Title: Darkness Kiss
Category: Action/Adventure/Mystery
Type: Alternate Universe
Rating: T
Warning(s): Suggestive Content/Sexual Undertone, Language, Violence
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Well, except a shitload of anime. Anyways, thank GetBackers for the last minute inspiration. Ya wanna know what sucks even more then not owning InuYasha (other than not owning GetBackers)? Ya… owning nothing.
A/N:
Sweat began to lightly drip down his sweaty brow. His hand, gripping the telephone was starting to slightly tremble, the sticky, humid feel of the plastic phone making him constantly wipe his hand against his jeans in a constant failed attempt to cool his nervousness. His other hand was tightly fisted by his side as the voice continued to speak over the phone, his knuckles beginning to pale from his strength. He opened his mouth to shout, scream, anything, that could help get his emotions through but the end result was a throat as dry as a desert savannah wind.
Perhaps it was for the better for he was never one to let his emotions run against the wind as Inuyasha often did.
He nodded his head weakly as the person opposite the line quietly explained the situation, every word laced with an emotion quite rarely displayed by a man as brash as Bankotsu normally was. He completely understood the circumstances, and he even silently admitted to himself that he might have been in shock at the presentation Kagome displayed as well, perhaps more so than the young man, but somehow, that did not lessen the anger any. A smoldering growl would have so cherished to erupt from his throat but years of endurance training and well-kept tradition did not allow such a vulgar sound to slip from his lips.
Not yet anyway.
So, not knowing how else to vent his obvious frustration as the man continued to speak agitatedly, Miroku ran his fingers through his dark bangs, effectively pulling his hair loose from its small confinement from the nape of his neck. How could he have let this happen? How could Kagome just… disappear, without a single scientific trace to her current whereabouts?
Miroku almost snorted at such a stupid question crossing his intellectually gifted mind. Of course having the ultimate gem of almighty power stuck in one's body would give the possessor the ability to do pretty much anything they wanted, teleporting its master being just a quick and effortless example. But, the question plaguing Miroku's mind was not so much how she disappear but why. As far as his family scrolls could figure, the sacrosanct jewel only reacted to its guardian in such a ways when its protector was in dire need of rescue, most commonly on the brink of death from a youkai's rabid attack, or in salving of the tortured priestess's emotions.
Somehow, he seriously doubted that Kagome would need saving while in the company of Bankotsu. It was quite clear he was no normal human; the knowledge of knowing youkai practically leaped out in his aura and his inhuman ability to sense things that only certain humans could only proved Miroku's speculations correct. The supernatural, as the science fiction often called it, was something Bankotsu was accustomed to, Miroku was sure of it. After all, Kagome did not sense Inuyasha's obvious inu hanyou youki and Bankotsu more than clearly had, calling the disgruntled half demon 'mutt' on more than one occasion.
As well as Prince Kouga, Miroku wordlessly added in. He would need to inform the ookami prince of his discovery, or rather, his correct assumption. Although the need to protect the sacred Kakera was indeed quite important, the thought of having someone so innocent, so pure, and someone that he knew so well, as the most dangerous artifact in the world's shield, that thought did not at all sit well with Miroku. And he would be damned if he just sat around, twiddling his fingers while one of the only people who, to some extent, understood him be stalked and most likely devoured by the darkness that is Naraku.
"Bankotsu," Miroku began hesitantly. "I need to ask you a few things."
An almost hesitant inhale could be heard on the other line.
"Please meet me at the corner of Ryuu Kafe. I have an idea of where Kagome could be. You have my number if you find need to contact me. I will see you there. Bye."
Slightly placing the cordless black phone back on its stand, Miroku wordlessly closed his eyes and began massaging his temples quietly. How could he let this happen? Was this not what he spent his whole life training for? How could he let this slip from under his very nose? A quiet but feminine voice broke Miroku out of his musings.
"Houshi-sama? Is Kagome-chan alright?"
Miroku sighed. Stressing out at this particular moment was not healthy nor was it useful. Kagome running around on a wild Tokyo night was not a pleasant thought. Naraku could be anywhere at any given moment and with his easily manipulated spies conveniently located at each corner and every alley, Kagome could be found easily enough. After all, a depressed crying woman with enough spiritual energy suppressed in her body to flat line all the Japanese islands and the neighboring countries with just a touch of her hand was not very difficult to find if it was indeed what one were looking for. Which so happened to be what Naraku was expecting, Miroku was sure of. After generations of stories and first hand experiences, one knew not to underestimate that deceitful being which proudly proclaimed the name Naraku to himself.
