Chapter 31- Sisters, A Far Away Land, and the Plan
The group that had followed the soldier consisted of all of Kagome's friends and a doctor and two nurses. Before Kagome's and Marina's friends could even utter a sound, the doctor and the nurses locked the door to the temporary room. "We'll open it when we know their ok." A voice came from inside. Kagome, Shadow and Marina stared at the three new people in the room. "Hello." Kagome broke the silence. The doctor and his two nurses, one male and one female smiled at Kagome. "Hello. I was requested to come here to help?" The doctor said, smiling still. Kagome felt a slight ache on her back but otherwise didn't respond. Marina on the other hand stated everyone's injuries; Kagome could here a slight hint of concern in her voice for her friends. "Captain Higurashi has some deep wounds on her back. I have wounds that healed on my neck and arm but feel a slight pain on them still. Shadow, our mascot," Shadow growled and Marina laughed and waved her hand at him dismissively. "Has wounds all over his body but I think he healed them already." Kagome looked at Shadow. It was true, no wounds or signs of struggle could be seen on the outside. "It's that ability I mentioned remember? It heals all my wounds instantly. Even severed limbs… But don't try it with my head. I doubt it'll work." Shadow told Kagome telepathically and Kagome giggled at the last comment. The doctor approached Kagome and turned her around. Kagome heard a gasp from everyone in the room and a whine from Shadow. "That bad?" Kagome asked, her half closed eyes filled with slight worry. She felt the doctor move some of the ruined uniform to the side and touch her wounds, Kagome jumped and hissed in pain. "Sorry captain. These wounds are deep alright. I'll do my best." The doctor said and motioned Kagome to the bed. Kagome laid down on her stomach and felt a pair of hands hold her legs and another hold her arms. Kagome started to get nervous and looked up. Marina was quickly at her side and grabbed her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "It's ok ma'am. The doctor just doesn't want you jumping again." Marina said as she looked behind Kagome, who couldn't see who she was looking at but guessed it was either the female nurse or the doctor as the male nurse was holding her arms down. "I have to inform you both right now before I begin," the doctor started as he grabbed a pair of scissors and started to cut the uniform. "I am not a people doctor. I am an animal doctor. But I'll try to help as best as I can." Kagome's eyebrows rose at the doctor's statement and turned to Marina. "He's a vet!?" Kagome mouthed silently, to which Marina also had an apprehensive look.
A couple hours later…
Kagome's back stung every time she moved. The veterinarian had disinfected the wounds and tried to seal the wounds to the best of his abilities. When he had left with staff in tow Kagome felt Marina and Shadow get onto the bed. The veterinarian had checked both of them and had concluded none had any wounds, Marina's will heal over a short period of time and Shadow didn't have a scratch on him, just like he said. Kagome groaned as Marina laughed and held onto her hand, Kagome probably crushing every bone in her hand by now but if she did, Marina didn't say anything. Kagome gave a startled yelp when she felt Shadow start to lick her naked back. "What are you doing?!" Kagome blushed and asked as she tried to move away from Shadow, who was tickling her with his canine tongue. Marina giggling as Kagome groaned out in pain every time she moved. "Yes, what are you doing you crazy hound?" Marina said and gasped slightly. Kagome turned to look at Marina, a surprised face looking at her back. "What is it?" Kagome asked in slight amount of alarm in her voice. "There. Now you won't have any scars. And I healed your wounds even more than that man. You owe me a pound of bacon. Extra crispy. And don't think I don't know the difference!" Shadow answered Kagome, who felt a hand run on her back and shivered slightly. "Its like you weren't even hurt." Marina said as she pinched Kagome. Kagome yelped and looked at Marina. "What was that for?" Kagome asked as she held onto the front part of her uniform to cover herself and leaned on her elbow to turn and look at Marina who was placing her glove back on. "I wanted to see if I was just imagining it." Marina said with a straight face. Kagome face palmed with her free hand. "You pinch yourself not the other way around…" Kagome stated as she placed her hand on Shadow's head and rubbed his ears. Marina shook her head. "That's stupid. Why would I cause pain to myself on purpose?" Kagome and Shadow sweat dropped. "Never mind." Kagome said and smiled. Kagome looked at Marina and coughed when Marina had stared at her blankly for awhile. Marina shook her head and looked at Kagome expectantly. "Ma'am?" Marina asked. Kagome smiled and cleared her throat again. "Can you get me my replacement uniform? It's in my pack and has the name 'Demon Slayer Uniform' on the label. It's not ANBU armor but it works just as well." Kagome asked. Marina nodded and went to Kagome's pack. She returned holding out one of her many scrolls, the Japanese symbol for demon slayer uniform on the seal. Kagome broke the seal and the green demon slaying uniform appeared. Kagome got up and walked into the bathroom in the room. Kagome closed the door behind her and slid down the door, her back showing no signs of protest thanks to the veterinarian and Shadow. Her eyes droop as she held the uniform lazily in one hand, her arm across her knee, and held her forehead with the other hand. Kagome could feel her eyes get heavier and soon her head fell.
