Hi! How are all my peeps? Good I hope. It is nice and warm and happy and all that nice and fuzzy stuff over here…and so far, the Michigan weather hasn't screwed me over…WOOT!
…I didn't get many reviews for the last chapter…it made me sad…but then again…I got a couple of nice ones…from those of you who DID review…cries for those who didn't
Ok…yes, I am going to tell you what everyone else got for Valentine's Day, but I had to have that whole thing happen with Sango and Miroku…and since the chapter WAS suppose to be mostly about them…I thought I would just work around most everyone else…ok?
This is my smorgasbord chapter…meaning it has a little of everyone in it…it takes place on my birthday, February 21st…so…yea…woot! Also…the beginning of the bad things is going to happen…dun-dun-DUN!
Disclaimer: Me- What do I own?
Readers- Nothing!
Me- When will I own it?
Inuyasha and Co.- NEVER!
Me- Awe damn…I was hoping you had better news than that…
Birthday Bash…and Crash…
Hekele sat up and stretched. The newest alarm clock from Hell was blaring in her ear and she was fast becoming annoyed. She hit the button and it obediently shut itself off.
The cranky teenager crawled out of bed and gathered up her school uniform. She walked out of the room and down the hall to the bathroom, still barely awake. She turned on the hot water and stepped inside, allowing it to relax her like only a hot shower could.
After getting out and toweling dry, Hekele got dressed and headed downstairs, still partially asleep. It was Monday after all, and Lord knows that waking up on a Monday is hard as Hell to do. She walked into the kitchen only to be greeted by five smiling faces: Ms. Higurashi, Mr. Higurashi, Souta, Kagome, and Kachie.
"G'morning peoples…Why are you smiling?" she asked when they didn't stop smiling. Kagome laughed.
"Hekele, do have any idea what today is?" she asked. Hekele shrugged.
"Monday?"
"Well duh…but what else is today?" Kachie asked. Hekele groaned.
"The end of the weekend and the beginning of another week of Hell?" she tried. Souta slapped his forehead.
"You are so dumb sometimes Hekele, this isn't something that you were supposed to forget…" he mumbled. Hekele noogied him and then sat next to him.
"Well then, you tell me what today is…or at least give me a hint…please…my happy morning spirit wore off already…" she said, laying her head on the table and shutting her eyes.
Ms. Higurashi smiled a bit and brushed back some of Hekele's hair as she placed some breakfast in front of her, "Honey…I know it's a Monday, but don't tell me that you forgot your own birthday…Hekele?"
Hekele never heard her…she had fallen back asleep.
Feudal Era:
"So, what time are we supposed to go through the well?" Inuyasha asked Sesshoumaru as the two attempted to track down Miroku. Sango and the girls were going to bathe in the nearby hot spring, and needed someone to keep tabs on the perverted demon.
Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes as he picked up Miroku's scent, "At 4:30…damn monk, he's already heading towards the spring…" Inuyasha rolled his eyes as well when his own nose confirmed this discovery.
He cupped his hands to his mouth and shouted in the direction of the spring, "Hey! The damn pervert is already heading your way…watch out!" He then put his hand to his ear, waiting for some acknowledgement that he had been heard.
Sango, apparently, heard him, "Thanks Inuyasha…we've found him…HENTAI!" Inuyasha winced at the scream, and then once more when he heard the sound of a reverberating slap. Damn, Miroku never could just look, could he?
Sesshoumaru once again rolled his eyes, "That idiot is going to lose her if he keeps this nonsense up…I hope he realizes that…" Inuyasha shrugged.
"Actually, I think the only way Sango would ever leave him is if he were to grow an actual interest in another woman…other than that, she'll just end up slapping him senseless…" he said, pausing to think about it for a moment. Sesshoumaru tilted his head in a slight agreement. The two began walking back towards the village slowly, neither being in a big hurry to baby-sit the kids.
"So," Inuyasha began, side glancing his half-brother, "what time is it now?"
Sesshoumaru looked at the Rolex that Hekele had gotten him for Valentine's Day, "About 10:30 in the morning…why?" Inuyasha groaned.
"Cuz I'm bored…and I need something to do…" he said. Sesshoumaru smirked.
"Well, I'm sure that Rin wouldn't mind making you 'pretty' again instead of Jakken…want me to ask her?" he asked slyly. Inuyasha cringed.
"Nope, I'm good, forget I ever said anything."
Again, Sesshoumaru smirked, "Are you afraid of a little girl, Inuyasha?" Inuyasha growled.
"Hell no…I just don't like all those damn flowers!" he said. Sesshoumaru chuckled, earning him a glare.
"Inuyasha," he began, "it's winter…there are no flowers…"
Inuyasha breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh…"
Future:
"…Kachie…is Hekele awake yet? She slept through the whole hour…" Kagome muttered, poking her. Kachie turned to Hekele and poked her, earning a growl.
"Nope…still sleeping…Hekele…it's lunch time…WAKE UP!" she yelled into the sleeping girl's ear. Hekele jumped a mile and snapped awake. She looked at the two girls sitting next to her and groaned.
"…Just tell me I wasn't snoring…ok?" she requested, standing up and gathering her things. Kagome smiled.
"Very quiet, and minimal droolage…" she joked. Hekele growled.
"Ha ha…Very funny…how long was I out?" she asked as they walked towards their lockers. Kachie sighed.
"All hour…seriously, what is wrong with you? I've never known you to sleep through that class, AND you forgot that it was your birthday…Are you feeling all right?" she asked. Hekele shrugged.
"Nothing…I'm just tired…I didn't sleep well last night…" she confided. The other two looked at her skeptically.
"Why not?" Kagome asked. Hekele shrugged once more.
"…I had a nightmare…and I didn't get back to sleep until early this morning…" she said. Kachie sighed.
"What was it this time?" she asked. Hekele sighed.
"…Never mind…it wasn't good…let that be enough…" she said. In truth, she wanted to talk about it…but why ruin her birthday by talking about her father?
