Wow! I opened my mailbox, only to find nine new reviews!!! I'm so happy!!
In light of those reviews (and not to mention the fabulous snow day
Spotsylvania County Schools (Virginia) received) I think I'll write this
chapter early:)
Aww! Tinuviel called me Subdued Truth-san!! That's so sweet!
Thanks to Fireflower, XxDarkGoddessxX, Mika, Groovy Dudette, Tinuviel ;P, Nebula, Jessica, dstrbd child, and FallenAzrealPenemue for reviewing chapter 4!!
Okay, Okay, now time for the story!
Mind you all, I have a terrible case of writer's block, what with midterms looming ominously around the corner, so this chapter, in my opinion, really bites monkey butt.
I hope at least you enjoy.
Kagome opened her eyes to blackness with a terrified and shrill scream. Everyone is dead!! Shippo! Sango! Miroku! The whole village!! Dead!
Her heart raced and she was breathing like a rabbit. And suddenly she realized that she was sitting upright, against something cold.
The well!
She breathed in deeply, and put her hand over her heart. It was all a dream...
Just a terrible, horrifying dream...
Her hand reached up to wipe her sweaty face, and also to wipe the tears that had erupted from her eyes when she 'saw' Shippo die.
The happiness she felt swelled like a balloon.
'They are all alive! No one's hurt!'
(A/n: Oh come ON!! Did any of you REALLY think I'd kill Shippo? *Covers her eyes * I thought you had faith in me! What kind of story lets Shippo, or anyone else important for that matter, die?? Besides, Shippo likes to play with my muse! She would be very angry if I took him away from her ^_^)
"Oh my god...oh my god..." she whispered wearily as she patted her heart with her hand, and tried to forget the images in her dream. Besides, Inuyasha would NEVER EVER do that!! Yeah, he acted all tough and threatened to kill Shippo almost daily, but she was absolutely certain that he would never become true to his claim!
It had hurt. The pain of loss she felt during her dream was so lifelike, and it hurt...terribly.
Now that she wasn't hyperventilating, and her heart rate had returned to its normal, steady pace, her thoughts once again turned to the solution of getting out of this stupid well.
"I wonder how long I've slept..." she whispered to herself.
She glanced upward. The sky was still dark. That either meant it was still the same night, or she, in her weariness, had slept through the next day, and awoken the next night.
She sighed deeply, the musky air of still-decaying bones filled her lungs as she inhaled again.
'I should've remembered my handy little book-light.' Now she couldn't even read. The only thing Kagome Higurashi could do was to sit in the bone- eater's well, waiting for her food supplies to slowly dwindle, and she would gradually starve to death. That would take awhile, but it would still happen.
Her thoughts turned sardonic as she thought of Inuyasha.
"Probably with Kikyo again." She muttered.
Kagome yawned. No matter how long she slept these days, she always ended up so exhausted.
Just as she started to doze off again, a tiny-yet-energetic voice called to her from above.
"Kagome!! What are you doing down there?!"
Kagome's eyes widened. Shippo! She looked up and saw his confused, but happy face staring down at her, pushing his orange hair out of eyes.
"Shippo! The vine isn't here anymore! I can't get out. Can-"
Kagome slapped her hand over her mouth when she realized what she was saying. Her dream!! This is EXACTLY how her dream started! Was it coming true?
In fear that it was, Kagome didn't want to say anything more; she desperately wanted to change what had happened.
So she started again. "Umm...the vine is gone. Shippo, could you find me another one and toss it over the side?"
Maybe that would work. Anything but sending him to the village. She knew what would happen if she did.
"Sure! I'll be right back! Don't worry Kagome, I'll get you outta there!" The kitsune squeaked and disappeared.
Kagome breathed a sigh of relief. No one was going to die if she could help it!
Suddenly, a dark green vine dropped into the well, and dangled in front of her face.
"Here ya go!"
