Fade to Black by Aura

What Lies Within

“There is a time to take counsel of your fears, and there is a time to never listen to any fear.”

~George S. Patton

Kagome scowled. It was difficult to not. The entire situation was preposterous.
Here she was, standing outside of the cast iron gates of the creepy old school building at the end of a mostly abandoned area of buildings. None were inviting, given the various stages of debilitation. The sreets were filthy with trash gathered in what corners existed or along the sides of walls in alleyways, the muck-covered windows either half boarded over or broken. Then there was the lack of any movement other than herself and her fellow classmates. Not even the homeless came here very often, and if they were here the presence of a half demon had them hiding well out of sight. There wasn't even vegetation except for a few weeds sticking out here and there between cracks in the sidewalk, brown and wrinkled - barely clinging to life.

The school building itself seemed to be the centerpiece of the diseased neighborhood - a shadow-ridden heart to a broken body. It rose above several of the nearby buildings, blackened and unholy with peaks rising perilously into the clouded sky.
Amorutsu High School had once been a place for teaching children with the signs how to become priests and priestesses. The school’s headmaster had attempted to exorcize Hakudoshi - a high ranking demon - and became possessed. He killed several of the other teachers and when the massacre was finally stopped, his body erupted into hellfire that enveloped and corrupted the school. Scores of students met a terrible end. That was the story she’d heard. It was a common tale that it was now haunted, and particularly when the moon was full as it was tonight. It was hard to consider the superstitions all that foolish now that she was here. She rode by it sometimes in the mornings if she missed the bus for school but it had always been during the day.

The moon shown down as a haunting silver light through the thin film of mist that had had become common place at nightfall; it was exceptionally more frightening a challenge than she had first expected. She’d been successfully goaded into agreeing to enter the building earlier that day - she shouldn’t have allowed herself but Inuyasha had been involved and now he was watching her after having attempted to convince her that she couldn’t do this.

“Just remember,” This had to have been the fifteen time he’d said it. “In, plant the flag, out...I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this...getting involved in a building that's off limits could get us all expelled.”

“I know, I know. I’ll try to be quick.” Kagome replied with a frown of her own at him. The boy was such a baby sometimes. If he hadn’t acted racist in the first place then she wouldn’t feel the need to prove him wrong.

She had a white flag curled around a pole and was walking up to the decadent building as she looked around at the ominous fog and up at the sinister blackened walls. Kagome swallowed to try to push back the rising feeling of doom and kept moving forward. Glancing back at the rest would make her seem week - as if she were seeking help.
A high-pitched squealing sound came from the front doors hinges as she pushed it open, moving her flashlight left and right. It was almost a pity she’d remembered one or she could have said it was impossible to go in without a light source.

First entry was a lobby area with a few benches and lockers, the ground was very dusty and a pile of leaves had built up in one of the corners. The lack of lighting other than her own thin, flimsy ray was disturbing, and there was a vague scent of smoke - chilling that it still lingered after decades. She was far enough away from the others now. Too late to turn back, she slipped through the door and gasped as it slammed loudly behind her...

***Flashback***

He wasn’t hers; she knew that, but it couldn’t hurt to look, could it?

Kagome was staring at the silver haired, dog-earred, half demon giving his speech at the front of the classroom. She had been pining over the boy for years, loving him since they’d first met. He’d saved her from an attack by an Abbandon when she was outside on her swingset. Hell, he was the main reason she knew so much about the demon and priestly world in the first place.

There were two main sects of demons. The Host were the demons that ruled the world and most of its politics. They were under strict rules not to use their abilities or mystical weaponry without permission or in a time of need such as an attack by the Abbandon. The Abbandon were the demons that never wanted to live peacefully with the humans, and felt they should control them instead. Both types were capable of appearing human in most cases, half-demons being an exception. The demon magic behind such disguises didn't seem to work on them for some reason.

Most normal people only knew to fear both types of demons. Even if the Host weren’t often malevolent, they had taken over the rule of most countries either personally or through mortals they ‘sponsored’. The image of freedom in any country was often a joke, and in areas like Africa, Russia, and South America the Abbandon ruled openly through fear of their superior powers. Who would oppose monsters that could exist in any form imaginable?

Priests were humans with mystical energy that could aid or hinder demons, and for some reason if one had a child with a demon they would have either fully human or fully demon offspring. She wasn’t sure why, what she’d been taught in class was the main belief was because of the mystical energies they possessed. It was not uncommon for known demons to marry a holy man or woman as a gesture of peace. It was a local project to learn about the integration of all the races; demon, half-demon, holy, and human.

Inuyasha was a half dog demon; his father a full demon and his mother had been human. She was gone now, sadly and he wouldn’t ever discuss her. He’d never spoken of other family, and Kagome felt it best not to bring it up.

She wasn't the only one staring at Inuyasha. A lot of girls did, and often, though it didn't really bother her much. There was something special about demons, even half ones, perhaps because they were mysterious and otherworldly, perhaps because they were - in the case of full demons - almost ageless. Kagome herself thought it had to be the silver hair.

