Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own Inuyasha. Wish I did though..
A/N: I'm sorry!!!!!! To all you who read AWNW (or this, though there are very few), I'm sorry about the lack of update! It's just that, for whatever reason, I just couldn't get myself motivated to write, and even when I tried I found I suffered a severe case of writer's block. Honestly, this chapter took almost a week to write, and I for one, think it sucks. But at least it's a chapter, right?
It may take me awhile to update AWNW, or even this again, but bare with me. I promise to finish eventually.
Shades of Grey
Whirlpool
"Please state your name, miss," the authoritative voice stated brusquely, impatiently twiddling his fingers over the long list of names held loosely under his fidgeting palms. Idly he ran his fingers through his smooth chocolate hair, only barely keeping his circular glasses from sliding down his crooked nose before turning back to glance at the slightly agitated young woman standing before him, her hands applying a bit too much force to the granite countertop. He could already tell that she would be one of their more rebellious students (if you could call them that), and he mentally groaned. A feisty student was the last thing their school needed; they had already reached their quota for about the next five years about half an hour ago when the last girl showed up. He really needed to remind the board to start taking more care in screening their applicants.
"Kagome Higurashi," she tapped her foot impatiently as the man scanned the list of names before giving her a nod of approval and disappearing below the countertops for a moment. Confused, she rose up on tip-toe, attempting to spy on the man's latest endeavors, but her efforts were silenced when he almost immediately sprung up from below, clutching a small package in his palm.
"This is for you, miss Kagome," she vaguely wondered if it was even possible for a voice to sound more bored, but she decided to keep the sentiment to herself for (it seemed) the first time in her life. She had done her mother proud...
"Here are your rooming assignments, Miss Kagome. You'll be staying in Dorm 17, room 249 to be precise, with a veteran of ours, Kanna Tanaka," he handed her a small slip of golden brown paper which the young woman assumed to be a map of some kind, though she couldn't make it out to even the remotest of degrees. Shrugging, she turned her attention on the paper wrapped package that was thrust into her hand only moments later without even a word of acknowledgement.
"Excuse me sir, but-what is this?" she gestured toward the scrappily wrapped package with the "Fed-Ex" logo identifying the crude wrapping job and turned her gaze toward the Harry Potter look-a-like, who gave her a knowing smirk in return.
"Ahhh, I see you're unfamiliar with our customs," he clicked his tongue patronizingly at her, causing her to wince in slight revulsion. "Just think of it as a welcome gift Miss Kagome; I assure you, they're given out to everybody," he turned back toward the countertop, clearly dismissing their conversation as he waved her toward the entrance. "Now run along, Miss Kagome, I haven't the time nor the patience to deal with bewildered teens such as yourself. I, unlike you, am an accomplished individual full of hopes, dreams, and hopefully a large checkbook which won't be filled unless you give me the necessary time to complete my tasks. Understand?" she nodded slowly, biting back a nasty retort.
'But isn't that what he's HERE for? Some "advisor",' she chuckled inwardly before meekly nodding and heading in the direction of the doorway from which she had emerged only minutes earlier, her small tan heels clicking monotonously on the tile as she announced her departure with a curt good- bye before disappearing from the man's sight. He couldn't deny that he was slightly relived, there was just something strange about that girl that was difficult to put one's finger on. Not, to say, that the rest of the school's population wasn't strange as well, because, well, they were. But this one seemed slightly unlike the rest, and as much as it intrigued him, it unnerved him to no end. He swore to find out more about this girl...
As soon as he was done with this next game of Spider Solitaire...
Kagome wandered aimlessly down the corridors, anxious for even a single friendly face to help direct her through the vast uncharted territory to her humble little Dorm 17. But the students seemed to be scurrying about in a rush, their heads kept low to the ground and focused intently on their shoes. Though she'd heard it was normal for college students to be a bit overworked (and therefore have the tendency to scurry about like ants), this just....wasn't normal. They seemed surreal, as if they were under some sort of entrancement.
Shrugging off the uneasy feeling gathering around her shoulders, she leapt from one open spot to another, trying to avoid the silent hordes of students blocking her immediate path.
'I am sooo lost,' she sighed helplessly before deciding the best course of action would be to find human help. But the students looked more like drones then people, and she doubted any of them would be able to supply her with a decent set of directions. Deciding that testing her luck may be her only hope, she timidly tapped one of the less somber looking students on the shoulder and received the familiar greeting of a stony glare.
"Yes?" the sandy haired girl asked flippantly, her tone laced with thick annoyance. Her piercing blue eyes focused intently on Kagome's own, and it took the girl a few seconds to shake off the intimidating glower.
"Uh, hi," she shuffled her feet awkwardly. "I-I'm new here, and I'm trying to find Dorm 17. Can you, by any chance, give me some directions?" she asked hopefully, trying to incorporate a puppy-eyed look into her speech, but knowing even as she spoke that she was failing miserably.
The seemingly apathetic girl seemed immersed in thought for a moment as she absentmindedly smoothed out her knee-length pale blue skirt before turning back to the slightly younger student. "Dorm 17? You're one of THEM, then," her voice held a sour tinge, but Kagome knew better then to question it. "Dorm 17 is just outside of this building and to the left a little ways. You can't miss it, there's a big honking sign over it that reads DORM 17 in enormous letters. I don't even know why I'm bothering with someone who's obviously illiterate if you didn't notice something as obvious as that," her voice took a scornful turn before she gathered her schoolbooks in her arms and flounced away with the rest of the herd, shooting Kagome dirty glances over her shoulder as she did so.
