Hakudoushi definitely underestimated their survival instincts if he thought they were going to lie down in a dingy, dank hollowed pile of rocks.
Time passed, though it was still daylight out. The sun hadn't shifted much – if any – when sunlight hit, and they sped to battle as fast as Kirara could.
There was an expectancy of injury, as she knew Inuyasha got hurt a lot because of brazenly rushing in without thinking. She theorized even Miroku might have a few scuffs due to Naraku's tricks.
Sheer numbers nearly overwhelmed them before and it could do so again if Naraku called forth more youkai.
She didn't expect to see Kikyou trying to remain standing, a definable indent in her shoulder making it impossible to wield a bow. By the stiff, strained movements, she could tell more souls escaped. The only reason she was probably still alive was Inuyasha blocking Naraku's path.
She stared in stark horror. The skin hadn't changed color or distorted, and there was no blood, but seeing a gap in an otherwise human-looking body was still very unnerving.
Her hands fisted. It was up to her. Unless Kikyou didn't feel pain, which she did in more than one sense, she was incapable of using her weapon.
She was the only one who could do long-ranged attacks now...
Attention from the ground was drawn skyward as the battle paused. Naraku seemed pleased for some odd reason, which inched her suspicion higher.
"So you did make it after all." A smug grin tilted his lips. "Glad you joined us again. We had fun without you."
She glared for all she was worth. There wasn't much else to do until they got an entrance to attack.
"Sango...I was waiting for you actually. You've forced me into an unfavorable position, you know."
Said girl jumped off Kirara and moved her weapon to offense at a moment's notice. "What're you talking about Naraku?" She spat, eyes narrowing.
She notched an arrow and kept it ready just in case. Eyes narrowed in thought as she watched their enemy turn to give her companion his full attention.
Considering he was ignoring Inuyasha and all possible attacks, this had to be serious.
The self-righteous look was sending warning bells in her head, but she couldn't put her finger on WHY she needed to shoot now before something happened. This sense of foreboding wasn't leaving but increasing and she forced her muscles to keep from moving. Acting prematurely wouldn't be good.
She had to do something, but this feeling wasn't shedding any clues. She would use the stored energy to act, if only she knew WHY.
Naraku's chin rose, unconsciously showing his higher-than-thou attitude. "I've been rather patient with you taiji-ya... You've forced me to reconstruct my plans for Inuyasha and Kikyou."
"Stop babbling nonsense!" Sango ran forward with intent to throw Hiraikoustu, but stopped as a presence stepped from the edge of surrounding forest. Brown eyes widened. "K – Kohaku..."
The boy walked without glancing in her direction, stopping within Naraku's distance. The look in the hanyou's eyes turned annoyed...almost enraged. "You were fun to toy with while the right tools were available, but now it seems that has ended." An elongated hand reached out and grabbed Kohaku around the neck, hoisting him in the air.
Everyone was shocked and Kikyou looked rather perturbed. She gravely stared before spearing the ground with a glare.
Instead of a blank look as everyone came to expect with each encounter from Naraku's influence, youthful eyes shot wide and were frightened.
The small group gaped at this twist. She took a small step forward, weapon lax and barely held together, eyes impossibly wide.
If Kohaku weren't in his right mind, there would've been nothing. To see anything from him meant he somehow escaped and was in control of himself again.
The nagging in her mind became startling clarity as she unraveled the rumor first. "Gods...no – no he CAN'T!"
Magenta-lined eyes swung her way. "Kagome-chan...nani wa??" She met Sango's gaze, apologetic and grave. "M - masaka... You don't mean...no! I won't let you!"
The girl made to swing her weapon, but found Kohaku directly in front as a shield. She grunted in annoyance and dropped the boomerang, grabbing her wakizashi and continuing with an infuriated cry.
Naraku smirked, not worried about bodily harm at the distance, and moved his other hand. "I don't like being played for a fool..."
Kohaku tried to swallow, giving up the act and trying to pry the hands away at his throat. His weapon fell to the ground with a clack. It was useless, as much time spent with his manipulative master showed regeneration.
"Kohaku!!"
"A – ane-ue..."
"Sankon Tetsusou!"
"IIE!"
There was the quietest of ringing pitches as the sound of skin being broken accompanied it. Instantly, small hands dropped from their frantic position to free him as the boy went slack, eyes dulling worse than when being controlled.
There was a scream coming from the remaining taiji-ya as she slashed with all her might, missing as Naraku dropped Kohaku and easily jumped back.
To Sango's horror, her blade hit her beloved brother instead of the intended target.
The distraught girl dropped the sword in an instant and cradled the dead weight, clutching him to her. Tears lined her eyes and slipped, full of hate and pain. "K – koha...ku..." Her face buried against the black fabric of his uniform, shoulders trembling.
She wiped the tears before they fell, effects of her friend's misery. Poor Sango put up with this dilemma for so long, knowing the inevitable consequences, and now it was thrust in her face in the worst way possible.
This was what she was supposed to prevent from happening.
Her heart wrenched as guilt assaulted her. She knew what would happen, but yet did nothing! She could've aimed for his head, but hesitated too long. Now it was too late.
