Night Terrors

Disclaimer: I dont own them
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Shiori's cat like eyes could see them in the shadows, stalking her like some animal. She was caefull not to stray to near to the shadows, she knew from personal experiance that if they were hungry enough, they would be more than happy to risk commming into the light to fetch their prey. Even if they never came fully into the light they would extend their long claws in order to snare their food. Her time was approaching. She now had but four days left to live. They would have her soon if she didnt act quickly, she knew she couldnt let them have her, and she was willing to go to any lengths to make sure she never had to go through the pain she had seen all the others go through.
She knelt beside the still water as she withdrew her dagger from its hidden sheath under her kimono. The light breeze tickeld her nose. She stared at the blade as it gleamed brightly in the sun light. The clicking was growing more incessive with her every heart beat. Her breathing was rigid as she raised the dagger to her breast.
' One quick movement and it will all be over, no more pain, no more tears, no more dreams.' The tears came to her eyes as they streamed down her face she held in her silent cries as she held the dagger in her shaking hand. She sat there listening to the growing clicking and growling.
" Shiori" a voice came from behind her. She turned around and slowly opended her eyes. Sitting before her was a young man in a torn white and green kimono, his face held no emotion, his light brown hair remained still as if uneffected by the slight wind. His blue eyes looked at her with a great saddness reflecting in them. She immediatly droped the knife and let out a scream of terror.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

As Inu yasha held Kagome to his chest, Shiori's scream echoed all around them. Kagome nearly lept from his arms in fright. It didnt take long for him to register whos deadly scream that was, within moments they were running carfully along the lighted trail that led tword the lake. When they arrived they found Shiori she was curled into a tight shivering ball. Near her was an old dagger, which made Inu yasha think that she had been attacked. When she realized that she was not alone, she untucked her body and looked straight into Kagomes eyes.
Kagome was taken back when she saw the look of fright in Shiori's eyes. She looked as though she had just seen death itself. Inu yasha was the first to speak.
" Shiori what happend?!" He said a little out of breath after there recent run.
Shoiris eyes never left Kgomes as the life seemed to flow back to them.
" I saw..........I thought I saw................I thought I saw Rei.........." She said quitely as her entire body shiverd and shook. Kagome could tell she was telling the truth, but how? Rei was dead, could she have just been delusional?
" I dont know why I saw him, but he was right there, staring at me." Shiori's voice began to break as she held her head in her hands.
"Im not crazy, Im not." she said as she wept.
Kagome was frightend, and Inu yasha could tell. He wrapped his arm around her to stable her, he doubted her quivering legs would hold her for much longer. Sure enough seconds later Kagome collpsed in his arms.
As Inu yasha held Kagome in his arms, somthing was bugging him in the back of his mind. She said she had seen her dead friend, if that was true then why had she drawn her dagger? He new she wouldnt want to answer him now, so he would just have to ask her later.
After Kagome had regained the use of her legs they helped Shiori back to camp. With her balanced between them it was harder to avoid getting close to the shadows. Eventually they made it back, and Kagome helped Shiori,who seemed to be in a state of shock, clean her wounds. They ate lunch in silence. Inu yasha was sent to get some fire wood for the night to come, they were not going to take any chances.
Kagome was growing slightly annoyed at the awkward silence that filled the air. She had to break it and quick before it drove her insane.
"So.......Shiori what exactly do you do? Do you have any hobbies?" She said with a slight smile.
"Poet..........I like poetry" she replied after a short pause. Kagomes smile brightend.
"Really? Could you tell me one please?" Kagome said with a lightness in her voice.
Shiori seemed to think this over in her mind for a minute before she responded.
" There is one, but I havent finished it yet" She said as she looked to the foiledge that coverd ground.
" Please tell me Shiori, I dont mind if its not done" Kagome pleaded. She thought maybe if she would think about her poem, then she would forget about Rei.
"Alright" Shiori said with a sigh. " Its called puppet strings"' she said as Kagome looked at her with eager eyes.

" She follows a endless trail

Hoping to find love, care

But theres nothing there to tell

Except the cold dark air

She sat there unable to cry

Knowing sadly nothing brings

Hoping one day she could fly

If not held by puppet strings

No one knew of her dark sadness

But one dared looked into her empty eyes

Their heart lunched with deep blackness

As they saw only her silent cries"

Kagome looked at Shiori's pale face.
"Oh Shiori, that was so beautiful, and so sad, I hope when you finally write the end its a happy one. Please promise me that youll tell me when you find it" Kagome said as she saw the blank look in the nekos eyes. Shiori looked to Kagome and attempted a small smile.
" Sure Kagome, I promise" the cat demon replied. It was then that Inu yasha returned carrying plenty of fire wood. They had the fire burning long before sunset. Everyone sat in silence for the remainder of the afternoon. No one felt much like talking, so an attempt at a coversation was futil. As the sun began to fall behind the horizon, Kagome sat close to Inu yasha who wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Kagome wrapped her arms around his waist like wise, and rested her head against his chest. Kagome couldnt help but think how romantic this would have been if it werent for their current situation. As the last beams of light dissapeared it was Shiori who broke the silence.
"Three more days" She said as she watched the remaining light fade away. No one had to ask why, they knew exactly what she ment. She now had only three days left to live, and Kagome was now down to six.

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A/N: So how was that minna? Just in case you were wondering, the poem puppit strings was written by a friend of mine, Nydia, shes the poet not me, so dont give me any credit for that one, thats all hers. Anyway please review!