Part 11
Her eyes fluttered open. At first her vision was blurred, but it slowly cleared. Where was she? What happened? Kagome slowly scanned the room around her, trying hard to remember what had happened. Then, in an instant, her memory rushed back to her. Her hands flew to her head, clutching it in pain. She released her hold as the pain melted away.
A slight feeling of irritation seemed to grow. Over and over she found herself waking up in a bed these days. What the hell! Why me!
Kagome slowly propped herself up on her bed, getting a clearer look of where she was now. Back in, so called, "her room." Her gaze drifted to the clear balcony door. It was nearly night. The sun was just beginning to set. It cast such a surreal dream. It gave her peace. It gave her that same feeling that she would never be touched or harmed. That same feeling that everything in the world was right.
A soft, sad smile crossed her lips. She new that would never be. The world would never be right. Not while there are so many greedy and evil people out there.
As she swung her legs over the side of her bed, she was made aware of the bandages covering her "new" wound. They probably saw the...'other' wound. she thought. Completely standing, she lifted her fresh shirt, knowing that Sango had changed her out of her dirty clothes. The bandages were there wrapped around her abdomen, as she expected, but what she was interested in was seeing the skin covering her other wound from the Shikon no Tama. The scale-like skin of a dragon covered it.
Kagome gently touched it. Dragging her fingers over it in one direction, she felt its smoothly refined, polished surface. Dragging her fingers over it in the other direction, she felt its rough, bumpy texture. With a sigh, she let her shirt fall back into its original place.
What would she tell them? How could she explain? She had no idea what so ever. All she new was that she needed to tell them. They deserved an answer. Plus, if they were expected to work together, they needed to know everything.
There was a glint of metal at the edge of her vision and she spun on her heels. There, on her dresser table, was her sword, the book, and...the Shikon no Tama? They left it with her? Why didn't they take it for themselves?
Unbelievingly, she walked to her dresser and reached out for the Shikon no Tama. Slowly, she picked it up. It was no illusion. It was solid. She rolled it over in her hand, feeling its inner warmth. She felt that mass of incompleteness. Yup. This was the real Shikon no Tama.
Gently she pocketed the sphere. Not knowing what to do now, Kagome picked up the book. For a while, she stared at its cover. The ancient leather covering it was dirty brown, its layers stripping away. Kagome wondered how many animals were used to make the cover for this book, seeing as there were so many layers. Then, a thought struck her. She remembered that night when she had first found the Shikon no Tama. Why did her sword react.
Just to satisfy her curiosity, Kagome began to tear away at the outer cover. Layer after layer peeled away, her name on its cover still as clear as day. She was a little confused at how deep her name had been etched, but it was a minor confusion.
At about her fourth layer, she felt the book's cover getting thinner, but it was still just as solid...and still just as heavy. She was even more confused. The book should be getting lighter, but...its seems to still feel the same. she thought to herself.
Then, as she tore away another layer, something shimmered on the book. It was...something...shiny, beneath another layer. Slowly, she peeled away the last layer, revealing something even more beautiful than she had ever seen. The book was now a beautiful aquamarine color, and there, on the cover, the true cover, was engraved: A History. It was no longer her name anymore, but a simple, non-puzzling title. The engravement was filled with gold. This was rather ingenious. A filling of gold lasted much longer than ink on paper.
But, what caught her eye the most was that, below the engraved title, was an encased flower. The flower seemed to be in a thin, glass casing on a metallic background. It was compressed so that it fit nicely in its captivity. It was preserved surprisingly well, as its petals were still as bright as if it had just been picked.
Kagome closely looked at the flower, and nearly dropped the book in astonishment. It was the Lunar flower. She recognized those characteristically black petals with white, shimmering stars. She never thought that she would be so lucky as to ever see one, but here it was, staring right back at her.
With a feeling of slight dizziness of discovery, she plopped onto her bed, still staring at the book in her hands. A few minutes passed in silence. A quite knock on the door nearly made her jump out of her daze.
She stood and placed the book next to her sword once again. Another knock came at the door. Had they expected her to be up already? Kagome walked to the door and opened it. Rin immediately dove at her legs, binding them in a crushing hug. Rin's rants of worry fell on deaf ears, as Kagome's gaze were fixated on those of Sango's. There was a silence filled with tension in that moment. Kagome didn't know what to say. She could only just...stare. Stare and put every inch of apology that she could ever give to Sango in that stare.
Kagome knew that she had gotten through when Sango burst into tears and hugged Kagome as tight as she possibly could.
"I thought we were going to loose you for sure this time," Sango whispered to Kagome between her sobs.
Pulling away, Sango held Kagome at arms length, still staring into those cerulean, glowing eyes.