Unknown time and place…
"What was the first step of your training today Kagome?" Gakuto asked for what seemed the tenth time today. Kagome was out of breath and had a few cuts and burns. Sweat ran on her face as her labored breathing increased in volume. "Stay calm. Analyze the situation." Gakuto smiled at Kagome and she smiled back. "Right. You can't enter a fight using your mystic powers and attacks without knowing the entire situation. A woman that is running from a group of men isn't necessary right away innocent. She could have stolen or killed someone and the men could be guards. This also applies to men and beasts." Gakuto stated. Kagome smirked. "Like Jiraiya running from a group of angry women?" Gakuto's eyes widen and Kagome heard the stifled laugh as he held onto his ribs with one arm and covered his mouth with the other. "Especially in that case." Gakuto said as he got up from laughing and grinned at Kagome's comment. "Ok so once you realize the full situation what's the next step?" Gakuto asked as he stood in a fighting stance in front of Kagome. A slight breeze came down the valley they had been practicing on, Kagome sighed at the coolness. "Use common tactics against the enemy. Once I have established that the enemy is too strong for common attacks I start to use the Mystic powers and attacks." Kagome said as she stared at Gakuto. He simply nodded and grinned. "Since you just recited steps one, two, and three lets start our sparring match." Gakuto said as both he and Kagome ran at each other.
When the match was beginning to die down Kagome and Gakuto were both equally bruised and exhausted. Gakuto had activated his gauntlet saber and Kagome had started to use her demon training and her bow. Gakuto and Kagome had charged each other one final time and both passed each other with amazing speed. Gakuto grinned and closed his eyes. "Reminds me of all those martial arts movies I have in the castle." Kagome smiled sadly at Gakuto's statement. His time traveling was mostly to entertain himself, with few interactions with others. He said that few mystics are able to see into their future and go into it, let alone others. Serikuna was a special case. She kept most of the things she saw to herself, Karakuto being the only other person she would tell if it was a life or death situation. Gakuto's ability to go into the past and future of any dimension was impressive and a useful tool that he was happy to have. But the ability, along with others, was taken away from him when he gave up his immortality. Even though he said he doesn't really care that he lost most of his powers, Kagome could see something that she thought she wouldn't see again in Gakuto's eyes: worry. He only had a worry look when a close friend was in danger. Kagome could tell that since he was no longer immortal, he could die. "How so?" Kagome asked as she started to rise. "Two people attack each other in the same way and one falls dead." Kagome heard Gakuto fall and turned around. Before she could reach his side Gakuto held up a hand. "I'm ok. Just tired. You train with my brother next, I'm done for at least a year." He laughed and laid the hand he held up on his chest. Kagome smiled and sat down next to Gakuto, waiting for Karakuto to approach them from where the large group of people was watching them train. Kagome heard Gakuto gasp and looked down at him. Where Gakuto was holding his chest was blood pouring out. "Damn, didn't think you cut me up that well Kagome." Gakuto joked and laughed, with labored breathing and gasps of air between words. "You idiot, you should have said something! Move your hand…" Kagome scolded Gakuto who was laughing at her. Karakuto started to run at the two when he heard Kagome's yell, his large sword moving slightly on his back with each step. Gakuto kept laughing as Kagome tried to lift his hand from his chest to heal the wound. "Leave it. My guardian will help me out later. Good match Kagome." Gakuto said as he got up, holding his wound still. Karakuto stood in front of Gakuto, worry on his face. Gakuto looked up at Karakuto and grinned. "Brother! Good timing. Your turn." Gakuto said as he slapped Karakuto on his hand, tagging him into the match in a way. In a gust of sudden wind and sand Gakuto was gone. "Show off." Karakuto grinned and looked at Kagome. "Want to take a break before we begin?" Kagome nodded and they both walked to the approaching group of friends.
