Welcome, and thank you for taking the time to look at my first fan fiction! Any an all critiques are greatly appreciated, and I can't wait to hear what you think! If you are curious what any of the Japanese words mean, scroll to the bottom where you will find definitions and explanations plucked directly from Wikipedia. Also, if you find I've gone and mentioned something that is historically incorrect, please let me know. While I've done my best to do my homework on the time period, everyone makes mistakes, and I'd love to be able to fix them!
This fanfiction DOES NOT involve any hate for Kagome or her relationship with InuYasha. Any and all "bashing" will be entirely ignored. Kikyou and Kagome both are beautiful characters, and I'd like for them to be treated as such in comments. I love them both, and ship both couples equally, if not for different reasons.
The first chapter is rather fast paced, as it is more trying to give you, the reader, more of an idea placement. This is a story of "what if," where Kohaku came for reasons that can't yet be explained, to the battle of Naraku, where Kikyou was given her terminal blow. This changes things drastically, and things quickly go awry.
Again, thank you so much, and enjoy!
~O~O~O~O~
Kikyou kept her expression still and stony as she watched Kagome, wishing to give nothing away to Naraku. Kagome was, after all, the only one who could do this, and she wanted so desperately for her- for them- to succeed.
As she lay on the ground, her clay body cracked and broken, she waited for Naraku to make the final mistake. His arrogance would be the death of him after all, and she nearly held her breath in anticipation. Eyes narrowing, she prayed that Kagome read her, and read her well, and to her relief, the girl did.
Kagome drew back her bow, but as she went to fire, Naraku shattered the cliif, sending the young miko flying.
"No," Kikyou whispered to herself, and her soul collectors went rushing to Kagome, saving her mid-fall. She watched as the girl, who was so much her likeness, and yet so entirely different, drew back the arrow and fired, straight into her breast. Kikyou noted the fire, the sheer determination in Kagome's eyes, and her breath caught in her chest.
The arrow drove towards her, and the shattered priestess found herself envious- no, disappointed within herself, she corrected- of the girls bursting spirit. If she had simply had half the confidence- or was it naivete from being from another world?- that this girl had, she would not have faltered. She would have believed in InuYasha, would have...
"InuYasha," she mused, and the arrow struck, and her soul felt light, if even for moment, as she and Kagome purified the jewel in unison. "If only I had the faith she does. I wish..."
The jewel was racing towards a panicked Naraku now, carried by her soul catchers, but something was wrong. Kagome yelled out as she fell over Kikyou to shield her, and they heard the taijiya scream as Kohaku came tumbling from the cliff, jewel shard lurched from his body by Naraku's talon. Kikyou struggled to breathe, raising a weak hand, and suddenly, the jewel shard was no longer pure, but black as sin, and it pierced the jewel, completing it. She'd left the light within Kohaku, as she had always intended, but it meant something even worse- the jewel would no longer be pure, and if it hit Naraku now, it would never purify him. This wasn't supposed to happen. Kohaku shouldn't have been there. Kikyou looked to InuYasha, panicked, doing her best to mask the fear in her mahogany eyes.
"I wish I'd believed in you, InuYasha. I'm so sorry. I wish this had never happened. All of this- all of this because of me. I wish I had the strength and life to fix it."
The jewel stopped.
The jewel trembled and hung in mid-air, a deep, warm pink, tainted by the shard- but not yet so that it was the hazy, dark purple of Naraku's liking.
It was as though the world stopped, and everyone, even Naraku looked at the floating jewel, which was beginning to pulse and throb. He threw out a jagged arm to retrieve it, but its barrier shattered his arm, and he looked down to her, puzzled. "What have you done, Kikyou?"
Kagome cradled Kikyou as InuYasha lept down to them, but no sooner had he opened his mouth to speak to her, had the jewel not shook the earth, and suddenly, a portal opened, and Kikyou was torn from Kagome's arms. The light of the portal gleamed shining, shimmering black, and Kikyou cried out, turning as best she could, calling for InuYasha, and as much as she hated it, felt tears stream and fly from her face. What was happening?!
"Kikyou!" he screamed, in a voice she'd never heard from him before, one full of terror. He gripped and grabbed at her in the mere seconds it took for her to be absorbed, and right as she was pulled into the abyssal void, their fingertips grazed, and the portal closed, leaving him behind and her floating into nothingness, body broken and filled with miasma. As she felt death begin to take her, she felt pain in her chest like nothing before- but not from poison, or death, or broken clay, but from anguish.
Kikyou felt her breath hitch, staring into the darkness, lifeless, and sobbed, something she had not allowed herself since her death, as this was her fate. To die alone, inhuman and shattered, and there was nothing left of her spirit to break. She was alone, in some empty space, immobile. She had... failed.
