InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Ghost of Love ❯ Chapter 1 ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

How long had she been here? Time had passed but the length remained a mystery. Everything had felt so real that she had believed she was really living it. Now her eyes revealed the sad truth of the matter. She had never left to begin with. Inuyasha hadn't been able to reach her, the jewel had not been wished out of existence and she had never returned to her friends and family.

Kagome studied the emptiness around her. Vast like the ocean that surrounded Japan it reached beyond her sight. A sea of complete nothingness. Naraku had created this never ending prison just for her. Even in death he was no fool. Knowing that Inuyasha would defeat him he had played one last cruel joke on them all. Binding his very soul to the jewel, he had created life to this void realm.

Was she sentenced to spend eternity inside the jewel of four souls? Trapped in a continual progression of dreams that would never forfeit to reality. Was this truly her fate as the Shikon Miko?

Suddenly she wished she had never wakened from her dreams. In sleep she had been whisked away to a familiar land with a perfect ending to her amazing journey. Her' sleep was one of avoidance. One that let her believe in happy endings; in a true feudal fairytale. A peaceful dream full of perfect scenarios. Where an inexperienced miko had vanquished the Shikon no Tama. Where she had been allowed to return to her time to finish school and be with her family. Finally, returning to the past to live happily ever after with her very own hanyou.

Yes, it was easier believing that Inuyasha had managed to reach her inside this dull void. That he had been by her side when she wished the jewel out of existence. The reality was-- she was a fool. A fool to think that it could be so easy. She had been simple minded to believe the jewel had set her on a path back to Inuyasha.

Inuyasha. Her heart clenched when she pictured his unusual amber eyes filled with raw emotion that he never could hide from her. Where was he now? What had happened to her friends after Naraku had been defeated and the jewel swallowed her? Kagome could only hope and pray that they had stayed strong and supported one another. They were family after all. An odd assembly of one, but family nonetheless.

Sighing Kagome stretched out. How was she going to get herself out of this mess? This was her own battle and she couldn't rely on any of her friends rescuing her this time. Time to figure out just what had gone on. If she was still inside the jewel, had she ever made a wish on it? How did one wish on the jewel? Was it something said out loud? A request or demand? Perhaps there was more depth to the solution. A strong feeling or a heartfelt push.

Miroku had spent hours with her, teaching her to settle her emotions and thoughts. Showing her how to center her being through meditation. What better time than now to put into practice his hard work and patience with her. It was clear to her that no amount of physical fighting was going to break through her crystal cage. Her options were few and far between. Something inside her was telling her to trust her wayward monk and concentrate on his methods.

Sitting up she took extra time to clear her thoughts and position her body for the trial to come. Meditation wasn't something she had taken to easily. Her mind had often been too preoccupied with constant worries of school, the jewel and Naraku. All too often when she had thought she had finally pushed everything from her mind and found her center, thoughts of a certain white haired hanyou would invade her thoughts. To put it bluntly she was certain she was quite possibly the worst at meditation.

With quiet resolve she forced herself to believe that she could do this. No, she would do this. With a calming breath she willed herself to relax and concentrate. Kagome inhaled and exhaled with precision. Each breath that passed through her was used to train herself the way Miroku had taught her. With every rise and fall of her chest she pushed out everything she was concerned about. Her goal was to find complete emptiness. Only then would she be able to begin fresh.

What she would begin she was unsure. It was as if something inside her was spurring her on. A primal calling that maneuvered her in the direction she needed to go. Something was stirring deep within her. Frightened when she first noticed the presence, she almost lost her concentration. She had worked so hard to get this far though. Never in her training with Miroku had she managed to become so focused, her soul so centered.

Perhaps this was the exhilarating experience he often told her of. The goal of meditation. Miroku's sense of ultimate freedom. Fear set aside, she let go of all inhibitions and simply felt. Never could she have been prepared for the blackness that engulfed her. She felt as if she was floating in space, her physical body becoming transparent and weightless. The darkness around her was strange. Not one to like being alone in the dark she was surprised by the calmness she felt this place.

“Finally you have come.”

Kagome started at the voice. Turning her head she tried to locate its place of origin. All around her there was only space. Vast and lonely with no presence but her own.

“Tell me Miko, what was the cause of your delay?”

“Delay?,” Kagome whispered. She had no idea that she was even supposed to be here. Who did the mysterious voice belong to? There was no one here but herself.

“Yes child. I expected you much sooner.”

“I'm sorry. I was unaware that anyone was waiting for me. Who are you?” Kagome again searched the dark for the illusive owner of the voice.

“I am the purpose of your task. The key to your past and the catalyst to your future.”

“I'm not sure I understand what this is all about? Chosen for what task?,” her face fell to a frown. What was this being all about? Kagome was become more confused with each confrontation with the bodiless voice.

“The Shikon Miko. You brought an unlikely group together to reunite the Jewel of Four Souls. Without the ability to harness your true potential as a miko you relied on what you had to begin with. Strength of heart and purity of soul. That is why you have made it this far. That is how you shall triumph.”

“You're the jewel aren't you,” she guessed. If she was still in the jewel, that meant there could only be one owner of that voice. A conversation with a intangible being seemed odd but Kagome found a great sense of reverence in the meeting. This was a being born from the great miko Midoriko. A entity that had spanned space and time, both creating and destroying on its unimaginable journey.

“Intelligent too. Yes, I am the voice of the four souls.”

“Why am I still here? I thought I wished for the jewel to exist no more.”

“You did child. Exist no longer I do.”

