OoO CCTI: Chapter 4: Spirits OoO
This has got to stop soon, Keiko thought exasperatedly, looking at Kagome who was seated across from her at Social Services Headquarters in one of the many extra rooms they had. It's day four already, and she hasn't said a single word! You've got to let me help you Kagome, or you're going to be locked away!
Keiko Ameda was a short, plump woman of almost 60; she had light brown eyes, kind wrinkles, and a heart of gold. It was her life's work to help others, especially troubled youths of disaster and hard times. Her calling in life was rewarding, and in all her time of helping the misguided, she had only a handful of failures she had been unable to fix. Nobody was perfect, but she was the number one go-to for cases that nobody else took the time to understand.
She'd been with Social Services for a long time, about forty years, and she'd seen and got to know many young people. Never in her entire career had she had a case quite like Kagome's.
After she had read the police report officers Noboro and Seiji had filed, Keiko was utterly confused. From what she could understand, there was a huge burst of blinding light, which they stupidly enough said came from Kagome. Noboro quoted, "It was as though a halo of powerful spiritual energy had embraced her." Once it was gone, Kagome stood there, rigid and lifeless like a delicate porcelain doll. Beautiful, but so easily broken and tarnished. Seiji had to gently take Kagome and lead her to their police cruiser, where she obediently sat and didn't complain once.
After having only glanced at the poor girl in the back of the police cruiser, Keiko had immediately decided to take the case without a second thought. She couldn't really explain it, but the pity and sympathy she felt for the girl were more than she could bear, and she couldn't just let someone else get to Kagome; she wanted to be the one to help her, actually had to be the one to do it.
And now, here she was, sitting in a private room at Social Services Headquarters, and she couldn't get Kagome to stop looking at her hand, which contained a vial with odd, glowing stones in it. It was hooked together with a gold braided chain, and although her expression didn't waver, Keiko could tell she was thinking critically about something very important.
Keiko looked around the room and silently hated it. No wonder all my cases are so morbidly depressed; this room just reeks of a stifling air!
She was absolutely right, too. The room was nothing more than a holding cell for the troubled and confused. Puke green, spotty tiles on the floor and holey tiles on the ceiling were accentuated by the sterile, cold steel chairs and table in the center of the sickeningly perfect square room. It could've been a prison conjugal visit room for all anybody knew, and it made Keiko want to gag.
Who could possibly think a room like this would sooth and calm someone like Kagome down?
Stifling the urge to sigh again, for it only added to the person's depression, Keiko got up from her seat across from Kagome and took a seat next to the troubled girl, who still didn't acknowledge her. Deciding to kick it up a notch, Keiko slowly, giving Kagome enough time to pull away, wrapped her arms around the muscle tensed teen. She pulled her close to her body in a light but comforting hug, stroking Kagome's now limp and messy hair. Keiko inwardly sighed in relief that Kagome didn't push her away.
"Let me in, Kagome. Please let me help you!"
She was rewarded when she felt the young woman whimper lightly, dropping the vile of glowing stones. Neither of them made any move to pick them up. Kagome's body tensed up even more, if that was possible, and Keiko faintly heard her take a sharp intake of breath, almost seeing her snap her eyes closed.
"It's ok, honey, I'm here."
Kagome buried her head in the older woman's breast, heard her heartbeat, and found it comforting. Listening to Keiko's steadily beating heart, Kagome whimpered again, only this time, she accompanied it with an almost inaudible cry. "Mom…" she hoarsely whispered, wrapping her arms around Keiko's waist and holding on for life.
Kagome began trembling along with her tightly coiled body of stress, and tears gently soaked Keiko's blouse. After a few minutes, Kagome's tears were accompanied by soft gasps and cries of pain and misery, almost as though she still, even now, were holding back and not completely feeling her pain. However, she had opened the floodgates, and soon, she was openly crying, blubbering like an infant, unable to hold back the deluge of her tears. Kagome was pouring her soul into the older woman, finally letting go of all control and just being. She had finally come to the realization that she truly was an orphan now, and the cries got louder and more wrought with pain and suffering. Her body ached, her heart was dead, her lungs had ice in them, and her mind wouldn't shut off. It was the most trying thing Kagome ever had to endure, and even though she was with a total stranger, she took some solace in the fact that she wasn't alone.
"Let it go, Kagome, it's ok, I'm here, let it go," Keiko urged gently, still stroking Kagome's hair with repetitive and comforting hands, rocking the young woman. Keiko was fighting back her own tears. It was tangible and horrible; Keiko's throat closed with the realization that she had finally cracked some sort of barrier where Kagome was concerned. Kagome's cries were awful, like listening to a wounded animal that only wanted to die and be put out of its misery but didn't have the means to do so.
