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CHAPTER 5
The next morning
At the Bone-Eaters well
We reach here with the help of Ah-Uh, which is surprisingly tamed. And flying around is so convenient that I start to wonder why we're not using him in the first place.
So here I am, back to where everything begins.
Approaching the well to take a peek inside, I find the same old ground and some green vines, nothing changes.
Don't tell me he want me to jump in there again?
Confused, I shift my head back to Sesshomaru and wait for his instruction.
"What are you waiting for?! Hurry up! We don't have all day to watch you daydreaming!"
Jaken urges, trying to push me into the well with his staff.
"You think I didn't try it before?! This method was the very first thing I could think of after getting stuck here."
I shove him aside and moving a few steps back.
"Uhm... If it really doesn't work then... Why don't you stay here with us forever?"
Suddenly Rin pinches the tip of my skirt. Her idea causes both Jaken and I gulp in horror. While I'm trying to think of a proper answer, Jaken has already *saved* me with his.
"No one is going to stay with us forever! Keeping you alone is already troublesome enough, you hear?!"
And I gently pat her head, following along with the annoying little youkai's plan for once in a life time.
"Even though I hate to admit it. Jaken is right, Rin. I really don't want to be a dead weight to the team and beside, I have to go home. Everyone is there waiting for me to return."
Still Rin pleads for me to stay with her. She hugs my leg tightly and is about to cry. "But I don't want you to leave..."
And I can only hug her back. Hoping to calm the girl down, "Please understand, Rin."
"Enough with the chit chat."
Displeased that his time is being wasted into something irrelevant. Sesshomaru gets in between us and shoves me flying straight into the well. And the very last thing I can remember from that nightmarish place is Rin crying for my name, before everything turns into darkness.
..
...
"Gasp...!"
Once finally come back to my senses, I sit up and scan the area. Same old looking wall and hard ground, there is no vines and this place seems to be a little bit darker than before.
Heart beatings fast, throat feels like its burning. I use the cold stone wall to support myself up. Feeling painful everywhere due to the impact from earlier.
Has to be one hell of a fall! That damn Sesshomaru, does it really necessary for him to push me that hard?! How long have I been passed out already?
I look up once again and much to my delight, there is no longer a deep blue sky but some old wooden roof. No birds chirping and more importantly, Jaken isn't at the well's entrance nagging at me.
Could it be that I have returned?! But how?! Wasn't it not working before?!
...But who cares?! I'm getting the heck out of here!
Not wasting any second, I grab my school bag and start climbing. Despite falling for multiple times, arms and legs are screaming in pain. I keep on going since none of this is compared to be home. Imagining seeing my family after so many days feels like a tons of distress just gotten removed from my heart.
I am finally free!
When almost reach to the top, I hear a sound of opened door along with footsteps and my body goes stiff. Slowly, I pull myself up to take a little peek. Only to earn a big scream to the face.
"Kyaa!"
Surprised, I scream as well and loses my balance. As I'm about to fall again, someone catches my hand just in time.
"Senpai!?"
Turn out it's Kagome who has saved me. "Senpai! It is you! What are you doing down there?!"
"First thing first, can you get me out of here please?"
I plead for her help as my muscles are starting to give up. Knowing my weight, I may end up dragging both of us down the hole. While getting pulled out half way however, we are startled by other footsteps at the door.
"Kagome, Nee-chan, what's wrong?!"
Voices of an old man and a young boy are heard and it's easy to guess that they are her family members. Therefore I gesture her to stay quiet and act as normal as she can.
"Grandpa! Sota! What are you guys doing here?"
Having no choice but to follow my idea, Kagome shifts her head back and fakes a smile.
"We ran here cause we heard you scream earlier. What happened?"
Curious, Sota approaches his sister but she stops him. "I-it's nothing! Nothing at all!"
Seeing her bending down in a strange way by the well, her grandpa asks.
"What are you doing, Kagome?"
Face turning pale, Kagome's eyes scan around the place for an excuse before landing on my schoolbag. "I-I dropped my bag down to the well! Y-yeah, that's why I screamed!"
"Really? Jeeze, nee-chan. You should stop overreacting sometimes. Come on, let's go grandpa".
