My eyelids fluttered open as I left the darkness behind and entered the world of light. Relief washed over my entire being. At this point I don't care where I am, I'm just thankful to be alive. Looking around I saw that I wasn't in a room like the testing rooms. I was lying on a futon with a wooden divider on each side of me and infront of me. As I sat up to look around I became suddenly aware that I was completely naked beneath the thin sheet that covered me. Pulling the sheet to cover my chest I began to look around the closet size, makeshift room. As grateful as I am to be alive, Where am I?
"Hello?" I said aloud testing if I was truly alone or not.
As soon as the word left my lips the divider in front of me disappeared and revealed a tall slender. I couldn't believe my eyes, her skin was almost as pale as the beautiful ivory kimono she wore. Her white silk hair was cut into a shoulder length bob and divided into a half. Half up kept in place by a purple rose and half down. Her glossy black eyes were the coldest I have ever seen. Much colder than any winter or the afterlife, Kanna?A grown up Kanna! She's cute!
She reached out her arm and grabbed something above my head, I had not seen. It was a scroll fastened to the wall by a purple thread. Slowly she unrolled it and scanned its contents. "Where am I know?! Have I been poisoned? Drugged?" I waited for her to acknowledge me which she did not do. "I have a right to know! You know manna I'm getting tired of falling asleep and waking up in new places!" Realized what I had just said, If I didn't know better I would say that I'm probably narcoleptic. But since everyone fell asleep I guess I'm not. That would be quite the disadvantage in this era. Running from bandits and boom you fall asleep. Fighting a yokai and boom your asleep. Working in the fields and you are suddenly asleep. That you practically be a death sentence. Oh could you imagine you are fighting a yokai and you fall asleep. How shocked and confused they would be. They would probably wonder if you had suddenly died. Hey! Kanna hasn't even answered me! Focusing on the situation I watched her tie the scroll and place it inside her sleeve.
Focusing her full attention back on me starring. She began slowly looking me up and down with those cold almost dead eyes. I felt my skin nearly crawl off my bone as she stared. "Your name is Chiwa Miyazawa."
"Yes. What is going on?" I stated rather annoyed with her already.
"Your age." She said without any emotion on her face or in her voice as she completely ignored my question, again.
I forced a friendly smile as I glared at "Oh yes. Um.. could you tell me where I am? Or why?" I asked with more attitude then I had intended.
"Your age," She repeated quite firmly.
"Twenty two." I timidly answered
"I see. Is your virtue still intact?" Kanna said quite plainly.
"Yes, my virtue is intact." I stated in a mocking tone as I gritted my teeth.
"Any blemishes on your body besides the scar on your left rib cage, the birthmark in the valley of your chest?"
My eyes bulged out of my head as my jaw dropped in surprise, pulling the sheet closer I screamed "YOU LOOKED AT ME?! NAKED!"
"Yes-"
"You pervert!"
"Yes or no, Chiwa. Answer the question."
Staring at her for a second I huffed and turned away refusing to look at her in the eye. After a few seconds of shared silence I firmly stated "I refuse to answer anymore of your questions, until you answer mine. You peeping tom."
"That is not how things are performed here. I can not tell you much, but you need not worry I am not only a female, I am also a very well known healer and midwife. I am no stranger to the male or female body and I have seen it all before. Unless you wish for me to look you over again, please answer my question. Or else I am obligated to recheck you more thoroughly and since you are awake, I'm sure you will not enjoy the experience based on the fact you seem very upset over something you can not even recall."
"No, I have no other blemishes." I stated quite bitterly as I continued to stare at the wall.
"Then please follow me, if you are not comfortable you may keep the sheet around you."
"Follow you where?" I asked quite frustrated.
"You shall see and I am sure you will not protest once we have arrived." Kanna said with a rare curved smile. Standing up I quickly and carefully wrapped the sheet around me, making sure not a inch of skin showed. I watched Kana pull back the divider and step into a makeshift hallway. The room was actually quite huge, but it was full of dividers making up many of individual rooms like the one I had just left. We followed the makeshift hallway until it ended with a door. Passing through the door we found ourselves in white hallway decorated with paintings of beautiful landscapes. We came to the third door and entered a large and very wide room. The floor was made up of beautiful greystone room and the dark wood paneled walls were heavy with large windows looking into a colorful garden. In the center of the room was a large white river stone in ground hot spring. I noticed Kanna and I were not alone, inside the room were three women who look the exact same as Kanna.
Who are those women? They look just like Kanna! Could they be quadruplets. Oh god four Kannas. I don't think Miroku, Sango, Inuyasha and I could have handled four Kannas. The three Kannas moved in sync they smiled at the same time, bowed at the same time, rose at the same time and even spoke at the same time.
"Hello." The tro chimed.
