After the Mask (Secret of the cursed mask game sequel)

Part 7

My body jerks, causing me to wake up rather abruptly. It must have been my dream to wake me up because everything else is dead silent. I'm glad I woke up though, the nightmare I was having wasn't doing me any good.

Looking around the dark room, I see everyone still soundly asleep. I sigh in relief to see Sesshomaru also resting peacefully. He seems to be in a better condition than a few hours ago. I'm really glad, because we were all so worried. I wouldn't know what to do if he died.

Wow, do I hear myself? Sure I'll be sad, but 'wouldn't know what to do' sounds like.... Is that truly how I feel? I suppose so, or it wouldn't come to me it if it wasn't true. I don't lie, not even to myself... well, most of the time that is. I rub my temples to shake off the bad dream as it still lingers and attempt to get another few hours of sleep.

...........

When I awake for the second time, the village is already in a bustle. Looking next to me I find the figure of Sesshomaru gone. As a matter of fact, the place is empty. Jumping to my feet I rush to the door, only to almost bump into Kaede. "Grandma Kaede, where is everyone?"

"Hmm, by everyone I'm assuming you mostly mean Sesshomaru." she asks pointedly. I blush at this, feeling like she caught me with my hand in a cookie jar. "Don't worry, he went off on an errand. Rin is outside playing with Shippo with the toad watching of course. Inuyasha is who knows where, I think he said something about the smell of Sesshomaru getting to him."

I frown. "He went on an errand you say? Was he really fit to do so?" I ask feeling worried.

She shrugs, "He seemed pretty decent. Even still, would him feeling bad really stop him?" she wonders.

I smile slightly, realizing the truth in her words. "Probably not. Is there anything I could do for you while I'm here grandma Kaede?"

She nods. "If you could get some water that would be nice. My back isn't what it used to be and Inuyasha is no help at all."

I nod in understanding. "Then I'll do that." I say picking up a narrow mouthed jar.

I walk back and forth carrying a few loads of water to Kaede's hut to last two days. After I set the jar down I stretch myself, my back popping slightly. Still in mid stretch I feel arms wrap around me while a giggle sounds in my ear. Shocked I turn around to find the culprit to be a slim girl of my age with long black hair, dressed in a knee length dress. "Kagome?!" I hug her back tightly.

"Kaname, I'm so glad to see you! And here of all places!" she smiles, happily surprised.

I laugh as we let go of each other. "I know right? I'm glad to see you too. How have you been?" I ask.

She shrugs. "Oh you know, the usual. But hey, I just visited your place the other day and I was so shocked to find you gone. I took a shot and hoped to find you here and I was right it seems."

I nod. "Yep, I came back two weeks ago." I explain.

"I see, you'll have to tell me how you did it." And so I explain things to her at the best of my abilities.

"Wow, so you haven't tried to go back yet huh?" Kagome wonders after listening to my story. I shake my head. She seems deep in thought for a moment, her brows knitting together in a frown.

"What's wrong?" I ask, almost afraid to do so.

She looks back to me, "Well, you know how last time you were gone and came back only hours later?" I nod at this. "Well anyway, it seems time passes pretty consistent this time. You follow the same time frame as I do when I go here." she explains.