The dark haired male raised his head to stare at the woman gazing at him with curious coffee eyes. To the naked eye, one could only see a look of intensely strong sense of curiosity. But to those who knew the woman better that supposed sense of curiosity was much more than simply curiosity. It was a look of absolute determination, a cool demeanor, and a vehement rage that surpassed any other. Sango was known quite well for her short temper when pushed too far.
And Kagome missing with an exceedingly high risk of being used as a tool for world dominance by the most formidable foe that her family was bred to kill was pushing her temper just a tad too far.
"Houshi-sama… Miroku, where is Kagome?"
Hearing his name spill from her mouth spoke deafening volumes. She was clearly thinking of nothing but getting Kagome back, whether or not she had to sacrifice herself or not. Sango took her responsibilities quite seriously but this time, it was personal.
"Sango," the monk began in a tired voice, "Bankotsu and myself are going to meet at the corner of Ryuu Kafe. If you wish, you may accompany us."
Sango immediately bolted vertically. She flashed Miroku a frown sewn with resolve before her pursed lips hissed out, "Damn straight I'm going." She ran hastily down to the next room of Miroku's home, and came out seconds later, a colossal boomerang quivering under her immense vice grip. "Let's go," she growled.
At Miroku's quick nod, she whipped her head around and in a piercing cry shouted out a single beckoning word.
"Kirara!"
On command, a shrieking scratch was heard from outside house. Dashing outside with amazing speed, they found the hefty gold furred saber cat positioned for the upcoming battle that was practically before their very beings.
Swiftly, Sango leapt upon the demon cat, promptly followed by Miroku. With a light but threatening growl, the cat bound off into the midnight sky, the radiant fire around its massive paws blending in with the twinkling nighttime stars.
-.-.-.-
Faded was her vision.
She could not see straight.
All she could see were faded, blurred colors.
Damn tears.
The sable locked girl had her barren eyes staring downward, just staring at the frigid cement ground. So cold the ground was, so very cold; she winced silently. Though, despite how wintry the ground appeared to be, the icy biting seemed, for only a split moment, however, welcoming. It was so cold, so arctic, yet, so hot, so damn broiling hot. So cold it burned.
No, she growled stubbornly, biting down on her lip to keep herself awake, the self inflicting action causing a bit of blood to dribbling down the side of her mouth, don't ever think anything like that again.
The fading fire inside of her, the light to keep her existence moving, increased ever so slightly. However, it was still very small, windy, conflicting emotions having no pity whatsoever on the dirty, mangled girl.
I guess the voices were right, she told herself, tears continuing to cloud her vision. Rethinking her statement, she began to laugh bitterly at herself. "What would Mama think hearing me say those negative things?" Instantaneously, she wished she never voiced out that thought for the pain in her heart was soon becoming unbearable. What about her mother? Her family? Her friends? All the people she loved?
Her body suddenly felt black. Black seemed to be the only way to describe the churning in her heart. It felt dark, so very impure. Instinctively, her hand rested upon her breast, feeling the light pumping of her heart beneath her hand. At the brief contact, a light glow, one that barely caught the girl's attention, emitted from her bruised palm, the glow warming that cold, empty feeling that lingered in her body. A light-hearted smile graced her face for a split moment before she realized something.
Her hand was dripping with a thick, murky liquid.
Blood.
Narrow pupils stared horror-stricken at the cavernous wound in her chest. What the hell just happened? Did she just… purify herself?
She only could gape at the wound at her chest. It was an enormous wound; by now, one would think someone sliced open her chest. The most implausible thing, which Kagome was unsure to be happy or frightened about, was that the wound produced no pain. The blood flowed freely forth, dripping into a large puddle at her feet, soaking up quickly into her clothes, staining the material a deep brutal dark. She continued to stare at her hand; something was completely off. She held a wound that would make a normal person slip easily into a coma, yet, the very gash held no pain. Not only that factor but the blood's color seemed to be darker than the usual red. Squinting her eyes at her drenched arm, she gasped out loud, recognizing the blood was not red.
It was black.
What the hell's wrong with me?
A deep chuckled sounded behind her.
Immediately, Kagome whirled around, coming face to face with a man.
