Chapter 21: Family Encounter
Back at the Higurashi residence, Ai and Kikyo returned home from their grocery shopping. While putting the groceries away, Kikyo goes to the staircase. "I'll go check on Kagome, mom." She said. She walks up to her sister's room to find it empty. She runs back downstairs into the kitchen. "Mom, Kagome's gone! Again!" Ai runs up to the bedroom, and is in shock. "No, how can this be? We just had her back, and now she's gone?" Ai cries as she drops to her knees holding her face with her hands. Kikyo holds her shoulders for comfort. "We know that she was paralyzed when she came. It must mean someone kidnapped her." She said sternly. She slowly shakes her head. Soon a knock on the door gets their attention. Kikyo heads to it. She opens the door revealing Hakkaku, "Can I help you?" She simply asks him. Hakkaku opens his badge revealing he's from the FBI. "Miss. Higurashi, I'm here to help you find the person who kidnapped your daughter." He states as he pulls out a flyer or Naraku and Koga. Ai comes in from behind, surprised. "Hey those were the two men who brought her home. They're wanted?" Hakkaku nods, "Yes, Naraku has been our number 1 most wanted for abduction, rap, and assault. My boss Sesshomaru Takahashi is going after them as we speak." He said to them. Ai nods looks down in sorrow. "I just want to see my daughter safe and sound." She weeps. Hakkaku can tell that she is desperate. "Ma'am, if you want, I can take you to your daughter. I know where she is. And luckily she is being taking care of from her paralysis state." Hakkaku turns around and gestures the girls to get into his vehicle. Hakkaku immediately drives to the spot where Kikyo almost got through the barrier the first, but it was a failure from her point of view. All of sudden, the vehicle passes through the barrier. Once through everything around seems the same as Ai and Kikyo look out their windows of the vehicle. "Where are we?" Kikyo asks Hakkaku, "We're in the Secret Dimension." He answers. "It looks the same to me." Ai comments the answer. "We're in a place that create a portal when someone doesn't even know they've been here. That is why it's extremely difficult to actually get inside." He asks. "Why would someone want to be in a place like this?" Kikyo asks this time. "Master Sesshomaru and his father are full demons, and wanted to make sure that Inuyasha who is a half demon to live in piece. He wasn't one of us as we all know it, because they feel they're nothing more than an outcast. That is why Sesshomaru and his father created this place." He explains as they go further into the unfamiliar territory. "But why would Kagome come here of all places?" Ai asks him, "Kagome feels that same turmoil that Inuyasha had to deal with, but she's not the only one with that problem." Kikyo raises an eyebrow, "Really so she's not the only one to every come here Unoticedly?" Hakkaku pulls up to a car repair shop and just passes through. "Yes, Inuyasha single-handedly build a mansion as a paradise for those who don't feel they don't belong anywhere else." He said as they come closer to the mansion.
Up ahead is Sesshomaru waiting for them. They stop right in front of the door. "Mr. Takahashi, I achieved what you requested." Hakkaku bows to him as he gets out of the vehicle. "Likewise Hakkaku, Miss Kikyo Higurashi, Mrs. Ai Higurashi." He said to them as they come face to face. "Mr. Takahashi, why do you request us to be here, after all the trouble I tried to find this place?" Kikyo storms off in his face, but Sesshomaru doesn't change his expression. "I merely warned you to stay away from here. But now is not the time to bicker." He takes them into the mansion. "As you are aware, Miss Kagome Higurashi has been paralyzed from a technique that Koga did on her." He states off as they roam down the halls toward the infirmary. "What technique would that be?" Ai asks as they come to the door. Sesshomaru sighs and slowly opens the door. Kikyo gasps as she runs to Kagome's side. "Kagome!" She cries in relief and worry. Ai walks in and Sesshomaru follows in. "Koga used the immobilizing toxic touch." He states to the girls. Kikyo and Ai look up. "Whenever someone has a single drop of poison on the tip of their finger pokes the victim, the poison enters the body quickly and knocks him or her out. The only effect it had done to so far is to numb mostly the body, but will let the nervous alone which will only the head able to move around. But if not treated on time, the effects can kill the victim." Sesshomaru explains to them.
Kagome moans as she opens her eyes to find her mother and sister. "Mom? Kikyo?" She said weakly. Kikyo smiles down pitifully. "Kagome, I'm so sorry for what I did." She apologizes. "I am as well dear." Ai joins in with her own. Kagome nods showing them she accepts them. She looks up to see Sesshomaru behind them. "Where is Inuyasha, Sesshomaru?" He comes to her, "My brother is on his way to get the Heavenly Flower. Its ability is to heal any injury from paralysis, poison, anything with physical contact inside of the body." Soon the light dimmed, a gentle breeze surrounds them. "My dear Kagome." A male voice echoes in the room. Kagome widens her eyes, "Daddy?" She asks as soon as a ghostly figure appears in front of them. "Kagome, I'm sorry for what I did. I just wish it didn't happen and I would've been there to be by your side." He cups her cheek. "I'll help Inuyasha get the Heavenly flower to cure you. You have my word." He vows and leaves the room and the lights brighten. 'Be strong dad.' Kagome whispers in thought.