Author's Note: Here's Ch. 3, this was a hard chapter for me to write,
because it's a transition part of the story. But I finally got started on
it and made it through. I hope you guys will like it. I would like to thank
my beta once again for taking the time to edit.
Disclaimer: Covers her face behind her hands and shakes her head sadly.
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The Lost Jewel
Chapter Three
Uncovering the Secrets: Part Two
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Kagome felt herself being lifted up and being carried, but she couldn't open her eyes. Well she could... But she was afraid too. She knew who was carrying her back to the camp.
It was him, she could tell. The more time she spent with him, the more she learned more about him. She wanted so desperately to move her head away from his chest and away from the scent of his aftershave, because she was feeling a certain tickle in her stomach that she had never felt before.
She felt herself being lower to the ground and set down on a sleeping bag, mostly like hers, she thought. She still kept her eyes closed. She could feel his hand brush over her forehead as he checked her temperature.
Her heart started beating faster. She could feel his breathing; he was close to her, a little too close... She had guessed that he leaned down to her face. "Kagome? Are you awake?" He whispered. His breath tickled her ear; she focused hard on keeping a still face despite what her heart was doing.
Kagome turned to her side a bit so she wouldn't have to see his face. She opened her eyes slowly but didn't say anything. Inuyasha tucked the blanket around Kagome and left only to see her back. When he left she sat up and looked around. She was in her tent, alone.
She looked down and saw that the book and the bracelet were placed to her side. She picked up the book and flipped open the pages. They were blank... She checked twice and closed it and opened it again just to make sure.
It was still blank. She panicked not understanding what was going on. "They were here, last night... The writings..." She closed the book and placed it in her lap. She picked up the bracelet and saw that it was also plain. There were no writings, just a silver chain interwoven with silvery white hair. She touched the hair and found it to be soft. She knitted her brows together trying to understand what was going on. She placed the bracelet on top of the book and fell back onto her sleeping bag thinking...
She could hear the voices outside her tent of her friends and partners.
"Is Kagome okay?"
"Where did you find her?"
"... What was she doing out there?"
"What should we do?"
Inuyasha closed his eyes and tried to ignore all the buzzing around him. There were too many questions at once, there was only one way that he knew to handle situations like these. "Everybody calm down! She's fine... I checked for any signs of fever, she had no fever, her temperature is normal at the moment. I think we should let her rest a bit. Miroku and I will check on the caves. Lanai, you will continue to work on deciphering those writings. Sango and Shippo will go to where I found Kagome and do some more research there."
Then she heard some clatter of everyone gathering their stuff and going to their assigned spots. Kagome looked at the ceiling of the tent and sighed. She wasn't tired anymore, just determined to find out what happened.
She changed her clothes and washed her face outside, where there was a water basin. She pulled her hair back up into a low ponytail and headed towards the cave with the book and the bracelet in hand. Bracing herself against the cave wall as she walked she looked around for the two men. She could still feel a slight throbbing in the head but continued to walk towards them. She had to tell someone...
She heard the voices nearby...
"Inuyasha, look at this wall?! It has forms of steel built into it... And something else, I don't think its metal though..."
"The wall changes color too. The day before when Kagome and I came in here the wall was gray, like a stone-wash color. But this... This is unexplainable, the wall is now blue?"
"Where did you exactly find Kagome?"
"Out in the clearing by the tall palm-like trees near the river. She was just laying there unconscious wearing a bracelet and there was a book next to her."
"Did you see what was in the book?"
"No... That's for Kagome to tell us. It might be a personal belonging of hers for all we know..."
Kagome tripped on a small hunk of dirt clod and landed in between the two archaeologists. She cursed her clumsiness mentally and opened her eyes. She saw that the two men looked at her in surprise. Inuyasha's eyes widened, he quickly helped her up in a sitting position. "What are you doing here? You should be resting."
Miroku looked down at Kagome's hands where she held the book and the bracelet in her hands. He looked back up at her with deep concern in his eyes. "I have... I have to tell you something." She whispered. The two men leaned closer. "What is it?" Inuyasha asked. Kagome looked down at the book and the bracelet that was on top of the book. "These... They have to do with the Shikon Jewel."
Inuyasha gently lifted the book out of her hands and opened the book. "But its blank, Kagome. See? No writings, nothing at all." Kagome shook her head, "You had to have been there last night. This island has more secrets than we know about. I think everything that's on this island is happening or happened for a reason."
Inuyasha placed his hand over her forehead. "You're warm... Come on Miroku, grab her stuff and I'll carry her back to the camp." Kagome shook her head vehemently. "Please listen to me." Kagome's tears started spilling down her face, she quickly wiped them away. She wasn't going to be weak.
Both of the men looked at each other then back at her. Then Miroku placed his hand on her shoulder. "Okay, we'll listen. Tell us everything that happened last night." Kagome went through in detail what had happened, neither of the other two archaeologists interrupting.
When Kagome finished, both men looked at her in shock. "Are you sure this really happened?" Inuyasha asked, eyeing Kagome carefully. Miroku answered for Kagome. "I know Kagome, she takes her job seriously. She wouldn't make up something like this. We'll go together tonight and see what she was talking about. I'm thinking there was a reason why all this happened to her and at night only."
Inuyasha looked at the bracelet and held it closer to his eyes. "It's hair of a hanyou..." Miroku scrunched up his face. "A hanyou? Are you sure?" Inuyasha nodded. "Positive, my father use to study about them years ago, before he retired." Miroku looked back over to Kagome. "Didn't you say they had names just like you and Inuyasha?" Kagome nodded.
Miroku's eyes got the usual glow, it was when he had an idea his eyes became like that. "What Miroku?" Kagome said. Miroku grabbed the book and looked at the cover. 'It has to be...' he thought. "Inuyasha carry her outside, I need to go find something." Miroku took the book and headed outside. Kagome leaned into Inuyasha so it would be easier for him to carry her. She was hoisted up and carried out into the light.
Inuyasha settled Kagome down on the ground and sat down next to her. "You know what this means don't you?" he said quietly. Kagome picked up a lonely flower by her and snapped it off its root. She showed Inuyasha the flower. "This flower is a black orchid. It is considered to be one of the rarest flowers in the world, and yet it's growing up here among the other poisonous flowers that we passed by." Kagome set the flower down and tucked back a loose strand of her hair that escaped from her confined ponytail.
Inuyasha was about to ask her something when Miroku came out with the book and the bracelet. In his other hand he held out a brown leather-case book. He sat down on the other side of Kagome and flipped to the page in the brown book. He pointed out to the part that he wanted her to read.
Kagome looked at Miroku and then at the book. She placed the book on her lap and read the part that Miroku had indicated to.