She threw the fiercest glare to the object of so much grief, trying to will his body to burn past ashes into nothingness. "Onore!" She nearly screamed, clenching her weapon hard enough to break it. "Why?! Why did you do so now after all this time?!"
Naraku pulled out the near complete chunk of jewel, putting the shard with it in his hand. "The shikon no tama shines brightest when devoured by darkness. There is nothing more beautiful than pure sadness." A cruel smile appeared as he stared at brother and sister. "Sango fit the bill perfectly...even though this plan was put on hold longer than I wanted."
She was shaking so strongly her vision wavered. "You...YOU..." Her teeth clenched to try and hold the anger in, but her blood boiled too much to contain it. "BASTARD!"
"This was your plan all along, wasn't it?" A new voice snapped her from some anger and brown looked to the other miko. Kikyou was looking almost forlornly at the pair on the ground. A disdainful glare was sent to the hanyou. "This was why you didn't complete the shikon. To add more suffering to it."
The quiet, almost uncontrollable sobs filled the battlefield. It was so thick there was almost a visible aura around the warriors.
"Naraku, killing you is too good a punishment." Miroku hissed. Dark eyes burned as he watched Sango, jaw clenched. He stepped near Inuyasha, as tense as his companion.
The enemy snorted and turned. "I am not far from being over. My plans aren't finished yet. Before the shikon can be completed, there is so much more blackness to show it." Evil eyes looked to Kikyou, narrowing a tad. "Starting with finishing what I started so long ago."
There was no time to react. Though Inuyasha was fast, he was too taken aback to move and block.
A hand hoisted the limp miko in the air by the neck again, this time with more force than before. Hands capable of ejecting massive power tried to move to do so like the first instance, but there was no borrowed energy left to do so.
Kikyou was helpless as could be. It was amazing she was still alive, but by the anger and fear in otherwise emotionless eyes, she possessed the original part of their shared soul at least.
"You plagued me in more ways than I want to Kikyou."
"Naraku!!"
Another hand jerked out and shoved Inuyasha away, not to be deterred this time.
Sango was too caught up in her grief, not even looking up from her brother to do anything. Miroku would only end up like Inuyasha if he tried for a frontal assault and his hand would suck both up if tried.
She was too caught up in the drama and shock of everything to gain control. Her mind was screaming for her limbs to act, to notch again and shoot at his head, but she couldn't.
Kikyou's eyes shuttered closed and deep concentration appeared before her body crackled with energy like her hands before. It was powerful by the feel and Naraku's grip spasmed, dropping her to the ground.
The miko landed with a thump, barely making a noise and trying to struggle to her feet. A few drops of souls escaped in the lack of control and she slumped to the ground, limbs fully paralyzed.
The scene helped jumpstart her and she took aim. She let the arrow go, feeling a surge of power and added her hate to help guide it to the source.
It embedded itself in an arm – much like Kikyou's had done – and fried the skin to his shoulder.
"Annoying little miko!"
The hand closest to her shot out, faster than she could ready her bow. Just before it reached her, there was a slicing through flesh and it instantly dropped.
"S – Sango-chan..."
Fierce, dark eyes glared, wakizashi dripping. "You may have taken Kohaku from me again...but I'll be damned to hell if I let you take Kagome-chan!!" With a battle cry, Sango rushed forward, severing one of the tentacles that reached for her. She missed the one that circled around and struck her in the side, pain making her drop the short sword.
"Sango!" Miroku rushed to help his betrothed, an ofuda in his fingers. It was thrown to the hanyou, but one of the many tentacles snaked out and took the full hit. To everyone's horror, it was ripped off before the effects could reach the main body.
They were in trouble and she knew it. Steeling herself with a breath for courage, she aimed again.
Before the arrow was released, Naraku's hand blurred for his prey again.
There was a sickening crunch of bones as needle-like pronged fingers struck the girl's body. An infuriated cry came from Inuyasha as he made to attack again, but Kikyou was harshly dragged away as Naraku leapt clear.
"Come back here you fucking bastard!!"
"Come attack me Inuyasha. Come and risk hitting your precious Kikyou." A smirk took over the hanyou's face as the other hand rose, settling a third time over the slender neck. "Here...let me save you the trouble."
Fear was evident in Kikyou's eyes as she looked down. "Inu...yasha!" There was no struggle as the girl had no souls left but her own and without the remainder, was a rag doll.
The head suddenly tilted at an impossible angle as the neck was snapped. Any enemy would be pleased with knowing their adversary was dead by breaking their neck. But as Kikyou wasn't alive to begin with, Naraku seemed in no mood to take chances for her to come back yet again.
His hand transformed, tearing through skin and severing head from body.
"KIKYOU!!"
Horror, pain, anguish, anger, love...all in that one word.
Her heart clenched for Inuyasha, watching as he fell to his knees.
An unsettling feeling crawled over her and forced her to pay attention.
A light came from the body, rising from the new orifice and hovering close. She stared in transfixion, eyes narrowing as a burning sensation increased throughout her skin. She took a step to the light, hand extending to touch it. Her other slackened and dropped the bow, eyes clouding a little.
It seemed vague hesitation – one not understood on her part – cost her and the soul floated a little ways up...suddenly losing brightness and dissolving to nothing.