They stayed like this for over an hour, and only when Kagome's cries dissipated and she began to hiccup and begin breathing normally did Keiko stop rocking and look down into Kagome's face. She was utterly exhausted. Hard lines of stress marred her brow, her lips downturned, and pale, bloodless face. She didn't even have the energy to blink it seemed.
Nestled into Keiko's arms the way she was, you'd never guess that Kagome was almost eighteen years old now; she appeared nothing more than a child of five or six, so innocent was her countenance. Her eyes, however, spoke volumes for her age, and it wasn't hard to imagine that Kagome was far beyond her years.
Keiko smiled tiredly at Kagome, and was surprised when Kagome almost smiled back. It was slight, but it was something.
OoO
The next day, Keiko was again visiting with Kagome in the same ugly room, only thing time, Kagome's eyes were alive. Still full of pain, but alive. Her hair had been washed, and she put on clean clothes. She was again looking at the vile of stones she had dropped yesterday, thinking intently about something important, Keiko was certain. Today, Keiko's plan was to let Kagome lead. If all Kagome did was stare at her stones, than that was fine, though she hoped Kagome would talk to her and begin asking the questions she knew were burning to be answered.
She crossed her legs and waited, watching Kagome and feeling a small sense of accomplishment in the progress she'd made; in only 24 hours, it appeared the Kagome was almost ready to face reality. As if on cue, Kagome dropped her jewel shards and locked eyes with Keiko, resolve shining brightly.
"So," Kagome stopped and cleared her throat; it's been days since she used her voice for anything useful. She started again. "So, how did it happen?"
Keiko bit her lip, thinking about her wording. Kagome wasn't ready for that kind of information yet; she needed to start slower. And yet, to sugarcoat anything now would only set Kagome back. Pooling her resolve, she decided to be as forward and objective as possible. She replied with a question of her own. "How about we start with where you were. You're here today because you weren't at home when your family was murdered, and from what forensics can gather, there's about a 12 our gap from the time of deaths to your reappearance."
Kagome's mind registered the question and new information, but failed to produce an answer. Just what was she supposed to say?
"Oh, I was five hundred years in the past helping a half human, half dog demon named Inuyasha, along with a monk, demon slayer, and child fox demon, which by the way, are my only real friends, look and collect sacred jewel shards that I accidentally broke apart. We're hunting a dangerous, devious bastard named Naraku and trying save the Feudal Era, all the while I'm trying to keep up with homework in this dimension by passing through a sacred, magical well in my backyard! What are sacred jewel shards and how did I come across such a weird crew of people, you ask? Well..."
Oh yeah, that's believable. Kagome vaguely thought, feeling an ironic smirk pull at the corners of her mouth, her eyes lighting up slightly in unwanted humor. "I was out," Kagome elaborately replied, only slightly monotonous.
"I see. And where were you for the other 12 hours that saved your life?"Keiko again hit home that time had passed before Kagome resurfaced.
Sitting straight and rigid in her chair, grasping the ends of the arm rests, Kagome felt her heart pick up in pace as she grew increasingly tense; she knew the information coming was sure to be unpleasant. "Please, Keiko, just tell me what happened. So my family was found 12 hours before I came home?"
"Well," Keiko carefully worded, studying Kagome, "that was when we found the bodies, yes." Thinking aloud now, she continued without caution, allowing her eyes to stray to the floor. "We can only assume, of course, seeing as we can't do any autopsies…" Keiko trailed off in thought, not catching Kagome's startled gasp.
She did, however, notice Kagome's hasty, loud and sudden movement, causing the chair she was sitting in to clatter to the floor as she stood up.
Oh no! How could I have been so stupid?! Keiko mentally berated herself as she looked up into Kagome's now livid eyes. She knew what had gotten Kagome's attention.
"What do you mean you can't do any autopsies?" Keiko heard Kagome's cracking voice ask.
Keiko bit her lip again and uncrossed her legs. Not exactly how I wanted to get the ball rolling, but the sooner we get past this, the better it will be for Kagome. "Are you sure you're ready to handle it?"
"Keiko," Kagome started and then stopped, clearing her voice.
Keiko looked up at Kagome. She was staring directly into Keiko's heart, matching her eyes without any fear, only pain and readiness to move on. Her eyes were pleading to let her rest, and the only way for that to happen was to know everything.
"I see now that I've…I've been a stupid fool!" Keiko was taken back by her case's sudden outburst and actually jumped. "Yes, anybody who went through everything I've had to endure on that one day four days ago would be terribly upset and scared, and I am, but…" Kagome trailed off, thinking about everything, from the fight, to learning of her family's deaths, to being taken to Social Services and meeting Keiko.