Kagome shrugged, obviously confused. 'What the heck is her problem?' she shifted uncomfortably under the silence that seemed to envelop the entire building like a mute blanket, and she decided it would be best to find her dorm and settle in before worrying about the odd behavior of her new classmates.
Her footsteps pounded steadily on the dry tile as she made her way toward the double doors and swung them open with a light push of her palm. A warm smile lit up her face as she let scents of the trees invade her nostrils, and the whisper of the brisk morning air softly caress her skin. She remained still for a moment, transfixed in the early morning splendor, before snapping out of her trance and softly treading down the damp pathway, nervously clutching the crude package tightly against her slight frame. Trying to soothe her anxious nerves, she took a moment to appreciate the stunning scenery surrounding her. The few trees sprouted up from the ground at random intervals, each tree bearing unique golden brown leaves which marked the upcoming autumn. Wildflowers were strewn across luscious green fields, and an intricate fountain in the shape of a strikingly gorgeous mermaid stood proudly in the middle of a clearing, the sheen painting shining as if it'd been completed only yesterday. For all Kagome knew, it had.
Just as the student had said, a monstrous building stood just to the left of the school, bearing a rather large sign stating her exact location on its flat rooftop. Feeling a little humbled, Kagome pushed open the glassy double doors to reveal a cozy looking lobby full of squishy armchairs and a blaring television set. It looked like an ideal place to study or just enjoy a snack, and Kagome was positive she'd be seeing a lot of this lounge.
Except...it was completely empty.
Not one student sat munching Cheez-Its on the couch, and not a single soul sat drenched in sweat, furiously cramming for upcoming exams. The place looked positively deserted, and the uneasy feeling that had been bothering Kagome all day flew back into perspective, settling deep within her stomach with a jolt.
'Well it is a Friday. They're probably at a dorm party or something, and it really isn't anything to get freaked out over,' she reassured herself inwardly, timidly making her way to the shiny metal elevator doors which lay elegantly behind a checkered armchair.
She pushed the button and eagerly waited for the double doors to allow her access to her new future. 'I wonder what my roommate will be like,' she speculated as the doors parted to allow her entrance. The interior of the elevator was nothing impressive, just a standard golden colored bar for leaning on and a velvety red surface coating the metal flesh to make the scene appear more aesthetically pleasing to an untrained eye.
A small tingling noise sounded above the young teenager, and she reluctantly ended her train of thought to allow herself access to the hall before her. The doorways stood before her in a sold line down the corridor, and she hesitantly made her way down it until she finally reached her destination: Room 249. Fumbling around in her pockets, she withdrew a paper thin room key, given to her by the very man who had so kindly "welcomed" her to the school to begin with.
She swiped the key through the doorway's slot with ease, and stood back with satisfaction as the red light hurriedly switched over to green. Pressing lightly against the warm, silver handle, she lightly pushed upon the door, nudging it open until she knew she could easily slip in unnoticed. She didn't want to create too much attention if her roommate was sleeping, or maybe even studying, though so far all studying activities had seemed practically nonexistent here.
"Hello?" she called out apprehensively as she stepped in to admire the tastefully done room before her. Elegant paintings lined the walls and rich, flowered carpeting bristled softly under her feet. She padded softly down the hallway until she reached what she assumed to be the bedroom, as two fancy medieval comforters lay draped over two simple twin beds, and Kagome raced toward them as if she were a small child again, leaping into a pile of freshly raked leaves. The springs bounced a little under her weight as she collapsed upon one of the mattresses, obviously exhausted. She giggled with delight as she continued to bounce upon the squishy mattress, and she became so caught up in her childish antics that she failed to notice the small presence enter the room and calmly make its own way to the other mattress, lightly sinking upon it with elegant charisma.
"Care to quit it? That infernal giggling is going to drive me crazy," a quiet voice floated through Kagome's ears and her chocolate eyes fluttered open to locate the source of the sound. Her gaze fell upon the other mattress, where a girl no older then she sat primly, her hands folded neatly in her lap and her legs crossed beneath her in an obviously feminine gesture. Her skin was unnaturally pale, so much that Kagome had to wonder if she was even human, and her hair was dyed pale white, which Kagome thought added to the vaporous feel of the girl, though she'd never admit it aloud. She was clad in a long, flowing white dress, and Kagome was beginning to ponder whether or not the girl was albino when suddenly she rose, allowing Kagome to get a good glimpse at her height. In truth, she was much shorter then Kagome herself and obviously much more frail, as her legs barely appeared thicker then twigs, let alone thick enough to support a full grown college student.
"So, I see you're new here," she attempted to smile, and Kagome decided that it was an action the girl didn't often partake in, as the smile felt hollow and empty, as if void of any actual emotion. She stuck out a bony wrist, anticipating the return of Kagome's own tanned wrist as she shook it lightly. "Welcome then, I'm Kanna Tanaka. I hope you'll enjoy it here, yatta, yatta, yatta. Now save me the trouble and get outta here then, shall you?" she attempted a playful wink, another hauntingly apathetic gesture.