She didn't know what happened, but the soul just vanished. Without returning back to the current owner. She didn't know how she was supposed to connect her soul again and knew she missed her chance.
Her gross preoccupation cost her greatly. She stumbled back at Naraku's abrupt appearance, hands clenching on air.
She didn't even have a ready arrow to stab him with.
"You're the other obstacle in my way. You, who look too much like Kikyou..."
She glared, indignation at being compared to the now permanently dead woman rising. "You're the vilest, despicable, repulsive...horrible..." There were no words to do her anger and disgust justice. Killing him wouldn't even tell the emotions raging inside.
Noise from behind gained attention, but she ignored it to keep her attention on Naraku to defend herself and he seemed the least bit worried. She only prayed they were in time in whatever they tried.
"You would've been a good power source, but now that the Shikon no kakera is the Shikon no tama again, I have no need of you. You are once again a threat to be removed."
She took a protective stance, knowing there'd be no way to dodge anything this close. She had no hidden weapons like Sango or Inuyasha's reflexes.
"Get away from Kagome!"
There was a sudden jolt from their enemy as his look turned to pain and shock. Two pairs of eyes looked to his chest, and the end of Tessaiga sticking out of it.
"Kagome – hayaku!"
She took a few hesitant steps back, not willing to move for fear of being surprised. But Inuyasha seemed to have a good enough handle and Naraku seemed strangely immobile. She dared the courage to collect her bow and precious arrow before circling him.
It was odd that not one move came. She was suspicious again and readied her weapon.
"Daijoubu?"
"Ee." She muttered.
"Inuyasha...you can't hurt me now that I have this power." Naraku blurred in speed as he extracted himself from Tessaiga and faced them. A palm showed the complete Shikon no tama, a dreary color from its normal pink. "You have my thanks for helping the tama get to its current state. Your hate is enough to power it without my help."
"I'll fucking kill you...you repulsive bastard!"
Naraku snorted. "You haven't so far, and you still can't." Movement came from the forest. Kanna and Hakudoushi calmly walked to the center, Kagura trailing in their wake. "Today is over with. I won't play with you anymore."
Inuyasha made to swipe, but the hanyou's increased speed made it hard to land a hit. Offspring and creator were together and black clouds started appearing.
They were leaving. He killed Kikyou and Kohaku and now he was going to escape AGAIN. Now that the tama was whole, she had no way of getting home. Not only could she not let him escape, but she wouldn't allow herself to be trapped here twice!
The others tried desperate attacks, only to miss or be repelled as miasma became too powerful. She was the only one that could stand it – she always had been.
This was one of her last arrows. She couldn't see, but the tama would guide her. Breaking it as opposed to what Naraku would do with it was a necessary evil and lesser of the two.
She had to take this chance.
"You won't get away this time Naraku!" She shouted, aiming for rising clouds. She located the center and let the arrow go in a brilliant flash.
It vanished into fog and light decimated dark. The cover blew away as if forced and there was a perfect view of arrow piercing torso.
A gap quickly appeared and ate away to a rather large hole before the arrow was pulled out. Those that started rising quickly caught themselves.
Naraku sent a deadly look her way and she fought not to cringe at its promise. "I should've taken the time to kill you when I had the opportunity. I won't make that mistake again."
She scrambled for an arrow when he walked around Hakudoushi. Inuyasha dashed forward, swinging Tessaiga. It was blocked by Hakudoushi, who smirked and attacked back.
Miroku tried to get to her aid, but the battle moved away and he was too slow in shifting his attentions from Sango.
A loud growl came and relieved a little of her anxiety as Kirara stepped into direct line of injury. She quickly loosened the arrow before she purified the nekoyoukai.
Naraku smirked. "You think you can stop me... You're too weak." A heavy blast of miasma filtered the air, most of it heading for the youkai. Both females took the brunt of it, Kirara the most, and the power from it transformed the neko to her smaller state.
"Kirara!" Troubled brown watched the poor thing tremble as she tried to fight the poison. She glared, resolute to fight...as there was no one else to protect her or get in her way. "You're the cause of all of this... Why won't you just die?!"
"You first."
A hand whipped out and transformed to a spear-like appendage in a blink. She gasped and raised the bow, mindlessly letting go before aiming for anything vital. The arrow missed the hand and continued sailing and another breaking of skin sounded.
The pain was incredible. It shot through her arms, down her left leg, and invaded her head. It created the worst migraine behind her eyes and throbbing of her temples. It burned with such fierceness that she swore it was on fire.
A cry of anger sounded over the roaring of her ears and the intrusion was roughly jerked away. A blast of energy and miasma came as the arrow was pulled from another torso hit.
She cried out from pain, hearing her friends shout her name in concern, and fell to her knees. A shaking hand tried to cover the wound to staunch the flow, and she cringed at the pain from pressure.
"KAGOME!"
Slowly, she looked up, smiling from Inuyasha's concern. Her injured arm reached out, ignoring the pain. "Inuyasha..."
A sweep of power reached her and she looked to find Tessaiga crystallized and Inuyasha charging. "Kongou Souha!"
The multiple blasts from her arrows and his attack pierced Naraku enough to weaken his defenses to get close. Inuyasha wasted no time in slicing the hanyou into a few pieces.