I dreamed that he came here to Japan and found me…and kidnapped me…I know that it sounds stupid…but…bad things happened while he had me…and I dreamed that no one found me…which, since we are only human in this era, is very plausible… she thought…looking at the floor. Kagome and Kachie looked at her with concerned faces. She was about to…
"Uh…Hekele? Watch out for the-"
SLAM.
"…pole?" Kachie finished for Kagome, wincing. Hekele sprung back up quickly.
"I meant to do that…"
At lunch:
"So…what do you want to do today?" Kachie asked Hekele as she sat down with her lunch. Kagome nodded.
Hekele yawned and began to nibble at her nachos…which were edible for once, "I don't know, eat a shit load of ice cream and cake…other than that, nothing really…"
Kagome rubbed her temples, "Ok, you are totally ruining YOUR day here…why don't Kachie and I take you shopping after school or something? That could be fun…" Kachie nodded earnestly, wanting to make her friend happier. Hekele continued to slowly eat her nachos.
"…You guys don't need to do that…I really couldn't care less…you know that…" she muttered. Kachie slapped the back of Hekele's head.
"Ok, when people offer to spend money on you…you don't turn them down…OK? I didn't see you complaining when Sesshoumaru bought you a Valentine's Day gift!" she scolded.
Hekele blushed and her fingers flew to the charm bracelet on her wrist. It was stainless steel and already had a few charms on it. There was a dog (because she was part dog demon,) an umbrella (part rain demon,) a book (she loved to read,) music notes (she loved listening to music,) and a pixie charm (meant to tease her about the necklace.) She loved the little things dearly and only took off the bracelet at night and when she bathed. She wore it everyday…just like the necklace.
"Well, that's different…I never asked him to buy me anything, he did so without my knowledge…and had he asked me what I wanted him to buy me, I would have answered him as I answer you…" she said truthfully, still fingering the bracelet. Again, Kachie whacked her in the back of her head.
"Baka…we're taking you shopping…got it?" she growled. Hekele smiled slightly.
"If you must…"
Kagome grinned, "Yes, we must."
Hekele rolled her eyes at her two friends and nodded her head slightly in consent. Nothing would stop them from going through with their goals…even if their goals involved spending good money on her. She sighed.
"You two are impossible…you know that right?" she asked, half already knowing the answer.
As if to confirm this, Kachie whacked her upside the head once more, "Well duh…we wouldn't be best friends if we weren't able to keep up with your level of stubbornness…"
Hekele growled, "Why on Earth do you think it's safe to hit me upside the head? I am going to kill you later!" Kachie gave a sheepish grin.
"Cuz there are a whole bunch of people here that would witness you slicing me open with that plastic fork?" she said, quickly jumping up and away from Hekele's long reach. Kagome rolled her eyes.
"You aren't very bright, are you Kachie?"
Somewhere else…:
"Lady Oyu…are you ready for the spell? Are you strong enough?" Kotaro asked softly. Lady Oyu gave him a firm look.
"Yes, Kotaro, this one is well strong enough to form the portal. However, you must be able to care for this one once we are through…it will steal much of this one's energy…" she retorted. Kotaro gave her a weak smile as he took her slender hand in his and tenderly pressed it to his lips.
"I understand that it will, my love…I only wished to be certain that you were ready for such a far reaching portal…" he replied carefully. Kotaro then removed his hood from his head, exposing his face to his beloved. His hair was short and brown, but very untamed. His face was chiseled to, in Lady Oyu's opinion, perfection. It was long, mature, and betrayed the wisdom he held beyond his years. His eyes were a honey tinted hazel, and were so much warmer than Lady Oyu's own orbs.
Lady Oyu gave a tired sigh as she approached Kotaro and touched his cheek, "Once the portal is open, it will remain open, therefore giving us more freedom to go back and forth as we please. This one is using a different spell…this will be most to our advantage…" Kotaro took her hand and kissed it tenderly.
"It will be glorious, my lady, with you as queen…" he murmured softly. Lady Oyu smiled, though it never quite reached her eyes. She retracted her hand and lightly ran it through his hair before walking towards the place that she had deemed fit for the portal.
She stopped before the obsidian table where she had performed her last spell and smiled a twisted smile. No doubt the spell would show its first effects relatively soon. When she opened the portal, the previous spell would be given a jump start. The extra power flowing through the air could possibly even create a wave of energy, but Lady Oyu was not concerned. She continued on to a painting on the opposite wall. It would serve as an excellent cover for the portal.
When she was about five feet from the painting, Lady Oyu stopped and gazed at it longingly. The work of art depicted an angel. She was falling from what appeared to be the clouds of heaven with the most painful look on her face. Her wings had been ripped out of her back, and she was bleeding badly. She looked as though she had been betrayed. Her hair was long and blackish blue, her eyes were ice blue, and her lips were tinted blue as well…
"…It is truly a striking painting my love…and the angel resembles you remarkably…" Kotaro said lovingly, having walked up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and buried his face in her neck, placing there a small kiss.
Lady Oyu scowled slightly, but she was relieved that it had gone unnoticed by her love, "Yes…there does appear to be a resemblance…do you know what this painting depicts?" Kotaro shook his head and laid his chin on her shoulder. Lady Oyu smiled slightly.
"…It is a painting depicting an angel that had fallen from God's good grace. She had fallen in love with a human and was bearing his child. This sin displeased God greatly, and she was banished onto Earth until the child was born. Once the child was born, however, she was sent to Hell, leaving her beloved on Earth to raise their half-breed child alone. Other angels fell in love as well, and were given the same fate. God considered the half-breeds impure, and they were called Nephilim…" she said sadly. Kotaro nodded into her shoulder slightly.
"Continue…you did not seem as though you were quite finished…" he said softly. Lady Oyu nodded slightly.
"Very well…It is said that the Nephilim were God's chief reason for flooding the Earth, as well as to punish man…they were completely wiped out…" she said sadly. And the fallen angel in this painting stayed buried in Hell for 3,000 years before escaping…and vowing revenge on all that is 'pure'…even now…her heart aches for those she was forced to abandon… she finished to herself.