"Miko," a voice called.
Kikyou looked up and about, and through the darkness, she spotted light. Soft and pink it crept towards her, like a lantern floats in the hand of a traveling villager- bouncing and peaceful, a reminder of hope in the chaos of night.
"We will grant your wish, miko Kikyou, all again. Your soul, though," the voice was a mix of demonic growls and voices, with one bright, lilting voice amongst them, the sound of a woman, "It grows weary. It has been torn apart and reassembled in the hands of the kami. The chances of rebirth are becoming less and less likely, and success with it."
Kikyou looked onward, stunned, and suddenly noted that her body no longer felt sick and feeble, but... warm. She felt... warm?
Now, the woman's voice came to a head of what she now realized was the jewel's voice, and spoke with an urgency, as if competing for the power of the forefront. "This is your destiny, Kikyou. Whether in this life or another, you are the one chosen to rid the world of us. Do not attempt to escape it again. Your soul found strength in its other life- you could have succeeded. Yet you wished again. You must find a way to quiet the selfishness of your soul, should you ever seek true peace."
"But, I-" the miko seemed to bristle, fists clenching as she leaned towards the light, voice even. "I didn't wish anything, I-" All grew quiet as she remembered.
"I wish I'd believed in you, InuYasha. I'm so sorry. I wish this never happened. All of this- all of this because of me. I wish I had the strength and life to fix it."
"No," she whispered, shuddering at the sound of her own voice, and there was the sudden feel of hot tears on her flesh, her skin, which she hadn't felt for a very long time. The jewel was changing her, and she was no longer tainted clay, but human. She felt the sweet flutter of a heartbeat within her chest, felt the heaviness of her own lungs as they heaved with her silent cries, and it was nearly overwhelming how incredibly human she suddenly was.
Falling to her knees, she buried her face in her hands, feeling hopelessness swarm her. So, that was why Kagome was born. She truly was born for InuYasha. She was the answer to her wish. To live as a normal woman with InuYasha, to love him, to defeat the jewel and avenge her own death, all of it... the jewel had heard all of her thoughts as she'd burned to death in that funeral pyre.
All of it was the answer she'd wanted. Just not... what she'd truly wanted. The jewel never truly gave you your wish, after all. It was out for preservation.
And she had just started it all again. All because her heart had overcome her. She was a fool... and the jewel had gotten exactly what it had wanted.
Another chance to survive, the same it had given her. But what in the name of the gods was she to do differently?
She remembered InuYasha's face, full of terror, tears scattered about his face as he gripped for her.
He'd come for her. He'd known she was dying again and yet he'd nearly lept in with her...
She'd never seen him cry before.
The darkness seemed to close in, and she pressed a hand to her cheek, shaken.
She was so tired of hurting him, and simply tired of hurting.
Yet it was to begin again.
~O~
Kikyou awoke on the ground, in the midst of a beautiful field. Lush grass, decorated with scattered flowers, danced with the wind and brushed her cheeks as she blinked awake, finding herself warm and soothed with the heat of the mid-day sun. Her ebony hair tossed gently about her in the breeze, and looking to her hands, she noted the subtle pores and curves of her soft, porcelain skin.
It hadn't been a dream. Human again, she went to stand, and found her toes curling around the grass at her feet. Soft and glistening with dew, she felt something inside her bubble up with the gleeful sensation, and she caught herself in something of a smile. It felt foreign, to feel the pull of her cheeks, and the warmth just below the surface. Glancing up, she forced herself out of her distraction, and took in her surroundings. The air smelled sweet with the scent of spring, the birds in the forest singing, and everything seemed... peaceful.
Sighing, while Kikyou knew the surrounding area may be at peace, she was not foolish enough to believe that she was to properly experience it. Dusting off her hakama, she looked for any sign of where she should head. To her advantage, she heard the distant knicker of a horse, and decided to simply head in that direction. Where there were horses, there were usually people.
As she paced through the trees and brush, she allowed her thoughts to wonder, and let a shiver course down her spine as the facts of the matter sink in.
The jewel had tossed her somewhere, but she was unsure of where, or if she was even in the same time. Kagome had been flung from far into the future, and for all she knew, she'd been assigned the same fate, and thought it best to assume the worst. Problem occurring to her, she tested her spirit, wondering if the possible fluctuation in time, not to mention body, would change her powers. Sending out of a gentle pulse with her reiki, it coursed and calmed as she commanded, and she was relieved to find that nothing seemed to have changed in that regard. She would, however, have to find a bow...
On the worst note, she had no idea where the Shikon jewel was, or InuYasha, for that matter. Praying that she was somewhere, anywhere near, her own time was the best she could hope, because if she could find him, she could find answers. If not, it was a matter of assuming he even knew her. If not, she was going to have a very difficult time persuading him into even speaking with her. He'd always been particularly guarded, and for good reason. It was the reasn they had understood each other so well.
