A Light in Guiding Darkness by Striking Falcon

The Start of Loss

{Disclaimer: Today, I have two things to dispute. One: Inuyasha doesn't belong to me. Two: This fic idea doesn't belong to me. It totally belongs to Jeffs. Should it suck (which it probably won't but you never know) then bother him. He gave up the idea and I ran with it. As a matter of fact, I'm still running! Muhahahahah!}

!!!!!!READ THIS FIRST!!!!!!

First things first:

This is not my idea. This is a sort of spin-off of Jeffs 'Kagome, Where Are You?', which can be found on AFF, FF and MM under the same name and title. I thought the idea was really cool, and couldn't wait to try it.

There will be no trace of the cannon universe in this fic. For those who've never read KWAY, you really should. That way I wouldn't have to explain what's going on. I'm feeling rather lazy these past few days. I think it's the oncoming summer weather that's getting to me. I have a lot of planting to do as well.

Oh, but I digress.

For those that are too young to read it, or just can't find the web site, I'll try to give you a dry version of the story. In KWAY, Kagome and Sesshoumaru are sucked into this vortex inside this chaos cube. It takes them to different words (One being the Alien vs. Predator world {hyper cool}) with varying degrees of danger. Along the way, they learn to trust each other, even coming to the point of loving one another.

On one of the worlds, Kagome's kidnapped from Sesshoumaru and taken to Vlad Tepes. It's soon discovered that this world is ruled by vampires, and that what humans and youkai left in the world are terrified of them. Other world versions of their friends are either dead or the enemy, with Naraku the second in command under Vlad. Kagome is bitten by a vampire and defeats the curse, but not before the order is sent out to destroy her twin in this world. Sesshoumaru lays waste to everything in his path, gets Kagome back and helps her to break free of the vampire curse. The vampire capitol is destroyed and an entire clan is dead due to 'a few simple spells' on Sesshoumaru's part.

Later, Sesshoumaru learns that Inuyasha and Kikyou of this world are vampires, and that his twin and Jaken are long dead with his twin chained in hell. He and Kagome use the Tenseiga to call to it's twin, there-by waking the sword and sending it toward either Kagome or Inuyasha of the vampire world. The Kagome of the vampire world is warned that danger is coming, and Kagome and Sesshoumaru from the cannon universe go along their merry way.

Well, I tried to summarize it at least. Can't I get some credit for that?

Anyway, that's where Jeffs leaves us, and goes along with the rest of the story. I'm going to stay in the vampire world with Kagome, and see what we can do about bringing back the western demon. After all, every good dog has his day; don't you agree…

If anyone has a better title, tell me. I'm more than open for suggestions.

Oh, and for further warning, those that are familiar with the original story will notice a few new characters. Nothing too major, but enough to warn you about so I thought to in advance.

Now on with the fic…

A Light in Guiding Darkness

_Chapter One: The Start of Loss_

The crescent moon shone brightly above the sleeping village, the beauty of the night shielding the devils that lie within from cautious eyes. Livestock protested the ominous night, as if they knew of the torment that would soon begin.

And on this night, Kagome Higurashi slept unawares, the luminescence of the foreboding crescent playing upon her sleeping face…

*

`Kagome…`

She tossed fitfully, somehow twisting the plain sackcloth sheet around her form.

`Kagome…You hear me…I've come to warn you…`

In her dream, Kagome stood in nothing but darkness, her eyes stretching as her pupils dilated enough to leave cyan rims around them. "Hello? Who's there?"

`I'm coming to you Kagome…`

Kagome peered into the darkness, watching as a single pinpoint of white winked at her in the distant horizon. "What on earth…"

`See me Kagome…See me and see your destiny…`

Kagome stumbled forward, tripping over the unknown as she struggled to touch the light. It became marginally larger with each step, until finally she stood before a portal about her size. "What do I do?" she asked aloud. "Should I go forward…"

The light suddenly pulsed, then flashed forward, illuminating the land Kagome previously traveled. She gasped in horror; the ground she once took to be solid was nothing but a barren wasteland and the twigs and branches were the broken bodies of human and youkai alike, their unseeing eyes staring at her pleadingly, their agony in death evident even to Kagome.

"Great Kami-sama…"

`See your past…See your present…`

The sky rumbled, lightening flashed and in the distance stood the nightmare of everyone in her village.

"Tepes…"

He smiled at her, his hordes gathering behind him at his silent command. The face shifted, becoming not Dracul but of another, not as powerful but still as frightening. He gestured to his armies, his crimson eyes glittering darkly. His cackle sent chills down her spine while his finger extended to her.

"Kill her," he whispered, his voice both seductive and deadly. "Leave no trace. These mortals must learn."

