InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Existence ❯ Awaken ( Chapter 5 )

Awaken

She was floating in a soft sphere of light when she could feel something tugging at her. It was

gentle at first but then the tugging grew more insistant. She could feel her body being pulled

out of that safe and calm sphere. Then her eyes opened. She was in some sort of coffin-like

box only made of thick glass that allowed her to see outside. She cautiously touched the glass

and it dispelled into tiny sparkles of magic. She slowly push herself up into a sitting position

with her hands. Everything felt unfamiliar to her. The movement of her hands and back all felt

new and strange. But the strangest thing of all was that she couldn't remember anything. She

didn't know why she was in the glass box nor why she was sleeping in a cave. But was she

sleeping? She slid off the box and stood up. She moved her head around to observe her

settings. In the corner was a shimmering silver bow. *Bow....how do I know that?* She walked

to the corner and picked it up. An arrow magically appeared, nocked and ready. She pulled

the arrow back and could feel some familiarity with the action. She released the string and it

struck the wall on the other side. But when the arrow had been released it was enveloped by a

blue light. She shivered, there was a small wind in the wave, and she was wearing no clothes.

She looked to another corner and saw that there was a neatly folded pile of silks. She pulled

the clothes on again with that strange familiarity. It was a miko's outfit only instead of the

traditional red and white, it was light silver and white. * Miko...I am a miko....am I?* She

looked into the next corner and found long, jeweled dagger. She picked it up and found that

her fingers could throw the dagger into the air and effortlessly catch it again. She looked at

the arrow that was still embedded into the wall. She quickly threw the dagger and gave a

small gasp when she saw her aim had split the arrow directly in half. She walked to her dagger

and pulled it out. The blade was made of a blue metal and the handle had strange characters

carved into into. She carefully placed the dagger into her belt and looked at the last corner.

The last corner held a small scroll. The scroll read a strange poem:

Only in need will the hands arise, to soothe the soul's injured cries.

Each time the hands appear to aid, a dangerous price will have to be paid.

When she had finished reading this the scroll dissolved into a dust that covered her hands.

She felt a slight tickle of the dust entering her pores and going into her blood. She looked

down at her hands but they looked normal. The dust had gone into her skin and nothing was

on her hands now. She could feel the breeze again and it was coming from an opening in the

cave. She followed the breeze up a sloping path and out into the forest. It was dark and the

sunlight couldn't penetrate through the forest's wild growth. There were thorn bushes

surrounding the cave and she could see no way to get out. She walked close to the bush and

gave it a slight touch. The bushes shuddered and moved apart to make a path for her. She

walked down the worn path and as she did the bushes moved back in place to hide the cave

again. She walked for over an hour when she started to see small spirals of smoke. She kept

her sight on the smoke and followed it into a village. There were children playing around and

she could feel adoration in her heart. One looked up and gave a gap toothed grin. She was

smiling back when she felt someone staring at her. She turned her eyes to an old woman who

was concentrating very hard on her.

"Grandmother, why are you staring at me?"

"Kikyo?"

"I have no name."

The old woman moved closer, her one good eye looking at her carefully.

"Who are you? A twin of my sister?"

"I have no name and I do not know who I am."

"Appearances the same...but it's been too long. Could it....no..." she muttered to herself.

"Do you know who I am, Grandmother?"

"That's what I'm trying to figure out. Come with me."

The old woman turned around and went inside a hut, she followed inside. Her eyes quickly

took in her surroundings. It was a small hut that appeared to accomodate just the old woman.

She could see a bow and a quiver of arrows lying on the ground. But it was made of a dull

brown, not a glowing silver like hers. She mimiced the old woman and took her shoes off at

the entrance. She sat down gracefully in front of the old woman.

"Who am I?"

"You are the twin of Kikyo and Kagome. But you cannot be either of them because they

disappeared 50 years ago. But, you are almost identical to Kagome. If it weren't for your age,

I would say you are her twin. You have her azure eyes."

"This Kagome, was she a miko?"

"No, she wasn't. Kikyo, the other girl, was a miko."

"Then I cannot be her...this Kagome."

"You can't be either of them, dear. You are much too young. If Kikyo or Kagome were still

alive, they would be over 60 years old. But still, there is something about you that is very

familiar."

"Please, help me find out who I am."

"I will try to consult the gods in my dreams tonight, but I cannot promise anything. Tonight,

you can stay with me."

She bowed her head in respect, a manner which she somehow remembered.

"Thank you."

"Dear, may I see that bow you hold?"

She gave the bow to the older woman but when it touched her hand it stopped glowing. The

old woman noticed this and drew the bow, but an arrow did not appear for her.

"A gift of the gods...where did you get this?"

The old woman gave the bow back and it glowed again when it touched her skin.

"Inside a cave."

"You were living in a cave?"

"I woke up in the cave."

"I see." The old woman stopped answering questions and stood up.

"I am Kaede, the miko of this village. Come, you can accompany me to make my rounds

around the village."

"I wish I had a name to give out."

"I don't know how, but I think you are Kagome. So we shall call you Kagome for now."

She said the name several times, letting it roll around her mouth.

"Kagome...Kagome."

Kaede walked around the village, being greeted by several villagers. While she was talking

with them, Kagome observed her surroundings. There was a scatter of huts by a small river

with many children playing around. Kaede started to walk along the river, following it all the

way to a forest. Kagome silently followed but stopped when they came to the edge. Kaede

noting her hesitation raised an eyebrow. *This forest...something is in here, something that I

know. I can feel it, something.....something familiar*

"Child, are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine. What forest is this?"

"Inuyasha forest." she said quietly.

Kaede began walking and followed a small path that went around many trees. While a few tree

branches hit Kaede's arms, none touched Kagome. It almost appeared to move for her, but

you couldn't see it. It was like watching a flower bud open. They came into a small clearing

that held an run-down well. But the well only caught Kagome's eye for a second. What caught

her full attention was a young man pinned by an old arrow to a giant tree. The tree's branches

had grown all over him, creating a sort of rope that binded his legs. His features were odd, but

again, familiar. Something pulled at her memories when his silver hair flowed with the breeze.

The bright color of his red haori gave another tug. But her memories were locked shut inside

and the tugging did nothing to help her remember. Kagome walked to the tree and started to

climb the branches growing everywhere. Once she was level with his face she raised her hand

and lightly touched his cheek. His eyes suddenly opened and she was caught frozen by the

sun gold color of his eyes. He blinked a few times at Kagome, as if he couldn't quite recognize

her. His eyes grew soft with love.

"Kikyo?"

Kagome's eyes were wide open in surprise.

"No...not..I'm not Kikyo."

She was suddenly jolted from her frozen state by a clawed hand grabbing tightly onto her

throat. His eyes blazed with uncontrollable hate and she could feel the rumbling of his growl.

"Kagome."