Keiko studied Kagome silently, a resolved gleam in her eyes.
Kagome continued. "That's no reason to be like this forever. I've been acting like a psycho nut case with nothing else to live for. I've still got a future," Kagome paused, thinking.
Even if it is in another dimension.
Then, she continued more calmly, "I need to think about what I'm going to do from here, what my next move should be, how to deal with my family's deaths. Keiko, please, you've got to tell me everything you know!" She looked expectantly at Keiko.
Keiko closed here eyes, nodded, and began. "To put it bluntly, they were burned to death, Kagome. There's nothing left of them but bone and ash."
Shocked into silence once again, Kagome felt her world spin. She grabbed her upended chair and righted it, letting her legs fold. She sat hard in her chair, swallowed, and waited for Keiko to continue.
She sighed. "Kagome, I know this is difficult for you; I can't even imagine what must be going through your head right now, but you have to keep in together now that you've pulled it together, understand?"
Without thinking about it, Kagome began playing with her necklace, biding her time as she contemplated her next actions and absorbed the information presented to her.
They were all burned to death?! How could this have happened? Why did this have to happen? Who would do that to a family? Now, of all times, why now, when I'm so weakened emotionally? What exactly happened to them?!
Shaking her head, Kagome heard Keiko readjust herself on the other side of the table, waiting for Kagome's answer to such shocking news on top of everything else.
Trying to even her slightly uneven breathing, Kagome continued her silent reverie. So then… What's going to happen to me now? They can't put me in a foster home, there's no way Inuyasha would ever…!
There was a sharp pang in Kagome's chest, and she grimaced a little. Inuyasha… What are we to each other now? Enemies forced to be with one another? Just casualties who happened to meet? Now, can we ever go back to being friends again, or is it going to be like the first time we met?
Blinking back more tears after reliving the horrible fight before finding out about her family's deaths, Kagome was suddenly hit with understanding. They're the only home and family I have left… Granted, they're not blood, but they're as good as family could ever be, maybe even better. They've always been there for me, and besides my home here in this time, the Feudal Era is like my...second home.
That's it then, I've got no choice; I'm going back to where I now belong, for I don't want to live here in this time just so I can get unwanted pity from strangers and so called friends and live with total strangers!
Her mind made up, Kagome tentatively looked up and gazed at Keiko, who was still waiting for her to talk.
Kagome cleared her throat again, and made it a point to gaze longingly at the jewel shards, catching Keiko's attention immediately.
Waiting patiently, Keiko thought, I wonder why the necklace is so important to her. Someone she cares deeply about must've given it to her. A relative, perhaps?
"Who gave you that beautiful necklace, dear? Those stones are very pretty. I especially like how they change colors; they were dark blue yesterday, and now they're bright pink!"
Kagome gasped a little. She's more perceptive than I thought; I was depressed and almost suicidal with grief yesterday, and now that my spirits are bolstered, my spiritual energy has re-purified them shards.
Kagome forced a sad smile, quietly responding, "Someone dangerously close to my heart gave this to me." Ok, technically, he didn't give them to me, more like protect until the selfish bastard makes his wish.
Shaking her head again, noticing that the shards flickered for a moment between pink and purple, Kagome scolded herself for thinking like that. You provoked him just as much as he provoked you. Don't turn bitter now after everything that's happened.
Hmm… What a strange choice of words. Keiko thought. '…dangerously close to my heart' she said. Why "dangerously"?
"Oh, someone? I'm assuming it was a member of your family?"
Seeing this as her chance to put her plan into motion, Kagome brightened. "Yes. But he's…he's very far away right now, and…I guess you could say he and I parted on bad terms." Ask the question, ask the question… Kagome thought, waiting apprehensively.
"You mean to tell me that he's alive? You have a living relative?! But dear, I've been through your records, and according to those, you're the last living relative of anyone on both your father's and mother's families. It's impossible! Are you quite sure?"
Kagome nodded vigorously. "Yes, I'm sure of it! I plan on going back with him and my other relatives quite soon. Before I do, though," Kagome proceeded when she saw Keiko was about to speak, "I would like to see my home one last time. Do you think it would be too much trouble for you to take me there, Keiko?"
Without skipping a beat, Keiko nodded her head eagerly, quickly, and replied, "Of course! I'll do anything I can!"
Feeling lower than dirt for deceiving the only one to take care of her in her time of need, Kagome swallowed guiltily and said, "When would it be alright to go? I'd like to go today, if it's at all possible."
"Consider it done, dear! Let's go now, what're you waiting for?" Keiko asked from her position next to the door, car keys in hand.
"Uh…only if you don't mind!" Kagome said, smiling slightly, though she jumped up and tried not to look too eager as she followed Keiko out the door, down the hall, through the lobby and out the door.