Hurrah! Kagome scrambled up, and heaved her heavy backpack onto her shoulders. Squinting up, and then down again, Kagome reached out her hand and grabbed the rope substitute, proceeding to climb up the dingy wall.
"Hey runt, whatcha doin'?"
Kagome narrowed her eyes. Wasn't that...?
"Kagome's stuck at the bottom of the well. I'm helping her out." Answered Shippo proudly.
"Feh. Stupid girl."
Kagome rolled her eyes. She only knew of one person that would include a 'feh' in every spoken sentence.
She sighed and climbed up slowly, careful not to lose her footing against the slime.
Suddenly, she heard hurried shuffling, and a sword's steel sing against its scabbard.
Kagome's eyes widened in fear. No!!!! Her dream was still coming true, no matter what she did!! With this, she struggled to clamber up faster.
"Yaaaaaahhhhhhh!!" an angry yell rang out from above. Her Shippo! He was going to die if she didn't do something.
Kagome was just under the top of the well when she screamed, "Inuyasha!! Noooo!"
With a frustrated yank, she pulled herself up and out of the well. In a quick sweep, her eyes surveyed the scene.
Inuyasha stood about 20 yards from her, and he was covered in blood.
"Inuyasha!! SIT!!!!!"
With the magic word uttered, his face planted itself firmly to the ground, perhaps a little harder with Kagome's more-than-forceful yell.
Kagome stumbled hastily towards Shippo, who lay unmoving on the ground. "No, Shippo, No!" She flipped him over gently, only to find that he wasn't bleeding either. Kagome was slightly confused.
What was going on?
As soon as the rosary's magic wore off, she turned to Inuyasha, who was just getting himself off of the ground.
"What the hell was that for?!" He cried angrily.
Kagome was dazed. "What happened?"
Inuyasha growled. "He told me he was 'rescuing' you, and a demon attacked him! See?!"
He pointed a ways away, where the remains of a giant, multiple-eyed centipede demon lay. "I'm telling the truth!"
Kagome looked for something shoot back. "Why is Shippo unconscious then?" she retorted. Inuyasha frowned. "He was about to get snatched! I had to kick him out of the way!! Musta kicked too hard though..." He yelled, which turned to a mumble.
"Oh..." "Feh!" he replied with crossed arms.
Kagome was half pleased, and half mystified. She was certainly glad Inuyasha hadn't killed him, but found it was odd that he saved the little demon's life. 'Kagome! How could you think otherwise?'
It was obvious that even though he denied it, the little kitsune had grown on him.
"Ugn.." Shippo murmured from his place on the ground.
"Shippo! Are you okay?" asked Kagome worriedly.
He rubbed his head. "Yeah. Inuyasha saved me." Kagome regarded him with soft eyes. "I know."
They both looked up to thank Inuyasha, but he had leapt into the forest before he could encounter an uncomfortably awkward moment.
Kagome sighed. Typical Inu...
"Kagome?"
"Yes Shippo?"
"I'm hungry."
Kagome chuckled softly. Some things change, but others don't. She raised her head to nod at the newly risen sun, set ablaze low in the sky.
"Well, what would you like for breakfast then?"
Shippo frowned in concentration, and twitched his tail, rather like a squirrel did. Kagome giggled at his cuteness.
"Umm...fix us something from your time! Like that bayy-cun."
Kagome smiled and nodded. "Bacon it is! Would you like some eggs and toast to go along with that?"
"Yes please!"
"Let's go then."
Kagome picked up Shippo, and set off towards Kaede's village, carrying the kitsune like an infant human.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"That breakfast was wonderful Lady Kagome!"
Kagome smiled in return. "Thank you Miroku!"
The sounds of shuffling and clanking could be heard as plates and chopsticks were cleared away, and other after-breakfast chores ensued.
After she had done her part, Sango had a little time to wonder about the shard hunting.
"Kagome? When is Inuyasha coming back? He missed breakfast."
