The courage I originally felt as I swaggered out of Doctor Takahashi was now completely gone. I felt my body shake as I zoomed down streets to my safe haven. My panic was interrupted by a crazy techno beat, which made me jump a foot off my seat.
"That impedes safe driving for sure," I thought with a nervous giggle. I stopped at a red light and dug through my back pack for my phone. I finally found the source of my exasperation and answered.
"Hey Mom."
"Hello darling! I just wanted to see how your doctor appointment went."
"It was fine. I'll have a slight scar but there was no sign of infection or anything."
"You sound a bit…winded, hon. Is everything okay?"
"Oh, yeah….I'm excellent. I am, however, heading over to Sango's house to study for a bit."
"That's fine, Kagome. Just make sure you're home by midnight."
"Okay, no problem Mom. Love you!"
I tried to steady my hand as I heard the click on the other end followed by the dial tone. I tossed my phone onto the seat next to me as I sped on. Before I knew it, I was pulling into Sango's driveway. I was almost put off by lack of vehicles and lights inside the house but Sango's car was in the driveway.
"She's probably just scaring herself silly by watching horror movies in the dark," I thought with a chuckle. I let myself into the back door, like I normally do and was greeted by silence.
"This is strange," I reflected as I passed through their normally cheery kitchen to get to the stairs.
Finally, I heard a muffled noise. Shrugging, I followed it, unable to decipher the unfamiliar tones. As I got closer, I only got my confused.
"That can't be what I think it is…..oh my goodness….she's playing Barry White."
Sensual moans soon assaulted my ears, which were turning a bright red.
"I definitely should've called first," I mumbled.
I slowly backed away from the door where the moans and groans were getting louder. Regretting my decision completely, I booked it out of the house as Sango started screaming.
"I'd be worried if I hadn't heard 'Can't Get Enough of Your Love Baby' coming out of her speakers," I thought, blushing furiously. I got into my car and then I felt it; a dull, low throb in my upper thigh. The throb became sharper and sharper as it spread through my body until I felt like I was on fire. I was tempted to see what Inuyasha was doing to provoke such a reaction in my body but I decided it was better not to. I bit my lip as my engine roared to life. After slamming it into first gear, I raced home, barely registering my surroundings.
I had a feeling of déjà vu as I pulled into the shrine's driveway.
"None of the lights are on….again," I thought with despair. "I expected my family to be home tonight."
I parked my car in an empty driveway, starting to worry. It was seven at night; where on earth could my family be? I used my key to get into the house and switched on the lights. I noticed a piece of paper on the granite island in the middle of the island.
Kagome-
Sota, Grandpa, and I went to a movie. We won't be gone too long and might even be back before you get home. There is a plate for you in the fridge and I bought you more baking supplies.
Love you!
-Mom
"That explains everything," I thought with an exasperated sigh.
"Well, at least I get to quiet house tonight to bake in."
I began to look through the cupboards to see what supplies my mother bought me. I excitedly pulled out coconut extract, coconut milk, dark chocolate baking squares, and coconut flakes.
"Score! Now I can make Mounds cupcakes!" I thought as I did a happy dance around the kitchen. I opened the dish washer to search for my favorite set of tie-dyed mixing bowls when the hair on the back of my neck suddenly stood on end.
I dropped to the floor, feeling a breeze over my head. My gaze went immediately to the wall.
"Holy crap! Are those….spears?" I said to myself, feeling my stomach jump into my chest.
I watched with unabated terror as the dark spears slowly dematerialized before my eyes.
"It's like they were never even there!"
I crawled on my knees to the closest where I kept my bow and arrows. I took an arrow out of my quiver and placed the quiver over my shoulder. I cocked my bow and leapt to my feet, not sure what or who my attackers were.
The house's eerie silence was filled only with my panting as I methodically checked through the rooms of the first floor. Suddenly, a powerful rush of air pushed me against a wall and I felt something sharp slide across my skin. I gasped and clasped my hand over the suddenly oozing gash on my upper arm.
"Shit. I am in trouble," I thought.
I slid across the wall, my eyes searching frantically for anything moving. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a moving shape on the floor. I quickly released my cocked bow, sending one of my sacred arrows flying square into the silhouette. I released a breath I didn't even know I was holding when I heard the arrow hit flesh and a responding roar of pain and rage.
I sprinted over to my arrow. The sight that met my eyes was one that would haunt my dreams for years. A creature with a swirling black man-shaped body and blood red eyes stared back at me.
"Priestesssss…." it hissed at me.
I cocked another arrow and pointed it straight at the thing's face.
"What do you want with me?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.
"We hunt the blood of the dog tribe. It residesssss in your veinssss now."
The monster coughed up toxic looking green fluid, making it obvious that the arrow was affecting him greatly.
"Who sent you?" I demanded.
The creature's response was to laugh hysterically. He reached out with his hand and grabbed my ankle, puncturing the skin slightly with his nails. I staggered at the pain and fell to the floor. I looked at the joint, which commenced to leak a black, sickly looking fluid. I kicked the monster in the face with my good foot, silencing him.
I lay there on the floor, shivering as the toxin worked its way through my body. I heard a noise somewhere behind me, causing me to panic. It took all my strength to turn my head.
"Doctor… Takahashi…" I whispered.
The dog demon found me on the floor and immediately began searching for the cause of my situation. His fingers trailed over the gorges in my ankle, causing me to groan in pain. He quickly surveyed the rest of the room, his face unchanging as he found his quarry. He let his finger tips glow with his poison whip and he quickly and efficiently decapitated the fiend.
"Stupid mortal….taking on a shadow assassin all by yourself," he said, without emotion.
Doctor Takahashi looked around and sighed. He bent down and picked me up carefully.
"Where are you taking me?" I forced out.
My query was meant with silence.
"Where are you taking me?" I demanded.
"To the Takahashi mansion. You need to be healed and I have not the means to do so in this pathetic hovel."
I punched him as hard I could in the chest but seeing as my vision was fading, the punch was obviously not very hard. The chilly winter breeze was the last thing I felt before I lost consciousness.