"Get outta here?" Kagome asked blankly, curling her legs up under her in preparation for a long conversation with her new roommate. Granted, she wasn't what she expected, but there was no reason that the two couldn't eventually become close companions. Maybe Kagome was exactly what the girl needed to draw her out of her shell, and she couldn't cease her wondering regarding why the girl seemed so... empty. Besides, a new challenge was just what the young woman needed, and she certainly felt up to it.
The ghostly girl scoffed before sinking back down upon the medieval patterns, landing upon the helmet of a particularly irritated knight. "You know what I'm implying here, don't you? Get going already! Most people don't dawdle you know; I know I didn't. Just use your portal and...," she was interrupted by the obviously confused girl sitting across from her.
"The portal? What are you talking about? And do you know when we get our schedules?"
Now it was Kanna's turn to appear confused. "Schedules?"
Kagome cocked her head curiously at the girl. How could she not know what "schedules" were? It wasn't exactly advanced vocabulary... "You know, schedules. Class listings. For...school," she finished lamely when she saw the dry look Kanna was giving her. "What? That IS what we're here for, isn't it?"
A hollow chuckle filled the room, growing increasingly louder as Kagome stared warily at the girl before her, who seemed to be clutching her sides in strained laughter. 'She definitely needs to get some Ovaltine,' she thought dryly as the girl continued her attempted laughter. Kagome waited patiently until her giggles subsided and the ghostly girl fell flat on her back, her arms and legs causing the comforter to wrinkle around her, and Kagome fought the urge to laugh at the image of a knight desperately attempting to escape from a particularly vengeful princess. Biting her lip, she stared cautiously at Kanna, who seemed to be trying to pull herself together. Using her frail palms to hoisther into her original prim position, she stared tranquilly at Kagome before proceeding to speak.
"You don't know, do you? You honestly don't know...," she trailed off with a chuckle. "You're one of the first I've seen in years".
"Know what?" Kagome asked fervently, her voice tinged with anxiety. "What are you on about?"
"All right, where to begin," Kanna sighed slowly, her expression once again serious, and Kagome seriously doubted whether or not she'd imagined the laughter erupting from her lips only moments ago, because at this particular moment, she looked incapable of any sort of laughter.
"First of all, you aren't at an arts school," she paused to let the words sink in to Kagome, who seemed to pale for a second before letting out a nervous giggle.
"What are you talking about? This is Valiquer School of Arts, isn't it? Of course it's an art school!" her voice sounded shaky, however, and it sounded more as if she were trying to reassure herself then anything.
'But then again,' she cringed inwardly. 'Remember what Yuka was telling you the day before you left? She kept going on about curses and unidentified happenings here, but it's all nonsense anyway. Besides, you hear rumors about college students on crack cocaine all the time, and this one probably isn't any different'.
"No, it's not," Kanna stated simply. "That's only an alibi, a pseudo image we use to keep the government from finding us. All of our inhabitants know of our identity of course, most before they arrive. It is quite, unusual," she coughed, though Kagome could sense the patronizing tone behind it, "that you were not informed".
A wave of shock passed across Kagome's face, though it was immediately replaced by an expression of pure pity. This girl was obviously insane, and Kagome thought it would be best to just humor her and allow her an outlet to her frustration. "All right, so if this isn't an art school, what is it then? A karate dojo?" she attempted to keep the cynical sarcasm absent from her voice, and it worked to a degree, though she knew she couldn't avoid it completely. This was just too absurd not to be scoffed at.
"No," Kanna sighed patiently before glaring at the silent laughter she saw growing in the girl's throat. "It's made, oh, how can I explain this?" she let out a groan of frustration. "All right, this isn't very easy to put into words, but I'll do the best that I can," she took a shaky breath before continuing. "Humans are not born with set destinies, contrary to popular belief. They have the freedom to conquer their desires, achieve their dreams, and fate will not stand in their way. Do you follow so far?" she asked patronizingly, and Kagome nodded with a roll of her chocolate eyes.
"Good. Now, this is the standard in MOST cases. However," she paused dramatically. "There are exceptions to the rule. Some of us, such as you or I, were selected before birth to complete our own destinies. We were not meant to live ordinary human lives, Kagome. We were specifically chosen to aide the other worlds, and we all must comply with our duties, or forever be haunted by what we could have done to prevent the certain destruction of them. This isn't done by choice, and we have no say in the matter. This is done out of duty and nothing else. Emotions can't stand in your way, and neither can your desires. This is an absolute necessity, Kagome, and that's why this school was built. A select group of government employees, who of course, keep this under wraps from the rest of the government, track down the chosen ones and notify their parents before their birth. We are brought up with the desire to attend this school, instilled in us by our parents at a young age. Then, just before we set off on our new, ordinary futures, they are to spring the truth on us, and tell us of our true identities. We are sent here to complete them, and you, Kagome, are the newest among us. Welcome," she finished breathlessly, staring icily at Kagome to see if she'd absorbed her words. Kagome seemed entranced for a moment, staring listlessly ahead before suddenly snapping out of her trance and swiveling her head to face Kanna's own penetrating gaze.
