My Guardian Demons by Akae Imoto

Reflection

I own nothing! Only Rumiko Takahashi has the power!

Dreams

'Thoughts'

"Regular Talk"

The sky had been cloudy all day and reflected the mood of our situation. Naraku's cronies faced us head on as Naruku loomed threateningly behind the pack.

"Hello miko."

"What do you want Naraku?" His voice sent shivers down my spine but I refused to show it.

A dark smile spead across his features, as if he could see through my tough facade. He answered with equal malice.

"The Jewel."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the demons charged.

They went after each of my friends, but could not get to me. Sango, Miroku, Kirara...they had jumped in front of me and were taking most of the attacks. I wasn't sure what to do when suddenly a demon broke through my shield of friends.

"Kagome! Run!" shouted Sango as she tossed her boomerang bone at the attacking demon.

I shook my head and began to scream that I wouldn't leave them to die, but as Kirara transformed into her largest form I saw they weren't giving me a choice. Searching the battle field for Shippo I finally found him ducking behind a tree. Dodging around demons and my friends I snatched up　the kit in my arms.

"Kirara!"

The fire cat dashed through the scene, fighting her way through. As soon as she was close enough, I stuck Shippo on her back.

"Go to Kaede's village!" They both looked at me as if I had lost it, but]I allowed no arguments as I pulled my bow from my back, taking aim at an approaching a demon.

"I'll cover you!"

I shot an arrow at a toad demon and hit the mark. I looked on in despair as the others turned to me as soon as it disintegrated.

"There! The Shikon Shards!" hissed one.

"Kill her!" commanded another.

Kirara bristled, ready to fight to the death, but she paused, remembering my words and took off into the air. Once they were out of sight I took off in the opposite direction towards the holy stream.

'Stay safe guys,' I thought as I kept running.

Desperation set in as my sides began to ache, but I couldn't stop; our lives depended on me making it to that stream! My feet carried me till I could see the water, but moments later they slid out from under me. I stumbled and fell inches away from my target. Bracing on my elbows I tried sitting up when a sharp pain bore itself into my side. A scream racked my body as a demon bit into me.

At that moment I woke up quickly, sweating and panting.　I gave a quick glance around the perimeter. Wiping the sweat from my brow, I sighed. It was only a dream, but I paused. That　wasn't entirely true. The scars on my body proved my dream was anything but just a dream. It had been a week since the incident.

Since they had all died.

Shaking my head clear I decided now wasn't the time for those thoughts.

My arms stretched out and patted the space next to me feeling for Shippo or Kirara, but when I realized that the floor was empty and cold, my eyes widened in fear. I noticed I was no longer in company of Kaede, my little demon, or the fire cat. Slipping out of my sleeping bag I walked around the hut until I found the door. Peeking out of the door, I saw Kaede and Shippo bowed over my friend's graves. Shippo had a white flower in hand that he somberly placed on Inuyasha's grave. Kirara and did the same while Kaede said an old priestess' prayer. Shippo began to sniffle, and seconds later began to cry.

Walking up behind them, I hugged the sobbing kit. Cooing soothingly, I repeated "It's alright Shippo, it's not your fault," until my voice didn't sound like my own.

'Your right,' a voice inside me whispered. 'It's yours'

I squeezed Shippo tighter, trying to silence the accusations in my head, but the damning echo forced tears from my eyes.

It was becoming clear that we didn't belong here anymore.

______________

The next day I had my bag packed and on my back, ready to leave this place that had once felt like home. Standing by the well with Shippo in one arm and Kirara in the other, I told Kaede good-bye before climbing in. When I dropped, I expected to be covered in the florescent pink light that signaled I was traveling to my time. Instead, a bluish green light came at us brightly. My half of the Jewel began to glow bright purplish pink and I felt something burn within me. Though I wanted very badly to clutch at the jewel burning into my heart, I knew I couldn't unless I wanted to lose Shippo or Kirara in the time stream. Then, as suddenly as it came, the well's lights disappeared and the Jewel faded back to pink. We landed at the bottom of it with a soft thud.

Groaning, I looked up and saw a clear sky above.

'Did I leave Sengoku Jedai?'

Climbing to my feet I glanced around the well until I found the vine creeping up the side. I let the kit climb up first before following them out.　Once I pulled myself to the top I saw the well had taken us to a field that held a pond in the middle.

Shippo and Kirara looked on in awe.

Shippo sniffed the air." Momma, where are we and… what happened to you?"

A question mark shot to the top of my head. What was he talking I was…One glimpse at my hands, I no longer saw delicate fingers but small, stubby fingers...round sausages made me immediately think of food....　I ran for the pond with Shippo and Kirara at my heels. Staring into its debths, what I saw shocked me! A child　with blueish black hair and blue eyes stared back at me. She wore over sized clothes and had many bruises over her arms and face. She couldn't be much more than thirteen.

My breath caught in my chest when I realized that she was me!

Two shadows appeared behind me and in the ponds reflection I saw the kit and cat. Worry began to fill　in my eyes as I faced them.

My voice came out more shakily than I intended as I spoke. "What happened to me?"