Curse of the Witching Hour
Part 1
Kagome rubbed her arms absentmindedly as she shrugged off the tension rising in her stomach. Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi chatted amiably. Their excited squeals startled Kagome from her daydreaming.
"Yeah! Kagome, you're in on this, right?" Eri spun around to face Kagome.
Now with the undivided attention of her friends all on her, Kagome froze, gathering the sleeves of her cardigan over her fingers. The eerie tension clung to her like a second skin suddenly and she found herself uneasy.
"Kagome, were you even listening?" Yuka perked up with a huff, swinging her hair over her shoulder.
"Eh-" Kagome blushed a pretty pink, nervously chuckling. "Sorry guys. I must have been distracted. What were we talking about again?"
Her friends all sighed in unison, glancing at each other in pure frustration. Kagome raised a hand to rub the back of her neck and readjusted her backpack on her shoulders.
"This is precisely why we need to do this!" Ayumi muttered.
Kagome flinched, rubbing her face with a tired hand. "Why are we doing what?"
"We're going to take advantage of this weekend leading up the the big campus Halloween party!" Eri smiled excitedly.
"Halloween party?" Kagome blinked.
Yuka agitated, "You know the one Hojo was going to bring you to?"
Sighing, Kagome continued walking down the sidewalk towards the dorms. Her friends called after her, and she awaited the ear full dreadfully. Curling her hands into her pockets, she kicked a stray leaf on the sidewalk.
"Kagome, you can't keep avoiding going out because of him." Eri tugged at Kagome's cardigan sleeve.
"Yeah, just because he dumped you doesn't mean you won't find someone else!" Ayumi encouraged, grabbing the other sleeve.
Yuka jogged ahead and spun around. "What would your Gramps say about this?"
"Gramps?"
Kagome stopped mid step, chewing her bottom lip.
Her beloved Gramps had passed away unexpectedly from a stroke a year ago while she attended her first year of college. Hojo, her friend at the time, consoled her knowing how close she was to her Grandfather. Afterward, she agreed to a few dates with him and they were together for the majority of her freshman year.
Since Hojo split up with her a couple months ago, her friends had a knack for bringing up the fact her Grandfather wasn't too fond of the boy.
"He would tell you to get back up on your feet!" The girls answered, tugging on her sleeves. "He'd hate to see you this gloomy, Kagome!"
"You think?" Kagome felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes and she fought the urge to cry as her lip trembled.
"This is the perfect opportunity to ask him!"
Kagome swallowed thickly. "What do you mean?"
Her three friends smiled deviously and nodded to each other. Kagome's stomach began to churn as the tension rose again, and she felt herself overwhelmed with dread.
"Meet with us this Saturday at my dorm."
"I don't know. I have a lot of biology homework-" her protest was rudely interrupted as the girls leaned in.
"No way! It's only Thursday and you don't have classes tomorrow! You definitely have enough time to finish your homework." Yuka smirked.
"I'll pick you up at 8 o'clock Saturday night!" Eri said, darting off with a wave.
"See you then, Kags!" Ayumi shouted with a similar wave.
Yuka wrapped an arm around Kagome's shoulders and gave a welcoming smile. "I promise you'll have fun."
"But you didn't say what we were doing!" Kagome pouted.
Yuka smiled and departed in the opposite direction with a curt nod. Sighing, Kagome wiped the palms of her hands on her jeans and drew her mustard cardigan closer to her. The wind picked up and a few leaves skirted by.
"Ugh, fine." Kagome grumbled trudging along towards her dormitory with a pout.
Saturday came quickly enough and Kagome cleaned her room nervously.
It had been awhile since she last went out. Last time, Hojo had taken her to a movie date with a few of his friends before not so kindly giving her the dip. He had said he needed room "to explore his options" and that "he hadn't meant to hurt her". Of course, Kagome had smiled politely enough before excusing herself to cry privately in her dorm room for a few weeks. Her friends had checked on her repeatedly before deeming it necessary for her to attend classes again despite her protests.