"Many archaeologists have claimed that the story of the Shikon Jewel is a tale that defies all others. A story of love, friendship, internal and external struggles, loss, hope, and danger, a well-rounded combination of everything and anything. Though the origins of the Jewel and the powers of it are unknown, we do know that from the scriptures that were deciphered previous months ago by the expert team led by Shigehiko Higurashi, that in fact the Jewel was a major part Princess Kagome of the now Tanega Island."
Kagome's eyes skimmed down to the bottom. "...She was to go to the mainland of Japan to work with her father's friends in hiding and restoring the Jewel to it's once pureness. After the death of her father and mother it was believed her plans were immediately taken into action. Through the perilous fights she was able to succeed. Afterwards it is said that she fell in love with her partner and aid, Prince Inuyasha of the Kumamoto Regions. They were to have wed after the Jewel was to be put away and in hiding for good."
"But alas we do not know anymore than what the scriptures were deciphered into. The rest is a mystery. The Jewel and the Princess still remains a mystery. To this very day it's is considered Japan's biggest mystery that has yet to be solved."
The book ended there, there was nothing else...
Kagome gave the book to Inuyasha and looked at Miroku. "Then... This is all real?" Miroku nodded, "I think... That you're her reincarnation, Princess Kagome that is..." Kagome placed a hand to the side of her forehead and grabbed a fistful of her hair. "What am I going to do?" Miroku shrugged not knowing what to say at this point.
Kagome looked over at her shoulder where Inuyasha had placed his hand. His eyes were firmly placed on her face, studying her eyes. "What we're going to do is solve it together." Kagome placed her hand over his and smiled at him. "Thank you." She whispered.
She didn't feel so scared and alone anymore.
Kagome settled herself beside Miroku's books and read through everything about the Jewel. Everything was the same. Brief descriptions of the Jewel and Princess Kagome and Prince Inuyasha... Nothing else, it was as if they disappeared off the face of the Earth. Even information about her traveling companions was limited. It just wasn't enough. She shut the book and looked over at the book in the corner. Her flashlight lingered upon it for a little bit longer.
The silver book stood there waiting for her to solve the mystery... Her mind racked through every information that she had absorbed... Nothing was coming to mind. She leaned over and grabbed the book. The cover was cool against her hands. She could feel a slight tingling sensation running through her hands. She looked at the cover closely.
On the cover she could see slight designs of bluish sliver sparkling ever so lightly on the front. Her hands traced the markings, it was then Kagome realized it was words not designs. The same ones that were on the cave.
She stepped outside, it was night and the air was starting to get chilly. She zipped up her jacket and saw Inuyasha and Miroku waiting for her. She looked down at her watch, it was midnight. That meant the others were well asleep.
She balanced both the book and the bracelet in her hands and walked carefully over to Inuyasha and Miroku. She led the way to where she had seen the images and pulled them behind a huge rock.
They carefully poked their heads out a bit to see what was going to happen. Hours later and nothing still had happened. Miroku was fast asleep and Inuyasha was carving with his pocket knife on a small hunk of wood. Then Kagome felt it, the shivers go down her spine. She tapped Inuyasha on the shoulder and motioned him quietly to look out with her.
He nodded following her motions; they both carefully peeked out from behind the rock.
The young woman that Kagome now knew as the Princess sat beside the flowing river. Her eyes seemed glassy and carried a depth of pain that Kagome could recognize only because she felt that when her father passed away.
Kagome saw the Princess unfisted her hand and in the middle revealed the Shikon Jewel. It was like a clam revealing the treasure that it hidden deep- within. The woman closed her eyes and the open palm. She placed that hand up to her heart.
The Princess's tears slowly rolled down her cheeks as she looked up at the moon. "Oh cruel moon it's last that I will ever see of you, for my journey is to the other world with this Jewel. The coveted Shikon Jewel will no longer be here on Earth if all goes as planned. It will be with me in the Spiritual world. Watch over my love for me till we reunite again." She then enclosed her hands in a prayer like position and was on her knees. She placed her forehead against the fist and chanted a prayer.
Words which Kagome didn't know or could comprehend, the Princess slowly started to levitate a few inches off the ground. Her long hair spread out around her and her whole body spinning, faster each time until a blinding flash came over the Princess. A small stream of light hitting upon the princess...
Kagome shielded her eyes but quickly pulled away from her arm once the light was gone. She saw that the Princess wasn't there anymore.
She turned over to Inuyasha who was still staring at the place where the princess was. He was in shock, he couldn't believe it. What he had seen was beyond belief. He looked over at Kagome. "Holy shit," was all he could say.
Kagome looked down at the book and the bracelet, it was glowing again. She carefully reached out and touched the book. When she saw nothing harmed her, she opened the book.
The weird writings danced across the pages gleaming in a silver-goldish writing. She stared at the words trying to find something that looked familiar. Then she saw towards the end of the page that one word looked familiar.
(Flashback)
"Daddy do you have to go back to that jungle-place?" Kagome pouted. Her father had came back for a week since everyone was allowed to have a break from the expedition, and now her father was already packing to go back. She was unhappy.
Her father stopped packing and turned around to her. "Sweetie you know that I have to... I don't want to, but Daddy and the others are so very close to finding something extraordinary. I can't leave it unfinished now, they need me." Kagome crossed her arms and mustered up her most unhappy face. Her father put on a half smile and ruffled Kagome's hair.
"When I come back I promise to play with you as much as you want, okay?" Her father added. Kagome's face softened a bit at hearing that. "Okay... It's a deal, pinky promise?" Her father chuckled and looped his pinky with her small pinky. "Pinky promise," he said his eyes twinkling in laughter.
Her father extended his arms out and crouched on his legs, suggesting Kagome to run into them for his famous bear-hugs. Kagome ran into her father's embrace. He picked her up and hugged her as tightly as he could. "Daddy...I can't breathe." Her father laughed and let her loose.
Then Kagome noticed it as she pulled away. On her father's left bicep was a tattoo. "Ooh..." Kagome said tracing her fingers around it. "What does it mean Daddy?"
Her father rolled up his sleeve up more so that it exposed the tattoo even more. "Well Daddy and his friends sort of deciphered these writings that were on this cave wall at the jungle where Daddy has to go... And well this symbol means, To Love, it was dedicated for you, Kagome. To my special little girl."
Kagome wrapped her arms around her father's neck and nuzzled her face into the crook of her father's neck. She could still smell his aftershave and a mix of his shampoo and conditioner too. It was her favorite smell in the world. "I'll miss you everyday that you're gone Daddy. Remember to come back Mommy and me, and the baby in her tummy, and Grandpa, we'll all be waiting for you."
Her father kissed her on the tip of her nose as he always did when he was saying goodbye. "I'll come back to you, I promise Kagome. Just wait for me patiently like always."
Kagome closed her eyes and once again wrapped her arms around her father. She didn't want to say goodbye because her little heart contorted in pain, but she understood and she knew their bond would never be gone. "I love you Daddy." She whispered in his ear.
