Sorry it's taking so long to post, I'm trying my hardest. We just got a new computer and all my chapters are still in the computer that's now in the trash can! Super gomen!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha

Kagome, or anyone, did not see Kumi for a long period of time. The prisoners assumed that Haru had put her on some sort of time consuming mission, but Kagome thought other wise. Every since that night when the hanyou's eyes had been glistened with salty water Kumi had disappeared. It could be a matter of pride that kept her away, but Kagome had doubts of the theory. Kumi was not a proud person, but she never showed any weakness. Then again Kumi never showed any emotions at all. Her stare was always cold and hard, her face pale, and her movements unreadable. What really was keeping Kumi away, perhaps, was ashamement.

The days passed by like all the others, dark, cold and dreary. It was the middle of January and flakes of soft snow had started to fall in the outside world. The majority of the population in "Home of Hell" had been unnervingly quiet. Although Kagome would have never realized it, the sounds of the hushed whispering and petty escape plans seemed oddly soothing and gave her a spark of hope, but now they were no more. No more sobbing sounds, no more sniffles, no more stories of past lives. The only sound heard in the dawn of day was the moaning of the winter winds.

A very peculiar event had happened since Kumi's disappearance though. A cat had appeared at Kagome's window sill the morning after the strange event. It was no demon, it held no evil aura, just a regular, plain, everyday house cat that many village women kept as pets. It had glossy black fur and bright gleaming green eyes that would light up the darkness of Kagome's cell. It was a completely black cat, except for a white cross print that was on the peak of its chest.

Everyday the cat would leap up to the sill and a muffled purr would rumble from its throat. It would weave in and out of the barred window, rubbing itself against the cold metal. Then with one graceful movement it would drop down into the morbid living space. With lithe movement it would walk over to Kagome, its shoulder blades moving with every step, and lie down next to her and fall asleep.

As the days past the cat would appear more and more often until, by the third week, it would never leave. In fact it made the "Home of Hell" its permanent home. Although it spent the majority of the days and nights in Kagome's cell it would occasionally weave out of the barred door and visit the other prisoners, always rubbing and purring against their legs.

It was a nice thing, having the cat living with Kagome. In fact, she didn't not even know how grateful she was. The prison had been quiet for so long, but once the visits from the cat had started the place was back into the uproar that it normally was. But something had changed, not only were the new arrivals sharing stories and escape plans, but the old prisoners had joined in as well. They would correct the foolish plans, making adjustments so they might actually work. They shared stories, and even laughter had filled the air. After some time, not only was everyone talking and enjoying the company of others, Kagome had begun to tell her stories as well.

She fascinated the other prisoners with her stories of the future. Every detail was astounding in the other's minds. When Kagome spoke the entire Home of Hell went into a still quietness, all ears cued in on her tales. Although it brought back painful memories she told them all about her favorite lecherous monk, small kitsune son, and her demon slaying sister. She even had started to explain to everyone about the hanyou that she cared so dearly about.

So maybe it was a good omen, the cat. Maybe it was a sign of hope. Everyone in the prison had their own interpretation of it, but nothing changed. Kagome would sleep soundly every night with the warm black ball of fur curled up next to her. No one knew why it was so attached to Kagome above all the rest, possibly because of her miko aura or her loving soul. Either way the cat was known as "Kagome's cat" until it was decided that she needed a name.

One of the first ideas was Tama which means "Jewel", but Kagome didn't agree for it reminded her of the shikon-no-tama that Haru had stolen from her. The next widely liked name was Toki, which means "Time of opportunity". But it seemed of to blunt of a name for Kagome's tastes. The final two names, which were fiercely debated over, were Nami, which means "Wave" and Nori, which means "Belief". Nami was greatly loved for it was thought that the cat had brought a wave of hope to all the prisoners. Nori was liked because the cat gave everyone belief that there was a better life to get to. In the end the name was decided on as Nori.

The cat of belief became widely known and even the servants gave her a scratch behind the ear occasionally. She was loved by all and welcome in every cell. But by the middle of February another strange event happened.

The red robed, black haired, golden eyed hanyou had made an appearance once again. After not being seen for many weeks the hanyou had come. The people in Home of Hell all went into a deadly quietness when the familiar tapping of feet against the hard cement floor was heard once again. Although what was not predicted was that Kumi was not alone.

Kumi had brought along yet another prisoner to add to the prison home. The girl was about Kagome's age with short brown hair the same length as Kumi's, that fell just below her chin. She had the same chocolate brown eyes that the time traveling miko had. The girl walked with a swift movement, not shuffling her feet like the hanyou behind her. She kept her head raised and her eyes were glazed over and unblinking with a hard anger burning within them. It was not until Kumi had long put the girl into another vacant cell and left with the other prisoners still in shock, that Kagome realized something. The girl was one of her kin.

Although the story had long been pushed into the back of her mind, the prophecy told of five mortals that would each gain immortality, wings, and one Talent. Kagome's Talent, as she would never forget, was to heal the heart, which she preformed with her song. But what would this other girl have. She must have felt Kagome's stare on her because the girl's hard anger stare averted to lock into Kagome's questioning eyes.

The silence remained in the prison, even after Kumi's departure. Everyone one was curious as to who the new arrival was. After they held the gaze for a long time the girl snorted with a "keh" and looked away once more.

Silence once again followed until ,oddly, one of the younger arrivals spoke up. "Ms. Songstress she's like you isn't she? She's one of your kin! She's a Chosen one, isn't she?! Oh, Songstress, please share with us your knowledge! Won't we be free now? Will I see my Okaasan once again!"

The sudden out burst left the entire prison in awe, all were waiting for the response of their great songstress. The girl stood up and grasped the door of her metallic door. "That pathetic excuse for a mortal is not one of my kin. Besides I hear she's in line with demons!"

Twist ending? Maybe. . . .Next chappie will be posted some. Please read and review!