"How tragic…this seems like a familiar topic to you my lady…do you enjoy angelology?" Kotaro asked lightly. Lady Oyu stiffened slightly but kept her voice smooth.
"You could say that…it is a…fascinating topic…now, this one must be opening the portal…" she said, ending the subject. She pulled away from Kotaro and walked the rest of the way to the painting. She placed her hand upon it and closed her eyes.
"Tragic images of long ago…
Depicted so well upon the canvas…
Open the door…the door to another time…
A time when feudal lords ruled all…
And demons roamed wild and free…
Where unlikely love…
Protects all…
Open the door…
To a village afar…
Far…
From the poisoning love…
But close…
Close enough to touch it…
Without being bitten…
Open…
Take all of the energy…
And remain…
Open…
For all eternity!"
Lady Oyu's eyes began to glow red as they had done the previous week. She focused all of her energy into her hand and transferred it into the painting. Soon the painting was glowing red as well.
Lady Oyu did not relent, however. She was waiting for the final burst of energy…the one that would drain the majority of her power from the depths of her reserves…the part that would leave her near death…
Then it came.
Lady Oyu screamed as the power was ripped from her body and transferred to the painting, and as soon as it was all there, a giant wave of energy burst forth and hit her, sending her flying backward. Kotaro jumped behind her to catch her, but was too thrown back against the far wall. The wave of energy spread past the building and out into the world…and there was little doubt that even the least in tuned mortals would feel its effects…both on this side of the portal and the other…
With the girls:
Kagome and Kachie were talking about what they were going to force Hekele to buy while Hekele herself walked between the two shaking her head.
Actually, I don't have to buy anything…they're buying stuff for me…duh…so, why am I so glum? Come on Hekele! It's your birthday! Wake up! Be happy! And forget that dream! It already cost you a huge bump on the head, DON'T let it ruin the rest of your day! Ha! I win! Oh crap…they caught me talking to myself again…
"Hekele, are you ok?" Kagome asked. Kachie rolled her eyes at her friend.
"Did the voices have anything interesting to say?" she asked. Hekele blushed.
"Not really…Bu-" she was interrupted when she felt a huge rush of energy hit her from behind. She screamed as it sent her flying forward. Kagome and Kachie were screaming as well, but all were short lived.
Kagome was landed painfully on the pavement, hitting her head and knocking herself out instantly. Kachie was thrown into a nearby tree, slamming her back hard against the trunk and narrowly missing a large branch. She too fell into the dark realm of unconsciousness. Hekele hit her head on the same tree but flew a few feet further before stopping as well. She was out before she hit the ground.
Feudal Era:
Koga growled as he headed towards the well. Inuyasha was being far too annoying, and he had decided to go ahead early and visit with Ms. Higurashi, Souta, or perhaps even Mr. Higurashi.
Koga was just that annoyed.
As he neared the well, Koga leaped forward, expecting to land inside. What he got was a huge rush of energy forcing him in the opposite direction. Koga yelped in surprise as he was thrown backwards into a tree. His speed being turned completely against him, he ended up flying through two more trees before stopping.
"Holy shit…what the hell was that…?" he asked himself as he cautiously sat up a minute or two later. He rubbed his head and then stood up slowly. He didn't smell any other demons, save for his friends back in the village, so he was quite confused.
Deciding that he was not the only person that would have been effected, he sped back to the village.
In Kaede's Village:
Kohaku carefully helped Kanna up with one able arm as he rubbed his forehead with the other. He turned to his sister, whom was across the room looking over Miroku's arm, from which a loud crack had been heard.
"…It's not broken…thank goodness…" she breathed softly. Miroku himself had hit his head quite hard on the wall as well, and was semi-conscious. Sango held up three fingers in front of his eyes.
"How many fingers do you see?" she asked. Miroku groaned.
"Seven…eight? No wait…I think there are nine…" he muttered truthfully. Sango sighed.
"Oh dear…that can't be a good thing…"
Kohaku turned his attention back to Kanna, seeing as his sister was all right and tending to Miroku. "Are you ok?" he asked. Kanna nodded.
"Yeah…I'm ok…what was that?" she asked. Kohaku shrugged, just as confused.
"That's what I want to know…" Everyone turned to see Inuyasha walking into the hut while rubbing his neck. Sesshoumaru followed as well, carrying Rin, who seemed to be clinging to him for dear life. Shippo bounced in next and pounced onto Inuyasha's shoulder, making him wince for a moment before continuing over to see if Miroku was all right. Kagura ended the procession as she too entered the now crowded hut. She made a beeline for Kanna, and was relieved to see that she was all right.
"What in Kami was that odd energy?" she asked aloud. Everyone shrugged.
"I have no idea. But it was quite strange…" Sango said. She helped Miroku sit upright and examined his head further.
"Hey…looks like you guys were hit by that thing too…" Koga said as he appeared at the doorway.
Sesshoumaru frowned as he readjusted Rin, "It did not feel like demonic energy…we all would have been able to recognize that…and yet it was most certainly not pure energy either."
"It blew me through three trees! Right when I was in mid-jump too!" Then Koga paused, his face looking horrified for a moment. Inuyasha glared at him.
"What is it?" he asked. Koga's eyes were wide.
"I can't be sure…but though most of the wave hit me from straight ahead…it felt like some was rushing at me from the well…" he said slowly. Everyone's eyes widened as the information processed in their minds.
Then they all made a mad dash out of the hut and towards the well.
At the shrine:
Ms. Higurashi opened the door frantically when she heard movement outside, hoping that it was the girls. When she found a bunch of equally frantic friends still dressed in their feudal clothes on the other side, she knew things were worse than they had originally seemed.
"Oh dear…the wave hit you in the feudal era as well, didn't it?" she asked, already knowing the answer. They nodded slowly and made their way inside as she moved out of the way.
Her home was in shambles, things were laying on the ground everywhere, broken mostly. Kagura noticed a few bruises on Ms. H. and grimaced.