"I Love you too, Kagome." Her father replied.
After all what did she have to loose? He promised he would come back to her in the end.
That was all that mattered for her.
That he would come back to her, as he promised.
(End of Flashback)
The word was 'To Love'. Kagome closed her eyes and blinked back her tears. It was one of her fond memories that she had of her and her father. Also it was the one constant reminder of the promise he forgot to keep. The only promise...
Inuyasha looked over at Kagome, seeing a sudden sadness on her face. "Are you okay Kagome?" He asked worriedly. Kagome smiled and nodded. "Yeah I was just thinking of something that's all." She picked up the book and handed it to Inuyasha, much to his surprise he didn't get harmed by it either.
Kagome pointed to the word. "I know what this word means... It means To Love." Inuyasha looked at her quizzically. "How do you know?" Kagome put on a wry smile and looked into his golden eyes. "Trust me I know."
Inuyasha decided not to ask her any more questions instead he woke up Miroku. They walked back to the camp quietly. They would deal with the problems tomorrow...
The next morning Kagome looked down at her piece of paper to the writings on the cave walls. The symbols that had said 'To Love' had the same patterns on certain words on the cave walls. She followed the patterns but only knowing five letters wasn't going to solve much. She sat down and leaned against the wall, eyes closed.
She was frustrated not knowing what to make of it, the whole events that took place upon her arrival. She wanted to rip up the book and just give up... But a part of her wouldn't let her, she came to far to throw it all away.
She had to solve the mystery and find the Jewel. So she could finish her father's legacy, so that all her dreams weren't a waste. It was the only thing that kept her connected to her father, besides her memories.
She would do this for him, even if it drove her insane.
Sango looked over at the cave and then back at the pot that was placed over the fire. The soup was boiling slowly, and she was getting impatient as well as her stomach. It growled loudly in response.
"Do you think we should go check up on Kagome?" Miroku looked up from his book and looked at Sango. "No... She just needs to be by herself that's all." Sango bit her bottom lip and nodded. "I'm just worried about her, she hasn't been herself lately..."
Miroku let out a sigh causing his wisps of bangs to go up and then down. "This expedition means everything to her. She's determined." Sango stirred the soup in a counterclockwise motion. "Does it have to do with her father?" She asked.
Miroku closed his book and nodded. "It always had to do with her father. She doesn't talk much about it, but I know that is the reason why she agreed to do this expedition."
"I think it's too much for her. Last night I heard her crying." Sango added. Miroku watched Sango pour the soup into small bowls. She handed one to Miroku. He took it carefully and blew on it. "She's been experiencing... Visions of the past, I think? You won't tell anyone about this will you?" Miroku asked. Sango looked around to see if that one man that accompanied them on the trip was out. She looked over to his private small tent, the flap was closed.
She shook her head. "No I won't tell anyone." Miroku whispered in her ear about the visions and small discoveries that they had made in the last few days. Sango pulled back when he was done, looking at him in surprise. "Well then we should tell the others expect for that one man." Miroku shook his head. "No, not yet... Not until something drastic happens."
Sango arched a brow. "And this isn't drastic? I mean what has been happening is big compared to the research we've been doing for the last two days. This is something drastic and Shippo and Lanai should know about this. They could help."
"But this isn't the time yet. We still have to be careful. You know that man that came with us, I know for a fact he is a spy for Mr. Kenton. I don't care how much you guys respect him but there's just something about him and Mr. Kenton that puts me at unease. If we all are working on one thing at once he's going to suspect something. We have to act normal and pretend that none of what I told you has happened. We have to be cautious."
Sango nodded and sat down beside him. "Okay... We'll wait but we have to tell them later." She said firmly. Miroku smiled "I promise, we'll tell them eventually."
Shippo pointed to a tree nearby. "Look Lanai!" He shouted. Lanai turned around to look at where Shippo was pointing to. "No way, I'm not climbing that." Shippo rolled his eyes and grabbed her wrist, dragging her to the tree. "I wasn't suggesting you climb it, just help me up a little." Lanai shook her head in disbelief. "I can't believe I'm doing this." She muttered while cupping two hands and crouching. Shippo placed one foot on her hands, she carefully lifted him up while Shippo grabbed the nearest branch.
"Hurry," Lanai muttered while her arms were close to giving out. Shippo finally managed to get up on the branch. "I did it!" He said proudly. He beated his chest with his fists and did an imitation of a Tarzan call. "Hurry up and get the bananas you idiot." Lanai shouted from below.
Shippo stopped and went to pluck the bananas. He grabbed a bundle and threw them down to her. She caught them all. Shippo jumped off the branch and landed on the ground with ease.
"How much should we charge them for these?" He asked. This time Lanai rolled her eyes. "Is that all you think about, money and torturing our partners?" Shippo gave her a wide grin. It answered all of Lanai's possible questions. "How did I get stuck with you is what I want to know..." She shook her head and walked ahead of Shippo, leaving him behind.
Shippo tapped his finger on his chin devising of plan. The imaginary light bulb in his head went off. He ran to tell Lanai his latest evil plan and ran after Lanai to catch up with her.
The hem of his cargo pants caught on the knick of a rock. He fell down hard. His eyes closed as his stomach churned in pain. He rolled over on his back and gasped for air. The sharp stabbing pains slowly started to subside afterwards.
His head rolled to the side, his eyes widened when he saw a small necklace chain on the ground. It was hidden beneath the leaves of the rare plants. He picked it up and held it up in front of his face.
He was still on his back. The binding was silver and delicate. His fingers followed the chain and ended in the center.
There was no charm on it, it seemed as if it was ripped off. He quickly stood up. He had to show this to the group. He ran fast as possible to show what he had found. If he had turned around he would've saw a transparent figure of a young woman standing behind him smiling. She then disappeared.
Lanai had set the bananas on the makeshift table. She looked around the camp and saw that everybody was out sitting around the fire. Everybody expect for that one strange man...
The group all turned around to the source of the noise that was headed towards them. It was Shippo. "You guys, I found something," he thrusted out his hand holding the necklace chain.
Inuyasha picked it up with two fingers. "It's a necklace chain, what about it?" Shippo ripped it out of his hands and showed it to Miroku. "I saw this in one of your books, don't you remember?" Miroku stared at the chain for awhile then nodded slowly. "Yeah... I think I do." He flipped through his books and stopped at a particular page.
"That chain is part of the Shikon Jewel. The Jewel was connected to it. This chain... Where did you find it?" He asked. Shippo waved his hands for everyone to follow him.
After trudging around in the jungle for some minutes Shippo stooped and pointed to the ground. "There, that's where I found it." Kagome bent down and touched the ground. It was soft, like the dirt by the river.
She looked around the area and saw that only clover- like plants grew around this part of the area only. "I think... I think we should look around here some more." Kagome suggested. Everybody scrambled around looking for something.