So far, so good. I just wish I wasn't going to just…disappear like I'm going to. I'm sure Keiko's going to worry about me, call the cops, maybe even the army! I'm sorry, Keiko, but…thank you, for everything. Kagome thought sadly, for even though she'd been almost catatonic and seemingly empty, she'd unconsciously grown attached to her older female companion.
Kagome sat down in Keiko's car and waited until she had driven them to the infamous Sunset Shrine.
As soon as her home came into sight, Kagome quickly sucked in her breath, remembering for the first time that horrible feeling she had experienced when she first came back after her fight with Inuyasha. That same malicious, evil force she had sensed and still feared had not deterred. If anything, it had grown more powerful, making Kagome almost wish she had not wanted to come back here.
Driving the negativity from her mind, Kagome focused on just making a run for the well as soon as she was out of Keiko's sight. She could, after all, always come back for something should the need arise.
Pulling the car to a stop, Keiko turned to look at Kagome and was a little startled to see that she had started sweating profusely, wringing her hands together in nervous anxiety.
"Kagome? If this is too much too fast, we can always-!"
"No!" Kagome interjected. "I want this. I need this. I can do this." She muttered somewhat under her breath, more for her own benefit than for Keiko's.
Confused, Keiko could only look as Kagome grabbed the door handle and exited the vehicle, she following suit.
Don't think about it or you might change your mind. I-It's probably only in your mind anyway. Yeah, that's it…
But why is it that every time you come within a foot of your house you freak out and are practically scared to death? A small voice whispered at the back of her mind.
Coming up with no answer, Kagome stopped halfway up the many steps to the shrine to let the older woman catch up.
"Kagome? You're sure about this?" Keiko put a hand on Kagome's shoulders once she reached the girl, trying to relieve some of the obvious anxiety in the youth.
"Y-Yeah, Keiko. I'm fine. Just…thinking about stuff, that's all!" Giving Keiko a fake but convincing smile, Kagome continued her way up and reached the front door of her home, the ominous aura surrounding the entire area so strong now, she was sure she would fly apart from the pressure. She glanced once at Keiko and saw that she was perfectly fine, unaffected by the dangerous presence in the surrounding area.
It's all in your head, Kagome. It's all in your head... Kagome kept telling herself as she reached for the doorknob, waiting for the right moment to make a run for the well.
The moment her hand enclosed the doorknob, her vision immediately went dark, and everything suddenly looked much blurrier. "W-What the…?" Kagome managed to get out a croaking whisper before she collapsed to the ground, falling, falling…
She kept falling, going faster and faster, whirling this way and that. Clinching her eyes tightly closed, Kagome grasped her midsection and waited for it to stop. Eventually, it did, abruptly yanking her down, causing her stomach to drastically jump into her throat as though she were on a roller coaster, and yet, she hit nothing.
Daring to open her eyes, Kagome did so and gasped inaudibly. She was surrounded by nothing, nothing, only darkness no light could possibly conquer… Just her, and that was it.
And it was cold, freezing.
She thrust her hand in front of her face and was startled to discover that she couldn't see her hand, even though it was mere centimeters from her face. Scared, she slowly looked down at her body and didn't see it, for it was too dark to make out even a line in her clothing.
I'm scared and cold, freezing! This must be what death must feel like… She faintly thought, a tiny prickle of fear slowly gliding down her neck and the small of her back, branching out to her arms and legs until she was trembling all over.
What the hell is going on?
Looking around, she turned and did a whole three-sixty before focusing her gaze on a small, hardly discernible white light far off in the distance, or what looked like a long distance. She couldn't really be sure because of the impenetrable darkness.
She was shivering so much, her teeth were chattering together. Seeing as there was nothing else except the tiny circle of light, Kagome slowly began making her way to it, step by little step.
Desperate for warmth, Kagome once again enclosed herself with what little warmth she could, pulling her arms inside her shirt and pressing them as close to her body as she could, thinking. Where's Keiko? Where am I? What am I doing here? How did I get here? Why was I brought here? Is this a dream? How do I get out, or end this?This is just too freaky; I can't even think straight!
She was met with nothing but silence as she trudged on, her footsteps not even making a sound, giving the strange place an eerie, ethereal feeling. She continued walking, watching as the light steadily grew bigger and bigger the closer she got. Little by little, the coldness went away, replaced by warmth.
She was so focused on the light that her left leg caught her right one. Her brain, being slow from the cold and preoccupied with the light, failed to process that she was going to fall before it was too late. In a last ditch effort, she threw her hands out to maybe cushion her fall when she was met with…nothing.
