Yay the new chapter unfolds some mysteries!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha

Thinking

"Speaking"

Action

"They say her history here dates back from far, is this true Master?"

"Why yes it does. Though she is not alone."

"It seems like everyone here has the same story Master. Losing loved ones. Is that all humans care about?"

"Kumi, since when do you care for the hearts of humans?"

The two walked along through the dreary halls of the prison-like place, though all the cells in that area were vacant. Water dripped of the ceiling into the humid air, landing with a small 'tink' onto the cemented flooring. The scurried sound of a rat along the floor pattered across and Kumi ducked under a spider web that was hanging lower than the others.

Master is right, I don't care for the human heart. But I wanted to know, I don't know why, but I wanted to know. If only the words could escape from my lips. . . . "What is love?" What holds these beings here without their bitterness to escape? What keeps them in the lifeless form that they are? Why is 'love' so dear to them that they'd throw their lives away to help those that they keep close in their hearts?

"I am sorry Master Haru. It was not my place to ask such an ignorant question." Kumi bowed her head lowly, but kept her gaze down.

They walked some distance before Haru stopped her in front of the cell that held a being in it, one that was not empty like the others.

Kumi peered inside the cubical cautiously, almost fearful of what was inside.

There was but one person inside. His eyes were shut and his arms chained to the wall and shackles on his ankles. His chest rose and fell deeply ever time he took in a breath. He, like most others, was rather thin and had scars, some that still dripped blood. His hair was a silver color, but it was stained crimson red, no doubt from his own wounds. Two white dogs ears rested on the top of his head and he wore an outfit that was entirely red, though not from blood, but the coloring of the fabric. The thing that interested Kumi most were the two purple streaks on his face, one on each cheek.

The demon obviously sensed their presence for his red colored eyes shot open held Kumi's gaze for a moment before breaking away.

"This is what binds our Songstress to us," Haru said, taking a step closer to the cell. Kumi stepped away from the cell, not wanting to be as near. There was an eery aura rising inside, though her expression remained emotionless.

"The man Lady Kagome loves?" Kumi was afraid to ask the 'love' question again, but her curiosity got the better of her.

"Indeed, if that is what you wish to call it. Human love is so mindless and weak. Love makes you vulnerable, just like the other prisoners we have with us. Do you really think they would be here if they had no love ones that I threatened?"

He did not wait for an answer, it was a rhetorical question.

"It is foolish to fall in love or care for another in such a unthought out way."

Kumi looked back over at the head ducked demon. His red eyes looked back up at her and snarled, yanking at his wrists to come free from the wall, but to no avail.

Haru chuckled softly, causing a growling sound to echo out from the cell.

"His body is just an empty shell, all he knows is instinct. Nothing but a disgusting animal. He doesn't even recognize his 'lover'. And why? For love, of course. Love is what turned him into this mindless creature."

"Master I do not understand."

"I heard about the Songstress through a rumor and had wished to see it with my own eyes," Haru began. "Kagome-san was a very odd mortal indeed. You've heard of the shikon-no-tama, yes? She was the miko that broke it and was hunting for the 'shards'. She was traveling with this hanyou," he spat the word out with distaste, "and some other foolish beings that I cannot remember."

"I easily took care of her friends and did not wish to waste my time on this pathetic excuse of a demon, but, alas, he did prove trouble some. In the end he grew some desperate that he lost his soul in order to protect his lover, but look where it got him. They both ended up like caged animals. And all from the infamous love."

After a moment Haru turned and started to walk away. "Come Kumi, we have no more business here."

They say love is the most powerful emotion, what gives humans a reason to be and have strength. But is it truly that great? Is love that immensely sought out? What is love? What does it feel like? Why does it happen? Could love. . . . . .ever come to me?

!#$&()+

Her eyes flickered open and the pain instantly shot through her body. She moaned and rolled to her side, squeezing her eyes shut as tight as she could. Her body was covered in a cold sweat and somehow she had ended up back in her cell once again.

"Why me?" she whispered.

Why did all this have to happen to me? Why did I have to be the one, the Blessed one, the cursed one, the suffering one? Sango, Miroku, Shippo. . . . .all lost their lives because of me. Now the only reason I'm still here is for. . . . . .Inuyasha. But that day. . . .is he really Inuyasha anymore? Will he ever be Inuyasha again?

And now this stupid arrow in my side. The pain and agony it brings, why couldn't it just have killed me? Why couldn't I have died in fight? I hurt so much. . . . .I am to sing. . . . .I want to make the pain go away. . . . .but that's personal gain. The song will never work on me.

I am forever alone.

"Your fortune is good, the arrow just grazed you." Kagome turned to her other side to see who it was, but the pain fired at once. Instantly she sat up, remembering to avoid lying on her left side. "Kumi," Kagome said aloud, justregistering who was talking to her. "I will not see Haru now."

At first Kumi looked slightly disappointed, but it disappeared in a flash. "That is not why I am here." Although Kumi's voice was always mono toned, she said the last line rather coldly, as though she had been offended by such a sentence.

"I came upon my own accord to see your health Lady Kagome." With that said Kumi slowly stood up and walked away, uttering no more words.

As night seeped in, the day proved uneventful. Kagome was in a slow recovery process and had not been disturbed all afternoon, aside from Kumi's slip in. Haru's wish was for her welfare and would not delay her recovery, though Kagome guessed otherwise. If need be Kagome knew she would be called upon, despite Haru's words.

The prison place was rather lively, new arrival had come and their voices rang out through the halls. A name had been decided on for their living quarters- "Home of Hell". The new arrivals found it fitting, the others did not complain. Throughout the day more was added on, the doors were known as the "Gates of Hell". Kumi was called "Hell Bringer" and Haru was known as "Devil." Kagome fund this practice foolish and childish, but then realized, what else was there for them to do? Besides sob or exchange sad stories of past lives there was no form of activity or life in Home of Hell. So when asked her opinion, Kagome said the names were very suitable.

It was late into the night, while everyone was sleeping, that some movement occurred.

The Gate of Hell creaked open and closed, followed by the sound of clicks from shoes. The sound got louder and louder until they stopped, oddly right in front of Kagome's cell. Kagome's eyes flashed open and they took a moment to adjust to the darkness before she could make out the figure. As Kagome's eyes told, it was Kumi, but it worried Kagome at what a late hour it was.

Right before Kagome opened her mouth to speak Kumi's figure dropped down to the floor and leaned against her barred door. It was strange for Kumi to come at such a time, but she had never sat down, or come without addressing Kagome first.

The sound of someone's breath getting hitched in her throat echoed out, followed by a small sniffle. The hanyou's body shook, but not from the cold. Though Kagome feared alerting Kumi that she was awake, she had to know what was wrong.

The long raven haired girl sat up and crawled slowly to the door without making any sound. Kagome reached out a questioning hand, but them lightly placed it on the girl's shoulder.

Kumi gasped and her body tensed from the sudden touch and she spun around to face Kagome.

The moist golden eyes blinked and the moon reflected off the hanyou's face, revealing the salty water that streamed down her pale cheeks.

!#$&()+

Not really a cliffy, but a surprise is in for the next chapter, which will be much longer. Sorry this is taking so long to type, I've been real busy with high school and fencing!

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