After hearing her lame excuse, Sota wraps his arms behind his head and turns around. Dragging their grandpa along the way. On the other hand, Kagome looks like she's about to throw a tantrum. "Why you…!"
Waiting for them to completely gone out of sight, she helps to me get out again. As I'm still trying to catch a breath from all the big fusses, the girl throws a bunch of questions into my face.
"What's going on, Senpai? Why are you here? How do you know about this well?"
Too tired to think of any excuses, I give in. "Can we talk somewhere else? It's kind of awkward having a conversation here."
"Okay then. Let's go to my room."
Kagome's room.
I explain to her how I fell down into her family's mysterious well and ended up into another world. Removing everything involving with Sesshomaru, Jaken and Rin, or the bloody accident back then.
Fortunately, I have my coat to cover the blood stains on my shirt so that she doesn't notice or getting suspicious. And surprisingly after listening to my crazy story, Kagome reveals that she has also experienced the same thing.
For her to be able to go back to Feudal era like that... Is it one of the shikon no tama's work? Though Kagome seems to be confused by the situation as much as I am.
"At least you're back home safe, Senpai. That's what important."
She assures me that everything is okay now and I nod in relief, but then something hits me.
"Oh no! I have been gone away for days now! My family is going to be worry to death! What should I do?! What am I going to tell them?!"
"Calm down, Senpai. How about you tell them that you stay in my house? That will make things less complicated."
Like a saint, Kagome suggests a brilliant solution to save my life.
"Really?! Can I do that?! Thank you, Kagome-chan! You're my savior!"
Overjoyed, I thank her and she smiles in response.
"It's nothing much."
Kagome's amazed that for such a cool and gentle upperclassman as Shiomi can show so much interesting emotions within a short time.
Before leaving, Kagome reminds me to forget about the incident and continue my life normally. Promising me that it probably won't happen again.
Thinking that it would be the best. I inform her to not return here to visit for a while and Kagome seems to be fine with it, also wishing me to get better soon as we part our ways.
The Sougo's mansion
Once returning home, I am immediately bombarded by a questions, hugs and cries from my mom and my big sister the moment reaching the door. Telling me that my dad eventually having the police force to look for me every where in the city.
At result, I have to think for a tons of excuses to encounter them all at once. It's tough to finally get out of their grips to escape to my room and lock the door. Once safe, I change the uniform into new Pajamas and get rid of the ripped shirt.
Then I check the calendar on the wall. Today is Thursday. That's mean I had gone missing for 3 days straight total. Time went by so fast that I didn't even notice. How scary...
Later on the same day
The dining room, 6 P.M
Wow... what a nice aroma...
I sniff my way down to the dining room and mom greets me with a bunch of my favorite food on the table.
"Shiomi! Just in time. Hurry at take a seat! Mommy cooked a lot of your favorite dishes just for you!"
Completely awed by the sight of food in front of me, I almost drool a river. Still, there are too many of them for me to finish alone.
"Seriously mom, you don't have to. How am I suppose to eat them all in one night?"
If only Rin is here to enjoy these delicious food with me. I wonder what is the girl doing right now? Is she eating properly? Does she miss me?
Wait, what am i thinking?! I shake my head to snap out of the ridiculous thought.
Just as Kagome says, I have to move on with my life. Beside, Sesshomaru is there to take care of her so they won't be needing me nor my help.
That's why, I can't let these false memories win over me now!
"Of course you have to! There is no way I'm letting my daughter getting out of here looking like a dried squid!"
"Mom, i think you extravagant it."
Perhaps she's right. Within those 3 days, the only actual food I could eat was from the bento. Most of the time I and Rin had was any edible berries we could find scattering around the forest.
"Oh don't worry, my dear little sister. I can help you with the dessert!"
Megumi winks at me before snatching away a cup of coffee's jelly next to me and I immediately yank it back from her hand. "No way! That's mine!"
"Hee hee, just kidding! But leave some for me later, okay?"
We laugh at each other when the jelly cup almost slips out of my hand. Then I pass her another dish while putting a mouthful of coffee's jelly into my mouth.
"It's not like I can eat all of these by myself anyway. You can have the others but stay away from the jellies. Got that?"