She was now close enough to the light to see around her, and she gasped again, still having no voice. There was no floor! She was looking down at absolutely nothing, and the fear she already had from being in an unfamiliar place just reached a new peak. All that was there was what seemed like a never-ending abyss, extending down, down, down…forever going on and on and on.
Feeling like crying again, this time not in pain, but in pure fear, she got up and looked around. The same thing was everywhere she turned: blackness.
Breathing heavily now, almost hyperventilating, Kagome once again focused on the light, walking forward once more, wanting to be anywhere but here. She tried to stay focused on the light and not the huge hole she seemed to be walking over.
It's just a dream, it not real… This can't be real! It's just a dream… Holding fast to that belief, however false it may be, gave Kagome a sense of security and calmed her fear, though only a little bit.
"All I want to do is go home!" Kagome cried out suddenly, then gasped again as one hand flew to her mouth and the other latched around her neck. She had no voice! She could feel her voice box vibrate and her lips move to form the words, but no sound came out!
What the hell is going on?! Kagome wondered again, so frustrated and scared she barely noticed that she was nearly upon the light; just a few more steps and she would be there.
The light wasn't a circle, as it had appeared from afar. It was, in fact, shaped just like a doorway, only a little bit bigger than Kagome herself. She couldn't see anything beyond the blinding white light, but Kagome knew that if she wanted out of here, she'd have to go into the light and face whatever it is that was there, no matter how horrible it may be.
Tentatively, she raised a hand, no longer freezing cold, but rather warm or hot now, and touched the light. The moment she did, she felt as though she'd been hit with lightning, shivers racing up and down her spine, through her limbs and back again, all within less than a second, over and over again until she thought she'd fly apart, not breathing at all. As quickly as it had happened, it stopped, and Kagome let her racing mind to catch up with her as she gazed at her surroundings.
As soon as she realized where she was, tears immediately sprang into her eyes.
She was home, in the kitchen, staring at her mother's slender back, watching her make breakfast at the stove, and out the little window above the sink, Kagome could barely make out the silhouette of her grandfather, sweeping the Shrine's stone steps, looking as content as always when he was happy and at peace.
Returning her gaze to her mother, who finished making the pancake she was working on and moving it over to the table, Kagome was overcome with emotion, for this was the first time she'd seen any member of her family since she'd left over three weeks ago.
"M…Mama! Kagome cried brokenly as she rushed forward, but stopped short. She still had no voice. But… how can that be? I'm home, aren't I?!
Sudden understanding dawned on her. That…that's right… As much as it pains me to say it, they're…they're dead. All dead. So then, what is this? A dream? Nightmare? It's got to be a nightmare! I'm asleep, and this is just a cruel nightmare that I'm going to wake up from any- Oh, who cares?! I'm here in my head, so I might as well milk it for what it's worth and just enjoy it, even if it is fake…!
That "figured" out, Kagome continued towards her mother, who was now washing the few dishes she dirtied to make breakfast.
A single tear escaping her eye, Kagome threw her arms around her mother's, or rather, what would have been, her mother's arms. Kagome gasped as she fazed right into her, Mrs. Higurashi not even turning her head to let Kagome know that she'd even realized her daughter was there.
No! Kagome thought frantically, pulling away quickly. More tears came down from her eyes as she ranted and raved, not even bothering to speak, knowing it would do no good; nobody could hear her anyway, not even her. So, she settled for thinking what she wanted to say.
Mom! Grandpa! Souta! This isn't fair! Why, why, why?!
She attempted to pound the table, but she fazed right through that as well.
Damnit! Why me, huh?! Why? Why them?!
Kicking the wall, but not coming into contact with it, Kagome screamed, though nothing came out, all the while, her mother continuing to wash dishes and her grandfather sweeping the steps, unaware that Kagome was even there. The fact that she was screaming but couldn't be heard was driving Kagome crazy; what good was a scream meant to release anger if all it did was stay silent, not releasing anything?
Please, let me touch them again! Please, please, please!
Sitting down on the kitchen floor, Kagome wiped her tears away and forced her breathing to come down to normal, or as normal as she could get it. Clenching and unclenching her fists, Kagome calmed down enough to think straight, her little moment of insanity over.
Alright, calm down and think, now. Just think about how to get the hell out of here. This is only a dream, nothing more, not real.
She sniffled a little and sighed.
Ok. I was with Keiko at my front door…and…I touched the doorknob. What's so special about that doorknob? I've touched it everyday of my life when I was there, so why today was it so special? Or, Kagome thought, crossing her arms, was it because I touched it today that is was special? It probably has something to do with…my family's deaths, that part's obvious. But why would I come here unless-!
Kagome was broken off by a little voice saying, "Mom? When do you think Kagome's going to come home?"
Startled, Kagome turned to the table and could only stare at the adorable face of her little brother, Souta.
