Guarded
Prologue:
Red rimmed sunken eyes stared jealously at the couple. Why would Kikyo, a priestess, fall in love with a demon? She could have any man in the village if she just asked, but instead she preferred the company of some dog demon!
The man watched on, feeling more and more disgusted at the display in front of him.
Kikyo held her love and smiled. It was a rare thing, not just their relationship, but the opportunity to live in pure bliss. In his arms, she could feel everything she was told her whole life was out of reach.
InuTairo never held anything so dear and precious before. He would keep her heart and safeguard it with his life.
"Kikyo, I wish you could run away with me, be my mate, bear my pups, live with me in the western lands."
Lifting her head from his strong shoulder, she smiled brightly at him.
"That life sounds like Heaven, InuTairo, but we would have to take my little sister with us. I couldn't bear to leave her behind."
"Is she also a priestess?"
"Well, she has the ability, but I don't want this life for her. I want her to be free to live a life of her choosing, not obligated or bound by duty."
With a twinkle in is amber eyes, he smiled and twirled her around. Could his heart feel any fuller than it did now? So much was brimming within him, and he, who never showed his true emotions, allowed a small moment of vulnerability as a single tear fell from his eye.
"It's settle then! You and your sister will leave with me to the western lands and you will become my mate."
Setting her down, he gently ran his clawed hand down her silken tresses.
"Two nights from now, I will return for you and Kaede when the moon is full. Be ready with whatever you plan to take with you, and when we arrive in the west, you will no longer be Lady Kikyo Higurashi, you will be Kikyo Takahashi, my mate and love."
"Oh, InuTairo!"
It was that moment they shared their first kiss. It was sweet, it was passionate, it was everything a first kiss should be, and Kikyo fell even further into the abyss of love. InuTairo used all the strength he could muster to break free of the enchanting and intoxicating kiss.
"Careful, my love. I wish to wed you appropriately, but if we continue I may not be able to restrain myself."
She knew what he meant, because she too was feeling the lure to pull him closer, to feel his skin hot underneath her touch, to feel one with him in the most intimate way.
"I will have Kaede and myself ready to leave when you come back. For now, I must get back to picking herbs. A priestess' job is never done."
Smirking, he let her go and lifted her hand to his lips, searing her flesh with his tantalizing kiss.
"Until then, my love."
Just as quick as he stole her heart, he sped off in a ball of light; much like a shooting star, and Kikyo closed her eyes to let the sun warm her face. In this solitary moment, it was as if the clouds opened and Heaven looked upon her with kindness and love. Was this really happening? Could life be any more perfect? The setting sun brought a beautiful orange and purple haze to the sky, and she smiled and twirled in the field, eyes still closed.
"Lady Kikyo!"
A band of soldiers approached her, got off their horses, and kneeled.
"Lady Kikyo, we have something for you."
Trying to put her cold exterior back in place, she fell into her role as priestess once more.
"You may approach."
One soldier stood up and grabbed his bag, giving it to her. She held it with confusion.
"What is it?"
"The Shikon no Tama, my Lady. You are the only priestess strong enough to keep it purified and safe. We have lost many lives traveling with it already, but in your hands, we can be saved from its influence in this world."
Opening the satchel, she lifted a round purple jewel and held it in her hand.
"What makes this jewel so dangerous?"
"My Lady, this jewel is wanted by demons to increase their power, and by humans to gain supernatural abilities akin to that of demons. You must keep it far away from the demons and humans lured by its existence."
Holding the jewel, she felt her joy fade. This thing might as well had been shackles keeping her trapped in this life, bound by her spiritual powers and duty to protect.
"I shall guard it with my life."
Each word placed another crack in her heart, breaking it into pieces like shattered glass. If the soldier heard her sadness, he made no mind of it.
"Thank you, my Lady! It is a blessing to have this accursed thing, this burden off our shoulders."
Kneeling again, the soldier turned to his men.
"Our mission is completed! Now, let's finally go home."
And there they left her, alone in her prison, with the ball and chain that was too heavy for them to carry. Staring down at the jewel she sneered.
"I hate you."
As Kikyo made her way back to the village, the man which was still hidden formulated a plan.
"Lady Kikyo, that demon will not have you."
…
Making her way to a large house the villagers constructed for her, she placed the jewel in a small room with no windows, and a seal over the entrance.