The army charged instantly, gleefully scouring over the land littered with the dead. Each snap of bone and squelch of trampled flesh made Kagome's stomach lurch unsteadily, her breathing sporadic and labored as she gripped the edges of the light.

`…Step into the light…`

Kagome did so without hesitation, the last thing she saw from the other side were the screaming faces of the fiends in league with the bloodthirsty creatures while the light sealed closed. Kagome gasped, drinking in the purer air greedily before taking in her surroundings.

She stood on the edge of a clearing in some forest far away, the denseness of the trees around her leaving her to wonder about her safety as the sound of woodland creatures fluttered around her. A well sat in the middle of the clearing; it's very presence seeming to entice her, drawing her closer to the cool, clear waters.

`See your future Kagome…`

Kagome peered over the edge, seeing nothing but her reflection before swirls of white smoke. "Smoke? In water?" Kagome mused as the smoke began to take shape. "is it possibl-Is that me?"

She started at the image before her, a matured version of herself lying on the ground with a silver haired…

"What is he?"

`You have much to do Kagome…`

"Alright!" Kagome shouted to the air around her. "I've had just about enough of this! If you're a ghost, then you'd better beware because I'm a miko!"

The voice chuckled merrily, as if it expected such a reaction from her.

`Of that I am aware. That's why they chose you…`

"Chose me? Why? For what purpose?"

`See the well my Kagome…my mistress…`

Kagome peered into the well, huffing in annoyance when she was once again greeted with white smoke. "This is getting old…"

`You have much to see miko…`

Kagome watched as the smoke swirled into some sort of shape, though what it was was cloudy and unclear.

`You must release the beast…`

The smoke changed to a white haired vampire. It was crouched over a defenseless child, draining the poor girl dry with its face in the crook of her neck. Kagome grimaced, sympathy for the girl and anger toward the demon who quickly stole her life away flooding from her very soul. She gasped when the vampire looked up, watching as the triangular ears on top of his head swiveled, his blood red eyes darting back and forth through the passing wind.

`Resurrect the savior…`

The vision shifted again, this time to another silver haired being. He stood chained to a jagged wall, the little creatures surrounding him jeering and tormenting him mercilessly. Yet he took their torture graciously, fearlessly even as he stared at them through clear, golden eyes. "Beautiful…"Kagome whispered, unaware that she voiced such a thought.

`And sanctify your country…Only you can do it my Kagome…`

"Yeah, well, I don't see how," Kagome argued back. "I'm only half trained. What does any of this have to do with me?"

The scene in the well changed drastically, becoming one of utter chaos. There was burning, vampires screaming, stones moving of their own accord

…and in the center was the voice.

`They come for you tonight, my mistress. You must escape. You must not let them catch you!`

"But-"

`The capitol burns and they seek your blood for retribution! You're safety lies in he who no longer walks this Earth! Seek him out Mistress, as I seek you! Find him and bring him back!`

"But-" Kagome stammered, stumbling away from the well. "I can't leave-" Kagome shrieked as flaming hands turned her around, the face belonging to them slowly melting underneath the inferno engulfing it. It shook her fiercely, Kagome's wits scattering to the wind as it howled

`They come for your life tonight! Hide in the woods Kagome! THEY'RE COMING FOR YOU AND THE CITY BURNS!!!!`

*

"CONSTANTINOPLE BURNS!! KAMI SAVE US ALL!!!

Kagome's mother jolted from her slumber, up and moving before her mind was fully aware. She darted into Kagome's room, pausing at the door a moment before reaching to comfort her. "Shhhh…" she whispered comfortingly, soothingly even as Kagome continued to scream. She settled down beside Kagome, hugged her gently and rocked her from side to side. "Shh my child. It's alright."

Kagome continued to sob, her eyes still wild and panicked in the silvery light spilling into the window. "Whatever it is, it'll be ok," Kagome's mother reassured. "Just tell Mama what it was, and you'll see. It'll go away."

"But Mama, it was so awful," Kagome protested, but did as her mother told her. Her mother paled soon after, realizing that the soft glow around her daughter's form when she first entered the room was more than the moon. She tipped Kagome's head back to brush her tears away. Kagome blinked instinctively, blinded by the light streaming into her room before focusing her mother. "What do you think it means?" Kagome asked finally, her voice still shaking from her sobs.

"I'm not entirely su-" She stopped, then peered closer into Kagome's face. Kagome backed away, but gasped when her mother clamped her hands to the sides of her head and held her still. Kagome's mother released a shaky breath, then blinked back tears before grabbing Kagome's arm and jerking her to her feet.

"Mother!" Kagome cried as her mother dragged her from her room and down the hallway to the main area. "What is it?"

"You're dream was more than a dream," her mother explained quickly. "It's a sign."