She sucked in her breath again and held it. Why can't I wake up? This hurts so much more than I could have ever thought possible… It's just so painful seeing them like this again, without me…
"I don't know, dear. Have you checked the well house yet today?" Mrs. Higurashi questioned her youngest child.
"No," replied Souta, "but I probably will after I come back from Satoru's house. It shouldn't be more than an hour or two. Satoru wants me to help him defeat the evil Sorceress Ultimecia on his Final Fantasy VIII game." Souta replied while stuffing half his pancake in his mouth, syrup dripping down his chin.
Laughing through her tears a little bit, Kagome settled for watching her family until she woke up from her dream, nightmare, or whatever the hell this was.
"Alright. Just be sure to get that done today. I'd do it myself, but Mr. Miyamoto asked for help managing his store today and asked me if I could lend any assistance, seeing as I manage the money we make from the Shrine, and I don't want Kagome to be stuck down there if she does come home. I'm going there as soon as Grandpa gets in here. Ah, here he is now…"
"Eh? What's that you say about Kagome?" Grandpa asked as he walked in the backdoor.
"Dad! Are you finally done?" Mrs. Higurashi asked as she noticed he was carrying his broom. "You know the doctor doesn't want your rheumatism getting any worse than it already is!" His daughter scolded in a soft, gentle voice that still held authority as she left the now clean and drying dishes to help her father into a chair.
"Oh, codswallop! This shrine won't clean itself, you know! It's my responsibility, and I'll be whacked by a monkey sprite before I neglect it!"
Mrs. Higurashi only gave her father one last reprimanding glance and returned to putting the dishes away.
Finishing his pancake, Souta jumped up and stated, "I'm going to get my clothes on!" Before bounding up the stairs and out of sight, clad in only his pajamas.
Picking up his plate and fork, Kagome's mother quickly washed, dried, and put them away, doing the same to her father's once he ate his share.
By the time she was finished with that, Souta came back down in time to hear Grandpa say, "Well, I think I should begin repairing that there toilet…" Before slowly inching out the door before his daughter said anything.
"Nice." Souta remarked before going outside.
"Oh no, Dad! You're going to stay in here and rest for a little while. Only then will I permit you to work more."
"Codswallop…" He muttered again, crossing his arms in stubborn rebellion.
Kagome couldn't help herself. Watching them all like this, so carefree, happy, and totally themselves, was making her sad and upset all over again. What kind of sadistic bastard would kill an old, practically senile old man, middle aged woman and her young child?!
Glancing over at her mother, Kagome watched.
Checking her watch, Mrs. Higurashi sighed and said, "Well, I'm off. If you see Souta again, tell him to be home before supper, okay Dad? I love you, see you later tonight, and don't work too hard." Making her way to the front door, Kagome in tow, Mrs. Higurashi glanced back, gazing through Kagome, making her heart stop.
Does she see me?!
"Daaaad…" Mrs. Higurashi drawled, danger lurking, hidden in her voice.
"Oh, uh, how are you, dear? Nice weather today, I think I'll go and have a nice…nice walk!" And before she could say anything else, he disappeared out the front door just as Kagome looked back and concluded that her mother hadn't seen her, only noticed her father had went against her wishes and went to fix that toilet.
"Oh, that stubborn old man! I'll give him something to-!"
DING DONG!
"Oh, now who could that be?" Mrs. Higurashi questioned, forgetting all about her father.
Walking to the door, Kagome right behind her, Mrs. Higurashi opened the door and asked pleasantly, "Yes?"
Stepping to the side so she could see the mystery visitor too, Kagome gasped inaudibly in great shock and fear, hands flying to her mouth to silence a scream that no one could hear anyway.
NO! It's that presence I felt when I first came back! His aura is so strong! So like Naraku's, yet totally different, stronger!
"Mom! Get away from him! Run! Go now, before it's too late!" Trying desperately to touch her mother in warning, Kagome failed miserably as she kept fazing into her, her mother obviously unaware of the danger she was in.
The man smiled at her mother's face, looking every bit the innocent with his handsome and charming good looks. His hair was a little longer than modern fashions, but it definitely did him justice. It was just a little bit past his shoulders, with bangs just grazing his eyelids, the dull white, almost pink strands shining marvelously in the morning sun. He had a very nice build, strong and toned, in shape, appearing to be in his late teens to early twenties. The thing that gave away his innocent act, however, were his eyes. Dark magenta and centered perfectly in his clear, porcelain and flawless skin, they burned and bored their way into your very soul, making you shiver in fear from just looking at him, making you actually feel him probing your soul for whatever it is he was looking for, and the neutral blue eye shadow only added to his malicious physique.
