Gravity by JanaeGee

Chapter 0

Disclaimer:  *bows lowly towards Rumiko Takahashi*

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NOW

      In the quaint city of Tokyo sat an old shrine at the top of a hill, known for its history and festivities. Every couple of months, a gathering would be held on the shrine grounds, honoring history and celebrating those before them. Stories were told about a young boy with unusual colored hair who had been pinned to the legendary Tree of Ages.  If you looked close enough onto the bark, you could see where the arrowhead embedded itself. Another legend told of a beautiful pink jewel that was the size of a ping pong ball, and how it could spread evil through even the most pure of hearts. All this intriguing information had been founded by the Higurashi family, which the stories had been past down to them from father to daughter and son.

The shrine family who resided on the sacred grounds consisted of a mother, whose kind heart and brown eyes swayed those of any, a son, whose game abilities were maximum at best, and a grandfather, who believed every legend and fairytale and had no problem telling the whole world of his stories that had been passed down to him. Not too long before, the son’s father had died, leaving them in a depression and a delicate situation.

The son, being a natural genius, decided it would be a good idea if they were to put on festivals and shows for the people, and luckily, they made enough money every month to pay for their costs.

On the day of their next scheduled festival, a dark cloud settled over the shrine, showering down the thickest set of rain they had seen all year. It was as dark as night, though it was still only in the afternoon, as the scent of the rain perfumed the air thoroughly. Thinking of this as no coincidence, the grandfather went out and prayed while mother Higurashi sipped on her hot chocolate, watching as the droplets smashed against the pavement from her living room window. The son went upstairs and turned on his gaming console, ready to spend a whole nights worth staring at the TV. It was a Friday, after all.

When something flickered in the corner of Ms. Higurashi’s eye, she automatically turned to see what it was, surprised to notice that the shed’s doors that covered a dry well shook and trembled.  With the force that was being exerted upon them, Ms. Higurashi had a feeling that it was not an animal that had accidentally scuttled in there.

Setting down her sweet hot chocolate and grabbing her rain coat, Ms. Higurashi quickly made her way outside, passing by her father who prayed at their alter and passed the Tree of Ages which proudly stood as tall as a three story building, its leaves rustling in the cold wind and its strong bark dark from absorbing the rain. Her shoes splashed in the small puddles, sprinkling the rain on her blue jeans as she quickly made her way over to the sealed well.

 Finally standing in front of the shed that was still thrashing about, Ms. Higurashi took a deep breath and settled her unsteady heart beat before she unlocked the hasp and staple and pulled it open.

A young girl who had to be in her early teens was holding up her fists, ready to pound on the doors again. Her hands were bruised and cut badly and were starting to bleed  as was the rest of her body With desperate blue, teary eyes and a singed yukata,  was definitely not what she had been expecting.

Staring in astonishment, Ms. Higurashi tilted her head in curiosity. “What are you doing in there?”              

Her shaking hands slowly lowering and her cheeks puffed as they turned red, tears steadily began to pour from the girl’s cerulean eyes. Her breaths came in short pants as she stood there, staring into Ms. Higurashi’s brown eyes.

Instead of answering her question, the girl fell into Ms. Higurashi’s arms, bringing the older woman down with her as they both fell together. As her body fell out of the safety of the shed, her tiny form became drenched by the oncoming rain, cleansing the dirt from her face. Without a thought, Ms. Higurashi pulled her rain jacket off, doing her best to not jostle the girl, and pulled it over her body as best she could.

Before she could carry her inside, she heard the girl whisper something softly.

“Sesshomaru? Who is that, honey?” Ms. Higurashi asked. She was instantly taken by the girl. So many questions were forming within her head, yet it looked as if she would pass out any second. She would hold them for another time.

“Where is he?” She heard her ask meekly, her bleary blue eyes searching her surroundings in what seemed as confusion. “I need him.”

“We will find him as soon as you’re better,” Ms. Higurashi cooed, picking the both of them up.

Ms. Higurashi noticed that before she could even make it to the front door of the shrine, the girl had passed out. The older woman took this chance and looked her over, noticing the slight burn marks on her skin and her torn yukata. Where had she come from?

Setting her down on the couch, she warmed up some hot tea for the girl, waiting for the time she would wake up and tell them her story.