InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Kagome's Diary ❯ The Journey Begins... ( Chapter 11 )

O_O It's scary. I was IMing my boyfriend and within that time I got four reviews. I really appreciate you guys, but it was over-whelming because I had NO idea what was going to happen next in this story. I had this excruciating writer's block, plus I had been spending time on stories for the contest, but I think in the end I'm not going to enter it after all. I am really happy that this story has attracted so many readers, and I'm pleasantly shocked at how many reviews I have! I just have to avoid writer's block and procrastination. Well, without further ado, the chap.

 

The silence was so thorough, except for the rain drumming on my bedroom window, that when my door creaked out of the quiet I nearly jumped out of my skin. Two dark eyes became level with mine. They were filled with brimming curiosity and deep confusion. Two figures trailed her elongated skirts, a patchwork of colors and fabrics. The three shuttered in unison as they drew in a simultaneous breath.

 

When she took her lips apart to speak I desperately wished I were invisible. She was breathless, looking at me as if I was now a stranger to her.

 

The figures filed in, and soon my room was filled with four apprehensible girls, three staring at me: the one feebly on a cold bed. I must have looked a mess. At one time I called them friends—I could have said that we knew each other more than any other four beings in the world. As time stretched on and my life became encompassed with a time that wasn't even my own, however, we had drifted apart. Locked in my chamber of silence, I had felt more detached from the three girls who wholly represented the normal aspect of my life.

 

Though the three had made movements to do so, none spoke. I didn't feel entirely there, and I had a deep sense of that the occurrence was that may have perplexed them. “Kagome—” began Yuka suddenly, but she fell silent as abruptly as she had spoken. The air around us was thick without the obstruction of sound and it tightly strangled me. I knew I had to speak…before one of them could.

 

“Where is he?” I hardly managed to croak. They all exchanged looks.

 

“See, that's what we don't get—after—what you two—I mean—what happened—that is to say—um—between you—I'd think—” Eri's speech stumbled, and came to a halt at my sudden movement.

 

I was up, off my bed, on my feet and staring. The wall was fixated, unrelenting, right back at me. The three surveyed me with the sort of matching expressions reflecting a newly gained certainty. They were assured that my actions were now entirely unexpected.

 

“Kagome?” began Arimi, looking somewhat care-worn. I managed a small nod of recognition. “What happened?”

 

“He doesn't believe me…” I returned, appearing more surprised than they at the volume and swiftness of my reply. “…doesn't…know…” This seemed about as coherent to them as a dolphin's chatter. “…he thinks it's a joke.” Collectively, their eyes widened. I knew what they were thinking…I didn't care to correct them.

 

“You give it up to him—and he thinks it's a joke?!” squeaked Yuka, looking appalled. Speech was abandoned for a moment.

 

“Where is he?” I repeated, feeling my face contort into an extraordinarily firm form. Again, the trio locked gazes and unlocked them quickly, furtively communicating in a wordless language that had now become slightly foreign to me. Yuka, who I guess I'd consider the group speaker, released a great sigh before taking a step toward me.

 

“He left.” It was confirmation, only to convince the half of me immersed in denial of what I had already known deep down. I knew where he was and where he was going. The faces of Yuka, Arimi, and Eri became blurred and undistinguishable, as of someone had just slipped a pair of prescription glasses over my eyes. I knew I had to follow, and I felt braver than I ever had. The question of what I was to do when I got there plagued me at the back of my mind. I disregarded it—I had to fight my uncertainty. I left my room and not another word was spoken.

 

 

When I reached the foot of the stairs my family stopped talking avidly and attempted to act normally. Mom, of course, simply retained a fixated gaze at me. The three, Sota, Grandpa, and Mom were sitting at the kitchen table. Grandpa had hitched a newspaper before his wrinkled face, and Sota was choking on someone else's cup of coffee he had snatched in his nervousness. I wandered to the refrigerator to gather food to pack. When I started cooking, I felt a familiar weight on my elbows. Like old times, my mom was guiding me as I cooked. I glanced back to see the tiniest trace of a smile about her lips.

 

When I finished packing, I entered the living room, only to be met by the final three people I would encounter on my way out. Hojo was silent—and if I wasn't mistaken—tear-stained; he did not look up at me. Roga wasn't sitting on the couch, as Hojo was, but was standing, gazing out a window at the rain. He turned to me and approached, as if ready to say something, but only a somewhat audible exhalation came as he turned away and joined Hojo on the couch. Out of no where, the nameless “butter ninja” appeared and swept somewhat low, then swooped his body straight once more in a vigorous bow. “Thank you for your sugar. I must be going.”

