Kagome Kagome By Toshiki Yui Volume 1 Translated by Hecate (jleberman@hotmail.com) Note: "Kagome kagome" is a phrase which means/connotes a birdcage and also a truth that is better left unrevealed. <> = thoughts [] = flashback VOICE: Master Masami...Your father has breathed his last. As your grandfather ordered, you must leave this house as soon as possible. * Trip One: And So We Met * Cage, little cage, When will the chick free itself From your clutches? On a moonlit night, The crane will fall as will the tortoise. The riddle is... * ...when will the chick flee its cage? * GRANDFATHER: My child...forgive me. It's not your fault... MASAMI: Grandpa... OWNER OF VOICE: Your grandfather has gone to the underground temple, so...that is... MASAMI: Oh...don't worry about it. * OWNER OF VOICE: He left word that you must never return to this house...He will put money in your bank account every month for living expenses. However it will not be a large sum, so you must try to be independent as soon as possible. MASAMI: How can anyone live on 80 thousand yen a month...(I think about $800) * KAGOME N: Takeuchi! Sorry! Have you been waiting long? MASAMI: Yeah! What were you doing? KAGOME N: The meeting took longer than planned. It wasn't my fault. MASAMI: That discussion...you were serious? * KAGOME N: Of course! I registered the group as an amateur group. One day we'll be a club!! MASAMI: Nishino!! But...I'm not doing it. Your group... KAGOME N: Don't worry. I put your name down too! * MASAMI: Why?! I said NO! I don't like that kind of thing! KAGOME N: Mmm. Oh! Tell me, why am I here with you? MASAMI: To find me a room... KAGOME N: Complete with bath and kitchen, and under 30 thousand yen a month...It's really hard to find one that meets all those conditions. You ought to repay me. * MASAMI: What can I do if I don't have money or a house? You already said that you could help me. KAGOME N: Do you think that you can get something for nothing?! Shouldn't you give me something in exchange? MASAMI: That's not fair! KAGOME N: Shut up! I have an ace in the hole. The letters you gave me...Do you need to hear them again? * MASAMI: Coward! KAGOME N: Get off! The ends justify the means! So will you just go along with me and not complain? Or would you rather end up on the street? MASAMI: Uuhh... * KAGOME N: Takeuchi...You told me that you liked me...were you lying? Please...I can't be a group by myself... * KENJI: What are you doing in public?! Get up. * KENJI: Where were you going? KAGOME N: We're going to look at an apartment for him. KENJI: Masami...It's true that you got thrown out of your house? MASAMI: Stow it! * KAGOME N: Kenji...you want to come with us? KENJI: I live around here, so...Ah, I've got time to be curious. * KENJI: What? A Paranormal Observation group? Trying to find and photograph ghosts and spirits...interesting. KAGOME N: Isn't it? Isn't it? You want to try it once? MASAMI: Ghosts don't exist. They're only optical illusions. KAGOME N: You're afraid. MASAMI: You've never seen any. * KENJI: No one can prove whether or not ghosts exist. KAGOME N: Well said! KENJI: I wouldn't be surprised to see some. KAGOME N: You could say that it's up to us to prove their existence. Hmm? MASAMI: I wouldn't... KENJI: You're enthusiastic. * KAGOME N: I like mysteries. KENJI: I'll join the group. KAGOME N: Really? MASAMI: Kenji! * MASAMI: Are you sure? KENJI: Well... KAGOME N: According to the map it should be around here...It's a nice little apartment. It's got a kitchen and a bath, like you wanted, for 24 thousand yen a month. MASAMI: What? * KENJI: Nice... KAGOME N: It's number 6. MASAMI: It's really only 24 thousand a month? KAGOME N: No deposit, and it's in a condo complex. What do you think? * KAGOME N: I forgot...there's just one condition. Until our group is a club and can afford to pay fees, can we have our meetings here? MASAMI: