Author's Note: I wrote this earlier it just needed to be revised and
checked for grammatical errors.
Oh and a special thanks to one of my reviewer's, Mirokuluver. Your reviews always make me smile so much, so I wrote updated this chapter for you today. And for those waiting for A Country Life, the update will be sometime this weekend, Friday at the earliest.
Disclaimer: Shakes her head no...
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The Lost Jewel
Chapter Four
Unveiling
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Kagome couldn't believe what was there, in her hands... It was her father's book, she feel a surge of happiness run through her body. She gathered the stuff and ran back to the group behind her.
"Miroku! You won't believe what I found?!" Kagome shoved the paperbound book to his chest, she smiled at him eagerly. Miroku smiled faintly and patted Kagome on the shoulder. He hoped she was okay...
He looked down at his hand and his eyes widened. Now he could she why Kagome was excited. "Oh my god... Kagome where did you find this?" Kagome pointed behind her. "Back there under a rock, it was hidden."
Miroku picked up Kagome and spun her around. "Do you know what this means?" Kagome nodded while laughing.
Soon the group came closer to their ecstatic partners. Shippo rubbed the back of his neck and looked at the two friends that were jumping up and down. "Not to be rude or anything but why are you two celebrating?"
Miroku waved the book in front of Shippo's face. "Because of this." Shippo's jaw dropped, he looked over to Lanai and stuttered while pointing at Kagome and Miroku. "They... The... Translations..." Lanai shook her head not comprehending the words coming out of Shippo's mouth. "What are you talking about?" She asked impatiently.
Miroku handed the book to her. "Because of this." Lanai stared at the book in her hands, she went through the pages and let out a wail of happiness. "This is... PERFECT!" she shouted and hugged Miroku without even thinking. Several moments later there was a loud slap and a red handprint on Miroku's face. Lanai glared at the man on the ground and went over to Sango to explain to her the good news.
Inuyasha leaned back against the tree and looked over to his opposite side, the camp. He noticed that one man's tent flap was open... He was finally out, when the group wasn't even at the camp... Inuyasha walked over to the group. "You guys, the man is awake and up and I think we should go back. But first we need to hide this stuff." Kagome nodded and wrapped her jacket around the briefcase and held it to her side. Inuyasha nodded when he approved.
Sango led the group and stopped when she saw the man come out of the girls' tent. "What the hel... I mean what were you doing in our tent?" The beady- eyed man looked around at the group carefully. He snapped back at Sango. "What I'm suppose to do, keep the boss updated on your work here." He held out the big silver book in front of the group. "Is this your idea of a joke?" He whispered coolly.
Sango snatched the book out of his hands and slapped across the little man's cheek forcefully. "What we have been doing is working and not snooping around through other people's business. Trying to translate a whole another language is a difficult task, especially if it isn't a present day language but a lost language! And another thing, if I ever catch you in our tent, just once more. I will personally make sure that you'll never be able to walk again or reproduce."
The man removed his hand from the area where Sango had slapped him. He shook his index finger in her face. "I just hope you know who you are dealing with Miss Atkushi! I am Adam Pearce, a colleague and close friend of Mr. Kenton. You wouldn't want to be sent back for your stupid little action you caused, now do you?" Sango stared at the man with deep loathing before simply answering a "No."
The man smirked slyly and walked back to his tent closing the flap rather roughly. Kagome placed a hand on Sango's shoulder. "Don't worry, I doubt he would do that, he obviously doesn't know how important you are to this expedition." Sango brushed her hand through her bangs and let out a deep sigh. "I know... I guess I overreacted but he had no right..."Sango stopped when she could hear snicker throughout the group. Kagome was the first. Her shoulders started shaking from containing in her laughter, Sango noticed.
"What's so funny?" She asked. Kagome bursted out laughing, "Like you don't know!" Sango shook her head slowly, "I'm afraid I don't..." She replied. Kagome finally stopped laughing and caught her breath. "That you slapped a tiny ugly man and then you threatened to castrate him." Sango turned beet red at what Kagome said. "Ohh, that..."
Kagome ran her hands across the words on the wall. Lanai had been able to finish translating the cave exterior while Kagome and Inuyasha translated the two inside walls. Inuyasha stopped at a word he didn't know. He turned around to Kagome. "Hey do you know which word is the one with the double loop around the four count letter?"
Kagome flipped the pages around in the book. "It's unlocking..." Inuyasha nodded and flashed Kagome a quick smile before turning around. Kagome's face held a smile too as she continued to work.
She dusted the bottom part of the wall with a small brush. The flashlight shone over the words that were hidden. She read the transcripts carefully, glancing up and down at the book occasionally. "Behind the wall of four elements there lies the hidden object that will set the Jewel free form existence. Our Princess created the Jewel as the key to unlocking the door, therefore no one could ever get behind it without the key, and only her line of blood can open this door that stands on holy grounds."
Kagome stood up and touched the key hole again. "I guess the Shikon Jewel isn't back there..." She whispered. Kagome jumped when she felt Inuyasha's breath on her neck from behind. "What do you mean?" Kagome pointed to the wall she had translated to the keyhole. "The wall said that whatever is behind there is under protection and cannot go in unless they have the Shikon Jewel. The Shikon Jewel is the key to opening that door."
Inuyasha formed an 'O' with his mouth and looked at the keyhole. "Where do you suggest the Shikon Jewel is then?" Kagome shrugged and turned around facing him. "It could be anywhere, the walls only tell about the story of the Princess and the Prince and the reason for this cave being here... Maybe Lanai has something for us?"
Inuyasha motioned Kagome to go before him and followed after her out of the cave.
Lanai was scribbling in her notepad the words that she was translating. Her eyes were deeply fixated on the cave exterior, all sounds were blocked from her mind. It was something that she learned to do when she was studying to become a linguist. Her sapphire blue eyes danced across the words then to her paper. Her hand was going back and forth, writing fast and hurriedly.
She turned around only when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She flashed a smile to Kagome and Inuyasha. "Hey," she said, her eyes twinkling. Kagome leaned over to see what Lanai had written on the paper. It looked like a story from Kagome's point of view.
"How's the translation going?" Kagome asked. Lanai set her pencil and notepad on the ground and pointed to the exterior of the cave.
The whole thing talks about the Princess and the Prince of how they met and fell in love. Much like the wall writings on the inside, am I right?" Inuyasha sighed and nodded along with Kagome. "But..." Lanai continued, "The only difference is this talks much and I mean much more about the Shikon Jewel. You see on the left side there is a whole description of the Jewel and how it was created. Here look at my notepad."