"Kanna... I," she trailed off in disappointment, lowering her head to keep from being forced into seeing Kanna's eyes. "Kanna, I'm sorry, but I just can't bring myself to believe it. The government always finds out about this sort of thing, and I'm sure that if any such thing were going on, the government would eventually discover and put a stop to it. And "other worlds"? Destinies? It all just sounds like a bunch of fairy tale rubbish to me, Kanna, and while I'm sorry, I just can't bring myself to accept something like that," she finished with a dry chuckle.
To her surprise, Kanna's voice remained as emotionless as ever as she surveyed the reluctant girl before her. "Do as you wish, Kagome, but I urge you to do one thing," Kagome lifted her head from her lap, her dubious gaze captivated by Kanna's pleading one.
"What would that be?" she asked warily, wondering idly if it was something preposterous like jumping down a pipe to see if it were some sort of intergalactic portal.
"Unwrap it," she commanded firmly, her gaze traveling to the crudely wrapped package lain forgotten by Kagome's side. Ensnared in her powerful gaze, Kagome nodded numbly, her fingers clumsily fumbling with the oddly shaped package before tearing the wrapping from its surface and allowing the tan strips of paper to drift listlessly to the floor.
When the last piece of paper floated to the soft carpeting below, Kagome took a good look at her newfound treasure, turning it over in her hands and allowing them to roam it in order to get a feel for its texture. The smooth golden surface felt pleasant beneath her wandering hands, and a surprising, yet vaguely comforting, reassuring feeling seemed to seep into her touch and flow through her veins like an electric jolt.
"It... It's a mirror," her brow furrowed in confusion, though she didn't continue her sentiments due to her preoccupation with the extraordinary object. Indeed, that's exactly what she was holding in the palm of her smooth, delicate hands; A mirror, its reflection showing naught but a swirling blue mist flying carelessly in its center, drawing the holder to it, as if it were the missing piece of a puzzle meant to satisfy them all their lives. Surrounding the strange whirlpools was a stunning golden trim made with artificial autumn leaves intertwined all around the strange new treasure. A slender silver rim outlined the entire mirror, so soft and fragile that you felt you could easily break through it if you desired, but its magnificent beauty kept any from doing so. She whipped the mirror around to allow the back to face her, and gasped as she saw the inscription carved into the silky gold.
Third time's the charm
'Now what could that mean?' Kagome pondered, vigorously trying to come up with answers to her countless questions. 'And why did they give me this? A mirror? I was expecting something more like a set of paints or something of that sort, and this is just a little too strange," she kept her jumbled thoughts inward, as she knew Kanna would just come up with some ridiculous theory that could answer all her questions, but still leave her trapped in the mystifying darkness.
"Well, touch it," Kanna crossed her twig-then arms smugly beneath her shoulders, and Kagome could've sworn she saw a smirk pass her ethereal lips as she gestured toward the mirror with a nod of her head, her hair clouding around her pale cheeks as she did so. "Come on, what's there to lose? If you truly don't believe me, then touch it!" she finished indignantly, and Kagome cocked her head in confusion, certainly not for the first time since her arrival.
"Touch it? But... I am touching it," she averted her gaze back to the unusual item in front of her, for she could never keep from staring at its churning blue waves for long. She felt as if she were under a spell and forced to watch as the whirlpools of mist dug deeper into the mirror's surface, journeying on a voyage that Kagome hadn't the slightest insight into. She stared back at Kanna, who by this point was scowling, an emotion which Kagome thought appeared much more valid upon the girl's pale lips then the rare smiles, and tapping her petite foot in impatience.
"Touch the reflection, Kagome. Ah wait, before you do, I realize that this is the most cliché thing in the universe, and when you arrive you'll probably run around saying "This is just a dream" and pinching yourself or whatever else. So for all our sakes, Kagome, don't waste time. It's not a dream, nor will it ever be a dream, and you'd be advised to forget your childish notions and complete the task set. The mirror can be used both ways, of course, so you needn't worry about being eternally trapped or something like that. Well, I think I've finished my rambling, and since you seem so insistent on trying my patience, I think I may need to give you a little head start," in a flash, she had appeared next to Kagome on her mattress, grabbing a tanned wrist with one of her own, pale ones and shoving it toward the mirror. Kagome was astonished at the girl's strength, but she figured it no match for her own and struggled to get out of the girl's grip, but surprisingly, her efforts were to no avail.
She twisted and writhed a bit more, but nothing seemed to work, and her outstretched fingers were drawing closer to the mirror's reflection every second. "Kanna?" she asked urgently. "Kanna, I want to go home. I don't know what's wrong with this place, but I desperately want to leave it, and I'd appreciate it if you'd let go of me. Kanna!! KANNA?" she finished frantically as she saw her fingers were only centimeters away from their doom. She may not believe in all of this nonsense, but that didn't keep her from fearing the worst. 'What if it is true?' she clamped her shaking eyes shut tightly, and attempted a shrill scream, only to feel the scream lodge itself in her throat. 'Oh gods, what if it is true? I – I just wanted to be an artist!' silent tears shed faithlessly in her brain, and Kagome felt her fingers caress the ocean tinted waves of the despicable mirror at last.
"Good-bye, Kagome," Kanna smiled sweetly, her smile as empty as ever as she waved to her newfound friend currently being dragged deeper into the depths of time. "Good luck".