Kagome's hand patted around the dirt and stopped when she saw track marks on the ground. She crawled on her hands and knees, closely following the marks. It stopped at a large rock.
Underneath the rock she saw there was a crevice. Carefully and slowly she stuck her hand inside. The earth inside was cool because of it's avoidance of sunlight. Her hands stopped at an object that her hand passed over.
It was rough but she pulled it out. It was a part of a briefcase. Her hands ran against the smooth leather, this briefcase looked very familiar to her. Then she ran touched the gold emblem on the top of the case.
The initials on the gold emblem were S. H.
She then remembered why it looked so familiar.
(Flashback)
Her mother was wearing a black dress and had her hair was tied back stylishly. She set a large platter of cookies on the dining room table. Kagome ran to her mother and jumped up and down trying to see the table that was grandly set up for a large Christmas dinner.
And most of all her father was coming home. Kagome was happy. "Kagome don't jump you'll get dizzy." Kagome went over to her mother and tugged on her dress. Her mother bent down and kissed Kagome on the head.
"Be patient your Daddy will be home very soon." Kagome nodded, the curls on her head bouncing up and down. Her touched her mother's stomach. "Mommy, are you getting fat?" She asked.
Her mother laughed. "No Kagome, I'm pregnant." Kagome shook her head not understanding what her mother meant. "It means you will have a new brother or sister soon."
Kagome's eyes lit up. "Really, will I get to play with him or her?" Her mother fixed Kagome's ribbon that was placed on the back of her dress. "Yes when they get a bit older. Now don't get too playful now, Daddy..." Her mother never finished the sentence, the doorbell rang.
Her mother grabbed Kagome's hand and walked over to the front door. She opened it and smiled. The man came inside and kissed Kagome's mother on the cheek and gently twirled her around. "I'm home..." He said in a sing-song voice. Kagome ran to her father and jumped into his arms.
"Merry Christmas Daddy." Her father threw Kagome up into the air several times before placing her on his back in a piggy-back ride position. He took off his shoes and skipped into the living room. "Now where did my darling little girl go to? Hmm... I wonder." He said playfully, pretending to look for Kagome. Kagome put both of her hands up to her mouth to muffle her giggles.
"What was that I heard?" Her father spinned around fast several times before dumping her on the couch and gently sitting down on top of her. "I thought I heard my little girl but I don't see her..." He smiled even wider when he heard little muffled giggles underneath him.
He got up and turned around. "Well I wonder what this is... Oh! It looks like I found her." Kagome laughed. Her father sat down next to her. Kagome looked into his eyes, she crawled into his lap and pinched his cheeks with her fingers. She loved playing with her father every time he came home. He always made her feel so happy.
Kagome's mother walked into the living room. "Come on you two, the family is waiting for you. It's time to open the presents." Kagome jumped off her father's lap and tugged on his hand.
"Daddy let's hurry. Presents." Her father's face turned into a mischievous look. "Oh no, Daddy's feet are stuck to the ground. Nooo..." He said in a slow monotone voice. Kagome went behind her father and pushed on his legs. "We have to hurry!" Kagome said pushing her father making a futile try.
They finally arrived into the room and sat down in front of the colorfully decorated Christmas tree. Her father pulled out a small wrapped present out of his coat pocket. "I got this for you in Egypt." Kagome unwrapped the present quite messily and saw that it was a stuffed animal. She snuggled it up to her face. It smelled like cinnamon rolls.
She looked at the fluffy white doggy. "I know that you wanted a dog for your birthday but you couldn't when Mommy got pregnant. So I bought this for you instead so that you can take good care of it when Daddy is away." Kagome squeezed the belly of the dog and laughed.
"It barks." She commented. Her father nodded. Kagome snuggled up to her father. "Thank you for my doggy, I'll take good care of it." Her mother cleared her throat and motioned Kagome for her to give her father their present.
"Oh! Mommy and I got this for you when you lost the other one." Her father took the largely wrapped present. He laughed when he saw lots of tape and ribbons on it. Evidently Kagome had wrapped the present. He opened the box slowly and gasped.
"Why it's a briefcase. A beautiful briefcase." He pulled it out of the box and ran his fingers over the gold emblem that had his initials on it. Kagome who looked up at him said, "Do you like it?" Her father nodded pleased with his gift. He clicked open the case and saw that it had suede interior with leather bindings.
"I love it." He said. Kagome leaned her head against her father's chest. "I'll use it when I go on my next expedition, when I go to the island next month." Kagome closed her eyes feeling very content.
Her Daddy was home, and her Mommy had made her favorite cookies, and she had a new doll to add to her collection. There was a reason why Kagome always loved Christmas.
(End of flashback)
Kagome stuck her hand in one of the pockets of the case. She pulled out a white fluffy dog toy, the one her father had given her. She had packed it inside his briefcase when he had to go back to the island, the day she saw his tattoo.
It was for good luck. She placed the doll up to her face and buried herself in it; it still smelled like cinnamon rolls... She could feel the tears escaping out of her.
She placed the doll in her lap and looked through the briefcase some more. She found a small journal. It was her father's...
She flipped opened to the second to last page. It read:
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
May, 17
My team and I have mastered the language. We found out that it is forms of ancient Japanese with mixes of forms of other ancient languages. We still have not found the Jewel but we are close. We need to find that Jewel to open the cave wall that seemed like a dead end. It's actually a door...
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
The rest of the ink was corroded away; she couldn't read anymore of her father's writings in the journal. She flipped to the last page, the only page that seemed to be fine. It was short.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
June, 28
I lay here in the silence of the night in the comforts of my tent. I feel death coming upon me; I feel that I have failed my daughter. I know that in my heart I will not last out here much longer. The pain in my body grows intensely each day. I am sick and dying. I feel that Wesley Kenton and his partner Adam Pearce have lied to us, if not many times. This expedition was far more than to find the Jewel. I can only hope that one day someone will see them for that. The strength in my body is slowly fading. I write this hoping that my daughter can be able to read this or someone will find it and give her this. To know how sorry I am for breaking her promise. Sorry that I didn't come home.
- Shigehiko Higurashi
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Kagome closed the journal. She didn't cry, and she couldn't. Her pain was too much for her to release. She stood up putting all the items back. Then another book fell out.
She bent down and read the title.
It was in her father's writing. The paperbound book was small and compact. Kagome's lips followed the words of the title. "The Letters of the Ancient Kumamoto Tribal Regions- Translated"
Kagome's jaw dropped opened. She had the translations of the letters in her hands.
She was closer to solving the mystery now.
AN: Well I finally got around to finishing this chapter. I updated this first because I wanted a few chapters out so that this story would be able to carry on its own. I am almost done with Chapter Ten of High School Reunion and Chapter Six of A Country Life, but it most likely won't be out till next week. Sorry for the late updates. I have been busy studying for my ACT and AP testings that are coming up. Please be patient until then. Thank you once again for understanding.