She watched with a perverse sense of satisfaction, seeing shock and loathing as his body crumpled in front of her. The Shikon no tama rolled out from his hand and before he could use it to regenerate, she scrambled to grab it.
Before she could utter a word, Inuyasha whipped around and threw another diamond blast to Kanna and two Hakudoushi. The youth was powerful, but without the tama energy radiating from Naraku, he was severely weakened. The blast ripped through him same as his creator. Kanna had no defense and made no reaction as diamond spears tore at her and the heart she was carrying.
There was a shout of pain from the two empty bodies. Kanna, the toddler Hakudoushi, and Naraku quickly dissolved with no beating heart to sustain their shells.
In the end, they were all destroyed.
The relief that hit her was enormous and tears of gratitude spilled down. Inuyasha and Sango were avenged, and Miroku would live.
At least she got to see that.
A wispy smile appeared as she slumped forward, face burying in dirt. The rush of wind in her ears told her Kagura escaped the same fate – which Inuyasha would do in anger despite her one-sided help.
More cries of her name neared as footsteps pounded. She was quickly turned and cried out at the gruffness. Claws pricked her skin to steady her and she wanted to glare at Inuyasha jarring her injuries, but it didn't matter really.
Nothing would matter soon.
She stared into massively concerned gold, looking at Miroku next to her. Sango's absence created a shred of worry and she looked over, finding the girl walking to Kohaku. Sango dropped to her knees, a hand leaving her wound, and brought the boy to her lap again.
She felt sorry that Kohaku had to die in the end. She was so hopeful he would live through this, but Naraku's schemes killed that.
So many died here today. She hated seeing death of the Sengoku Jidai, and the tolerance of seeing so much wasted life never dimmed.
She clutched the tama as much as possible to keep from losing it. The dark energy was beat back and soon all that was left was the purity she was used to.
"Kagome-sama...this wound..."
"Shut up and help me wrap it bouzu!"
She grimaced against hands tugging at her shirt, squishing blood soaking in fabric. She didn't want to be exposed to their eyes. It wasn't worth it anyway. "Inuyasha..."
"No. No words. You're saving your energy to fight this. We can have you back at the village and in babaa's care in a few hours!"
A small, sad smile appeared as her fist rose. She rested it over the one on her shoulder, waiting until it turned to deposit the globe in his care. Her hand heavily rested on his, not giving him a chance to look.
"You got your revenge...Inuyasha. I completed my duty...and since I had this with me in the beginning...I give it to you...to use as you wish."
His eyes hardened in a glare. "Fuck it! Why are you making mention if it now?!"
A hand rested on a knee in sheer plutonicness. "Kagome-sama..."
She nodded at the insinuation, answering his unspoken thought. "Ee. Gomen...Miroku-sama..." Sango suddenly came into view and fell to her knees, eyes wide and horrified. "Sango-chan..."
"Kagome-chan?! No – shikkari shite kudasai!"
She tried to smile and reassure them, but her body was betraying her and her muscles were being unresponsive. Her mouth wavered a little before halting. "Minna..."
It - it wasn't ending this way was it?? She was a little scared of death, as everyone was, but was more remorseful at not being able to be with Inuyasha as she wanted.
'And...I thought...I finally had a chance too...'
Her hand tightened over his and the jewel, ignoring the small pulse of power.
"Inuyasha –" Fingers covered her attempt to speak.
"You're staying quiet. I'm not hearing another word you have to say!"
Denial. The proof was covering his hands, his hakama, the sleeves of his haori... She knew this had to hurt, as he just lost Kikyou in the span of an hour. The first two times he wasn't present, but this was right in front of his eyes.
How she wished circumstances were different, but didn't have the power to heal herself or turn back the hands of time and push herself out of the way.
Her head pulled away enough to tell him she wasn't finished. She wasn't going to leave until having her say. And now that there was no time, there was no room for embarrassment.
"I love you...you know that right?"
His eyes widened, but the floodgates opened at her admission. His eyes actually teared – she wouldn't have believed it if she wasn't in prime view – and looked almost panicked. "You can't leave me!"
Tears blurred her vision at his pain. She gave his hand a weak pat before losing the strength.
She felt so cold...so cold...
"I'm...sorry, but...I have to..."
His arms clenched, bringing her closer as if to hoard her life and hold it to her physical form. "Damn it! Don't do this to me! I FORBID you to leave!"
Her lips twitched in an attempt to smile. "This time...you won't be able...to stop me."
The harsh growl told her he was not even remotely amused.
Brown drifted closed before she forced them open. She had a few more requests. "Please...don't forget me..."
"Ka – Kagome... Don't go..."
His voice was breaking her heart. She wanted to leave on more peaceful terms, but this wasn't making her death easy to bear. "Onegai... Atashi o...kissu?"
He startled and a fierce blush streaked his face. Gold never left her, though their companions' presence was painfully remembered. He disregarded all that and lowered his head, bangs shadowing their faces as their lips met.
She always hoped he would be her first kiss. She didn't know he would be her last too.
He barely pulled away, but it was enough to speak. "A - ari...ga - gatou..."
-----
Do you remember now?
'Nani?'
Did any of that seem familiar?
The soft, subdued known voice was hers, she knew it was. It invaded the darkness as she became more conscious. The so-called dream sequence – an actual battle in the way, way past – faded again.
