Author's Note:
This story evolved as an as I went thing with no real end in mind. It was more of a character exploration of "what would happen if..." So enjoy this bitter exploration into hurt, healing and hope.
Be warned, since I haven't followed the series closely in years or seen the Final Act, I'm pretty sure some things won't fit into cannon.
Of Pride and Power
Chapter 14: Rest
In a matter of hours, Kagome found herself bedridden, with fever, and in a home not her own. Bleakly her vision fixated on the dusty pine rafters above, her mind uselessly searching for an answer that would never come. There wasn't any way for her to know why she didn't return to her time – Kagome never found herself a victim of a misfortune such as this before.
Home and Inuyasha, those had been the destinations open to her via the well. Did Inuyasha's absence upset the balance of time? If not to him, who did the well send her to? Worse, why wasn't the destination to her home apart of the equation?
Kagome was at a loss as to who or what to blame. Truthfully, fault finding was irrelevant. Regardless of fault, this fact wouldn't change: Kagome was trapped in a time not her own. Worse, unlike her time when she followed Sesshomaru, there were no assurances that she'd ever see her family again. The ceiling above her blurred with her tear clouded vision as the gravity of it all set in.
"There, there child. You will be okay." the elder Nanami hummed as she exchanged the folded rag atop Kagome's head for a cooler one. "I know not what troubles you, but I assure you that you are safe."
"Thank you." Kagome answered somberly looking to the wrinkled woman. Nanami very much resembled Kaede and Kagome briefly pondered the idea of them being relatives. With the thought of the one-eyed priestess came the memory of her demise and with eyes shut, Kagome pushed both from her mind.
"You gave young Takashi a scare you did." remarked Nanami as she dried her hands in the folds of her apron. "From where did you come? I was meditating at the shrine when I saw the light at the well; are you from the heavens?"
With a sigh, Kagome answered her. "I don't know where I'm from anymore." she admitted quietly. It had been so close–home. Visions of her mother, grandfather and Sota drifted just beyond sight and reality, reminding her of the future that was denied to her. Kagome's thoughts stalled briefly before the cycle of answerless questions spun mercilessly within her mind, stirring stress, sorrow and sickness in their wake.
"I do wonder if you were sent to us." Nanami mused thoughtfully as she collected empty bowls which once held a modest dinner of rice and stewed vegetables. "Circumstances of late have left us in need of a priestess." she explained, her tone tempered and even. "In fact, I myself was praying for such a thing when you appeared. Perhaps you are the sign the heavens sent."
Frowning, Kagome's eyes fluttered closed as if to shut out any burdens of responsibility. Her emotional upheaval was too great for her to even entertain the idea of finding strength to help others. "I don't know what you're talking about." she mumbled even as her exhaustion rose to claim her consciousness. "I'm sorry."
While it was spoken to Nanami, the sentiment went to her family. With the shift of time, it was a mystery if, or when, she'd see them again. There were too many unknowns and no reasoning she could find for explanation brought comfort.
In every sense, she was adrift in time and prisoner to a well that obeyed no command. Nanami pulled a cotton blanket to Kagome's chin, tucking her in as her mother once did. "Rest child. I know not what, but I can see much troubles you. We can discuss these things once you've recovered."
Knowing not what else to say, Kagome offered a weak "Thank you." accompanied by a soft nod of her chin. Aided by herbal remedies and chamomile incense, sleep swiftly claimed Kagome as its victim; being too weary to fight it's claim, Kagome was dragged into troubling nightmares filled with crimson eyes, poison claws and silken hair.