 

“But it's dangerous out there,” I said, automatically.

 

“You're going,” he retorted, a strange expression on his face. My eyes shifted away from his dark head and I opened the door before me, stepping out onto the watery slush coating the ground. Rain splattered against my head as I opened the pink umbrella gripped in my right hand. I heard the faint click of the front door behind me being closed. The “butter ninja's” voice floated to my turned back. “You going after him?”

 

“Yeah,” I said, “I am.”

 

Through snowy puddles, I trudged over to the shrine. I drew the door open as if it were a curtain. At the sight of the dusty relic of memories—of a different dimension of me—I was brought to the very first time I saw Inuyasha. His tin-colored mane drifted up and down in the slight spring breeze, his perfect features unmoving, as if he were simply a memory confined by the tree he was bound to. I remembered the slight stammer of my heart when I touched him—seemingly lifeless—but looking so utterly peaceful it made one want to trade their freedom simply to enter a sleep of such tranquility.

The memory made my heart ache a little, but recounting times with his conscious self were so much more excruciating. I was frozen, staring at the portal to the storybook realm, flipping through the mental picture book of memories—looking through the snapshots of happiness and pain I had experienced with him—missing them both. I wanted to collapse and feel the release of a popped water-balloon, to siphon the burning of my eyes and the scorch marks of my insides outward…

 

But I refused this desire, swallowing the throb in my throat; I marched to that well and rested my fingers on its gnarled skin. I closed my eyes sensing its age—almost hoping I would fall into slumber, that way becoming unable to blame myself for backing out of the harsh journey. Before I was conscious of it, my eyes were open and the only thing returning my gaze was the well, seeming to beckon with it's small melodious creaks.

 

I must have stepped up onto the well and dove in out of pure habit, for I soon discovered myself plunging into the chilling walls of Time. My feet had hung through nothingness for a few moments when they groped for the earth that my toes kissed. Besides the twitter of birds, I heard nothing else. A brilliant river of sunshine greeted me, but did nothing to give me anything remotely resembling cheer. I was unable of feeling happiness, but was deemed miniscule relief at the fact Miroku, Sango, Koga, and Shippo's voices could not be heard. This was a mission of one, and I was terrified of what state they would have seen him in…now that I had been doing everything I need to with no excursions that I could avoid, they could plausibly cause me to turn back.

 

Using the vines that clung to the inner walls of the well, I hauled myself up and out of it. There was no sign of the others—nor—as I had expected—Inuyasha.

 

The wind floated across the sky gently, as it had the day I had first met him. Why I hadn't been permanently unsettled by what had happened between Kikyo and I before I had returned home this last time, I didn't now know. “You know there is no other choice, Kagome…” she told me, “the remaining jewel shard imbedded in Kohaku's back needs to be removed. The time has come for swift change. The end is near. I fear you may suffer the ends of a priestess…loneliness and loss.” I'm still not sure, but I think I may have sensed a spiritual power…like a jewel shard…but the swampland we were at had a strong vapor that made it hard to sense anything at all. If she only spoke about Kohaku's shard—then I think she might have Koga's already. She seemed restless…as if she that her plan would work…

 

While Kikyo has the same prerogative as we do, to destroy Naraku, I know I can't come anywhere near to understanding her. She has experienced something I can't even begin to comprehend. Years ago she killed who she loved, then suffered death herself, only to be dragged into the world of the living in a body of clay—soulless—only to thrive off her hatred. Because I don't know, I can't understand her, and maybe it's my jealousy, but her presence chills me. I guess I can't label her good or bad—but her words about how I'll suffer loneliness…seem more irking now than before. She not only spoke with me, but Inuyasha. “You can always find me…” Her only words to him I heard.

 

I don't know if I hate Kikyo, but if I do, I still resurrected her and I never tried to hurt her either. I guess even if I get jealous I have nothing against either Inuyasha or her, but…but…I can't just sit idly by…

 

 

Feudal Era - Night

 

Basically, I've gotten nowhere.

 

The only fragment of a lead I have is that I should be searching for a jewel shard. The problem is I haven't sensed one yet. There isn't one cloud in the sky—so whatever sort of apocalypse happening in my time isn't a result of the collapse of Time. You sort have to worry about that if you travel through it—I mean no one else (that I know of) besides Inuyasha and me have done it, who knows what the consequences are. Obviously, whatever is going on in my time is some sort of event indigenous to the time and dimension of my home.