"As long as I live, the seal cannot be broken."
A commotion outside drew her attention as she walked out of the house to see all the villagers arguing with each other.
"What's the meaning of this?!"
The man, Onigumo looked on her with disgust.
"This priestess! Our Lady Kikyo, has fallen in love with a demon!"
Again, the villagers raised their voices at each other, but one vouched for her.
"Lady Kikyo would never succumb to something like that! She's too innocent and powerful to do such a thing! Right, Lady Kikyo?"
All the villagers turned to her and she found it hard to try and lie to them. This was what Onigumo wanted, to see her ashamed and make her promise to never see that demon again!
"I-I... it's true. I have fallen in love with a demon."
Everyone gasped, and Onigumo took his chance.
"Now, now! She is still our beautiful loving priestess! The spell has not been fully cast over her for they have not mated! I say we lock her up and wait for the spell's power to leave her pure heart!"
They did their own version of cheering and Onigumo stepped onto the porch, shackles in hand.
"I'm sorry, priestess, but you leave me no choice."
"You followed me today, didn't you?"
He smiled as he wrapped his arms around her to place the cuffs on her hands behind her. So close to her, he inhaled her fragrance and whispered in her ear.
"I can make this all go away if you agree to become my wife."
She tried her best to still seem cold, but she made a face like something rancid wafted to her nose.
"You are truly despicable, Onigumo. I wish I had never saved you that day."
He pulled her closer, roughly pressing her body into his.
"Now is that a way for a priestess to talk to someone? Be a good girl and agree to my proposal, or I will surely kill that demon you hold dear when he comes for you."
"He's too powerful. You would never get the chance."
Unable to resist himself, he tasted her skin and felt her shiver. Whether it was out of pleasure or disgust, he didn't care.
"One way or another, you will be mine, Kikyo. And it looks like I have two whole days to convince you of that."
Walking her down the steps, she surprised him by addressing the villagers.
"Everyone! I understand that you feel I have betrayed you, but I beg of you to not place me in some basement. I still need to protect you, so I will place a strong barrier over the village. This way, no demon can enter and I cannot leave."
Onigumo sneered at her…that was a cheap trick, but the villagers agreed to it and he reluctantly unshackled her.
"You haven't won, yet."
He turned his attention to everyone.
"Let's lock her up in her house with guards at every exit, including the windows. That way, the temptation to run can be stopped by real manpower, and not by the powers of the one wanting to leave."
They agreed and did just that. Kaede walked into her sister's home and hugged her close.
"Is it true, Kikyo? You fell in love with a demon?"
Tears fell as she wrapped her little sister in her arms.
"It is, but it's InuTairo. He wants me to become his mate. You remember him, don't you? He played with you all day in the field and even shapeshifted himself into a dog for you to ride."
Kaede smiled as the memories of that day danced in her mind.
"He was so much fun to play with, and I knew he loved you. It was in his eyes every time I caught him staring at you."
Kneeling in front of her baby sister, Kikyo searched her eyes.
"He wants to take us with him to the western lands, both of us. I don't want this life for you, Kaede. I want you to be free to live and love, and maybe one day have children if you wanted. InuTairo can give you a life freed from these cold priestess obligations I have been imprisoned by."
Kaede cried into her chest, and Kikyo rubbed her back.
"I want you to promise me something."
Her little sister looked up at her, "what is it, sister?"
Never had Kaede seen such a look in Kikyo's eyes before. It made her feel uneasy as something foreboding washed over her.
"I want you to promise me that, when InuTairo comes for me, whether I am with him or not, you will leave this place and go with him to the western lands. Leave and forget these dark memories that are sure to happen."
"Sister, what are you planning?"
Gazing down at the floor, Kikyo listened to the gentle breeze, the birds faintly singing, and smiled sadly.
"Either I leave with my love or I will die attempting it. I will not allow Onigumo to have any part of me, and I'll not live this life any longer."
Kaede may have only been seven years old, but the gravity of the situation was not lost on her, and she knew what her dear sister was telling her.
"Well, then let's make these next couple of day count."
Giving her a small smile, Kikyo nodded and they curled up as her big sister got a picture scroll out to read to her.
Kaede and Kikyo spent the night reminiscing on the few good memories they were fortunate enough to share, and ate some stew before heading to bed.
…..
