Kagome slept uneasy the rest of the night still thinking about what she saw. She couldn't believe that Kiada could just disappear without a trace like Sango had said. If she did, then Kiada's reappearance couldn't be explained, unless Kiada was pure energy…but for her to reappear now must have something to do with the Shikon Jewel or the book. Light streamed in through the window across the floor lighting up the book. Kagome's attention was attracted there. She moved over to the book; holding her hand out to open the book, the book opened itself. Kagome pulled her hand back slightly then held her hand out flat over the book while the book fumbled through its own pages. The book stopped near the end. Kagome had been to this place in the book before, but there was nothing written on these pages. A small blue item fell in front of Kagome's face. Kagome yelped and fell over backward. She thought it had something to do with the book but it was just Koinu. He was feeling better and swooped down in front of her to see what she was up to. Inu-Yasha was awoken by Kagome's yelp. He stared at her. "Don't do that." Kagome instructed the puppy reaching her hands out to catch it. She pulled him gently into her tight embrace then Kagome began reading the new text in the book. Inu-Yasha decided he had enough drama for one night. He rolled to his feet, grabbed his swords and silently left the hut. Kagome turned her head in enough time to see Inu-Yasha leaving. She decided he'd be back soon and went back to reading with Koinu in her arms.
"The night will rain down upon the land. What was once light will become dark, what was once pure will be pure no more, and what benefited good will act no longer. The spirits flee this land in lure of what's to come, when the sky is black in midday. I sense the presence, even now. It cannot depart from this world, but to be purely contained, it shall remain… Purity will allow a future that hatred cannot. Two heroes from the future will shine in glory with their friends of old. The light within them radiates even in these dark times to come. Apart the four souls are strong, as one they are invincible."
As one they are invincible… Kagome thought. She did not understand some of the passage but she did understand most of it. The darkness must be the same black smoke that we tried to fight. Spirits flee the land? Oh…Kiada could sense the presence before she died, so…she could sense the presence before WE died. Why did we fail to destroy it?
"Kagome." Sango said. "Come eat." Kagome hadn't noticed the others moments, just as well, she was busing herself in her own thoughts. "Coming" she answered. Kagome sat across from Miroku and Sango, next to Shippo and Kohaku, near Kirara, Tora, and Koinu. "Where's Inu-Yasha?" Shippo asked. "Out…he's always out, don't you remember Shippo." Miroku commented, "He's rather selfish." Selfish… The thought occurred to Kagome. Sango mentioned that in the last great battle we lost because we acted selfishly. That's why we lost…separate we are strong, but together we are stronger. What else did the book say? Kagome jumped up from the table ran over to the book, sliding across the floor scaring Koinu, Tora and Kohaku. The others ignored her…they were use to her odd behavior. "What is going on?" Inu-Yasha asked as he entered the room. "I've got it" Kagome yelled staring into the pages of the book.
She stood up and spun around to face them, her glaze never leaving the book's pages. It says… "The spirits flee this land in lure of what's to come. When the sky is black in midday. I sense the presence, even now. It cannot depart from this world, but to be purely contained, it shall remain… Purity will allow a future that hatred cannot. Two heroes from the future will shine in glory with their friends of old. The light within them radiates even in these dark times to come. Apart the four souls are strong, as one they are invincible." "Kagome" Inu-Yasha jumped in, in the pause she took from reading to breathe. He was still amazed at her ability to talk that fast. "Next time…let's try talking in more than one breath. Ok?" "Don't you see? …That's why we were brought back, Inu-Yasha. It's all so clear." She tried to explain ignoring his comments. "The black fog…Kiada's magic…the demon we can't defeat? It's here! We didn't destroy it. It can't be destroyed…only contained. We weren't brought back to battle demons. We were brought back to battle ourselves." "Kagome" Inu-Yasha chimed in. "Our other selves are… dead." "I know that; that's not what I'm talking about." Kagome's eyes sparked with renewed hope. When Inu-Yasha raised his eyebrows at her, she felt like a little child reporting what she saw while no one believed her. "The thing I don't understand is the four souls. There are more than four of us. There are illusions to the Shikon Jewel, the travelers from the future, but…" "Wait… Sango…" Miroku commented, "The legend of the Shikon Jewel… aren't there four souls." "Um… yes…" She answered. "Courage… Friendship…Wisdom and Love. Together they make the Shikon No Tama." Kagome looked back at the book. The words hadn't changed, but parts of them were glowing.
The glowing letters throughout the two open pages spelled out… Shugyoku and Hougyoku. "Um…Sango, does Shugyoku sound familiar." Sango dropped the plate she was holding. Everyone froze and turned to stare at Kagome. They were afraid to speak. "Why… Why do you ask Kagome?" Miroku spoke up first. Between their stares and his tone of voice, she no longer wanted to hear the answer; she already knew what information they had was bad. "Um…No reason." She protested with herself making herself uneasy. Inu-Yasha heard her heart jump and breath quicken; he sensed her pulse rise; and watched fear sweep across her face. She's hiding something. "Well… If it's a demon, I want to know about it." Inu-Yasha spoke forcefully. Kagome's hidden fear turned to panic. Inu-Yasha was aware of Kagome's change. She's afraid of something. Shippo hesitantly spoke up; he figured it was his turn. "Um…see… that's the demon from our last battle, it used magic a lot like…the fog…from yesterday." Kagome looked back to the book. It didn't feel right, somewhat heavier. "What about Hougyoku?" "Never heard of him." Shippo admitted shaking his head. Kagome looked to the others they all just shook their heads with ignorance. Kagome sighed she'd hoped that they knew. Kagome moved her hand atop the pages and froze. Whatever was weighting it down touched her. In the instant that Kagome was touched, She was back inside the smoke. Kiada was there too. The Shikon Jewel glowed. This must be my imagination, she thought, but why am I reliving this attack. Kagome mimicked Kiada's hand movements. A blast of energy radiated out from her body. Kagome felt drained. The entire area was purified in the blast and Kagome was back in the hut. The book fell to floor along with Kagome.
Unfortunately, the blast that Kagome unleashed, radiated outward not only in her vision. The pure demons were thrown clear of the hut, the hanyous were purified and thrown across the floor, and the humans were thrown forcefully into the walls.
Inu-Yasha was the first to approach Kagome. "Are you alright, Kagome?" he sincerely asked. "I…I think so." She answered. He grabbed her arm helping her to her feet. "Kagome…" "Yes, Inu-Yasha" she asked looking up to his face framed by his black hair. "Don't ever to that again." Kagome's mouth fell open, what have I done?