Disclaimer: I do not, and never shall, own the creation of these characters.

Warning: This story contains dark content and graphic descriptions.


A Game of Numbers

Chapter 1


See, but do not be seen

Kagome desperately gasped for air, lungs burning in sheer agony before her head was pushed back underwater. The murky contents of the lake filled her mouth and nose with grime, threatening to drown her as she struggled fruitlessly against the merciless hands that held her down.

Listen, but do not speak

"Had enough yet, zero?" one girl giggled.

Kagome sobbed for breath, darkness enveloping her vision while choked cries expelled streams of air into the water. Just as she thought she would finally lose consciousness she was yanked back to the surface by her hair, and searing pain shot through her skull as several locks detached from their roots.

"Ewwww. She smells terrible." Another girl scrunched her nose in disgust, and Kagome was tossed onto the ground. She coughed violently, a combination of water and vomit spilling from her mouth as the group of girls encircled her.

"Do you understand your place now?" one sneered, dumping a handful of dirt on top of her head so that it remained glued to both her hair and skin. "You're a zero – nothing but mud beneath our feet."

Kagome's form convulsed, but she said nothing.

"Looks like we're done. She's cracked." Another snickered.

A strangled cry escaped from Kagome's lips as one pointed heel dug into her ribs.

"Don't even think about ratting us out to the teachers, you got that?" the leader of the group spat onto her cheek. "And don't break the rules again. Or we'll show you what we're really capable of."

Kagome's lashes fluttered shut as she heard her assailants walking away, chattering and laughing gleefully amongst themselves like a pack of hyenas that had just finished feasting. She relished in the feeling of the cool grass tickling the side of her head and the sweet relief of air in her lungs, and a low hum echoed in her brain as she slipped into the welcoming abyss of oblivion with one word lingering on her lips.

"Souta."