Long inky black tresses were let loose, seeming to spike out in a blanketing effect. His face held a strong, handsome glow to it, his very being standing stiff and proud. The most gorgeous pair of disturbingly crimson eyes stared back at her with an indescribable amount of experience and knowledge. A mysterious, violent indigo was the stained color of his haori, and his hakamas being as shadowy black as his hair. As alluring as those eyes were, bloodcurdling as they might be, the simple smile he had on his face radiated a being completely worthy of trust.
Or so her mind told her.
She could feel her body tensing up, despite the passerby showing no signs of offense towards her. Her thin skin layer felt like it was warming slightly, feeling quite similar to the glow her palms emitted earlier. Her body felt cleaner, her emotions cooling considerably. It was as if there was a soul inside of her that was cautioning her unaware emotions, warning her restless soul. The faint warmth continued; her body relentlessly tugging the energy from her soul to the surface of her skin, and only then did Kagome realize that the being inside of her was pulling the cleansing energy out into the open. Secretly, she prayed that her body would not implode from purification.
Only then did her eyes snap back to the "kind" man. What of the poor spectator? Would he be placed in an asylum for telling higher authorities of a glowing pink woman?
When he noticed her weary gaze on him, he gave a casual smirk, a casual smirk that seemed to have more meaning to it than what it showed. Which was never a good thing, Kagome learned the hard way.
Seeing as her guarded demeanor never faltered, the man gave off a short laugh before he began in a deep voice. "Shikon no Miko, I have found you."
Kagome resisted the impossible urge to blast him into oblivion. Instead, she continued to glare heatedly at him.
"Do you wish to know what I desire, Shikon no Miko?"
Still standing her ground, she never backed down from the silent challenge this man presented. "Not particularly but I have the feeling you'll just end up telling me anyway," Kagome snarled back.
Another short, cruel laugh followed her retort. "My, I simply love the fire that the Shikon no Kakera yearns for; I must say the jewel has quite the choice in women." Seeing her unflustered gaze, he simply continued to speak. "But, on more important matters, I do believe you know what it is that I desire, my dear."
Stifling another shout, she responded in a deadly calm voice, "I do not know who or what you are, but I can easily sense that you're a threat. I can't see into people's minds but I can assume that 'what you desire' is the Jewel." When a congratulatory sneer came upon his face, she added in stiffly, "You can't have it… Demon."
At that, the humanoid demon quirked an eyebrow before another infuriating sneer plastered itself on his handsome face. "One thing I simply do not understand, my Sacred Jewel, is why you continue to escape from my grasp, each and every time I've caught you. Why do you ruin many other lives simply to run from me? Are you frightened of the outcome of this bloody game that I am destined to win?"
Kagome couldn't help the perplexed expression that appeared on her face. "What the hell?" Was he really talking to the supposed jewel inside her body? Better yet, was it going to respond? I think both of us will need to go to a nutty home soon.
The waves of energy rolled water-like off of her skin, the glow giving a mystified pink gleam to her creamy skin. She didn't know why but it seemed like her body was pushing her, urging her, to touch the human-like demon. Just slight, brief contact with his smooth, perfect, porcelain skin. Without her mind fully knowing, she clumsily got up, limping slightly from the gash across her chest. The subconscious part of her mind cried for her to go, run, hurry, anything as long as she ran away from the source of benevolence before her; her other half, however, wished for her to dash towards the man with all the speed she could muster inside of her and fulfill the urge to run her purifying fingers across his skin.
The humanoid demon glared down heatedly and somewhat suspiciously as the young girl, battered and bruised, shuffled closer and closer to him, quiet whispers clouding her atmosphere, so silent, not even his enhanced hearing could pick up the sounds. Her breathing shallowed, then began to speed up again, making the demon quite curious about her. Was this the cycle of when the Kakera took over, trying to fuse its being with one soul? Blending four souls with another? Glimpsing down at her again, he silently noted she look like a beaten, broken doll, inky hair a muddle, clumped and tangled from her runaway trip, narrowed murky brown eyes darting over his build, her tiny hands clenched tightly, vibrating slightly from her suppressed power. She was the walking example of innocent danger; she was like a charming, affectionate teddy bear plush with a ticking time bomb implanted inside of it.
For half a split moment, her eyes flashed an intense blue from underneath her shadowing bangs. With a short feral snarl, she leapt at the demon, her aura flaring frenetically about her being. Quickly, she lashed out at him, her curled fingers barely scraping against his skin. The brief contact, though, left a nasty, burning, blistering gash across his arm. The bitch had used her spiritual energy against him!