Besides, that was part of the joy of having hybrid courses.
They had offered her to come with them to a few fraternity parties, but Kagome declined, unsettled by the mere thought of having to relive her encounter with Hojo again.
Oddly enough, her nerves were shaken and she couldn't place exactly why she was fumbling with her normal basic chores. She had dropped the scrub brush and the bleach a few times already while cleaning the adjacent shared bathroom, and she even knocked her poor toes multiple times on her desk when vacuuming. Now, she knew she was clumsy on an usual basis, but as the day wore on it became apparent to her that it was completely uncanny.
Chalking it up to her rattled excitement, she finished her task of putting away her laundry and sat with a grunt on her bed. Grabbing her phone, she glanced at her texts to see Eri had sent a message that she was walking over.
Knowing Eri would take a few minutes gave Kagome enough time to straighten her high waisted jeans and pull on some boots. Glancing over herself in her mirror, she finger combed her black locks and tugged down her crop top slightly self conscious. Frowning at her appearance, she pulled on a gray cardigan to cover herself.
"Just in case it gets cold." She assured herself.
A knock on her door alerted her to Eri's presence.
"Yes?" Kagome shouted, grabbing her phone and keys to stuff in her jean pockets.
"Kags, it's me!"
Kagome made quick work of grabbing her clutch and darted to the door. Swinging it open and spying her friend, she flicked off the lights and locked the door.
"You ready?" Eri asked, adjusting her vest as she guided Kagome towards the elevator.
"Sure, but what are we exactly doing?"
The two briskly entered the elevator and Eri tapped impatiently the button for the lobby.
"We have to head to the grocery store real quick. Yuka forgot to grab a couple things." Eri tapped on her phone briefly before tucking it away.
"Ok." Kagome shook off the impending surge of energy in her stomach and tried to ignore the chill crawling up her spine.
Eri blinked at her. "You okay? You aren't getting sick, are you?"
"No, no!" Kagome waved the statement off and shook herself mentally. "Just excited to be out is all."
"Good!" Her friend triumphantly smiled, bumping her shoulder into Kagome's. "You can't stay cooped up all the time."
The elevator dinged as they hit the main floor.
"Don't you get tired of rooming alone?" Eri asked, practically darting for the door.
Kagome thought about it momentarily. Sure, she didn't like being alone, but being that her friends were always over made it more comfortable and convenient. Besides, with the antics her friends were up to she doubted she would be able to focus well enough to finish her assignments.
"It doesn't bother me. Sango shares the same bathroom on the other side and she swings by often enough to keep me company."
"Ah, yeah." Eri frowned, exiting the elevator and directing them towards the revolving doors. "I forgot about her."
Kagome frowned. For whatever reason, her good friend Sango didn't share the same sentiments as her childhood girlfriends. They clashed like oil and water, so Kagome opted to keep them separate in most circumstances.
"Come on, Sango means well."
"Sure, sure, Kags. I got it."
"Eri-"
Kagome dropped the conversation as a gust of wind blew her hair in her face. Fighting the locks down, she closed her arms in front of her to keep her chest warm.
"Jeez! It's practically winter out here!" Eri shouted, closing her vest with crossed arms.
Kagome laughed, jogging to stand closely to her friend. "It's going to be a rough one!"
The two set a brisk pace under the lamps of the sidewalk and crossed the campus to head to a small convenience store. Eager to get inside from the roaring wind, Kagome darted in with Eri close behind. The girls laughed with each other, shaking a few leaves from their hair.
"Come on or else we'll be late." Eri grabbed a hand basket and pulled out her phone.
"What do we need?" Kagome followed, eyeing a small section of scented candles.
"We already have those, come on." Eri chuckled, turning the corner.
Kagome glanced at her friend as Eri glanced between her phone and the shelves. Random items were dropped into the basket and Kagome made a nonchalant noise in her throat as Eri put more things in.
