Episode 33: The Truth

She blinked. And blinked again.

But all she saw was the darkness. The youki was so thick, if one vacuumed it all, it would've been still impossible to see.

But I've still got to try, she thought as she struggled to swat the air ahead of her away. But the dark purple mist kept on persisting on getting in the miko's way. Not only did it blind her, it also gave off a horrible stench; a stench that reminded her of throw up and urine.

Nick! Mika gasped and rubbed her arm. A small, tiny bump was felt under her phalanges. Something had bitten her and left a mark of its invisible crime. She was just about to scratch her wrist when she felt another sting on her face. She slapped a free hand onto her face when a horde of stings came onto her legs.

"Ahh!" she cried as she tried to run away from these objects of pain. But they kept stinging and hurting and pinching at her skin. Even in the thick mist, Mika could tell her arm was getting red.

Suddenly, a rage of panic rushed into Mika. She spun her head around the curls and twists of youki. There was not even a flash of white or red. The dog was gone.

"Inu...chan?"

It was silent as a hill that housed a cemetery. Not even a whimper replied.

Buzz...buzz...buzz... the flying stings buzzed. Mika slapped one successfully and felt the juices of this thing squeeze out. She held up her hand close to her face and almost barfed at the sight of a mosquito like creature, also known as the Saimyosho. Another one dug its stinger into her arm, leaving little particles of poison in her blood vessel, then signaled to the others to fly away. And they did, leaving a weakening Mika onto the floor.

"W-what... douko (poison)?" She clutched her arm where the poison was placed then removed it to examine it. Her blood had a darker tone to it now. The poison was spreading rapidly.

Wincing in agony, she began to tread out of the darkness and began to climb toward the light. She threw her hands at the walls, the rocks poking at her flesh. Then she kicked her feet deep into the wall and climbed up a step. And another. And another.

But the longer she climbed, and the longer the sweat beads rolled down her cheek, the more the poison seemed to hurt. Her heart ached with fear, and her mind was blank as a paper. And the exit still seemed to be miles and miles away, growing farther, and farther as she went up...

"Grr..."

Mika stopped climbing up when she heard the growl. Squinting against the bright light, she found a shadow looking down at her. A bark sounded in her ears.

"Arf," the dog barked and watched her climb higher and higher. It beckoned her with its strong and unwavering voice, as if it were selling candy to children. When she was at the top, he took her hand into his mouth and flung her over to the floor effortlessly.

With a bump, Mika was back on the surface of the Earth. She panted, and took in as much air as she could before getting up on her feet.

"Thank goodness you're still alive," she exclaimed as she threw her arms over his neck.

This time, the dog did not resist her embrace.

The woman with a youthful appearance grimaced at Jaken when he brought her a leaf with water in it. He had thrown a few grasses in it to make it seem like tea, except it was brown, instead of the usual green hue of tea. With rage, she knocked it out of his hand and demanded to know what he thought of her.

"Do you think I am a fool??? This is dirt, dirt, and dirt!!!"

"Well... there's not tea leaves or such here," he replied nimbly, wondering when Sesshoumaru was coming.

The woman showed her pointy teeth and struck him across the face and combed her hair angrily with her free hand. "Then get some. IMMEDIATELY," she ordered, raising her hand again to threaten him. But Jaken didn't even jump in fright. Instead, he gave her his bravest and most intimidating look and said, "Just because I am a smite weaker than you, you have no right to bully me like that! Because I am--"

"Silence you fool!!!" the woman cried back and listened to the silence.

Jaken went mute as well,; the only noise were their breathing. Then, very faintly, Jaken could hear a little pit pat, pit pat, pit pat footsteps on the floor. They were getting closer and louder, so near he could almost see and hear who the footsteps belonged too. But then again, he was staring right at them.

The feet were two sandals and four dirty white paws.

He gave Mika and the dog wide-eyed looks and pointed to the woman, trying to beg for help. But Mika paid no heed to the toad.

"Ne, can't you smell out the others with your nose?" asked Mika as they passed by Jaken and the woman. The dog shook his head, feeling the slight aura of youki from Jaken. He stopped and was about to turn to examine the scent of youki when a lash of pain whipped his back. He was thrown off of the floor and onto his head. Blood started to pour out of this poor canine, as Mika gasped in shock.

The witch, the same one who had aimed the soul takers at them was standing in front of them, unharmed, and unsurprised. At this moment of unrest for the two, she seemed like a towering god, with them the feeble subjects of this "god".

"Y-you're that woman--"

"That's right, I'm that woman. But I go by a name," she said scornfully, "and that name happens to be Matsuki-sama. And you call me that."

Mika pursed her lips as she looked for signs of uneasiness on the witch. But there were none. Now she felt some uneasiness herself. "Very well, Matsuki-sama, what business do you have here?"

The witch laughed and said, "I want the Shikon no Tama, obviously."

"But I don't have it."

"You don't but you can make it."

"And how can I do that??? I'm no god."

"With your soul. Midoriko did the same. All I need, is your soul, and only yours. Now hand it to me without hesitation, and I'll let go of your friends." The witch opened a hole of the barrier that enabled Jaken to be unseen. Rin was being held captive by three of the soul takers, and poor, poor Jaken was beaten almost to death by the woman. At this ghastly sight, Mika almost cried on the spot.

"Well miko, what is your answer?"

Mika bit her lip and clutched her fist tighter. She wanted nothing more than to save her comrades. And, to see Sesshoumaru again. Still, she said unwillingly:

"All right. Go ahead and take my soul!"