Hi everyone! I've got great new. I've finally started to work on a picture for this story. Hopefully it'll be done by the next time I post. If not then well, you all will just have to wait. This chapter has a little bit more action, I know some people were requesting it. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for all the support; it means the world to me.

Chapter 11

Ancient tombs and booby traps

The next morning I woke to Kadam-san's presence in my room. My eyes remained shut as I feigned sleep. He probably doesn't want to wake me.

After he left I walked over to my dresser and found the Mujulaain Empire seal. It was a creamy colored stone hung from a grey ribbon. A lotus flower was beautifully carved at the bottom. There were several words carved into the seal. These are probably the 'virtues' Ren was talking about last night.

I had finished packing my bag and had left it outside my door last night. It was also on my dresser with the seal. I noticed that Kadam-san had added a few extra items, such as a small flashlight, paper and charcoal, maps, a camera, and several waterproof bags.

This thing. I thought holding up a small knife he added. Is the most pathetic excuse for a weapon I have ever seen. The blade wasn't even an five centimeters long.

I opened my closet and slipped on a comfortable jeans and a t-shirt. Giving in to Ren's request I grabbed the hiking boots to put on at the door. I'm going to regret wearing these things later.

Downstairs I found Kadam-san slicing a mango. "Good morning Kagome-san. I hope you found the seal."

"Yes, you've had it all these years?" I responded.

"It's very precious to me. The seal was actually made in China then given to Ren's grandfather. It's made of Shoushan stone. The Chinese believed that Shoushans were brightly colored phoenix eggs. Only the richest of men had items carved from this stone. To receive one was a great honor for Ren's grandfather. It is a priceless heirloom." He explained

"It seems Ren's family was very special." Kadam-san holds so much respect for Ren's family.

"Indeed they were."

We were eating when Ren padded into the room. I scratched his ears and said, "You must be happy to finally get started breaking this curse." He kept watching us and I could tell he was impatient. I nodded. "Alright then, let's go."

I paused at the doorway to put on the boots before following Kadam-san to the Jeep. Kadam-san took my backpack and put in in the passenger's side before opening the door for me.

"Be careful Kagome-san." Kadam-san warned. "Ren will watch out for you, but there are many dangers ahead. Some we've planned for, but I'm sure there will be many others that I am unaware of."

"I know. Don't worry I'll be fine." It can't be any worse than the feudal era. I gently shifted gears and pulled onto the road. The GPS told me what to do. The drive was uneventful. Kadam-san true to his word had selected a very rural route for me. Ren just dozed in the back most of the time. We drove for about four hours before I pulled to a stop at the end of a dirt road.

Hmm, according to Kadam-san's directions it'll take about two and a half hours to walk to the cave. I called back to Ren, "We have some time to spare what do you want to do?" I grabbed my backpack and let him out from the car.

Ren led me over to shady spot and lay down on the grass. I sat down next to him and leaned against his back. Bored I removed my flute and began to play. Ren's tail flickered back and forth as I gave him a small concert. After a while I became sleepy so I returned it to my backpack and dozed against Ren until I felt him stir.

"Alright I'm up, Lead the way Ren." I mumbled.

We walked through the park for several hours. It seemed like Ren was deliberately taking it easy for me. These trees were very dense. Monkey's swung through the high treetops. Huge lizards with forked tongues scurried across our path. I even witnessed a giant python hanging from a very old tree.

Sometimes Ren would lead me off the path and circle around. Just what could he be avoiding? Few creatures are equal to a tiger here.

As the forest thinned out we arrived at a hill bare of trees. Stone steps led up the hill to the entrance of the cave. The sun was still high so we hid in some nearby bushes. I watched tourists emerge from the cave and make their way down the steps.

Finally as the sun set and the tourists departed Ren stepped forward and carefully sniffed the air. Satisfied he led me up the stone steps.

On the inside stone trenches were connected to high arches. Reaching the main room I touched my hands to the elaborately carved wall. Remnants of the ceiling cast deep shadows into the room. I pulled out my flashlight as a precaution.

I followed Ren into a large circular room with a sandy floor. I could see several rooms that branched off. We entered a small library room off to the side.

I felt Ren's aura change as his hand touched my shoulder. "Where do we start?" I asked.

"We'll probably need to check each room for a symbol that resembles the seal. You look high and I'll look low." He squeezed my shoulder and morphed back into a tiger. I've seen a lot of strange things in my life, but I don't think I'll ever get used to that.

We searched through six chambers spending almost an hour in the fifth room, because it was filled with wall carvings. Finally we found the symbol on the seventh door. The room was very small and narrow compared to the others. Ren found the engraving underneath one of the shelves.

The small engraving fit the seal perfectly. "Looks like this is it." I removed the seal from my backpack and pressed it into the wall until I head it click. After rotating the seal around once I heard mechanical sounds from within the wall.

Dust blew out from the wall to reveal a small door. I popped the seal out and turned my flashlight towards it. Ren entered the passageway first. Looking at the wall I saw several torch sconces. I used some matches to relight the ancient torch.