Sure. KAGOME N: Really? Thanks. * MASAMI: This room is...cold... KENJI: Hey, Nishino...how'd you get the keys? Normally you have to go ask the super or the administrator. KAGOME N: Oh! * KENJI: You know...for such a nice place... KAGOME N: Um... KENJI: ...the rent is awfully low...weird...There's something... KAGOME N: * KAGOME N: W-well I'm going home. Sleep here tonight, Takeuchi...if nothing happens we'll sign the contract...Oh no...! KENJI: Well, I'm off too. KAGOME N: Bye! MASAMI: Hey... * MASAMI: She said to sleep here...but I don't have anything. All my stuff's in the school infirmary. I should at least go get it... * MASAMI: I'll go buy something at the store...I have to look for work, too...Mmm...This house has no feeling... * MASAMI: A stain?! But of what?! * MASAMI: Um...waaa!! Oh...no! I can't stay upright! * Trip Two: A Night Alone * * MASAMI: Ooo... * MASAMI: Is it over? Oh? I...didn't open that...I can't seem to move. Wha...? * MASAMI: It can't be... * MASAMI: Oh! KENJI: It's me! I brought you a blanket and some food... MASAMI: Come on in! It's open. * KENJI: My mom sent them...I brought some goodies, too. MASAMI: Thanks. KENJI: There's enough for two. I'll eat with you. MASAMI: What'd you buy? * * * KENJI: Wh-what are you doing? MASAMI: Huh? Nothing...Thanks...ha ha. I could eat a horse. * MASAMI: Mmm...yummy... KENJI: You're weird... MASAMI: Kenji...did you see someth... KENJI: Mm? What? MASAMI: It's...no, nothing... * KENJI: Well, I'm going home... * MASAMI: Ok...it was an optical illusion. It had to be. Ghosts do not exist. It was an earthquake tremor...I was scared...it was like the drawing on a manga cover that I thought was a ghost... * [KENJI: My mother told me...that you're really brave to stay here by yourself... MASAMI: Why? KENJI: Well...the ghost, you know?] * MASAMI: He didn't have to tell me that...he talks too much. He talks too much. [KENJI: Stay here...? No...I can't sleep without my pillow.] MASAMI: No, no. There's no such thing as ghosts. * MASAMI: No good...Good night. * * * MASAMI: What? What? * MASAMI: Eeeee! * MASAMI: Shoo, shoo. Go away... * * HEAD: Heeee...heee...heeee... MASAMI: WAAAAH! * DOCTOR: So, in the end Morimoto and Nishino went to get him...Takeuchi was passed out... * DOCTOR: It's dangerous to do that stuff alone. Something serious could happen. MASAMI: I'm never going back there! DOCTOR: Mmm...We need Kusaka... KAGOME N: But...we don't REALLY need her... DOCTOR: You mean you don't want to know her...because she's a bother. * DOCTOR: Who's there? KAGOME K: It's Kusaka. DOCTOR: Oh! At last! Come in, come in. * Trip Three: Two Kagomes * KAGOME K: Doctor? Oh! KAGOME N: Yoohoo! * KAGOME K: Pfff...What's this all about? I have no intention of joining the paranormal observation group. I've already told you many times. I don't want to have anything more to do with that stuff. * MASAMI: Doctor...who's that? Will you introduce me? KAGOME K: What...? DOCTOR: This is Kagome Kusaka from Class A. * KAGOME N: Kagome has the power to see spirits. I really want her in my group. KAGOME K: Hi... MASAMI: Kagome Nishino, Kagome Kusaka...you have the same name. KENJI: It's funny...this Kagome wants to see ghosts and can't...and the other Kagome can but doesn't want to. MASAMI: Yeah... KAGOME N: Shut up! Leave me alone. * DOCTOR: But Nishino, we can't force her. If you get into trouble, I won't be able to be your advisor anymore, and I could let you go... KAGOME N: Sorry. If things don't work out...I'll resign. * KAGOME K: I changed my mind. I'll...I'll join your group. KEN, MA, DR: Whaat?! * KAGOME N: C'mon, hurry, hurry! We'll be late! * KAGOME K: Takeuchi... MASAMI: Kusaka...Didn't you go to class? KAGOME K: Follow me, please. * MASAMI: Where're you going? KAGOME K: Come on, come on. Keep me company. MASAMI: Are you going to skip class? Hey... KAGOME K: Just a little...It's ok every so