"A sign? Of what?" Kagome asked, watching as her mother jerked a dark-hued pack from a nearby chest. She began tossing odds and ends of all sorts into the bag, mostly being food, clothes and a few personal items. 'It's as if she's packing…'

"It's a sign to take your dream seriously," Kagome's mother said, interrupting Kagome's thoughts. "You must leave this village."

"But why now?" Kagome yelled heatedly, stomping her foot angrily when her mother walked right past her.

"Why can't I wait until Nee-chan gets back?"

Her mother emerged from her room moments later, holding a set of traveling clothes.

"Are you coming with me?"

"No Kagome. I'm not." She undressed Kagome quickly, replacing her simple sleeping shirt with a chocolate brown pair of cotton hakamas, a green haori, and a green, brown and black swirl traveling cape. She wrapped a spare leather strap around Kagome's waist and shoved her feet into a pair of ankle boots. Mrs. Higurashi moved behind Kagome and hurriedly began pulling Kagome's hair back into a messy ponytail.

"But Mother-"

"Enough buts!" Mrs. Higurashi snapped, then calmed when Kagome began to cry. "Kagome, I'm sorry." She hugged her, taking a moment to give a gentle squeeze before releasing her. "I didn't mean to yell."

"I'm scared Mama."

"I know Kagome," her mother whispered as she kissed her temple. "I know baby. Don't be scared." She stepped away from her, then grabbed Kagome's wrist and led her out of the house. They walked through the sleeping village quietly, with Kagome's mother retrieving a bow and quiver from the shrine before exiting the village all together.

"Mother, please-" Kagome began, only to be cut off by her mother's desperate whisper.

"Kagome, I love you. You know this, true?"

"Of course, but what does that have to do with-"

"And you love me, true?"

"Yes Mother," Kagome whispered back. "More than anything."

"Then you must do everything the dream tells you. Something, or someone, is protecting you. You must listen to that voice, do everything it tells you, and remember your training."

"But Mother-"

"Run to the woods Kagome, and don't come back until morning."

"But if what the dream says is true," Kagome began as her mother started to walk away. "Then the vampires will be here for me soon. What do you think they'll do when they don't find me?"

Kagome's mother sighed, then giggled nervously. "Hopefully leave." Kagome raised a condescending brow, to which her mother nodded. "I know how that sounds, but I can hope, can't I?"

"Come with me!" Kagome begged desperately. "We'll come back together in the morning!"

"No Kagome," she said with a shake of her head. "This is how it's to be. Suspicions will rise if I'm not here and I'll only slow you down in my condition. I'll see you in the morning."

"But Mother-"

"Go Kagome," her mother ordered. "And don't look back!"

Kagome watched as her mother ran back to the village, waiting until she disappeared entirely before turning and walking toward the woods. She listened to the woods around her, knowing that the scary sounds around her were a good thing.

It was only when the wood went still that she felt something was amiss.

Kagome had only walked an hour, two at the most when everything went eerily still. She panicked immediately, knowing that whatever was causing the abnormality would surely detect her in her state of mind. Kagome struggled to keep a clear head, and it was then she heard

`Run Mistress…`

Kagome did as she was told without question, her earlier thoughts of abandoning this foolish idea of her mother's and returning back to the village instantly quelled with the familiar voice's warning. Kagome broke into a run, her feet surprisingly quiet as she skimmed over dead branches and leaves.

`Stop!`

Kagome skidded to a halt before a great pine, or at least she thought it was a great pine. She listened to the woods around her again, yet the wood remained quiet around her. She looked around for a place to hide, knowing that to stay out in the open like she was would surely invite death.

`The tree…climb it…`

'You have got to be kidding me,' Kagome groaned as she walked up to the massive trunk. It's roots knotted above and, possibly, below the ground like ancient fingers. The nearest branch was at least three feet above her five foot two inch frame. 'I can't reach that.'

`You never know until you try…hurry Mistress…`

Kagome huffed, but began to shimmy up the tree, her arms wrapping around the enormous trunk as she slowly worked her way up the tree to the branch. She reached out when she was close enough, her legs tightening around the trunk as he fingers brushed against the branch. "Almost," Kagome growled, then grinned triumphantly when her hand wrapped around the illusive limb.

Kagome hoisted herself up, then reached out for the next one. She continued until she was well above the ground, at least twenty feet if she estimated correctly. 'Now what…'

`Tie yourself to the tree…`

'Holy cra…alright,' Kagome conceded with a sigh. She untied the leather sash around her waist, then tied one end to her left wrist. She tossed the rest of the strap around the trunk, caught it with her right hand and made a strong, but easily pliable knot around her other wrist. 'Now what should I do?' she asked, fully trusting the voice's way of doing things.

`Now Mistress…sleep…`

'But-' Kagome was sound asleep instantly, this time with no dreams.