Later that day…
Kagome stood in a dark room, no light source nearby. Her training with Gakuto was easier than training with Karakuto, Gakuto's match lasting five hours and Karakuto's ten. But none of them would prepare them for Serikuna's intense training, which was getting close to an entire day of training. She had been fighting endless numbers of mist soldiers that Serikuna had summoned and Kagome was already beginning to feel exhaustion set in. "Block, counter, bash! Hit the enemy when their down! They'll show no mercy, so why should you? Battle is about the offense Kagome, about catching your foes early and never relenting." Kagome heard Serikuna's voice in the darkness. Kagome listened to her words, blocking and countering the attacks of the mist warriors. Her blood boiled as she defeated more and more enemies until Kagome slammed the ground with a powerful shockwave, destroying a small army of mist soldiers that were running at her. The darkness dissipated and Kagome could see Serikuna's surprised eyes to her left, taking off her gloves at the same time. Serikuna returned her eyes to her normal size, placing her gloves on her back. Kagome could feel the smirk behind Serikuna's mask. Kagome had only seconds to raise her armored arm to block Serikuna's sai. Kagome looked up at Serikuna and grunted under the strength that Serikuna applied on her blades. "Come on Kagome. You beat Gakuto twice already and almost beat Karakuto until he called it quits to save face. I'm not even using a third of my strength and you're already tired." Kagome shocked expression made Serikuna smile. "I am the one who shows less of my true strengths because I'm afraid of my power. I do not wish to use it, especially in your Mystic training. I wish not to harm you." Serikuna said as she jumped away from Kagome by kicking the latter in the chest. Kagome grunted and stumbled back at the action. Kagome fell to one knee and pulled an arrow from her back in her crouched position. "So you're afraid to show your powers? But why did Karakuto do so and why not you?" Kagome asked as she got up and let five arrows fly towards Serikuna. Serikuna didn't move and the arrows passed right through her, a giggle escaping the white haired woman. "Karakuto doesn't want to admit it but he is getting old. Mystics of his age lose most of their…bite to their bark and like to push themselves, to the point of showing off. Gakuto lost most of his powers saving you so he was less of a challenge then when he had his immortality." Serikuna appeared in different areas around the room, approaching Kagome every time she would appear. "And since you still have your immortality and are at a young age you have the strength to beat most without even using your Mystic powers?" Kagome asked as she rolled away from Serikuna. Kagome yelped in surprise when Serikuna grabbed her ankle before she could get far and held Kagome up to her mask, showing incredible strength. "Of course." Serikuna said as she stared at Kagome. Silver eyes stared at brown for awhile, none of the owners doing anything but watch each other. The awkward silence was broken when Kagome coughed into her hand. Serikuna giggled and closed her eyes like when Kakashi does when he smiles. Kagome felt herself fall to the ground with a thump. "Well I'm tired. Time for bed." Serikuna stated with a slight skip to her walk. Kagome sweat dropped as she got up and followed Serikuna. "Wait! What about my training?" Kagome asked and reached out for Serikuna. Serikuna turned around to answer Kagome when a surprised gasp escaped her lips. Kagome looked at Serikuna in confusion and then at her own hand, which was holding onto Serikuna's bare forearm. Serikuna had taken off her long gloves off during training and forgotten to put them back on. Suddenly Kagome saw images, images of Serikuna's past; from her childhood to their training in the dark room, and everything in between. All of it happened so fast that Kagome had little time to react. Serikuna pushed Kagome away and Kagome hit the back of her head on the wall. Kagome groaned and tried to focus her sight as she looked up to see Serikuna shaking in fear as a dark aura appeared around her. Serikuna fell to the ground and tried to crawl away from the dark aura, which seemed to approach her. Serikuna screamed in fear and the aura appeared to grow at the sound of it. Before Kagome could even think, she was on her feet and standing in between Serikuna and the dark aura, hands outstretched. Kagome stole a glance behind her and saw Serikuna in a fetal position, whimpering and staring with wide eyes at Kagome behind her mask. Kagome turned back to the unknown force and saw the aura form into a long narrow point and head for her chest. Kagome heard a scream and felt someone push her to the ground as the aura hit the wall behind her and explode into a dark misty smoke and disappearing. Kagome rolled around and looked up at Serikuna, whose wide teary eyes stared back down at her. Kagome looked at Serikuna, who held back tears rather well. Kagome felt Serikuna tightly embrace her and Kagome returned the embrace after a moment of shock. Kagome rubbed circles on Serikuna's back soothingly as Serikuna trembled on her shoulder. Kagome could feel Serikuna's anger, confusion, and fear in her trembling body. Kagome, all at once, had learned of Serikuna's past, something Serikuna probably didn't want to share with anyone, ever. They both laid like that for over an hour, Serikuna whimpering and trembling as she embraced Kagome as if she was the only thing in the room that could keep her from falling into the endless darkness in the dark training room and Kagome trying to comfort her, returning the embrace equally as strong. After awhile Kagome could hear Serikuna's even breathing. Kagome looked down at her shoulder and was met with the sight of Serikuna's pure white hair, moving slightly as she continued to sleep on Kagome's shoulder. Kagome tried to get up as quietly as she could. Serikuna's grip tightens at Kagome's slightest movement, almost painfully. Kagome stood up after a while more and lifted Serikuna's sleeping form into her arms.