Kagome took the notepad and held it out so that both she and Inuyasha could read it. Kagome read it out loud for them. "The Shikon Jewel was created by the Gods, composed of the elements of water, wind, fire, and earth, in the purest form possible. It was made to balance the world of good and evil, if one was more than the other, all would fail. Therefore the Jewel was made to keep the world balanced of good and evil from preventing the destruction of the world. Years before the birth of the cavemen and all mankind, the Shikon Jewel was being taken into small fragments and combined into one. The process of the Jewel fully being combined and restored took an average one thousand years. It then went into hiding waiting for the Chosen Guardian to protect it once danger and unbalancing of good and evil started to fall apart as the Gods predicted."
Kagome paused and looked up at Lanai. "Is this for real?" Lanai nodded; she waved her hand for Kagome to continue. Kagome continued reading the material out loud. "The First Chosen Guardian was Midoriko, who was supposed to be the sole heiress and all time protector of the Jewel. But as times changed and youkais greatly multiplied, she was no longer able to guard it with her full potential power anymore. Then it was passed on to Kikyo, the priestess of a hidden and far off temple, where she was trained in order to protect the Jewel. That too was another failure as evil and hate consumed her pure heart, once she was brutally murdered."
Kagome paused a moment to catch her breath from reading so fast. "Then it was at last presented to the last and final hope. Princess Kagome Namunaki of the Tanega Island. She was able to succeed and control the purity of the Jewel. But once again threats and greater evil power rose in the Feudal Warring Era of Japan. She was immediately sent to this island to remain hidden with the Jewel. It is said to be rumored that she hid the Jewel in the Hidden Passage by the river that we had created for her on this island. She was hidden and unseen by evil forces but the Jewel grew restless as did the Chosen Guardian. She soon left the world waiting for her love. The Jewel however did not leave with her..."
Kagome looked at Lanai. "Where's the rest?" Lanai shrugged and pointed to the cave wall. "A good chunk of it's missing, it was like it was blasted apart from this wall. That's all I could get."
"Okay so where do you assume this Hidden Passage is located?" Inuyasha asked impatiently. Kagome looked around. "It's definitely not around here the location is somewhere far form here by the looks of things." Kagome added.
Inuyasha growled, "This is becoming one big game of hide and seek here. I came on an expedition to find the Jewel and look what it turns into." He shook his head fretfully. Lanai looked at the river and then where it flowed off to, she had a hunch. "We'll follow the ends of the river tomorrow, it's getting late we should get to bed soon." Lanai said helpfully. Kagome looked up at the sky and saw that she was right.
After everyone had their dinner a while ago most had turned over for the night expect for the three that were standing out. Kagome yawned and stretched her arms. "Yeah let's go to bed and we'll work on it tomorrow." Inuyasha waved to the girls' goodnight and headed off to his tent that he shared with the guys, while Kagome and Lanai went to theirs.
Kagome whispered to Lanai about her visions that night in the tent. Lanai's head was resting in her hands, arms propped on the ground. "I think Miroku was right, Kagome. You are most likely Princess Kagome's reincarnation."
Kagome rolled around on her sleeping bag feeling uncomfortable. "I guess maybe I am, but her visions aren't very clear. They're jumbles of one big puzzle. It's just none of the pieces are matching up right now to create one specific image."
Kagome looked up at the ceiling of her tent with her fingers entwined and resting on her stomach. She closed her eyes for a moment, thinking of what her father use to say about the legend.
(Flashback)
"Kagome what is that you found?" Her father asked. Kagome showed her father a pink conch. "This washed up on shore." She placed the conch in his hands.
Her father looked inside the conch, he found it to be empty. "This a pretty color, don't you think so?" Kagome nodded while piling more shells in her yellow pail. "It's very pretty Daddy." She replied, agreeing with her father.
Her father smiled and sat down on the sand. Kagome sat alongside her father. "It's like the Shikon Jewel you told me about in the stories." Her father looked at Kagome in surprise, "You remembered that story? It was so long ago."
Kagome nodded again, smiling so wide that you could see which baby teeth were missing. "It's my favorite." She whispered leaning against his arms.
Her father placed the conch on the top of the pail and watched the waves crash upon the shore. "It's one of the world's biggest mysteries about the past. We might never know what happened to it." Kagome stopped burying her feet in the sand and looked up at her father.
His grey eyes radiated with warmth as he wrapped his arm around Kagome. "Hey there kiddo, whatcha doing?" Kagome shrugged and laughed playfully. "Nothing," she lied. Her father caught her by the waist and spun her around, when her father got tired he put her down on the sandy ground. Kagome laid down on the sand next to her father.
"Daddy I want to be an arch... I want to just like you when you grow up." Her father brushed the sand off Kagome's forehead and nose. "You want to be an archaeologist, like Daddy?" he said. Kagome smiled, "Yes an archaeol... Archaeolageest."
Her father laughed at her attempt to saying the word. "An archaeologist." Her father corrected.
Kagome nodded and let out a deep sigh. She gave up on the word. "Yes, I want to be what you are Daddy, so that we can go on adventures together and find the Shikon Jewel together. Just you and me."
Her father closed his eyes, a smile still on his face. He let the warmth of the beach sun wash over him. "Id we did find the Jewel you have to know one thing...The Jewel should not be used for any selfish purposes or else it will be corrupted. Remember that Kagome." Kagome nodded even though she didn't know half the words that he had just said.
"Okay," she whispered and closed her eyes too, like her father.
She wanted to be just like him...
(End of Flashback)
Kagome opened her eyes wide and sat up. "The reason the other two wasn't able to keep the Jewel under their protection for so long was because they wanted to use it for themselves. Midoriko for more power and strength, Kikyo to make her lover human, but Princess Kagome... It never stated that she wanted to use it for herself."
Lanai opened her eyes and rolled over on her stomach so she could see Kagome. "And you know this why?" Kagome turned around to Lanai, "Because my father used to talk about it all the time. I think the Jewel may be located on the other side of the island. I remember my father talking about a point in the trees where it was shaped of an arrow."
"An arrow? Why is that?" Kagome racked through her head trying to recall what her father had said about the symbol. "Because that was the Princess's choice of weapon, she was a better archer than the previous Chosen Guardian Kikyo, if I recall..."
Lanai flipped over on her back and let out a yawn. "Good, remember it tomorrow when we..." Lanai dozed off, tired form the load of work today. Kagome closed her eyes and went to sleep shortly afterwards.
Kagome woke up early and fumbled her way out of the tent. The early sun hit her eyes, blinding her for a moment. She stood there adjusting to the brightness and stared ahead. She wash going to wash her face and get ready for her hike later on but was caught up in the moment of Inuyasha's naked upper half.