 

I still haven't seen any sign of the others. Since Koga joined it's been easier to find them, as he has two jewel shards in his legs—then again, he may not anymore. It sort of makes me worry…with what means did Kikyo obtain them—if she did? I'm also worried about Kohaku. Last I heard, he was traveling with Kikyo—well not exactly last I heard…it was a while ago…and he obviously wasn't with her the last time she paid us a visit… I know Kohaku is exceedingly loyal to her; I wouldn't be surprised if he willingly gave up his shard… It leaves us all in quite a predicament…I think Kikyo suspects Naraku knows of her plan—she is so on edge lately. She's the sort of never be visibly irked by much, so its extremely disconcerting to see someone like her so anxious.

 

At least I managed to make myself a campfire. I don't think I've ever been alone this long in the Feudal Era. I'm in the middle of some woods, and I've hardly seen a human soul. I've been in the Feudal Era a couple days now. It's been a relatively tedious and uneventful journey. I've run into my fair share of demons, but none were too tough, I managed to beat `em by myself. But then, if I hadn't I'd be dead by now.

 

I never realized how quiet and desolate this place can get. With the others—and even just with Inuyasha before anyone joined us on our quest for the shards—there weren't many empty or lonely moments. It really makes you appreciate having companions when you travel. I've already figured out, though, that this journey's going to be one I make on my own. I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to depend on Inuyasha ever again…

 

When you think about it, he doesn't need me anymore. The remaining shards are either in places we are aware of or in Kikyo's position. Actually, right now he needs her more than me…

 

To think that I may never have another special moment with him causes me to lose it sometimes. I can't think this way! I can't drive myself into depressions like this! Especially right now, when I'm all alone and I can't be weak—there are evil creatures and people more than willing to take advantage of my weakness. Inuyasha needs me to—to—well he needs my help, but then…he might not want it. But I guess you can need help and not want it—but what if he doesn't want it or need it? Maybe I just can't figure out what I'm going to do if and when I see him again.

 

If…that's so frightening, to think that it's possible that I couldn't stop it—that he could be…

 

Gone.

 

Oh no! I so SICK of fighting these things—I'm running out of energy. There's something—it could be someone—rustling in the bushes nearby. I hate this forest…so dark and ominous.

 

…well, I know it's not someone who wants me to see them. “Who's there?” I asked. All that did was cause the rustling to stop. At least it's something small—maybe a gopher or something.

 

Alright! I hit it! It made a grunting noise! Well, if it's some sort of animal, maybe I can eat something that wasn't ruined by the shampoo that exploded inside my backpack. There's always ramen, but I'm so sick of that stuff…I'll be lucky if it's something not totally disgusting…but then who wants to eat a gopher or badger…or a cute little rabbit?

 

Dammit! I can't find the stupid thing! It's somewhere in these bushes I know…

 

 

I can't believe this.

 

At least I'm getting real good at this adventurer thing! I brought some rope so I manage to bind the scoundrel. I don't know what idiot Jakken meant by spying on me, but there's no way I'm letting him go without a straight answer. As he's Sesshomaru's little vassal, he probably knows important stuff. It's possible he knows something about Inuyasha's whereabouts…but not likely.

 

“Tell me why you were spying on me…Jakken?” It's been awhile since we've ”chatted.” Sesshomaru's caused us trouble in the past—so naturally Jakken's been somewhat of a problem-causer, as well. But I'm not mean or anything. Inuyasha would have kicked the guy's scaly little ass…I mean, I tried to spoon him some cup of noodles. It's not my fault the toad's so paranoid he won't eat it. Sesshomaru's Inuyasha's half brother. In a nutshell, they hate each other. When we first met Sesshomaru he was a pretty evil guy…a human-hater too, so he's always felt Inuyasha's “defiled the bloodline” of demons he comes from by being a hanyou. Since he started traveling with this cute little human girl named Rin, though (no one knows where she came from), he's changed a lot.

 

I still don't trust Jakken, though.

 

“I am—damned mortal, why would I give such a brazen girl, such as yourself, such knowledge? NOW LET ME GO!” He's been screaming the same command for the last ten minutes.

 

“Look, I know you're up to something, so just admit it,” I say, forking some ramen into my mouth. His lizard-like eyes glare at me.