A/N: I'm sorry!!!!!! To all you who read AWNW (or this, though there are very few), I'm sorry about the lack of update! It's just that, for whatever reason, I just couldn't get myself motivated to write, and even when I tried I found I suffered a severe case of writer's block. Honestly, this chapter took almost a week to write, and I for one, think it sucks. But at least it's a chapter, right?
It may take me awhile to update AWNW, or even this again, but bare with me. I promise to finish eventually.
Shades of Grey
Whirlpool
"Please state your name, miss," the authoritative voice stated brusquely, impatiently twiddling his fingers over the long list of names held loosely under his fidgeting palms. Idly he ran his fingers through his smooth chocolate hair, only barely keeping his circular glasses from sliding down his crooked nose before turning back to glance at the slightly agitated young woman standing before him, her hands applying a bit too much force to the granite countertop. He could already tell that she would be one of their more rebellious students (if you could call them that), and he mentally groaned. A feisty student was the last thing their school needed; they had already reached their quota for about the next five years about half an hour ago when the last girl showed up. He really needed to remind the board to start taking more care in screening their applicants.
"Kagome Higurashi," she tapped her foot impatiently as the man scanned the list of names before giving her a nod of approval and disappearing below the countertops for a moment. Confused, she rose up on tip-toe, attempting to spy on the man's latest endeavors, but her efforts were silenced when he almost immediately sprung up from below, clutching a small package in his palm.
"This is for you, miss Kagome," she vaguely wondered if it was even possible for a voice to sound more bored, but she decided to keep the sentiment to herself for (it seemed) the first time in her life. She had done her mother proud...
"Here are your rooming assignments, Miss Kagome. You'll be staying in Dorm 17, room 249 to be precise, with a veteran of ours, Kanna Tanaka," he handed her a small slip of golden brown paper which the young woman assumed to be a map of some kind, though she couldn't make it out to even the remotest of degrees. Shrugging, she turned her attention on the paper wrapped package that was thrust into her hand only moments later without even a word of acknowledgement.
"Excuse me sir, but-what is this?" she gestured toward the scrappily wrapped package with the "Fed-Ex" logo identifying the crude wrapping job and turned her gaze toward the Harry Potter look-a-like, who gave her a knowing smirk in return.
"Ahhh, I see you're unfamiliar with our customs," he clicked his tongue patronizingly at her, causing her to wince in slight revulsion. "Just think of it as a welcome gift Miss Kagome; I assure you, they're given out to everybody," he turned back toward the countertop, clearly dismissing their conversation as he waved her toward the entrance. "Now run along, Miss Kagome, I haven't the time nor the patience to deal with bewildered teens such as yourself. I, unlike you, am an accomplished individual full of hopes, dreams, and hopefully a large checkbook which won't be filled unless you give me the necessary time to complete my tasks. Understand?" she nodded slowly, biting back a nasty retort.
'But isn't that what he's HERE for? Some "advisor",' she chuckled inwardly before meekly nodding and heading in the direction of the doorway from which she had emerged only minutes earlier, her small tan heels clicking monotonously on the tile as she announced her departure with a curt good- bye before disappearing from the man's sight. He couldn't deny that he was slightly relived, there was just something strange about that girl that was difficult to put one's finger on. Not, to say, that the rest of the school's population wasn't strange as well, because, well, they were. But this one seemed slightly unlike the rest, and as much as it intrigued him, it unnerved him to no end. He swore to find out more about this girl...
As soon as he was done with this next game of Spider Solitaire...
Kagome wandered aimlessly down the corridors, anxious for even a single friendly face to help direct her through the vast uncharted territory to her humble little Dorm 17. But the students seemed to be scurrying about in a rush, their heads kept low to the ground and focused intently on their shoes. Though she'd heard it was normal for college students to be a bit overworked (and therefore have the tendency to scurry about like ants), this just....wasn't normal. They seemed surreal, as if they were under some sort of entrancement.
Shrugging off the uneasy feeling gathering around her shoulders, she leapt from one open spot to another, trying to avoid the silent hordes of students blocking her immediate path.
'I am sooo lost,' she sighed helplessly before deciding the best course of action would be to find human help. But the students looked more like drones then people, and she doubted any of them would be able to supply her with a decent set of directions. Deciding that testing her luck may be her only hope, she timidly tapped one of the less somber looking students on the shoulder and received the familiar greeting of a stony glare.
"Yes?" the sandy haired girl asked flippantly, her tone laced with thick annoyance. Her piercing blue eyes focused intently on Kagome's own, and it took the girl a few seconds to shake off the intimidating glower.
"Uh, hi," she shuffled her feet awkwardly. "I-I'm new here, and I'm trying to find Dorm 17. Can you, by any chance, give me some directions?" she asked hopefully, trying to incorporate a puppy-eyed look into her speech, but knowing even as she spoke that she was failing miserably.
The seemingly apathetic girl seemed immersed in thought for a moment as she absentmindedly smoothed out her knee-length pale blue skirt before turning back to the slightly younger student. "Dorm 17? You're one of THEM, then," her voice held a sour tinge, but Kagome knew better then to question it. "Dorm 17 is just outside of this building and to the left a little ways. You can't miss it, there's a big honking sign over it that reads DORM 17 in enormous letters. I don't even know why I'm bothering with someone who's obviously illiterate if you didn't notice something as obvious as that," her voice took a scornful turn before she gathered her schoolbooks in her arms and flounced away with the rest of the herd, shooting Kagome dirty glances over her shoulder as she did so.