Kagome was mind was stirring with thoughts. Since he didn't show up like usual, there must be something very wrong. Normally, he would come, eat more than his fair share of the food, and then leave before anyone could pin cleaning duties on him. And then he had the nerve to come back, announcing that they were all too slow, and there were shards to be found.
Someone would point out that if he had helped, they could have cleaned up and gotten ready much faster.
The comment would then be tastefully ignored.
Only when Inuyasha didn't eat, was there something troubling him.
Kagome turned her head in Sango's direction. "I don't know Sango. I don't know."
Without Inuyasha pressing the group onwards, there really was no rush of motivation to go anywhere.
The sunshine was warmly smiling at the little village, and the birds were lazily chirping from their shady perches.
It was the kind of day that made you just smile, and close your eyes sleepily, soaking up the sun like a sponge.
The flowers were out in bloom, and the lush forest swayed cheerfully. Yes, Kagome may love snow dearly, but summer was definitely her most favorite time of the year.
It was noonish. The group had a chance to actually taste the food this morning, instead of always trying to steal their own away from the hoard of Inuyasha.
No, today they ate slowly and thoughtfully, enjoying the fresh air of a summer's day, and vaguely imagining Naraku's end. They had yet to defeat him, but the time was drawing near. Poor Miroku. His hand was getting worse.
Sometimes, the rosary would slip, and once, he had almost accidentally sucked up Sango. He had spent a week after avoiding Sango in his own shame, and actually left, only to come back after Sango went looking for him.
Kagome smiled. Even though the both of them denied it, they were slowly falling in love with each other. Maybe Sango more than Miroku.
Miroku was always courteous to Sango, was the one who always saved her in dangerous situations.
Kagome wished that Inuyasha could be nicer to her, at least show her she was worth more than just a shard detector to him.
Kagome's thoughts turned downcast. No. He only loved Kikyo.
Kagome shook herself out of wistful thoughts, and turned to the group, who noticed she was going to speak.
"Well, I guess we can just have a free day."
(A/n: something every student wishes their teacher would say! ^_^)
Shippo cheered, and Miroku smiled.
"In that case, I'm going to go to the hot springs nearby. I need a long bath," replied Sango happily. Miroku gave an odd little smile. Sango noticed this and shot him a don't-you-dare! Look.
Kagome nodded. "See you later Sango."
With that, Sango borrowed Kagome's enormous 2-in-1-shampoo bottle, body scrub, and a large beach towel, and walked briskly down the marked path down to the hot springs.
A few minutes after, Miroku casually strolled in the direction of the path.
Kagome saw, but acted like she didn't notice.
'I'm so sorry Sango.' She thought with a guilty conscience. She just didn't have enough strength or patience to baby-sit Miroku today. Besides, she had other things to do.
Kagome opened her backpack and dug around for a few of her textbooks, and a notebook she had stuffed in at home.
Shippo skipped over to her happily. "Kagome? Whatcha doin'?"
Kagome squinted at the tiny writing in her geometry book. "Homework." She replied firmly.
Shippo's tail drooped instantly. Even the word was foreign to him, it's meaning had been learned. 'Homework' meant 'no playing right now, I'm busy'. He sighed. He WAS going to ask Kagome to go play with him, but her homework had denied him of attention.
Kagome was lying on her stomach, erasing furiously on the piece of paper. After many uncomfortable positions, she had resorted to a blanket, and the sun on her back.
Shippo decided he was too full to play anyway, and the sun's song had finally gotten to him. He plopped down on top of her back, and drifted into sleep peacefully, using Kagome's silky hair as a fragrant pillow.
So, all was well that morning. But as we all know too soundly, good things always come to an end, no matter how much you want the moment to last.
Ah yes..I told you it sucked monkey butt! Man, after writing about the sun all those times, I feel reeeeeeaaally sleepy! *yawn* jeez this chapter was boring! But I hope that all of you who read it review anyway! Please???????????????
And let me ask some of you a question:
Did you SERIOUSLY think I'd kill everybody off?????!!