 

“You foolish humans—you die in the blink of an eye and you waste your lives crossing demons. Why do you all seek death so persistently?” Though he's probably the most annoying two-foot tall thing I've ever come across, he's actually pretty hilarious to listen to.

 

“You're the one tied up, so why don't you just answer my questions and be set free?” Usually my smiles coax people easily into things—but Jakken's pretty immune to them. He's pouting so bad I can't help but giggle.

 

“How dare you laugh at me, pitiful mortal! LET ME DOWN NOW!!! I, THE GREAT JAKKEN—”

 

“Why were you spying on me?!!” I just lost my temper, I mean, god, enough is enough. I may not look all that threatening, but the fact is I'm the captor and he's at my mercy. There's a short silence as he pouts more, this time grumbling to himself.

 

“Why is it that you must record all of this in script, girl?” he sneers, “your race is pathetic.”

 

“Need I remind you that I could KILL you if I wanted to!?” I cry, brandishing my bow and quiver. Suddenly, Jakken seems a whole lot different. “I shoot sacred arrows, and if one of these babies should—let's say—accidentally—pierce through your heart, I'd say your demon life would be shorter than my mortal one.” Of course I'd never kill him. I mean, that'd get Sesshomaru pretty mad, no one wants someone like him pissed. I think he's even stronger than Inuyasha, who despite being a hanyou, has destroyed many demons in his day. He's even come extremely close to annihilating Naraku, perhaps the most powerful demon I've ever seen. But Sesshomaru, I'm sure, could kill him if he REALLY wanted to—and though he says he wants to kill Inuyasha, he still hasn't…

 

But anyway, I wouldn't want to get Sesshomaru mad—you'd have to be dumb to do that.

 

“I spied in order to gain knowledge about the location of the jewel shards…I wanted to gather them for my lord.” That is SO a lie. Sesshomaru has no interest in shards. Never, when I have carried them, has he ever shown even the slightest craving for them. I know he wants to beat Naraku, but he has so much pride that I doubt he'd ever use any sort of enhancement for his power. The Shikon Jewel all together can grant a wish and give demons immeasurable power…the shards alone can give them a good boost/

 

“You're lying.” At these words, the little guy seems really panicked.

“How do you—”

 

“I have priestess powers, your mind was more impure at those words—I sensed it.” Not true, but I have to get him to believe that I know when he's truthful or not. I'll get him to spit it out in no time. He seems relatively easy to crack…not that I've really “cracked” people—or demons—that much…or really…ever, but…yeah… Well, he's totally sputtering and freaking out. It looks I got this one in the bag…

 

“I—I—hrmmm….” Now he seems deep in thought…I can almost see the little wheels turning.

 

“Tell me…or else…” I say, jabbing his arm with an arrow. I feel kinda mean—but then, I've always hated it when people spied on me—I became a beast when Sota did it. Whenever he's caught now, he just runs before I can start screaming…and throwing things.

 

“Well—well—I was going to capture you,” he sighs, looking very sweaty.

 

“Capture me?” I almost laugh at the vision of short little Jakken trying to carry me away… I think he notices the smile on my face because now he's frowning at me again.

 

“Yes! I thought, perhaps, if I captured you I could lure Inuyasha to Lord Sesshomaru. I am certain my master would enjoy slaughtering the lowly half-breed, as his fortune surrounding Naraku's defeat has been relatively bad… That weakling Inuyasha—”

 

“He's not weak!” I jab him again.

 

“Ow!” He rubs his shoulder, looking at me reproachfully, “…anyway, he…values you…for some reason, above much else…”

 

“Yeah right, why don't you try capturing Kikyo?” I spat bitterly, before I could stop myself.

 

Great, now I'm in one of those depressions again. NO WEAKNESS! I won't be able to SURVIVE if I let this sadness devour me… I feel sickened that he's actually laughing at me…maybe I really WILL hurt the little—

 

“Do I sense a little jealousy?” His smile fades substantially at the look I give him, “…that's right…the half-breed is no where in sight… Has he abandoned his love for you?” Now his smirk comes back full force, I wish I could REALLY hurt the little bastard. “Will you stop that incessant scribbling? What are you, a scribe?” I give him a dirty look. There's a pause, but I know he'll talk again. “Now I've answered your questions…SO LET ME GO!!”

 

 

I'm—I'm going to die. I think—because there's nothing else I can do—I'll just recount my sorry death on this paper, for someone to find and put in a museum in my time.