As Kagome walked through the empty halls of the castle she thought about what she had gone through a few minutes ago. She looked down to see Serikuna's mask looking up at her, still sleeping as her eyes were still closed and her breathing was even. Kagome's footsteps echoed in the empty halls and she passed some windows on her way down to the rooms. The sky had grown dark, the moon no where to be seen. Kagome sighed as she kept carrying Serikuna to her room. Kagome saw everything that Serikuna hid from the world and had pushed her away to save her from the evil dark aura, which undoubtedly would have killed her, or worse, take her over like it did Serikuna all those years ago. Kagome furrowed her eyebrows in thought. "Such a dark and evil creature…No wonder Serikuna didn't even mention of her past to anyone. I'm surprised she did not even tell Gakuto and Karakuto." Kagome was taken out of her train of thought when Serikuna sighed and as if she was a child, cuddled deeper into Kagome's arms, causing the ladder to smile. "You know…You remind me of a child sometimes Serikuna." Kagome whispered to herself and giggled at her joke silently. "Like Rin…or Sota." Kagome said sadly, replacing her slight calmness to one of sadness. Both of them were precious to Kagome and both died by Naraku's hand in some way or form. Kagome shook her head and turned red when Serikuna snored loudly, Kagome trying to stop from laughing out loud and biting her tongue. The snoring turned into a quite and somewhat soothing calm and even breathing again. That is when Kagome remembered how much she wanted to go to sleep and started to feel the long week of training without much sleep hit her. Kagome yawned and turned almost the color of a tomato when Serikuna slapped a hand on her mouth, silencing her. Kagome looked down at the still sleeping Serikuna and laughed nervously as her embarrassment was swapped with slight happiness and mirth. "Big meanie…" Kagome joked as she reached the large snake door and went through it when it opened. When Kagome took a step into the dark hallway, lights turned on leading her to the second large door into Serikuna's chamber and the rooms that where in there as well. Every footfall caused a light in the long hallway to light up brighter as she approached the other door. The door opened silently, just like the first, as if the castle was alive and knew that everyone was sleeping. Kagome looked around the chamber while walking to Serikuna's room. Serikuna changed the place every month, never getting used to one look for a long time; one month the room would be a dark purple and the next a bright yellow. The chamber at the moment was a pale light green-blue, filled with thousands upon thousands of different flowers, plants, and flora. The room was colorful and gave a warm feeling. Kagome felt as if she was walking through the Amazon Rainforest as she passed different types of plants, each giving a bright display of colors. Kagome passed quietly through the hall filled with rooms at each side. Konan, Kagura, and Zetsu called the Snake Chambers home. Kagome slept in her room in the Wolf Chamber which she shared with Rin, Shippo, Tobi, and Kirara. Itachi, Sasuke, Naruto, Karakuto, Sesshomaru, Kakuzu, and Hidan shared the Tiger Chambers. The Raven Chambers were used for guests once again. Kagome looked up from looking at an orchid and saw that they had reached Serikuna's door. She tried to open the door, but just like Gakuto's and possibly Karakuto's, was locked. Kagome looked at Serikuna and then at the door. Kagome walked closer to the door and it shown light blue, a click announcing that it was unlocked. "It opens as if senses her…" Kagome thought as she reached for the doorknob. When Kagome opened the door she gasped in awe. Serikuna had mentioned that her room is like her own 'plain of existence', changing in physical and imaginary forms depending on her mood and feelings at the time. As Kagome walked into the room it looked as if it was underwater, waves overhead, a shining orb that could be the sun, and animals of the sea moving about, all oblivious to the people in the room. A colorful fish swam past Kagome's head and when she turned back to look at the rest of the room it suddenly changed into an explosion of colors, fireworks, flowers, actual explosions, and more. Kagome had stood in the room for a while, forgetting Serikuna sleeping in her arms and her own tiredness. The room kept changing, from lush windy green fields to the silent and beautiful colors of the cosmos. Kagome turned away from the beautiful scenes and walked towards the bed in the room, big enough for three full grown people. The bed was pure white, down to the pillows and sheets. Kagome looked at Serikuna who was still holding her, just not as tightly as before. Kagome looked around and found a chair that seemed similar to that of one you would find in a physiatrist workplace. Kagome walked to the chair and place Serikuna on it. Kagome heard a groan from Serikuna and headed to the bed. She pulled the sheets and covers and prepared the bed so Serikuna could sleep and Kagome could go to her own room to do the same as soon as she was done. Kagome returned to Serikuna, who once Kagome picked her up sighed in content. Kagome giggled and placed Serikuna on the bed. She pulled the covers over Serikuna and looked at Serikuna's mask. "That must be uncomfortable." Kagome said to herself silently and turned away from her sleeping friend. A hand shot out and grabbed Kagome's wrist. It was not painful but it kept Kagome rooted to her spot. Kagome turned around to see the soft but firm hand belonged to Serikuna, who, out of Kagome's edge of sight, was looking at her. When Kagome looked up at her, Serikuna immediately looked away, head facing away from Kagome and letting go of her arm. Kagome's eyes widen when she saw Serikuna had removed her mask, which was lying on a dresser next to the bed. Kagome looked startled for a moment when Serikuna spoke, her voice sounding extremely different. Her true voice was apparently muffled underneath the mask of hers. "Please don't leave…I…" Serikuna's silk like voice was shaking as Serikuna's body trembled. Kagome looked up and saw the room turn dark, an endless mass of darkness; two deep red eyes staring back at them with hate. Kagome shuddered and heard Serikuna whimper as she also