"Are you all right?" she asked her. Ms. Higurashi nodded.
"Yes, quite all right, just a few bumps and bruises. Souta is laying on the couch; he hit his head pretty bad on the desk in his room, but he'll be ok as well. My father just went to check out the rest of the shrine. He's fine…" she said. Inuyasha looked at her suddenly.
"Where's Kagome? Hekele and Kachie?" he asked. Ms. Higurashi wrung her hands and looked at the ground.
"I…I don't know…Kagome and Kachie were going to take Hekele shopping to keep her out of the hose while we got ready here…but…they never called…and I know that after that…that thing that they wouldn't still have gone shopping…" she said, still looking at the floor.
Shippo was the first to speak, "…I think we should go looking for them…" Everyone else nodded and Ms. Higurashi grabbed the keys to her van.
"I don't suppose that I could ask most of you to stay here could I? Souta needs someone to stay with him, and I don't know what kind of condition the girls will be in…" she said sadly. Kagura and Kanna exchanged glances before stepping back from the group.
"Kanna and I will stay here, perhaps Shippo, Rin, and Kohaku could remain with us as well…" she suggested. Rin, in response, let go of Sesshoumaru and he let her down. Shippo took her hand and dragged her into the living room.
"C'mon Rin, let's play with some of Souta's video games…it might cheer him up to have someone to play with…" he said. Rin nodded and followed him obediently. Kohaku looked at the two and nodded slightly to Sango, signaling that he too would remain.
Sango sighed and looked at Miroku, whom she was supporting, as she spoke, "I think that we would be a mere hindrance…we shall remain here as well."
Ms. Higurashi gave them a warm smile, "Thank you…somehow I think that we'll need the extra room…now you three, change into some different clothes quickly…we don't want to draw any unneeded attention…"
On the road:
Everyone was looking out the windows for a sign of the three girls. Koga was seated in the front seat with Ms. Higurashi while Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru resided in the two back seats. They had driven to the school and were currently driving down the route that the girls would have taken to the mall. So far, they hadn't seen anything…
"…See anything on your side Inuyasha?" Koga asked. Inuyasha sighed.
"No…nothing…"
"Not who we're looking for anyway…" Sesshoumaru added.
There were people laying everywhere, some unconscious, but most were moving around, or trying to at least. It seemed possible that the entire city was hit.
Suddenly Koga piped up, "Uh…guys! I found 'em!" Ms. Higurashi slammed on the brakes when she saw what Koga was currently pointing to. All three girls were laying unconscious. Kagome was on the sidewalk, Kachie was against the tree, and Hekele was just past the same tree.
They all got out of the van and ran towards the girls. When they reached them, they found that Hekele and Kagome were still bleeding slightly from their heads, but Kachie was in 'ok' condition for the most part.
The boys gently picked them up and carried them to the van. Ms. Higurashi opened the first aid kit that she had brought along and took out some gauze.
"Clean and wrap their head wounds as best you can; we'll do a more through job when we get back to the house…" she said as she got into the driver's seat and started the car.
After driving for about a mile, she spoke to them again, "You know…I can actually say that I wish that they had been in the Feudal Era when this happened…they'd have been in their demon forms and would have been able to withstand most of it…"
No one else spoke for the rest of the ride.
Two hours later:
Kachie mumbled slightly as she opened her eyes and was assaulted by the light in her room. Within an instant, Koga was in her line of vision as well.
"…Hey Kachie…how's your head feel?" he asked her jokingly. For an answer, Kachie swatted at him angrily. Koga jumped back but smiled slightly.
"Yeah…that's what I thought…" he said, lightly placing some ice on it and holding it there.
Kachie sighed, "So, how long have you been here?" Koga smirked.
"Long enough to be drafted into the search party…you've been out for over two hours…so, what happened?" he asked. Kachie groaned.
"I wish I knew…One minute we were walking to the mall, and the next we were flying through the air and being knocked out when we landed…just that fast…I didn't even sense anything…" she said. Koga gave her a confused look.
"So…you don't know what caused the energy wave?" he asked. Kachie shook her head, and then grabbed it painfully.
"Nope…ow…Hey, do you mean to tell me that you felt it too?" she asked. Koga nodded.
"Yeah…it traveled to our time too; Miroku probably has a concussion…even as a demon, he's been acting loopy since he hit his head…I assumed that there had been a battle or something…when we got here, the house was a mess too…(and since we're all trying to figure out what happened, it didn't get picked up all that much…) Ms. H. has a few bruises and Souta hit his head on his desk pretty hard…but the old geezer was ok…" he said, bringing her up to date. Kachie sighed.
"So, you're ok?" she asked. Koga grinned.
"It takes more than three trees to put me out of commission…in my demon form at least…" he said. Kachie hit him upside the head, surprising him.
"What was that for?" he whined.
Kachie smirked, "For being so damn lucky…"
With Kagome:
Inuyasha saw Kagome stir slightly and sighed, quite relieved. Even in his human state, he could tell that her breathing had changed slightly, and that she would wake up soon. He began to lightly shake her, hopefully helping the slow process along.
"Kagome…Kagome…wake up…C'mon Kags…I hate worrying damn it!" he growled that last part, earning a slight chuckle as Kagome opened her eyes.
At first everything was a blur, but after blinking a few times her eyes focused on Inuyasha, whom indeed had a look of worry on his face. She gave him a slight smile and another chuckle.
"Wow…I must look pretty bad if you look that worried…" she said. Inuyasha once again breathed a sigh of relief and looked at her.
"…It's not that…you were just out for two plus hours and…ok, yeah, I was a little worried…" he said, not seeing any way around admitting it. Kagome's smile broadened.
"See? Now was that so hard? Besides, you don't need to worry…I'm ok…" she said. Inuyasha had to refrain from hitting her in her head.
"Did you miss the part where I told you that you were out for over two hours or was I just talking to myself?" he asked, quite annoyed.