"Salt?" Kagome questioned. "Do you really need that big of a bag?"
"Uh-huh." Eri murmured while adding a pack of matches. "Can you grab a piece of cardboard?"
"Cardboard?" Kagome pressed with a chuckle. "Are we doing a science fair project or a DIY?"
Laughing at her own comment, she set down another aisle and found a small piece for relatively inexpensive. Rounding the corner again, she handed the pieces to Eri who nodded. Eri checked her phone a few times before heading to the cashier. Once their items were bagged, they subjected themselves to heading back into the evening.
Zipping across campus again, Kagome and Eri entered the co-ed dorm building a few blocks from her own. Quick, in case Hojo happened to be lurking nearby, Kagome shot up the stairs with Eri in close pursuit. Counting up four flights, Kagome exited the stairwell with her hands clutching the bag tightly.
"Room 413, Kags." Eri called behind her.
Scuffing, she turned down the familiar hallway. "I remember."
"Well, it's just been awhile since you've been here." Eri shrugged.
Rolling her eyes, Kagome knocked on room 413 rapidly. Through the door, she could hear Yuka and Ayumi laughing. Knocking again, Kagome felt her stomach flip again as she caught movement in the corner of her eye. Flicking her gaze from the wooden door, she glanced down the hall at the flickering hall light.
The hair rose on the back of her neck and her skin broke out in goose pimples. Her breathe, caught in her throat, burned. She could practically feel eyes on her-
"Kags! You made it!"
Jumping, she whipped her head around to find Yuka motioning her in with a curled finger. Moving back to the end of the hallway, Kagome blanched as the light remained on, no longer flickering.
"You sure you're good, Kagome?" Eri patted her back.
Releasing the air in her lungs, Kagome nodded. "Yeah. I think I must have got lost in thought is all."
"Come in, we already opened a bottle!" Ayumi beckoned from her perch on her bed.
Shuffling in, Kagome quietly set the bag on the closest desk. Yuka and Ayumi shared a dorm while Eri shared a dorm with her cousin on the third floor. The girls had a decent sized dorm dwarfed by their twin beds and desks, but the girls arranged the space to provide a wide space in the center of the room where they currently had set up shop.
Yuka sat against the mattress opposite Ayumi and raised her wine glasses in greeting. Kagome sat down with her back pressed into the mattress and long legs tucked under her. Adjusting her hair to lay down her shoulder, she tucked a few unruly strands behind her ear.
"I'm glad you came, Kagome!" Yuka leaned in, grabbing two empty wine glasses. Ayumi passed the bottle.
Kagome watched with morbid fascination as Yuka filled the glass to the brim. "Thanks for having me- hey, don't you think that's a little much?"
The girls laughed as Kagome grasped the glass with shaky hands. Eri took her own and raised it.
"Cheers!" They exclaimed in unison.
Clinking glasses, they all took a long sip. Swallowing the slightly bitter wine, Kagome fought scrunching her nose. Patting her chest, she hiccuped before taking another sip slower. The four women began chattering, telling stories of their classes and old memories of high school. Settling in, Kagome let loose a sigh and fell into easy conversation.
"-remember when Kagome fell in the well house on the shrine property and found that really cute necklace?"
"Yes! She came out all dusty and gross!"
"Kags, you almost looked like a witch!"
Kagome coughed behind her fist while trying to swallow the last of her wine. Raising a delicate eyebrow, she coughed harder as Eri leaned over to pat her back.
"I remember. Gramps was so mad at me for going in there." She stammered out. Putting the glass aside, she relaxed against the mattress. "I wonder what he'd say now."
Her friends froze, eyes shifting between each other, and Kagome had the growing suspicion they were scheming again.
"What?" She bit out.
"Well-" Ayumi started, holding her wine glass closer. "You see-"
Yuka cut in with an abrupt shrug. "What she means to say is that we found a book in the library that we really wanted to test out."