Devastatingly, he clenched his injured arm with his hand, glaring at the woman. "It seems I have overestimated you, Miko; you are having trouble with the demons inside. You have trouble throwing them under your submission."
Snarling, she launched herself at him again, but this time, he countered back, slamming a wooden seeming tentacle in her direction, effectively crashing her fragile body into the alley wall. A shriek erupted from her throat as bones cracked under the immense pressure. Resisting the pain, she emitted a low rumble before she peeled herself from the ground, and stood up, glaring him dead in the eye. Hearing the sharp growl vertebrate from her throat, he chuckled cruelly.
"How pathetically weak you are. You cannot possibly stand a chance against my almighty power if lesser youkai are weakening your defenses so easily!" he hissed out in pitiless laughter. His amusement died down and all that was left was a sly smirk smeared across his face. "Now, Shikon no Kakera, feel your servant crumble before my very being! Submit your defeat to the demon that is Naraku!"
A clawed reptilian-like arm defiantly rose above his head, a sharp crackling emitting from it. Violent purple miasma flowed from his pores, the deadly gas trapping the shattered girl.
A pitiful cry of plea erupted from her throat, an injured arm reaching out to grab anything, before she drowned in the obscuring haze.
A twisted gleaming grin possessed Naraku's face as the smoke began to fade away, leaving a disheveled girl in its wake. Scratches and bruises littered her body, gashes sporadically placed amongst her once smooth, perfect skin. The cuts littered across her, dripped with poisonous venom that sizzled as it hit the unpleasantly cold, solid pavement.
A small twitch racked her body for a moment, leaving a scowl on Naraku's face. With a flick of his wrist, a tentacle shot out towards her shoulder, blood spurting everywhere. When the blood began to flow devoid of difficulty from her final injury, and when no sound or movement came from her, he placed a lazy grin on his face and strode over to where the girl laid.
Readying his dragon claw, he pulled back his arm and shot towards her heart.
Silence.
Disgusted and narrowed ruby eyes glared down at the insolent wench he thought dead.
A small hand clenched around his claw, the scales scratching at her soft palm, leaving behind slashes and bloody prints. The lips, from which the swaggering grin spoke out in a hushed but deadly tone, sneered. "Still think that I'm weak?" Tightening her grip, she released a blast of pink light, blinding the fool who dared to attack the Kakera's master.
When the light dispersed, a solitary wooden figure remained, a thin hair coiled neatly around it.
With a small, smug smile, most likely learned from Bankotsu, she closed her now coffee colored eyes and drifted off into a peaceful slumber where all her injuries would be forgotten.
-.-.-.-
"Did you hear that, Lord Inuyasha?" a minuscule flea demon asked, frantically bouncing from one side of Inuyasha's shoulder to the other. The flea demon was feeling quite agitated at the shrieking cry that came from the other side of the town which was soon after, followed by an enormous surge of energy.
A growl exploded from his throat. "Damn right! That was Kagome! I'd recognize her voice anywhere!" the half demon barked angrily.
With that, the infuriated inu hanyou bolted off, a hazy cloud of dust left behind in his wake.
Where are you, Kagome?
-.-.-.-
The group gathered at the corner of a deserted café snapped their heads in sync, hearing a pained cry shoot through the air that seemed all too familiar to them.
"That was Kagome-chan!" Sango cried out, tears clinging to her dark lashes. Her lips were trembling in their tight frown and her fists were shaking in fresh rage. She put the phrase 'no hell hath fury like a woman scorned' to pure shame with her fiery aura flickering about her.
"Shit!" Bankotsu hissed out to the empty night. He tightened his hands so forcefully, his knuckles were whitening in color, aching to release rage on the one who hurt his friend. And his secret beloved.
"Sitting here and cursing won't help Kagome!" a child shrieked wildly, arms flailing hastily. His tiny fox-like feet were tapping the ground restlessly and his furry tail bristled for fear of his mother-like figure's condition.
Miroku turned downward to face the kitsune child. "Yes Shippou, you are correct. Standing like still targets will do us no good. Naraku is out there somewhere."
"C'mon then!" the kitsune child whined, "Momma's in trouble! I can smell her blood already! And there's a lot of it!"