looked up for a moment and then back down again. Kagome looked at Serikuna who was still turned away from her, Serikuna's hair blocking Kagome's view of her face and undoubtedly terrified eyes. "I'm scared!" Serikuna cried as she flung herself at Kagome whose eyes widen in surprise at the woman's statement, surprise growing even more when she felt tears fall onto her shoulder. Kagome felt a pang of something when she heard Serikuna cry. All the time Kagome knew Serikuna, she had shown almost no emotional side, always showing things like anger and joy. To Kagome, Serikuna's explosion of sadness and fear was new and a she wondered how long Serikuna had gone around hiding behind a mask, figuratively and literally. Kagome held Serikuna, trying to calm her down once again. "It's alright Serikuna. It's gone. See?" Kagome said as she looked up before Serikuna did, not seeing Serikuna's silver eyes look up at the ceiling of the room as well. The room was a normal gray, the light from the stars outside coming in and banishing the shadows. Serikuna lowered her head onto Kagome's shoulder, still trembling slightly, tears falling at a more gradual pace. The room turned into an image of a cloudy, star-filled night. "Look at me…scared of shadows and the dark." Serikuna said against Kagome's shoulder. Kagome could not find a way to answer as the shadows and the darkness did hold creatures; creatures and demons just waiting for you to lower your guard. "I'm pathetic." Serikuna said in slight anger, her grip on Kagome's shoulders tightening. Kagome tried to look at her friend by backing away from her but Serikuna lowered her head, her hair blocking her face once again. Kagome held Serikuna's shoulders and squeezed them reassuringly. "Seri…" Kagome said, adopting the nickname Gakuto and Karakuto had given their only sister. Serikuna raised her head, causing Kagome to gasp and blush slightly at the young woman in front of her. Serikuna had done a second thing that day Kagome thought she would never see happen. Serikuna revealed her face to her. Serikuna was some would call a 'nightingale', said to silence even wars and disasters with its entrancing song. The song in this case was Serikuna's beauty. Serikuna smiled sadly at Kagome as the latter looked at each of Serikuna's features. Her silver eyes and white hair were known to all, but what lay underneath was the same nagging feeling of what others had when they wondered what Kakashi Hatake looked underneath his mask: mystery. Pink soft looking lips were accompanied by smooth porcelain colored skin, a slender jaw line, silver delicate eyebrows, and a normal but strangely cute nose. But the most captivating feature that demanded everyone's attention was Serikuna's silver almond shaped eyes that seem to pierce ones soul, the mask hiding the true affect of her eyes. Serikuna's mascara and jet black eyeliner had smeared, revealing her Cleopatra shaped eyes to Kagome. Serikuna stared intently back at Kagome's almond brown ones. Serikuna giggled and blushed when she noticed Kagome's own slight blush. But soon she saw a fire in Kagome's eyes again, a bit of surprise rising in the Mystic. "Seri, you're not pathetic. You're the strongest, stubbornness, kind hearted, beautiful woman I know…You're like a sister to me Serikuna." Kagome said as she cupped Serikuna's cheeks, a slight coolness hit Kagome's hands as she began wiping tears off of them with her thumbs. Serikuna looked at her with questioning eyes. "Sisters?" she asked in a child like tone. A light caught Kagome's and Serikuna's attention and they looked up. Images of little girls, teenagers, and women playing, fighting, talking with each other was seen in the entire room. Kagome smiled as she looked at the many different images doing different things with Serikuna beside her. Serikuna was imagining the different aspects of sisterly love. Kagome watched as a young red headed girl around her age defended a platinum haired girl around Serikuna's age from a group of men. (A/N: I might be 20 but that was one good movie Disney. Frozen was funny with Olaf. Crazy snowman.) Kagome then turned her attention to a group of five sisters playing outside. One tripped and the others ran to her aid, all trying to help their sister in some way. Another showed two sisters hugging each other and saying sorry to each other multiple times for fighting over something. Kagome then saw one image in particular. A little girl was standing in front of another little girl that was on the ground from an unseen group. Her arms were outstretched, trying to protect her sister from the rocks the unseen assailants had thrown at them, blood falling from her forehead when one rock hit her squarely in the head. The sister behind her screamed and tackled her sister to the grown, using her body as a shield for her sister this time. Above that image was Kagome in the same position as she stood, hands outstretched and protecting Serikuna from the dark aura, the same thing happening as well; Serikuna screaming and tackling Kagome away from danger.
The images froze and Kagome turned to Serikuna. "Yes, sisters. We're sisters. That's how strong I feel our bond is, now more than ever since the incident." Kagome said smiling. Serikuna knew what Kagome meant. Serikuna could see that Kagome had gotten a look into her past when she grabbed her arm. She also saw Kagome's past, seeing that Kagome's life was equally as bad, if not more than her own. Serikuna smiled as new tears fell, out of joy. Serikuna felt Kagome wipe the tears away and felt herself nod. "I'd love to be your sister Kagome. It was getting kinda embarrassing talking to Gakuto and Karakuto about 'girl things'." Serikuna made quotes with her hands. Kagome laughed and hugged Serikuna, who tighten her grip even more. "It's settled then, from here on out we are sisters. We'll both protect each other, from anything and anyone." Kagome said, both sisters smiling. "Till the end." Serikuna added and a goofy smile graced her face. "And making our brothers lives miserable!" they both laughed at Serikuna's comment. Serikuna and Kagome both fell asleep in the same bed, hands entwined, as the mystic was still a bit fearful and Kagome was exhausted. The next day Serikuna and Kagome had made matching silver necklaces, and with an enchantment from Serikuna, would never come off except by their own hand.