Kagome laughed, "I meant that I was ok now…and that you didn't have to worry about me…" Inuyasha grumbled to himself about how that was not what she really meant, earning another laugh from Kagome.
"I'm ok now Inuyasha…you don't need to be so grumpy…"
"GRUMPY! I'M NOT GRUMPY! I'M JUST WORRIED DAMNIT! WORRY AND GRUMPY ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS!"
"Inuyasha…"
"I AM WORRIED, NOT GRUMPY! WHY DID YOU EVEN SAY I WAS GRUMPY? YOU KNOW I'M WORRIED!"
"Inuyasha…"
"WHAT?"
"Please stop yelling…my head is about to split open…"
"…Sorry…"
With Hekele:
Sesshoumaru sat patiently by the bed as Hekele slept. Kagome had been placed in her mother's room, so all of the girls were separate. And from the loud yelling coming from that room downstairs…Sesshoumaru figured that it had been a good idea.
Rin had bounced in and out of the room every once in a while to check up on Hekele for herself, and had just informed him that Koga told her that Kachie was awake. She also let him know that Kagome was awake, which Sesshoumaru had assumed, unless of course Inuyasha had finally lost his mind and had begun to yell at inanimate objects…
Hekele began to stir slightly and Sesshoumaru quickly returned his line of vision back to her bed. She began to toss and turn a bit more violently and also began moaning in her sleep. Concerned, Sesshoumaru quickly rose from his seat on the edge of Kagome's bed and went to Hekele's. He sat at her side and felt her head. No fever.
She must be having a nightmare… he thought to himself. He took hold of her wrists when her arms began to flail about, for fear that she may injure herself.
"Hekele…wake up…you're having a nightmare…" he tried, hoping that she would hear him. No such luck.
Hekele's dream
Hekele walked slowly down an alley. She couldn't fathom why, it looked dark and dangerous. And she was human without her weapons. It wasn't a very smart thing to do. Yet, she felt herself being pulled toward the darkness of the alley. Toward the unknown.
Hekele always liked adventure…but something just didn't feel right all of a sudden. She felt as though she were being choked by the darkness. Suffocated. She suddenly felt as though she couldn't breathe.
Hekele began struggling and calling out for help, but the darkness encircled her neck and began to squeeze it slowly…like a snake. She struggled further when she saw the darkness around her neck become two hands. They began to squeeze her tighter and tighter, and she began to feel faint. She could breathe no more, and was quickly losing consciousness.
"Help me! Someone! Anyone! Please!" she screamed as best she could, but with all of the abuse on her throat, it only came out as a whisper.
Suddenly, as her eyes began to cloud over, a figure began taking shape in the darkness. The hands became arms, and the arms became shoulders, a torso, a neck, and finally a head.
The last thing Hekele saw was her father's face…and it was full of twisted joy.
End dream
Hekele's eyes opened suddenly and she shot up in her bed, nearly knocking Sesshoumaru off. He kept his balance however and, upon seeing her frantic and rather panicked expression, wrapped his arms lightly around her trembling figure. He could feel her heart's rapid beat and carefully stroked her hair to calm her.
It took Hekele a minute or so to realize that she was safe in her room, with Sesshoumaru holding her. She breathed a deep sigh and, tears in her eyes, wrapped her arms around him too and hugged him tightly.
Sesshoumaru silently continued to stroke her hair and hold her. As the moments passed, he could feel as she began to slowly calm down. When she made move to release him from her vice-like grip, he allowed her and carefully backed away, trying to get a good look at her face.
Hekele was looking down at her lap when she spoke, "…I'm sorry about that…" It came out in a manner that made it seem small, and Sesshoumaru had to refrain from rolling his eyes at the absurdity of her need to apologize as well.
"It is quite all right…but I do wish to know what is troubling you so," he said slowly, trying to choose his words wisely. Hekele shrugged.
"It was just a dream…a really bad dream…but a dream. It wasn't like it was real or anything…" she said, trying to dismiss the said dream. Sesshoumaru caught on.
"Obviously it bothered you…or else you would probably still be asleep. I would…appreciate it if you informed me of whatever it is that is distressing you," he replied.
Hekele groaned inwardly, knowing that he wouldn't stop asking until she told him, "…It was about my dad, ok? I was walking in a dark alley, and the darkness seemed to come to life. It wrapped itself around my throat and began to strangle me…and then the darkness formed into hands…and from there arms, shoulders, torso, neck, and then a head…and then, just before I blacked out, I saw my dad's face…smiling at me like he was enjoying what he was doing…and that was it…"
Sesshoumaru pondered what she had said for a moment, trying to formulate the best way to comfort her. Obviously, her past still haunts her…but I do not recall her ever having such nightmares before…or any nightmares for that matter…so why now? he thought to himself. "…Have you ever…had this dream before?" he asked, curious. Hekele shook her head.
"No…and the last time I had a dream with him in it was…well, last night, but before that it was months…" she said. Sesshoumaru did a double-take.
"You had another of these dreams last night?" he asked. Hekele nodded.
"Yeah…it wasn't as bad as this one though…in the last one, I just kept seeing him everywhere. Everywhere I turned, he appeared there…so…yeah…I didn't sleep much after that…it was so bad that when I went to school, I ended up sleeping most of the time…I can't imagine the teachers were too pleased with me…" she said, getting off topic.
Sesshoumaru continued to ponder everything she said. Why would she begin having these dreams now? He sighed to himself, though it did not go undetected by Hekele, and wrapped an arm around her, giving her a slight squeeze.
"Perhaps it would be best to lay these matter aside for now…you were the last to wake up from that wave…hit your head on that tree did you?" he asked, motioning to a lump on her forehead with a slightly playful grin. Hekele laughed nervously.
"Umm…yeah…but I hit the BACK of my head on the tree…" Sesshoumaru cocked an eyebrow.
"And what, pre-tell, caused this?" he asked, touching her large bruise, causing her to wince slightly.
"Well, I was sleepy…and wrapped up in my own thoughts…and not watching where I was going…and I hit a pole…" she said sheepishly. Sesshoumaru chuckled.
