InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Impossible Dreams ❯ Chapter Five ( Chapter 5 )

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Author's Notes: These past two weeks have had some of the best, and worst, days of my life. The Bach Festival Youth Choral Academy was wonderful, and the concert last night was beautiful…I even had two solos…but unfortunately, my life took a tragic punch in the gut right before I left a week and a half ago. My former swim coach, who was a dear friend and mentor to me, passed away suddenly in his sleep, shocking us all. He was only 34 years old, and, frankly, I'm still heartbroken. So, I do not want to depress all of you, but if my updates slow down it's because my mind has a habit of just wandering right now, so forgive me. He was a dear friend and mentor, and I will never forget him. Also, I will be dedicating this story, as well as my others, to him for a while, so be prepared for that.

But on to a more cheerful note. This chapter is nice and long as a way of saying thanks for being so patient. I tried to update a few days ago, but the site was down and wouldn't let me log in, so sorry about that. A lot will be covered, including finding out exactly how Kagome's mother died, and how her father came to be a slave owner. And…well…I just won't tell you how it ends, you'll have to find out. All I can say is don't hate me…and I'm pretty sure you all know what that means. Thanks for your wonderful reviews, as always they mean the world to me, and hopefully I'll be posting another chapter soon. Enjoy!

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Title: Impossible Dreams

Author: dolphingirl0113

Chapter: Five

Rating: PG-13 (rated for language, violence, and implied sexual situations)

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

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DEDICATION: For Ted Dorsey, the greatest coach I will ever have, the most wonderful and patient mentor I will ever know, and the best friend I could have asked for. Thank you for everything you did for me in my life.

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The days had gone cold once more, the sun practically vanishing before everyone's eyes as though the gods had decreed unpleasant times were coming. Rain pelted the ground, turning the soil into mud and clay, and all the residents of the Higurashi plantation, from slave to nobleman, was holed up indoors.

For Kagome, it was misery in the worst sense, being trapped inside with none but her father, Hojo, and the boy's parents for company, though the cooks, and Sango, bless her heart, would make an effort to trudge through the ghastly weather to help around the house. But for the slaves, the weather was a blessing, because it meant there was no work to be done since the fields were sodden, and, for that fact alone, Kagome decided she could bear her own confinement.

She had taken to lying out on her bed for hours at a time, just listening to the rain falling against the roof and windows of the house, feeling soothed by the sound, almost imagining it was her mother's voice instead of simply a passing storm. She sighed and let her whole body sink deeper into the mattress, allowing the fantasy to take hold, and Kagome could almost see the face of Mrs. Higurashi, with her kind eyes, sitting beside her, smiling.

"Kagome," she chuckled, reaching out and touching her daughter's face. Kagome closed her eyes and indulged in the stolen feeling of warm fingers on her cheek, smiling in contentment.

"Mama," she replied, and would have gone on living in her dream world, except at that moment there was a knock at her door, and the image instantly vaporized into thin air.

Tears threatened the corners of her eyes as Kagome sat up on her bed, smoothing her gown and making sure her hair was decent. Why was fate so cruel to her? Why couldn't she just savor even a simple fantasy, and be with her mother again? Just once?

"Who is it?" Her voice did not betray her inner turmoil, sounding like her usual, cheerful self, for which Kagome was grateful. The last thing she needed was anyone feeling sorry for her. Compared to the slaves out in those ramshackle huts with the leaky roofs, she had nothing to complain about.

"Higurashi? May I come in?"

Sighing in annoyance as she recognized Hojo's voice, Kagome nodded, only after a few seconds of silence realizing that the closed door prevented him from seeing her consent, forcing her to reply verbally. "Of course."

The mahogany door swung open slowly to reveal her childhood friend, his brown locks combed back away from his forehead, a shy grin on his perfect face, a slight blush the only thing marring his otherwise smooth skin. He really was a handsome man, Kagome thought inwardly with a frustrated sigh. So what prevented her from returning the feelings he so obviously harbored on her account?

They stared at one another for several minutes, the sound of the rain mixing with the sound of the clock ticking out in the hallway. "Was there something you wanted?" Kagome finally asked, breaking the silence, though Hojo didn't seem to notice her irritated tone when he responded.