'Yes.'
Who was speaking? Was her heart making conversation with this part of her head? Was it her subconscious...knowledgeable when her mind refused to believe?
Do you know who you are?
'...Yes.'
We were both given a third chance. You died in the beginning and I was reborn farther in time. I didn't mean to lose my life as I did, but Fate never tells you these things until after they happen.
'You didn't know how to connect us?'
There was an almost embarrassed pause. No...I don't think even SHE could. It would take experience to do that.
She would've smiled if she had lips. Knowledge of her search to find what was wrong with her mentally carried to this dream realm. 'It's possible...but you don't need magic. All I have to do...is...accept you.'
She had a feeling this voice would blink if it had eyes. That's too simple.
She snorted in amusement, the only thing possible. 'You saw my memories and absorbed them have you not? You know English because of it. If I do the same to you, we should become one as we're supposed to be.'
...You have to be able to do that entirely though.
Annoyance hit her and she felt uneasy. 'What do you want?? I'll be giving up myself if I do that.'
There was a huff. You. ARE. Me. You act like you do because you DON'T have a whole soul! All you're running on is her hatred and love! If you accept me, you'll be one person again. As of right now, you're not even half.
'Then how am I able to move when she was not?'
Because you are made of flesh and bone. Your body needs your soul for direction, and you need your body to live.
It made sense when put that way. But seeing was different than doing. 'Will...will I still feel my own presence?'
I don't know what'll happen. Right now, we're two different people. It's the same thing as Kikyou and I. The only difference is flesh.
'WHY were we put in one body when you two managed to live separate lives before?'
You're asking the wrong entity.
She did NOT appreciate the sarcasm. Now when she needed answers to make a decision, the voice developed a sense of humor.
'You've given me enough to think about. I think I'll leave now.'
There was a snort. You're not here of your own violation this time. The injury which felled me almost repeated its actions. You're under rules of your body until it heals enough for you to be conscious. So until then, do your thinking here. I'll answer questions now that you're educated.
'Will...I remember ANY of this if I go to the waking world?'
That I don't know. You own your mind right now...you have to find a way to break connection between sleep and wake to keep this knowledge. There was exasperation again. Otherwise I'll be back at square one.
'Oh so sad for you.' She retorted wishing to have eyes to roll. 'You have one horrendous set of mockery for asking to bond with me and have use of my body, you know.'
There was a sense of humor filtering from the voice. I have my moments. You're the one who got more of his lack of wit tolerance than me.
'You have to explain that too. What does that mean??'
Again - you're asking the wrong entity. If you want answers, get your hand on the Shikon. I don't know how, but get it. I felt it when you touched it, so I know it still has something resembling a conscious. Why I don't know...the wish was granted.
She sighed. 'Are you EVER going to stop speaking in riddles?'
The notion of smiling appeared again. Nihonjin rarely do enough talking to satisfy you hito-tachi no eigo.
'Ah uresai...' She muttered.
~*~*~
Brown peeked open and stared at shadows over white paint. After a second, she slowly blinked and kept staring, slowly recognizing the morning hour.
'What? Where am I?'
Pain exploded through her body when she tried to sit up and hissed. Her head pressed against the cushions in effort to shy away, and took deep breaths to try and still it.
Ears pounded in synch with her heart, but over that she could hear a small gasp and a presence occurred to her.
"Ah...gracias a Dios – you're awake!"
Her head inched to the side, meeting light blue. She blinked a few times, realizing she should know this person. Wracking her memories gained a vague sense of recollection, but it was like holding water through loosely clasped fingers.
This person seemed important though. There was warmth at seeing massive relief and concern in those beautiful eyes.
"S...S..." She knew the name - tried to say it. Her body was still rather unresponsive and made even small movements hard. "Sam...chan..."
The Cuban blinked. "Kalie? I know this is a stupid question, but are you okay? Aside from your injury, did you have head trauma?"
What exactly did THAT mean?? Her brow furrowed and showed off her confusion. "Eh?"
"You have an accent. You didn't before... Do you want me to get a doctor?"
She went to shake her head and stopped at the pain it caused. Speaking it was then... "Iie..." Her face moved to its original position as brown closed. "Nemuritai." There was no response and she looked over to find an odd, almost frightened look greeting her. "Eh? Sam-chan...nani wa?"
The questioning tone was enough of a hint. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU SAYING??" Sam burst out. "Where did you learn such fluent Japanese?? I KNOW you haven't taken classes and THIS is at least two years along! You didn't even pick up Spanish until you were around my house for a few months! What the hell is happening to you?!"
She flinched, ears ringing at the loudness of her friend. "Shikkari shite Sam-chan. Daijoubu... Nani mo wa chigau nai."
"LISTEN to yourself!" A finger pointed almost accusingly in her face. "Are you even aware of what you're saying??"
She gave an odd look. "Hai...wakate mochiron..."
The poor girl looked ready to tear her hair out in frustration and mystery. "Me repueste en español." She ordered, nearly glaring.
A brow rose. Their gazes met until she looked to the blanket covering her legs. "Atashi...atashi...omoidasani..." She looked to Sam, eyes a little wide. "Naze omoidasani?!"
