It was cold, far too cold for my liking. Darkness filled my body as I felt heavy nothingness on my chest. "Where am I? What happened?" I ask the void as I travel through the dark. Nothing answered me as I grew colder and weaker, my heartbeat slowed to almost a stop. "Please...someone help me...Anyone..." I whisper as I floated in the void. Surrounded my dark blackness and bone chilling emptiness. What felt like hours passed and the cold only grew, nothing could warm me up at this point. I was scared and alone in the dark, something I was once used to. But, then I met Kagome, Taki, Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango and Koga. My dear friends that I just drag down and cause worry for. I let out a soft sigh as my tears floated from my eyes and into the void. "I guess...I should always be alone." I sniffed as my tears continued to drop and float away.
A few moments passed and I was slowly starting to get warmer. At first it was a light feather of warmth on my wrist and it soon started to spread up my arm and throughout my body. I curled my knees to my chest as I tried to keep the warmth as long as I could, afraid it would soon vanish and the cold to come back with a vengeance. But it never left, instead, I grew warmer and warmer. Even the weight on my chest soon lifted, allowing me to breath again. I was then pulled away from the void and into a room that reminded me of Kagome's.- But, that can't be right...I was running the streets before...- My memories flew though my thoughts as I recalled just what happened. -I...Killed them...In cold blood...-
I felt a hand on mine and when I looked at it and the body it was attached to, I was instantly confused. Koga was the one holding my hand, here in the future. "Ko-koga?" I whispered quietly. It was just enough to stir the sleeping wolf from his dreams and look up at me. "Nikki!" He yelled with a massive smile of relief on his lips as he engulfed me into a hug. "You're awake, It's been days since I found you in that ally. I sorry that I said you were weak. It was insensitive and I was just annoyed, I had no right to say that to you. You are plenty strong, I just couldn't see that." He cried out, never letting me out of his hold. "Uh, I-it's alright. Koga. Since when could you go through the well?" I asked, dumbfounded that the proud wolf was apologizing to me.
"I wanted to apologize for being such a jerk. Kicking you out and making you feel unwelcome in your own pack was wrong. All I had to do was offer to teach you on fighting, not bash you on it." Koga mumbled, burying his nose in my hair. I sighed and hugged him back, soon burying my own face in his shoulder. Desperate for more of his warmth. "I'm sorry." The wolf said before pulling away. "I swear I will never say something like that again." I saw the sincerity in his eyes and gave a small smile. "You're forgiven." Another quick hug and I was soon lifted into the wolf's strong arms and taken down the stairs. "Mrs. Higurashi, Nikki woke up and is more than likely hungry." He said and placed me on one of the stools. "Nikki, I'm so glad to see you up. I'll make you something t eat, is an omelet ok?" She asked, already getting out the supplies. I nodded and started to drool at the thought of food.
Just as I was able to dig in to the delicious omelet, Kagome flew through the door calling my name. "NIKKI! Oh thank goodness. You and Koga never came back and I was so worried!" She cried as she through herself on me. I hurriedly balanced my plate before it fell onto the floor. "Kagome? It's good to see you." I say with my mouth full of egg. "I thought you were going to die, you never came back and you're just here eating omelets!" She mumbled and cried. "Umm...Kagome? She literally just woke up five minutes ago." Koga whimpered out, scared for his life of the now angry Priestess. I vigorously nodded while taking another massive bite of my omelet.
After a long explanation of what happened, both me and Kagome were thankful for it, Inuyasha finally came through the door with a snarl. "What is wrong with you just up and leaving while sitting me four times!" He yelled and took instant notice of me and my snacking. (Currently on corn chips, will move to chocolate soon) "Nice to see you up and eating. You looking half dead was starting to make me worry." He calmly said, placing his hands in his haori. I nodded and stuck another chip in my mouth, Koga took one as well and quickly ate it. I stuck out my tongue before getting up for, you guessed it, chocolate.