"Um, I just thought you'd like some company. I mean, you've been up here practically every day for the past week. I thought you might be lonely."

"Oh," Kagome looked away, as always feeling slightly guilty whenever he showed such care for her wellbeing and state of mind. Why did he care for her so much, anyway? She did nothing to promote it. "No, I'm fine, I like being alone sometimes, and I don't find it lonely at all."

"I see," Hojo frowned and looked at the ground, "Would you like me to leave then?"

As much as she would have liked to say yes, she couldn't bear to see the hurt expression on his face, and so Kagome found herself shaking her head. "Not at all; I suppose a little company now and then might do me some good."

He smiled at that, his blue eyes sparkling, only making his face look more handsome, and as he moved to grab the chair from where it currently sat at her desk, Kagome found herself observing him more closely.

Hojo had certainly changed, that was for sure. She still thought of him as a gangly boy of fourteen, presenting her, awkwardly, with flowers on her birthday and giving her a shy kiss on the cheek before he left to return home with his family. His eyes had been almost too big for his face, and his hair had almost looked stringy next to his pasty complexion. That had been the last time she'd seen him, because since then it had become too dangerous to leave slaves unattended in order to travel.

Now he was a man with broad shoulders and a back straight with pride. His skin had a healthy glow, his hair seemed fuller now that he had grown into his face, which was far more masculine then she remembered, and his smile was full and kind. Only his eyes hadn't changed; not really, at least. They were now more proportionate, but still seemed large and open and honest, making him seem younger and more innocent then his eighteen years.

His muscles aren't as developed as some men, she thought to herself. Maybe that's what I don't like about him. Or maybe it's the fact that his hair and his clothes are always in order, perfectly groomed. Kagome cocked her head to one side and suddenly imagined what he would look like with silver hair and amber eyes, before blushing and shifting suddenly on the mattress.

Good god, she thought, horrified; was I just comparing Hojo to Inuyasha? She shuddered at the thought, trying to understand what insane idea had prompted such a vision, and yet, now that it was there, it wouldn't go away. Inuyasha, wearing his red jacket and pants; Inuyasha without his shirt on, his lean but firm muscles gleaming under a sheen of sweat; Inuyasha, with his intense amber eyes staring at her sharply; Inuyasha with his cute dog ears that swayed in the direction of every sound imaginable.

Without realizing what was going on, a huge smile spread across Kagome's face as her mind continued the slide show of images, the pink on her cheeks turning into a flaming blush of desire.

"Higurashi? Are you alright? You look warm. You don't have a fever, do you?"

Kagome blinked and turned her head sharply to look at Hojo, putting a hand to her cheek and realizing, with a shock, just how hot it was. What had gotten into her? "I'm fine, Hojo, I guess I just suddenly got a little warm, that's all."

"Oh," he looked away for a moment, and another uncomfortable silence filled the room. Finally he sighed and looked up at her, smiling once more. "So, what have you been thinking about up here all alone?"

"What?" Kagome hadn't been expecting such a broad question, but gladly moved to answer it; anything to get that infuriating hanyou out of her mind. "Everything I guess."

"Everything like what?"

She shrugged. "I don't know; life."

He chuckled. "That's a pretty broad subject."

Kagome blushed again, this time in embarrassment. "Well, what do you think about when you're alone?"

"Me?" It was his turn to shrug. "My family and friends, and what they're up to."

"Really?" It was surprising to hear that he thought about a lot of the same things she did. "Me too."

"What about your family?"

Kagome hesitated to answer, but finally figured there could be no harm in telling the truth. One thing about Hojo she knew to be true was that he was always sensitive about certain topics in her life. "My mother," she whispered, and he looked away.

"Oh, I'm sorry Higurashi, I didn't mean to pry."

"You weren't prying, how were you supposed to know? Besides, I get so tired of everyone avoiding the topic so much, especially my father. It's like you all figure so long as it isn't discussed, it never happened." Kagome felt her temper flare slightly. "Well guess what? It did happen. My mother is dead; and she's dead because she was murdered."

The bold statement caused the normally conservative Hojo to turn slightly red, and he looked away, clearly trying to figure out what to say in response. "Do…" his voice cracked slightly, but he pushed forward. "Do you miss her?"

Kagome nodded. "Every day of my life."

