Later that evening, while Inuyasha was running an errand for Tsubaki, she called Kagome downstairs.
Yeah, Tsubaki?
(smiles) Kagome, come here; there's something I'd like to show you.
Though somewhat wary, Kagome followed Tsubaki over to a bookshelf, laden with alchemic recipes and other such books.
Now, you must forgive me for this minor example of convention.
Kagome quirked an inquisitive eyebrow, but before she could ask, Tsubaki stood on her tip-toes and pressed what was apparently a button atop the bookcase. It slid into the wall with a mechanical whir, revealing a dark room. Kagome gaped. It was like something out of a spy movie...but then again, ever since she met Tsubaki, things had seemed so unreal.
Come in, come in! Don't be afraid of the darkness.
As if in a daze, Kagome followed her in the room, and the bookcase returned to its original place, enshrouding the entire room in darkness. Kagome began to get fearful, and as if sensing her consternation, Tsubaki put her hand on her shoulder in a reassuring gesture. How could she possibly see in all this pitch black?
Why...why did you bring me here?
I ask you, though I already know: can you see?
N-No...of course not...how can you?
(smiles) The power of darkness propels my sight. I sense it in you, Kagome; strong, yet dormant. Why do you hide it?
Kagome gasped, her heart racing. She had a dark heart? All those times she envisioned herself within the fires of hell...was it truly just depression? Or could there be deeper meaning to the feeling of hatred and anger she so frequently possessed?
I...(swallows hard) I don't have darkness in me.
Ah, that is where you err. Everyone bears the weight of darkness, some more than others. I feel as though you can utilize your negative emotions in a better way...one not so self-destructive, you understand.
Self-destructive?
Your soul is crumbling to pieces, dearest Kagome, and I fear it may soon disintegrate completely if something is not done.
(slightly hysterical) I don't want my soul to disintegrate! But...I don't want to be evil either!
(chuckles) Darkness doesn't always equate with evil, Kagome. Just most of the time. But in cases like mine, it doesn't. As long as you use it the right way, that is. Listen to me, Kagome: I can teach you how to reconstruct your soul, as well as tap into your darkness and exploit it as your own.
...
Kagome was at a complete loss for words. Part of her urged her to accept Tsubaki's help, but the other part of her feared Tsubaki, for some reason.
(gulps) So...you're saying...if I...let you teach me how to do all that stuff...I'll become a dark miko as well?
(nods) Yes. So you'll accept?
...Will this power help protect me from...Kamikaze?
I solemnly swear to you, Kagome: under my instruction, no mortal shall be able to harm you again.
Spurred by excitement, Kagome chased away her fear and nodded.
Okay. I accept.
(beams brightly) Wonderful! But there's just one condition I ask of you, Kagome darling.
What's that?
Do try not to inform Inuyasha of this little deal, won't you? I don't want him worrying over you.
(pinks) Worrying? That guy doesn't like me; why would he worry about me?
(laughs heartily, clapping Kagome on the shoulder) My pupil, you have much to learn! But first things first—and consider this your unofficially official first lesson—in order to embrace the darkness, your senses must be acute. You must be able to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel the darkness whenever it is in your vicinity.
...
Can you see the darkness, Kagome?
Well, yeah...
Good, good. Can you hear it?
(silence)
W-what does it sound like?
(grins) I cannot tell you; you must know. That's the distinctive line between mortality and darkness: any mortal can see darkness, but it takes a true shadow—that's the general name for we denizens of darkness—to perceive it with all five senses.
So...what am I?
(grinning still) Well, I'd say you're more a speck of darkness...you know, an Amateur Shadow...we like to call you sods.
(sarcastic) Gee. Thanks so kindly.
So! Let's get started, shall we?
What, so soon?
Sooner, the better! (gets serious) You see the darkness. Now it is time to see past the darkness. Concentrate yourself, Kagome. Try to tell me how many fingers I'm holding up. (holds up three fingers)
Kagome bit her lip, squinting as hard as she possibly could, until she felt like her eyelids would bleed, and she sighed in defeat.
I can't.
No, you can. You're just not trying hard enough. Rely on your sense of perception, not your sense of sight.
(confused) What?
(pauses, then sighs) Nevermind for now. Inuyasha's coming soon. We'll pick this up later, okay?
Kagome felt Tsubaki move past her, and in a matter of seconds, the bookcase moved again to allow them to leave. Kagome's pupils dilated against the sudden rush of light attacking her eyes, and she hissed. Tsubaki chuckled.
That's usually the reaction you're supposed to get.
The two walked back into the entrance room, and the bookshelf closed itself again. Inuyasha came through the door with a bunch of bags in his hands.
Here's all your crap, Tsubaki. (grunts as he puts the bags on the couch, then crosses his arms) And this is the last time I go "shopping" for you. Oh, and my sincerest apologies if the bear's blood you asked me to get is a little tainted with my own. It was entirely by accident that I let it claw my arm up.
