have to deal with someone who can't take his eyes off a girl? Just her luck.
"So he should be more than happy to find something for you to do. But he's a lecher… thought I should warn you about that."
A lecher too? This day just keeps getting better and better doesn't it?
"Got that?" Inu finished, his face, once again, came within mere millimeters of her. "If you don't get a job, Naraku will turn you into a mindless animal. Just remember that."
Kagome nodded again, reluctantly letting go of the other and pulling away completely.
"You will do fine, Kagome." Inu got up as the yelling for him got louder. Kagome grasped his hand and pulled him back. Inu looked back at her slightly surprised.
"How do you know my name? It's the second time you've called me by it but I never gave it to you."
A small smile appeared on Inu's face, "I've known you since you were little. Don't forget, I'm your friend. My name is Inu."
"What do you mean?" Kagome asked.
Something in Inu's face changed as she said that. "Believe me… I've known you since you were very tiny…Good luck, and whatever you do," finally, his fingers unraveled from hers and were set free. "Don't let anyone see you."
Inu walked into the room next to the one they'd been hiding in and Kagome listened as the older talked to the people there. "Master Inu!"
Inu said, as he walked calmly toward the callers, keeping his fierce posture, "Calm down, already! I'm coming so you can all shut up!"
"Master Inu, where were you?" Kagome heard one of the staff members inform.
"Why do you care?" Inu snapped at them and rotated his weary arm, disappearing into the light of the steamy castle. "Is it too much to ask to have some alone time from all of you?"
The slide-doors were brusquely shut, leaving Kagome out in the cold.
She dropped her face into her hands, whimpering…
Waiting for everything to settle down. But what worried her the most was… what was gonna happen now?
(Sorry for taking so long. but my computer had a really bad virus and i had to wait a week to get it fixed. Please tell me what you all think!)