Any questions that you have email my beta, Jeanette (Ceriseberry@aol.com).
Disclaimer: Covers her face behind her hands and shakes her head sadly.
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The Lost Jewel
Chapter Three
Uncovering the Secrets: Part Two
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Kagome felt herself being lifted up and being carried, but she couldn't open her eyes. Well she could... But she was afraid too. She knew who was carrying her back to the camp.
It was him, she could tell. The more time she spent with him, the more she learned more about him. She wanted so desperately to move her head away from his chest and away from the scent of his aftershave, because she was feeling a certain tickle in her stomach that she had never felt before.
She felt herself being lower to the ground and set down on a sleeping bag, mostly like hers, she thought. She still kept her eyes closed. She could feel his hand brush over her forehead as he checked her temperature.
Her heart started beating faster. She could feel his breathing; he was close to her, a little too close... She had guessed that he leaned down to her face. "Kagome? Are you awake?" He whispered. His breath tickled her ear; she focused hard on keeping a still face despite what her heart was doing.
Kagome turned to her side a bit so she wouldn't have to see his face. She opened her eyes slowly but didn't say anything. Inuyasha tucked the blanket around Kagome and left only to see her back. When he left she sat up and looked around. She was in her tent, alone.
She looked down and saw that the book and the bracelet were placed to her side. She picked up the book and flipped open the pages. They were blank... She checked twice and closed it and opened it again just to make sure.
It was still blank. She panicked not understanding what was going on. "They were here, last night... The writings..." She closed the book and placed it in her lap. She picked up the bracelet and saw that it was also plain. There were no writings, just a silver chain interwoven with silvery white hair. She touched the hair and found it to be soft. She knitted her brows together trying to understand what was going on. She placed the bracelet on top of the book and fell back onto her sleeping bag thinking...
She could hear the voices outside her tent of her friends and partners.
"Is Kagome okay?"
"Where did you find her?"
"... What was she doing out there?"
"What should we do?"
Inuyasha closed his eyes and tried to ignore all the buzzing around him. There were too many questions at once, there was only one way that he knew to handle situations like these. "Everybody calm down! She's fine... I checked for any signs of fever, she had no fever, her temperature is normal at the moment. I think we should let her rest a bit. Miroku and I will check on the caves. Lanai, you will continue to work on deciphering those writings. Sango and Shippo will go to where I found Kagome and do some more research there."
Then she heard some clatter of everyone gathering their stuff and going to their assigned spots. Kagome looked at the ceiling of the tent and sighed. She wasn't tired anymore, just determined to find out what happened.
She changed her clothes and washed her face outside, where there was a water basin. She pulled her hair back up into a low ponytail and headed towards the cave with the book and the bracelet in hand. Bracing herself against the cave wall as she walked she looked around for the two men. She could still feel a slight throbbing in the head but continued to walk towards them. She had to tell someone...
She heard the voices nearby...
"Inuyasha, look at this wall?! It has forms of steel built into it... And something else, I don't think its metal though..."
"The wall changes color too. The day before when Kagome and I came in here the wall was gray, like a stone-wash color. But this... This is unexplainable, the wall is now blue?"
"Where did you exactly find Kagome?"
"Out in the clearing by the tall palm-like trees near the river. She was just laying there unconscious wearing a bracelet and there was a book next to her."
"Did you see what was in the book?"
"No... That's for Kagome to tell us. It might be a personal belonging of hers for all we know..."
Kagome tripped on a small hunk of dirt clod and landed in between the two archaeologists. She cursed her clumsiness mentally and opened her eyes. She saw that the two men looked at her in surprise. Inuyasha's eyes widened, he quickly helped her up in a sitting position. "What are you doing here? You should be resting."
Miroku looked down at Kagome's hands where she held the book and the bracelet in her hands. He looked back up at her with deep concern in his eyes. "I have... I have to tell you something." She whispered. The two men leaned closer. "What is it?" Inuyasha asked. Kagome looked down at the book and the bracelet that was on top of the book. "These... They have to do with the Shikon Jewel."
Inuyasha gently lifted the book out of her hands and opened the book. "But its blank, Kagome. See? No writings, nothing at all." Kagome shook her head, "You had to have been there last night. This island has more secrets than we know about. I think everything that's on this island is happening or happened for a reason."
Inuyasha placed his hand over her forehead. "You're warm... Come on Miroku, grab her stuff and I'll carry her back to the camp." Kagome shook her head vehemently. "Please listen to me." Kagome's tears started spilling down her face, she quickly wiped them away. She wasn't going to be weak.
Both of the men looked at each other then back at her. Then Miroku placed his hand on her shoulder. "Okay, we'll listen. Tell us everything that happened last night." Kagome went through in detail what had happened, neither of the other two archaeologists interrupting.
When Kagome finished, both men looked at her in shock. "Are you sure this really happened?" Inuyasha asked, eyeing Kagome carefully. Miroku answered for Kagome. "I know Kagome, she takes her job seriously. She wouldn't make up something like this. We'll go together tonight and see what she was talking about. I'm thinking there was a reason why all this happened to her and at night only."
Inuyasha looked at the bracelet and held it closer to his eyes. "It's hair of a hanyou..." Miroku scrunched up his face. "A hanyou? Are you sure?" Inuyasha nodded. "Positive, my father use to study about them years ago, before he retired." Miroku looked back over to Kagome. "Didn't you say they had names just like you and Inuyasha?" Kagome nodded.
Miroku's eyes got the usual glow, it was when he had an idea his eyes became like that. "What Miroku?" Kagome said. Miroku grabbed the book and looked at the cover. 'It has to be...' he thought. "Inuyasha carry her outside, I need to go find something." Miroku took the book and headed outside. Kagome leaned into Inuyasha so it would be easier for him to carry her. She was hoisted up and carried out into the light.
Inuyasha settled Kagome down on the ground and sat down next to her. "You know what this means don't you?" he said quietly. Kagome picked up a lonely flower by her and snapped it off its root. She showed Inuyasha the flower. "This flower is a black orchid. It is considered to be one of the rarest flowers in the world, and yet it's growing up here among the other poisonous flowers that we passed by." Kagome set the flower down and tucked back a loose strand of her hair that escaped from her confined ponytail.
Inuyasha was about to ask her something when Miroku came out with the book and the bracelet. In his other hand he held out a brown leather-case book. He sat down on the other side of Kagome and flipped to the page in the brown book. He pointed out to the part that he wanted her to read.
Kagome looked at Miroku and then at the book. She placed the book on her lap and read the part that Miroku had indicated to.
"Many archaeologists have claimed that the story of the Shikon Jewel is a tale that defies all others. A story of love, friendship, internal and external struggles, loss, hope, and danger, a well-rounded combination of everything and anything. Though the origins of the Jewel and the powers of it are unknown, we do know that from the scriptures that were deciphered previous months ago by the expert team led by Shigehiko Higurashi, that in fact the Jewel was a major part Princess Kagome of the now Tanega Island."