Kagome shrugged, obviously confused. 'What the heck is her problem?' she shifted uncomfortably under the silence that seemed to envelop the entire building like a mute blanket, and she decided it would be best to find her dorm and settle in before worrying about the odd behavior of her new classmates.
Her footsteps pounded steadily on the dry tile as she made her way toward the double doors and swung them open with a light push of her palm. A warm smile lit up her face as she let scents of the trees invade her nostrils, and the whisper of the brisk morning air softly caress her skin. She remained still for a moment, transfixed in the early morning splendor, before snapping out of her trance and softly treading down the damp pathway, nervously clutching the crude package tightly against her slight frame. Trying to soothe her anxious nerves, she took a moment to appreciate the stunning scenery surrounding her. The few trees sprouted up from the ground at random intervals, each tree bearing unique golden brown leaves which marked the upcoming autumn. Wildflowers were strewn across luscious green fields, and an intricate fountain in the shape of a strikingly gorgeous mermaid stood proudly in the middle of a clearing, the sheen painting shining as if it'd been completed only yesterday. For all Kagome knew, it had.
Just as the student had said, a monstrous building stood just to the left of the school, bearing a rather large sign stating her exact location on its flat rooftop. Feeling a little humbled, Kagome pushed open the glassy double doors to reveal a cozy looking lobby full of squishy armchairs and a blaring television set. It looked like an ideal place to study or just enjoy a snack, and Kagome was positive she'd be seeing a lot of this lounge.
Except...it was completely empty.
Not one student sat munching Cheez-Its on the couch, and not a single soul sat drenched in sweat, furiously cramming for upcoming exams. The place looked positively deserted, and the uneasy feeling that had been bothering Kagome all day flew back into perspective, settling deep within her stomach with a jolt.
'Well it is a Friday. They're probably at a dorm party or something, and it really isn't anything to get freaked out over,' she reassured herself inwardly, timidly making her way to the shiny metal elevator doors which lay elegantly behind a checkered armchair.
She pushed the button and eagerly waited for the double doors to allow her access to her new future. 'I wonder what my roommate will be like,' she speculated as the doors parted to allow her entrance. The interior of the elevator was nothing impressive, just a standard golden colored bar for leaning on and a velvety red surface coating the metal flesh to make the scene appear more aesthetically pleasing to an untrained eye.
A small tingling noise sounded above the young teenager, and she reluctantly ended her train of thought to allow herself access to the hall before her. The doorways stood before her in a sold line down the corridor, and she hesitantly made her way down it until she finally reached her destination: Room 249. Fumbling around in her pockets, she withdrew a paper thin room key, given to her by the very man who had so kindly "welcomed" her to the school to begin with.
She swiped the key through the doorway's slot with ease, and stood back with satisfaction as the red light hurriedly switched over to green. Pressing lightly against the warm, silver handle, she lightly pushed upon the door, nudging it open until she knew she could easily slip in unnoticed. She didn't want to create too much attention if her roommate was sleeping, or maybe even studying, though so far all studying activities had seemed practically nonexistent here.
"Hello?" she called out apprehensively as she stepped in to admire the tastefully done room before her. Elegant paintings lined the walls and rich, flowered carpeting bristled softly under her feet. She padded softly down the hallway until she reached what she assumed to be the bedroom, as two fancy medieval comforters lay draped over two simple twin beds, and Kagome raced toward them as if she were a small child again, leaping into a pile of freshly raked leaves. The springs bounced a little under her weight as she collapsed upon one of the mattresses, obviously exhausted. She giggled with delight as she continued to bounce upon the squishy mattress, and she became so caught up in her childish antics that she failed to notice the small presence enter the room and calmly make its own way to the other mattress, lightly sinking upon it with elegant charisma.
"Care to quit it? That infernal giggling is going to drive me crazy," a quiet voice floated through Kagome's ears and her chocolate eyes fluttered open to locate the source of the sound. Her gaze fell upon the other mattress, where a girl no older then she sat primly, her hands folded neatly in her lap and her legs crossed beneath her in an obviously feminine gesture. Her skin was unnaturally pale, so much that Kagome had to wonder if she was even human, and her hair was dyed pale white, which Kagome thought added to the vaporous feel of the girl, though she'd never admit it aloud. She was clad in a long, flowing white dress, and Kagome was beginning to ponder whether or not the girl was albino when suddenly she rose, allowing Kagome to get a good glimpse at her height. In truth, she was much shorter then Kagome herself and obviously much more frail, as her legs barely appeared thicker then twigs, let alone thick enough to support a full grown college student.
"So, I see you're new here," she attempted to smile, and Kagome decided that it was an action the girl didn't often partake in, as the smile felt hollow and empty, as if void of any actual emotion. She stuck out a bony wrist, anticipating the return of Kagome's own tanned wrist as she shook it lightly. "Welcome then, I'm Kanna Tanaka. I hope you'll enjoy it here, yatta, yatta, yatta. Now save me the trouble and get outta here then, shall you?" she attempted a playful wink, another hauntingly apathetic gesture.