He didn't notice Kagome standing there with her mouth hanging open. Instead he splashed the renewed cool water onto his face, little droplets of the water trailing down towards his sculpted chest and abs... He turned around and saw Kagome standing there, staring at him.
He gave Kagome his usual smirk and walked over to her, drying his face on the towel. Kagome felt her cheeks growing warm at the sight of his very naked and hot body coming nearer to her.
"All yours." He said pointing to the water basin, smiling. Kagome nodded avoiding his eyes as she walked over to the basin.
He gave a soft chuckle and draped his towel over his shoulder and went inside his tent. Kagome splashed the water over her face to calm her nerves. It did very little for what she was feeling at the moment. She had just seen a very hot man, half-naked.
She took slow breaths and closed her eyes to compose herself. She rested her head in her hands. She had been feeling these unexplainable feelings for him over the last few days. Only to have it grow more and more each day. She stood up and walked over to the tent and grabbed her bag. She shook Lanai to wake her up.
Lanai opened her eyes a few moments later. "Huh?" she rubbed her eyes and sat up. "Is it time to go?" Kagome nodded, "Yeah, I left a note for the others and explained why it's just a small group that's going." Lanai yawned and nodded at the same time. Kagome went outside to let Lanai change. A few moments later she came out of the tent.
"Let's go." She whispered. Kagome's throat constricted, she could feel the anxiousness rise in her. What they were doing was very risky; it could jeopardize the whole mission.
Kagome and Lanai were almost at the clearing when they hear soft but heavy thuds of footsteps behind them. Kagome turned around and saw that it was Inuyasha. "So you're coming?" Inuyasha looked at Kagome and gave a quick nod. Kagome turned back around to the trail and led the group.
They stopped when they came to a dead end. Kagome looked over the cliff, it was so far down that she couldn't even see the bottom. She edged back and shook her head. "This trail is a dead end guys." Lanai sighed, however Inuyasha continued to look around the clearing. Kagome leaned her whole body against the tree, it was the biggest and the shadiest tree out of the rest. She looked up and saw that the leaves of the trees came into a shape of an arrow...
Kagome gasped when she felt herself leaning farther and farther, at first she thought she was losing composure till she landed on the ground and the tree behind her leaning so far back that it was touching the ground on the opposite side of her.
Kagome turned around and stared at the tree. "What the..." Kagome then felt herself slowly being lowered to the ground, she was sinking... When she notice the ground was giving into her body weight faster she started to scream, "You guys..." Her voice led off as she was falling, at the last second her arm was grasped onto Inuyasha's arm, she was dangling in midair. Kagome looked down and saw it was pitch black inside, she screamed.
Inuyasha tightened his grip, "Don't scream, and stay calm. Remember I've got you, I won't let you go. Just take a deep breath and give me your other hand." Kagome looked up into his eyes and took a deep breath as he said. She swung slightly to give her other hand to him. After a few tries she managed to have both hands in his.
He pulled her up slowly, Kagome helped by placing her feet on the wall of the deep hole and climbing up as best as she could. When she was out of the hole she held onto Inuyasha. She was in completely shock at the time that she didn't care what she was doing now, she was alive.
However Inuyasha was a bit hesitant on how to react to Kagome being so close to him. He slowly lowered his arms down and encircled her. His nose was buried in her soft raven tresses, a small hint of fragrance wafting under his nose. It was a pleasant sort of smell, he noticed. He also noticed the hug wasn't too bad either...
However the moment was ruined when Lanai cleared her throat extremely loud. The two broke apart form the hug, Kagome blushing madly. Lanai rose an eyebrow but didn't say a word. Instead she carried a smile on her face that seemed all to knowing, she handed Kagome the long thick rope and Inuyasha the heavy-duty flashlight.
Kagome wrapped the rope around a secure tree and tied an expert knot, while Inuyasha flashed the flashlight into the deep hole. He couldn't see anything except the empty blackness. When he saw the rope was ready he clipped the flashlight to his belt and held the rope firmly in both hands and headed down. He finally landed on the ground with his two feet.
He felt the movements of the rope as the other two were climbing down the rope. Inuyasha shined the flashlight around the surroundings, to his right he saw what seemed like a tunnel. He looked over to Kagome and Lanai who were now on the ground with him. "There's a tunnel over there." He said softly. Kagome turned on her small flashlight and pointed in the direction of his flashlight.
"Then we should check it out," she replied, turning off her flashlight in order to save the batteries. Lanai nodded and followed behind the other two. Kagome would stop once in a while when she looked at the cave writings. The writings were etched in deep blue. The group kept close and continued to look for anything that was significant.
Kagome saw a thin stream of gold light shining ahead. She shielded her eyes and walked into the room, the others closely following. She gasped when she saw the room she was in.
It was covered in bits and pieces of gold and onyx tokens molded into the wall. She saw in the center a stream of lighting shooting down on a ruby box. Kagome walked closer to the center of the room, she jumped back slightly only when the stream of light changed into an aqua green with sparks flying over the place, Kagome saw the sparks swirling around her, hugging her body.
She looked over at Inuyasha and Lanai who stood frozen in place afraid of what to do. Inuyasha walked closer and was now behind Kagome. "Do you feel anything?" Kagome shook her head and stared back at the box, then she felt it again. A sudden rush of cold air shooting through, covering every inch of her from head to toe. She closed her eyes from the immense prickles of pain.
In the distant background she could hear Lanai telling Inuyasha to stay still to not interfere. She blanked out.
"Tell me what is happening out there?" The Princess reprimanded. Her messenger bow and avoided the Princess's gaze. "I come hear to bring bad news. Please forgive me for what is about to come out of my mouth, my lady." The Princess sat down and nodded, allowing the messenger to continue.
Kagome saw that it was taking place in the same room she was in. The room filled with gold and onyx tokens but there was no ruby box perched on a golden stand in the center of the room.
"The word is that Prince Inuyasha had been killed in battle." At the instant she heard that Princess Kagome's eyes became glassy on the brink of shedding her tears. She shook her head. "No it cannot be..."
The messenger closed his eyes and nodded. "I'm afraid so my lady. He was fending off the intruders from being able to reach the area of which the secret room is located, where you will be performing the ritual. He was not able to succeed for they outnumbered him greatly. They are coming at this very moment. You must do the task now."
The Princess nodded, not even shedding any tears but carrying a face of pain and loss. She was holding back everything in order not to cry, she had to be strong.
She took the ruby box out of her pocket and placed it in the middle. The golden stream of light hit the box, protecting it. She withdrew her hand and walked away from it, she then nodded to her messenger.
