Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha nor any other characters created by Rumiko Takahashi.
Tsukikage
By: LilBlueFairy
Kagome warily crept into the dark aisle and all the way back to the lowest corner. There sat the strange book.
"Should I touch it?" she questioned herself in a shaky voice, but her hesitation in her mind did not stop her hand from reaching out and grabbing the mysterious book. As soon as her hand touched the ancient leather binding the pink pulsing stopped. One of Kagome's dark sculptured eyebrows raised in disbelief. "That's it? Wow, what a let down." Kagome sighed.
She took hold of the book and began to study it for any weird device that could have created the pulsing. The book was covered in an antique leather binding, and looked as if it had been through hell and back. "It's just like one of Gramps' cruddy old scrolls." Kagome grumbled. But, There was one feature that Kagome did like though.
In gold, placed in the direct center of the book, was the symbol of a crescent moon and above it, in seemingly silver, was the word Tsukikage. Intrigued by the beautiful design of the cover, Kagome opened the book gently, afraid she would crumble the timeworn paper.
"I, Miroku Houshi, am a humble traveling monk that has taken upon the task of recording the events of the Great Destiny and all that fall within it. But to truly understand these recordings, one must know the history which has brought these happenings forth. Therefore I shall inform you of the legend of the Shikon no Tama, or The Jewel of Four Souls..."
Kagome suddenly felt an awareness of reality and forgot that she was suppose to be doing homework. "Dang paper and mythology! If only..." Kagome glanced down at the delicate and manly handwriting.
"Hey! I could use this book! Thank you, Houshi-sama!" exclaimed Kagome happily. She closed the book and looked at it appreciatively. "All right it's you and me, Tsukikage!"
Then a confused and puzzled look settled upon Kagome's pretty features. "Tsukikage? TSUKI! The Tsuki festival! Gramps is gonna kill me!" screeched Kagome as she jumped and face the exit of the aisle.
"Or at least where the exit is supposed to be..." Kagome quickly dropped the book and ran to the now blocked of exit. Instead of the view showing Kagome freedom, books sat as if mocking her. Their ancient, torn bindings acted like bars to a cell and Kagome started to panic.
"Hey! Let me out!" Kagome yelled as she began throwing books from the newly appeared shelf. Little did she notice the first book she dropped, Tsukikage. It fell with its yellowed pages facing toward the ceiling and the pulsing had begun again, except with more fervor. Soon the pink light had filled the tiny space and distracted Kagome from her nervous break-down. "What the?"
Kagome turned and faced the powerfully bright book. Squinting, Kagome fell to her knees and reach out to touch the book. 'Maybe that will stop the freaky lightworks.' Kagome thought as she guided her hand down to the glowing pages.
As soon as her finger touched the page, a bright pink light flash and Kagome was gone.
The scent of spring rain and mixed herbs filled Kagome's senses as she awoke. She sat up and clutched her head in confusion, not daring to open her eyes.
"My..head...Wha-what happened?" Kagome asked herself in confusion. Hoping the smell of nature and the feel of moist ground below her was just apart of her over-active imagination. "I was getting ready to start my paper, then that weird book... The book! It started glowing and.. and..." Kagome groaned at her stupidity, "I should have never touched it!"
"Well, lets have a look around and see what kind of mess you've gotten yourself into this time, Kagome," she said as cracked open her blue eyes.
Mountain-tall trees caged in the small clearing and the lush green carpet which Kagome sat upon was sprinkled with wildflowers of many different hues. Bushy foliage gathered around the trees making only one path visible.
As Kagome looked up, she noticed the brilliance of the blue sky and realized that this was pure and untainted air, something which Kagome had only dreamed of. She looked to see where the sun was but noticed shady branches were blocking her view.
Looking down and at both sides, Kagome noticed that she was surrounded by strong, proud roots. Familiar, strong, and proud roots. Kagome scrambled up and looked behind her. It was the God Tree.
There in all its Majestic glory, stood her family tree. It was one of her favorite things about her family's shrine. It's branches housed her secret place, where she would go to think and be alone. But for some reason the tree seemed bigger, more stunning than before. It was wild, free, and untamed.
She laid a soft delicate hand on its rough bark as a greeting and a thank you. It helped calm her senses and Kagome began to feel at ease. A soft, warm breeze blew her hair around and tickled her neck causing a confused, sad smile to cross Kagome's features. 'Where am I? What happened?' "What am I to do?"
Kagome leaned her forehead against the bark, not minding the painful marks it was leaving. It was her only link to her home and that was enough. The wind rustled the surrounding leaves and Kagome's midnight locks once again.
Her peaceful dormancy was short-lived though, as the sound of movement and the breaking of a twig woke her from her thoughts. "Hello?" Kagome asked fearfully as she looked around nervously.