Sango's teeth bared for a moment before she leapt on Kirara's back. "Damn you, Naraku!" her battle cry rang throughout the night as her feline companion bolted off with imaginable speed.
Bankotsu gave Miroku a quick nod, before chasing after the fire saber cat.
Miroku followed the pursuit, all the while a frown marring his features.
Yes, indeed. I only hope we are not too late.
-.-.-.-
Kagome.
Did you know all along?
Or…
Did you just find out?
Why were you crying? Was it because of me?
Did I cause you the unease that you feel right now?
You saw the blood on the halberd.
The blood staining my hands.
Does it pain you to know I killed one of your most favorite people in the world? The only person in this lifetime that could understand everything that you are going through now?
Or, is it that you finally realize who… no, what I am?
Heh.
I am such a fool.
I should have known better than to accept your companionship when you offered it to me.
I should have known better than to embrace your kindness when you smiled with such innocence at me.
I should have never laid my eyes on you.
I should have known better than to fall in love…
With someone I could never have.
-.-.-.-
He didn't know what to be more infuriated towards. The fact that Kagome was laying in a dark alley, practically glued to the floor in her own blood…
Or that her mutty hanyou boyfriend was affectionately licking her wounds thoroughly.
He decided roughly that his feral emotions could wait; he could always deal with Inutrasha later. Kagome, on the other hand, was seriously staring Death in the face right now.
As he was about to run towards her, a deep growl emitted from the surrounding area.
A frown met the fangy scowl of the silver haired demon beside Kagome.
"So this is your true form, eh?" Bankotsu smirked. "Now I understand why you prefer your hair black."
An undomesticated growl responded to his insult.
"Grow up you two!" Sango frowned. "Kagome's hurt!"
Just as Inuyasha was about to throw an insult back at her, a faded tan blur dashed to Kagome's side, opposite of Inuyasha.
Crystalline tears clung to his eyes, his sharp teeth biting down on his lips. "Kagome!" the small demon cried out pitifully. "Kagome! Wake up!"
No answer.
The wails of the lost, abandoned child echoed throughout the empty streets.
Four adults bit back their tears, knowing that the extent of her injuries was surpassed death. Not even anyone as skilled as the Shikon no Priestess could withstand the injuries that Kagome sustained. But then again, the Shikon no Kakera bluntly choose those who would go to the next world after this one.
At that moment in time, Shippou began to slowly shake the woman, hoping for any sound that might indicate her existence in this world. Shaking her harder and harder, the rivers flowed freely when no sound was heard from the girl.
Kagome was dead.
-.-.-.-
How could this be happening?
That was what she kept asking herself as the woman stared at the blood oozing from the look-alike's body.
Or…
That's what she kept telling herself.
I mean, how else could someone stare at themselves while their body's laying still? That's just… unnatural.
Kagome narrowed her eyes at her sorrowful friends. Getting up from beside herself, she stomped over to where Inuyasha mourned.
Inu-chan? Since when did you have such cute silver ears? Are they even real? she asked out loud. Her attention was instantly captured when one of his ears twitched. She was instantly hypnotized. Smirking mischievously, she reached forward, standing on her tippy-toes, her hands slowly grasping the dog ears. Slowly, she began to rub them. Speaking of which, silver hair looks pretty cool on you. So cute!
-.-.-.-
"Ka-Kagome…" Shippou wailed, bawling his fist and rubbing them under his eyes. "Mama's gone!"
Miroku and Sango watched the now orphaned pup sob silently and they couldn't help but feel pity. The young fox had already lost one mother to Naraku's treachery and when Kagome started to care for the boy, Naraku went and killed her too.
Turning his neck slightly, Miroku noted that Shippou, Sango and himself weren't the only grieving ones. Bankotsu's crystal blue eyes were filled with unshed tears, more than Miroku could have ever imagined on someone as strong as Bankotsu. Miroku silently wondered why Bankotsu didn't shed the tears that burned at his eyes.
What seemed like forever, Inuyasha was finally the first to speak up. Putting a hand on Sango's shoulder, Inuyasha inhaled a deep breath. "Well, we can't leave… her like… not like this…" Turning to Sango, Inuyasha gave an unwavering look. "Since you were probably the closest to Kagome, you should give the honors."
Sango shook her head quietly, a small smile clinging to her face. "No, I... we were all close to her."
Inuyasha nodded and his tears began to stream down some more. Gently, Sango wrapped her arms around his crying form, stroking his head gently, combing her fingers through his glossy hair.