"Alright, enough fooling around you two. The food is getting cold."
Thinking that I should get myself some time to recover from the journey, I ask for her permission. "By the way mom, can I stay at home this week?"
I sigh in relief when receiving a total approval from her.
"You don't even have to ask honey. It's already been done!"
After dinner
Phew! I ate too much. My stomach is going to explode.
Gently rub my stomach, I head back to my room while deciding what to do next to finish the day. Once turning the doorknob and step inside. There's already a figure waiting for me in my room, sitting by an opened window.
Someone who I would never imagine to meet again ever in my life. Or ever want to...
"Wait, aren't you...Sesshomaru?! Why are you here?!"
But more importantly, how did he even get here in the first place?!
"I am here to take you back to my world."
That crazy silver haired man claims and shoots his cold, death glance at me.
Did he just say what I think he just say?!
I immediately back away. Attempting to make an escape out of the door when he still hasn't noticed.
"M-Mister, I don't know who you are and what you are talking about..."
"Sora," However he appears right by my side like a wind and makes me jump. What the heck?! He's fast!
Wait, Sora?
This the first time I've ever heard him calling me properly by my name. Instead of *You* or *Vermin* or anything that is too ridiculous to address a living human being.
"W-What do you-"
Before I can even finish asking, Sesshomaru has gone straight into the point, "Rin misses you."
Then we pause awkwardly for a moment.
"So... Is that why you want me back?"
I ask him again to confirm that I'm not suffering from any ear problem and he nods.
This guy came all the way here to find me just for Rin? Incredible.
"But how do you know where I live?"
I find it quite off since this guy will never ask a human for direction. Wait... He isn't stalking me, is he?
And his answer turns out to be something that I can never expect. "I followed your scent here."
Following my scent? What are you, a dog?
"Enough fooling around. Are you going to return on your own or I, Sesshomaru will drag you back myself, in one piece or not."
Again having his time wasted over trivial talk, Sesshomaru begins to lose his patience.
I will go on my own. Thank you very much.
Therefore I inform him my arrival to his world in 2 days. And once done with visiting I will return home right away.
"I'm not going to stay in that place ever again. You hear?"
Just a reminder to him, I declare my desire to not spend any more minute in that cursed of a world.
Seems to have agreed with the deal, Sesshomaru jumps out of the window and dashes away into the night sky. Standing from below, I watch him in awe.
Wow, I didn't know he can fly. Not a surprise though, he's a youkai after all.
The next day.
During a foggy night.
"Hmm…about this much should be enough."
Walking through the dark alleyway, I look at the bag of various candies in my hand. Since tonight is quite hot, I have my a sleeveless white shirt with a blue skirt down to my knees and black flat shoes.
I bet she will jump in joy when receiving these! I giggle at the thought, imagining Rin's happy cute little face the moment she receives her treats.
"Excuse me." Out of nowhere, a woman appears in front of me. Despite the street lights are still on, I still cannot see the figure standing in front of me properly due to the thick fogs.
Approaching the stranger, I notice this person is a woman who seems to be around 20. Straight long black hair and wearing a long brown coat down to ankles. Her face is mostly covered with a mask.
All in all, this woman is giving out a bad vibe. Curious about her intention, I ask.
"Hello miss, do you need something?"
"Do I look pretty?"
Needless to say I'm completely taken aback by her random question.
"E-excuse me? What did you just say?"
"Do you think I'm pretty?"
Still, She repeats the same sentence in monotone.
Why does this sound so oddly familiar, haven't I heard of this already?
There's no one around but this weird woman, and she's still standing there waiting for my answer patiently. And what's worse, I can't make a pass because she has completely blocked the way.
Being left with no other option, I just answer what I think is right. "Yes, I think you do."
Hearing so, the woman pulls her face mask off and reveals a mouth to have cut a big long line from left ear to right. Her eyes turns bright red like blood and her glare causes me to flinch in terror.
"How about now?" She grins manically.
Terrified by her messed up face, I can't even open my mouth to answer.
Kuchisake-Onna?! Isn't she only after children? Then why me? Am I that unlucky?!
No time to cry over ill fate, I'd better figure out the right answer or she will slice me in half.
"Well, I think you... look alright...?"