"What do you miss?"

"I don't know," Kagome thought about it for a moment. "I miss her smile. It always made me feel loved in a way nothing else did. It was like her smile would put a warm blanket around my shoulders that made me feel safe and protected."

"She was a kind woman…your mother…"

Kagome jerked her head around and looked at him closely. "That's right, you were older then me, so you have more memories. What was she like Hojo?"

His eyes opened wide in surprise at the question, and he looked suddenly nervous. "I didn't know her that well, I was only eleven. And you weren't that young, Higurashi."

"But I wasn't that old either. I only saw her as a mother. Maybe you, well, saw her more as a woman?"

"What?" Hojo turned bright red then, and Kagome realized how that must have sounded, backtracking instantly.

"Not like that," she assured him hastily. "I mean, didn't you observe how people reacted to her?"

"I…I suppose…"

"What did you see? Tell me, I want to know."

"Shouldn't you ask your father? I'm sure he knew more then I did. I was just a young boy barely stepping out from behind my own mother's skirts."

Kagome looked away. "My father won't talk about her," she whispered. "It's too painful for him to remember. I think he'd be happier if he just forgot she ever lived. That's why sometimes he gets so annoyed with me," she sighed, "Because I remind him of her."

Hojo looked at her seriously. "You don't really believe that, do you, Higurashi? Your father loves you, you know that. That's why he aligned himself with Naraku…to keep you safe."

But Kagome was shaking her head. "No, he aligned himself with Naraku to save his own hide, I just happened to be attached to his leg when he made his vow. And I was young enough that they didn't require me to make my own pledge of loyalty, so I'm not bound to Naraku in any way," her voice lowered to a whisper, "Except by my hate."

The air almost seemed to chill at her words, and Hojo shuddered slightly. "Don't hate others Higurashi," he tried to give her a smile, "You don't wear it well."

Tears came to her eyes. "I can't help it…I miss her so much…and it's his fault…" The room filled with silence again, and neither occupant made any attempt to speak for several minutes.

Finally, Hojo let out a long, soft sigh. "She lit up the room."

Sniffling, Kagome looked up in surprise. "What?"

"Your mother," He was looking at the opposite wall as he spoke. "She lit up any room she entered. It was like she carried sunshine in her eyes and in her smile." He glanced at Kagome. "A lot like you, Higurashi."

She blushed and looked down at the bed, but couldn't help the tender smile now spreading across her lips. Whatever his faults, Hojo did always seem to know how to make her feel better, and this moment was no exception. She could practically feel the sorrow and hate fading from her heart.

"How did others react to her?"

"They always seemed happier when she was nearby."

Kagome nodded in pleasure and pride. Yes, that is what she remembered of her mother too. She just asked Hojo because she liked hearing it from somewhere other then her own memories. "Thanks Hojo."

He gave her a smile. "Any time, Higurashi."

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Inuyasha paced back and forth across the hardwood floor of the hut, grimacing every time a rain drop managed to penetrate the pathetic excuse for a leaky roof. It had been raining for nearly five days, and for five days he'd been all but stuck inside, and his hanyou senses, though restrained, were going mad feeling so confined. Not to mention the fact that Kouga the wolf-man was driving him to the breaking point of his sanity.

"Damn rain," he cursed as another drop of water landed right on his nose.

Kouga was reclining on his bed, and Miroku was copying his example on his own cot, while Shippou had fallen asleep on the floor, curled up by the fire. "You know stomping wont make the rain go away any faster, dog boy," Kouga called out lazily.

"Baka, I know that," Inuyasha snapped back, having had it with the wolf's annoying, snide remarks. "It amazes me that a wolf like yourself actually enjoys being indoors."

"I don't," he replied, still simply staring at the ceiling while lying on his back. "I just figure complaining about it will do me no good, so why bother."

"Well aren't you just a smart one," Inuyasha commented dryly.

"Now I understand why you move so often from home to home," Kouga sighed, and the hanyou glanced his direction, lifting his chin proudly.

"Yeah, it's because of all the rebellions I start."

"No…" the wolf-man yawned. "It's because you drive your masters insane with your incessant babbling."

"Shut it, baka!" Inuyasha made a leap for Kouga's throat, but Miroku managed to stop him just in time, whacking his friend across the head and knocking him away.