"Do not fear child," answered a rough, old voice.
Kagome turned to thedry but soothing voice and found a questioning gaze looking at her. It was a stout,old woman in worn tradition miko garb. Hergray-white hair was pulled back in a low ponytail and an eye-patch adorned her right eye. Wrinkles covered her, conveying how old she truly was, and the eye that remained uncovered spoke of great wisdom.
"Child, are ye lost? Or perhaps where you need to be?" riddled the old woman. "Huh?" Kagome replied intelligently. "Nevermind that. I am Higurashi Kagome and you see I'm not from around here."
The old woman smiled slowly and looked at Kagome's uniform. "I can tell, child. That is quite an unusual kimono."
'Kimono?' Kagome thought quizzically. 'Nobody's worn a kimono for ages! Oh, no...' "Um... Miko-sama, can you tell me what year this is?"
The woman looked quite confused, "Year, child?" Kagome laughed nervously, "Nevermind, Miko-sama. Can you just tell me where we are?"
"Aye, certainly child. We are in the Central Lands." answered the old Miko helpfully. Kagome sweatdropped. 'Oh boy.' "Now, child, now that I've answered some of your questions, perhaps you can answer mine."
Kagome, realizing she couldn't get anywhere, agreed. "All right then, child. Follow me," requested the old woman as she set down the old beaten path that Kagome had noticed before. Kagome sighed and reluctantly left her beloved God Tree to follow the old woman.
"Umm, Miko-sama. Where are we going?" questioned Kagome as she jogged to catch up with the surprisingly fast short ancient woman. "You'll see, child." replied the miko as she stared straight ahead, supposedly their destination. The trees lining the old path were decorated with charms and sacred artifacts. Apparently, Kagome had landed in a sacred field.
Kagome soon could hear the babbling of a stream nearby and saw a small hut ahead. Around the exit, or entrance, of the forest was a pair of Komainu, or protective guardian statues. The statues were of intimating but dignified dogs, apparently a warning to whoever entered.
"Of course I would appear in a restricted and sacred area! Now, not only am I lost but I've offended the local village." Kagome grumbled. Noticing the way the hut was built and the old bows and arrows the old lady had, Kagome had deduced she had landed somewhere around the feudal era.
'That's right! I, Detective Higurashi, am a master mind of deduction. Now if I could only figure out where I am and why I'm here,' Kagome thought sarcastically.
As they approached the last few step to exiting the forest, the old miko stopped and bowed her head in prayer. Kagome could barely make out what the old woman was saying, but as the old woman finished the unknown phrase a familiar pink glow surrounded the Komainu. "Come, child. The barrier will only remain open for a short time."
Kagome broke her stare at the glowing stone dogs and ran past the exit. As soon as she ran past, the pink light surrounding the statues shot towards each other and flashed brilliantly before dying down again. The old woman chuckled at the shocked expression that Kagome wore and went to set her weapons against her home.
"Come, child. Let us rest and find answers to our questions." stated the short miko as she opened the hut's flap to let in the frazzled Kagome. 'This place is way to weird.' thought Kagome as she entered the basic house.
The hut was simplistic but tidy. A futon laid in the darkest corner of the hut and another was rolled up in a pile of other basic supplies. Being a very modest home, it only contained a small area for a fire to cook and warm with,the rest of the hut was used for sleeping and storing.
Kagome sat down near the primitive fireplace and tried to sooth her frantic heartbeat. 'Magic, huts, and old futons. This is definitely not Tokyo,' she thought as the reality of it all seemed to hit her. Kagome began to grow faint and cold while her brain threw out different and random thoughts every second.
As the old woman bent down to light a fire, Kagome realized freaking out would not help her situation or at least it wouldn't get her answers. Plus, she was a Higurashi! Higurashis didn't freak out! They were strong and calm. "Curse my bloodlines," groaned Kagome.
"Ye all right, child?" The groan had worried the old miko.
"Oh! I'm fine, I'm just trying to understand what is happening. That's all." Kagome replied.
The miko smiled and sagely replied, "Sometimes it is best not to understand, but to merely accept."
Kagome smiled, thankful for the comfort the old woman was trying to give. "Thank you, Miko-sama."
"'Tis nothing my child. And you may call me Kaede."
Tsukikage : Moonlight
(Tuski: Moon)
Alright! Here is chapter two! I know. It's progressing slowly right now, but I'm about to pick up the pace really quick. In the next chapter, I will mention Kikyo and Inuyasha. And who knows! He might even be sighted, but I can't promise anything. I just go with the flow of the story. Thanks for reading!
Reviews are my inspiration.
Shout Out:
Thanks mweph! You were my first review! I'm so glad you've enjoyed it so far! I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint! Thanks and keep reading, please!