"The jewel is secured, I have created an illusion a few days ago where it seemed I have left the earth with the jewel. It was by the Koori River, I believe the intruders fell for it. They do not know that the Jewel is actually hidden here, I might've lost the chain to the Jewel there, though." She said quietly.
The messenger not noticing the tone of her voice said, "The chain is of no importance, the Shikon Jewel is. Now we must leave quickly Princess Kagome. We need to let the room be sealed up by the Fates."
The Princess followed behind the messenger but paused before completely exiting the room. She turned around and looked at the box.
"My only wish is that he will be free and reunited with me in the end." She turned back around and left the room...
It became dark and fuzzy.
Kagome could hear Lanai and Inuyasha's voices becoming louder and louder. Kagome instantly opened her eyes and sat up as an involuntary reaction but soon regretted it. She quickly leaned back down when she felt the rush of dizziness pounding in her head.
She felt the arms of someone catch her, she opened her eyes and looked up. She saw that it was Inuyasha. "Are you okay?" He whispered. Kagome nodded and pointed to the stand. "The Jewel..." She whispered, feeling her energy draining out of her slowly.
Inuyasha looked up at the golden stand and then back at Kagome. "The Jewel is in that box?" he said. Kagome nodded, her eyes never leaving Inuyasha's face. "Yes."
Inuyasha touched her forehead, it was considerably warm but he wasn't sure, it could've been the temperature. "Do you think you can stand up?" Kagome nodded slowly, Inuyasha helped her up and held onto her even when she was on her feet. Kagome's had reached out for the box, fingers slightly trembling. She bit her lip and touched the box.
Nothing happened, she carefully undid the latch and lifted the lid open. Her eyes grew large when she saw the Shikon Jewel sitting there as if it was waiting for her.
Her hand shook uncontrollably when she grasped the Jewel in her hands. She let out a cry of surprise, she was holding the actual Jewel in her hand. She watched it roll around on her hand as she wavered her hand back and forth.
The lavender pink jewel radiating off the palm of her hand. She enclosed her hand and opened it again, it was real... Lanai let out a gasp and Inuyasha's face was in complete shock.
Kagome closed her hand and threw herself around her two partners. "We found it, we did it."
Sango handed Miroku the note and shook her head. "Are they crazy, if you know who even finds out about this... We're dead." She whispered menacingly. Miroku reread the note, he couldn't believe Kagome. But he couldn't believe he was reading this note either.
"I think they've gone mad. It's the jungle fever." Sango rolled her eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. "No, they know something is up and we don't have much time. Mr. Liar over there is going to be waking up in two hours and he's going to want to know where they are." Miroku gulped and crumbled up the note and threw it into the fire.
"Well we'll think off something, we'll say... No, no that's not going to work... How about...? No... I don't know?" he threw his hands up in the air and shrugged. Sango watched the note completely burn and disintegrate before her eyes, she looked back over at Miroku and was about to strangle him when she hear footsteps.
They both turned around and saw the missing three members coming back. Sango would've let out a squeal of happiness but kept her mouth shut. She didn't want to wake up Mr. Pearce. She and Miroku ran to them quietly.
They saw Kagome was holding a ruby red box in her hands and being carried by Inuyasha. Lanai was carrying the bags and the equipment, she placed a hand up to her lip warning them to be quiet.
Sango led them to the men's tent since it was bigger and they needed to awake Shippo. Miroku sat near the door to be on the lookout for Mr. Pearce's awakening. Lanai woke up Shippo and told him to be quiet.
Shippo sat up in his sleeping bag and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. "Huh? What are you guys doing in here?" he whispered. Sango nodded to the box that was in Kagome's hands. Shippo became extremely alert then. "Kagome are you okay?" Shippo asked seeing the state she was in. Kagome nodded weakly and opened the box.
The three others that had not seen the jewel gasped quietly. "Oh my god, is that really what I think it is?" Sango whispered. Shippo crawled over closer and saw his reflection in the Jewel.
He was afraid to touch it. Kagome nodded, "There's a secret underground passage out over there, and it's past the clearing. It collapsed when we came out of it a short while later. The Jewel was in there and I had a vision again."
This time Inuyasha stared at Kagome in surprise, she had not mention that detail back there, Kagome closed the box and looked at the group before her. "It was about her hiding the Jewel and then escaping from the island. It stopped there. But what we need to do is go open that cave door inside and now, before the sun is completely up."
Shippo was going to ask why but he decided not to when he saw Kagome's tired face. She had not been sleeping well over the past few days. Inuyasha carried Kagome and the others filed out behind him.
They were all huddled in the cave except Shippo and Lanai, who were guarding the entrance of the cave. Inuyasha held her up as Kagome opened the box and held the Jewel in her hand.
She looked over to Miroku and Sango who watched her in anticipation. Kagome then looked over to Inuyasha, he nodded with reassurance. Kagome took in a deep breath as her hand neared the keyhole.
She pulled back when the Jewel flew out of her hand and stood in midair inches away from the keyhole. She and the others watched as the Jewel grew richer in color and spun in the air.
Then suddenly it stopped and as if a magnetic force was there the Jewel flew straight into the keyhole. There was a slight clicking noise, it seemed as if the Jewel was unlocking the cave door.
Then again, it stopped and silence hung greatly in the air. The anticipation growing and rising each passing second. Then a slight creaking sound was made as the door swung back slowly to uncover what was behind it after all this time.
Inuyasha gently pulled Kagome backwards as the door completely swung all the way back. Kagome held onto Inuyasha's shoulder, her breaths quickening. She could hears the same whispers again but this time it wasn't at all scary.
It was soothing and enchanting. Kagome took small steps, nervous and excited at the same time. She felt as if her heart had leaped up into her throat. Inuyasha carried her inside. The white light emanating from the inside they shielded their eyes again when they entered.
Kagome and Inuyasha kept their eyes closed and slowly opened them when they were adjusted to the intense bright white light.
Kagome gasped rather loudly when she saw what stood before them.
It wasn't what she was expecting at all.
Her hand touched the surface of the glass like material and she jumped back when she felt waves of warmth flow into her skin and throughout her body. She didn't feel tired and worn out any more. Her fever was gone...
Then she looked up at the figure, her eyes were transfixed at what she saw.
Her heart stopped for a moment when she saw the figure's eye shoot open. Kagome fell to the ground in shock.
It had just awoken.
AN: I keep on bringing up flashbacks because it's to show the close relationship of Kagome and her father. It also has to do with the connection of how she became an archaeologist and the connection with her and the Shikon Jewel... That's all I'm saying for now...
