"Where are we going?"

Grandma led me by her hand, suddenly determined.

My heart thrummed again. I felt something stir inside me. It made me uneasy.

Suddenly we were up the wooden steps and I heard the creak of a door sliding open. I looked up from my thoughts as we entered the shrine. It was relatively dark but I could make out the steps as we descended into the shrine. Huh, I have never been in here before.

I silently looked over at Miss Higurashi questioningly. Then I felt a tug at my leg. Fear crawled inside me. A Ghost?! I could not move. Grandma stopped and peered at me.

It rubbed against my black sock. I shivered fearfully and bravely looked down.

The tension broke with relief at the sight of white fur coating my black socks, purring vibrating loudly in the room.

I smirked annoyingly as I bent down lifted him up near my face, "So you followed us, huh? Thanks for scaring me, ya big jerk."

Grandma couldn't help a small giggle. I looked at her. She appeared so young despite her age. I somehow felt bad for her. She looked as though she was going to be all alone.

"Grandma?-"

A scroll was held out before me. An emerald scroll with my name written on it.

"Moriko-chan," she nearly begged, "This was left for you." She paused, "I think it's time you read it."

I accepted the scroll curiously. Is it from my parents? Thinking doing what she said would help her feel better, I unrolled the scroll and sat down on the top stair step into the shrine, the shrine with a hidden well.

Before I began I looked back at Grandma for assurance. She nodded bravely and stepped outside to wait.

Moriko-chan

I'm sorry we had to leave you here. I trust my mama will take good care of you. You're probably wondering who we are. If this has been given to you, then you are old enough to decide what you really want in life, like I did. I hope this era has treated you well. Inuyasha and I will always be here, on the other side of the well.

We love you Moriko, do what is best in your heart.

If you wish to return to us, your life will change forever. There will be no turning back. I know I chose this world I live in over the one you reside in now. That doesn't mean that's what you should do. You are free to live your own life. "You are the wind, you are free" as a friend of mine once said.

We love you indefinitely,

Kagome

I stepped outside. Night had fallen. Grandma was still waiting at the bottom of steps. "Kagome . . ."

With my every step the wind curled about my legs softly. Kashi began to purr in my arms. Miss Higurashi wrapped her arms around me, breaking me from a trance.

"Just as I did Kagome, I'll support you whatever you choose."

I was about to protest when she said, "You saw the well, yes?"

"Hai."

"If you jump down it you will see them."

"Who?"

"Your parents."

I didn't know what to say. What to think. "Are they . . . Dead?" I never knew them. Maybe that's why I was never told. The Higurashi's wanted to protect me. We're the buried at the bottom of the well? Weird.

"No."

"Nani?"

She looked up and smiled, "You will understand when you go."

I'm confused. "Do I have to go now?"

"No. No, of course not. Take all the time you need. There's no rush."

I didn't really matter. I had already decided. I just didn't understand why she was rushing me. This is the answer that I've been searching for.

A week had passed since then. Uncle Souta had checked me out of school, for good. I had already completed my exams so they still wanted to give me my diploma. It didn't matter to me. I wasn't going to college. They said they'd mail it in a few weeks.

He and I embraced and as I walked up the steps to the shrine I called him "Uncle" for the first time and I swore he hid a smile.

I had said my goodbyes to Yousuke and Hayami. Yousuke was proud that I was going to do something with my life. I had only told him that I was going to live with my parents, but he knew there was more and didn't ask. He bid me farewell and good luck, with a pat on the shoulder and a light kiss on my forehead. As he walked away, I knew he was letting me go, his lifelong friend, and as the wind comforted my skin, it also helped carry him off down the road to where he lived. I was like a sister to him in the end, not that he needed another one. Hayami delivered blessings from Hojo-san and Ayumi-san, her parents. She didn't know how to say goodbye but she didn't have to. I hugged her silently on the train. She remained still, accepting it. It was hard. She just didn't know how to say it.

Grandma prepared lunches, humming a tune. "I know you've never met them before but these are for Kagome and her friends on the other side." She handed me the bento boxes, potato chips and ramen. I placed them in my purple shoulder bag.

My dark brown hair was up in a long ponytail. I was dressed in loose black pants that ended right beneath my knees, slip-on running shoes, and a forest green sleeveless t-shirt. Looking at me she said, "Come to think of it, I never knew why she always wore her school uniform. It's not like she didn't have other clothes to wear."

It was needless to say I had to leave Kashi behind. I coddled my fluffy boy to my chest for the last time. I petted him and he purred while rubbing my face with the side of his. I eventually handed him off to grandma. My Grandma . . .

"Will you be okay by yourself?" I said as we walked down the steps to the well.

"Oh hai, don't worry about me," she waved it off, "Besides I've got this guy for company." She held up my cat for emphasis.

"Alright." I said simply.

I was ready.

There was a pulse. But it was different. Another pulse. They had resonated with my heartbeat. A magical light filled and surrounded the well. My hand rested on its edge, nails gripping the wood. I hesitated but there was nothing to be afraid of.

"You'll be safe on the other side. I think Kagome-chan just wanted you to grow up safely and to have a choice."

With a final hug, squeezing Kashi between us I turned to the well. Lifting myself over, I sat on the edge, my feet dangling into the abyss. My eyes were closed up till this point.

When I opened them, I saw, at the bottom of the well, the sky.

My head shot up, only to find a ceiling above me. It's a well after all. I thought it would have water and therefore, a reflection.

I glanced back and waved. Then, bracing myself with an intake of breath I jumped.