Hearing so the Kuchisake-Onna pauses, seems like it's a correct response.
Thanks for the the tales my friend told me once when I was still in elementary school. It was so popular back then that not even single kid dared to walk home alone. Except I didn't have any problem with it cause my sister was always there with me.
Though my triumph doesn't last long the moment that Kuchisake-Onna takes out a long pair of scissors, which is as big as half of a human body, and approaches me. Her lips mumbling some in-comprehend words that I cannot understand.
What the heck? Wasn't that the right answer?! What's going on!
My face turns pale and I back far away from her. Then I remember the bag in my hand.
Right! The candies! This should be keeping her busy for a while.
Not wasting any second, I throw it at her feet and the candies pour out all over the place. Upon seeing sweets, the woman bends down and collects them while I take my chance to flee to the opposite direction. As fast as possible.
I can't even see where I'm going, but I can't stop now!
After making sure to have left a safe distance, I stop to take a breath. But the moment shifting my head back to check, that black figure from before is rushing toward to my spot in an inhumane speed.
What the-?! How can she run so fast?!
Panicking, I pull myself up and start running again. A short moment passes and I end up bumping into someone at the cross road. Causing both me and that person fall flat onto the hard ground below. Then I hear a familiar yelp. Wait, that voice is…
"Kagome-chan!?"
Nothing can describe how happy I am to find her here, yet at the same time not.
"Ouch... Senpai, why in such a hurry?"
Kagome, who is pink T-shirt and white short pants with sport shoes slowly sits up. Rubbing her butt painfully and help me to get on my feet. "Are you okay?"
As I'm about to explain, heavy footsteps can be heard. No time to rest, I grab the Kagome's hand and drag her along, much to the the girl's confusion.
"Save the talk for later because we have to run! Now!"
"What's going on, senpai? Why are we running?"
I point my thumb at the shadowy figure not so far behind us and Kagome gasps.
Why is there not a single person in this place?! Did everyone turn into air or something?!
"This way!" This time she grabs my hand and be the one to lead. It's quite amazing that she can see so well within the thick fog too.
"Kagome-chan, Where are we going?"
"To the Higurashi shrine!"
Therefore Kagome replies in full confident, which makes it even more terrifying. She's actually thinking of leading a mad youkai into her own house in the middle of the night without even thinking about it twice.
"What?! Are you serious?!"
"Trust me!"
She's not even slowing down nor considering for another escape route, like a police station for example. And I have no choice but to give in.
God, I sure hope Kagome knows what she's doing...
At the Higurashi shrine.
"We're here!"
We both gasping and coughing heavily. Can't believe that I have run straight up to her house without stopping for once. No dying half way cause lacking of air.
Then I turn my gaze back the staircases, only to see that the Kuchisake-Onna has already made her way up to the shrine.
"Alright, she's here too. What now?"
"I'll go grab my bow real quick."
Kagome rushes into her house, leaving me behind in much confusion. Bow? Will that even do any help?
However, Kagome halts in mid way as she remembers something important as well. Oh no! I left my bow at Kaede's hut since I didn't think I would need it here.
Her face turns pale, she bites her thumb's nail in panic. What should I do?!
Now that the woman reaches to the shrine's gate, I scan the area to find a place to hide. Terrified even more that Kagome's still freezing on her spot.
What happened?! Why isn't she moving!?
Taking the advantage that Kagome is letting down her guard, the youkai charges toward her from behind with the scissors in her hand. Aiming to stab Kagome at her heart.
"Watch out!"
Without thinking, I rush to where Kagome is to push her out of the way. End up taking a blow for her.
Kagome falls flat onto the ground and her eyes widened in shock, watching the long scissors goes right though her upperclassman chest and she immediately collapses onto the ground.
"No! Senpai!" The girl rushes to Shiomi's side, sobbing. Her hands tremble once blood begins to pour out of her deep wound. It's impossible for her alone to stop the bleeding.
"It's... already too late...for me. Go..! Before she gets to you too..."
Shiomi pleads for her to to run before her conscious fades. However, Kagome refuses my her last request and insists on staying.
"No way! I'm not going to leave you behind!"
"Idiot.. Right now is really not the time to be stubborn... You know?"
