The Heroic and Super-Duper Trials of a Girl and a Demon by UnknownRandomness

Affirmation

Prompt: Prize (Week 44)

Word Count: 476

Kagome opened her eyes. 

She could see.

Relief flooded through her veins as she raised a trembling hand to her face. It felt unusually heavy and her mouth tasted like burnt popcorn but she seemed to have recovered somewhat from the horrific state she had experienced earlier. Tears welled up and poured from the corners of her eyes, causing her sight to blur, but she welcomed them, happy that she could feel them on her skin. The miko sent a silent thanks up to the Kami for allowing her to live.

Abruptly, Shippo's pleas echoed through her mind and she realised that he wasn't saying anything. They were in the company of a stranger and she had no idea where she was. Sitting up took quite a bit of effort, but she managed it without much trouble and looked about herself, struck with a sense of deja vu.

A comfortably small cave met her questing eyes, but it was unusual in that it seemed to be made up entirely of plants. The entrance was curtained by vines that muted the bright sunlight coming through the gaps. Her pack was in a far corner along with Shippo's waistcoat. She was alone and there was no evidence of anyone else having been in the space.

The young woman took in a deep breath and convinced herself to stand. She eventually managed to clamber to her feet, but it left her panting- just what had happened to her body? It felt like she had run a marathon!

Pushing that thought aside for the moment, Kagome walked towards the entrance, annoyed with her agonisingly slow pace. Gramps would laugh his head off if he could see her now. Pushing the hanging plants from the entrance, the young woman smiled as she caught sight of Shippo playing in a small stream that was quite far from the cave, down a gentle slope that was dotted with trees.

"Shippo!"

Her voice rang out loud and clear, and the small kitsune's head twisted towards her before he sprinted from the water, scampering on all fours to reach her. His bright eyes swam with tears, but the huge smile on his face made her incredibly happy.

Just as he was about to jump into her outstretched arms, a hand shot forward and snatched Shippo from the ground, drawing his small body away from her. Kagome opened her mouth to shout as her eyes snapped towards the intruder, but her voice died in her throat as bright golden eyes bored into her own. 

Shippo whispered an apology, and Kagome wasn't sure who it was meant for. 

"Well, I see you have finally woken up. How are you feeling, miko? Or should I call you Kagome?"

Lowering her head in respect, the shocked human managed to stutter out a quiet, 

"Please call me Kagome... Lady Tashio."

A/N: Did you see it coming? Were you taken completely by surprise? Did you enjoy it? Please leave me a review!