Oh, Death by Lady_Mist

First Encounter

**Oh, Death, oh Death, oh Death,

Won't you spare me over another year

But what is this, that I can’t see

with ice cold hands taking hold of me

When God is gone and the Devil takes hold,

who will have mercy on your soul**

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Kagome was just five years old when she first encountered Death.

“Grandpa! Grandma!” The small pig-tailed girl cried out, grinning from ear to ear. She ran to her beloved grandparents, hugging at her grandmother’s leg.

“Well, hello there! Who is this adorable young lady that looks so much like our little Kagome?” Her grandmother asked in faux confusion. Though she tried to be serious, a small smile was planted across her wrinkled face.

“Grandma! It’s me!” Kagome giggled. Her smile broke as her grandmother started coughing, and her mother moved her away.

“Mom, you know it’s not good for your health to be out in this weather. Let’s go inside.” Her mother said, holding onto Kagome with one hand and leading her own mother inside.

Kagome’s grandmother waved her daughter away. “Don’t start fussing over me.”

Kagome was left in the house as the two most important women in her life started bickering. Hearing a noise, she turned, and found her favorite animal.

“Buyo!” The plump kitten startled, and took off running. Giggling madly, Kagome took after it.

“Where are you off to in such a hurry, young lady?” Her grandfather asked. Kagome smiled and pointed in the direction of the cat.

“I’m trying to catch Buyo.” At that statement, the kitten bolted outside, before her grandfather could close the door. Kagome pouted, knowing she wouldn’t be allowed outside alone.

Her grandfather gave her a considering look, and said, “Stay by the house, and you can go outside for a bit.” He smiled and patted his granddaughter on the head, moving to sit at the kitchen table.

Kagome grinned, and shot off outside.

She checked on the grounds, in the trees, and around the house, but couldn’t find that darned cat!

Kagome bit her lower lip and whined. Why couldn’t she find him?

A noise halted her. There were small mews, coming from the hut next to the house. Reaching for the door, Kagome stopped. Was she even allowed in there?

Well, she decided, her grandpa did say to stay by the house, and this hut was by the house. So it was ok, right?

She slid the door open with a small grunt, and peered down into the darkness. The light outside illuminated the hut, and she saw…a well?

Weird, she thought, but was shaken out of her thoughts by frantic meowing.

“Buyo?” She began down the stairs, looking for the troublesome kitten.

“Come on out, Buyo! Buy-” She stopped calling with a shriek as her foot slipped in the edge of the stair. Her body fell backwards, and her feet went out from under her. However, she never impacted the stairs.

“You should be more careful, little one.”

Opening eyes she hadn’t realized she’d closed, she found herself looking into the face of her savior. Or rather, the shadows of her savior. His face was shrouded in darkness, and seemed to be cloaked in the shadows of the small hut. He was cold to the touch, but his voice was surprisingly warm.

“W-Who--” Her stuttered question was cut off by shouts.

“Kagome?! Kagome!?” It was her mother.

The stranger brought her back to the top of the stairs and set her down, crouching to her level. Even though the open door allowed sunlight into the dark hut, his face was still obscured by darkness.

“Go to her child, lest she worry herself to death.”

And with that, he was gone. Blinking in confusion, Kagome startled when her mother grabbed her arm.

“Kagome! There you are! We have to go, your grandma--she--oh let’s just go!” She spoke in between sobs and gasping breaths. Startled and confused, Kagome followed her mother to the car, and they went to the hospital.

Her grandmother died that night.

It would be years later that Kagome realized that Death had held her in its arms.

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I don't own inuyasha, or the song 'Oh Death' by Jen Titus