Looking back, the Kuchisake-Onna is only 3 feet away from their spot. She points her bloody scissors at them and ready to charge in. Without any other option, Kagome just shuts her eyes and hugs Shiomi tight, waiting for the impact helplessly.
"Kagome!"
Suddenly Kagome hears his call from afar and within a blink of an eye, he's already standing by her side. "Inuyasha!"
"Oi Kagome! You okay there?!"
Inuyasha asks her and she weakly nods, holding a bloody female body closer. Sobbing out loud. "I-I'm alright but…S-Senpai is..."
"Heh! So there's actually youkai in this world huh? But no matter, you all is going to die under my Tessaiga!"
Inuyasha points his sword at the Kuchisake-Onna in an absolute confidence and dashes forward to strike. Despite having blocked most of his attacks, it can be seen that the woman is in disadvantage. After a bit of struggling between the two, Inuyasha finally ends the fight by slicing her into half and turns the Kuchisake-Onna into black dust.
"Hey, Who's that? Someone you know?"
After sheathing back his sword, he asks Kagome about the girl lying on her lap.
"Y-Yes, she... needed for my help and yet... I-I couldn't save her..."
Kagome caresses Shiomi's stiff, cold face.
"Uh... You know it's not your fault, right? Come on, your crying won't be able to bring her back to life."
Scratches the back of his head, Inuyasha tries to comfort her but ends up causing her to cry even louder. It keeps going on and on that he eventually gives up.
"Arg... fine! Whatever."
Once Kagome's finally calm down, they discuss for a proper explanation before contacting to Shiomi family. Then out of the blue Shiomi starts coughing, gasping for air like crazy. Startled them both almost to death. "Wah!"
Impossible! How can a mere human like her still alive after taking such a deadly blow?!
Having no idea what is happening, Inuyasha stands there watching Kagome helps her sit up speechlessly. Their mouth drop when seeing the huge wound on Shiomi's chest closes by itself and disappears completely.
"W-What in the world?!"
The moment waking up from the death, standing before me is a male teenager in strange red outfit. White long hair and white ears. Despite not looking so tough, he carries a weapon as twice as his size.
And right now he is threatening to slice me in half with that giant sword of his.
"Kagome stand back! This girl could be youkai!"
Pushing Kagome behind his back, he steps forward and about to strike. Completely ignores her countless attempt to stop him. "Let's see how you are going to regenerate with my Tessaiga!"
"W-Wait! I'm not a youkai! You have gotten it wrong!"
Not wanting to get killed again, I plead for my life. Trying to crawl my way away from the crazy guy.
"Osuwari!"
Kagome shouts the word and suddenly, he's dragged down violently to the ground by an unknown force. It seems to hurt a lot as he remains lying there on the floor, unable to move.
When I ask what those words are for, she laughs it off explaining that it's a chant to stop him from unnecessary rampaging. Turns out his name is Inuyasha, one of her companions from the world under the well.
"Well I guess it indeed necessary for someone like him."
Letting out a sigh, I squat down in front of him and notice his pointy dog-like ears. And guess what, they are actually moving on their own, no string or whatsoever. Pointing at the cute little things sitting on his head, I ask.
"Say... are those real dog ears?"
Kagome nods in confirm. As I'm about to touch them to feel the white fur. However, Inuyasha growls and almost bits my hand off. "Shuddup and stay away from my ears!"
"I take my guess that he is a youkai?"
My statement is right and Kagome instantly takes a hold of my hand. Her grip is so strong that i can't even let go.
"I beg you, senpai! Please promise me that you will keep a secret about this. Even though Inuyasha's a youkai, he has saved me from danger many times before. It's just that his attitude is a little bit annoying, that's all"
Sound exactly like some people I've known of. Man, talk about Deja vu...
"Alright, I promise."
I agree to stay silent and suddenly something's rustling under my legs. Feeling weird, we both look down and find Inuyasha crawling around my spot, sniffing at me.
"What the heck! You pervert!"
Without thinking, I smack his head and quickly hide behind Kagome. Avoiding his upcoming wrath.
"And what do you think you are doing? Huh?!"
Kagome saves the day with her deadly glare.