I'm soo disappointed! Oh well. I guess I shouldn't have cut it off like that...
Til next time..c-ya!
Aww! Tinuviel called me Subdued Truth-san!! That's so sweet!
Thanks to Fireflower, XxDarkGoddessxX, Mika, Groovy Dudette, Tinuviel ;P, Nebula, Jessica, dstrbd child, and FallenAzrealPenemue for reviewing chapter 4!!
Okay, Okay, now time for the story!
Mind you all, I have a terrible case of writer's block, what with midterms looming ominously around the corner, so this chapter, in my opinion, really bites monkey butt.
I hope at least you enjoy.
Kagome opened her eyes to blackness with a terrified and shrill scream. Everyone is dead!! Shippo! Sango! Miroku! The whole village!! Dead!
Her heart raced and she was breathing like a rabbit. And suddenly she realized that she was sitting upright, against something cold.
The well!
She breathed in deeply, and put her hand over her heart. It was all a dream...
Just a terrible, horrifying dream...
Her hand reached up to wipe her sweaty face, and also to wipe the tears that had erupted from her eyes when she 'saw' Shippo die.
The happiness she felt swelled like a balloon.
'They are all alive! No one's hurt!'
(A/n: Oh come ON!! Did any of you REALLY think I'd kill Shippo? *Covers her eyes * I thought you had faith in me! What kind of story lets Shippo, or anyone else important for that matter, die?? Besides, Shippo likes to play with my muse! She would be very angry if I took him away from her ^_^)
"Oh my god...oh my god..." she whispered wearily as she patted her heart with her hand, and tried to forget the images in her dream. Besides, Inuyasha would NEVER EVER do that!! Yeah, he acted all tough and threatened to kill Shippo almost daily, but she was absolutely certain that he would never become true to his claim!
It had hurt. The pain of loss she felt during her dream was so lifelike, and it hurt...terribly.
Now that she wasn't hyperventilating, and her heart rate had returned to its normal, steady pace, her thoughts once again turned to the solution of getting out of this stupid well.
"I wonder how long I've slept..." she whispered to herself.
She glanced upward. The sky was still dark. That either meant it was still the same night, or she, in her weariness, had slept through the next day, and awoken the next night.
She sighed deeply, the musky air of still-decaying bones filled her lungs as she inhaled again.
'I should've remembered my handy little book-light.' Now she couldn't even read. The only thing Kagome Higurashi could do was to sit in the bone- eater's well, waiting for her food supplies to slowly dwindle, and she would gradually starve to death. That would take awhile, but it would still happen.
Her thoughts turned sardonic as she thought of Inuyasha.
"Probably with Kikyo again." She muttered.
Kagome yawned. No matter how long she slept these days, she always ended up so exhausted.
Just as she started to doze off again, a tiny-yet-energetic voice called to her from above.
"Kagome!! What are you doing down there?!"
Kagome's eyes widened. Shippo! She looked up and saw his confused, but happy face staring down at her, pushing his orange hair out of eyes.
"Shippo! The vine isn't here anymore! I can't get out. Can-"
Kagome slapped her hand over her mouth when she realized what she was saying. Her dream!! This is EXACTLY how her dream started! Was it coming true?
In fear that it was, Kagome didn't want to say anything more; she desperately wanted to change what had happened.
So she started again. "Umm...the vine is gone. Shippo, could you find me another one and toss it over the side?"
Maybe that would work. Anything but sending him to the village. She knew what would happen if she did.
"Sure! I'll be right back! Don't worry Kagome, I'll get you outta there!" The kitsune squeaked and disappeared.
Kagome breathed a sigh of relief. No one was going to die if she could help it!
Suddenly, a dark green vine dropped into the well, and dangled in front of her face.
"Here ya go!"
Hurrah! Kagome scrambled up, and heaved her heavy backpack onto her shoulders. Squinting up, and then down again, Kagome reached out her hand and grabbed the rope substitute, proceeding to climb up the dingy wall.