 

“You heard him…let him go,” I heard a cold voice say behind me. I knew who it was without turning. I was as good as dead already.

 

“SESSHOMARU!!!!!!!!!!!” screeched Jakken with jubilation. My ears pleaded for relief from the piercing of this high-pitched cry. But my thoughts repeated one thing.

 

Sesshomaru…I'm dead. It was quite clear. I was caught quite red-handed. His trusted vassal was tied to a tree just in front of me. I turned and stared up at the great dog demon, his chrome hair falling about him and big fluffiness cascading downward. His armor gleamed menacingly in the moonlight. I was immersed in silent prayer, awaiting his response, though there was a definite possibility none would come, Sesshomaru's not exactly the big-talker.

 

Well, that's where I stand. I wish he'd talk. Maybe soon he'll just suddenly whip out and rip me to shreds with his poisonous claws…

 

“SHE BOUND ME!!! THIS WITCH—THIS HORRIBLE MORTAL—SESSHOMARU, KILL HER!!!” I wanted to stomp on the idiot, but I doubt that would improve my situation.

 

“How could have you been so foolish Jakken…to be captured by a mere human girl.” While I have a ton of huge relief inside that he's blaming Jakken, I still am ticked about how he said “mere human girl.” What I don't get is why he hates so much—and if he does—why he travels with one then? And anyway, what does he DO with Rin…it seems when he's dealing with something or someone he puts her in some sort of safe place.

 

“BUT MY LORD—” He looks down with his cold eyes at me—it's totally frightening.

 

“…why are you writing?”

 

“Eeep!” All I can do is try to keep what I'm writing away from his view…can't really talk.

 

“—MY LORD,” continued Jakken, “I WANTED TO CAPTURE THE MAIDEN TO LURE INUYASHA SO THAT—”

 

“I currently have no interest in that half-breed.” He walks over and with one swift swipe the robes are reduced to a little pile… HEY THOSE COST SOMETHING!!!!

 

“What are you going to do to…her?” Jakken cackles with this expression that totally creeps me out.

 

Now Sesshomaru's just staring at me without saying anything. …I AM going to die…That means I'm never going to see my family—or Inuyasha—OR ANYONE AGAIN!!!! Wait. Cool! He just turned with that swoosh he has to leave me alone! YAY! I'm NOT going to die, after all!

 

“But….” HA! The look on Jakken's face is priceless. He's just frozen there staring at me with disbelief.

 

“MY LORD!!!” he screams, chasing after Sesshomaru. I just realized something…

 

“WAIT!!!” Well, this probably would look weird to other people. A freaky-ass, midget lizard guy chasing after this tall, pretty-boy demon, trailed by a weirdo girl who can somehow write as she runs…

 

I can't believe Sesshomaru stopped for me. Jakken, apparently, can't believe it either. His jaw probably will his the ground soon.

 

 

Alright…well…that was sort of odd—and kind of dangerous. Sesshomaru's sort of unpredictable. Like none of his emotions surface, so if he's pissed at you, there might be no sign and an instant later you might be lying dead on the floor. Well, at least I got the info I needed.

 

Me: Sesshomaru—can you smell Inuyasha? Just tell me which direction he is from here?

Sesshomaru: … *stare*

Me: *sweating now*

Sesshomaru: Why should I do this for you? *icy stare*

Me: … *sweat* …why not? How would it hurt you if you did?

Jakken: Why not?! My lord would NEVER want to make that useless half-breed happy!!

Me: It wouldn't necessarily make me happy—it would make me happy. You see, he's sort of mad at me right now and—

Jakken: My lord has no time for your prattle, brazen girl!

Sesshomaru: Silence, Jakken.

Jakken: Yes, my lord…

Sesshomaru: …….

Me: …um…are you going to say some—

Sesshomaru: He is far to the west from here. Out of these woods. There are no people in the place where he is.

Me: Any clay?

Sesshomaru: *stares at me weirdly* …clay?

Me: Never mind.

Sesshomaru: Why you waste you energy and life with that deplorable excuse for a half demon is something I shall never understand. *SWOOSH*

Jakken: HMPH! *turns, swoosh-less*

 

At least I'm closer to finding Inuyasha…the only problem is I know that I will also have to face Kikyo. I don't really know what I mean by “face”—I really have no idea what's going to happen when I get there. “You can always find me…” When Yuka told me Inuyasha had gone, I knew exactly where.

 

To Kikyo.