Two days of waiting for the wretch that dared to try and steal Kikyo from him. Onigumo paced outside her house, sure that the priestess would lower her barrier to let the demon in.
"Ready yourselves men! He'll be here soon enough."
Glaring at the full moon that hand high overhead, he spat at the ground.
"You'll not have her. Kikyo with be mine!"
"We'll see about that."
They all turned around as the one who spoke came into the moon's light.
"So, tell me why are you, the villagers, holding your own priestess hostage?"
Onigumo looked at the white-haired demon and knew he came for a fight. There the demon was, dressed in battle armor, hair up in a ponytail, and sheer determination etched on his face.
"I'll do whatever it takes to keep her from being tainted by you, demon!"
Scenting the air, InuTairo lowered his head and glared at the man. One whiff was all it took to know why he was so outraged.
"What's the matter, human? Angry because she wants to be with me and not you? Even if I wasn't in the picture, you could never have her! I can sense the wickedness that resides in you, and she would sooner die than ever be overcome by that darkness you cling to."
Onigumo roared and clashed swords with the demon as the villagers shot arrow after arrow, missing their target every time. InuTairo easily pushed him back, but this puny man was not his mission.
Taking the opportunity, InuTairo rushed into Kikyo's house and found her on her knees by the bed, praying.
"Kikyo."
Breaking into a bright smile, she lunged for him and latched her arms around his neck.
"I knew you would come for me! I just knew it!"
She sobbed into his shoulder, and he couldn't bear it any longer. Bending down, he captured her lips and reveled in the feel of her softness molding to his body.
"Two days… that was far too long to be away from you."
Smiling, she grabbed her bag and lifted Kaede from her bed. As she passed the hall, she stopped and turned to the secret room housing the Shikon no Tama.
"InuTairo, do you know what the Shikon no Tama is?"
Stealing a glance at the door, he turned to her.
"Is this really the time for questions?"
"Just tell me."
"It's an urban legend among demons. A jewel that can make you the most powerful demon in all the land."
"If it exists, and I were the keeper of it, would you do everything in your power to keep us safe?"
Turning fully toward her, he clasped her hands in his. It's funny, her hands felt so small and delicate in his own. Was it even a question on whether or not he would protect her?
"If you have the jewel, then I would undoubtedly protect it as well as you."
Smiling, Kikyo made her way to the room and waved her hand over the entrance, breaking the seal, and ducking in to place the jewel in her satchel.
They made their way out of the house, a sleeping Kaede safely tucked in his arms. All they needed to do was make it out, undetected, but luck was not on their side as InuTairo got nailed with an arrow in his arm.
"InuTairo!"
Kikyo saw Onigumo coming towards him as he tried to pull the arrow out. When InuTairo turned, it was as if everything moved in slow motion. There was Onigumo, going in for the kill, and Kikyo stepping in front of him. She held onto her demon love and InuTairo felt his chin tremble as he saw the blood coming from her mouth.
"Why?! Why would you do that?! I wouldn't have died if his sword hit me!"
Leaning her face down, she rubbed the top of her little sister's head, "but she would have."
He sobbed as he held her close, but she lifted her head up to peer into his golden depths.
"Take the jewel, burn it with my body, and take Kaede away from this terrible place. Swear to me that you will forever protect the Higurashi bloodline, so one day, when the jewel appears again, there will be a priestess strong enough to protect it."
Raising her a little, he took her lips in a tender kiss, trying to pour all the love he carried into it.
"I promise, love. No matter how many generations go by, I swear to you that your family will always have the protection of the Takahashi clan."
It was the last thing he would ever say to her as she died in his arms. Laying Kaede down on the side of the house, he turned around still holding Kikyo's slowly cooling body.
"This is all your doing! She did everything for you villagers, and when she finally had her chance at happiness, you couldn't let her have it! I will make you pay for the suffering you caused her."
His eyes turned red as he transformed into a giant demon dog.
….
Watching her body burn with the jewel, InuTairo cried as he held onto Kaede. The burning village lay behind them with no one left in sight, and he wished he could say it made him feel better, but nothing was going to fill the void within his heart. The killing and screaming might be some demons' cup of tea, but not his.
Looking down at his charge, sweet little Kaede, he swore to always fulfill his promise to Kikyo.
"Come Kaede, we must make our way to the western lands."