"Kagome...I don't know if you can take much more of this. I worry every time you get hurt that you won't be able to pull through. That it would be the last time I ever got to speak to you. I know. Time and time again, you pull through and, in no time, you are one-hundred percent, but...what if, one day, you get hurt and your body just couldn't handle it? What if one day...you leave me...leave us? What are we gonna do without you? Kagome, we are really sorry about being angry with you earlier, but...we are really worried. You've been getting hurt so much in these past days...too much. We want you to be here with us as long as possible...we want you to be more careful. Because, without you, our lives-"
"-wouldn't be the same."
Both girls' gazes looked in the direction of the voice. Shiru and Rei walked toward them. Kagome wordlessly watched them approach, well aware that Rin was still clinging to her, looking up in childish curiosity.
"Plus, Kag. It doesn't help that you've been keeping some secrets from us," Rei continued.
Kagome suddenly felt guilt. She hadn't realized it earlier, but she had been keeping a lot of things to herself these past few days. The book, her sword, her..."scar." She looked at each face, once again returning to Sango's tear streaked one. Then, she looked down upon Rin's face, deep into those chocolate eyes. Looking into them made Kagome feel that, in a way, Rin did understand everything they were saying. That Rin was a grownup in her own way.
Rin gave Kagome one of those hundred-grand smiles. Those smiles that made Kagome feel like there was still a small ounce of hope left in the world if everything went wrong.
A light smile touched her own face as she looked up at the others. Sango's tears had stopped rolling and they all seemed to be awaiting what she would say next. Slowly, she felt her mouth open, and she said, "Yeah. I guess you're right. And, secrets are the last thing we need in this situation. I think I owe you all an explanation, huh?"
Slowly, but surely, the tension seemed to melt away at that moment. It felt as if a thick veil of grief had lifted to be replaced by a light sort of happiness. Kagome invited them all into her room and explained everything that happened to her in the days past...
X
"So...they just so happened to have this book in their library," inquired Shiru.
"Yeah," Kagome answered.
"Doesn't that seem odd to you? Out of all the years they must have had their library, all of a sudden they just...find the book they need to help them...possibly win the war," commented Sango.
"Yeah, I guess. But, I'm not too worried about it. Their library is pretty massive. I mean, even if you could have read one of those books in a day, it probably would take you, like, ten thousand years to finish at least half of the whole library," Kagome factored.
Sango's jaw nearly dropped.
"Well...if you put it that way, I don't think it seems suspicious at all," Rei said, slightly amazed.
Kagome took the aquamarine book in her hands, tracing her fingers over the letters. The simple, peaceful beauty of it seemed to captivate her. And, what mysteries that she may discover inside the pages of the book, bewitched her. She couldn't wait to actually get to start reading it.
By then, night had fallen, and they were summoned for dinner. They were guided to the large diningroom, the massive double doors announcing their entrance. And, just as before, Kagome saw the four men sitting in their usual places. And, just as before, Inutaisho offered Kagome her seat, which she gladly took, nodding in thanks.
"I assume you are feeling better," Inutaisho inquired.
Kagome gave him a light smile, and answered, almost genuinely lady-like, "You assume correctly."
The truth was, she didn't feel like playing her games with them...well, at least not this evening, anyway. Kagome knew, just as her companions, that she could never not play her games. She always ended wanting to in the end.
"Well, then I also assume that you have informed them of everything," he continued.
"Crystal clear," she answered.
"Good. Then we will discuss it later," he finished, as the meal was being served at last.
Succulent duck was tonight's main dish, pared with fresh rice balls and ume. Kimchi, salad, potato salad, potatoes, everything that they would have for a last, hot, fresh meal before setting out on their long journey ahead.
But, as the meal was being served, not too long after Inutaisho's last words, Kagome spoke.
"I think we can discuss it now. We have plenty of time to talk over our meal, seeing as we don't usually do so anyway."
Inutaisho looked a little taken aback by this, but he regained his composure as he replied, "I suggest that it would be better if we discussed it later, seeing as we have...company."
She knew that he meant the others, and she knew that she would rather Rin not hear anything, but she owed all of them, especially Rin, the entire plan.
"I respectfully decline your suggestion. There is an I-OWE-YOU involved this time," she answered, this time completely lady-like.
The hall was silent for a moment. Not because of tension this time, but because of utter amazement that the Kagome, the one some of the occupants have known nearly all their life, was actually being...polite for once, and not meaning to be smart.
Matsuru seemed to regain himself first as he said, "I...agree with Kagome's choice. I think we've been keeping everything a little too secretive from those that are on a need-to-know basis."
Inutaisho looked at his eldest son, who silently nodded.
"I seem to be at odds. Very well, we shall discuss it all now," Inutaisho finally concluded.
He continued, "As we are now well aware of, we have the Shikon no Tama in our possession, right, Kagome?"