Kagome blinked, opening and closing her mouth like a fish. Wisely shutting it, she licked her dry lips. Twirling her hair around her fingers, she looked at Eri to elaborate, her being usually the voice of reason.
"Gramps is just the person to talk to." Eri muttered.
Still confused, Kagome tried again. "What do you mean?"
The girls fumbled again before Yuka stood to grab a book off her desk. Holding it out, Kagome took it apprehensively. The leather bound book was cracked and discolored. The leather worn and the pages yellowed. There was no title on the cover, but the engraving of a necklace similar to the one she had found back at her family shrine.
"We know you're going through a tough time and aren't sure what to do to support you. Ayumi found this book last week while writing a research paper on cults and witchcraft." Eri leaned over, rubbing a soothing hand on Kagome's shoulder. "It says there's a way to contact the dead and we thought you'd like to say some final word to Gramps."
Her throat felt tight and the room enclosed around her. The book grew heavy in her hands and she set it down on the floor in front of her. Taking a deep breath in, she felt the hot prickling of tears in her eyes, but seeing how supportive her friends were, even though the idea was completely out of left field, had her choking down her protest.
"You did this for me?" Kagome managed to whisper.
"We bought the stuff for a seance." Yuka bashfully stated. "Maybe this will be good for you. We just want to help."
Kagome's mouth opened and closed repeatedly as she tried to process her friends' request, her dark brows pinched together and she hummed in her throat unsure of what to say. A chill ran up her spine and she glanced around the room expecting to find the source of the draft.
"Kagome, it's totally safe and if anything it turns out to be fun." Eri encouraged, nudging her arm.
"Besides, best case scenario you finally can say your peace." Ayumi also supplied, grabbing her hand.
"What about the worst case scenario?" Kagome fumbled.
Yuka waived her off. "We have salt for that. We're good."
Guilt flooded her and she became overwhelmed with sheer appreciation. "I can't tell you how much I care for you all, but we don't have to. I'm sorry I haven't been a good friend lately."
"Kags, come on. It'll be fun." Ayumi begged with a pout.
Glancing around, she noticed how excited they all seemed. Sighing, she rubbed a tired hand across her brow.
Swallowing down her nerves, she hooked a finger around her wine glass and held it out. "Might as well get some liquid courage, right?"
The girls cheered, pouring more wine and hugging each other affectionately.
"You won't regret this." Her friends gushed.
Kagome couldn't help but frown with the distinct sensation that she probably would.
"Kagome, grab the bags off the desk. Ayumi, why don't you open the book where we finished reading?" Yuka pointed, setting her glass down to get up and pull the window curtains closed.
Kagome stood and idolly grabbed the bag off the desk, her feet scraping against the area rug. Distractingly, she grabbed the desk chair and brought it closer to dump the contents of the bag on before she sat with a plop. Ayumi was thumbing through an older leather cased book.
"Step 1, cleanse space with cedar. Cedar is used commonly for banishing, cleansing, and purifying. Then proceed to close all doors and windows and dot with the sign of the cross using holy oil." She recited, face scrunching as she read.
Kagome blanched. Inhaling sharply, she rubbed her arms nervously. "Where would you even get holy oil?"
"Well, we have a candle we can light that is cedar scented. I'll start with that. Eri, grab the cooking oil from that bag on my desk. Kags, you can Bless that with a prayer your Gramps taught you, right?" Yuka asked, standing to grab a single wick candle from her dresser.
Tiredly, Kagome grumbled the differences in Shinto prayers and Christian prayers. The girls shrugged, opting to ignore Kagome who grumbled further. Growing anxious and slightly irritated, Kagome stood to accept the cooking oil.
"This doesn't even sound right." Kagome protested, turning around to wave the bottle hazardously.
"Don't be a party pooper, Kagome Higurashi!" Ayumi laughed, face engulfed in the black book.
