Haunted by Riku Ryuu

Not So Good Morning

Hi agian! I am happy to say that this story is moving along just the way I wanted it to. I hope to have the next chapter done soon and posted just as quickly. Thanks for getting this far. This chapter is for Skye's Toxic challenge.

Enjoy.

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Kagome walked down the hallway, towards the stairs that would lead her to the kitchen. She hoped that her mother was still there so that she could find out what to eat, but it seemed unlikely at this late of an hour.

On the side of the hallway a grandfather clock sat and softly clicked every second. Kagome glanced over to it and stared at the time. The clock said it was ten thirty, and a window next to it showed that it was still light out. Her morning had felt like hours but really it was probably no more than one hour, maybe not even that. Kagome shook her head and continued towards the kitchen.

Kagome went down the stairs, a narrow twisting staircase, and paused at the bottom. They had eaten in the kitchen the night before, but she had had her mother’s help to get there. Now, she was forced to dive into her memory, trying to remember what room was correct. She did not have to wonder long because after a few seconds she caught the scent of bacon. Following her nose, she opened one of the doors and peeked in to see the kitchen.

The kitchen was well over four times the size of their old one. Shiny counters and high tech appliances made the cooking area seem more like something that would be found on a cooking show than in a real home. Like the rest of the house, the kitchen’s main color was white.

Sota sat at a small table set to the side of an open kitchen. The table would probably hold no more than four people, but there was a dining room with a larger one if they needed it. For their purposes, the kitchen was perfect. On the table in front of Sota was a plate stacked high with breakfast food such as scrambled eggs, bacon, and hash browns. Kagome was curious about the feast because they usually just had cereal, but it was a welcome change. Her mother stood in front of the stove, probably making even more food.

“Good morning!” She called out to the two. Sota looked up from the food that he was devouring and blinked up at his sister.

“M’ng” He said, a full mouth muffling the answer.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full sweetie.” Kagome’s mom said, not looking away from the stove. “Good morning. I hope you got enough sleep.”

Kagome recognized that her mother was still worried about what had happened earlier, but she was not going to press for details.

“I slept great. The bed in my room is very… comfy.” Too comfy. “How about you guys?”

Sota succeeded in swallowing before answering.

“My bed is much better than my old one. I bet yours is better than mine though.” Sota gave her a teasing smile. The night before they had played rock-paper-scissors for the rooms and Kagome had one the master bedroom. Sota didn’t seem to really mind that he had gotten a room smaller than her own; frankly, they were all so huge that it didn’t matter.

“Kagome, could you get another plate? They are in the cupboard on the far right side.” Kagome’s mom cracked an egg into a pan in front of her before pointing to the cupboard.

“Sure!” Kagome walked over to the cupboard and opened it up. The plates before her were beautiful, white with red cherry blossoms around the edges. The design reminded her of Sesshomaru, but she pushed that thought away quickly. Reaching out a hand, she took hold of the nearest plate.

From somewhere in the house the sound of a clock rang out. Kagome remembered the sound from before and quickly let go of the plate.

“It is too late.”

Kagome spun around to see that Sesshomaru was standing near her. She had not heard his approach, but then again he floated above the ground, so it was impossible to hear his footsteps.

“Too late for what?” She asked. When no answer came she realized that her mother and brother must have thought her crazy. They couldn’t see Sesshomaru so…

Kagome stared at her family. Both were in exactly the same position they had been in before her touching the plate. Sota had his fork halfway to his lips while Kagome’s mother had a spit egg in her hand. Oddly, the inside of the egg was just below the shell, suspended in the air. It was if time had stopped for them. Kagome faced Sesshomaru again.

“What have you done to them?!” She yelled accusingly. Sesshomaru shook his head, no emotion on his face.

“It is not my doing.” He said simply. Kagome frowned at him and was about to yell at him again when a terrible smell met her nose. Kagome covered her nose and looked away from Sesshomaru, scanning the room for what could be making that disgusting stench.

“What is that?” She asked. As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she remembered the last time she had said them.  “No! I told you that I am not doing this!” She glared at Sesshomaru. He did not seem effected by the daggers cast by her gaze.

“It is Toxin. If you do not figure out a way to complete this room you and your family will die.”

Kagome’s eyes widened.

“No, this isn’t real! This cannot be real.” She shook her head fiercely, trying to get her mind to let go of the silly delusion. When her motion stopped, the smell remained, telling her that it was either real or that she was completely broken.

“It is real and unless you wish to die young, I suggest getting started.”

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Yeah, I'm sorry that I usually leave the chapters at a cliffy. Hate me if you wish but please review.

Thank you.