Present…
Kagome awoke when she heard a loud banging noise at the door behind her. Kagome looked up at the door from her sitting position. "What?" Kagome asked as she started to get up. "You alright in there? You've been in there for thirty minutes now." Kagome almost fell back down when she heard Marina say how long she had been asleep. "Y-yeah, I'm fine. Just finishing up." Kagome said as she got up and walked to the sink in the restroom. She turned on the faucet and splashed some water on her face, waking her up and cleaning her face. She spotted a towel nearby and used it to wipe off the blood and grim she had all over her body by wetting the towel as soon as she had taken her ruined uniform off. She threw the towel into a basket and looked at herself in the mirror, holding onto the sink. A slight movement caught her eye and she stared at her neck in the mirror. A necklace hung around her neck, a broken ring at the end of it. She touched it and a slight blue glow came from it. "Sisters till the end…" Kagome said silently as she started to change into her green demon slaying uniform.
Somewhere at the same time…
A woman groaned and placed a hand on her head. What felt like needles going into her head caused her to moan out in pain. The woman opened her eyes and lowered her hand to her face. Silver like dried material was on her hand. "Is that…Is that my blood?" The women thought as she examined her hand and touched her head again. She looked around and spotted other young women looking at her. The women staring at her were wearing kimonos, while others were wearing…slightly more revealing and sultry clothing. The woman with the strange colored blood looked down at herself and notices she also had a white and light blue kimono on, with one thing missing, clothing underneath. The woman blushed and wrapped the kimono around herself even more. She then looked down at her neck when she felt a cool metal around it. A black object that looked like a collar was around her neck, slightly tighter than it should have been and making her itch around the areas it aggravated. She looked around the room again and spotted a girl right next to her, staring at her with confused eyes as well. She was of slender build, long brown hair and eyes, and fair skin, wearing a white and light pink kimono. The woman furrowed her eyebrows. "Who are you? You seem familiar…" The woman thought as she stared at the girl. "Where are we?" The young girl asked, looking around the room. No one answered and the woman got frustrated that the question she wanted to ask was unanswered. She went to grab the bridge of her nose in annoyance when she felt something stop her. She touched the area where her nose was and felt a sort of mask blocking her face from view. She reached to take the mask off when a door slid open and a gust of cold air rushed in. The women in the room held onto each other as a man and an armed companion followed him in. He looked around the room and looked straight at the young girl and the masked woman. "You two! Your new and need to be broken in!" The man said as he smiled wickedly. Women around the room screamed and ran from where he had pointed at, fearing that he had chosen them. He reached for the young girl and the masked woman grew angry, people yelling and screaming for help. The room went silent when the masked woman punched the man in the face, knocking him out, and pulling the young girl behind her. The woman was trying to speak but a pain came around her neck, stopping her. The man with the weapon looked like he was about to soil himself. Another group of men came into the room, all with weapons. "It's one ANBU moron. When we bought her and her companion they had taken her weapons away. Now grab them before the master gets angry and kills all the women this time." One man said as the group of men hauled the kicking and screaming women out into the snowy climate. The masked woman looked to her right and watched as the men dragged the crying girl by the hair. The masked woman yelled in anger as she tried to help the girl. One of the men holding her hit her in the chest and began dragging her as well by the hair. The masked woman screamed in silent agony because of some sort of jutsu on the collar had prevented her voice to be heard. A man ran over to the two men that were hitting her and causing her pain and hit the one that was dragging her by the hair. "Are you fucken stupid?! Don't you see that she isn't like the others?" The woman felt tears slightly fall as the man continued to pull at her hair, until the man hit him again, harder this time. "The master wouldn't want us to damage rare goods. Not until he does anyways." The man warned the other, who let go and watched them as they continued to drag the woman by her arms to a large building. As they entered the building, the woman and the girl scrunched up their noses at the smell. It reeked of sweat, alcohol, blood, and other things that could not be described. "The rare one has to wait her turn. The master wants to try the cute one first before he gets to be the first man to break an ANBU." The men split up the women, the girl screaming for help. The masked woman watched as they dragged her around the corner and disappeared. The other men dragging her brought her to a room, where she was thrown into. The woman grunted and ran to the door, slamming her fist on it. "Let me out!" she yelled in her head, fearing the shocking feeling would return if she tried to speak. "Shut up in there!" She heard and anger possessed her again. She felt a deep hatred rise and she slammed her fist through the wooden wall. She heard a pair of gasps as she crushed their necks in her palms. She then slammed their limp bodies onto the wall until it was weak enough for her to slam through. She stared at her hands