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

Part 13

We all sit at the low table in the living room after having dried ourselves off. Sesshomaru's next to me and my parents in front of us. My mother still sniffles now and then. It was quite the emotional reunion. Feeling awfully awkward at the silence, I clear my throat.

"So you are the one Kagome told us about?" asks my father as he tries to stare Sesshomaru down. Unfazed at this, he just nods. "It seems that way." They both pick up their cup of tea and take a sip, not breaking their stares. Sweat dropping at their curious behavior I turn to my mom for help. She shrugs and whispers, "It must be a guy thing." I nod.

Eventually we all talked it through, including former issues about their denial. After dinner I find myself in the kitchen with mom. "I'm glad you're back sweetie. You'll be safe here and you can look forward to going to school again, although I'm afraid you can't apply anymore for this semester." I just stare ahead of me as I wipe dry the same plate over and over, not knowing how to reply. I don't want to think about that yet. I'm not ready to say goodbye to the Feudal era once more.

Mom takes notice of my silence and puts her stuff down before turning me towards her, making me look her in the eye. Her eyes widen in realization. "Oh honey." She hugs me tightly. "You're happy there aren't you?" she says, fully understanding.

I nod at this. "But he won't take me back there." I mutter in her shoulder, revering to Sesshomaru. Mom sighs at this. "He must be worried too. Maybe it's for the better. No one will try to kill you here." I pull away from her rather harshly, "I'd take that for granted." She gasps in shock at my words as I put the plate down and run outside.

After gazing up into the night sky for half an hour to seek some form of comfort there I decide it would be best to go inside. Who knows how long Sesshomaru will stay?

Stepping into the living room I see my parents looking rather solemn. "Where is Sesshomaru?" I ask them, seeing him not there. "He's leaving sweetie." my mom says softly. My eyes widen before I bolt back outside, running around the shrine to the pond. How could he leave without saying anything?

I turn the corner just as Sesshomaru jumps in. "Sesshomaru!" I rush into the cold water myself but he's already gone and I'm stuck in my own time. A tear falls down my cheek as the feeling of sorrow engulfs me. "How could you just leave like that? I didn't even get to say goodbye." I whisper as I stare down at his blurry reflection, before pulling myself together. "I'll find a way to return, to become stronger. That's a promise." I tell him with conviction.

He smiles lightly holding up his hand, a small item clasped between his fingers. Looking at my hand I notice my ring is missing. Smiling at him I say, "Take good care of it, because I'll come to take it back one day." He nods before disappearing when one of our koi swims by.

~Sesshomaru

I walk on towards my home once again without much news. I've been searching for Naraku's son, but only hear rumors or find small traces of his scent that is very much like his fathers'. I did pick up that my brother had a run in with him and didn't get off unscathed.

Releasing a sigh I notice where I wandered off to. I haven't been to this clearing ever since I left her back in her own time. I'm not surprised to see images popping up here and there. I'm most surprised though when I see Kaname herself. It seems she's keeping up on her promise as she sits there meditating hard, a glow surrounding her and I can feel her strength stretching out pat the barriers of time. Maybe, just maybe she will become strong enough.

I'm not sure what to think of this. I wouldn't mind having her back, but not if that will put her in danger. I guess it will be up to her though. If she wishes to be here so badly, I won't stop her if she can make it. But whatever the outcome, she's working hard for it as it is. It's an admirable feature of hers. Once she has her mind set on something, she'll make sure to get it done. I'm not surprised if one day she will become the most powerful human in existence.

Feeling like I'm torturing myself by standing here and looking without allowing myself to reach out, I decide I overstayed my visit. That girl has been messing with my head for too long now. I decide I will not return here again until the day comes where she can return for herself... if that day comes. I walk off, fully conscious of the ring that feels to be burning a hole in the flesh of my chest as it hangs there on a slim chain clasped tightly around my neck. I did promise to take care of it after all.

~ Dad

I look on as day in day out, my daughter works herself to exhaustion. She runs, meditates, fights imaginary foes and what not. It's painful to watch, but she won't listen to reason. She has her heart and mind set on the goal of returning to the past. She ignores everyone who comes to see her except for maybe Kagome. What could be so important for her to throw everything here away? Is it that demon?

I sigh as I hear her shout out again and I sense her power. It's giving me goosebumps. People who visit the shrine look around confused; some even grow scared, saying there are ghosts here. Kaname's powers affect the people nearby. There is no stopping her is there? My little girl...is not so little anymore. She is a smart woman, and maybe I'll just have to put my faith in her instead of working against her. Maybe I even have something that might help her...

~ Kaname

I have decided that to grow stronger, I will have to learn new things, and what better than to learn Utsugi's attacks? After all, she was really strong. So that is what I have set out to accomplish for the last month or so. I feel that I'm close to reaching that power. It's only just one step away. I can remember how she used that attack on me, 'light of judgement'. That was one painful attack to endure. Just as I'm about to try the attack, I'm interrupted by my dad.

He hasn't been very happy with me the past month but today his face seems awfully calm. "Come Kaname. There is something I have to show you." he urges. Intrigued, I stand up and follow him inside. There he opens a closet, pulling everything out until he can reach far up the top shelf.

He retrieves a box. It's a long slim box and dusty to say the least. Putting it down on the table in the living room he motions me to sit. As I do so I see my mom leaning against the door frame with a knowing smile. "Kaname, pay attention." I hear my dad say. I turn back to him, my form ridged. "I'm going to give you something that will defiantly make you reach your goals."