InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Masquerade ❯ Chapter 9 ( Chapter 9 )

**Disclaimer: Nope still don't own em *snaps her fingers* but I do own this nifty Inu Yasha wall scroll and I definitely own Shihara. She's mine so back off! *Sticks out her tongue* **

Symbols: "..." Talking

'...' Thoughts

~ The Masquerade: Chapter 9 ~

Long elegant fingers gripped the arm of a black leather chair. Rose colored lips parted releasing an impatient sigh as her claws tore through the material. Rising from her seated position Sethia slowly made her way across the room. She gently pushed the lilac strands of hair that had carelessly fallen over her shoulder back behind her pointed ear. A wicked grin formed on her lips as she brought her liquid mercury eyes to meet her reflection in the mirror.

The black slits that are her pupils dilated and her eyes glazed over. A blurry image of a room appeared in the mirror. Slowly the image sharpened and became clearer. There in the mirror was Kagome lying on her bed sleeping. Shihara sent a silent command to the sender of the image. The picture moved as Buyo jumped up on the bed and looked down at the unaware girl.

Shihara's pupils returned to the normal slits and her eyes cleared. After brushing the tangles from it she quickly pulled her knee length hair up into a high ponytail. Walking out of the bathroom, she made her way to the kitchen where the phone was. Picking up the receiver she pushed the numbers she needed to and sat back waiting for the person to answer.

"Hello?" came a female's voice.

"It's time" was all that was spoken in a voice too deep to come from the body it had.

A gasp could be heard from the other end of the line. "You're back?!? I thought you died..." the feminine voice trailed off. "You're going after both it and the girl aren't you?"

"What I want is none of your concern. You know what you are supposed to do. I know you won't fail me." Red flashed through her eyes as the girl on the other end of the phone screamed. Without waiting for the woman to recover she hung up the phone. `Now that it is put into motion it shouldn't be long till I have what I am looking for' she thought with a smile.

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A groan slipped from her lips as she rolled over in her bed yet again. She closed her eyes tighter in an attempt to keep the sunlight out but only succeeded in causing the painful throbbing in her head to become worse. She heard a knock come from the direction of the door right before it opened. "Get up sleepy head!" her mother's cheery voice rang. Another groan came from her as she buried her head under her pillow.

Mrs. Higurashi sighed as she pulled open the curtains in her daughter's room. "Come on dear, you've slept passed three o'clock. It's time you get up!" She waited for a minute to see if Kagome was going to move. When she didn't Mrs. Higurashi walked over to the sleeping girl. In one quick movement she pulled the sheets and the pillow from her daughter's bed. She heard a grunt come from the figure. Putting her hands on her hips she took in a deep breath. "HIGURASHI KAGOME GET YOUR LAZY BUTT OUT OF BED THIS INSTANT!"

Clasping her hands over her ears in a desperate attempt to make the sharp pain go away she shot up into a sitting position. "All right mom, I'm up... I'm up" came her mumbled reply. Suddenly she realized she has no clue how she got home. `Hell the last thing I remember is Eri making a big to-do about the host of the party and myself.' She was pulled out of her thoughts when two hands were thrust in front of her face. One holding two small white pills, the other holding a glass of water. Smiling slightly she took the pills and downed them, chasing them quickly with the water.

Handing the now empty glass back to her mother she looked up with questioning eyes. "How did I get home last night?" She watched as her mother smiled a smile that seemed to light up her entire face.

"The nice gentleman you went to the party with, dear." Mrs. Higurashi got a whimsical look about her, "Such a nice young man and with the most gorgeous auburn hair too. Oh and those..."

"Mom!" Kagome glared at her mother, a blush rising on her face. "That's just wrong! Don't ever talk like that or look like that about one of my friends in front of me ever again!" She let out a huff in embarrassment and looked away from her now giggling mother. What her mom had said finally sunk in after her mother had slipped out of the room and her embarrassment subsided a bit. `I don't know anyone like she described.' Shrugging it off she slipped out of bed and made her way to the closet. After picking out her outfit for the day she started for the bathroom to run herself a bath.

Her body sank lower in the bubbles as a sigh escaped her lips. `I've got to go back today, but I don't think I am ready to.' Standing up Kagome pulled the small round rubber plug from its place. She watched as the water slowly drained from the tub. Another sigh parted from her lips as she stepped from the tub and began to dry herself. After stepping into a pair of blue jeans and slipping on a tee-shirt she exited the bathroom.

Kagome packed the last of her clothes into her suitcase then placed it next to the door with her other belongings. Her shoulders slumped as she looked to the multiple large suitcases and bags. She was determined to finish finding the jewel, defeat Naraku, and finish this thing once and for all before she returned home again. The only problem she was having now was how to tell her mother she wouldn't be coming back for a long time, if at all. `No, I mustn't think like that.' She chided herself.

Taking in a deep breath she glanced around her room once last time to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything. Something glittered in the sunlight on her nightstand near her bed, catching her attention. A bewildered look crossed her face as she made her way over to investigate. Reaching the nightstand she saw a gold necklace lying next to her picture of Inu Yasha. Gently she picked it up, noticing immediately the heart shaped pendant hanging from it. Upon closer inspection she noticed a seam running along the side of the heart. Grasping the pendant between her fingers she slowly pulled it open. Kagome gasped, tears slowly falling down her cheeks, as she looked to the pictures snuggly tucked away inside. Unclasping the chain she brought it up to her neck and secured it there. `You will forever remain near my heart, Inu Yasha.' She thought as she tucked the locket safely under her shirt.

She carried the last of her bags out in somewhat of a daze. She still couldn't believe how well her mother took the news of her leaving like she was. And to top that off she was still in shock about the necklace her mother had given her. A cold breeze blew across the yard causing her hair to whip wildly about her head. Kagome stiffened when she felt a very familiar presence. She turned to face the direction she could feel the aura in, all the color drained from her face when her eyes met hauntingly familiar cold black eyes.

"Hello, Higurashi Kagome."

Kagome dropped her bag and brought her hand to her mouth trying to stifle a gasp. Her mouth opened then closed in a failed attempt to speak. After what seemed like an eternity she managed to find her voice, "Kikyou…"

AN: This is no where near as long as I would like it, this just seemed like a good place to stop to me. Anyway, I know a lot of you were looking forward to the next chapter so here it is. And as always, thanks to ALL you wonderful reviewers out there!