Kagome pulled the jewel out of her pocket. She felt its inner warmth pulsate with her heartbeat, but its light was dim. It did not have the radiant glow that it should have had. Inutaisho also took notice of this.
"It seems to be...incomplete. I was afraid of this," Inutaisho said.
"Incomplete? What do you mean," questioned Miroku.
"He means just that. The jewel isn't whole yet. Its missing...the other four souls...," Matsuru answered in realization.
"Exactly," said Inutaisho.
"But what were you afraid of," asked Shiru.
"He's afraid of having to go search for them," Sesshomaru answered.
"It may not seem so bad to you, but...," continued Inutaisho.
"The journey just got longer," commented Kagome.
"I've heard that each separate kingdom had their own great treasure...something that they needed to protect from the others...something...that gave them their power. If I'm thinking what you already know, Inutaisho, then we're gonna have to go to all the other kingdoms. We're gonna have to go and get those other parts in order to complete the jewel, aren't we," she continued.
Inutaisho grimly nodded. Kagome only sighed and carried on, "But...that would mean that you also have one of the souls. I think we should start with your's first."
"I agree. Looks as if the journey will be postponed for a few more days," Inutaisho commented.
"But wouldn't it be difficult to enter the other kingdoms since we are all at war," inquired Sango.
"No, Sango. We had sent out a messenger a few days before all of your arrival asking to grant peace for as long as our journey takes. As I knew that we had one of the four souls in our keeping, it was a precautionary measure just in case we did need to venture to the other kingdoms. After knowing of the rise of darkness and evil, they decided it was in the best measure to make a peace treaty for the time being," stated Inutaisho.
"Wise decision. So. Where is your assigned soul," Masturu questioned.
"That's just it. We have no knowledge or records of where it was hidden, but we do know which one is hidden in what kingdom," Sesshomaru answered.
"Well then, seeing as we're all done with dinner, we should may be head over to the study or something. It would be more...appropriate to discuss it there," suggested Kagome.
Inutaisho agreed, and they all stood from their chairs. Minor screeching of chairs on tile echoed throughout the hall, followed by footsteps, and the opening and closing of the giant double doors was heard. They all followed one another to the study, which was large enough to fit all of them.
There was a hearth that was already set ablaze, giving the room a more homey atmosphere, however large the room was. Large, comfortable couches were set near it, a small table in the center. Each took a seat, Kagome, just so happen, having to sit by Sesshomaru. Sango sat on a couch across from them, sitting next to Miroku, Shiru, and Rei. Inutaisho and Inuyasha sat in their own separate mini-armchairs. Rin decided that Kagome's lap would be her seat, and Kagome agreed, as Rin just climbed onto her lap, wrapping Kagome's arms around her, like the child she was.
Seeing as everyone was comfortable, Inutaisho had pulled a map from one of the drawers in the center table, unfolding it and smoothing it flat on the table's surface. The map was intricately done, showing every detail from every tree to riverbed to mountain side of the entire land mass that they all lived on. The map showed them all four kingdoms, including the center piece of land that they had been recently fighting over that had yet to be claimed. The feeling of enchantment was in the air as the map was noticed to be enchanted itself. Everything seemed to move. The rivers flowed. Birds flew. There were drawn movements of where the wind was blowing. Kagome only smirked and said, "So this is how you've been gaining the upper hand in the war recently, huh, Inutaisho? You get to see where the troops are coming from before they attack. And it changes, adding in anything new, or erasing something that has been destroyed. Clever."
"It is also how we got to catch you, Kagome," Inutaisho smugly replied, which made Kagome playfully pout and answer," That's not fair."
"The map indicates what soul is where, but what we wish is that it could show us is where the other souls are exactly," hoped Inuyasha.
"But I'm guessing their locations are protected by the magical eyes trying to look for it," Miroku continued.
"I think your guess is correct," said Shiru.
"What we should be focusing on now, though, is one jewel at a time. And since we are already at home base, so to speak, we should start figuring out where it is in this kingdom first," suggested Rei.
"Good idea. West kingdom," spoke Inutaisho.
And, following his command, the map magnified the West kingdom, showing even more specific details, such as, every village, the current people count, livestock count, waterfall locations and all the information you would need on a map. It was simply amazing!
Kagome was rather enjoying herself. She had never been surrounded by so much enchantment, so much...magic. It felt like...home to her. Like she was in the right place for once. Yeah, right. This? Home? I don't think so. she thought to herself.
"Well, where would we start looking, if we wanted to find the soul...Water," questioned Inutaisho, revealing the first jewel.
Everyone looked on the map, figuring out areas that would be a logical place to hide the soul. After discussing their ideas, though, they only broke out into argument about his or her place being more logical than the other, that concluded in the announcement of going to bed. All agreed to continue in the morning as they all filed out into the hallway to walk to their rooms. Sesshomaru and Inutaisho had hung back, still looking over the map.