Sighing, Kagome sat the cooking oil down on the table and muttered a quick prayer over it. Wringing her fingers, she huffed, grabbing the bottle and making her way around the room to start with the door. Kagome fumbled to unwrap the bottle and cursed her luck as she ripped off the top. Splashing some oil on her cardigan, she wiped her fingers on her jeans.
"Do I really have to?" Kagome fused as Yuka flicked off the lights for the room to only be illuminated in the single candle light.
"Yes." The trio responded.
Signing the cross as Yuka waved the cedar scented candle behind her, she trudged on to perform the same motions on the closed closet door. She skirted behind Eri and Ayumi, eyes pinching nearly closed to focus on the outlines of the room objects in the darkness. Grabbing onto the bed frame, she stubbed her toe on the corner, hissing as she stumbled toward the window.
Shaking the bottle at the window, she attempted to slide the window closed. When she got as far as the window could, a sliver merely opened, she waved it off. Twisting around, she stumbled to her huddled friends as they peered into Ayum's lap.
"Ok, step 2 says-" she pressed her nose to the page and Yuka brought the candle closer. "To form a circle and begin with an opening prayer."
"Hey, shouldn't we draw a salt circle or something around us first? I saw it in a horror movie once and it worked." Eri clapped.
"You did buy it, right?" Yuka inquired, bringing the lit flame to another candle's wick. Lighting a few more, she passed a candle to Eri.
Eri slid the chair Kagome deposited the bag on closer to drag the salt over. Standing, she popped open the top and wobbled about pouring the salt on the ground around them to complete a circle.
"Done!" She slurred with an accomplished smile.
Kagome half heartedly smiled before gulping down another bitter sip of wine. She swirled the liquid around in the glass before downing the rest in one go. Shaking her head, dark brows turning upwards. She coughed. Eri patted the raven haired girl's back and Kagome fisted her hand against her chest.
"Now what?"
"We have to start with an opening prayer."
"Um-" Kagome glanced around her friends, all their awaiting eyes on her. "Please don't make me do this. I'm not good at it."
"I have one I printed off line. Kags, could you grab it off my desk?"
Kagome clicked her tongue on the back of her teeth, but stood nonetheless. Taking her empty glass with her, she stepped outside the circle to set the glass on the desk down. Shuffling some papers on the desk, she found a print out with the title "Prayer for Spiritual Eyes". Glancing down the form, she paused as a cool breeze caressed her thighs like long fingers.
Blue eyes darting up, she focused on the shadows of the window. The leaves of the trees outside rustled and she felt eyes prying into her. Her own watered and she hurried to re enter the circle. In her haste, her socks slipped on the floor and she began to trip on the salt over to the area rug.
Settling down once again in the ring of her friends, she handed the paper over. Her breath shuttered against her rib cage and she fought the urge to look at the window again.
"Grab hands, ladies! Let's talk to Gramps!" Yuka cried, clasping hands with Eri and Ayumi.
Kagome grabbed their hand with her own clammy one and closed her tearing eyes. Breathing in, she held her breath, lungs eagerly expanding and she released as Yuka began praying.
"Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, in Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from Evil. For then is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen."
"Amen." They rang in answer.
The room grew quiet and Kagome exhaled sharply in between parted lips. Deciding to peak, she looked up as the girls hovered over the book again.
"Ok, so Kags, because we want you to talk to your grandpa, you have to be the medium. We'll be the sitters."
"Sitters?"
"The people who attend." Eri clarified, squeezing Kagome's petite hand. "We're here for support and to guide you."
Kagome smiled, chest heavy as the soothing words did nothing to calm her frying nerves. Squeezing back, she folded her legs beside her.
"Kagome, I grabbed our childhood photo for you to look at. It said it may help you contact your loved one." Eri reached into her back pocket to drag out a worn picture.
Grasping the bent photo, Kagome laughed. There were the four of them at her family shrine- four young girls, piggy tails and all, standing together with her grandfather lovingly behind them. He was smiling, his face even weather then in his middle age. Her friends had their school uniforms on and Kagome was dressed in traditional miko attire. Her red hakamas long on her as she beamed holding an archery award.
