28/7/06

Running. Once more she was running. Running from everything because once more, it was suffocating her. And she hated it. She was only human after all; unless that too is another thing she is to be charged against. Dark hair was thrown behind her as the speed she ran pushed the black strands from her face, her blue-gray eyes, darting about, searching, searching for quick blurs that may prove to be obstacles in her escape. There were none.

Kagome Higurashi drew to a stop as she finished crossing a flower-filled meadow and pressed her back to a tall, sturdy tree, panting, meanwhile slowly sinking to her knees. Without the aid of the wind, her hair now flowed forward, getting in her eyes, sticking to her lips. Impatiently, she tossed it behind her shoulder and tucked it behind her ears. As breathing became easier again, she froze. How far had she run? She didn't know. Where was she now? She found she didn't care, she was away, that was all that mattered. Sweat clung to her brow and she hastily wiped it away with the back of her hand, looking up at the sky as she did so. The sky was a beautiful blue, fluffy white clouds drifting across it, shielding the hot sun. How grateful she was. Leaning back, she relished the shade the tree offered, simply watching. Must be nice to be as free as the clouds. It didn't matter that the freedom was fake. Their freedom was but an illusion because they were constantly ushered by the winds, without the breezes, they couldn't move. But still, they were free. Unlike her.

Looking down into her lap, Kagome couldn't help feeling an empty sensation tearing within her. It was like a frequent gnawing in her gut, always reminding her of the missing touch in her life. All this because of that damned jewel. It started it on her 15th birthday. It is still the cause of her suffering after she completed what she felt was her duty with it. No, the shards were still out there, but it was no longer her responsibility. Not when there was another who could fulfill what she was meant to. She was no longer needed, thus, she was cast aside. There were those who thought otherwise, but the truth of it all was as mentioned. She was but a hindrance and she knew it. Despite what she told herself though, it still hurt; it was, regardless of the sugar coating used to supposedly numb the pain, the ultimate betrayal. She knew that there were people who still needed her to be their friend and for that she was reluctant to leave, but, that was only one strike of comfort amongst the multiple lashings.

A strong sense of defiance rose in her chest. Fine, let him have his way. She was determined to not let his decision grieve her any further. It was pointless. It would do her no good to drown herself in self-pity. It would not help her, much less make things better. Perhaps the happenings were a blessing in disguise. She could start anew. Sort of, anyway. She didn't want to return to her time permanently, doing so would admit defeat. No, she would continue to do her part, from afar, and leave trails for them to do theirs. They would never have to meet again. Maybe, just maybe, this would all be for the best.

Her powers suddenly felt a tug. What? Was it a shard? No, someone was coming; her senses had merely picked up on someone's energy signature, warning her. She didn't have the energy to run, nor fight for that matter. She got up and moved behind the tree, hiding herself from view in the dark shadows. Whoever was approaching was human, as far as she could tell, so no worries. She had but to be silent and wait for them to finish their business and leave. Rustling, the person was walking through the grassy meadow. A pause before sounds of the foliage shifting, signifying he or she had sat down, or crouched, or lied down, whatever. Shit, that would mean they might be there for a while. There was silence but for the gentle sounds of the leaves brushing amongst the trees and the distant twittering of birds. And then, it shattered.

"I know you're there. Who are you and what do you want?"

Kagome felt her heart skip a beat, whether in fear or anxiety she didn't know. She chose to ignore the guy the voice proved to belong to and hope that he wasn't addressing her. Even if it couldn't be such a coincidence another person should turn up. Not that she believed in coincidences.

"How troublesome. If you don't want to answer, suit yourself."

The silence then returned. And lasted. Until, that is, it looked like the sun finally chose to start setting, because according to the sounds on the other side of her tree, the guy rose and started to walk away, before all sounds vanished, as did his energy. She waited. How long had she sat there? In all that time, the guy barely even talked to her, much less try to harm her. So, a harmless stranger, perhaps? Who knew. The sun was now disappearing quite quickly, along with the light it offered. Time to move. She stood and stretched; her left foot had fallen asleep. Looking around and seeing no better alternative, she began to walk in the direction she had heard the guy approach, in hopes of finding a village. Soundlessly, a dark-haired shinobi emerged from the shadows at the higher branches of the tree she had previously been sitting under, watching her disappear from his view, wondering who she was. She had not known he was there and that was a point to his advantage as he silently followed above her, careful to continue masking his chakra and aura

TBC