Either way, even after the speech ended she continued to stare until the bell had rung. Inuyasha’s vindictive girlfriend had noticed Kagome's attention, and ensured that she had it the worst. Kikyo was her name. She’d never liked the fact that Inuyasha seemed to want to be friends with Kagome. What she liked even less was that she and Kagome were quite similar in appearance.

Milky complection with almost no blemishes, wide blue eyes, high cheekbones, heart shaped faces, long silky black hair. Athletic bodies, while not with the largest curves were still hourglass shaped. If they didn’t wear different styles of clothing and hair, most people would have exceptional difficulty telling them apart.

Despite the fact they appeared as if they could be twins, there were details that made them quite different. Kikyo was one of the strongest priestess’ of the age, whereas Kagome was without any mystical powers. Then there was the fact that Kikyo was stuck up and sort of a bitch and Kagome was generally nicer...

She was obviously displeased at the staring, and walked up with one of the dozens of girls that followed her around. Kagome couldn’t even remember her name - she’d think of her as goon thirty-seven for the moment. “So, have you heard we’re going out to the old school building tonight?”

“So?” Kagome resisted the urge to frown as Inuyasha was still in the room and speaking with the teacher. He usually got pissed at her if she didn’t at least pretend to be nice to Kikyo. “It’s just an old building.”

“Wow, you must be really brave.” Goon Thirty-Seven said, seemingly impressed despite the obvious disapproving look by Kikyo. As one of the fan club, Kagome never expected a lot of real intellect. “That place gives me the creeps. You should volunteer to be the person that goes inside.”

“Why would I want to go inside a burnt out old relic?” Kagome replied, still trying to sound polite. “It doesn’t even look interesting. It’s probably not haunted anymore or the local authorities would have done something about it.”

“Then you shouldn’t mind going inside for a little while.” Kikyo answered sweetly, much better at acting than her flunkies. “We were dared by Mitsukai Supakusu school to take a white flag to the roof and hang it where everyone could see it. Tonight is our night, then tomorrow they have to take a black flag up if they want to keep up with the challenge.”

Angel Spark - as the English would have it pronounced - was a school of mostly foreigners sent to Japan to learn local exorcism rites. It was common practice to send priests all over the world to do various sorts of training when their own personal work had been completed. As Angel Spark was full of upperclassmen that often seemed to have the same narcissist complex of Kikyo’s, a natural sort of enmity had built between the two groups of students.

“That also seems sort of pointless. I have homework to do.” Kagome said, not sure how else to get them to leave her alone. It was a feeble excuse however as they had a few of the same classes and none had given homework for the holiday weekend. “You really think I want to run up that decrepit building's stairs and plant a flag for you? It’s not really my fight.”

“Hey what are you guys talking about?” Inuyasha slipped an arm around Kikyo as he waggled fingers at Kagome and mindless friend of Kikyo thirty-seven. It was painful to watch her crush be totally ignorant of her feelings. She’d adjusted to it so well that she didn’t even flinch visibly anymore.

“Kagome was just saying she’d run the flag up to the top of the old school house,” Kikyo purred, glancing at Kagome with a wicked glint in her eye. “I told her it was much too frightening for me. But she has such respect for your father’s school she insisted she couldn’t just let our rivals beat us.”

“What?” Inuyasha looked at her skeptically, his dismissive tone made her fluffy feelings warp into foul ones. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Kagome. You aren’t even a priestess. If something did happen, you’d just get yourself killed.”

The entire lack of faith in his voice set her on fire. So what if she was just a mortal. She didn't cared about that. Wasn’t that the whole point of this project in the first place; to show that everyone could live equally? Racist. “I can do it just fine. It’s just a building. Like I said, it’s probably not even haunted like the stories say, or it would have already been taken care of.”

“Kagome, it’s still listed as off-limits, along with all the other buildings for seven blocks around it. If it was safe don’t you think that the school would have taken it off the blacklist for students?” Inuyasha commented, and normally he was not the level-headed one. He was starting to sound a bit angry, though. “Stop being stupid. Since when do you care about the Angel Spark crap?”

“Stop trying to tell me I can’t just cause I’m normal,” Kagome huffed. They always ended up arguing. Stupid boy needed to learn when to keep his mouth shut. “ It’s not a big deal. I can do it; I’d be more worried about damage to the building than any ghosts or goblins.”

“Great!" Kikyo exclaimed. "We’ll drive out there at eight then, and have the flag ready to go.” She still had a nasty grin on her face as she patted the girl's shoulders fondly. “You should give Kagome more credit, Inuyasha. She’s brimming with courage for a mortal.”

***Back to Present***

Until the loud slam, Kagome had only been a little nervous. Now she was getting scared, as she glanced back to make sure the door wasn’t sealed shut. A gentle wind had reopened it just a fraction and through the crack she could see Inuyasha putting his jacket around Kikyo as she laughed about something. The rest of her goons also laughed in mindless mimicry as minions often do. The half demon looked troubled as he settled arms around Kikyo, eyes on the building.