Kagome bid everyone good night, as she walked along a different hallway than her other companions. But, as she was about to go her own way Rin grasped her hand and held her back.
"Kagome-sama, can you put me to bed? Please," begged Rin.
Kagome smiled down at her and agreed to do so. Rin dragged her by the hand all the way to her room. When they got there, Kagome was surprised to find that the door was black, decorated with glimmering stars. Must have been decorated by his wife...Taiyo was her name? Kagome thought, smirking that there was a tolerance for such a door in the castle.
Rin turned the silver doorknob and pushed the door open. Kagome was amazed at what she saw. Rin's room didn't look like a room at all. The scene before her was a scene that you could find only in a dream. White clouds, puffy and soft, hung all around the room, on a black, starry background. Kagome felt the presence of magic, and found that she had stepped into the room.
Rin hopped onto a cloud before Kagome could warn her that the cloud was just an illusion, but, to her surprise, the cloud held Rin's weight. She walked over to the cloud Rin was lying on and touched it. It felt like cotton that melted through your fingers. The room gave her the feeling that they were in the sky, the starry night background representing the current time.
Kagome found the nearest cloud and decided to test it herself. As she sat down, thought, she didn't feel something solid as she had expected, but instead if felt like she were sitting on air. It was simply amazing! After Kagome got over her amazement, she found that Rin had already tucked herself into the cloud, snuggled under a cotton blanket. She smiled up at Kagome, who smiled in return. Rin begged her for a story, but Kagome didn't want Rin to stay up later than it already was. Compromising that Kagome would take Rin walking through the garden sometime the next day, and tell her a story then, Rin agreed to fall asleep immediately.
Kagome quietly closed the door behind after kissing Rin goodnight. Rin had explained to her that by wishing of a place they would like to be, the room would change it to their wishes, of course, modifying it so that they were the only ones there. She decided to try when she got to her room, but all thoughts fled when she ran into Sesshomaru, who was closing the door to the study behind him. He looked her way and their eyes met for a brief moment. She had just reached him when he turned. She found that he was headed in the same direction that she was.
This time, Kagome did not try to break the silence between them. It was not a silence of tension, but of...what type of silence was it? Hate? No. Difference? No. Then what? Her question was answered when she realized that she had felt it before. It was a...Friendly silence? Me? Him? Friends! The world is coming to an end! The silence was soon broken when she voiced a question without her knowing it.
"So...what were you two talking about?"
He only smirked in reply. She pouted childishly, then smiled, genuinely smiled, at him answering her own question, "I'll find out sooner or later."
He didn't say a word, but just kept on walking. Kagome had discovered that his room was the next room past her's. A chill ran up her spine. Great. Just peachy. she thought.
She opened her door and entered her room, closing it behind her. The first thing she did was do what Rin did...wish. She closed her eyes and wished as hard as she could, saying, "I wish...I were home."
Kagome imagined the small hut that she had grown up in, in the village that was now only a far off memory. But, as she opened her eyes, she nearly fell. It was not the small hut she had imagined. Oh, no. It was much larger than that.
She was in an enchanted forest of night. The stars twinkled above her head as she was surrounded by trees that glowed with their own inner light. A small pond was to her left, where lily pads and frogs dwelt. Her mirror, bathroom, and balcony was still there, but they seemed to be painted with the same image that matched her new sanctuary. The grass felt like grass beneath her feet. She knelt down to touch the pond, which was actually water. She felt a breeze and everything rustled around her. She touched a tree leaf, that left a silver dust on her hand that glowed with the same radiance. She was in a forest that was just buzzing with life. Fireflies danced all around, leaving their light trails.
Kagome walked over to where her bed should have been, and found nothing there. But, as she sunk to the ground and lay down, she found that it was just as soft as her bed. There was a blanket hanging from a tree limb that she stood and grabbed pulling it down.
The aqua book caught her eye. The urge to pick it up and read it overcame her, as she did so and walked to her "bed." Opening it to the last few pages, she found that the book had seemed to grow a little more in her absence. What! Books don't grow...do they?
She turned the next page after the ending of the chapter about the Shikon no Tama. There was another chapter there. "The Story Begins"! WHAT? As she began reading, she found that it was an account of everything that happened so far, ending with her finding this place she was in now. Was the book enchanted? It must have been, because books just don't add chapters all by themselves.
It felt late by the time she got to the end, and she wanted to get an early start tomorrow. So, gently, she lay the book next to her and dozed off into a peaceful slumber...
X
And so it all begins! I'm sorry if this chapter bore you, but...the next one will be a blast! They start finding the first soul! Of course, Rin won't be left behind! NO WAY! But...I am really sorry for not updating in so long..but..I hope you enjoyed this chapter!