We stood at the top of a narrow winding staircase. As I took the torch a clinking noise indicated that the door had closed behind us.

"Great, we'll have to look for a release later." I muttered. Ren just looked at me and rubbed his head against my leg. I took that as an 'it's okay' gesture and we began to descend into the darkness.

When we finally reached the steps a grand passage opened before us. However it soon led to a forked path.

I mentally groaned. Switching the torch to my left hand I placed my right on the wall. "Ren we should – Ren?"

Ren had begun to sniff at the passageways. Can he really smell something is these conditions? The entire area was drenched in a sulfuric odor. And even then, he should have had no idea what smell to follow.

Ren moved back to the left passage and continued on. I took my hand off the wall and followed him. There's goes that plan.

We frequently came across areas that branched off into several passageways. Each time Ren would stop and check them as I waited.

Shortly after passing into another large room a spiked metal gate slammed into the ground behind me. I jumped forward and turned around with a shard gasp. Why now? Seriously there's no need for booby traps! We entered by use of the seal, doesn't that already say we're the right people? Besides traps could just as easy kill us as well as any intruder.

After that Ren stayed closer to me. Three turns later I began to hear a hum that gradually increased in volume as we continued.

Turning a corner Ren stopped and looked ahead. I raised my torch to see why he had stopped.

I began to shake. The corridor ahead was moving. Thousands of insects crawled through the passage. Giant black beetles, stick bugs, and several others I couldn't identify. But my mind was only focused on two things.

Spiders. Centipedes. "Give it to me! Shikon no Tama!" "Hurry up and die! You all shall become a part of me" bit my lip in an attempt to stop the flow of memories. Centipede, youkai, the well, the jewel, Naraku, Inuyasha, No. No! NOOOOOOOOOOO! I collapsed onto the floor shaking violently. No please, just stop it! I don't want to think about it. Please just make it stop. I barely noticed the tears flooding down my face.

I was startled when Ren pushed himself against me and began to purr. I threw my arms around him and we just sat there like that for awhile

I removed my arms and finally found the strength to stand. "Thanks Ren, I'm fine now." Ren snorted as if to say I wasn't. "Are you sure there isn't a way around?" I asked. Ren looked forward. Guess not. I can do this, I just can't think about it.

"Just don't expect me to wait for you. I'll have to run the entire time." I took a few steps back and flat out ran through the chamber. I had to keep my eyes open so I could see where I was running. The hardest part was keeping the memories from resurfacing.

Finally making it to the other side I began to shake myself and search for any hitchhikers. I had to reach into my hair to get a beetle that wouldn't detach. I scraped my shoes on the floor as I looked for Ren.

He was on the final area of the passage and cleared it with a leap. I used the end of the torch to push of the bugs on him. What I wouldn't give for a good pair of gloves right now. "Ren if it's alright with you I'd rather not repeat that." Ren shook his head in confirmation.

About ten minutes later I steeped on a small stone that sank into the ground. "Uh oh." I deadpanned and braced myself for the next trap.

Small metal panels slid back from the wall to reveal spikey metal barbs. Slick oil poured out of stone pipes and onto the floor.

Ren quickly changed back. "There's poison on the edge of those spikes Kagome. I can smell it. Stay in the middle, there enough room for both of us to pass through. Don't allow yourself to be scratched by those barbs. Try keeping hold of me for balance."

I nodded "Here we go again." I whispered. Ren changed back into a tiger as I gripped his neck. The poison won't kill me, but I'd rather not have to endure it or the pain that comes with those barbs. Curing myself would be a long and difficult process. We couldn't just stop in the middle if I got scratched.

Ren tested out the floor with his paw. He slipped a little then sank his claws in. It was a painstakingly long process. The spikes were placed at random intervals so I couldn't relax. There seemed to be well more than a hundred of them. There was barely enough room for Ren and I to walk together. And I needed all the room I could get. Because even after all my training I was still somewhat clumsy.

About half-way though we hit a particularly oily spot. Ren staggered and I slipped. I managed to right myself just in time. There was a spike positioned right between my eyes. Whoa, that was close. Even I couldn't recover from a spike to the face.

Ren made a small whining sound as I regained my footing. "I'm okay it didn't tough me." I assured him. I patted his back in comfort.

When we finally emerged at the other end I began to stretch in an attempt to calm my muscles. I haven't been this tense in a long time. "Well Ren, I think I would still take the spikes over the bugs." I attempted to joke. Ren just stared at me obviously not getting it. I sighed. So much for trying to lighten the mood.

We rested awhile before we continued. I was just beginning to relax when another rumble shook the tomb. The doorway behind us sunk into the ground. Moments later we were knocked to the floor by a flood of water.

It extinguished my torch immediately. By the time I managed to stand the water was already knee-high. I reached into my backpack and cracked a glow stick.

Ren changed back into a man and shouted over the water "I can see a doorway over here!" he pulled me across the room as the water continued to rise. We were floating by the time we reached it. He dove under the water.

