Passage of Time

by CrystalBlueSeraph

When a little boy disappeared on a field trip aboard the historic brig SHIKON, psychic Kagome Higurashi knew she was the only one who could find him, which lead her through an invisible portal - and into another dimention...

1. Prologue

In The Passage of Time

By CrystalBlueSeraph

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of Inuyasha and the main plot of this story. I just want to write it down for everybody to read. Enjoy.

Prologue

SPRING, 1815

"Take whatever can be hauled by cargo wagon to my shipyard. I want it there at midnight Monday – you understand?"

"Aye, sir."

"Do you swear on your life that no one else knows of this?" His lantern cast a flickering shadow across the deserted beach, illuminating the bow of the shipwrecked brig and the sharp talons he possess that can easily snuff the life off of the sailor he's addressing.

"Not a one, sir. She blowed up here last night during the storm. Full sails and all, sir. Thar weren't a soul aboard. Gone, all of em. The ship is cursed, she is. I heard old salts spinnin' yarns about her for years – mysterious deaths and vanishings of shipmates. But never the whole crew before, sir."

"Enough! Do you think I haven't heard the rumors as well? Why in the devil's name do you think I want your work kept secret? I intend to use her piece by piece to repair other damaged vessels. Now that the blockade has been lifted, the demand for materials to build new ships has exceeded beyond my grasp. I cannot compete with half-dozen other builders on the Shikon who have the means to meet the costs. Salvaging her is the answer to my prayers."

"Prayers, sir?"

"Indeed – I have needed a turn-of-the-luck for some time now. I appears to have happened."

"What if the curse she carried goes with these boards and timbers to the other ships, sir? What then?"

"Nonsense. It is all nothing but superstition, my boy. I don't believe a bit of it. Not one of the ships to leave my dock will be haunted by the history on this ill-fated brig. Now – do not question me again Jaken and carry out my orders."

"No one will learn the truth from me, sir."

"Keep it that way and you will not need to be looking over you shoulder the rest of your life."

"Aye, sir."

"Monday – midnight."

"Aye, sir. Have a safe journey back to Shikon, sir."

"I intend to." Extinguishing the lantern light, he turned to leave, then paused. "On the off chance anyone should happen by while you are working on her, it might be wise to destroy any evidence of her name."

"Consider it done, sir."