"Inuyasha, Kouga, this is no time for a fight. Frankly, I'm not in the mood."

Inuyasha smirked. "Keh, don't want to tend to my wounds, monk?"

Miroku just rolled his eyes and lay back down. "No, I just don't want to go out in the rain in order to lug your dead bodies outside."

"And to think I actually thought you cared," the hanyou remarked. Miroku just smiled in response, and Kouga was about to say something more when both demon and hanyou suddenly turned to the window in surprise.

"What is it?" Miroku asked, being the only one without super-hearing abilities.

"There are people outside," Kouga said in surprise.

"Is that not normal?"

The wolf-man shook his head. "No, when it is raining and the slaves cannot work, Master Higurashi requires all the men and women to stay in their huts, save for the house servants who can make it inside to work."

Inuyasha moved to the small window, which was currently covered in a large, thick animal hide, and pulled it aside, peering into the drizzled mess outside. The jewel had dulled his sense of smell too much to find the source of the voices through the rain, but his sharp eyes managed to catch movement to the right which, on closer inspection, turned out to be a man running to stand under a large tree protecting several others from the rain.

"It looks like a large meeting of some kind," he commented, and Kouga moved to his side to look too, nodding when he saw the same thing. "But what do you think is going on?"

"Who knows," Kouga shrugged. "Probably just taking the opportunity to talk without fear of the master barging in on their conversation. After all, there's no risk of him coming out of his leak-proof mansion on a rainy day, especially with guests in the house."

Inuyasha nodded, for once not arguing with everything that came out of the wolf-man's mouth, and continued to watch the group of men as they huddled close together, clearly talking about something important.

In the time before Naraku, when Inuyasha had been free of the restraints of the black diamond around his neck, his hearing would have been good enough to hear what the men were saying, but now he could hardly hear Kouga above the rain.

"Damn!" He cursed loudly, slamming his fist onto the windowsill and causing the flimsy wood to break off in several places.

"What's the matter, Inuyasha?" Miroku asked evenly, standing up and joining the two men.

"It's nothing," he shook his head. "Only that there was a time when I could have heard exactly what was going on out there, but now I can't."

"So now we'll just have to wonder, won't we?" Miroku put a hand on his friend's shoulder in a gesture of comfort, but the hanyou turned on him with an annoyed expression.

"No, I'm just going to have to spy on them, baka!"

"What?" The man opened his eyes wide in surprise. "You mean you actually care enough about something to go investigate?"

"Keh, why is that so surprising?" But Inuyasha now looked slightly uncomfortable. "If there is a rebellion brewing, I want to be a part of it."

"Me too," Kouga added, moving toward the door before glancing at Shippou. "Miroku, watch the kitsune while I'm gone. He's always at a greater risk then us because he's small."

"So that means I'm not going?"

"No, Inuyasha and I have more tactics with stealth then you would as a human."

"Right," Miroku nodded and sat back down on his cot. "Always the weak human. I guess that's what I get for being friends with a man like Inuyasha."

"Keh," was all the hanyou said in reply as he exited the hut behind Kouga.

The rain hit them full force, pelting their heads and faces painfully, and Inuyasha was forced to pull his red jacket up over his head to protect his sensitive ears as they walked toward the circle of men, careful to not be seen. Managing to walk around to the side of the tree that was currently unoccupied, the demon and the hanyou leapt silently into the branches, the sound of the rain covering any sound they would have made to the dull ears of the men below. Now, in close range, both Kouga and Inuyasha could hear exactly what was going on, and they leaned forward eagerly.

"What you propose is dangerous," one man with a long black beard commented, rubbing his left temple gently, indicating he probably had a headache. Another man with black hair and a clean-shaven face turned to reply.

"It's dangerous, but it can be done. You've heard the rumors about what drove the visitors here. Their slaves revolted, and now they have no where to go."

"But Master Higurashi keeps a close eye on his home. There is no way he'll just let us plan a revolt under his nose."

"So we'll have to do it suddenly, without much complexity or thought." The man with the beard nodded but went silent, leaving room for others to join the conversation as well.

"Why risk attacking at all? Why not just run away?"

"Because the home and family must be devastated, or else they will have the strength and will to hunt us down and bring us back."