"A pole?" he asked teasingly. Hekele winced again, this time out of hurt pride.
"Oh come on, you know what a klutz I am; don't act so surprised…" she muttered. Sesshoumaru grinned slightly and gave her another squeeze, deciding to let the amusing fact slide for the time being.
"…Let's go downstairs; I'm sure it would please everyone to see that you are all right…Rin has been worried as well…" he said, gently pulling her up into a standing position. Hekele nodded slightly and allowed him to lead her out of the room.
"Oh…there was something I wanted to tell you, but seeing as how dismal the day has been, it may not hold the same meaning…" Sesshoumaru said quietly. Hekele gave him a curious look.
"What is it?" she asked. Sesshoumaru smiled slightly once more.
"…Happy birthday…"
Downstairs:
Kagome had argued for about five minutes before Inuyasha would let her out of her mother's room, only to find that Kachie and Koga were already in the living room, and fixing it up as well. They had begun to help out when Kagura entered the room with Kanna and Kohaku. They had just come from picking up the kitchen with Ms. Higurashi.
Rin bounced into the room with Shippo, carrying a board game to play with Souta, still intent on cheering him up. The game was Jamanji, and it was based off of a movie. Much to hers and Shippo's dismay, however, lions, hunters, and giant plants didn't really pop out of the game as Souta described had happened in the movie.
Everyone looked up when they heard Hekele and Sesshoumaru descend from the stairs. Rin jumped up from her spot next to Souta and ran over to Hekele to greet her, jumping up into the girl's arms when she was at the bottom of the stairs. Hekele gave her a huge squeeze and let her down. Kagome was the first one to speak.
"And how was your cat-nap?" she asked. Hekele shrugged.
"Surprisingly tiring…and you two?" she asked, motioning to Kachie as well.
Kachie grinned, "Not too bad…but I could have done without the throbbing headache."
"And I could have done without his yelling…" Kagome muttered, elbowing Inuyasha.
Sesshoumaru growled, "I think we ALL could have done without his yelling…"
"Hey!"
"Don't start now…please, it was quiet for a moment there…" Kagura complained. Kanna muffled a giggle when Inuyasha growled at her and turned her attention to Sango, whom was sitting next to a dizzy looking Miroku.
"How's he doing?" she asked. Sango shrugged.
"I don't know…Miroku, how are you doing?" she questioned. Her answer was a hand on her ass. She promptly stomped her foot on his and slugged him hard in the chest, not wanting to make his head problems worse.
"Never mind him…he's just fine…" she muttered. Kanna muffled another giggle as Miroku opened his eyes and said a quiet, 'ow'. It was quite amusing.
Ms. Higurashi walked into the room just then, and was relieved to see the three girls up and about. "Well, thank goodness you're all right…we were worried about you!" she said to them as she approached, pulling each into a big hug. The three smiled at their mother figure genuinely. It may not be nice getting a bunch of head injuries and falling unconscious, but being worried about always had an upside.
"…Since the refrigerator is no longer working, and most of the food had to be thrown out…why don't we go out to eat…if anywhere is open…" she muttered that last part, causing Kagome to laugh.
"My mother can mutter…it's an amazing feat!" she exclaimed, earning a look from Ms. Higurashi.
"…I'll call around and see if any places are open, and I'll get the mail…why don't you turn on the television and watch the news…maybe they found something…" she said, walking towards the kitchen.
Hekele grabbed the remote from a reluctant Souta and changed the channel to the local news.
"…Ladies and gentlemen, what you are witnessing is pure pandemonium in downtown Tokyo. People are breaking into stores and are stealing supplies in case of an emergency. Everyone is in a state of panic. Some government officials in the area have let it slip that it may have been a nuclear blast of some sort…but it would have to be relatively small…and so has been ruled out for the most part. No one seems to have any indication of where this blast originated. I've interviewed close to thirty people and there was nothing to be learned. I'll keep you updated as the information comes in…"
What everyone saw shocked them. There were crashed cars and burning buildings everywhere. People were breaking windows and stealing food and gallons of water left and right. Children were in the street crying while their parents fought with other people in riots. It was awful.
Kagome's hand flew to her mouth in disbelief, "Oh my god…this is terrible…" Kachie nodded.
"Wow…who knew that that wave could cause so much panic…I mean…what's the death toll? Has anyone even died? They're acting like…like…"
"Like idiots…can't they see that they are making things worse? Panicking is the worst thing to do…just because they don't know about something, they go into a huge frenzy that causes even more problems…" Koga said sternly, clearly disappointed with the human race at that moment. Kachie nodded and placed her head on his shoulder.
"…I guess the public bought that whole 'nuclear weapon' bit…that would explain the craziness…" Hekele said slowly. Inuyasha looked at her curiously.
"What is a nuclear weapon anyway?" he asked. Hekele shook her head.
"It is a very powerful weapon…here's an example…it'll explain better than me telling you…The United States of America and Japan were involved in a war called World War Two, and they were on opposite sides. Japan broke a peace treaty made with the USA before the USA was ever involved, and they sent suicide bombers to bomb Pearl Harbor, a naval base in Hawaii that held most of the Navy's fleet. Lots of people died, and they never got a chance to defend themselves…save a few who were able to get into airplanes and make it off the runway before being blown up. Thousands of men and innocent women and children died…
What the USA did, was get involved in the war and started something called: The Manhattan Project. The Manhattan Project was responsible for the creation of something called the Atomic Bomb. When Japan refused to surrender at the end of the war, the USA dropped this bomb in Hiroshima. That bomb devastated the whole city. People's skin was burned right off of their bodies in an instant in many cases, and they were found in the positions they had been in right before they died…it was awful. An illness eventually became associated with the blast, because it arrived shortly after and was found mostly in the survivors of the blast…it's called leukemia. Now leukemia is found all over the world, but some still blame the blast.