and then at the two men when her anger left. "Did I do that?" She asked herself and heard a scream. She ran on her bare feet, the wooden floor making her footsteps echo in the empty hall. She ran to where she last saw the young girl and turned the same corner she had seen the men take her. She saw the two men at a door, guarding it. When the men saw her they ran at her with their spears. She ducked under one spear and grabbed the spear, the owner looking at her wide eyed. She gracefully dodged the other spear by jumping onto the spear and kicking the man in the face. The man fell and the woman got the falling spear and slammed it into the first man's side, who was trying to shake her grip from his weapon. The man fell with a thud and the woman grabbed the other spear. The other man held onto his bleeding nose and held his hands up when he saw the woman approach him. "Don't kill me please!" The man yelled as he began to cry in fear. The woman froze and she felt the strength and anger leave her. The woman closed her eyes and motioned with her head as the man bowed at her. "Thank you! Thank you for your mercy!" The man said as he stumbled out behind her, a gust of cold air announcing that he had truly left the building. The masked woman open the door and saw a muscled man tearing at the young girl's kimono, trying to disrobe her while she cried and kicked at him. The anger returned and the masked woman threw the spear at the man. It went deep into his head and his blood fell onto the girl. The masked woman approached the twitching man and kicked him away from her and the girl. The girl looked up at the woman and hugged her legs tightly, causing the woman to widen her eyes slightly and then returned them to their normal size. The woman crouched down in front of the girl and pointed at her and then made an OK sign with her hand. The girl wiped her tears of relief and looked up at the mask. "Yes I'm fine now." she said as she smiled sadly at the masked heroine. The woman nodded and pointed at her again. It took awhile but the girl understood. "My name is Ayame." Ayame said smiling at her as the woman helped her to her feet. She then turned her head when she heard something. Both women turned around to see a group of men at the doorway with swords slightly raised. They wore heavy, white segmented plate armor that covered shoulders, chest, thighs, lower sides, and back. Their white gauntlets held onto their weapons in a tight grip. The women heard the breathing of the men behind their respirator like masks, which were part of their helmets. A man in the same white samurai armor walked up. Two small horns adorned his helmet and an opal colored fur coat flowed with every step he took. He stopped in front of the dead man in the room and looked at the corpse. The masked woman didn't let on that that she could hear their voices. "This is B group, we found the target. He's dead sir. Spear right through his head. No, no it wasn't any of us." The man looked back at the two women from his crouched position over the body. "Yes sir. One looks like she is wounded, the other probably rescued her from the bandit leader from a sexual assault. And sir, she looks like an ANBU…" The man heard a silent answer and got up. "Take them." The man said to his comrades behind the women. The masked woman dragged the girl to the ground and tripped the approaching soldiers. She got up and bulldozed the men out of her way as she ran with the girl close behind. They reached the outside world, snow falling still. The masked woman stopped when she saw a large group of people around the area. Some were civilians watching from the opened gates of the compound. Other samurai in the same white armor were leading a group of men that appeared like bandits into cages on wagons. Other soldiers were leading a large group of women away from the scene, questioning them on the way. Everyone looked at the two new women and the questions and yells stopped all at once. The masked woman turned around when she heard the heavy footsteps of the soldiers behind them. "Stop those two!" the man with the horns on his helmet said in his full helmet into a possible communication device as he stumbled out and began to run to the two. "What do we do?" Ayame asked as she tried to stand up straight and held onto the masked woman's white silk kimono.
(A/N: If you want I found a song that went with this moment: Guardians at the Gate- Audiomachine.) The woman looked around and watched as the samurai warriors approached. Anger rose in her veins but she tried to calm down, knowing that her anger only brought death. The earth trembled, strong winds rushing around the compound. The masked heroine raised her hands and the snow rose up around the two women. Everyone watched as the snow turned into ice and then into swords, all pointing toward the approaching samurai. "How did she do that without even doing any hand signs?" a stunned samurai asked through their communications and pulling out a second sword. Others did the same and applied a blue energy to the weapons. No one did anything for awhile, the strong winds still persistent. The masked woman yelled and the swords went towards the samurai at high speeds. Samurai dodged, rolled, and blocked the weapons, trying with all their might to keep the swords made of ice from killing them. The ice swords and the samurai fought against each other but the match was over quickly. The samurai stood with their weapons raised as an ice sword hovered near their necks. With a wave of her hand, the woman let the ice swords fall to the ground, reverting back to snow. The samurai looked at each other and then at the masked woman. They approached the two and the masked woman fell over, exhausted and unconscious. Ayame crouched down next to her, trying to wake her up.
? P.O.V.