"Hey runt, whatcha doin'?"
Kagome narrowed her eyes. Wasn't that...?
"Kagome's stuck at the bottom of the well. I'm helping her out." Answered Shippo proudly.
"Feh. Stupid girl."
Kagome rolled her eyes. She only knew of one person that would include a 'feh' in every spoken sentence.
She sighed and climbed up slowly, careful not to lose her footing against the slime.
Suddenly, she heard hurried shuffling, and a sword's steel sing against its scabbard.
Kagome's eyes widened in fear. No!!!! Her dream was still coming true, no matter what she did!! With this, she struggled to clamber up faster.
"Yaaaaaahhhhhhh!!" an angry yell rang out from above. Her Shippo! He was going to die if she didn't do something.
Kagome was just under the top of the well when she screamed, "Inuyasha!! Noooo!"
With a frustrated yank, she pulled herself up and out of the well. In a quick sweep, her eyes surveyed the scene.
Inuyasha stood about 20 yards from her, and he was covered in blood.
"Inuyasha!! SIT!!!!!"
With the magic word uttered, his face planted itself firmly to the ground, perhaps a little harder with Kagome's more-than-forceful yell.
Kagome stumbled hastily towards Shippo, who lay unmoving on the ground. "No, Shippo, No!" She flipped him over gently, only to find that he wasn't bleeding either. Kagome was slightly confused.
What was going on?
As soon as the rosary's magic wore off, she turned to Inuyasha, who was just getting himself off of the ground.
"What the hell was that for?!" He cried angrily.
Kagome was dazed. "What happened?"
Inuyasha growled. "He told me he was 'rescuing' you, and a demon attacked him! See?!"
He pointed a ways away, where the remains of a giant, multiple-eyed centipede demon lay. "I'm telling the truth!"
Kagome looked for something shoot back. "Why is Shippo unconscious then?" she retorted. Inuyasha frowned. "He was about to get snatched! I had to kick him out of the way!! Musta kicked too hard though..." He yelled, which turned to a mumble.
"Oh..." "Feh!" he replied with crossed arms.
Kagome was half pleased, and half mystified. She was certainly glad Inuyasha hadn't killed him, but found it was odd that he saved the little demon's life. 'Kagome! How could you think otherwise?'
It was obvious that even though he denied it, the little kitsune had grown on him.
"Ugn.." Shippo murmured from his place on the ground.
"Shippo! Are you okay?" asked Kagome worriedly.
He rubbed his head. "Yeah. Inuyasha saved me." Kagome regarded him with soft eyes. "I know."
They both looked up to thank Inuyasha, but he had leapt into the forest before he could encounter an uncomfortably awkward moment.
Kagome sighed. Typical Inu...
"Kagome?"
"Yes Shippo?"
"I'm hungry."
Kagome chuckled softly. Some things change, but others don't. She raised her head to nod at the newly risen sun, set ablaze low in the sky.
"Well, what would you like for breakfast then?"
Shippo frowned in concentration, and twitched his tail, rather like a squirrel did. Kagome giggled at his cuteness.
"Umm...fix us something from your time! Like that bayy-cun."
Kagome smiled and nodded. "Bacon it is! Would you like some eggs and toast to go along with that?"
"Yes please!"
"Let's go then."
Kagome picked up Shippo, and set off towards Kaede's village, carrying the kitsune like an infant human.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"That breakfast was wonderful Lady Kagome!"
Kagome smiled in return. "Thank you Miroku!"
The sounds of shuffling and clanking could be heard as plates and chopsticks were cleared away, and other after-breakfast chores ensued.
After she had done her part, Sango had a little time to wonder about the shard hunting.
"Kagome? When is Inuyasha coming back? He missed breakfast."
Kagome was mind was stirring with thoughts. Since he didn't show up like usual, there must be something very wrong. Normally, he would come, eat more than his fair share of the food, and then leave before anyone could pin cleaning duties on him. And then he had the nerve to come back, announcing that they were all too slow, and there were shards to be found.