The tone of voice was not a good one and Sam's hands waved to try and soothe the visibly troubled girl. "It's okay Kalie, it's okay. I don't know what you're saying, but please calm down...you don't want to put stress on your injury and open it."
She took a deep breath, not wanting that either, and a hand hovered over her shoulder. She eyed it and gently touched the area, finding a lot of gauze and stiffness. Her eyes narrowed, wondering what they all used. "Kore wa nani?"
"K...do you understand what I'm saying?"
She looked over at that almost urgent tone and nodded. "Hai."
Sam was visibly relieved, though quite taken aback at how to handle this. "But you don't remember any Spanish you learned?"
Brown looked almost apologetic. "Iie...gomen..."
She looked for tone and emotion instead of words. It would have to do. "And you don't remember any of your French either?"
She startled, forgetting about yet another language she was rather fluent in. Her eyes widened. "Iie...sore omoidasanai! Atashi o nani aru??"
"Kalie you have to stay calm for me. Okay?"
She tried to still some of the shaking for her friend, recalling a little more as this amnesia-like condition persisted.
"Okay now...if you can understand my English, do you think you can recall it enough to speak it for me?"
She felt like she was a child the way Sam was talking. But her anxiety over this was lessened by it, so it was a forgivable thing. She nodded slowly, trying to pull it from her mind.
But...wasn't she speaking it already? It sounded that way to her mind, so why wasn't Sam understanding??
Her good hand rose and clutched her head, face screwing to a grimace. This was all so confusing and she didn't want to deal with it. She just wanted to go back to sleep. She was in too much pain still and felt like something occurred while she was asleep.
But, just like her memories, there was the same difficulty figuring out details.
It was beyond frustrating. Was she to be so thoroughly cut off from her friend because of some odd language incapability AND her own life? When would the torment end??
'What ELSE do you want me to go through!?'
"Kalie...it's fine if you can't answer me right away. I'm – I'm...I'll go get a nurse and tell her you're awake. They...they said they wanted to keep good tabs on you anyway..."
She looked over, perplexed at the uncertainty. "Sam-chan? Nani wa? Daijoubu?"
Sam's jaw clenched as she tried not to show anything going on inside. She pasted on a quick smile and took a few steps back. "I'll...just be right back." Turning, she tried not to flee and alert her friend. No point in making her worry with that condition.
Once outside and the door safely closed, Sam leaned against the wall next to it and hugged herself. "¿Por qué? ¿Por qué éste está pasando a mi amiga? ¿¿Qué había hecho??" Tears rolled down, but she swiped them away before anyone could see.
After a quick check to make sure no one was around, Sam composed herself as best as possible before heading through the halls.
She wasn't completely lying, there WAS someone she had to talk to, but it wasn't a nurse. This was out of her league and there was only one person who could handle this.
After two rings, her home phone was answered. "Hello?"
Sam bit her lip, everything coming back. "I – Inaki... I need you to...come back to the hospital..."
His blood ran cold. "Sam...what...what's wrong? Is K...is she..."
"No, nothing like that. I – I don't mean to sound so emotional. No, Kalie's awake actually. I know you wanted to know when she woke up...but...something's wrong."
His brow furrowed. Resolved to put the cordless back later, he went for his shoes near the door. "What's going on? Is her injury giving her problems?"
"Not that." A fist covered her mouth. Again, Sam had to wipe tears to keep them from falling. "She woke up and...I don't know what happened. She doesn't know Spanish and she doesn't speak in English, though she comprehends it."
"What's wrong with her?" His heart raced and knew asking this when he could be speeding to the hospital was rather stupid. Or better yet – seeing for himself.
"She's speaking in Japanese. I don't get a word of it, but she won't stop! I don't know why...I can't explain it. I – I just..."
"It's okay Sam. I'm hanging up now and I'll be there under half an hour max. Try to get some fresh air okay? You were there all morning."
"You were here all night while I slept. It was only reasonable ONE of us fight the system and be by her side after hours."
He chanced a smile. "I'll be there soon."
"Please hurry. I'm at my wit's end here."
He didn't answer and dropped the phone to the carpet, knowing it wouldn't be hurt, and quickly locked the door with a borrowed key. "Just when I thought my life was boring." He grumbled, gunning the engine. "What the fuck is going on here??"
~*~*~
'This is going to itch like crazy soon.'
I had worse than you did.
She sent a dry look to the wall. 'You again. Come to say some MORE enigmatic stuff?'
There was a sigh. Don't you remember ANYTHING I said??
She would've retorted back, but something made her pause. The voice seemed sure she did something while unconscious. 'I – I should.' A hand clutched her head again. 'Did I say something?'
I don't know how to replay your own memories for you, so you'll have to remember.
'No hints huh?' She bit out. 'You know if you don't help me, I'll be trying to get this all day until a doctor comes in and takes my attention or knocks me out again.'
More annoyance, but there was a thread of resignation. You finally realized who you were. You dreamed of the final battle and what happened to us. And now you have to think about whether or not to accept me, or keep dealing with me in your head for the rest of your life.
That didn't sound like fun at all. She always wanted more friends, but the ones in her head didn't count.
Still...familiarity hit hard and the dream came back. It wasn't difficult to picture it, as it was the same one she kept replaying for so long.