Oh and a special thanks to one of my reviewer's, Mirokuluver. Your reviews always make me smile so much, so I wrote updated this chapter for you today. And for those waiting for A Country Life, the update will be sometime this weekend, Friday at the earliest.
Disclaimer: Shakes her head no...
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The Lost Jewel
Chapter Four
Unveiling
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Kagome couldn't believe what was there, in her hands... It was her father's book, she feel a surge of happiness run through her body. She gathered the stuff and ran back to the group behind her.
"Miroku! You won't believe what I found?!" Kagome shoved the paperbound book to his chest, she smiled at him eagerly. Miroku smiled faintly and patted Kagome on the shoulder. He hoped she was okay...
He looked down at his hand and his eyes widened. Now he could she why Kagome was excited. "Oh my god... Kagome where did you find this?" Kagome pointed behind her. "Back there under a rock, it was hidden."
Miroku picked up Kagome and spun her around. "Do you know what this means?" Kagome nodded while laughing.
Soon the group came closer to their ecstatic partners. Shippo rubbed the back of his neck and looked at the two friends that were jumping up and down. "Not to be rude or anything but why are you two celebrating?"
Miroku waved the book in front of Shippo's face. "Because of this." Shippo's jaw dropped, he looked over to Lanai and stuttered while pointing at Kagome and Miroku. "They... The... Translations..." Lanai shook her head not comprehending the words coming out of Shippo's mouth. "What are you talking about?" She asked impatiently.
Miroku handed the book to her. "Because of this." Lanai stared at the book in her hands, she went through the pages and let out a wail of happiness. "This is... PERFECT!" she shouted and hugged Miroku without even thinking. Several moments later there was a loud slap and a red handprint on Miroku's face. Lanai glared at the man on the ground and went over to Sango to explain to her the good news.
Inuyasha leaned back against the tree and looked over to his opposite side, the camp. He noticed that one man's tent flap was open... He was finally out, when the group wasn't even at the camp... Inuyasha walked over to the group. "You guys, the man is awake and up and I think we should go back. But first we need to hide this stuff." Kagome nodded and wrapped her jacket around the briefcase and held it to her side. Inuyasha nodded when he approved.
Sango led the group and stopped when she saw the man come out of the girls' tent. "What the hel... I mean what were you doing in our tent?" The beady- eyed man looked around at the group carefully. He snapped back at Sango. "What I'm suppose to do, keep the boss updated on your work here." He held out the big silver book in front of the group. "Is this your idea of a joke?" He whispered coolly.
Sango snatched the book out of his hands and slapped across the little man's cheek forcefully. "What we have been doing is working and not snooping around through other people's business. Trying to translate a whole another language is a difficult task, especially if it isn't a present day language but a lost language! And another thing, if I ever catch you in our tent, just once more. I will personally make sure that you'll never be able to walk again or reproduce."
The man removed his hand from the area where Sango had slapped him. He shook his index finger in her face. "I just hope you know who you are dealing with Miss Atkushi! I am Adam Pearce, a colleague and close friend of Mr. Kenton. You wouldn't want to be sent back for your stupid little action you caused, now do you?" Sango stared at the man with deep loathing before simply answering a "No."
The man smirked slyly and walked back to his tent closing the flap rather roughly. Kagome placed a hand on Sango's shoulder. "Don't worry, I doubt he would do that, he obviously doesn't know how important you are to this expedition." Sango brushed her hand through her bangs and let out a deep sigh. "I know... I guess I overreacted but he had no right..."Sango stopped when she could hear snicker throughout the group. Kagome was the first. Her shoulders started shaking from containing in her laughter, Sango noticed.
"What's so funny?" She asked. Kagome bursted out laughing, "Like you don't know!" Sango shook her head slowly, "I'm afraid I don't..." She replied. Kagome finally stopped laughing and caught her breath. "That you slapped a tiny ugly man and then you threatened to castrate him." Sango turned beet red at what Kagome said. "Ohh, that..."
Kagome ran her hands across the words on the wall. Lanai had been able to finish translating the cave exterior while Kagome and Inuyasha translated the two inside walls. Inuyasha stopped at a word he didn't know. He turned around to Kagome. "Hey do you know which word is the one with the double loop around the four count letter?"
Kagome flipped the pages around in the book. "It's unlocking..." Inuyasha nodded and flashed Kagome a quick smile before turning around. Kagome's face held a smile too as she continued to work.
She dusted the bottom part of the wall with a small brush. The flashlight shone over the words that were hidden. She read the transcripts carefully, glancing up and down at the book occasionally. "Behind the wall of four elements there lies the hidden object that will set the Jewel free form existence. Our Princess created the Jewel as the key to unlocking the door, therefore no one could ever get behind it without the key, and only her line of blood can open this door that stands on holy grounds."
Kagome stood up and touched the key hole again. "I guess the Shikon Jewel isn't back there..." She whispered. Kagome jumped when she felt Inuyasha's breath on her neck from behind. "What do you mean?" Kagome pointed to the wall she had translated to the keyhole. "The wall said that whatever is behind there is under protection and cannot go in unless they have the Shikon Jewel. The Shikon Jewel is the key to opening that door."
Inuyasha formed an 'O' with his mouth and looked at the keyhole. "Where do you suggest the Shikon Jewel is then?" Kagome shrugged and turned around facing him. "It could be anywhere, the walls only tell about the story of the Princess and the Prince and the reason for this cave being here... Maybe Lanai has something for us?"
Inuyasha motioned Kagome to go before him and followed after her out of the cave.
Lanai was scribbling in her notepad the words that she was translating. Her eyes were deeply fixated on the cave exterior, all sounds were blocked from her mind. It was something that she learned to do when she was studying to become a linguist. Her sapphire blue eyes danced across the words then to her paper. Her hand was going back and forth, writing fast and hurriedly.
She turned around only when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She flashed a smile to Kagome and Inuyasha. "Hey," she said, her eyes twinkling. Kagome leaned over to see what Lanai had written on the paper. It looked like a story from Kagome's point of view.
"How's the translation going?" Kagome asked. Lanai set her pencil and notepad on the ground and pointed to the exterior of the cave.
The whole thing talks about the Princess and the Prince of how they met and fell in love. Much like the wall writings on the inside, am I right?" Inuyasha sighed and nodded along with Kagome. "But..." Lanai continued, "The only difference is this talks much and I mean much more about the Shikon Jewel. You see on the left side there is a whole description of the Jewel and how it was created. Here look at my notepad."