Kagome bit her lip. What did she think she was trying to prove? Still, it was just wind, and she wasn’t going to let all the hype get to her. Trying to put more weight on her toes than her heels - sound was echoing much too easily for her taste - she rubbed the back of her neck with a free hand in a vain attempt to push down the hairs. It seemed like a place ghosts or goblins would take a liking too after all. Everything inside had been stained deep grays or blacks from the fire, from the tile floors to the metal lockers and rock ceilings. Perhaps the rumors were true and it really was hellfire that had ravaged these walls.

At least luck had given her that the entrance she’d come through was right next to the stairs, leading up into the blackness. It was almost dooming; she felt like an easy target given her rather bright apparell. She’d just worn the same thing worn to school that day. Jeans, a white t-shirt with an angel Hello Kitty on the front with the logo ‘Too Good for You’. Her brother Souta had bought it for her and bugged her to wear it for a week. Today had been the worst day to start.

If she was wrong and there was some demon or creature in here then she really didn’t want to look like she was taunting it. The further in she went, the more she was really starting to believe the stories had been true. It wasn't necessary to have heard the horror stories to know that something terrible had happened here. Some intangible force loomed about like a dark static that crept across every surface. She was ready to jump at the slightest motion or sound.

The steps leading up had survived quite well, having been built from stone instead of wood. Many schools and holy buildings were built more with blessed stone and metal than with wood; it was a common thing for demons to command fire or hellfire. Each step seemed to make the air thicker - harder to breath and even to draw light further out of the now unreliable rod of illumination in her hand. Still, she pressed forward, drawn upward into the heart of darkness.

***Outside***

The sky was growing darker as the moon was soon covered by rolling clouds and thickening mist. A gentle rumble in the distance offered the hint of the coming storm, and the winds were starting to pick up speed. Inuyasha watched it all with a frown, face twisted downward as he tugged off his jacket to put around Kikyo. This was wrong...

His father had forbidden him from coming here...it was suppose to be illegal for everyone, but even the police force wouldn’t patrol here at night. He knew they wouldn’t be caught. Still, there was something wrong in the air; there was too much of a scent of ozone and something else he couldn’t quite place that seemed familiar.

“I don’t like this,” Inuyasha commented to Kikyo as he continued to fret. “We should get Kagome and go. This land is off-limits for a reason.”

“Oh calm down, Inuyasha, I’m starting to think Kagome’s actually braver than you.” Kikyo blew off his concerns with a laugh, her goons laughing with her at the half-demon's expense. A glare silenced the chuckles.

“Maybe he’s right Kikyo,” Goon Thirty-seven commented. She was getting the heeby-jeeby’s watching the building as well. Something in her priesty senses was telling her there was some sort of danger brewing. “I mean...something...”

Kikyo shrugged, interrupting them. “It was suppose to storm tonight. It was on the news - do any of you bother to watch the news? We’re trying to frighten her a little. If she gets spooked and runs out - any moment now I’m expecting - then she’ll not try to tag along and watch any of you if you go on a mission in the future, yes? It is for her own good.”

“I guess,” Inuyasha sighed, giving in as he wrapped arms around his girlfriend. He still didn’t like it. There was definitely something still wrong with this place. Perhaps it was just an echo of the horrible deaths that had happened here - but he could tell something was wrong beyond the cold wind and the brewing storm. His ears flickered toward the building, listening carefully; the smallest scream or disturbance and he’d run in there after her. A few of the others were lingering behind the couple - or to be more precise - behind the half demon. They could all tell something was amiss.

***Heart of Darkness***

She was on the seventh floor - the last one before the roof - when she felt a pulse in the air. It wasn’t a sound or an actual motion; she couldn’t even put her finger on it. Some indistinguishable sonar? But it had it’s own rhythm, a silent spookie heartbeat for this malevolently aware tomb. She was about to head up the final few steps to the roof access door when she noticed a light that wasn’t her flashlight shimmering from one of the rooms down the hall.

Fingers closed more tightly around the metal rod. It was her torch of holy freedom in this catacomb. What the hell was another light doing up here?

“Probably has something to do with Kikyo and getting more of her friends to lay in wait and scare me.” Kagome guessed, still scowling. She crept carefully toward the door where light had filtered through. Switching off her own, the girl plunged the room into darkness.

The lack of illumination seemed only to strengthen the sense of dread that came with each throb of the nefariously intoxicating energy. she was then in the scarred hallway, the thoughts of her classmates outside a memory. Kagome was focused on a room that was letting out that strip of gentle blue light.

Rubbing her arms unconsciously, there was a chill in the air that wasn’t because of the Autumn season. Yet, she knew she had to go and see what was behind that door, regardless of the possible danger. A driving force demanded she look behind that wooden curtain. She thought she could hear someone calling her name, but it was faint, just out of reach.

She found it incredibly difficult to think straight. It was as if she was moving through molassus, walking toward that door in slow motion, moving around cracks in the floor with a natural grace and intuition. The whole world was at a crawl as Kagome reached out, longingly, her fingers slipped around the icy metal of the doorknob and tugged it open. She stepping inside as she pulled glossed-over eyes up to gaze into the mysterious room.