There was a long silence, and Inuyasha felt his body tingling with anticipation of what they were saying. A revolt…that meant freedom, if successful. But then, he had led so many before, and none had worked. How could this one be figured to have a different end?

"How would we go about this attack then, if that is what we must do?"

"A raid?" One man offered.

"No, a raid is too risky, and besides, I don't want anything from this place when I'm gone…it will just remind me of unhappy times."

"What about a fire, like at the other home? That would certainly guarantee success as far as destruction goes."

"Yes, but our master could still escape with a fire. We need to make sure he cannot come after us once we're free."

The excitement in his body increased, and Inuyasha could feel his demon blood turn hot. Yes, the thought of killing Mr. Higurashi was most satisfying. The man represented everything he hated…everything responsible for the death of his mother and the loss of his cherished freedom seven years ago.

"So you're saying we have to kill him in cold blood?"

There was a long silence, and it was clear that none of the men liked that possibility, but finally several of them nodded. "Yes, that is the only way. We have to make sure we are not caught once we escape."

"What about the daughter?" One man asked.

"What about her?"

"Well, what do we do about her? You can't expect her to just allow us to kill her father and not do anything about it."

"Lady Kagome does not approve of slavery, and never has."

"That's right…she's always helped us in every way she could, bringing us food and extra blankets."

"But that doesn't mean that once her father is dead and her home gone she will remain so kind."

Inuyasha was feeling something cold growing in the pit of his stomach. He didn't like the way this talk was very threatening toward Kagome. But then, why should he care? She was just the daughter of a slave owner, right?

Several of the men now looked horrified. "You can't be suggesting that we have to kill Kagome as well as her father?"

"If that is the only way for us to be free…then yes."

"But….kill Kagome? That beautiful girl couldn't harm a soul, even if she wanted to."

"So you would rather stay in chains the rest of your life just because of one girl?"

"Well…"

Another silence filled the air, this time with more dread and apprehension then before, and Inuyasha felt the cold in his stomach plummet, giving him a nauseous feeling as he thought of Kagome that day when she had partially purified his diamond, if only for a split second. He thought of the smiles she gave to everyone, and the fierce fire in her eyes whenever he snapped at her and she snapped back.

Kill Kagome?

Could he honestly, in good conscience, allow that?

For some reason, the girl had managed to stir in him the protective emotions he'd felt for his mother. So perhaps that was it. Perhaps Kagome reminded him of his mother. That would certainly make sense. His mother had been just as kind, her smile just as warm, and her eyes just as bright and full of life. Maybe that was why he couldn't stand the idea of her getting hurt, and felt his body suddenly itch to be at her side, to assure himself that she was indeed alright and unharmed.

"Let's not decide anything more today," one man finally said, and the others seemed to agree. "We can meet again to discuss the final details, but…this will have to happen soon, before the master has a chance to catch wind of our plans."

They all nodded in agreement, and one by one dispersed until finally Inuyasha and Kouga were alone, and dropped down to the ground. Surprisingly, when the hanyou turned, he saw that the wolf-man had fiercely balled his hands into fists and had a furious look in his eyes.

"Men can be such traitorous monsters," he hissed.

"Keh, it was not a man who enslaved us, Kouga, it was a demon. Several, in fact."

"Then men are no better than Naraku," Kouga snapped back, startling Inuyasha. "After all she's done for them," he continued, "After everything she's tried to do, and the risks she's taken, they are willing to sacrifice her life as though she means nothing?"

"You mean Kagome?"

"Damn straight I mean Kagome!" He really looked upset now. "She's helped us every chance she gets…given Shippou blankets and extra food since he's still a growing boy…tended to my wounds, and my aches and pains…and yet they still want to kill her."

"They fear what will happen if they do not," Inuyasha replied, trying to push his own feelings of apprehension to the back of his mind.

"How can you say that? Kagome would understand!"

"You don't know that for sure!"

"But I do! She…I…" He trailed off into silence, and suddenly Inuyasha understood. He understood all too well what was going through the wolf's head, and he didn't like it.

"You love her," he whispered, his voice shaky with some unknown emotion, "Don't you?"

Kouga lowered his head, but nodded. "Yes."