Someone would point out that if he had helped, they could have cleaned up and gotten ready much faster.
The comment would then be tastefully ignored.
Only when Inuyasha didn't eat, was there something troubling him.
Kagome turned her head in Sango's direction. "I don't know Sango. I don't know."
Without Inuyasha pressing the group onwards, there really was no rush of motivation to go anywhere.
The sunshine was warmly smiling at the little village, and the birds were lazily chirping from their shady perches.
It was the kind of day that made you just smile, and close your eyes sleepily, soaking up the sun like a sponge.
The flowers were out in bloom, and the lush forest swayed cheerfully. Yes, Kagome may love snow dearly, but summer was definitely her most favorite time of the year.
It was noonish. The group had a chance to actually taste the food this morning, instead of always trying to steal their own away from the hoard of Inuyasha.
No, today they ate slowly and thoughtfully, enjoying the fresh air of a summer's day, and vaguely imagining Naraku's end. They had yet to defeat him, but the time was drawing near. Poor Miroku. His hand was getting worse.
Sometimes, the rosary would slip, and once, he had almost accidentally sucked up Sango. He had spent a week after avoiding Sango in his own shame, and actually left, only to come back after Sango went looking for him.
Kagome smiled. Even though the both of them denied it, they were slowly falling in love with each other. Maybe Sango more than Miroku.
Miroku was always courteous to Sango, was the one who always saved her in dangerous situations.
Kagome wished that Inuyasha could be nicer to her, at least show her she was worth more than just a shard detector to him.
Kagome's thoughts turned downcast. No. He only loved Kikyo.
Kagome shook herself out of wistful thoughts, and turned to the group, who noticed she was going to speak.
"Well, I guess we can just have a free day."
(A/n: something every student wishes their teacher would say! ^_^)
Shippo cheered, and Miroku smiled.
"In that case, I'm going to go to the hot springs nearby. I need a long bath," replied Sango happily. Miroku gave an odd little smile. Sango noticed this and shot him a don't-you-dare! Look.
Kagome nodded. "See you later Sango."
With that, Sango borrowed Kagome's enormous 2-in-1-shampoo bottle, body scrub, and a large beach towel, and walked briskly down the marked path down to the hot springs.
A few minutes after, Miroku casually strolled in the direction of the path.
Kagome saw, but acted like she didn't notice.
'I'm so sorry Sango.' She thought with a guilty conscience. She just didn't have enough strength or patience to baby-sit Miroku today. Besides, she had other things to do.
Kagome opened her backpack and dug around for a few of her textbooks, and a notebook she had stuffed in at home.
Shippo skipped over to her happily. "Kagome? Whatcha doin'?"
Kagome squinted at the tiny writing in her geometry book. "Homework." She replied firmly.
Shippo's tail drooped instantly. Even the word was foreign to him, it's meaning had been learned. 'Homework' meant 'no playing right now, I'm busy'. He sighed. He WAS going to ask Kagome to go play with him, but her homework had denied him of attention.
Kagome was lying on her stomach, erasing furiously on the piece of paper. After many uncomfortable positions, she had resorted to a blanket, and the sun on her back.
Shippo decided he was too full to play anyway, and the sun's song had finally gotten to him. He plopped down on top of her back, and drifted into sleep peacefully, using Kagome's silky hair as a fragrant pillow.
So, all was well that morning. But as we all know too soundly, good things always come to an end, no matter how much you want the moment to last.
Ah yes..I told you it sucked monkey butt! Man, after writing about the sun all those times, I feel reeeeeeaaally sleepy! *yawn* jeez this chapter was boring! But I hope that all of you who read it review anyway! Please???????????????
And let me ask some of you a question:
Did you SERIOUSLY think I'd kill everybody off?????!!
I'm soo disappointed! Oh well. I guess I shouldn't have cut it off like that...
Til next time..c-ya!