When Japan still refused to surrender, the USA launched a second, slightly smaller bomb in Nagasaki. With all of those deaths on their shoulders…Japan surrendered…" she said, explaining as best she could, and though she was not certain the Atomic Bomb was a nuclear weapon, she did know that it was what all the people were thinking of as they bombarded the streets of Tokyo. Inuyasha nodded.
"Well, if it happened once, I can see why they are all afraid that it could happen again…" he said slowly. Hekele nodded to him and stared at the television.
Sesshoumaru took in all the information and made a silent connection with something that Hekele had told him once while discussing her past:
We keep making stronger and stronger weapons, even though it causes more and more problems…
"Well, in any case, nowhere is going to be open, and school is most likely going to be cancelled, so perhaps we should all just head back to your era for a few days while all of this insanity cools down…it might just be the safest thing to do…" Kagome said slowly, as though she were still thinking it over herself.
Souta looked up at her, "Could Mom, Grandpa, and I come too?" he asked. Kagome gave him a surprised look.
"Well of course! Look at it out there! I'm not leaving you three here! We're bringing Buyo and Tai too!" she said firmly. Inuyasha rolled his eyes at the mention of the two pets, but nodded his head in complete agreement. One look at everyone else's faces and even a fool could tell that they were all for the notion.
Kagome gave a grateful smile and walked into the kitchen, "I'll get Mom and Grandpa to pack for a few days, and I'm sure that we can get something to eat when we get there…"
Hekele nodded, "Ok then, Kachie and I will pack as well, then we'll head out…does that sound good to you guys?" Everyone else nodded in unison and the two headed up the stairs. Rin, whom had quit her game with Souta and Shippo, came running after them.
In Kachie's room:
Kachie rummaged through her dresser for miscellaneous things to take with her to the Feudal Era. She walked over to her jewelry box and opened it carefully. She wasn't one for jewelry, but she had a few nice things. One being the red medallion that Koga had gotten her. It was a deep red stone cut into a perfect circle, fitted into a gold design in the shape of an eye. It was quite beautiful.
Kachie opened a secret compartment in the box and her eyes widened considerably. The medallion was glowing. Kachie just stared at it for a moment before picking it up. Her mouth opened but no sound came out. She was too much in shock.
She silently walked out of her room and into Kagome and Hekele's room. "Guys," she said, holding up the medallion, "…something weird is going on here…"
Feudal Era:
Hekele was sitting on a log outside of one of the huts. Kaede had been generous enough to provide them with as many as needed…even before she was told why she had three extra visitors. Everyone was bunked with at least one other person, and some of the younger children were squeezed in with the older kids. Hekele herself was bunked with Rin and Kagome. Not that she minded. Rin always stayed in her bed when visiting the future, so it wasn't a problem.
Hekele wasn't particularly looking forward to sleep. Her previous nightmares had shaken her, and she didn't want to have another one. She also recalled what Kachie had revealed to them right before they left…her medallion that Koga had gotten her for Valentine's Day had been glowing. It still was, last she checked anyway, but it had dimmed considerably.
They all thought it had something to do with the wave, so they had asked Koga where he had purchased it. He had said that he had gotten it in an antique store in the mall…the ONLY antique store in the mall. It was made from a real ruby, but the guy running the store hadn't known that. There had been a legend behind the medallion. It was suppose to be an 'all-seeing eye' type of thing. The store owner hadn't known much of the legend, only that the medallion could detect something called, 'fallen purity,' whatever that was…
Hekele sighed. It had been quite an exhausting day. It seemed that no matter what happened, there was a way to make it worse. Hekele closed her eyes and stretched. She inhaled a deep breath and caught Sesshoumaru's scent behind her. She grinned.
"I know you're there Sesshoumaru," she said softly, knowing that he could hear her. Sesshoumaru walked out of the shadow of one of the huts and walked towards her. He sat next to her on the log.
"Why are you not sleeping?" he asked. Hekele gave an aggravated sigh and looked at him.
"Gee, I don't know, maybe it has something to do with my last two nightmares…" she said sarcastically. Sesshoumaru smirked to himself.
"Well, I do not wish for sleep deprivation to drain you…inanimate objects become quite deadly when you aren't thinking straight…" he mused. Hekele hit him in the arm.
"I knew that you couldn't leave that one alone…" she muttered. Sesshoumaru wrapped his arm around her and pulled her to him in a small embrace.
"You needn't worry, I doubt that you'll have those dreams here…he couldn't harm you if he tried…" he said wisely. Hekele nodded and leaned on his shoulder.
"Yeah…that's true I guess…" she replied. She closed her eyes once more, earning a chuckle from Sesshoumaru.
"Well don't go to sleep now," he said.
Hekele growled, "And why not? You said I could."
Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes, "I said that you could, as in that you had the ability. I never gave you permission…" Hekele growled slightly.
"Well, why can't I?" she asked.
Sesshoumaru smiled, taking a wrapped box out of his sleeve pocket and showing it to her, "Because I have a gift for you…it is your birthday after all…"
Hekele opened her eyes and when she saw the box, they widened considerably, "Sesshoumaru…you didn't have to get me anything…"
"Well, I did. Now, are you going to open it on your own, or am I going to have to make you?" he asked jokingly, recalling the time that he had refused to eat her cooking when they had first met.
Hekele recalled the time as well and laughed, "Ok…if it's going to get opened either way, I might as well do it the easy way…" Sesshoumaru gave her a victorious smirk and gently placed the gift in her hands. Hekele elbowed him slightly in mild revenge and slowly began unwrap it. When she had the wrapping paper off, she examined the box slightly before opening it as well.
Inside was a golden ring. Hekele's jaw dropped as she took it out of the box and looked at it closely. There were designs etched in silver: little waves and dots above and below them. It was simple, but very beautiful.
"Sesshoumaru…it's gorgeous…where on Earth did you get this…?" she asked, in complete awe.