Kagome took the notepad and held it out so that both she and Inuyasha could read it. Kagome read it out loud for them. "The Shikon Jewel was created by the Gods, composed of the elements of water, wind, fire, and earth, in the purest form possible. It was made to balance the world of good and evil, if one was more than the other, all would fail. Therefore the Jewel was made to keep the world balanced of good and evil from preventing the destruction of the world. Years before the birth of the cavemen and all mankind, the Shikon Jewel was being taken into small fragments and combined into one. The process of the Jewel fully being combined and restored took an average one thousand years. It then went into hiding waiting for the Chosen Guardian to protect it once danger and unbalancing of good and evil started to fall apart as the Gods predicted."
Kagome paused and looked up at Lanai. "Is this for real?" Lanai nodded; she waved her hand for Kagome to continue. Kagome continued reading the material out loud. "The First Chosen Guardian was Midoriko, who was supposed to be the sole heiress and all time protector of the Jewel. But as times changed and youkais greatly multiplied, she was no longer able to guard it with her full potential power anymore. Then it was passed on to Kikyo, the priestess of a hidden and far off temple, where she was trained in order to protect the Jewel. That too was another failure as evil and hate consumed her pure heart, once she was brutally murdered."
Kagome paused a moment to catch her breath from reading so fast. "Then it was at last presented to the last and final hope. Princess Kagome Namunaki of the Tanega Island. She was able to succeed and control the purity of the Jewel. But once again threats and greater evil power rose in the Feudal Warring Era of Japan. She was immediately sent to this island to remain hidden with the Jewel. It is said to be rumored that she hid the Jewel in the Hidden Passage by the river that we had created for her on this island. She was hidden and unseen by evil forces but the Jewel grew restless as did the Chosen Guardian. She soon left the world waiting for her love. The Jewel however did not leave with her..."
Kagome looked at Lanai. "Where's the rest?" Lanai shrugged and pointed to the cave wall. "A good chunk of it's missing, it was like it was blasted apart from this wall. That's all I could get."
"Okay so where do you assume this Hidden Passage is located?" Inuyasha asked impatiently. Kagome looked around. "It's definitely not around here the location is somewhere far form here by the looks of things." Kagome added.
Inuyasha growled, "This is becoming one big game of hide and seek here. I came on an expedition to find the Jewel and look what it turns into." He shook his head fretfully. Lanai looked at the river and then where it flowed off to, she had a hunch. "We'll follow the ends of the river tomorrow, it's getting late we should get to bed soon." Lanai said helpfully. Kagome looked up at the sky and saw that she was right.
After everyone had their dinner a while ago most had turned over for the night expect for the three that were standing out. Kagome yawned and stretched her arms. "Yeah let's go to bed and we'll work on it tomorrow." Inuyasha waved to the girls' goodnight and headed off to his tent that he shared with the guys, while Kagome and Lanai went to theirs.
Kagome whispered to Lanai about her visions that night in the tent. Lanai's head was resting in her hands, arms propped on the ground. "I think Miroku was right, Kagome. You are most likely Princess Kagome's reincarnation."
Kagome rolled around on her sleeping bag feeling uncomfortable. "I guess maybe I am, but her visions aren't very clear. They're jumbles of one big puzzle. It's just none of the pieces are matching up right now to create one specific image."
Kagome looked up at the ceiling of her tent with her fingers entwined and resting on her stomach. She closed her eyes for a moment, thinking of what her father use to say about the legend.
(Flashback)
"Kagome what is that you found?" Her father asked. Kagome showed her father a pink conch. "This washed up on shore." She placed the conch in his hands.
Her father looked inside the conch, he found it to be empty. "This a pretty color, don't you think so?" Kagome nodded while piling more shells in her yellow pail. "It's very pretty Daddy." She replied, agreeing with her father.
Her father smiled and sat down on the sand. Kagome sat alongside her father. "It's like the Shikon Jewel you told me about in the stories." Her father looked at Kagome in surprise, "You remembered that story? It was so long ago."
Kagome nodded again, smiling so wide that you could see which baby teeth were missing. "It's my favorite." She whispered leaning against his arms.
Her father placed the conch on the top of the pail and watched the waves crash upon the shore. "It's one of the world's biggest mysteries about the past. We might never know what happened to it." Kagome stopped burying her feet in the sand and looked up at her father.
His grey eyes radiated with warmth as he wrapped his arm around Kagome. "Hey there kiddo, whatcha doing?" Kagome shrugged and laughed playfully. "Nothing," she lied. Her father caught her by the waist and spun her around, when her father got tired he put her down on the sandy ground. Kagome laid down on the sand next to her father.
"Daddy I want to be an arch... I want to just like you when you grow up." Her father brushed the sand off Kagome's forehead and nose. "You want to be an archaeologist, like Daddy?" he said. Kagome smiled, "Yes an archaeol... Archaeolageest."
Her father laughed at her attempt to saying the word. "An archaeologist." Her father corrected.
Kagome nodded and let out a deep sigh. She gave up on the word. "Yes, I want to be what you are Daddy, so that we can go on adventures together and find the Shikon Jewel together. Just you and me."
Her father closed his eyes, a smile still on his face. He let the warmth of the beach sun wash over him. "Id we did find the Jewel you have to know one thing...The Jewel should not be used for any selfish purposes or else it will be corrupted. Remember that Kagome." Kagome nodded even though she didn't know half the words that he had just said.
"Okay," she whispered and closed her eyes too, like her father.
She wanted to be just like him...
(End of Flashback)
Kagome opened her eyes wide and sat up. "The reason the other two wasn't able to keep the Jewel under their protection for so long was because they wanted to use it for themselves. Midoriko for more power and strength, Kikyo to make her lover human, but Princess Kagome... It never stated that she wanted to use it for herself."
Lanai opened her eyes and rolled over on her stomach so she could see Kagome. "And you know this why?" Kagome turned around to Lanai, "Because my father used to talk about it all the time. I think the Jewel may be located on the other side of the island. I remember my father talking about a point in the trees where it was shaped of an arrow."
"An arrow? Why is that?" Kagome racked through her head trying to recall what her father had said about the symbol. "Because that was the Princess's choice of weapon, she was a better archer than the previous Chosen Guardian Kikyo, if I recall..."
Lanai flipped over on her back and let out a yawn. "Good, remember it tomorrow when we..." Lanai dozed off, tired form the load of work today. Kagome closed her eyes and went to sleep shortly afterwards.
Kagome woke up early and fumbled her way out of the tent. The early sun hit her eyes, blinding her for a moment. She stood there adjusting to the brightness and stared ahead. She wash going to wash her face and get ready for her hike later on but was caught up in the moment of Inuyasha's naked upper half.
