Author's Note: We got to review 100! Past it even! Great job everyone, and keep those reviews coming. Sorry it took a little longer than expected to update, but I was busy these past two weeks. Anyway, hope you like this chapter, and don't forget: if you stop reviewing; I stop writing. Enjoy!

Foxterr's Review Answers:

Shadow Heart: Thanks for reviewing because I really appreciate your opinion. Yes, it is very strange that Sango is a 'stay at home mom,' but she cares about her children, and wants to be there for them. She can't just leave them in the hut while she goes off looking for demons to kill, can she? As for Sesshomaru and Jakken being off… Well, this is fanfiction isn't it? I do my best. Thanks again for reviewing!

Disclaimer: 1. the repudiating or denying of a claim; disavowal.  2. a statement made to save one's own ass.  (Random House College Dictionary and the movie Dogma)

Way Worn Chapter 11: Dreams and Kisses

It wasn't just dark around her; it was hollow. With her knees to her chest, and her arms wrapped around her legs for security, she sighed softly, her eyes darting amid the darkness for movement. Where was she? Had she died?

No.

            She was not dead, but she was not living either. Her breath quickened, as she felt the walls starting to close in around her, but there were no walls. What was happening?

            The pink light started out dim, just a speck in the shadows. But it grew, and it hurt her eyes to look at something so bright among the darkness. It darted here and there at first, like a firefly on a summer evening. This familiar memory helped her to stand. Something she knew… Something that she remembered…

            She quickly found that every time she took a step forward, the light moved back. She choked back sobs that rose in her throat.

"Where are you going?"

            The feel of her voice and the familiar sound of it helped her to move on towards the light.

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            "Nikomi? Can you hear me? Say something else!" Dayu spoke to the almost lifeless body of the female hanyou hanging limply in his arms. She had been silent for the past hour or so, without stirring or muttering incoherent nonsense. But Dayu could tell that she was still restless. Her closed eyelids continued to flutter and her breathing was quick.

"Where are you going?"

            He had heard her clearly. It was the first thing she had said in almost a day, but she was still unconscious. Her lips were moving now, but no sound came out. Dayu lowered his face close to hers in an attempt to hear her. All he found was her warm breath on his cheek.

            "Come on, hanyou! We're very close to the sword master!" A very twitchy and nervous toad demon announced, louder than necessary.

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            The light had spoken; two words that startled and confused her. Who was the Sword Master? Was the light leading her to him? It was so strange… This hollow world frightened her.

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            "Miroku…" InuYasha could smell the monk's scent. The wind was blowing from behind the hanyou this morning, and it carried the scent of Miroku on it. "Why is he following me?" the hanyou muttered to himself, "There's nothing he can do."

            'You're wrong…' The wind told him, 'The monk will help the girl… Because, when the time comes, she will save all of your lives…"

            InuYasha paused for a moment, perking his ears up. Did the wind speak to him, or was he simply going crazy?

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            "Come here!" She yelled furiously at the pink light. It continued to move away from her, forcing her tired legs to step further into the never-ending darkness. She paused for a moment, her breath coming in short gasps. She felt her silver hair falling around her face, and angrily pushed it back. With a sigh, she straightened and took another step towards the light.

            Suddenly, the light stopped flittering this way and that, and stopped moving away from her. In fact, it grew. It grew until she could see an image appearing inside of it. There was a white space, bright and cheerful.

            With tentative fingers, she reached out to touch the light, but pulled her hand away. Her fingers had gone through into the other space. How was that possible? Carefully, she reached out again. The light felt warm against her hand, but her fingers felt cold.

            Hope burned inside of her. Hope that she could make it out of this dark hell. Pushing away all of her fears, she stepped through the light.

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            "What the hell is wrong with her?!" Jakken screeched at Dayu as he hopped around the hanyou. Dayu shook his head as he laid down a wildly thrashing and screaming Nikomi.

            "I wish I knew…"

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            Her skin was burning. It felt like fire was consumer her entire body. And then… It was pleasantly calm.

            There was white all around her, but it was not menacing as the shadows had been. It was cheerful, and a welcome change to her frightened mind. Turning around, she saw the light, and watched as it became small, darting about like a firefly, again. It whirled around her in circles, and then went off into the space.

            And there was Dayu. His short, black hair framing his gentle face, and his ragged wolf ears perked up. He walked over to her with a smile on his face. She knew that smile, and it comforted her to see it again. His amber eyes sparkly joyously at her as he held out the pink light in his hands. She watched him, curiously.

            "Come back to me, Nikomi. Come back home," He whispered. His words sent shivers down her spine. She could feel her limbs tingling with excitement.

            Grinning still, Dayu stepped towards her, the pink light disappearing from his hands, and touched her cheek gently. She felt her breath catch in her throat, as her heartbeat sped up.

            Slowly, he lowered his mouth upon hers for a gentle kiss.

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            Nikomi opened her eyes only to find Dayu in her arms. Their lips were together, and she felt as though lightning bolts were coursing through her body.

            "Nikomi?" He mumbled against her lips, pulling away slightly. The female hanyou managed a weak smile.

            "I'm okay…" She whispered to him, keeping her grip around his neck tight. He sat up, bringing her with him, but stopped when he saw her wince. The pain inside was unlike anything she had ever felt before. "…For now" She muttered.

            "The sword master is not far away!" Jakken grinned evilly to himself as he announced the news, "A few more hours and we'll be there!"

            Dayu looked into Nikomi's eyes, his gaze holding a love that she could not see, "Will you be alright until then?" He asked her. Nikomi nodded as the male hanyou picked her up to continue their journey to save her life.

Extra Author's Note: This chapter was a little strange, I know. But I just finished watching an episode of 'Serial Experiments: Lain,' and it got me in the mood to write something a little weird. If you've ever seen that anime, you know what I'm talking about. I'm still confused… @_@. Anyway, Fluffy will be interacting with our two main characters in the next chapter, and a major dilemma for Dayu coming up (Not to mention more fluff between Nikomi and him.) Review and stay tuned!