Why did that information bother him so? Why did Inuyasha suddenly feel like the wolf-man was encroaching on his territory? Kagome didn't belong to him, he didn't even like her! "So you will protect her, even if it means you sacrifice your freedom?"

"Yes."

Inuyasha nodded, for some reason not having the strength to argue at the moment. His mind was too muddled with the onslaught of emotions that had surfaced with Kouga's confession to care about much else. "Whatever…let's just get back to the hut for now."

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A little girl's laughter filled the silent afternoon as a nine year old Kagome ran through a field of daisies, the sun on her face. The field was completely empty, but as she ran Kagome knew she was running toward something, or rather, someone, and found she was right when a taller figure turned around to face her.

"Mama!" She cried, running faster, her short legs kicking into overdrive as she sprinted for the open arms of Mrs. Higurashi, who was smiling and laughing along with her daughter.

She was beautiful, with short curly hair the color of chocolate, golden highlights seeming to gleam under the sun. Her eyes were bright and beautiful, and reflected the light of the sun as her perfect smile caused everything around her to seem warm and beautiful.

"Mama!" Kagome cried again, leaping into the air, feeling herself caught by a pair of surprisingly strong arms that quickly held her tiny body against a strong woman's bosom.

"Oh Kagome," her mother replied, her voice warm and gentle, and Kagome sighed, closing her eyes and relishing the sound. She loved hearing it more then anything else in the entire world.

"I've missed you, mama," Kagome whispered, and felt the woman nod her head in reply without actually seeing it.

"I know, I've missed you too, sweetheart."

"But we're together now?"

"Yes, we're together now."

"Forever?"

"Forever, my darling." Kagome smiled and clutched her tiny fists, holding large amounts of fabric from her mother's blue gown.

Suddenly the sky went dark, and it was like the moon had eclipsed the sun, because there was total darkness, and Kagome felt her heart clench in fear. "Mama? Mama, what's going on?"

"Kagome, stay back!"

Suddenly there was light again, only this time Kagome found herself inside her home, feeling someone shove her forcefully backward. She was peering around a large skirt, and knew, from the feminine owner of the voice, that it was her mother.

"You think you can just ignore the demands of Naraku?" Another voice, darker and crueler, cackled, and Kagome peered around her mother's dress further so that now she was looking at a tall woman with black hair pulled into a bun. She held a fan over the lower half of her face, and her skin was pale, as though it never saw the light of the sun. But more then that, she had red eyes, and Kagome shuddered at the cruelty within their depths.

"You won't touch my daughter," Kagome heard her mother reply, the usually kind voice hard and full of determination.

"If you come with Naraku, you can be saved."

"I will never do such a thing, and neither will Kagome!"

"Then you shall die." The woman lifted her fan, but at the last instant a hand grabbed her wrist, stopping her, and Kagome saw that the owner was her father.

"No, don't…wait…" He turned pleading eyes to his wife. "Izumi, please, don't do this. Think of our daughter…"

"Kagome would rather die then be cowardly enough to surrender her morals and her soul," Mrs. Higurashi replied, her voice harsh. But then it softened slightly as she looked at her husband. "Don't worry, all will be right…in the end."

"The end of what?" He cried out desperately, still holding the red-eyed woman's wrist so she couldn't flick her fan.

"Who ever knows what the end means?" Mrs. Higurashi replied, and then hardened her voice once more. "I will not align myself with Naraku, and neither will my daughter."

"Then you both shall die," the woman with the fan replied, freeing herself of Mr. Higurashi's restraining hand and flicking her fan down, sending several pointed beams of light at the mother and daughter.

Kagome felt her small body being smashed to the floor, her mother's full weight pushing her into the ground. But more then that, she suddenly felt something warm and sticky dripping onto her hand and, looking up, she saw that her mother was bleeding from her shoulders, her stomach, and…her heart.

"Mama!" Kagome cried in horror, seeing her mother's face go pale, her usually beautiful face marred by an expression of pain.

"Don't cry, child," she replied, her voice just as calm and soothing as it had ever been. Her eyes remained bright and defiant to the last as she reached out a hand and touched her daughter's cheek, though her skin was fast going cold. "I love you, my beautiful Kagome…I love you…I love you…"

Kagome watched in horror as her mother's beautiful eyes closed forever, felt her warm hand go cold and drop to the ground, and was suddenly very afraid.