"Who are they?" I asked pulling the sheet tighter around my form as I waited for Kanna to answer. She simply turned around and left. I turned to the three girls and gave them a rather awkward smile back, "Hello. I'm Ch-"
"Chiwa Miyazawa, Yes, we know." The again said in a monotone chorus.
I really don't like this. They speak only in monotone and in sync. In addition to that there are those weird smiles they keep giving me. Smiling back I waited for them to speak, my patience was only rewarded with awkward silence. Looking around only one thought came to mind but I hoped that I was wrong. A tickle in my throat caused me to cough since i broke the silence i decided to destroy it and ask, "So-Um… why am I doing here?"
"We are here to bathe you." They stated rather plainly.
"Oh I see… wait! what?!" I screamed.
"We are here to bathe you." They stated again.
"Woe! Woe! Woe! Just hold the phone! I can do that myself. I do not need any help!"
"We insist you accept our assistance."
"I have been responsible for self bathing for eighteen years. I will be fine on my own." I tried to reassure them. The three were no convinced and began to walk towards me. They look like processed puppets,creepy. With each step the took towards me I took another back. I mentally began to panic as I wondered how long this strange dance could continue between us. Just then the door slid open stealing everyone's attention. Emerging from the door was Kikyo and the teen whose name still, eluded me. I smiled and began to sapped walk in their direction I'm saved! I'm not alone! I'm- I heard the three Kannas behind me repeat their introduction for the two newcomers. Kikyo and the other girl instantly dropped their sheets.I quickly skidded to a stop and covered my eyes "Kikyo!" Why are women here not shy?! This era they hold a woman's body valuable just revealing that quickly? I'm surprised! Though I probably shouldn't be Kikyo has always been cocky and confident. She's just like Inuyasha. Bossy, bad tempered,a liar, emotionally immature, indecisive, cocky, rude, looks down on others, no sympathy and so much more.
"Chiwa was it? If you do not wish to extend this situation I suggest you undress and complete this test." She coldly stated as she walked past me. The sound of water splashing told me it was as safe as it was ever going to be to open my eyes. I turned back towards the inground hot spring and saw Kikyo and the other girl in the water. One Kanna was washing Kikyo's skin with a beautiful rag while the other was washing the nameless girl's hair. The last Kanna I guess is for me?
"What makes you think that this is a test?" I asked with a tone that I had often used with Inuyasha when I was angry.
"Everything we have been through has been a test. The paper test and the meal were both tests. This must also be a test, meaning we can not leave until we have completed it." Kikyo stated with that tone snooty tone I hated so much. I couldn't help but roll my eyes She always has to be smarter than me, even here. How irritating. I quickly made my way to the edge of the water and dipped my toe in, nearly purring as I did. So warm. Ah… It's been a while since I've actually had a bath like this. I kept the sheet around me as I descended into the warm water and then threw it on the greystone floor. The Kanna that had been waiting for my corporation bowed and also got in. She grabbed a cone and busied herself by slowly combing my wet mane.
I smiled at the girl combing my hair and asked in a shy voice "Um, so what is your name?"
"Kanna. I am a simple clone of Kanna."
"A clone?"
"Yes, it is one of my many abilities as a mirror enchantress."
"I see." I said before drifting my attention to Kikyo "So who is that priestess with you?"
"My younger sister, Keade."
"Keade?!"
The young girl who was now having her hair inspected in come turned to me "Yes?" In the process she ripped the wooden come from her Kanna's hands. "Oh sorry," Keade sweetly chimed.
I smiled and felt happiness fill my soul "You are very beautiful."
She blushed and turned away "Sister Kikyo is far more beautiful than I."
Shaking my head I quickly stated "No. I think you are more beautiful, in body and soul." I smiled as Keade covered her face and shook her head. I nearly laughed when I saw Kikyo rolling her eyes, Is Kikyo jealous? About time, she really needs to learn to be more humble. I looked at my Kanna who was now scrubbing my feet with a firm stone "Keade do you have any admirers?"
"Of course not, everyone knows a priestess does not love another that way. A priestess shall only love mankind and protect it from evil and expect nothing in return, no husband, no children."
"Kikyo is the village priestess right? So why not live as a normal woman and find love."
I watched as Kikyo turned a concerned gaze to her younger sister. She wants an answer? We silently waited as Kaede starred at the water, seeming to heavily ponder the question she has been asked. Shrugging her shoulders and smiling it seemed that not even she knew the answer "I'm not sure. Maybe I felt it was expected."
"Keade, If you do not want to continue this lonely life… I understand. Father and Mother never desired for you to experience such loneliness. The loneliness does not bother myself, I prefer it. However I see how you look at the other young women in the village. They find love and start families, are you sure that you do not desire that life more?"
Wow. I know Kikyo loved Keade, but I've never seen her act thing nice before. Even when she was brought back to life and met Keade fifty years later… she wasn't nice. She just ripped the quiver and bow from her and then pushed her aside. Very rude. Maybe this Kikyo is nicer or maybe I never knew the true Kikyo.