He didn't notice Kagome standing there with her mouth hanging open. Instead he splashed the renewed cool water onto his face, little droplets of the water trailing down towards his sculpted chest and abs... He turned around and saw Kagome standing there, staring at him.
He gave Kagome his usual smirk and walked over to her, drying his face on the towel. Kagome felt her cheeks growing warm at the sight of his very naked and hot body coming nearer to her.
"All yours." He said pointing to the water basin, smiling. Kagome nodded avoiding his eyes as she walked over to the basin.
He gave a soft chuckle and draped his towel over his shoulder and went inside his tent. Kagome splashed the water over her face to calm her nerves. It did very little for what she was feeling at the moment. She had just seen a very hot man, half-naked.
She took slow breaths and closed her eyes to compose herself. She rested her head in her hands. She had been feeling these unexplainable feelings for him over the last few days. Only to have it grow more and more each day. She stood up and walked over to the tent and grabbed her bag. She shook Lanai to wake her up.
Lanai opened her eyes a few moments later. "Huh?" she rubbed her eyes and sat up. "Is it time to go?" Kagome nodded, "Yeah, I left a note for the others and explained why it's just a small group that's going." Lanai yawned and nodded at the same time. Kagome went outside to let Lanai change. A few moments later she came out of the tent.
"Let's go." She whispered. Kagome's throat constricted, she could feel the anxiousness rise in her. What they were doing was very risky; it could jeopardize the whole mission.
Kagome and Lanai were almost at the clearing when they hear soft but heavy thuds of footsteps behind them. Kagome turned around and saw that it was Inuyasha. "So you're coming?" Inuyasha looked at Kagome and gave a quick nod. Kagome turned back around to the trail and led the group.
They stopped when they came to a dead end. Kagome looked over the cliff, it was so far down that she couldn't even see the bottom. She edged back and shook her head. "This trail is a dead end guys." Lanai sighed, however Inuyasha continued to look around the clearing. Kagome leaned her whole body against the tree, it was the biggest and the shadiest tree out of the rest. She looked up and saw that the leaves of the trees came into a shape of an arrow...
Kagome gasped when she felt herself leaning farther and farther, at first she thought she was losing composure till she landed on the ground and the tree behind her leaning so far back that it was touching the ground on the opposite side of her.
Kagome turned around and stared at the tree. "What the..." Kagome then felt herself slowly being lowered to the ground, she was sinking... When she notice the ground was giving into her body weight faster she started to scream, "You guys..." Her voice led off as she was falling, at the last second her arm was grasped onto Inuyasha's arm, she was dangling in midair. Kagome looked down and saw it was pitch black inside, she screamed.
Inuyasha tightened his grip, "Don't scream, and stay calm. Remember I've got you, I won't let you go. Just take a deep breath and give me your other hand." Kagome looked up into his eyes and took a deep breath as he said. She swung slightly to give her other hand to him. After a few tries she managed to have both hands in his.
He pulled her up slowly, Kagome helped by placing her feet on the wall of the deep hole and climbing up as best as she could. When she was out of the hole she held onto Inuyasha. She was in completely shock at the time that she didn't care what she was doing now, she was alive.
However Inuyasha was a bit hesitant on how to react to Kagome being so close to him. He slowly lowered his arms down and encircled her. His nose was buried in her soft raven tresses, a small hint of fragrance wafting under his nose. It was a pleasant sort of smell, he noticed. He also noticed the hug wasn't too bad either...
However the moment was ruined when Lanai cleared her throat extremely loud. The two broke apart form the hug, Kagome blushing madly. Lanai rose an eyebrow but didn't say a word. Instead she carried a smile on her face that seemed all to knowing, she handed Kagome the long thick rope and Inuyasha the heavy-duty flashlight.
Kagome wrapped the rope around a secure tree and tied an expert knot, while Inuyasha flashed the flashlight into the deep hole. He couldn't see anything except the empty blackness. When he saw the rope was ready he clipped the flashlight to his belt and held the rope firmly in both hands and headed down. He finally landed on the ground with his two feet.
He felt the movements of the rope as the other two were climbing down the rope. Inuyasha shined the flashlight around the surroundings, to his right he saw what seemed like a tunnel. He looked over to Kagome and Lanai who were now on the ground with him. "There's a tunnel over there." He said softly. Kagome turned on her small flashlight and pointed in the direction of his flashlight.
"Then we should check it out," she replied, turning off her flashlight in order to save the batteries. Lanai nodded and followed behind the other two. Kagome would stop once in a while when she looked at the cave writings. The writings were etched in deep blue. The group kept close and continued to look for anything that was significant.
Kagome saw a thin stream of gold light shining ahead. She shielded her eyes and walked into the room, the others closely following. She gasped when she saw the room she was in.
It was covered in bits and pieces of gold and onyx tokens molded into the wall. She saw in the center a stream of lighting shooting down on a ruby box. Kagome walked closer to the center of the room, she jumped back slightly only when the stream of light changed into an aqua green with sparks flying over the place, Kagome saw the sparks swirling around her, hugging her body.
She looked over at Inuyasha and Lanai who stood frozen in place afraid of what to do. Inuyasha walked closer and was now behind Kagome. "Do you feel anything?" Kagome shook her head and stared back at the box, then she felt it again. A sudden rush of cold air shooting through, covering every inch of her from head to toe. She closed her eyes from the immense prickles of pain.
In the distant background she could hear Lanai telling Inuyasha to stay still to not interfere. She blanked out.
"Tell me what is happening out there?" The Princess reprimanded. Her messenger bow and avoided the Princess's gaze. "I come hear to bring bad news. Please forgive me for what is about to come out of my mouth, my lady." The Princess sat down and nodded, allowing the messenger to continue.
Kagome saw that it was taking place in the same room she was in. The room filled with gold and onyx tokens but there was no ruby box perched on a golden stand in the center of the room.
"The word is that Prince Inuyasha had been killed in battle." At the instant she heard that Princess Kagome's eyes became glassy on the brink of shedding her tears. She shook her head. "No it cannot be..."
The messenger closed his eyes and nodded. "I'm afraid so my lady. He was fending off the intruders from being able to reach the area of which the secret room is located, where you will be performing the ritual. He was not able to succeed for they outnumbered him greatly. They are coming at this very moment. You must do the task now."
The Princess nodded, not even shedding any tears but carrying a face of pain and loss. She was holding back everything in order not to cry, she had to be strong.
She took the ruby box out of her pocket and placed it in the middle. The golden stream of light hit the box, protecting it. She withdrew her hand and walked away from it, she then nodded to her messenger.