"Get outta here?" Kagome asked blankly, curling her legs up under her in preparation for a long conversation with her new roommate. Granted, she wasn't what she expected, but there was no reason that the two couldn't eventually become close companions. Maybe Kagome was exactly what the girl needed to draw her out of her shell, and she couldn't cease her wondering regarding why the girl seemed so... empty. Besides, a new challenge was just what the young woman needed, and she certainly felt up to it.
The ghostly girl scoffed before sinking back down upon the medieval patterns, landing upon the helmet of a particularly irritated knight. "You know what I'm implying here, don't you? Get going already! Most people don't dawdle you know; I know I didn't. Just use your portal and...," she was interrupted by the obviously confused girl sitting across from her.
"The portal? What are you talking about? And do you know when we get our schedules?"
Now it was Kanna's turn to appear confused. "Schedules?"
Kagome cocked her head curiously at the girl. How could she not know what "schedules" were? It wasn't exactly advanced vocabulary... "You know, schedules. Class listings. For...school," she finished lamely when she saw the dry look Kanna was giving her. "What? That IS what we're here for, isn't it?"
A hollow chuckle filled the room, growing increasingly louder as Kagome stared warily at the girl before her, who seemed to be clutching her sides in strained laughter. 'She definitely needs to get some Ovaltine,' she thought dryly as the girl continued her attempted laughter. Kagome waited patiently until her giggles subsided and the ghostly girl fell flat on her back, her arms and legs causing the comforter to wrinkle around her, and Kagome fought the urge to laugh at the image of a knight desperately attempting to escape from a particularly vengeful princess. Biting her lip, she stared cautiously at Kanna, who seemed to be trying to pull herself together. Using her frail palms to hoisther into her original prim position, she stared tranquilly at Kagome before proceeding to speak.
"You don't know, do you? You honestly don't know...," she trailed off with a chuckle. "You're one of the first I've seen in years".
"Know what?" Kagome asked fervently, her voice tinged with anxiety. "What are you on about?"
"All right, where to begin," Kanna sighed slowly, her expression once again serious, and Kagome seriously doubted whether or not she'd imagined the laughter erupting from her lips only moments ago, because at this particular moment, she looked incapable of any sort of laughter.
"First of all, you aren't at an arts school," she paused to let the words sink in to Kagome, who seemed to pale for a second before letting out a nervous giggle.
"What are you talking about? This is Valiquer School of Arts, isn't it? Of course it's an art school!" her voice sounded shaky, however, and it sounded more as if she were trying to reassure herself then anything.
'But then again,' she cringed inwardly. 'Remember what Yuka was telling you the day before you left? She kept going on about curses and unidentified happenings here, but it's all nonsense anyway. Besides, you hear rumors about college students on crack cocaine all the time, and this one probably isn't any different'.
"No, it's not," Kanna stated simply. "That's only an alibi, a pseudo image we use to keep the government from finding us. All of our inhabitants know of our identity of course, most before they arrive. It is quite, unusual," she coughed, though Kagome could sense the patronizing tone behind it, "that you were not informed".
A wave of shock passed across Kagome's face, though it was immediately replaced by an expression of pure pity. This girl was obviously insane, and Kagome thought it would be best to just humor her and allow her an outlet to her frustration. "All right, so if this isn't an art school, what is it then? A karate dojo?" she attempted to keep the cynical sarcasm absent from her voice, and it worked to a degree, though she knew she couldn't avoid it completely. This was just too absurd not to be scoffed at.
"No," Kanna sighed patiently before glaring at the silent laughter she saw growing in the girl's throat. "It's made, oh, how can I explain this?" she let out a groan of frustration. "All right, this isn't very easy to put into words, but I'll do the best that I can," she took a shaky breath before continuing. "Humans are not born with set destinies, contrary to popular belief. They have the freedom to conquer their desires, achieve their dreams, and fate will not stand in their way. Do you follow so far?" she asked patronizingly, and Kagome nodded with a roll of her chocolate eyes.
"Good. Now, this is the standard in MOST cases. However," she paused dramatically. "There are exceptions to the rule. Some of us, such as you or I, were selected before birth to complete our own destinies. We were not meant to live ordinary human lives, Kagome. We were specifically chosen to aide the other worlds, and we all must comply with our duties, or forever be haunted by what we could have done to prevent the certain destruction of them. This isn't done by choice, and we have no say in the matter. This is done out of duty and nothing else. Emotions can't stand in your way, and neither can your desires. This is an absolute necessity, Kagome, and that's why this school was built. A select group of government employees, who of course, keep this under wraps from the rest of the government, track down the chosen ones and notify their parents before their birth. We are brought up with the desire to attend this school, instilled in us by our parents at a young age. Then, just before we set off on our new, ordinary futures, they are to spring the truth on us, and tell us of our true identities. We are sent here to complete them, and you, Kagome, are the newest among us. Welcome," she finished breathlessly, staring icily at Kagome to see if she'd absorbed her words. Kagome seemed entranced for a moment, staring listlessly ahead before suddenly snapping out of her trance and swiveling her head to face Kanna's own penetrating gaze.