often. * * KAGOME N: What happened to Takeuchi? KENJI: Huh? He was right behind us. * KAGOME K: Come on. No one will disturb us here. We can be alone. * * MASAMI: Kusaka...? What are we doing here? KAGOME K: Something beautiful. Mmm...my power increases if I put on black gloves. MASAMI: Ummm...I gotta get back to class...You know, I'd like to get the attendance prize. * KAGOME K: Listen...I changed my mind because of you. Come here. I suddenly knew that...you were the boy who would save me... MASAMI: Me? Save you? * KAGOME K: Exactly. I'm not precisely sure myself...but you've got something special. That "something" attracted me. And of course...I wasn't the only one attracted... * MASAMI: Wh-what?! What're you talkin' about? KAGOME K: Takeuchi...concentrate, and you will be able to see them... * KAGOME K: STOP! MASAMI: Waaah! KAGOME K: Why did you dodge?! I wanted to hunt the spirits around you! They're so attatched that we can't make love! MASAMI: What? What did you say? * KAGOME K: Wait! MASAMI: Nooo! I can't! * KAGOME K: Don't move. If you stay like this, your life will be in danger! MASAMI: It's not true! There are no ghosts here! KAGOME K: You don't see them because you don't want to. Don't move! MASAMI: Wha- * * KAGOME K: Gasp! MASAMI: Umm...I got an electric shock. KAGOME K: * Trip Four: Kagome's Objective * * * HEAD: Heee...heeee... * * MASAMI: Ahh! It was just a dream...Yeah, that's it. It was just a dream...an illusion! It didn't really exist. Ha ha ha... KAGOME K: It wasn't a dream. It's all true. What happened in the apartment and on the roof. * MASAMI: Kusaka...you're here? KAGOME K: Yes. MASAMI: I...fainted? KAGOME K: Yeah. * KAGOME K: Carrying you here was really tiring. [KAGOME K: Why are you dodging? With those spirits there we can't make love!] KAGOME K: You're male, so of course you weigh more - MASAMI: Um...why did you talk about...making love? Kusaka...? KAGOME K: Masami...don't delude yourself - I'm not in love with you. * KAGOME K: Women in my family have always been mediums. At least they are until a new woman with "the power" is born, when it shifts over. You must already know that I'm it... MASAMI: Which is why you can see ghosts... * KAGOME K: Yes...but such a power can only bring trouble. I see things that shouldn't necessarily be seen...It follows me...it is spiteful...I don't like it. * KAGOME K: But...a medium must be a virgin. Do you get it? If I make love to you, I'll be free. MASAMI: Ha ha...I'd love to...but I'm not quite ready... KAGOME K: Idiot! I didn't mean now. * KAGOME K: Don't move. With that thing around, we won't be able to...I have to free us. * KAGOME N: Hmmm... * KAGOME N: Move it! MASAMI: Come on, let it go. I don't want to go. Nishino! KAGOME N: Let's go! * MASAMI: I said no! KAGOME N: No? You plan to stay in the infirmary forever? We have to go back to that room. MASAMI: But...something...is in there. KAGOME N: What? Didn't you tell us that you don't believe in ghosts? Aren't they just optical illusions? * KAGOME K: What are you doing? Let's go. We should hurry. It's not good to wait until dark. KAGOME N: You're right. Let's move!! * KAGOME N: Takeuchi! Don't sleep with Kusaka. Please... MASAMI: What?! Oh...you heard all that? KAGOME N: * [Kagome K: Let's make love!] MASAMI: Argh! KAGOME K: What's with Takeuchi? DOCTOR: Is it the spirit? * DOCTOR: Don't be scared. It's still daytime. MASAMI: But I - KAGOME N: Are you ashamed? You're a guy, after all! KAGOME K: We thought I'd protect you, so don't worry. KENJI: There you are...about time! Did Masami tell you everything? Pretty scary... * KENJI: I asked my mother... KAGOME N: Did she know something? KENJI: No...she only knew there was a ghost here... KAGOME K: I feel it...on the other side of this door... * KENJI: What's going on...? MASAMI: Drop it! This could be dangerous! DOCTOR: Takeuchi, running away won't solve