Kagome's eyes skimmed down to the bottom. "...She was to go to the mainland of Japan to work with her father's friends in hiding and restoring the Jewel to it's once pureness. After the death of her father and mother it was believed her plans were immediately taken into action. Through the perilous fights she was able to succeed. Afterwards it is said that she fell in love with her partner and aid, Prince Inuyasha of the Kumamoto Regions. They were to have wed after the Jewel was to be put away and in hiding for good."
"But alas we do not know anymore than what the scriptures were deciphered into. The rest is a mystery. The Jewel and the Princess still remains a mystery. To this very day it's is considered Japan's biggest mystery that has yet to be solved."
The book ended there, there was nothing else...
Kagome gave the book to Inuyasha and looked at Miroku. "Then... This is all real?" Miroku nodded, "I think... That you're her reincarnation, Princess Kagome that is..." Kagome placed a hand to the side of her forehead and grabbed a fistful of her hair. "What am I going to do?" Miroku shrugged not knowing what to say at this point.
Kagome looked over at her shoulder where Inuyasha had placed his hand. His eyes were firmly placed on her face, studying her eyes. "What we're going to do is solve it together." Kagome placed her hand over his and smiled at him. "Thank you." She whispered.
She didn't feel so scared and alone anymore.
Kagome settled herself beside Miroku's books and read through everything about the Jewel. Everything was the same. Brief descriptions of the Jewel and Princess Kagome and Prince Inuyasha... Nothing else, it was as if they disappeared off the face of the Earth. Even information about her traveling companions was limited. It just wasn't enough. She shut the book and looked over at the book in the corner. Her flashlight lingered upon it for a little bit longer.
The silver book stood there waiting for her to solve the mystery... Her mind racked through every information that she had absorbed... Nothing was coming to mind. She leaned over and grabbed the book. The cover was cool against her hands. She could feel a slight tingling sensation running through her hands. She looked at the cover closely.
On the cover she could see slight designs of bluish sliver sparkling ever so lightly on the front. Her hands traced the markings, it was then Kagome realized it was words not designs. The same ones that were on the cave.
She stepped outside, it was night and the air was starting to get chilly. She zipped up her jacket and saw Inuyasha and Miroku waiting for her. She looked down at her watch, it was midnight. That meant the others were well asleep.
She balanced both the book and the bracelet in her hands and walked carefully over to Inuyasha and Miroku. She led the way to where she had seen the images and pulled them behind a huge rock.
They carefully poked their heads out a bit to see what was going to happen. Hours later and nothing still had happened. Miroku was fast asleep and Inuyasha was carving with his pocket knife on a small hunk of wood. Then Kagome felt it, the shivers go down her spine. She tapped Inuyasha on the shoulder and motioned him quietly to look out with her.
He nodded following her motions; they both carefully peeked out from behind the rock.
The young woman that Kagome now knew as the Princess sat beside the flowing river. Her eyes seemed glassy and carried a depth of pain that Kagome could recognize only because she felt that when her father passed away.
Kagome saw the Princess unfisted her hand and in the middle revealed the Shikon Jewel. It was like a clam revealing the treasure that it hidden deep- within. The woman closed her eyes and the open palm. She placed that hand up to her heart.
The Princess's tears slowly rolled down her cheeks as she looked up at the moon. "Oh cruel moon it's last that I will ever see of you, for my journey is to the other world with this Jewel. The coveted Shikon Jewel will no longer be here on Earth if all goes as planned. It will be with me in the Spiritual world. Watch over my love for me till we reunite again." She then enclosed her hands in a prayer like position and was on her knees. She placed her forehead against the fist and chanted a prayer.
Words which Kagome didn't know or could comprehend, the Princess slowly started to levitate a few inches off the ground. Her long hair spread out around her and her whole body spinning, faster each time until a blinding flash came over the Princess. A small stream of light hitting upon the princess...
Kagome shielded her eyes but quickly pulled away from her arm once the light was gone. She saw that the Princess wasn't there anymore.
She turned over to Inuyasha who was still staring at the place where the princess was. He was in shock, he couldn't believe it. What he had seen was beyond belief. He looked over at Kagome. "Holy shit," was all he could say.
Kagome looked down at the book and the bracelet, it was glowing again. She carefully reached out and touched the book. When she saw nothing harmed her, she opened the book.
The weird writings danced across the pages gleaming in a silver-goldish writing. She stared at the words trying to find something that looked familiar. Then she saw towards the end of the page that one word looked familiar.
(Flashback)
"Daddy do you have to go back to that jungle-place?" Kagome pouted. Her father had came back for a week since everyone was allowed to have a break from the expedition, and now her father was already packing to go back. She was unhappy.
Her father stopped packing and turned around to her. "Sweetie you know that I have to... I don't want to, but Daddy and the others are so very close to finding something extraordinary. I can't leave it unfinished now, they need me." Kagome crossed her arms and mustered up her most unhappy face. Her father put on a half smile and ruffled Kagome's hair.
"When I come back I promise to play with you as much as you want, okay?" Her father added. Kagome's face softened a bit at hearing that. "Okay... It's a deal, pinky promise?" Her father chuckled and looped his pinky with her small pinky. "Pinky promise," he said his eyes twinkling in laughter.
Her father extended his arms out and crouched on his legs, suggesting Kagome to run into them for his famous bear-hugs. Kagome ran into her father's embrace. He picked her up and hugged her as tightly as he could. "Daddy...I can't breathe." Her father laughed and let her loose.
Then Kagome noticed it as she pulled away. On her father's left bicep was a tattoo. "Ooh..." Kagome said tracing her fingers around it. "What does it mean Daddy?"
Her father rolled up his sleeve up more so that it exposed the tattoo even more. "Well Daddy and his friends sort of deciphered these writings that were on this cave wall at the jungle where Daddy has to go... And well this symbol means, To Love, it was dedicated for you, Kagome. To my special little girl."
Kagome wrapped her arms around her father's neck and nuzzled her face into the crook of her father's neck. She could still smell his aftershave and a mix of his shampoo and conditioner too. It was her favorite smell in the world. "I'll miss you everyday that you're gone Daddy. Remember to come back Mommy and me, and the baby in her tummy, and Grandpa, we'll all be waiting for you."
Her father kissed her on the tip of her nose as he always did when he was saying goodbye. "I'll come back to you, I promise Kagome. Just wait for me patiently like always."
Kagome closed her eyes and once again wrapped her arms around her father. She didn't want to say goodbye because her little heart contorted in pain, but she understood and she knew their bond would never be gone. "I love you Daddy." She whispered in his ear.
"I Love you too, Kagome." Her father replied.
After all what did she have to loose? He promised he would come back to her in the end.
That was all that mattered for her.