`Forgive me Mistress…` the voice whispered on the wind. `But it would not due for you to see what's about to happen next…`

*

>Knock-knock!<

Mrs. Higurashi sighed to herself, then stood up and opened the front door. "Yes?"

"Is this the Higurashi residence?" the young man on the other side asked. Mrs. Higurashi thought him to be some faraway traveler until he gazed into her eyes. Startling, clear blue glared back at her, her cinnamon browns widening impossibly when he sneered. "Is this the Higurashi residence or not, mortal?" he hissed through gritted teeth, his fangs glittering in the moonlight. Kagome's mother blinked, then gasped as the cries of the other villagers finally reached her ears.

"What is the meaning of this?" she demanded weakly. "Why disturb us at so late an hour?"

The vampire before her chuckled then shook his head. "Feisty, aren't you?" He shoved his way into the house, grabbed Kagome's mother and tossed her back into the house. She fell to the floor, then desperately scrambled to the other side of the room before clawed hands wrapped around her ankle.

"Where you going?" he taunted as he dragged her across the floor. "Why don't you answer my question?"

"What difference does it make? You're going to kill me, whether I tell you or not," Mrs. Higurashi exclaimed, then yowled in pain when he twisted her foot in an odd angle. He dropped it a second later, and took a seat in a nearby chair.

"Well, you've got me there," he said as he casually ran a hand through his curly, auburn hair. "But you could decide how you die, Miss Higurashi-"

"It's Mrs."

He chuckled again, then nodded in appeasement. "Of course. Mrs. Higurashi. Now where's your daughter?"

"My eldest isn't here."

"I don't mean your eldest." He knocked her backward, then straddled her sprawled form. The vampire knocked her feeble attempts at freedom aside, then finally slapped her when she managed to punch a sensitive area. "You know who I mean," he growled, his fangs lengthening to well past his lower lip. "Where is the miko trainee?"

"She went with her sister," Mrs. Higurashi cried, praying to any deity listening that Kagome was miles away.

"You're lying…" The vampire tisked and shook his head. "You should know better than to lie…" He flicked his fingers, then stabbed his index and middle fingers into her right eye. He smiled when she shrieked below him, licking at the bloodied digits as the ruined remains of Mrs. Higurashi's eye stared back at him.

"Try again. Where is she?"

"I-I don't know!"

"Tisk-tisk. Not another one."

Another cry, and Mrs. Higurashi's sight was completely obliterated.

"You brought this on yourself," he scolded as she cried beneath him. "But I can make your death quick. All you have to do is tell me where she is."

Kagome's mother attempted to sit up, lifting only her shoulders from the floor as sightless eyes glared back at him. She whispered something garbled and unintelligible, and the vampire leaned toward her with his hand cupped around his ear.

"Say again. I didn't hear you."

"Go to Hell…"

"Ah…" The vampire nodded, then glared down at her, the claws of his right hand extending to their full length. "That's what I thought you said."

*

He emerged from the house hours later, humming nonchalantly to himself as blood dripped from his hands. "Hey boss!" another vampire yelled as he ran to him. "You find that Kagome chick yet?"

"No," he muttered absently. He wiped his hands on the lackey's shirt, smiling when he grimaced.

"Hey! This is silk!"

"What do you want us to do with the place?" another asked. The lead vampire glanced around, his smile fading to seriousness at the frightened village around him.

"Torch it. Oh, and the woman-" he pointed back to the Higurashi house. "Let's make a special example out of her." He nodded his dismissal, then turned back to the village. 'Vlad will be disappointed, but no matter. We will find the girl soon…' He glanced up at the crescent moon and smiled, his eyes filled with venom and bloody promise.

*

Kagome shuddered violently, then sneezed before snuggling closer to the tree.

----

Silver Fox: Dark…who knew you had it in you SF?

SF: What can I say? A good plot brings out the best in me, I suppose. If you guys are wondering what the heck is going on, please refer to the author's notes above. That should explain what's going on, and where this idea came from.

Kagome: And I'm the first person you see! Yippee!

Sesshoumaru: I could have sworn that I was in the story.

SF: You're in the next chapter, along with Inuyasha and the others…well, some of the others.

Sesshoumaru: {::sarcastically::} That's comforting…

SF: I meant to be. The next chapter should be out in a week or so, I think. Jeez, this is just more to heap on the plate. No matter! I love what I do! Don't anyone freak on me because of the violence. That's why it's rated R.

Kagome: How old am I in this story?

SF: Um…believe it or not, I don't know. You're not as old as Jeffs' Kagome, that's for sure. I'll have to think about it.

Silver Fox: Can anyone guess who the voice is? I'll give you a hint: It's the last thing you'll guess, but when it's revealed, you'll go "Duh! I could have guessed that!".