"Izumi!" She heard her father wail in anguish before running over and turning his wife onto her back, lifting Kagome up off the floor and pushing her behind him so that now the girl was peering around a pair of legs rather then a large skirt. "Don't touch her! We align ourselves, I swear my loyalty. Please, just don't hurt my daughter!"

It all happened so fast that Kagome didn't know what to say or think, and all she could really do was stare at the lifeless body of her mother, still beautiful, even in death. "Mama…" she whimpered.

The woman with the red eyes and the deadly fan smirked, but nodded. "Very well, you will be held to your promise. And to test your loyalty, you will become master to those who do not swear their loyalty to you."

"But…but you killed my wife?" Her father asked, his voice desperate. "Why did you kill her?"

"She would have rebelled," the woman replied simply before glancing once at Kagome, causing the little girl to shiver. The woman continued to watch Kagome as she spoke. "She had fire in her eyes, as does the little brat. Watch yourself, man." And with that, she vanished, and Kagome fell to her mother's side, wailing in grief and inner pain.

"Mama! Mama come back!"

Kagome sat up so quickly she lost her balance and somehow fell off the side of the bed, landing with a thud on the ground. There was a pounding in her head, and she placed a hand to her temple, all the while willing the tears away from her eyes and the pounding of her heart to slow down.

The sound of people moving about below caused her to realize that she had somehow fallen asleep during the afternoon, and that now everyone but her were eating dinner. So what, she decided. She wasn't hungry anyway. She was never all that hungry, and never had been, not since…she shook her head to rid it of the memory.

The dream had been so real. It was the same dream that haunted her sleep from time to time, forcing her to relive the worst moment of her life, watching her mother die again and again.

"Mama," she whispered into the silent darkness of her room, glancing out the window and seeing the moon, clear that night. Two days had passed since her conversation with Hojo, and at long last the rains had stopped, which meant that the next day the slaves would return to work.

"Slaves," she whispered, again hearing the echoes of her voice in the silence. "Is that what you died for, mama? So you wouldn't have to see such cruelty done to others?"

Kagome recalled the woman, who she later learned was called Kagura, smirking at her mother's dead body, and then later grinning in triumph when her father pledged his loyalty to her.

He did it to save me, Kagome thought, and yet, mama died to save me too, or at least, to save me from living this hell I'm in now. What would she think of you now, father? Are you even the man she loved then anymore?

Kagura's cruel red eyes bore into her mind, and Kagome shuddered at the memory. She had looked at Kagome then with cruel understanding, and Kagome knew that the woman recognized her, even at the age of nine, as a potential threat if not kept in check. She knew that was why her father wouldn't allow her to associate with slaves…at least, not if he could help it…and why he kept her locked away in the mansion for so much of her life. He was afraid. Afraid of losing her. And yet, because of his cowardice, rather then saving her, he was killing her every day, killing her along with the love she had once held for him.

Lying back down on the soft pillows of her bed, Kagome tried to take deep breaths and calm her racing heart. But just as she felt sleep beginning to return, there was a loud crash, followed by the sound of shattering glass, and then a scream of fright from a woman, most likely Hojo's mother since she and Kagome were the only two females currently in the house.

"What on earth…" Kagome leapt to her feet and ran to the door, running out into the hallway and to the top of the stairs, only to be shocked to see smoke pouring forth from the kitchen doorway. There was no mistaking it…it was the smoke of a fire, and a raging fire at that.

More glass shattered, and this time there were the shouts of men accompanying it, and Kagome watched as several men…slaves…ran through the downstairs hallway with torches, throwing them at everything in sight, causing curtains, furniture, papers, and the very walls of the house to catch on fire.

Kagome's mouth opened to form words, but none came out. It was like she was watching something through a haze, like she was convinced it was all a dream and would just go away. Until, at least, she saw men climbing the stairs to the upper story, and to where she was.

Thinking quickly, she whirled around and ran back into her bedroom, closing the door and securing the deadbolt before running over and throwing open the window, only to see how high she really was from the ground. The pounding began on the walls and the doors around her, finally reaching her door, and Kagome felt her heart rise into her throat.

She was trapped.