"The jewel is secured, I have created an illusion a few days ago where it seemed I have left the earth with the jewel. It was by the Koori River, I believe the intruders fell for it. They do not know that the Jewel is actually hidden here, I might've lost the chain to the Jewel there, though." She said quietly.
The messenger not noticing the tone of her voice said, "The chain is of no importance, the Shikon Jewel is. Now we must leave quickly Princess Kagome. We need to let the room be sealed up by the Fates."
The Princess followed behind the messenger but paused before completely exiting the room. She turned around and looked at the box.
"My only wish is that he will be free and reunited with me in the end." She turned back around and left the room...
It became dark and fuzzy.
Kagome could hear Lanai and Inuyasha's voices becoming louder and louder. Kagome instantly opened her eyes and sat up as an involuntary reaction but soon regretted it. She quickly leaned back down when she felt the rush of dizziness pounding in her head.
She felt the arms of someone catch her, she opened her eyes and looked up. She saw that it was Inuyasha. "Are you okay?" He whispered. Kagome nodded and pointed to the stand. "The Jewel..." She whispered, feeling her energy draining out of her slowly.
Inuyasha looked up at the golden stand and then back at Kagome. "The Jewel is in that box?" he said. Kagome nodded, her eyes never leaving Inuyasha's face. "Yes."
Inuyasha touched her forehead, it was considerably warm but he wasn't sure, it could've been the temperature. "Do you think you can stand up?" Kagome nodded slowly, Inuyasha helped her up and held onto her even when she was on her feet. Kagome's had reached out for the box, fingers slightly trembling. She bit her lip and touched the box.
Nothing happened, she carefully undid the latch and lifted the lid open. Her eyes grew large when she saw the Shikon Jewel sitting there as if it was waiting for her.
Her hand shook uncontrollably when she grasped the Jewel in her hands. She let out a cry of surprise, she was holding the actual Jewel in her hand. She watched it roll around on her hand as she wavered her hand back and forth.
The lavender pink jewel radiating off the palm of her hand. She enclosed her hand and opened it again, it was real... Lanai let out a gasp and Inuyasha's face was in complete shock.
Kagome closed her hand and threw herself around her two partners. "We found it, we did it."
Sango handed Miroku the note and shook her head. "Are they crazy, if you know who even finds out about this... We're dead." She whispered menacingly. Miroku reread the note, he couldn't believe Kagome. But he couldn't believe he was reading this note either.
"I think they've gone mad. It's the jungle fever." Sango rolled her eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. "No, they know something is up and we don't have much time. Mr. Liar over there is going to be waking up in two hours and he's going to want to know where they are." Miroku gulped and crumbled up the note and threw it into the fire.
"Well we'll think off something, we'll say... No, no that's not going to work... How about...? No... I don't know?" he threw his hands up in the air and shrugged. Sango watched the note completely burn and disintegrate before her eyes, she looked back over at Miroku and was about to strangle him when she hear footsteps.
They both turned around and saw the missing three members coming back. Sango would've let out a squeal of happiness but kept her mouth shut. She didn't want to wake up Mr. Pearce. She and Miroku ran to them quietly.
They saw Kagome was holding a ruby red box in her hands and being carried by Inuyasha. Lanai was carrying the bags and the equipment, she placed a hand up to her lip warning them to be quiet.
Sango led them to the men's tent since it was bigger and they needed to awake Shippo. Miroku sat near the door to be on the lookout for Mr. Pearce's awakening. Lanai woke up Shippo and told him to be quiet.
Shippo sat up in his sleeping bag and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. "Huh? What are you guys doing in here?" he whispered. Sango nodded to the box that was in Kagome's hands. Shippo became extremely alert then. "Kagome are you okay?" Shippo asked seeing the state she was in. Kagome nodded weakly and opened the box.
The three others that had not seen the jewel gasped quietly. "Oh my god, is that really what I think it is?" Sango whispered. Shippo crawled over closer and saw his reflection in the Jewel.
He was afraid to touch it. Kagome nodded, "There's a secret underground passage out over there, and it's past the clearing. It collapsed when we came out of it a short while later. The Jewel was in there and I had a vision again."
This time Inuyasha stared at Kagome in surprise, she had not mention that detail back there, Kagome closed the box and looked at the group before her. "It was about her hiding the Jewel and then escaping from the island. It stopped there. But what we need to do is go open that cave door inside and now, before the sun is completely up."
Shippo was going to ask why but he decided not to when he saw Kagome's tired face. She had not been sleeping well over the past few days. Inuyasha carried Kagome and the others filed out behind him.
They were all huddled in the cave except Shippo and Lanai, who were guarding the entrance of the cave. Inuyasha held her up as Kagome opened the box and held the Jewel in her hand.
She looked over to Miroku and Sango who watched her in anticipation. Kagome then looked over to Inuyasha, he nodded with reassurance. Kagome took in a deep breath as her hand neared the keyhole.
She pulled back when the Jewel flew out of her hand and stood in midair inches away from the keyhole. She and the others watched as the Jewel grew richer in color and spun in the air.
Then suddenly it stopped and as if a magnetic force was there the Jewel flew straight into the keyhole. There was a slight clicking noise, it seemed as if the Jewel was unlocking the cave door.
Then again, it stopped and silence hung greatly in the air. The anticipation growing and rising each passing second. Then a slight creaking sound was made as the door swung back slowly to uncover what was behind it after all this time.
Inuyasha gently pulled Kagome backwards as the door completely swung all the way back. Kagome held onto Inuyasha's shoulder, her breaths quickening. She could hears the same whispers again but this time it wasn't at all scary.
It was soothing and enchanting. Kagome took small steps, nervous and excited at the same time. She felt as if her heart had leaped up into her throat. Inuyasha carried her inside. The white light emanating from the inside they shielded their eyes again when they entered.
Kagome and Inuyasha kept their eyes closed and slowly opened them when they were adjusted to the intense bright white light.
Kagome gasped rather loudly when she saw what stood before them.
It wasn't what she was expecting at all.
Her hand touched the surface of the glass like material and she jumped back when she felt waves of warmth flow into her skin and throughout her body. She didn't feel tired and worn out any more. Her fever was gone...
Then she looked up at the figure, her eyes were transfixed at what she saw.
Her heart stopped for a moment when she saw the figure's eye shoot open. Kagome fell to the ground in shock.
It had just awoken.
AN: I keep on bringing up flashbacks because it's to show the close relationship of Kagome and her father. It also has to do with the connection of how she became an archaeologist and the connection with her and the Shikon Jewel... That's all I'm saying for now...