"At first I thought she was human but... There actually exist another smell in her. It's pretty difficult to notice if you don't stand close."
He rubs his head and tries to explain his action. Then Kagome turns to me, she seems to really trust him to the point not even question his strange statement.
"Senpai? What does he mean by that?"
"Actually I'm not really sure about myself... I only know I had this power when I was a child, nothing more."
I fidget at my lame answer. Hoping that they don't think I'm hiding anything from them.
"There's a possibility that you're not human."
Inuyasha throws another statement at me.
Could it be that senpai is somehow related to the other world? That's why she was able to go through the well? After spending a while consideration, Kagome suggests me to go to the strange world beyond the old well with her for further investigation.
"I'm sure we would be able to help."
While I'm still considering her offer. Inuyasha jumps in between us and strongly objects.
"Wait, Kagome! You know that we still have many other businesses to take care of, right!? This girl will only be a nuisance if she tags along!"
Then another chants happens and Inuyasha kisses the ground, Kagome turns to me and smiles brightly. "Please don't mind him, Senpai. So what will you do?"
Still, I refuse her offer. "You see, I enjoy my current life here and I want to keep it that way."
While Kagome looks disappointed, Inuyasha celebrates in joy.
"Heh, at least she's smart. Still knowing her own limit!"
Even though I hate to admit it. Inuyasha isn't wrong, at all. If there really something important that Kagome has to take care of in that world, then I seriously don't want to hold them down cause of my weakness.
"I-nu-ya-sha." Kagome's body bursts into hell flame, growing fangs and hair starts floating, her glare is so terrifying that his face turns into a hundred layers of pale. "Ack!"
"H-hey Kagome-chan. It's okay. I don't mind at all so don't get too angry."
I ease her, hoping not to cause another fuss and leave the guy another chance to live. Figure that it's already passed midnight and I have to get home. However my shirt is completely messed up.
"This is bad, I can't go back like this. My mom is going to kill me if she finds out what happens today!"
Fortunately, Kagome has an extra one to lend back in her room. Once done changing my shirt, we return outside and gather in front of the shrine's gate. There, she asks me one more time about my decision and I decide to keep it like before.
"Are you sure you don't want us to walk you back?"
Kagome insists on taking me home, her face shows concern.
"Yeah, I'll be fine. It's not like there will be another Kuchisake-Onna chasing after me."
Not wanting her to be worried over too many trivial things, I laugh it off and she pouts.
"Please don't say that. Be careful okay?"
Once I disappear out of their sight. Kagome turns to Inuyasha with a not-so-happy face.
"You idiot! It's your fault! You made her upset!"
Her sudden outburst causes Inuyasha to flinch in surprise. Though he soon gets back onto his feet and resists.
"Whaddaya mean it's my fault?! All I did was telling the truth!"
"You don't understand anything! She's obviously mad at me now! Do you know how much I want to be friend with her?! You ruined everything!"
Kagome takes it all out on on him and Inuyasha's eyebrow begins to twitch in annoyance. Having no single grip of what a modern human girl's feeling and thinking are or whatsoever.
"And how am I suppose to know that?! If she doesn't want to be your friend anymore then leave her! What's so hard about that?!"
Plus there's no real reason for him to care such irrelevant things.
"You…you...Why do you always have to act like a jerk?!"
"Who are you calling a jerk! You bitch!
"Osuwari!"
"Bwegh!"
"Osuwari! Osuwari! (x10)"
"S-t-o-p…t-h-a-t"
..
...
The next day
In the morning
Since today is the promised day, in my usual school uniform I sneak into the Bone-Eaters well again. While cursing myself to stop doing this behind Kagome's back.
Upon seeing me, Rin greets with a tight hug and the biggest smile I've ever seen.
"Onee-chan, you're back!"
"Yes, I'm back. Have you been well?"
I gently pat her head and the girl nods excitedly.
"Hmph! That brat hasn't stop whining and throwing tantrum everywhere ever since you left!"
Jaken furiously stomps his tiny feet onto the ground, pouting. And Sesshomaru, who has been watching our reunion from afar.
Building up all courage, I slowly approach the man. Hesitating for a moment before asking.
"Sesshomaru-sama, Will it be okay for me to come with you?"