"Kanna... I," she trailed off in disappointment, lowering her head to keep from being forced into seeing Kanna's eyes. "Kanna, I'm sorry, but I just can't bring myself to believe it. The government always finds out about this sort of thing, and I'm sure that if any such thing were going on, the government would eventually discover and put a stop to it. And "other worlds"? Destinies? It all just sounds like a bunch of fairy tale rubbish to me, Kanna, and while I'm sorry, I just can't bring myself to accept something like that," she finished with a dry chuckle.
To her surprise, Kanna's voice remained as emotionless as ever as she surveyed the reluctant girl before her. "Do as you wish, Kagome, but I urge you to do one thing," Kagome lifted her head from her lap, her dubious gaze captivated by Kanna's pleading one.
"What would that be?" she asked warily, wondering idly if it was something preposterous like jumping down a pipe to see if it were some sort of intergalactic portal.
"Unwrap it," she commanded firmly, her gaze traveling to the crudely wrapped package lain forgotten by Kagome's side. Ensnared in her powerful gaze, Kagome nodded numbly, her fingers clumsily fumbling with the oddly shaped package before tearing the wrapping from its surface and allowing the tan strips of paper to drift listlessly to the floor.
When the last piece of paper floated to the soft carpeting below, Kagome took a good look at her newfound treasure, turning it over in her hands and allowing them to roam it in order to get a feel for its texture. The smooth golden surface felt pleasant beneath her wandering hands, and a surprising, yet vaguely comforting, reassuring feeling seemed to seep into her touch and flow through her veins like an electric jolt.
"It... It's a mirror," her brow furrowed in confusion, though she didn't continue her sentiments due to her preoccupation with the extraordinary object. Indeed, that's exactly what she was holding in the palm of her smooth, delicate hands; A mirror, its reflection showing naught but a swirling blue mist flying carelessly in its center, drawing the holder to it, as if it were the missing piece of a puzzle meant to satisfy them all their lives. Surrounding the strange whirlpools was a stunning golden trim made with artificial autumn leaves intertwined all around the strange new treasure. A slender silver rim outlined the entire mirror, so soft and fragile that you felt you could easily break through it if you desired, but its magnificent beauty kept any from doing so. She whipped the mirror around to allow the back to face her, and gasped as she saw the inscription carved into the silky gold.
Third time's the charm
'Now what could that mean?' Kagome pondered, vigorously trying to come up with answers to her countless questions. 'And why did they give me this? A mirror? I was expecting something more like a set of paints or something of that sort, and this is just a little too strange," she kept her jumbled thoughts inward, as she knew Kanna would just come up with some ridiculous theory that could answer all her questions, but still leave her trapped in the mystifying darkness.
"Well, touch it," Kanna crossed her twig-then arms smugly beneath her shoulders, and Kagome could've sworn she saw a smirk pass her ethereal lips as she gestured toward the mirror with a nod of her head, her hair clouding around her pale cheeks as she did so. "Come on, what's there to lose? If you truly don't believe me, then touch it!" she finished indignantly, and Kagome cocked her head in confusion, certainly not for the first time since her arrival.
"Touch it? But... I am touching it," she averted her gaze back to the unusual item in front of her, for she could never keep from staring at its churning blue waves for long. She felt as if she were under a spell and forced to watch as the whirlpools of mist dug deeper into the mirror's surface, journeying on a voyage that Kagome hadn't the slightest insight into. She stared back at Kanna, who by this point was scowling, an emotion which Kagome thought appeared much more valid upon the girl's pale lips then the rare smiles, and tapping her petite foot in impatience.
"Touch the reflection, Kagome. Ah wait, before you do, I realize that this is the most cliché thing in the universe, and when you arrive you'll probably run around saying "This is just a dream" and pinching yourself or whatever else. So for all our sakes, Kagome, don't waste time. It's not a dream, nor will it ever be a dream, and you'd be advised to forget your childish notions and complete the task set. The mirror can be used both ways, of course, so you needn't worry about being eternally trapped or something like that. Well, I think I've finished my rambling, and since you seem so insistent on trying my patience, I think I may need to give you a little head start," in a flash, she had appeared next to Kagome on her mattress, grabbing a tanned wrist with one of her own, pale ones and shoving it toward the mirror. Kagome was astonished at the girl's strength, but she figured it no match for her own and struggled to get out of the girl's grip, but surprisingly, her efforts were to no avail.
She twisted and writhed a bit more, but nothing seemed to work, and her outstretched fingers were drawing closer to the mirror's reflection every second. "Kanna?" she asked urgently. "Kanna, I want to go home. I don't know what's wrong with this place, but I desperately want to leave it, and I'd appreciate it if you'd let go of me. Kanna!! KANNA?" she finished frantically as she saw her fingers were only centimeters away from their doom. She may not believe in all of this nonsense, but that didn't keep her from fearing the worst. 'What if it is true?' she clamped her shaking eyes shut tightly, and attempted a shrill scream, only to feel the scream lodge itself in her throat. 'Oh gods, what if it is true? I – I just wanted to be an artist!' silent tears shed faithlessly in her brain, and Kagome felt her fingers caress the ocean tinted waves of the despicable mirror at last.
"Good-bye, Kagome," Kanna smiled sweetly, her smile as empty as ever as she waved to her newfound friend currently being dragged deeper into the depths of time. "Good luck".