"Hello, is this the Higurashi residence?" He had a deep voice, maybe a little bit lighter than Naraku's was, but still deep and menacing, though he kept it light and happy, almost mockingly so.
Mrs. Higurashi smiled, confusion written all over her face. "Yes it is. Is there anything I can help you with, sir?"
Kagome began crying all over again, watching the scene before her play out, wanting to turn away, to not be able to see how this play ends, but was unable to.
I understand now! It all makes sense. The reason I sensed his aura, even after he left, why I was the only one who could sense it, why my family is now dead… Him, so like Naraku, yet totally different and every bit as sadistic, maybe even more so. It all fits. I now know who killed them, it's-!
"Yes, as a matter of fact, there is. I'm looking for Miss Kagome Higurashi. You wouldn't happen to know where I could find your daughter now, would you?"
Mrs. Higurashi then narrowed her eyes in suspicion, only a little bit of worry flickering across her features before it was gone and replaced by forced politeness. Kagome knew what she was thinking. How did he know that she was Kagome's mother, or that she even had a daughter?
"No, she's out at the moment. May I ask who you are, Mr...?" Kagome's mother closed the door an inch without realizing it, sensing herself that this man was dangerous.
Seeing this, the man, who had been smiling pleasantly across from Mrs. Higurashi only a few seconds ago, allowed his smile to transform into a smirk, visibly happy with Mrs. Higurashi's obvious discomfort, taking joy out of it, looking absolutely evil.
Laughing slightly, he replied, "My name matters not. I am merely seeking your pretty young daughter's ancient priestess powers." Both Kagome and her mother gasped, though only Mrs. Higurashi's voice was heard.
I knew it! I was right! I knew it was him! Mom, just take Grandpa and Souta and RUN! As fast and as far away from here as possible! Please, you've got to hear me, feel me, anything, just go, please, before it's too late…! Kagome cried, trying to grasp her mother's hand, shoulder, anything, but was still unable to do so.
Before Kagome could do anymore, Mrs. Higurashi said, "I demand that you leave this shrine immediately! Right now, go, before I call the police!"
The man just chuckled again as he stepped into the doorway, forcing the door Kagome's mother was holding to slide open again and said, "Now, do you really think that after living just under five hundred years I'd ever give in to a threat like that?"
Gasping again, Mrs. Higurashi slammed the door shut, Kagome continuing to watch on helplessly as she ran with her mother out the back door.
Before Kagome reached the door her mother just flew out of, she heard the man laugh. Without waiting to see if he would follow, she flew to the outside restrooms for the customers where Grandpa was fixing that toilet.
"Dad!" Mrs. Higurashi called, fear just barely outlining her voice.
"Ah, dear, I was just uh… Well, I finished that walk you see and I-!"
"I don't care about that! We've got to get out of here, now! Has Souta left yet?"
As if on cue, Sota skipped into the restrooms just as his mother yanked his grandpa up. Turning to see her son, Mrs. Higurashi sighed in relief. "Oh, thank heaven! Souta, help Grandpa into the car by the side of the house and wait for no more, no less, than five minutes, then drive to the front and meet me there. You got that?"
"Y-Yeah Mom, but aren't I too young to drive?"
"I'm giving you permission, now just do what I say! Go, now!"
"But why-!"
"Souta, just go. Remember, five minutes!" And with that, Sota watched as his mother raced back out the door toward their home. She glanced back only once and was glad to see that they were listening to her.
Kagome watched the two parties retreat, torn on whom to go with. Making up her mind, she raced back inside with her mother, who she saw disappear up the stairs.
Before following, Kagome saw the man walk in her home, knowing somehow that Mrs. Higurashi had flown upstairs.
"You can't hide from me, ma'am!" He said in mock politeness, stepping up to the first step.
Without another beat, Kagome ran upstairs and went to the only door that was closed and had a lock: her mother's room. Not bothering to try and open the door, Kagome simply fazed through it and found that her mother had grabbed a piece of paper and was writing on it desperately, frantically, as though her very life depended on it. Her head suddenly snapped up when she heard the man bang once on the door.
"I know you're in there, Mrs. Higurashi. I promise to leave you alone if you tell me where your daughter is… Or is she in the past with that worthless half-breed, Inuyasha? No matter, she'll have to come home eventually."
Getting no response, the man went on, "Fine. I'll give you till the count of ten, and if you haven't come out by then, then you have condemned you and your family to death."
"Please, you planned on killing us all anyway!" Mrs. Higurashi replied coldly, continuing to write, not even bothering to lift her eyes.
Kagome felt a surge of pride, witnessing her mother's brave gesture, though it was short lived as the man replied, "Ah, but you are a smart one…" He paused for dramatic effect, and then bellowed, "…ONE…"
Mrs. Higurashi continued frantically scribbling on the paper, and Kagome tried deciphering whatever it was that her mother was writing, but found that she could not; it was ineligible to her eyes.