Her lids lowered as she thought. 'I don't really...have a choice do I?'
A knock jerked her head up and she hissed as skin pulled. An odd feeling, almost tingling sensation that – for some screwed up, almost logical reason – seemed familiar. Her eyes narrowed at it, but shoved it away in favor of not keeping the person outside all day long.
"Hai?"
The door peeked open and she expected Sam – who she remembered with way more clarity – and found concerned brown staring at her.
She brightened, and so did the presence. "Inaki! Konnichi wa! Ano...soretomo ohayou da?" She smiled, but Inaki didn't react. He merely shut the door a lot more solemn than opening it.
Sam was right...and it confused and scared him upon seeing it. Of course he understood – understood perfectly – and that was the strange part. WHERE and HOW did K learn such good Japanese? Sure she spent a lot of time at his house, but no way could she pick it up auditorally. They didn't do enough explaining and he never taught her. Unless one of the others did, which he doubted, she got it from an outside source.
But like Sam said before he entered, she was too fluent and too new for it to be picked up this quick.
"Kalie..." He started, lips pressing together. Just how did he go about this?? "Daijoubu?"
She nodded. "Ee. Ano...kono itami to kizu wa yakkai."
He hurried to a chair before his legs gave out, even if being so close to this girl made him uneasy.
His own girlfriend...
This was nuts! He almost thought he was crazy. That or something snapped in her head and what she heard sunk in more than he thought. "K...eigo o hanashimasu?"
She sent a bored look. "Ima eigo wo hanase."
"C – chigaimasu..." Hands gripped his chair to keep them from shaking. "Nihonjin o hanashimasu..."
She blinked. "Douyatte atashi -" Hands covered her mouth.
'Again this happens!' Anger entered her eyes. 'What are you doing to me?!'
You're speaking in Japanese. The voice calmly reported. But because you understand it so well, you think you're speaking in English. YOUR first language is English, mine is Japanese. When you open yourself, you become me – including my language retention.
Was she slipping already? Even subconsciously?? Hands wrapped around herself, regardless of the pain from her injury. "Iie...eigo de hasase!"
He startled at her outburst, trying to keep his skin from crawling. "Kalie?" He wanted to comfort her, but the wound on her shoulder and panic kept him from doing so.
"Nihonjin inai! Igirisujin da!"
"Kalie shikkari shimasu!"
She startled when a hand wound around hers. She stared, losing herself in his eyes.
I want to talk to him.
'No you –' A wave of dizziness swept over her and she teetered, but his grip kept her from falling and injecting more pain.
Brown squeezed shut, but relaxed in minutes. A small smile appeared and warm brown met freaked brown. "Inaki..."
He didn't know how to explain this. There was no theory or enlightenment to get him to calm down. Their rolls switched – she looked oddly calm and he couldn't get himself to do so. "Kalie...what the fuck is going on with you?! You're talking to yourself! Is this from the wound?? I can get a doctor if you need one, but please come to your senses! You're scaring me here!!"
She didn't want to scare him...more than anything now that she fought for dominance in this body. Her brow furrowed as she turned within and concentrated. She could feel the presence of her remaining self and ignored it enough to find the memories.
Where was that language bridge...
"Atashi wa -" She paused, digging harder. A sweep hit and she almost flinched. Her throat cleared, as if that were the only problem. "Sorry for...scaring you Inaki-kun."
He fell against the back of the chair, stunned. "English now?"
She was embarrassed beyond belief, but how did she explain without getting them both slammed into the nuthouse? She was sure they still had them in this century.
She didn't want to worry about that right now. She was sure this man was the one. He was the human side, but she recognized those eyes anywhere.
Eyes were the windows to the soul they said...
He looked strange with his hair braided, but definitely not unattractive. She nearly giggled at the image of his other form in a braid.
No way.
She stared, taking in his emotions. They were such a surprising thing when she first dug through the memories. He was so different, but there were still qualities she knew from his other self.
She always did want to dress him up in modern clothes, but never did she think he'd look this good in them. Knowing his and the other's history made her blush thinking about it.
There went her old fantasies out the window. Now she had actual memories to draw upon while this procrastinated an ending.
She wanted nothing more than to throw herself in his arms and feel him while she was in control, but an cord to her injured hand prevented that and the pain of her shoulder as well.
She had a feeling he wouldn't be too responsive anyway.
But HOW did she stimulate him to remember her?? She had to – otherwise what point was there in connecting the soul? She was awake because of him and this was her chance. Sure she was being selfish, but what girl in love wouldn't be?
"Inuyasha..."
He jerked back in reaction when her hand reached out for him on its own. Her manner was entirely different than the one he knew and he wanted to get a shrink in here to explain things. Mostly for himself.
Her hurt gaze guilted him, but only momentarily. "I feel like...I don't know you..." He nearly whispered, meeting her eyes.
They were so different... How could she be a different person when he left her side only a day?? Sure he noticed some strange behavior recently, but didn't think anything of it.
Was that a prelude to this?
"Inu...Inaki-kun...how can you say that?? You know me well. You know every aspect of these lives."
She was not helping her case here...
He jumped from the chair and backed away. He stopped upon bumping into the wall, eyes a little wide. "Who are you?? What did you do to Kalie??"