Inuyasha began to slump into her arms, purring gently, nuzzling against her bosom.
Momentarily stopping, Sango gave Inuyasha a questionable look, her soothing circles on his back stopping briefly.
Without giving her anytime to react, he squeezed her body to his and began growling contently, his arms constricting her movements. A long, warm tongue began to swirl itself around Sango's neck, stilling her form.
With a petrified look on everyone's faces, Sango let out a shriek that almost deafened Inuyasha's hearing. A horrified and embarrassed look came down on Sango's face before she squeaked out the words, "It's big, it's long, and it's touching me! Miroku, help!"
Almost too willingly, a staff came crashing upon Inuyasha's head, a large bump swelling from the contact.
A flustered but furious look was drawn over Miroku's face. "H-how dare you touch Lady Sango in such an inappropriate manner!" The redden girl hid behind the enraged monk.
From his position on the floor, Inuyasha gave a dazed look. "Sango?" he snorted. "Feh, you wish! I wouldn't touch Sango! Keh, it was Kagome I was..." Inuyasha silenced his last words.
All the chaotic and frenzied rumbling that occurred suddenly died down. Of all the group members to sense Kagome, Inuyasha would be the most accurate one. He had inu youkai blood running thick through his veins and he had had a romantic bond with her. Surely he would be able to sense his deceased love?
Sitting up from his forgotten position beside the limp body, Bankotsu got up, weakly at first but enough to startle those around him. Daring to dream, he swallowed to moisten his dry throat before a raspy word choked out of his mouth. "K-Kagome?"
-.-.-.-
A blush staining her face hard, Kagome's eyes widened into complete circles.
Bankotsu was there.
And he looked as if he was related to a tomato. What happened to make him cry so much?
Maybe I am dead, she concluded.
She watched mournfully as hopeful words stumbled out of his mouth. What was she to do? She couldn't speak; they'd never hear her. But Inuyasha responded to her rubbing his ears. That sure as hell better've been me! she grumbled wordlessly, her lips forming a small pout.
Taking a chance, Kagome stepped towards Bankotsu's lone figure, ignoring the odd and pitiful looks her companions gave the wounded man. Affectionately, she wrapped her arms lovingly around his waist, praying that he would feel her. Her fingers weaved through his sweating bangs in a soothing motion. When he relaxed into her, she wrapped his long queue around her arm and twirled the sable hair between her fingertips.
-.-.-.-
Immediately, Miroku stiffened.
Catching his body signal, Sango moved to a slowly crouching position. "Houshi-sama," she replied, each word thickened with worry, "What's wrong?"
Bringing the golden shouji staff before him, he quietly murmured a few quiet mutters. "There is spirit among us in this very ally. Its soul is in pain but yet it shows no anger." Visibly relaxing a bit, Miroku stood up, a curious look on his face. "Could Kagome-sama have perhaps…?
Enlarged hopeful emerald eyes beamed at Miroku. "Really? Is it Kagome?" Shippou asked with anticipation.
Inuyasha snorted, "Feh! Who the hell else would it be? Casper?"
"It is Kagome."
Everyone turned to Bankotsu's shaken voice. It was filled thick with dwelling happiness that had taked over the sullen sadness that was within him only moments ago.
"She… She's here," he cried out happily, his arms embracing an invisible spirit.
Inuyasha scowled, crossing his arms. "If Kagome's here then you sure as hell better not be hugging my girl."
To that comment, a thwacking clamor sounded from Inuyasha's general direction. An enormous boomerang sat comfortably beside him while a large lump was growing on his injured head. All the while, a demon slayer arched her eyebrow up, a finger to her lips.
"Shh!"
"Ka-Kagome!" Bankotsu cried out, pressing her form to his body. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean for it to go so far! I…It was just all wrong! Forgive me! I shouldn't have touched you!"
A feral growl began to emit from Inuyasha's throat, his hands flexing his claws in front of him. A popping of knuckles echoed in the background of the tender moment.
Roughly grabbing Bankotsu from the ground, Inuyasha glared him down. "What the fuck did you say? You'd better pray I was fuckin hearing things, you jackass!"
The brief look of surprise that crossed Bankotsu's face instantly vanished, replacing itself with his casual smirk. "Well, aren't we a curious mutty-mutt, eh Inutrasha?"
Inuyasha's face tensed in rage. "You stupid son of a bitch how dare y-"
There was suddenly a horrid chill in the air.