By the time I located a bar of chocolate, Inuyasha and Kagome were leaving to get a few supplies and Koga stayed on the couch. "I think I will refrain from leaving the house seeing as I slaughtered several people in a gang that already wants me dead." I say, taking a seat beside the wolf prince. "Sounds like a good idea, I don't like the smell out there anyway." He yawned out, laying his head on mine. I stuck a piece of chocolate into Koga's mouth causing his eyes to pop open. "What's this?" he asked and I chuckled. "It's called chocolate...I don't know how they get this from the coco bean, but this is the end result. A sweet and delicious chocolate." I giggled as I myself took a yummy bite of the goodness.
Mama Higurashi laughed when she walked into the living room. "I see you two are comfortable, that's good. Rest up before you have to go back and save the world." And then she left. "I think I will follow that advice." I yawned. Cuddling up to Koga, I released another yawn and soon fell asleep.
Koga Pov.
Nikki was soon asleep against my chest, funny how a simple apology will earn more trust than staying with her for years. I wrapped my arms around the sleeping panther and leaned us both back, finding more comfort laying down. Nikki didn't wake, she simply curled closer and started to purr. My inner demon swelled with pride finding that she was happy. -How I ever let myself hurt this girl, I'll never know. But, I will never do it again.- I swore to myself, curling up to panther and falling asleep as well. All the while, hearing my inner demon growl in contentment.
"Awe, they look so cute together." - "Yeah yeah, just wake them up already. We need to find more shards." - "Inuyasha, haven't you heard to just let sleeping dogs lie? Nikki had he very being drained, she's exhausted.'- I heard Kagome and Inuyasha argue, but had no wish to move with the beauty in my arms. I took a deep breath in, taking in her scent. She smelled of tangerines and river water, a strange mix but one that I would never change. She was definitely still asleep, her even breathing and small twitches proved that fact. I growled and tightened my grip on her when Inuyasha yelled after being sat by an annoyed priestess.
Nikki was effectively woken up by the sudden thud, jerking up and wildly looking around for the source. "It's just the mutt whining." I mumbled, pulling her back down. "Well, he needs to shut up or face a pair of grumpy full blooded demons." She growled, burring her face into my chest and easily falling back into sleep. "Hey Kagome, you and the mutt can go. I'll bring her over once she wakes up." I quietly said, careful not to reawaken the panther. The girl nodded and drug the still fallen half breed to the well. Being woken up, I was no longer tired. So, I made do with keeping the sleeping kitty comfortable. She started to purr again when I lightly scratched behind her ear, though I did notice several piercings on the top and bottom of her ear. -I wonder if she has more on the other ear?- I wondered, though didn't bother satisfying that curiosity just yet.
Another hour passed before the kitty finally stretched herself awake. "Hmmm...I'm up now." She said, voice still heavy with sleep as she sat up. I instantly missed her warmth but sat up anyway. "In that case, are you ready to go back to my time?" I eyed her reaction to be sure she was ok with it. "Yeah, I believe I am. I guess I do need friends after all." Nikki mumbled the last part and I could feel her loneliness. "Hey, you got me. Kagome is with you and you saw Inuyasha's relief when he saw you. I'm sure the monk and slayer will be sorry as well and welcome you back." I said, trying to make her relax a bit. "I hope so...About you teaching me fighting?" She inquired, a dark red eyebrow gracefully arching when she looked back at me. I gave her a smirk. "I guess I can teach you a few thing, we are going to travel together after all." Nikki flashed a smile that had me blushing, gosh was she pretty.
Nikki Pov.
Koga and I were back in the past. The first thing we both did was take a deep breath of the fresh, clean air. "Boy is this good for my nose!"I said, stretching my arms behind my back. "Agreed." Koga said while stretching himself. First things first, finding our pack. Knowing Kagome, they should still be in Kaede's hut. Nodding to myself, I snatched up Koga's hand and led the way to the village.
After a sniff to be sure they were there, I walked into the hut with a grin. "We're back!" I cheered and was soon engulfed in hugs from...well...Everyone. There was crying of ones saying sorry, happy you're better and please stays. Honestly, I was expecting a different reaction. One with a few hello's and back to whatever. A happy smile lifted my lips. "Don't worry, I'm staying this time."
A/N: Hello readers of Nikki! I updated sooner than a week this time! I'm trying to post as much as I can before the holidays swamp my time. Anyway, Merry Christmas!