That he would come back to her, as he promised.
(End of Flashback)
The word was 'To Love'. Kagome closed her eyes and blinked back her tears. It was one of her fond memories that she had of her and her father. Also it was the one constant reminder of the promise he forgot to keep. The only promise...
Inuyasha looked over at Kagome, seeing a sudden sadness on her face. "Are you okay Kagome?" He asked worriedly. Kagome smiled and nodded. "Yeah I was just thinking of something that's all." She picked up the book and handed it to Inuyasha, much to his surprise he didn't get harmed by it either.
Kagome pointed to the word. "I know what this word means... It means To Love." Inuyasha looked at her quizzically. "How do you know?" Kagome put on a wry smile and looked into his golden eyes. "Trust me I know."
Inuyasha decided not to ask her any more questions instead he woke up Miroku. They walked back to the camp quietly. They would deal with the problems tomorrow...
The next morning Kagome looked down at her piece of paper to the writings on the cave walls. The symbols that had said 'To Love' had the same patterns on certain words on the cave walls. She followed the patterns but only knowing five letters wasn't going to solve much. She sat down and leaned against the wall, eyes closed.
She was frustrated not knowing what to make of it, the whole events that took place upon her arrival. She wanted to rip up the book and just give up... But a part of her wouldn't let her, she came to far to throw it all away.
She had to solve the mystery and find the Jewel. So she could finish her father's legacy, so that all her dreams weren't a waste. It was the only thing that kept her connected to her father, besides her memories.
She would do this for him, even if it drove her insane.
Sango looked over at the cave and then back at the pot that was placed over the fire. The soup was boiling slowly, and she was getting impatient as well as her stomach. It growled loudly in response.
"Do you think we should go check up on Kagome?" Miroku looked up from his book and looked at Sango. "No... She just needs to be by herself that's all." Sango bit her bottom lip and nodded. "I'm just worried about her, she hasn't been herself lately..."
Miroku let out a sigh causing his wisps of bangs to go up and then down. "This expedition means everything to her. She's determined." Sango stirred the soup in a counterclockwise motion. "Does it have to do with her father?" She asked.
Miroku closed his book and nodded. "It always had to do with her father. She doesn't talk much about it, but I know that is the reason why she agreed to do this expedition."
"I think it's too much for her. Last night I heard her crying." Sango added. Miroku watched Sango pour the soup into small bowls. She handed one to Miroku. He took it carefully and blew on it. "She's been experiencing... Visions of the past, I think? You won't tell anyone about this will you?" Miroku asked. Sango looked around to see if that one man that accompanied them on the trip was out. She looked over to his private small tent, the flap was closed.
She shook her head. "No I won't tell anyone." Miroku whispered in her ear about the visions and small discoveries that they had made in the last few days. Sango pulled back when he was done, looking at him in surprise. "Well then we should tell the others expect for that one man." Miroku shook his head. "No, not yet... Not until something drastic happens."
Sango arched a brow. "And this isn't drastic? I mean what has been happening is big compared to the research we've been doing for the last two days. This is something drastic and Shippo and Lanai should know about this. They could help."
"But this isn't the time yet. We still have to be careful. You know that man that came with us, I know for a fact he is a spy for Mr. Kenton. I don't care how much you guys respect him but there's just something about him and Mr. Kenton that puts me at unease. If we all are working on one thing at once he's going to suspect something. We have to act normal and pretend that none of what I told you has happened. We have to be cautious."
Sango nodded and sat down beside him. "Okay... We'll wait but we have to tell them later." She said firmly. Miroku smiled "I promise, we'll tell them eventually."
Shippo pointed to a tree nearby. "Look Lanai!" He shouted. Lanai turned around to look at where Shippo was pointing to. "No way, I'm not climbing that." Shippo rolled his eyes and grabbed her wrist, dragging her to the tree. "I wasn't suggesting you climb it, just help me up a little." Lanai shook her head in disbelief. "I can't believe I'm doing this." She muttered while cupping two hands and crouching. Shippo placed one foot on her hands, she carefully lifted him up while Shippo grabbed the nearest branch.
"Hurry," Lanai muttered while her arms were close to giving out. Shippo finally managed to get up on the branch. "I did it!" He said proudly. He beated his chest with his fists and did an imitation of a Tarzan call. "Hurry up and get the bananas you idiot." Lanai shouted from below.
Shippo stopped and went to pluck the bananas. He grabbed a bundle and threw them down to her. She caught them all. Shippo jumped off the branch and landed on the ground with ease.
"How much should we charge them for these?" He asked. This time Lanai rolled her eyes. "Is that all you think about, money and torturing our partners?" Shippo gave her a wide grin. It answered all of Lanai's possible questions. "How did I get stuck with you is what I want to know..." She shook her head and walked ahead of Shippo, leaving him behind.
Shippo tapped his finger on his chin devising of plan. The imaginary light bulb in his head went off. He ran to tell Lanai his latest evil plan and ran after Lanai to catch up with her.
The hem of his cargo pants caught on the knick of a rock. He fell down hard. His eyes closed as his stomach churned in pain. He rolled over on his back and gasped for air. The sharp stabbing pains slowly started to subside afterwards.
His head rolled to the side, his eyes widened when he saw a small necklace chain on the ground. It was hidden beneath the leaves of the rare plants. He picked it up and held it up in front of his face.
He was still on his back. The binding was silver and delicate. His fingers followed the chain and ended in the center.
There was no charm on it, it seemed as if it was ripped off. He quickly stood up. He had to show this to the group. He ran fast as possible to show what he had found. If he had turned around he would've saw a transparent figure of a young woman standing behind him smiling. She then disappeared.
Lanai had set the bananas on the makeshift table. She looked around the camp and saw that everybody was out sitting around the fire. Everybody expect for that one strange man...
The group all turned around to the source of the noise that was headed towards them. It was Shippo. "You guys, I found something," he thrusted out his hand holding the necklace chain.
Inuyasha picked it up with two fingers. "It's a necklace chain, what about it?" Shippo ripped it out of his hands and showed it to Miroku. "I saw this in one of your books, don't you remember?" Miroku stared at the chain for awhile then nodded slowly. "Yeah... I think I do." He flipped through his books and stopped at a particular page.
"That chain is part of the Shikon Jewel. The Jewel was connected to it. This chain... Where did you find it?" He asked. Shippo waved his hands for everyone to follow him.
After trudging around in the jungle for some minutes Shippo stooped and pointed to the ground. "There, that's where I found it." Kagome bent down and touched the ground. It was soft, like the dirt by the river.
She looked around the area and saw that only clover- like plants grew around this part of the area only. "I think... I think we should look around here some more." Kagome suggested. Everybody scrambled around looking for something.
Kagome's hand patted around the dirt and stopped when she saw track marks on the ground. She crawled on her hands and knees, closely following the marks. It stopped at a large rock.