I groaned out in pain, feeling every fiber in my being straining and pulling, causing pain that was just bearable. My eyes opened slightly as I felt a soothing feeling start from around my neck and then my entire body. I immediately closed my eyes when I tried to open them fully, a bright light the cause. The soothing feeling returned and I felt calm again. I tried to raise a hand to my face and noticed two things. One, my arms were tied to some metal gurney and two, my legs were as well. I shot straight up and looked around. I was alone in a small dark room, monitors and computers flashing and making noises. I looked down at my restraints and then at my legs. I was wearing a long hospital gown, wires and tubes going into and around my body in some places, and could tell that I still wore the infernal mask that I wondered why I woke with it. "We did not wish to remove the mask. ANBU tend to like to keep their identity hidden." I turned to the voice in the darkness.
Normal P.O.V.
An old man with long grey hair that went down to his waist approached her. He had bandages around his head, black eyes, and a gray beard and goatee. He wore a grey kimono and sandals. On his hip was a sword, glowing slightly with power. The man noticed she was staring at his sword and smiled knowingly. "Don't worry. I won't draw it unless I have to. My name is Mifune; I lead the samurai army of the Land of Iron." The man, Mifune, said in a calming voice, the woman nodding and tried to speak. Nothing came out and her eyes closed tightly as she felt a shock go through her again. "Hold on, give me a minute young one." Mifune said as he reached for her neck. She flinched away from his hands and he stopped. "I need to take off the object around your neck so you can speak." He said and watched as the woman lifted a hand at her neck. She felt the cool metal of the collar once again. Her eyes sadden with a bit of anger in them at being seen as an animal with a collar. She looked up at the old man who had been watching her the whole time. She closed her eyes and sighed. Eyes still closed, she nodded and felt Mifune pull her head towards him by pulling on her shoulders. She opened her eyes and watched him try and take the device off. She felt a sly smile form when she saw him still looking at the device but feeling her eyes on him, causing him to blush a deep hue of red. She heard a click and Mifune smiled as he held the collar up for her to see. "Got it! Huh? What is that?" The old man said as he inspected something on her neck. She looked down and saw a necklace. It was silver in color with a half ring at the bottom. She touched the ring and felt the same calmness as before go through her, a blue hue emanating through her body. "What in the world?" the woman heard and looked up to the see Mifune inspecting the collar. The woman looked at what he was looking at and saw that he had been looking at three sharp points that were on the inside part of the collar. She raised her hand to her neck and felt where the three small but sharp objects pierced her skin. The wounds were already healing but she saw his eyes widen at the color of blood on the collar. "Silver blood?" Mifune said to himself and the woman nodded. The man widens his eyes and dropped the collar. He pulled out his sword and pointed it at her. She felt slight sadness that the kind old man had now started to treat her like the others after she had awoken, like a freak of nature. "Who are you? What are you?" Mifune asked in a serious tone. She felt a small tingling sensation at her neck and coughed slightly, her pure white hair moving slightly and revealing the light blue highlights in it. When her coughing fit had ended she looked up at Mifune with her silver eyes. "I…" she hesitated, her head hurting as she concentrated. "I don't know."
Kagome…
Kagome opened the door to the restroom to see the room was filled with her friends and allies. She watched Captain Kasiyama trying to push through the crowd. "Kagome, ma'am, we are needed in the room we were in before, the conference room. I'll meet you there as soon as you're ready." The captain smiled at her and walked back through the crowd. Kagome spent some time calming down her friends and explaining to them that she was alright. After a small discussion Kagome and co went to the meeting place that they were requested to attend. Marina and Sasaku opened the doors for Kagome and Kagome smiled slightly that extra chair were added inside. Captain Kasiyama and Warrant Officer Hojo were both over a map of the village, pointing at spots on the map. "-es. I agree. We must find the place where they are reproducing but where would we begin?" the warrant officer asked as Kagome came in. "Kakashi and my Lieutenant mentioned a swarm of the spiders chasing them from the police station here." Captain Kasiyama pointed at a building on the map that was filled up in red. "Yes, but my men have already deduced that that area is just a large staging area, not the nest itself." Hojo stated as he shook his head. Both military officers stood up and sighed. Hojo held onto his chin in thought while Captain Kasiyama scratched his head, lifting the helmet somewhat. Kagome placed her hands on the table and looked at the map. Areas in yellow, blue, green, red, orange, and other colors did not quite get her interest, not even the areas with different colored flags or areas marked in a black slash, which usually meant certain death. Her eyebrows rose as she thought of something. "Warrant Officer, do you remember where on this map the military first caught sight of these things?" Kagome asked. The warrant officer nodded and pointed at a red flag near the edge of the village. "Do you also remember where that cave your commanding officer mentioned was?" Kagome added when she looked at the area around the red flag. Hojo thought for a moment and nodded as he pointed and made a circle at a forested area, a mile deep into the enemy territory and with orange markings, which meant that no one was sure if the enemy lines were further back. "Yes here it is ma'am but I can't remember its exact location. It around there…somewhere." Hojo said skeptically as he pointed again at the place he circled on the map and looked at Kagome, who was smiling. "We've found our nest boys and girls."