"…TWO…"
She signed the paper and sprinted towards the closet.
"…THREE…FOUR…"
Quickly, she yanked a safe out from behind a shelf of shoes and began inputting the combination.
"…FIVE…SIX…SEVEN…"
Opening the safe's door, Kagome watched as her mother thrust the paper inside and slammed the door shut.
"…EIGHT…NINE…"
She threw it back in the closet and without hesitating once, threw herself out the window just as the man cried, "…TEN!"
Kagome quickly following suit, jumped after her.
Breaking glass and falling some twenty-five feet in the air, both Kagome and her mother landed side by side.
Kagome, being used to jumping from such heights, landed firmly on her feet.
Her mother, however, wasn't exactly in her prime, and upon impact, both she and Kagome heard the unmistakable snap of a breaking bone. Crying out in pain, Mrs. Higurashi winced and grimaced as she clutched her left ankle, Kagome trying to help her, but was still unable to do so.
They both suddenly looked up to see the grim face of the man, smiling while saying, "Oh, you are stubborn."
Not knowing what else to do but watch, Kagome looked on, crying still, though not as hard, and wished with all her might that she could wake up from this prolonged nightmare.
Her wish went unanswered, however, as her mother staggered to her feet, running as quickly as she could through her pain to the front steps, but instead of taking the steps, chose to slide and flip down the slope to the waiting car at the bottom.
Limping, Mrs. Higurashi was greeted by her son, who launched himself out of the car and into her embrace, which was cut short by the man's laughter.
"Mom, what's going on?!" Souta cried, so worried he was sweating and shaking a little bit.
"Nothing, dear," Mrs. Higurashi replied, though she avoided his eyes so he wouldn't see the tears that had pooled there. "Get in the car, Souta," She quickly whispered.
As Kagome watched the short exchange, she saw Souta go unusually pale, like understanding was suddenly dawning on him. It was then and there that Kagome realized it. She knew they were all going to die, and now, so does Souta! Oh, what a horrible feeling to go through, knowing you were going to die, yet not knowing exactly when or how it would be. I don't know what would be worse: knowing you were going to die and when, or knowing you were going to die and not knowing when…
He did so without qualm, Mrs. Higurashi following suit and settling in the driver's seat, suddenly thankful she'd gotten a car from the United States and that the driver's side was on the left so she could use her right ankle.
Kagome tried piling in as well, but was bounced back, almost as though a barrier was in the way, preventing her from entering.
Weirded out and confused, Kagome could only watch from the outside a little ways away as she saw her mother pull out the keys from her back pocket and jam them in the ignition, turning it and starting the car.
Before she could put the car in drive and race away from there, however, the man appeared in front of the car, looking absolutely livid. "What a persistent wench you are. I see where Kagome gets her determination and ambition."
Mrs. Higurashi just glared back at him, whispering, "Damn straight!" before she put the car in drive and floored the gas pedal, barreling the car forward into action straight towards him.
He, of course, danced to the right and laughed, a dull, dead sound. "Oh, how long it's been since I've had this much fun with my prey! I shall enjoy it immensely as I watch the life being burned out of you!"
"Mom…" Kagome barely heard Souta whisper worriedly as her mother ignored the man and kept going, straight through the bushes and out onto the road, not even bothering to stop at the signs.
Kagome now stood frozen to the spot, watching the car get smaller and smaller, thinking in numb understanding.
He had this whole thing planned out. He knew where they were, where I was, and how he was going to murder them. He had it all planned out, beginning to end. Kagome tried focusing, shaking her head again and thinking harder. Why wasn't I allowed in the car with the rest of my family? Why did he decide to kill them anyway? He obviously had a reason behind it, a motive, but what?
Her thoughts were cut short as she noticed that the man had walked to her and was standing right next to her, though it appeared he did not know she was there. He too, was gazing at the retreating car, though his eyes no longer were full of sadistic glee, but pure hatred and pain Kagome had never seen before in anyone, not even Inuyasha.
As she saw the car disappear completely, her vision once again went dark, and she fell to the ground, everything going so blurry. The last thing she remembered before she passed out was the man's scornful, almost regret filled whisper, "Let the hunt begin…"
OoO
Ok, I don't like begging, but please review and check out my other stories; your criticisms keep me going!
One last thing: I'm getting married on the 8th of June, so if you don't see an update for a while, that's why. I'm really busy now, so it may be a week or two before I update anything again. And please take a look at Seeing Is Believing, my other ongoing story; it's feeling neglected!
Thanks to all who read and review, I appreciate it!
Keruseyu32691