InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ New Life ❯ Chapter 17 ( Chapter 17 )

Year: 1535
Month: March

Kagome dreamed that night, the herbs Kikyo had given her taking her into a deep sleep. She was back in that place. A storm was brewing. She stood in a field, once again 10 years old. He had told her that her mother was dead. She knew this was a lie though. “What is this place?” Her head shot to the side and up in surprise. Chi was here with her. Looking across the fields, she prevented her eyes going to the place that stood toward her left. There were fields everywhere she could see. Suddenly, the sky lit up brightly as lightening flashed over it. Glancing at Chi, she saw her frown. “I smell… something odd.” She remembered this night well. When the police had sent her to her mother, she had had the nightmares every night for almost a year and a half. She dropped her head, shielding her face from view as a shiver fought to reach her. It was still early.

Kagome didn't want to go to that place but knew she had to. She would not be able to do so until it was over. Once all the events played out as they should. “Kagome, you will answer this Chi.” As she spoke, Kagome watched the surprise appear on her face. She had her own voice. This was different.

“This… was my home for a time.” Her voice was a soft whisper. Closing her eyes, she pleaded for it to come and whisk her away.

“Why have we come here?” Kagome shrugged, running her hands along the tops of the tall grass. Anger formed deep within her and yet it broke apart before it could affect her. She could never really hate him. “I do not hear your thoughts.”

“You wouldn't. This is… a memory from deep within. Something I have buried for a long time.” Lifting her head, she took a deep breath to ready herself. She smiled sadly toward Chi. “It's time to begin.” Chi appeared confused.

Turning to her left, her gaze landed on the house. It wasn't big or expensive, but it did bring good memories from her youth. Before her mother had fled in the middle of the night, afraid for her life as well as the life of Souta. She had been 7. Squaring her shoulders, she took off at a run, knowing that this is how it had happened. She felt Chi next to her, moving with silent questions.

As she reached the house, she paused, attempting to stop her hand. It hovered only momentarily before opening the door. Fear filled her very being. Chi stumbled back, growling darkly. “You fear? There is nothing here but a human.” That was the very reason but found she couldn't speak.

“Kagome?” She swallowed and moved to the kitchen. Her eyes became cloudy.

“I'm here Daddy.” Looking up, she flinched. He was at the kitchen table. That cup with that liquid was in his hands. Even though she had told her friends that she missed her father and that he was the best, she had been lying somewhat. Her father had been a drunk. Because she looked like her mother, he took his anger out on her.

Moving to the fridge, she pulled out a juice and grabbed her schoolbook. Sitting at the table, she began to work on her homework. He was watching her. Chi stood to her right, watching her father. She could feel her unease. “What are you working on?” She could hear the slur in his voice and remained focused on writing. “Is it history? I was good at history. You want some help Little Light?” It was his nickname for her.

“No Daddy. I don't need any help.” She heard the cup set down. She tensed, knowing what was coming. He leaned forward suddenly, grabbing the book. She heard Chi growl angrily. Even as she pulled the book back to her chest angrily, sliding out of the chair, she looked with wide eyes as Chi swung for her father.

Her arm completely passed through him. Chi stumbled and for once in her life Kagome saw shock appear on her face. “How…?”

As Kagome attempted to leave, her father grabbed her arm. She glared at him. “Let go of me Daddy.” She saw the anger instantly. She tensed, awaiting the impact. It came soon after. His hand left an imprint on her cheek. Tears formed in her eyes. It still hurt.

“You little brat. You will respect me! You will learn respect if I have to beat it into you.”

“Leave me alone Daddy! You're hurting me!”

“You will be silent!”

“No Daddy, I won't! I want Mommy!” Kagome gasped as the fist connected with her jaw. She felt the crack and screamed in her mind. It still hurt.

While she was stunned, her father lifted her while Chi was attempting everything, she could to stop him. He carried her to her room and slammed her down hard against the bed. He then leaped on her. “You little bitch! Don't you ever say that to me again!” His fist connected with her belly, chest and face. A choked scream slithered from her mouth. Instantly, his hands clenched around her throat, squeezing. After a couple minutes, she blacked out.

When she woke, she winced. Her father was gone. Rising, she got out of the bed and looked at Chi. Chi was fuming and for once showing some emotion within her. That was odd. “What happened to your guardian?” Kagome looked down. Taking Chi's hand, she walked out of the house, escaping her father. Lightning flashed overhead, giving the evening an eerie look. Kagome ran, her hair trailing behind her. Chi could see the pain she was in. Leaning down, she lifted Kagome into her arms and Kagome pointed. Soon they arrived at a large tree. In the tree were markings. Chi fell to her knees in shock and agony.

There before her, chained to the tree with unbreakable chains wrapped around it was Kagome's Guardian. It looked fully healthy and yet it was gone. It had become mortal somehow. Anger bloomed as tears fell. “How?” Kagome looked down, her own tears shimmering. Chi nodded. Kagome would inform her when she was ready. Obvious it was a painful experience. Honestly though, it looked more like her guardian was sleeping. Was it still alive then? Chi gazed down at Kagome thoughtfully. What did this mean?