This was never going to end. The irony of her life transcended time. "Kalie inai - Kagome da."
He stared, a brow slowly rising. "Kagome?" She nodded, hope in those doe-like eyes. "Do you have amnesia? Did Sam let you watch some subtitle movie?"
She slumped a little and stared at the bed. "Didn't think you'd get it that easily. You're both so dense."
His pride kicked in at her scorn. "Now what do you mean by that??"
She gave him a flat look and he almost felt like an idiot. "You didn't get enough of my brains I see. I can accept the surliness if only you'd grasp stuff faster."
His jaw tensed. Why was she belittling him like this?? "What the fuck are you talking about?! You need to stop babbling like this and give me answers! If you've got head trauma, let me know and I'll go get a doctor, but stop putting me down!"
Her lips pursed as brown turned away. "Gomen... I – I didn't mean to be so cruel." She mumbled, a finger picking at the spread.
He sighed and took a few steps to the bed. He never could stand that downtrodden look. After another pause, he took residence in the chair and scoot forward. "Look, why don't we take a few deep breaths and talk about this like adults? No shouting and no insults."
She smiled. "Are you talking about me or the both of us?"
Her sense of humor was not timed right, but his lips twitched and betrayed his seriousness. "I'm not the one who needs to find my right mind."
She sniffed. "I'm in my right mind. You just don't know what's going on in here." A finger reached up and tapped a temple.
"Which is why we're going to have a quaint little talk and I get details."
She looked nervous and brown turned away again. Where did she start, how much should she say without getting the other in trouble, and which life did he want her to go over?
"You're...a little too uneducated to this..." She mumbled.
Their hands clasped and shocked brown met serious brown. "Try me."
Her heart pounded at his touch. Experiencing it firsthand in so long and it still had the power to fluster her. A blush warmed her face as she smiled and stared at his hand. It was the same size as she remembered; of course her hands were always small.
Her thumb moved and slowly stroked the back. He was never this eager to hold her before and she had to admit...she liked this different side.
She was content to sit like this and did so, forgetting he wanted a full-blown explanation. It cost her too.
'Let me back in control!!'
Her brow furrowed at the tone, trying not to flinch. Her teeth grit as a mental shoving contest ensued. No! Don't make me go back! I just got to be with him after so long...doesn't that mean anything to you??
'You didn't even ask me - you always take! If you were nice about it, maybe I would've consented. But you didn't, and I'm taking back what's mine.'
Brown squeezed shut. No...come on - have a heart!
'You're currently in control of that.'
You really ARE using her part of the soul.
She ignored that remark, knowing the implications, and focused on the view from the eyes. As if coming from a dark hole, it widened until she was looking through them on her own.
Pain was there to welcome her, and teeth grit against it. She huffed a little from the inner struggle.
You are a bitch when you want to be aren't you?
Brown narrowed and glowered at the sheets. 'So are you. We're part of the same soul, so I can't be one if you aren't.'
I'll take the body again. Don't piss me off.
A smile spread over her face, smug and almost cruel. 'You're too tired to do so again. I can feel you, same as you can feel me. I've pushed you back before; you think I can't do again?'
Why are you being so difficult?!
'You're not making it easy!' The I.V. hand clenched. 'If you want me to make a decision regarding our merging, leave me alone and give me some space! I'll be spending the rest of my life changed – how much I don't know. If you have any compassion in the other part of our soul, find it and go away for a while!'
Silence met her, but her other was definitely pouting. Fine. Just don't take too long okay?
'Deal.'
**I am a BEGINNER Japanese learner...so if these are not 100% correct...please let me know if you care to do so. I only have a web page to learn from, a dictionary, and a few months experience to work with.**
Translations: Nani wa?-What is it? Masaka-It can't be Ane-ue-Formal way of saying older sister Ofuda-Holy scrolls Miroku uses Hayaku-Hurry (up) Kongou Souha-Diamond Spear Blast
Bouzu-Insulting term for a monk Onegai... Atashi o...kissu?-Please... Kiss me? Nihonjin-Japanese Hito-tachi no eigo-English people (Basically English speaking) Nemuritai-I want to sleep
Nani mo wa chigau nai-Nothing is wrong Hai...wakate mochiron...-Yes...Of course I understand... Atashi...atashi...omoidasani...-I...I...don't remember Naze omoidasani?-Why can't I remember?
Iie...sore omoidasanai!-No...I don't remember that! Atashi o nani aru?-What's happening to me? Ano...soretomo ohayou da?-Um...Or should I say good morning?
Ano...kono itami to kizu wa yakkai-Um...this pain and wound are annoying Eigo o hanashimasu?-Are/Can you speak English? Ima eigo wo hanase-I'm speaking it now
Nihonjin o hanashimasu...-You're speaking Japanese Douyatte atashi-How can I Nihonjin inai! Igirisujin da!-I'm not Japanese! I'm English!
Spanish language will be translated underneath when it appears together. This language will be correct, as I have half put half a decade into learning.**
Translations: Gracias a Dios-Thanks go God Me repueste en español-Answer me in Spanish
¿Por qué? ¿Por qué éste está pasando a mi amiga? ¿¿Qué había hecho??-Why? What is happening to my friend? What has she done??