InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Trials of Subsequent Time ❯ Unsettling Dreams and Unsettled Hearts ( Chapter 2 )

Trials of Subsequent Time

Chapter 2: Unsettling Dreams and Unsettled Hearts

~*~

Bewildered, Inuyasha knelt on the ground and sniffed the crisp autumn air. His searching hands felt the grass where the well should have been. Something felt very wrong to him, as if a power that had never been discovered was lingering at the site.

Kagome was oblivious to the world as her thoughts carried her away. What would she do if she couldn't get home? Would her mother ever get over the shock? Did Inuyasha even care?

Inuyasha stood up and focused on the faint outline of the rising moon. Unable to look Kagome in the eye, he tried to avoid her gaze. What would he tell the devastated girl? It hurt him to see Kagome like this.

Kagome couldn't stand the silence any longer. "Well, what do you think happened?" Dreading his answer, she pleaded with her eyes for a positive response. Noting Inuyasha's face when he turned to her, she lost hope. His expression told her that he knew nothing of this, although he would hate to admit ignorance.

~*~

"Will we release the next obstacle now?"

"Patience; the time will come soon. We do not want to rush things. Let them become used to the new developments before we throw in more."

"I understand. I feel as if we are about to torture them. My conscience is against such things."

"Since when do you have a conscience? Well, if it makes you feel more at ease, it's for their own good. Tell that to your conscience."

"I know that you are having similar thoughts. I can sense it on you."

"You're ridiculous. If I had a conscience, I would have destroyed it a long time ago. Such annoyances only make you want to undo the permanent, making you feel guilty for not succeeding at this impossible feat."

~*~

Kagome followed Inuyasha back to the three sleepers. Climbing into her sleeping bag, she wished the hanyou a goodnight, before losing herself to tormenting dreams.

Making himself comfortable against a tree, Inuyasha locked his golden eyes on Kagome's dreaming figure. She looked so peaceful in the moonlight. Wondering what she was thinking about the bizarre disappearance, he in turn let himself doze off.

~*~

"I still think that Kagome's obsession with her home will get in the way! Can't you see what I'm getting at?"

"Hai, but what do you propose we do about it? She may not go home, or all our work will be in vain."

"So, if she can't go to her era, why don't we bring her time to her?"

"Ah, I think I see what you're getting at. I agree that this is a good idea, but be very careful. We don't want this to make her more homesick."

"Right. Let me deliver our little gift. You can concentrate on the next event."

~*~

All night Kagome fell into a fit of terrible nightmares, causing her to twist and turn in her sleep. She awoke several times in the waning night sweating and gasping for breath. Deciding to give sleep one last try before she threw in the towel, Kagome positioned herself in her sleeping bag once more.

When Kagome's eyelids closed, she felt as if her soul was being yanked away from her. In front of her, she could see her mother slumbering peacefully in her era. Souta was just in the other room with a similar appearance. `Well I'm glad they're doing alright. I just wish that I could check up on them every night' she thought in her dream state. Something inside of her was telling her that this dream was real. She felt as if she were watching her house from a telescope. It was all very far away, and very untouchable. Why did she have to be tormented even in sleep?

Her eyes snapped open and morning sun flooded her senses. Sitting up, she examined the area. The blanket that had recently been occupied was now forsaken and bare. On her left was the tree that Inuyasha had slept against. He, also, was missing. What was going on?

~*~

Miroku leaned on his ancient staff in puzzlement. The well was clearly gone, but there wasn't the smallest sign that it had ever been there! Not a single blade of grass was out of alignment. Bending down to eye level, he noted that an anthill had formed in the center of where the well used to reside. Well, this definitely was no illusion! Standing up, he watched Sango and Shippo come to the same conclusion. Gesturing to a nearby Inuyasha, the four conferred on their next move.

After showing the others the newest mystery, Inuyasha wandered back to where Kagome was still sleeping. Seeing her befuddled expression, he plopped down next to her, a sympathetic expression on his features.

"Kagome, I was only showing Sango and Miroku the spot where the well was. We are going back to Kaede-baba. She will have some answers for you." Watching hope fill her eyes, he sighed. When she was so depressed he felt like a shattered mirror. Angry with himself for becoming so emotional, he shook his head to clear his thoughts.

~*~

The short voyage to the village was as silent as a midsummer night. Four sets of feet monotonously pounded the ground, occasionally setting up small clouds of dirt. Kagome focused her gaze on the ground, never letting herself doubt Kaede's powers. When they reached their destination, Kagome looked up at each of her friends. `I don't deserve such loyal friends' she mused.

Entering the hut, the group found Kaede sitting cross-legged on the hard floor. When Kaede saw that she had visitors, she immediately stood and greeted them all. They each took a seat, circled around the dying embers of a once blazing fire. Noticing Kagome's somber expression, Kaede waited for the younger miko to state her purpose in coming.

"Kaede, we came to ask fro your advice." Urged on by her friends, she continued, "Something strange has happened. The well near the Goshinboku tree has disappeared! We found no trace of it ever existing! Please, you must help me," Kagome pleaded.

"Do not worry Kagome. I will do what I can. Please, explain this in detail." Kaede was now enticed and curious, in spite of the fear on Kagome's face. She had never heard of anything substantial like a well just disappearing into thin air before. Perhaps Kagome had angered a god?

Sango took over and explained a little better. Shippo curled up in Kagome's lap in an attempt to comfort her. Inuyasha merely stared into the dying flames, making no movement.

"I see. Well, this will require some observation and research. I cannot just give you the answers that you seek right away. I will go to the site where the well was."

~*~

Once again gathered around the vanished well, Kaede was lost in thought. For what felt like hours she stood there, birds chirping in the surrounding forest. Finally, Kaede nodded to the others to say that she was done.

Turning, she addressed the group. "I can sense something very powerful here. It is like nothing that I have ever felt before, or anything that I could dream of! This foundation is seeping with magic that should not be toyed with by mortals. Inuyasha, can you sense it?"

Noting Kaede's astonished expression, Inuyasha became nearly as curious as the aged miko. Lying face down on the grass, he sniffed the mound. After a second, he shot up and backed away.

"Kagome, that is not magic that I have ever dealt with." Turning to Kaede he questioned, "What does this mean Kaede-baba?"

Kaede could only return the questioning look. "It means Inuyasha, that whatever magic was used on that well will not be destroyed by any of us. May we never tangle with the owner of such immense omnipotence."

Moments passed with only a small chirp from a nearby cricket. Kagome fell to her knees in denial. "Inuyasha, there has to be something we can do. I have to go home. Why did this happen?"

It was Kaede who answered. "It wasn't your fault child. The answers are unclear, but I assure you that I will search for them."

~*~

"So they observed our power on a miniscule scale. Heh, I'm surprised that they were even able to detect it."

"You underestimate them once again. Another night or so and the child will be able to face our challenge."

"The hanyou will be by her side, so she will be strong. I am not worried about the beginning. It is only the end that concerns me."

"Of course sister. Do you believe that I have different ambitions?"

~*~

A few miles away from Kaede's village, a warrior sheathed his sword. Horses pranced all along the crowded road as his men prepared for the upcoming battle. The warriors of the West were on a mission.

The leader, dressed entirely in black, mounted his horse. There would be many deaths before this business was ended.

~*~

Hisa kata no

Hikari nodokeki

Haru no hi ni

Shizu kokoro naku

Hana no chiruramu

Translation:

In the eternal

Light of the spring day

The flowers fall away

Like the unquiet heart.

-Ki No Tomonori