Kagome gently cupped Chi's cheek to catch her attention. Focusing on her, she eyed her. “What?” Kagome pointed to the sky. High in the sky something had changed. The wind began to blow more fiercely. It pushed and shoved at her. Chi set Kagome on the ground and looked up in awe and fascination. What was this? Kagome mentally scowled. Tugging on her clawed hands, Kagome began to lead her toward the house. She could feel it. It was time. Thankfully, Chi decided to follow.

Kagome flew through the grass knowingly. It was back to that place. She ran inside, hearing the TV in the living room blaring. Talk of a twister coming alerted her to the fact it was almost here. As she rushed into the living room, she heard the familiar sound of the sirens blaring in the distance. The wish to have it all blown away filled her. In that instant, she fell to her knees, praying. `Please take it all.' Kagome stayed like that a few more minutes. The sirens became more imperative though. Whirling, she searched for her father.

He was on the couch. “Daddy!” It caused intense pain rush through her as she found herself forced to scream his name. He had after all, broken her jaw. It only came out as a croak. She rushed over and attempted to shake him awake. He was passed out. The smell of liquor hit her strong. She shivered and hesitated. No, he was her father! Kagome's grown mind faded into the mind of the young Kagome. “No! Daddy wake up! A twister coming Daddy! Wake up!” It hurt like crazy to talk but she just simply had to wake him up.

Suddenly her memories hit her. Backing up slowly, she shed tears. Whirling, she ran out the door. Her feet took her to a cellar located about 50 feet from the house. Struggling to open it, she was surprised when it opened easily. Rushing downstairs, she reached up and shut the door, locking it. Whirling, she climbed into the bed and brought her knees up. She began to rock back and forth. The sound of thunder rocketed through the dark sky. A whimper escaped.

Chi was in shock. It was if Kagome no longer saw her. As she chased after Kagome, her skin prickled in warning. Something was coming and it was powerful. As they reached the cellar, she saw that Kagome was struggling. Reaching down, she found herself able to meet the door. Opening it, she followed Kagome downstairs. Once she was seated on the bed, Chi found her heart aching. `What had done this to a child Kagome?' Moving onto the bed, she took Kagome into her arms and held her. Kagome's shivers soon died.

It was then the thundering increased. Something began to yank at the cellar door, almost as if something was attempting to suck them up and out. Looking at Kagome, she saw her asleep. Rising, she looked around and froze. It was then she realized exactly what had happened to the guardian. Before her stood a look alike of Kagome down to the last detail. This was a child as well. The child smirked evilly before moving toward the door. She realized too late what this look alike was trying to do. It was trying to destroy her. “She shall be taken by my Lord as his Queen and then the Heavens shall bow.” The child's voice was dark. It slithered inside Chi's very soul. She felt true fear. Was Kagome really this powerful then?

Whirling, she leapt on the bed and tucked Kagome against her, holding her there. `They will not take her.'

Suddenly, Kagome opened her eyes. It was the feeling again. She was about to be sucked towards the open cellar door. She would hold on though. For some reason though, she wasn't budging. The need to fulfill the necessary actions of the dream filled her as she attempted to struggle. Glancing behind her, her eyes widened. It was Chi. She was keeping her safe. Whirling, she folded herself into Chi's chest, holding on. She didn't want this. She wanted it to end happy. In that moment, grown Kagome prayed a prayer of protection. A large power sprang from her. It unwrapped from her as though she had been given a gift. It reached out. She heard a sudden loud scraping crash and gasped. He was gone. He was gone forever.

The sound of the twister faded, and she stared up in awe at the blue sky. Suddenly a screech of anger had her whirling. There before her now stood a look alike. She was an adult. Looking at herself, she realized she was an adult now as well. Her power furled around her like a flame, soothing. The look alike glared at Chi. “You ruined it! She was so close! If she had just let go, she would have been ours!”

Chi glared at the look-alike. She wrapped her arms around the still battered Kagome. “You will not have her.” Kagome blinked in surprise. She whirled and ran. She ran to her tree. To the one creature she had left that was familiar. Her guardian.

As she reached the tree, she curled up against her guardian. Wasn't there some way to go back? She remembered a time when her father had been a loving and devoted father. What had happened to him? What had caused him to change so very much? Her guardian didn't move. She never moved. Tears glittered as she closed her eyes. Why her? With that, she was able to slip into wakefulness, her physical body not showing any of the damage she had received. It would hurt though.

Chi arrived as Kagome closed her eyes. She could feel the connection coming back. In that moment, the guardian opened her eyes and Chi's eyes widened. It was… her… In that moment, she felt it shift somewhat. It was an odd memory, but it was one of her own memories. She watched the dark Kagome appear and scowl at the guardian. I'm done with you. It's time to kill you.

As the dark Kagome touched the chains, the guardian's eyes snapped open. As the chain fell away, the guardian flung herself forward and wrapped the dark Kagome within her. “We will become as one. She is meant for far greater than your master's bride. My Lord has demanded this. She will unite the fallen and redeem them of the darkness.”

The dark Kagome's eyes widened in shock. Chi's eyes widened. She never knew she had her own memories kept from her. So, she was both a fallen and yet a guardian? A thought came to mind. `I am yin and yang. The light and the dark? So, what am I?' In that moment, she saw light and dark flare against each other, combining. In that moment, she found herself awakening once more. So, who was she really?