As he resurfaced he shouted, "There's another seal mark on the door. Try to open it like you did before."

"Right" I took a deep breath and pulled out the seal. Using the glow stick for light I searched for the mark on the door. I inserted the seal and quickly became frustrated when it wouldn't work.

Come on you stupid thing, I refuse to down in a place like this! I suddenly remembered what Sesshoumaru once told me while we were training. "Nothing will come of panicking Miko. You will only make yourself look even more foolish. There is always a way to triumph."

I braced myself against the wall and pushed hard on the seal. It finally clicked and the door began to open. The water dumped us into the corridor filthy, but alive. It drained away though several well placed grates.

I couldn't help but laugh at the situation. Soon Ren asked, "Just what do you find so amusing?"

"It's just that . . . ." I was giggling so hard I couldn't speak. "That if he knew I was beginning to panic, well I can only image the punishment."

Ren frowned and returned to his tiger form. I returned the seal to my backpack as I checked it. Well I guess it would have been stupid to hope that any of the food would be okay. "Everything looks okay, except for the food." I told him.

I used the glow stick until it ran out then switched back to the flashlight. We took a few more turns before entering another long corridor, far longer than any of the others were.

About halfway through Ren jumped in front of me and began to force me backwards. A great rumbling shook the tunnel. The ground I had been standing on collapsed. I ran backwards as the floor continued to fall away.

Thankfully the quaking soon subsided. "Again really?" I yelled out in rage. Ren bent his head down and began to pace in front of the edge. The gap was about four meters across. Ren can defiantly make that jump, I know I can.

Ren took my hand and asked, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I've faced worse." I answered subconsciously. I didn't notice the look of surprise and worry on his face.

"We've got to find a way across this chasm."

I nodded. "I can jump across if I get a running start. You could make it in your tiger form."

Ren looked shocked. "You're serious? No. NO! You would never make it. There's no way you could jump that far."

I took one look at his face and just knew he wasn't going to budge on the issue. We'll have to do this my way then. I sighed. "Fine, but you're going to have to come up with another idea."

I waited until Ren returned to his tiger form and was examing the rift again. I stood up and walked back a bit making sure my backpack was secure. I slipped into a crouching stance used for sprinting.

I began to run towards the edge of the gap. I kicked off the edge to get extra power and folded my legs beneath me as I sailed through the air. Hitting the ground at the other side, I rolled to reduce impact.

I stood up and turned back to Ren. "See? I can jump just fine." Ren growled trotted back a few paces before attempting to clear the gap.

Once he was on my side he changed back into a man and grabbed me. "Don't do that again." He growled out. He pressed against me and I could feel his worry and fear.

I've forgotten how some people react when I'm reckless. It's surprisingly nice to have someone worry. I patted his back awkwardly. "I'm fine, really, but we don't have much time."

Ren reluctantly released me and changed again. We walked down a few more passages until we found a door etched in glyphs. I reached out to touch it as I felt magic rise. Warmth pooled under my hand against the stone. I pushed just a little bit of my energy into the door. It began to react and opened to reveal a large grotto. Guess I'll have to explain that later. Too bad I wanted to keep this little game going a bit longer.

The room was dimly lit by phosphorescent lichen growing on the stone walls. At the center was a tall rectangular stone monolith with a small stone post in front of it.

Dusting off the post I found two indents that were shaped like hands. I gently placed both my hands and released a bit of energy into the stone. Golden liquid spilled from a container on top of the monolith.

The liquid reacted with the stone. It foamed and fizzled until I drained down. I looked over in shock. Engraving appeared on all four sides where there had previously been none.

"This is it Ren, This is Druga-sama's prophecy." I spoke awed.

I pulled out Kadam-san's camera and began taking pictures. Next I made rubbing with the charcoal and paper he provided. Kadam-san will know what this means.

I was examining the stone when I heard Ren yelp. I saw him pick up his paw and set it down gently. The liquid was seeping into the floor. Rocks began to fall from the high ceiling.

Ren and I ran towards the well. The shaking became much worse and with a deafening crack the monolith split in two. The acid destroyed everything it touched. And It crept closer to us until there was no escape. The doorway we came though had been blocked sealing us in.

Could I purify this stuff? It's not Miasma but it might be close enough! Ren put his claws on the wall and began to scratch furiously. I saw that he had opened a hole and there were stars on the other side.

I helped him dig until we had a decent sized hole. He climbed out first and I squeezed through after him. Slowly the quaking stopped, and silence descended upon the jungle.

I'll say this before anyone asks, yes Kagome has PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder. Besides she never liked bugs in the first place. Honestly I hate them. By the way does anyone play Skyrim? I was at a sleepover and we were playing it on consul. The weirdest thing happened, we came out of a house and saw a pink Dragon tail. It then took off and disappeared before we could see the rest of the dragon. I swear it's true! I have multiple witnesses. By the way I'm trying to start a new crossover with Kagome, but I can't decide if I should do One Piece or Ouran High School Host Club. I'll be posting a poll please help me decide. Right now I only have the time to do one more.