He held up his wounded arm with a scowl, his tattered sleeves hanging limply, and Kagome winced, while Tsubaki laughed.
Wow. That bear really jacked you up, huh?
Don't start with me, okay?
Smirking, Kagome held up her hands in resignation, and Inuyasha rolled his eyes in annoyance, going up the stairs to his room.
Ah, he'll get over it. Come, Krone!
Though the cat had previously been nowhere in sight, he appeared suddenly at Tsubaki's side like he'd been there all day.
We must go while the blood's still hot, my little kitten. Kagome, would you like to see our latest experiment? We're attempting to create a mini army of killer bears...something like Gremlins, you know, but deadlier.
Uh...okay?
(beams) Excellent!
TSUBAKI!
Kagome and Tsubaki blinked, looking at the stairs as Inuyasha came stomping down them, looking pissed.
Have you been conducting your dumb experiments in my room?! Rats are all over the place!
Tsubaki looked sheepish, while Kagome blanched.
Rats?!
Krone must have been tampering with my multiplier again. He does get so hungry...
Hungry--?! I am not sleeping in that room!
(shrugs) Then I suppose you'll have to sleep in Kagome's room until Krone eats them all, or I get rid of them.
(both) WHAT?! NO WAY!
Well, you can't sleep in my room, and the living room belongs to Krone...I wouldn't recommend sleeping in the kitchen or in the hallway...hmm. Ah, well; I'm sure you'll figure something out. Come, Krone!
Kagome and Inuyasha gaped at Tsubaki as she took her bags and went up the stairs, the ever-faithful Krone in tow. The two looked at each other.
You...know I'm not sleeping in your room, right?
Hell, I'm not even sleeping in my room. Screw that. I hate rats.
I'm gonna take a walk, then. (heads for the door)
Hold on there, Jethro—there's absolutely no way you're leaving me here by myself with those rats while Tsubaki stays cooped up in her room doing who knows what with that crap you got her.
(chuckles with a shake of his head) Feel free to come along then.
The two left the house, and began walking. Kagome concentrated on seeing through the darkness of the night, even though she still didn't fully know what Tsubaki had meant.
Rely on your sense of perception, not your sense of sight.
Why did she have to be so damned cryptic? What did that even mean? Kagome huffed in frustration.
Hey, dude.
Huh?
Do I seem like an angry person to you?"
(laughs) Angry? Well, if you ask me, you're more...attitudinal, easily annoyed, impatient...but angry? Nah.
What about hateful?
I don't sense that.
Oh. Thanks.
No problem. Where'd those questions come from? They seem pretty random.
(reluctant) Well, no...not random, per se...Tsubaki said she sensed a lot of h-hatred in me.
Oh. That figures. (shakes head)
(slightly hopeful) What? You think her judgement was misguided?
No, far from it. Tsubaki's eccentric, certainly, but her predictions are always right. I was just saying, hatred would be a typical emotion to have after all you've been through.
Oh. (mumbles) Yeah, sure, I guess. (takes on nervous silence, scratching neck) How come you're so nice to me?
...Nice? (quirks eyebrow) If I'm not mistaken, I demean your intelligence and gumption on a daily basis. If that's nice, I shudder to see mean.
You know what I mean. (becomes suspicious) Is there some ulterior motive to your kindness? Are you trying to take me to some remote location and rape me or something? Because I'll find some way to kill you, hanyou or not.
(chuckles) Remember when I said you were creative?
Yeah.
I stand by that. And I do believe you'd find some off-the-wall way to kill me...if I had an "ulterior motive", that is. But that's a funny notion; if I were "trying to take you to some remote location and rape you"..."or something"...don't you think I would have the sense to have done that already instead of bringing you to the residence of my most perceptive peers?
I don't know you well enough to answer that.
Inuyasha laughed at this.
Kagome, trust me when I say this: I don't save the lives of just anyone. But if I ever have—and yours is the first—then there's obviously something special about that person that brings out the altruistic side of me. A side that even I rarely see, mind you.
Kagome's stomach did a few inexplicable flip-flops, a reaction accompanying the strong flush overtaking her skin. He thought she was special. So the hell what? Just because he was the only man to ever tell her that, not to mention the only man to ever be so benevolent to her, it didn't mean it was true. It just meant he had a very distorted perception of reality, that's all.
Does that answer your question? I think I got a little off track for a minute.
(still blushing) Um...y-yeah, it did. Thanks.
Black Ice: Ooh! Extra romantical for youse!
Blood Rain: (grimaces) Stop it. You know you don't talk like that.
Black Ice: You don't know what I talk like, bitch!
Blood Rain: (deadpans) I'm around you for practically all hours of the day. It's virtually impossible for me not to know every aspect of your life.
Black Ice: (thinks a moment) Oh, yeah. I forgot.
Blood Rain: Well, now you remember. And call me bitch one more time and I'll tear out the right hemisphere of your brain.
Black Ice: (gasps) NO! I need that part! I'm left-handed! (scurries away)