"I will consider your words, Sister." Keade said with a smile.
"Keade, please come with me." Said one Kanna with a towel and open hand. I watched as Keade wrapped the towel around her body, before taking Kanna's hand. I can't believe how curvy she is. Her chest is bigger than mine, her hips give her that desired shape and her rear was more plump than mine. She has a body that I've seen in many american magazines. A body most would quote quote kill for. I'm so slender and awkward… I waved goodbye to Keade who shily waved back to me. I looked over at Kikyo and smiled awkwardly. I have no idea what I should say. I have never talked to Kikyo about anything other than Inuyasha.
"Kikyo if you would please follow me?" Her Kanna said with a smile and a towel, just as Keade's had. Kikyo quickly accepted the hand and left just as Keade had not long before.
I felt a bit relieved now that I was alone. I suddenly became aware that I wasn't completely alone when my Kanna began to wash beneath my arms. Looking away in the opposite direction I searched my braine for a topic to speak about so the stiff atmosphere would dissolve. "So...Um...Kanna a-are you not going to use soap or scented oils?"
"No. It was specificly requested for you to be clean, but keep your natural scent."
Natural scent. Geez way to make this situation more awkward by saying something that odd. Call me weirded out. Turning my head as she cleans the underside of my other arm I continued nervously speaking "Okay so what is after this?"
As she rinsed me off and left the hotspring she spoke "You ask many more questions than the previous two. You Chiwa are a very interesting indeed. Now if you would please come with me Chiwa."
Taking the towel and wrapping it around myself I began to wring out my hair, doing my best to get every last drop out. I watched as she opened the door, the smile on my face quickly melted into a frown. Really more hallways. This place is like a maze, it's irritating. All you need in this era is a bedroom, a kitchen, a living room and a bathroom. All of which can be fit into a single room. In my era you need one bedroom preferably for each child or couple, a living room, a kitchen, maybe a dining room and one or maybe two bathrooms. This! This is far to excessive! Royals… Bunch of spoiled snob!
"This way Chiwa," she said as she opened a door to a realm of rainbows. The entire room was full of beautifuls fabrics. Some were yukatas, some were kimonos and some oddly enough were hanfus. Fabric after fabric caught my eyes, I went from one to another, I must look like a busy honey bee. I stopped and reached out touching one that was basically hidden amongst the others. As soon as my fingertips touched the material a image flashed in my mind, whose smile was that? I don't know… But I know I haven't seen that smile in a very very long time. Oh you know it's gonna kill me until I remember. A loud knock echoed on the door I went to answer it but Kanna had beat me to it.
Standing in the door was one of the other Kanna's "It's time, get dressed."
The Kanna at the door walked over to my Kanna I turned watching the emotionless duo. One held the fabric I had been enchanted by and while the other held a hair brush. It all happened so fast that I wasn't even fully aware what had happened. All I knew was that I was now standing alone in wide white room, full of windows that overlooked a beautiful and peaceful valley. Looking around the room I couldn't help but notice how plain it was. A glistening white walls and a stainfree white floor. A large mirror hung on one wall, walking over to it I hardly recognize myself. My face was covered in powder that perfectly matched my skin, my cheeks were given pink powder. My dark brown eyes popped from the sunset colored eyeshadow I wore. My lashes appeared much longer than I thought they could be and rose red stain covered my lips. My ebony hair was pulled into a tight high bun leaving my bangs and sideburns. Decorating my hair were many shiny gold combs and pins. I wore a sleek and beautiful hanfu that was mostly white with pink trim. A darker shade of pink covered my chest leaving a small valley of white between my chest. It appeared much like a vest, I looked down at my long sleeves that hid my hands. My gaze drifted further south and noticing the thin light pink fabric waterfalling over my long white underskirt, it appeared much like a train. Drifting from my neck was a gold chain with a very small but beautiful blue jewel. It was a shiny marble that reminded me a lot of the jewel I had once had been in charge of protecting. I am glad those days and that jewel are long behind me. But I feel incomplete without this. Turning my attention back to the scene outside I smiled as I watched the sea of green grass blow calmly in the wind. A tall stone wall separates the field from the rest of the world, pacing along the length of the wall were several strong guards.
"It's you." A familiar voice that I could not name bellowed.
Summoning all my courage I turned around, my previous relaxed stance stiffened. My eyes widened as they met his. Brown clashing with gold. My heart leapt into my throat making it impossible for me to breathe or speak. Those eyes that have haunted me my entire life. That hair which has always enchanted me. Knowing had had to say something I spoke m y voice came out weaker than I had intended "It's you," I repeated.
An: Whose still with me? Who do you think it is. Soon everyone will find out the crazy and impossible truth that has forever eluded kagome. Her true nature, her true destiny, her true mate.