Everyone visibly paled.
A shivering Shippou was the one who asked the question everyone's minds. "W-What's that feeling? It feels so cold!"
Everyone's eyes widened when the ghostly figure of Kagome was visible to their naked eyes. She sat on the ground staring at them curiously, silently wondering what it was that they were looking at.
At this passing moment, however, Kagome was not what caught their eye.
It was the ghastly portal behind her.
Large tentacle shaped roots began to reach out from the black gap behind the girl curling around her form. Wide brown eyes stared back in horror as her body was being dragged into the pool of nothingness.
The first to snap out of shock, Miroku threw a stream of sutras at the youkai tentacles, each banishing with a cry of agony.
"Fuck this!" Bankotsu elbowed Inuyasha in the gut before charging towards the black hole demon. "Hey, you stupid dog!" he cried out, "I'll distract the demon! You go and get Kagome!"
"Keh!" Inuyasha barked, "Don't tell me what I can and can't do!" The threat fell on deaf ears. Shrugging with every second's haste, Inuyasha bolted after him, his only priority being Kagome.
Sizzling cracks of lightning flew from the sky, dancing majestically about Kagome's form. And suddenly, a bolt came crashing down on her as the unruly youkai flying about laughed maliciously. Her stressed soul could take no more.
She fell limp on the floor.
-.-.-.-
A perfectly rectangular room as white as a beam of light.
There were no shadows. No decorations. No life.
But all she seemed to notice at the moment was that her very prone body could not move.
Try as she might, her body burned and her muscles screamed at her with every effort she put forth.
Tired, scared, and frustrated, Kagome lied down peacefully on the rigid bitter floor.
Her eyes slowly widened when vague sounds came from the other side of the room.
Even opening her eyes was painful; but curiosity was a much greater force than pain ever was. And when she opened them to this foreign world, she saw a door.
A white plain wooden door that blended perfectly with the rest of the room, save for one brightly shining circular knob.
Staring intently at the conspicuous entity, Kagome decided against her protesting body, that her mind had to be satisfied.
Pushing herself forward, her body began to surge in pain.
It must be that damn Jewel again, Kagome cried out in her mind, her hand grasping her hammering heart.
"You are so goddamn weak, Kagome!"
Kagome looked up and probably would have screamed if she wasn't recoiling in pain.
"W-who are you?" Kagome asked weakly.
"Who are you," the girl mimicked. "Take a wild, ya know, just random guess, you lousy whore."
"Are you… a demon?"
"Demon!" the girl cried out. "Demon! Those filthy wretched beasts! Why, I'd never!"
"Then who are you?" Kagome shouted. "If you're not gonna tell me then stop acting like such a bitch!"
The girl paused quietly for a moment. It was at that time did Kagome really see her features. Thick curly locks of golden brown graced her head while two piercing brown eyes glared hatefully back at her. She was dressed in fairly wrinkled priestess garbs and her gettas were a bit chipped. The olden design did not suit the attractive young woman before her.
"You've got spunk," the rude teen laughed, "I like that. Here, lemme help you."
The girl beamed at Kagome, extending her hand forward. Eagerly, Kagome reached out and grabbed her hand, which the girl pulled up quickly.
"Yo, Kaggy! It's nice ta meetcha! My friends call me Hana!"
"Hello Hana. Can I ask you something?"
"Didn't really gimme a chance there, didja Sunshine?"
Seeing the look Kagome gave her, she quieted down.
"Anyways, what I wanted to ask is how you know my name."
"Keh! I know lotsa stuff! Afterall, I've been here quite awhile!"
A perplexed look crossed Kagome's face. "Wouldn't you get bored all alone in this empty room?"
A booming laugh emitted from the girl.
"Ya know something? I like you! You're dumb, but cute!"
"I am NOT dumb!" Kagome argued.
"Fine!" Hana stated. "Clueless."
"Why clueless?"
"'Cause ya don't even know where ya are! Girl, this is just a room. That door leads somewhere, ya know!"
"Where?"
"To the future!" Hana laughed dramatically.
Kagome asked, "The future? That's a lie."
"I'm not shittin' you! Where ever you last where, it'll show ya what's gonna happen! It's cool as hell!"
Kagome gave Hana a weary eye. A hyper active girl started slurring words like a drunken sailor, and then she's all chipper and cool. And now, she randomly invites me to open a door to "the future." With all the wild things that have been happening to me, how do I know she's not gonna trap me?
