Playing with Fire: CHAINED
Summary: After the finale battle against Naraku, Kagome and Kilala are thrown back to her time, but not her home, it would seem the Shikon Jewel has other plans. Now, lost in a forest Kagome wanders around until finally passing out do to exhaustion and hunger. When she wakes up a week later she finds herself in the hands of a fire spirit and its owner Hao Asakura, who happened to come across her while taking a walk with his faithful companion, Opacho. Finding himself unable to walk away from her sense a certain Jewel seemed to find amusement in his suffering. Chained mentally against his will to a girl he's never met before. What will become of the 15 year old girl? How will they break the hold each other have over one another? What of her friends in the past? What will her cousin Anna, think when she sees Kagome with Hao? How is Kagome connected to the Tao family? And how could she have known so many Shamans and have no idea that they were, in fact, Shamans? Read and Review.
Disclaimer: I in no way shape or form own either InuYasha or Shaman King.
KEY
Flashback/Dream
Flashback
Telepathy
-Hao-
\Kagome\
-Shikon-
Thinking
'Thinking'
P/N: I was thinking of revising and editing Playing With Fire: CHAINED since it was one of my earlier works, and as I read it, it doesn't flow as nicely as I would like, or as I know it could. Let me know what you think. Of course, I would re-post all the chapter only after writing them all, and I'd let you know they were knew chapters in updates. -Akuma
Chapter Ten
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Cavern of Shamans
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A month and a half had passed, and Kagome had defeated her second opponent with ease. He'd been a weaker Shaman that of Ren or Hao. Now, she and Hao were trekking through a forest somewhere in Izumo for one reason or another.
Kagome smiled down at Hao who was holding Kagome up on top of his shoulders. "You are in a particularly happy mood, Hao, where are you taking me?"
"It's a surprise, one you'll either hate me for or thank me for."
"Hao..." Kagome groaned, "can't I have a break? I mean, I like when you aren't trying to kill me why can't that last?"
Hao smirked, "Because, I don't want to kill you...and if I can't make you stronger...I'll have to get rid of you. I don't want followers who are not capable of helping me become Shaman King. Understand?"
Kagome hated his logic, but understood it as well. "Yeah..."
"Good, we will be there soon."
Kagome nodded, "I hope so; we've been walking for almost two days now."
"Yes, but I had the courtesy to carry you towards the end, wouldn't want your feet to give out before our arrival. There will be plenty of walking to do once we arrive."
Kagome looked down curiously from her perch straddling Hao's shoulders. Keeping her thoughts to herself, she wondered momentarily where it was that they were going to, and how much longer it would be till they got there. "Hao, why didn't we ride to this place we're going?"
"Because, a nature walk is good to clear the mind." He chuckled, "Ah...were here. It looks like my dear brother has already gone on ahead."
"Ahead where?" Kagome placed her feet down on the ground with Hao's help and glanced around for whatever it might be that Hao was talking about. She stood at the edge of a cliff and felt a surge of energy below her. Getting down on all fours, she peered over the ledge and was barely able to see the entrance to a cave. "...where does that lead?" She could see clearly now, trail of dark energy seeping out of the mouth of the cave. Her own Miko energy spiked and hovered gently around her, as if warding off anything that might try to hurt her.
"This...is the Cavern of Shamans. A trial...you will take...making your way through this cave which leads to the other side of the mountain where I will be waiting for you. It should only take you seven days...no matter how fast you run, seven days."
"...why seven?"
"Because...the universe was created in six days, and upon the seventh, the lord rested...seven days."
"Hao..." Kagome turned her eyes to his, meeting them in a apprehensive gaze, "what is this cave really?"
Hao walked up to her, closing in so that his chin stopped just above her shoulder, and his lips right beside her ear. "...it's the entrance to the netherworld."
Kagome's body went rigid. She had been to hell before...the netherworld...but was told that she'd never be able to return there again, much less leave again.
"Are you scared?"
"Not of the place...no...but I wonder if I may not be able to leave that darkness if I am to return to it."
"It is only the entrance to the netherworld...there are chants which must be spoken to go through the inner gates which keep straying humans from passing through. However, mere humans can't even get through the cave...you need to use your Mana...your Shamanic Power."
"You taught me how to use that in our insentient training."
He nodded, "this will help you strengthen your Mana. Kagome...you must leave Sesshoumaru and Hakudoshi behind...as well as your weapons. It can only be you."
Somehow, as she looked into his Mahogany eyes, she could see he was honestly thinking of what was best for her, and speaking with sincerity, she knew that this had to be best. "Alright..." she pulled the jewel from around her neck and placed it over Hao's, handing over her charm bracelet as well which held her weapons. She turned to the ledge and felt Hao's arms wrap around her waist before he jumped and landed carefully on a rock at the edge of the cave.
Hao entered the cave with her, and walked few feet before stopping, pulling her to him, he kissed her warmly on the lips, seemingly pushing his support through to her. He knew she could do this; he needed her to know that. "I'll see you in seven days." Letting go of her hand, he watched her turn away before walking with a newly found determination. But he knew it wouldn't be that easy, she would find out just how hard it was soon.
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Me: Here is chapter ten of Playing with Fire: Chained! I hope you all enjoy this chapter, and leave me a review letting me know what you thought, nyan~!