"Thank you." She whispered, clutching the photo to her chest fondly.
"Ayumi, did you remember to buy that ouji board?" Yuka suddenly asked.
Ayumi flushed, knocking her head back and covering her face with the book.
"Sorry." She squeaked. "But the book says we can use a necklace as a pendulum."
"Kagome, use the necklace your grandfather gave you." Yuka barked, folding her arms across her body.
Reluctantly, Kagome pulled the necklace from her shirt and unclamped it. Soothingly, she stroked the cool metal of the chain and the small pink pearl dangling from it.
"Read the prompt, Ayumi." Yuka urged, excitement fanning her features.
"We welcome the spirits who are near us to join our circle. Please make yourself known." Pausing, Ayumi scanned the room. Waving at Kagome, she directed her. "Kags, hold out your necklace so it is hanging in the center."
Once Kagome followed suit, Ayumi began again. "Please swing the necklace in answer to "yes", hold it still if "no", or swing it in a circle if "You do not know.""
"So how do we get her Gramps to, you know, talk to us?" Eri prompted, lighting another candle.
The trio watched Ayumi flip a few pages before stopping to read a few lines. "Share your favorite memory with him."
Kagome rubbed the back of her neck with her free hand and thought. She had a lot of fond memories with her grandfather. He would walk her down the shrine steps to school or gift her with weird ancient artifacts.
Her favorite though was his storytelling.
"Gramps would tell me the same folklore tale every year around spring in front of the Goshinboku tree. I remember him telling me it when I was real young and then he kept it up ever since." Kagome smiled as tears welted. "I guess it's my turn to tell it to you then, huh Gramps?"
Choking down a sigh, she shrunk in her place and shifted her weight around.
"Oh, the one about the priestess who loved the half demon? Or is it the one with the dog demon fighting off that villian or whatever?"
Kagome laughed suddenly, memories of her friends sitting around the tree as her grandfather weaved his tale. "It's the same story!"
Kagome's chest swelled with pride as she began. "Gramps, you'll love this one."
"Once upon a time, there was a priestess who protected a beautiful jewel said to possess powers beyond belief. You said the Shikon jewel could grant any wish whether it was from a demon or a regular old human. Many sought it, but none could beat the priestess."
"One day the priestess was attacked by a half demon who coveted the jewel-"
"Dog boy couldn't beat her." Yuka puffed, flicking her hair over her shoulder.
"No! He couldn't! But he couldn't stop himself from falling in love with the priestess either!" Kagome laughed, her arm dropping to her lap. "And she fell for him."
"You remember their names?" Ayumi asked, engorged on the details.
"Eh," Kagome sheepishly smiled. "Not really. It's been awhile since he told it to me. I don't remember everything entirely."
"Didn't he want to become a full demon or something?" Yuka injected before Ayumi shushed her.
"Yes, he desired to beat his half sibling, the almighty dog demon, Sesshomaru."
"How do you remember his name, but no one else's?" Eri nudged her. Kagome shrugged.
"Gramps had some ancient scroll painting of him on it and I remember him hanging it in the well house back on the shrine. It was his favorite to look at." Kagome scratched her chin.
"Gramps would remember." Yuka muttered with a chuckle. "What did he describe him as?"
"A merciless demon. The strongest dog demon to grace Japan." Kagome chuckled.
"Anyhow, the priestess loved the half demon so much that she agreed to let him grant his wish. She went to meet him, but was instead struck down by the half demon. He grabbed the jewel and made a run for it, but before she died she pierced him with an arrow. Vowing to take the jewel with her, she had it burned with her."
Kagome wiped her eyes. "The half demon lived though, pierced to a tree until another priestess freed him 50 years later. Turns out another half demon, a man swallowed in jealousy, had disguised himself as the lover of the jewel guardian to get the jewel."