anything! MASAMI: Doctor, you say that because it isn't your problem! KAGOME K: I'm going. KAGOME N: Open it. * MASAMI: If anything happens, it's not my fault... * * * Trip Five: The Spirit's True Face * KAGOME K: Ugh! Mmm... * KAGOME K: Mmmm... * * * KAGOME N: What're you doing? KAGOME K: Ha...ha ha! Oh, nothing. * KAGOME K: What? DOCTOR: Don't stand here, go in. It's cold in here... * DOCTOR: Let's look in here...the room where the head fell...There's not even the shadow of a ghost. MASAMI: What? KAGOME N: They don't appear during the day. * KAGOME K: You're blessed not to perceive anything...Nishino, you're really lucky. KAGOME N: What're you sayin' about me?! * KAGOME N: What? * KAGOME N: What's up? Tell me... MASAMI: Hey...what's going on? KAGOME N: She's looking at something... * DOCTOR: Kusaka? KAGOME N: What're you looking for? KAGOME K: The whole room has an odd feel to it... KAGOME N: So there's really a ghost here?! KAGOME K: Not precisely physically...it's more the sense of the thing... * MASAMI: N-nishino...th-that wasn't open before... * DOCTOR: Kusaka...maybe we ought to leave this alone... KAGOME N: No, Doctor! This is a one-of-a-kind occaision. * KAGOME K: I'll open it... * * KAGOME N: Nothing there. MASAMI: Phew... * KAGOME K: It looks empty, but the negative feelings are stronger. MASAMI: Nope...nothing there...ha ha. Look, it was just a suggestion... KAGOME N: Takeuchi! Your hand...?! * MASAMI: Aah! DOCTOR: Oh! That's woman's hair. KENJI: Well a woman lived here first, so it must be her hair... * KAGOME N: It's not normal to find so MUCH hair! * KAGOME K: Oh! It's here! A woman was killed here?! Her head... * * EVERYONE: screaming * KAGOME N: I thought I saw a woman's face... KAGOME K: I saw it... KENJI: I...don't understand... DOCTOR: I thought something fell, but I'm not sure. How scary... MASAMI: That face...I didn't realize it at first, but...it's my mother. * Trip Six: The Seal is Removed * DOCTOR: Takeuchi...are you sure it was your mother's face? REALLY sure? MASAMI: I didn't see it very well...But when the head fell, I thought...it was my mom. KAGOME N: I don't understand. Did you see it or not? Was it her or not? * MASAMI: My mother died when I was 2...so I only really knew her from photos. But still...that head. DOCTOR: Takeuchi... KAGOME N: Well, we still need to go back and get our shoes. * KAGOME K: I'll go. DOCTOR: You sure? KENJI: Only get the shoes... KAGOME N: No, you can see if it's still there. KAGOME K: Shhh! * KAGOME K: The head's gone. KAGOME N: So...? KAGOME K: Nothing's here anymore. The air is normal. * KAGOME K: I'll pass you the shoes. Put them on outside. Ah...? KAGOME N: Kusaka, what is it? Anything wrong? KAGOME K: A little...nothing big. * KAGOME K: A talisman...that wasn't there before. Did it fall from someplace? * * KAGOME N: Didn't you know? It's our class's turn to clean the pool next week. MASAMI: What a bad day that'll be... KAGOME K: Takeuchi. Are you still sleeping in the infirmary? What if you're discovered? * KAGOME N: So what's up? Did you find anything out? KENJI: A friend of mine from the net is an expert on paranormal stuff, and he said that something strange happened in that apartment. * KENJI: Masami...didn't you say that you saw a black stain in that room? It's a blood splatter. MASAMI: What? KENJI: Yeah. It seems someone was killed there...they never found the body, so no one really knows. Since there was a blood stain, the police thought it was a homicide...but no one knew what to do from there. It could also have been an accident. * MASAMI: What are you talking about? KAGOME N: So there weren't any clues...Sounds like an interesting case. KAGOME K: There is one clue. Look. A talisman. KAGOME N: Can you read it? * KAGOME K: This talisman was only used once in a Shinto temple. They're only sold at the place near my house. KAGOME N: Do you know where