Underneath the rock she saw there was a crevice. Carefully and slowly she stuck her hand inside. The earth inside was cool because of it's avoidance of sunlight. Her hands stopped at an object that her hand passed over.
It was rough but she pulled it out. It was a part of a briefcase. Her hands ran against the smooth leather, this briefcase looked very familiar to her. Then she ran touched the gold emblem on the top of the case.
The initials on the gold emblem were S. H.
She then remembered why it looked so familiar.
(Flashback)
Her mother was wearing a black dress and had her hair was tied back stylishly. She set a large platter of cookies on the dining room table. Kagome ran to her mother and jumped up and down trying to see the table that was grandly set up for a large Christmas dinner.
And most of all her father was coming home. Kagome was happy. "Kagome don't jump you'll get dizzy." Kagome went over to her mother and tugged on her dress. Her mother bent down and kissed Kagome on the head.
"Be patient your Daddy will be home very soon." Kagome nodded, the curls on her head bouncing up and down. Her touched her mother's stomach. "Mommy, are you getting fat?" She asked.
Her mother laughed. "No Kagome, I'm pregnant." Kagome shook her head not understanding what her mother meant. "It means you will have a new brother or sister soon."
Kagome's eyes lit up. "Really, will I get to play with him or her?" Her mother fixed Kagome's ribbon that was placed on the back of her dress. "Yes when they get a bit older. Now don't get too playful now, Daddy..." Her mother never finished the sentence, the doorbell rang.
Her mother grabbed Kagome's hand and walked over to the front door. She opened it and smiled. The man came inside and kissed Kagome's mother on the cheek and gently twirled her around. "I'm home..." He said in a sing-song voice. Kagome ran to her father and jumped into his arms.
"Merry Christmas Daddy." Her father threw Kagome up into the air several times before placing her on his back in a piggy-back ride position. He took off his shoes and skipped into the living room. "Now where did my darling little girl go to? Hmm... I wonder." He said playfully, pretending to look for Kagome. Kagome put both of her hands up to her mouth to muffle her giggles.
"What was that I heard?" Her father spinned around fast several times before dumping her on the couch and gently sitting down on top of her. "I thought I heard my little girl but I don't see her..." He smiled even wider when he heard little muffled giggles underneath him.
He got up and turned around. "Well I wonder what this is... Oh! It looks like I found her." Kagome laughed. Her father sat down next to her. Kagome looked into his eyes, she crawled into his lap and pinched his cheeks with her fingers. She loved playing with her father every time he came home. He always made her feel so happy.
Kagome's mother walked into the living room. "Come on you two, the family is waiting for you. It's time to open the presents." Kagome jumped off her father's lap and tugged on his hand.
"Daddy let's hurry. Presents." Her father's face turned into a mischievous look. "Oh no, Daddy's feet are stuck to the ground. Nooo..." He said in a slow monotone voice. Kagome went behind her father and pushed on his legs. "We have to hurry!" Kagome said pushing her father making a futile try.
They finally arrived into the room and sat down in front of the colorfully decorated Christmas tree. Her father pulled out a small wrapped present out of his coat pocket. "I got this for you in Egypt." Kagome unwrapped the present quite messily and saw that it was a stuffed animal. She snuggled it up to her face. It smelled like cinnamon rolls.
She looked at the fluffy white doggy. "I know that you wanted a dog for your birthday but you couldn't when Mommy got pregnant. So I bought this for you instead so that you can take good care of it when Daddy is away." Kagome squeezed the belly of the dog and laughed.
"It barks." She commented. Her father nodded. Kagome snuggled up to her father. "Thank you for my doggy, I'll take good care of it." Her mother cleared her throat and motioned Kagome for her to give her father their present.
"Oh! Mommy and I got this for you when you lost the other one." Her father took the largely wrapped present. He laughed when he saw lots of tape and ribbons on it. Evidently Kagome had wrapped the present. He opened the box slowly and gasped.
"Why it's a briefcase. A beautiful briefcase." He pulled it out of the box and ran his fingers over the gold emblem that had his initials on it. Kagome who looked up at him said, "Do you like it?" Her father nodded pleased with his gift. He clicked open the case and saw that it had suede interior with leather bindings.
"I love it." He said. Kagome leaned her head against her father's chest. "I'll use it when I go on my next expedition, when I go to the island next month." Kagome closed her eyes feeling very content.
Her Daddy was home, and her Mommy had made her favorite cookies, and she had a new doll to add to her collection. There was a reason why Kagome always loved Christmas.
(End of flashback)
Kagome stuck her hand in one of the pockets of the case. She pulled out a white fluffy dog toy, the one her father had given her. She had packed it inside his briefcase when he had to go back to the island, the day she saw his tattoo.
It was for good luck. She placed the doll up to her face and buried herself in it; it still smelled like cinnamon rolls... She could feel the tears escaping out of her.
She placed the doll in her lap and looked through the briefcase some more. She found a small journal. It was her father's...
She flipped opened to the second to last page. It read:
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
May, 17
My team and I have mastered the language. We found out that it is forms of ancient Japanese with mixes of forms of other ancient languages. We still have not found the Jewel but we are close. We need to find that Jewel to open the cave wall that seemed like a dead end. It's actually a door...
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
The rest of the ink was corroded away; she couldn't read anymore of her father's writings in the journal. She flipped to the last page, the only page that seemed to be fine. It was short.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
June, 28
I lay here in the silence of the night in the comforts of my tent. I feel death coming upon me; I feel that I have failed my daughter. I know that in my heart I will not last out here much longer. The pain in my body grows intensely each day. I am sick and dying. I feel that Wesley Kenton and his partner Adam Pearce have lied to us, if not many times. This expedition was far more than to find the Jewel. I can only hope that one day someone will see them for that. The strength in my body is slowly fading. I write this hoping that my daughter can be able to read this or someone will find it and give her this. To know how sorry I am for breaking her promise. Sorry that I didn't come home.
- Shigehiko Higurashi
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Kagome closed the journal. She didn't cry, and she couldn't. Her pain was too much for her to release. She stood up putting all the items back. Then another book fell out.
She bent down and read the title.
It was in her father's writing. The paperbound book was small and compact. Kagome's lips followed the words of the title. "The Letters of the Ancient Kumamoto Tribal Regions- Translated"
Kagome's jaw dropped opened. She had the translations of the letters in her hands.
She was closer to solving the mystery now.
AN: Well I finally got around to finishing this chapter. I updated this first because I wanted a few chapters out so that this story would be able to carry on its own. I am almost done with Chapter Ten of High School Reunion and Chapter Six of A Country Life, but it most likely won't be out till next week. Sorry for the late updates. I have been busy studying for my ACT and AP testings that are coming up. Please be patient until then. Thank you once again for understanding.
Any questions that you have email my beta, Jeanette (Ceriseberry@aol.com).