"Relax a little, Kaggy-poo! Nothin' gonna happen to ya! Besides, what have ya got to lose if ya gonna be trapped here forever?" Hana hummed amiably.
She seems a little TOO happy about my predicament, Kagome groaned. But she's right. What am I going to do about this?
"Well, alright…"
"Yay!" Hana cheered rowdily, "I've got me a prison pal!"
That doesn't sound very… fun… Kagome sighed. "Are we going to open the door or what?"
Tilting her head teasingly, Hana mused thoughtfully.
Finally deciding, Hana skipped merrily across the room and touched the shining knob with the very tip of her nail.
"Poke!" she laughed, before turning the knob.
When she did, Kagome ran to her side.
Creaking loudly, the door slammed open. The sheer white of the current room continued forth, making Kagome question this wacky world she was in. Was she dreaming or something?
No time was given to answer herself when an overzealous Hana dragged Kagome through the door.
As she crossed the world, her body felt odd. She felt as if her insides were shivering and her mind was being tossed around like a hacky sack. It was just plain odd.
"Geez, stop acting like a dumb girl. It's JUST a dimension warp!"
Kagome snapped. "Well, sorry if a dumb girl like me freaked because she went through a door that leads to a black-hole! Not every house on my neighborhood has one, ya know!"
'Keh-ing' quite similar to a certain someone she knew too well, Kagome followed after the bitchy girl.
"Okay, these dimension door thingies show you different branches of time." Making sure Kagome was paying attention, she continued. "So anyways, basically, every door has at least one other door but on average, I'd say the worlds usually have three to five doors. Usually one per person, I think."
Kagome would've paid more attention to the unruly girl but the door, or rather, portal that she had just passed, disappeared into little diamond dust particles that instantly vanished.
"What on Earth?"
"No, no Earth!" Hana stated as a matter of factly, the girl swishing her index finger side to side. "This is another dimension. Think, a different world."
Kagome scowled. She was in no mood for half assed answers.
Just as Kagome was about to retort a rude comment, the white atmosphere shattered into dust particles.
When the battered raven haired girl opened her eyes, she was once again in a room, only, this room had six different doors, each labeled with their corresponding number. In the middle of the room was a solitary die.
Quietly approaching the center of the awkward room, Kagome bent down and slowly picked up the shiny die.
Hana skipped into the room, looked around, and gave a piercing whistle. "Whoa, all my time I was here, I've neva seen a room quite like this one." Turning to Kagome, she asked, "Hey, gurlie, does yer fav color happen ta be white?"
"Tch, no way. I like blue. Why? Is it important?"
Hana wrinkled her brows. "Nah really. 'Jist wondering cause all the room I've been in with ya happen ta be white. Maybeh it representa ya? White fer purity?"
Purity, huh? Kagome silently questioned, rolling the white die around her palm.
"Well?"
"Well what?" Kagome replied.
"Well, ain't cha gonna roll the goddamn die?"
Kagome stared hard at the die. If these are a series of dimensions connected to my mind, then I wonder what might be behind the six doors? Do they lead to the same place? Will it have something dangerous behind them? I wonder… There are so many questions…
"I love ya, Kaggyu-babe and I dun't know whacha gunna do but I've got some errands to run!" With a flick of her wrist, a large bow appeared. Hopping on the bow, Hana quickly saluted the serious girl. "'Jist rememba that you've gotta be true to yourself if you want the Jewel to work for ya!"
Whirling around dangerously fast, a glare crossed Kagome's face. "How do you know abou-"
Hana was no longer to be seen.
"Damn girl," Kagome muttered rudely. Signign softly, Kagome looked at the die. "Well, she's right. I can't stand here all day. I've got to get back to my dimension… my friends."
Gulping loudly, Kagome shook her hand, and then, tossed it across the empty room.
With a few clacks from the walls, the die fell on the floor.
And on it, the door that she would go through.
Dun dun dun! Wow, haven't said that in a while, eh? Well, I've really got nothing to say. Sorry, the chapter's kinda crappy… its one of those that leads onto something more. Now, I'ma go eat cause I'm tired and I'm hungry, 'kay? But until then, stay tuned until the next Assassin Café! (or better yet, go eat too.)
SangOtaku6
Hmm, I wonder what door Kagome will go through? Or, more importantly, what is behind the door?