the temple is? KAGOME K: Of course. KAGOME N: Then let's go! Hurry! * KAGOME N: Is it nearby? KAGOME K: About a ten minute walk from school. MASAMI: Why are we going to a temple? KAGOME N: It's hard to explain. KAGOME K: When I saw the talisman, I knew where we had to go. * KAGOME N: About the clues...Takeuchi, couldn't you find out about your mother from someone at your house? MASAMI: It's a taboo to talk about my mother at home. Besides...my grandpa hates me...Hey, are you listening? KAGOME N: Oh. KAGOME K: This way. * KAGOME N: It's here? MASAMI: The temple - KAGOME K: Not this one. This way. * KAGOME N: Hmm...scary... * KAGOME N: Um...where's the temple? KAGOME K: Hmm...this should be the main room...I didn't know that it was so reduced... * KAGOME K: Doesn't it look closed? KAGOME N: Yeah... MASAMI: I get a bad feeling from this... KENJI: It's like it's sealing something... * KAGOME K: Leave it alone. We'd better not do anything. MASAMI: What? KAGOME N: NO, IT'S FINE. * KAGOME K: What? Aaah! MASAMI: Nishino! What're you doing?! * MASAMI: Nishino! * KAGOME K: No, look at her eyes!! She's possessed! MASAMI: But... * * Trip Seven: In the Old Well * MASAMI: Nishino! No! Nishino! * MASAMI: What...? * * MASAMI: Aw...man! Nishino fell! KAGOME K: She's possessed by a spirit! MASAMI: Nishino! KAGOME K: Takeuchi...move away! MASAMI: What can I do - * * KAGOME K: Masami! KENJI: No...I'll go get help... * KAGOME K: No! If we involve another person, things'll get more complicated!! Kenji, go find a rope or a ladder! * KENJI: Ok! Sure! Leave it to me. * KAGOME K: Whew..Aaah! What am I doing here?! Why am I even in this story... * KAGOME K: It's not very deep...about 5 meters... * KAGOME K: Masami? Takeuchiiii! * KAGOME K: Masami! Where are you, Masami?! Masami...Masami...Masami! * MASAMI: Mmmm...who's there...? KAGOME K: Masami. Masami...Masami... * KAGOME K: Masami... MASAMI: Oh...I'm in the well. KAGOME K: Masami...Masami? MASAMI: Kusaka... KAGOME K: I found you, Masami! * *(2 pages) MASAMI: UAAAAAAAH! * MASAMI: That's NOT my mother! My mother can't be a ghost! Uaaaah! * MASAMI: Ai yi yi... * * * KAGOME K: Masami, whatever it takes, get rid of the stone in the middle of the Tori. Hurry!! * MASAMI: Oh! Nishino... * Trip Eight: More Woman Trouble * MASAMI: Ni...Nishino? Are you ok? You look kinda funny... * KAGOME K: Masami! Hurry up! I can't keep this up long! * MASAMI: Huh?! Nishino... KAGOME N: Masami... * KAGOME K: Hey! Masami! What are you doing?! Nishino is possessed!! MASAMI: Um...Nishino...? KAGOME N: Shhh! * KAGOME K: MASAMI! MASAMI: Ni...shino... KAGOME N: Shh...shh... KAGOME K: * KAGOME K: Masami...NO! GRRR! * KAGOME K: Masami you jerk! * * KAGOME K: Masami...! HEAD (looks like Michael Jackson...-_-;): NO, NOOOO! I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN. I DON'T KNOOOOW. * * MASAMI: Waah! KAGOME K: Oh! * * * MASAMI: Waaah! SPIRIT: Masami...I did everything for you...for you... * KAGOME K: Oh...we're saved...phew! KAGOME N: Huh? What happened? * MASAMI: What's this? Oh... KENJI: Hey! Are you alive? I brought a rope. * KAGOME N: According to Kusaka...Takeuchi's mother is free. She says it's a sure thing, but... DOCTOR: But? * KAGOME N: I...don't remember anything. It's annoying. DOCTOR: Hmmm...Well, what about the apartment? Has the ghost appeared again? * KAGOME N: I don't really know. Takeuchi won't set foot in it. Even though it was so hard to find it. DOCTOR: He's still sleeping here? KAGOME N: No, no. I found him another place! * MASAMI: U-ummm... * KAGOME K: Yes? MASAMI: We could do it... KAGOME K: What? MASAMI: You don't want to be a medium... * KAGOME K: "We could do it"...I should say it. Since I propositioned you... MASAMI: Sorry... KAGOME K: ...alright. Let's do it. Here, now... * MASAMI: Ah...so...let's go to it... KAGOME K: EEEE! NOOO! WAAAH! IT'S BACK!! End of Volume One To Be Continued...