“Than why...,” she fought back the rush of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. Had she won or did she fail? If the jewel no longer existed than did that mean she also was no longer of this world? Had she perished along with it?

“Calm yourself Miko. The answers to your question would take me far too long to explain. Know this. I am neither good nor evil. My inability to be one or the other left me susceptible to those who possessed me. Through them I was forced one way or the other. I wish no harm on anyone but I do not intervene if they come to harm. Unbiased and neutral I merely exist. Your wish has placed me where no one can manipulate me ever again. I am free to be as I am. You simply have not, until now, possessed the strength to leave this place.”

“You mean, I trapped myself here with you?”

“In a manner of speaking. Fatigue and stress caused you to slip into a state of prolonged rest. I suspect the trial of your journey had taken a great toll on you young miko. I have been waiting quite some time for you to reach me.”

Kagome blushed at her own weakness. Here she had been fretting about being trapped for eternity and in reality she had simply fallen asleep. Inuyasha was going to be angry with her when he found out. Kami knew he hated waiting for her. Cringing she wondered just how long she had kept him waiting. How long had she been out for? A few hours, or worse yet, a day or two! Oh, he was going to be fuming mad when she got out of here. Couldn't she have at least waited until she was out of the jewel before taking a nap!

“It is time Shikon Miko.”

With those words ringing in her ear Kagome felt the sensation of falling. Blackness soon turned to shades of purple and blue until she was engulfed in a familiar blue light. It was the chirping of birds that first greeted her. Looking around her she recognized the worn walls of the well. Her well. Her soul felt light and happy as she scaled the walls.

Above her a small wooden shack loomed. Confused, she swung her legs over to perch on the sturdy edge of the well. She knew that it wasn't the same building as the one from her time. Kagome wondered if the others had built a shelter around the well at Kaede's village. She wasn't prepared for what she saw when her feet led her through the shed's door frame. Gone was the vast meadows and forest that had once surrounded the well in Inuyasha's forest. Instead the land had been transformed into what resembled her modern shrine.

High stone walls, the very same that stood through time and framed her family shrine, now lined the property's perimeter. The wall looked new, freshly finished with construction. Not like the time battered and moss covered barrier around her grandfather's shrine. The grounds were mainly grassy, not yet filled with the stone she was so accustomed to. Off to one side she saw the familiar branches of Goshinboku.

“Holy Kami,” she whispered to herself as she turned around, slowly taking in everything around her. Much had changed in her time away. She felt like Rip Van Winkle, awaking after his years of slumber only to find everything he had once known vanish before his newly awakened eyes.

“Have you come to this shrine to gain spiritual enlightenment? A beauty like you would be well suited to motherhood. Would you grant me the honour of bearing my children?”

Kagome squealed, startled at the soft voice behind her. Spinning around she found herself staring into the warm eyes of an attractive young man. A man who she instantly recognized, or so she thought.

“Miroku! Thank goodness. I'm so glad to see a familiar face,” she hugged him tightly.

“My Lady?”

“Miroku, where are the others?”

The monk was giving her a confused look as she broke the embrace. Taking a step back she was soon flushed with embarrassment. Though the man in front of her greatly resembled her friend, but upon closer inspection it was clear he was not the same person she had mistaken him for.

“They say that I greatly resembled the great monk in his youth, but I find it hard to believe that someone as young as you could possible have known him in those days.” The monk gestured for her to follow as he turned towards the main building on the shrine grounds. “I believe there is someone who you should see.”

“Those days? Do you know Miroku? Is he alright? What about Sango?” Kagome sputtered, her words racing together. What was happening? She was also confused why a Buddhist monk was so comfortable and well versed with the layout of this Shinto shrine. He was leading her towards the main house like he owned the place.

The monk laughed lightly at her words. “Calm yourself my Lady. All of your questions will be answered.”

Kagome was led into the main house and she had to pause as her eyes refocused in the darkened surroundings. She watched as the young monk conversed quietly to a young boy. The boy nodded before quickly running down a dark hallway. Her mind was so full of questions that she tried to concentrate on anything to stop her fears. With trembling hands she traced the outline of the grain pattern on the wooden wall she stood next to.

“May Buddha be praised.” A voice from years passed spoke quietly behind her.

Kagome's entire body shook as she turned to face him. There was no mistaking it this time. Despite the graying hair and slightly wrinkled face she could not be fooled. Time had aged him but the mischievous twinkle in his eyes still remained. Sobbing she broke from her trance and rushed into his open arms.

“Lady Kagome, we have waited so long to see you.” Miroku spoke calmly to the distraught girl in his arms. A comforting hand come to pat her back as her tears soaked his robes.

“Oh Miroku, I thought the worst had happened. I've been gone so long haven't I? I'm so sorry!” Her broken words were muffled against his shoulder.

“Now, now Lady Kagome, I'm sure you have much to tell us. I am quite surprised to see you after all these years and to see that you look the same as the day you vanished.” Miroku's words were cut short when his wife came running frantically into the house.

“Kagome-chan!,” the slayer shouted. Winded from her fast trip to the house she gathered support from the door frame before she had the energy and breath to continue.

“Sango?”

“Kagome-chan, it is you!” Sango smiled brightly as she rushed to take the blotchy faced miko from her husband's arms. It only took one look at her friend's tear stained face before she too was watery eyed. “I never thought I'd see you again. I hoped Kagome but I eventually gave up when so many years passed. You have no idea what this means to us, what it will mean to everyone!”

“Everyone? How long has it been Sango?”

“Almost twenty one years.”

“Twenty...,” she felt like she had just hit a brick wall. This was all too much. Kagome whimpered and her world went black once more.