Sesshoumaru smiled, quite pleased with her reaction, "It was a piece of jewelry that belonged to my mother. I found it in my palace quite a while ago, but when I discovered that your birthday was coming up, I decided that I wanted for you to have it…I went back there almost a week ago to pick it up…"
Hekele smiled warmly. Sesshoumaru never spoke of his mother, much like Inuyasha never spoke of his. She knew that it was a touchy subject for both of them, and so for Sesshoumaru to give this ring to her meant a great deal, "…Thank you…" she said quietly as she put it on, "…Thank you very much…it means a lot to me that you would give me something such as this…" She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a big squeeze. Sesshoumaru's smile broadened ever so slightly as he returned the embrace. He was happy that she liked the gift, and that she obviously appreciated it's meaning as well.
"If you want," Sesshoumaru said, now smirking, "…you may go to bed now."
Hekele laughed once more and hit him in the arm, "…I think I'll take you up on that offer. As awake as my head is right now, my body is about to crash…" Sesshoumaru chuckled slightly and helped her up. They walked toward the hut that Hekele, Kagome, and Rin were sharing slowly, content in each other's company.
When they got there, Hekele sighed and gave Sesshoumaru another hug, "Thank you again…but I have just one question…"
Sesshoumaru looked at her oddly, "And that would be?"
"How on Earth did you find out that today was my birthday?" Hekele asked.
Sesshoumaru smirked, "…I found out on the day that we all went shopping for your Valentine's gifts; a very ill and annoyed Souta told me that Ms. Higurashi wanted me to know…"
Hekele sighed, "They all plot against me…" Sesshoumaru smiled at this.
"Go to sleep, you may seek your revenge in the morning…" he said.
Hekele rolled her eyes, "Sesshoumaru, I would have gotten even with them with or without your permission…" She began to walk into the hut when Sesshoumaru stopped her and gave her a light kiss on the forehead. Hekele blushed five shades of red, which amused Sesshoumaru greatly.
"…Get some rest…we don't want you having another pole incident…" he said, amusing himself further. Hekele gave him an apathetic look as she began walking into the hut once more.
"You're just lucky I'm in a good mood," she replied, a bit annoyed. Sesshoumaru detected this and decided to end his torment…for the night at least.
"Good night, and sleep well," he said, leaving her at the doorway.
Hekele sighed, content, "Good night…"
In another hut:
Ms. Higurashi had put Souta to bed a while ago and her father had long been asleep. Kachie had gotten bored and had come to see her. Ms. H. had been quite surprised that Kachie had known that she was awake, but then again, she assumed that her scent had given it away. She had been correct.
"So, why can't you sleep?" Kachie asked her while sitting cross-legged on the floor. Ms. H. sighed.
"I don't know…perhaps it is because I feel so small in this era…I'm not used to being around demons, save for Inuyasha, and I've also never had to go without indoor pluming and running water…it's very different for me…" she said honestly. Kachie smiled at this.
"Yeah, it can be a real trip at first, but you get used to it…and as for the demons, you've got one in the room with you, in case you've forgotten…" she said.
Ms. H. laughed quietly, "I am not afraid of my own girls and their friends, Kachie…I'm…anxious of the evil ones that seem to always pop up on your adventures…"
Kachie smiled proudly when Ms. H. referred to her as one of 'her girls.' It made her happy to know that she was held in such high esteem, "…Ok…just making sure…don't want Mom freaking out every time she comes here…"
Ms. H. was like Kachie's own mother, and had become so very quickly after she had arrived in Japan. Kachie and her real mother had always argued over the dumbest things, and often wouldn't talk for days. With Ms. H., Kachie could tell her anything and she would wait patiently until Kachie was finished to speak. She always valued everyone else's opinion, and never grew upset over it.
Ms. H. was equally flattered when referred to as 'mom' by Kachie. She was happy to know that they had such a strong relationship with one another. She had seen cases where kids hated their parents and their parents hated them. It should never be like that. Ms. H. was thrilled that neither her biological, nor her sergeant children ever felt like that.
Although, Kachie was technically only just staying for a year until she was allowed back into her old school, and not an adoptive daughter as Hekele was. Ms. H. couldn't help but feel that when the time came to give Kachie back, she may ask Kachie if she wanted to stay longer, and hopefully convince her parents that she should…
She snapped out of her reverie, "Well, that's true I suppose, it wouldn't be good if I became frightened every time I came here…which, hopefully, will be more often now that I've done it once…" Suddenly remembering something, she grabbed her small suitcase and began to rummage through it until she found what she was looking for: the mail.
"I never opened it, so I just stuffed it with the rest of my things…" she explained, shuffling through it in case there was something important. She came across an envelope from the United States, and it was from a social worker…
Ms. H. absentmindedly opened the envelope and began reading the attached letter. When she got to the second paragraph, her eyes widened and her jaw dropped.
Concerned, Kachie stood up and walked behind Ms. H. to see the letter, "What's wrong?"
Ms. H. sighed, but it came out in shudders, "…It's from your social worker…the one who sent me the papers to sign so that I could be your temporary guardian…"
Kachie now was quite curious, "What's it say?"
Ms. H. let out a small sob, "…Your parents went to court…and got the papers nullified…they want you back…now…"
Me: Omigod! We're gonna die! Kachie has to leave us!
Kachie: Umm, yea, I'm going to another fic…Sakora wants to use me…
Me: What! You mean you're really leaving us!
Kachie: It's just a part-time job…you know, since you take forever to update…
Me: (Reads Sakora's review) Hey! She wants to use me too! YAY! We're famous!
Kachie: I'm famous, I'm famous, woot!
Me: Yes, Sakora, Kachie and I would be honored if you used us in your Inuyasha fic. We are your willing puppets!
Kachie: I'm a puppet, I'm a puppet, I'm a puppet…YAY!
Sesshoumaru: (Looks at Koga) What if this Sakora person switches them!
Koga: What if she makes Kachie your girlfriend and Hekele-
Sesshoumaru: Wait, never mind…I'd kill you if you touched her…
Me: (Sweat drops) Okkkkk, well, onto the next chapter…and yes, Sakora, I was serious, you may use us in your story…I am very flattered…and so is Kachie!