"Didn't they set out on some quest to kill the guy?"
"You mean Naraku?" Kagome frowned, brows pinching.
A rustling in the corner of the room had Kagome twisting to glance at the window. Spying nothing, she turned back to her friends just as a gust of air shot through the crack in the window. The girls squealed, trying to cover the wildly flickering candles.
Jumping up, Kagome zipped across the room to jam the window fully closed with all the strength she could muster. Mumbling a 'sorry', she trotted back to her friends. Setting herself down again in the same spot, she ran a hand through her hair. Goosebumps rose on her arms and she huffed, pulling her cardigan tighter to her.
"Who was that guy again?" Ayumi pushed the leather book to the side, moving closer to the circle as strained silence fell upon them.
"That's the guy who conspired to steal the jewel from the couple." Eri supplied.
"Gramps had another portrait of that guy too. I remember him bringing it out for the spring festival that one year when Kagome's dad died." Yuka explained to Ayumi who nodded.
Suddenly sour, Kagome bit her cheek. "Yeah, he thought it would cheer me up."
"Oh, come on. He knew that story was your favorite and by showing you those portraits and scrolls he also knew it would make you feel better!" Yuka grabbed Kagome's wrist.
"Yeah, he did." Kagome sighed, feeling watched for a third time. Daring her gaze around, she cleared her throat. "So the new priestess and the half demon set out to kill Naraku. They eventually find a monk, a demon slayer, and a fox demon to join their journey- all people who were slighted by the jealous and cruel makings of Naraku. But they weren't enough, only the demon lord of the West could defeat the evil half demon."
"The demon lord fought against his half sibling adamantly, trying to appease his family's disgrace, but upon the circumstances, he agreed to fight the common enemy. Naraku was stealing land and waging war on the dog demon, and Sesshomaru would not stand to relinquish his title."
"Sesshomaru made ends to help his brother, and with his aid, they were able to defeat the jealous half demon before he could wreak havoc across Japan!"
Kagome smiled remembering how her grandfather would dramatically wave his arms about describing the demon lord. Frowning at the lack of detail in her memory, she rubbed her fingers over the pearl in her hand. It was a gift for her eighteenth birthday.
"Kagome, try asking a question now. Maybe Gramps will talk with us."
"Yeah, Kags, you know how happy he probably is that you told one of his stories?" Eri offered.
Her gut was twisting uncomfortably and she fought the urge to look again towards that corner of the room. Heat was pooling in her chest just as a chill was shooting up her spine. Holding up her necklace, she closed her eyes and tried to steady her breathing.
"Gramps, are you with us?"
Waiting for a heart stopping moment, she released a rush of air as the necklace was still. Opening her eyes, she watched the necklace for another moment before repeating her question. When nothing happened, she silently asked for guidance.
"Ask another question." Yuka muttered. "A different one."
"Do you have a message for us?" Kagome pursed her lips, the chill rattling her teeth.
When the necklace refused to move, she asked a third question. "Is anyone with us?"
Her arm quaked suddenly with what she thought was the intensity of her muscles bunching and she sighed as the necklace shook a little. Assuming her arm was growing tired from being so stiff, she dropped the necklace into her lap with a dissatisfied grunt.
"This is pointless." Kagome huffed angrily and her full brows pinched further together.
"Oh, Kagome, don't be so upset. You didn't want to do this in the first place, so it's no big deal if it didn't work."
"Yeah, well-" Kagome bit back a sob as she clasped the necklace around her neck again. Peering into the darkness around her, she fought down the disappointment swelling in her chest. "It's already 3:30 in the morning. I'm ready to go back."
Getting up, she felt a rush of anger heat her chest and she gulped it down. Stepping out of the circle and grabbing her clutch, and keys, she tucked her arms into her armpits.
"Kagome, come on. Don't be upset." Yuka got up, crossing the room to flick on the lights.
The lights flickered before one bulb popped. The sharp noise had them all jerking too stand. The girls jumped and Kagome leaned towards the door with a gasp.
"It's fine, it's fine." Yuka crossed back over to blow the candles out. "Just probably an old bulb anyway. God knows we don't have the finest amenities on campus."
Eri stood and approached her. "You want me to walk you back? It's late and it's pretty dark out anyway."
Kagome shooed her friend away and offered a small smile. "No, I'll manage. I'll call if I need anything."
Kagome picked up the forgotten photo and reached out to return it. When her friend declined, Kagome tucked the photo into her clutch securely.
"It'll keep you safe on your way home, I'm sure." Eri's soft spoken response had Kagome hugging her gently.
Showing the affection to the other two briefly, Kagome excused herself to dart out the door. Freezing in the hall, she happened to focus on the end of the hall. The lights were dim, but not flickering and she swiped a tired hand over her face. Feeling the start of a headache, she cursed herself for having so much to drink.
Quick to escort herself out, she jogged down the stairs and fled the building, eager to lay down. The wind was practically roaring in the evening and the only illumination she had was from the light posts. The clouds covered the night sky and she jogged to try to stay ahead of the winds. Hair billowing, she put a hand to shield her face as a rather nasty gust of wind had her freezing in place.
It was as if a sudden wash of ice cold water flooded her. Her limbs tightened and she could barely move. Her knees clinked together and her thighs squeezed shut to retain some heat. Her arms, wrapped around her chest, vibrated in the chill and her teeth knocked together. Dread seeped in her gut and she swallowed as fear crawled the nape of her neck.
Her body shook with the force to stand her grounds and she stumbled slightly to not fall over. Gritting her teeth, she closed her eyes to shove her hair from her face. A heat plastered against her backside and a moan slipped past her lips at the sudden wave. It was an inferno, blazing behind her and she turned to peer over her shoulder thinking someone was there. Spying nothing and with the instinct to move, Kagome forced her legs to jolt to.
Running off, Kagome felt like she was being stalked. An instinctual need to run as if she were prey sprung forth and her breathing became erratic. She weaved off the cement path to take a shortcut to her building and she hiccuped to frightened to properly suck in air. She could swear she was being chased, an inferno of heat to her side and a rush of ice to her back at the opposite end.
Every turn she made had her head pounding and her rabbit heart pounding in her ribcage.
Grabbing the dangling pearl, she prayed as her building came in sight.
Prayers slipping her lips now, her legs burned as she pushed forward. The howling of the wind blocked out all sound of the night and her eyes welted with unshed tears. Her skin was prickling, claws dragging against her right hip and icy tendrils grazing her left elbow.
Crying out, she skirted to a stop to grab the handle of the door, ripping it open to jam it closed behind her. The fluorescent lights burned her vision and she squeezed her eyes shut. Tears dragged down her face and she wiped her cheeks with the heel of her palm.
"Kagome, you ok?"
Jumping up, hand plastered against the cool glass of the door, Kagome shouted.
Seeing another one of her classmates, she nodded shakily. "I thought- you scared me- I think-"
The younger girl came forward, grabbing Kagome's hand and pressing another to her warm forehead. "You ok? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Laughing at the irony, the raven haired woman shook her head. "No. I thought I was being followed."
"Kags! Do you want me to call security?" The girl peered around Kagome to look outside, but Kagome straightened herself.
"It's ok. I'm just a little shook up." Kagome waved the girl off. "I had a few drinks and just need to lay down. Don't worry."
"You sure?"
"Yes, thank you. I'll see you in class on Monday."
Pushing off the door, she chanced a glance into the evening and shuttered. There was no one out there, but the darkness laid thick. The howling of the wind rattled the glass of the door and she began her trip to her dorm room with a churning gut. Taking the elevator, she leaned back to compose herself once inside.
Saying another prayer, she focused on her breathing and wiped her eyes.
"The witching hour is always the creepiest." Kagome mumbled, exiting the elevator when it dinged.