She had done her best to stay away from him and his companions in the past. While she had denied her hearts true desire, she would not interfere with the living, breathing relationship InuYasha had found in Kagome- much to her love's protest. Selfishness might have been her downfall, but she had no intention of making him suffer with her any more than she already had. While her intentions may not have always been chaste and pure, her love for him had.
Memories returned to her of when they had first met, and she sighed inwardly, a sadness haunting the sweeter moments. The two of them tucked under a tree, sharing a lunch he'd hardly touch before sniffing it out and sneering, or when he'd protect her, only to scoff and say he was simply worried about the jewel. All of the times she'd step out of her hut in her sleepless nights, only to look out into the trees and feel him, always watching, always guarding.
She remembered the night she'd worn the lip rouge that InuYasha had given her, and after Kaede had fallen asleep, she'd crept out of her hut and waited, smiling blissfully. He'd come to her side in a rush as she'd silently beckoned him from the trees, and upon seeing her grin, he'd turned red as a beet, even in the dark violet hues of the night. She'd looked beautiful, she'd known, after combing her hair until it shone and applying the color to her lips, and he'd noticed right away. Kikyou had done it for him...
"Thank you," she'd whispered to him in a hushed voice, her own cheeks flushing with color.
"You really like it, don't you?" He'd asked, glancing away, giving an uncertain grunt. It was clear he wasn't used to making someone so happy.
"Of course I do. You're hopeless," she playfully chided, a gentle hand coming to his arm, causing him to look at her again.
"Yeah, well, ya know-" he'd stopped himself and sighed as he'd looked to her again, and then cast his gaze down, trying to hide a smile. "It... it looks nice, I guess." The struggle in his voice only made her laugh, endearing and sweet, and he grumbled at her before turning away, muttering something about how the thing had been useless, anyway.
"Come here, silly man," she'd asked gently, and she'd leaned up to his cheek, planting a rosy kiss upon his soft skin. "You've made me delightfully over joyed. I feel... like a woman. You've no idea what it means."
Golden eyes had found hers at that moment, and he'd pulled her into his arms, wanting to tell her he was glad, but unable to face her or himself without becoming a flustered mess. He hadn't needed to, though. As she laid her head upon his chest, she'd heard the fluttering beats of his heart, swift and tender, and it had said more than words could ever hope to.
"Miko? Miko-sama!"
Suddenly pulled from her daydreaming, Kikyou looked up abruptly, berating herself for paying so little attention. She'd walked upon the horse and its rider without much notice, and he gave her a puzzled look, noting the tears in her kimono and tired appearance. Raising a hand to greet him, she paced towards him, offering a gentle smile.
"Miko-sama, are you alright?" Voice unsure, he pulled at the reigns of his steed, making the beast face her.
"Yes, simply... weary of travel. Tell me, is there a village near here?"
Looking her over, the man seemed puzzled, and she noticed that going by his clothing, this man was a hunter. Likely accustomed to the youkai that roamed the forests, he was wary of a beautiful woman stepping forth the from the forest with such a helpless look, and he was smart to be. Offering a soothing smile, she extended a hand. "I am no spirit, dear hunter. You may put your mind at ease."
"Ah- of course, Miko-sama. I beg your apologies, we simply stay cautious in the forests. We have a bit of trouble with youkai up north of the village a ways, and I don't intend on getting trapped."
Quirking a brow, Kikyo thought to use this to her advantage. "I may be able to help, if you would be so kind as to take me to your village."
The hunter shrugged, and moved forward on his horse, motioning for her to join him. "Our kokujin* of the village will want to talk to you about that, then... but you look like you need a meal and a bed before you go out battling the woods. I'll take you to him."
With a satisfied smile, she nodded, climbing onto the saddle of the horse. "Thank you, kind hunter."
The man had swallowed nervously as she'd gotten so close, and his ears burned red. "No problem," he'd muttered, before kicking his horse to set off towards the village.
This was precisely what she'd needed. A place to regroup and gather supplies, and get some form of an idea of where she was. Listening to the beating hooves of the horse as it ran, she looked out into the forest, ready for a moment of rest before she set off once again.
The jewel hadn't placed her so close to transport without reason. Wherever he was taking her, this was the beginning. Welcoming expression falling from her graceful features, she cut through the forest with her stare, resigned to her fate once more. If she was the meet a kokujin, she'd wished she hadn't been so tattered. While she certainly wasn't reliant upon her looks to get what she wanted, it certainly never hurt. Miko or not, she was a woman in a society of powerful men, and her beauty had helped her put her mind to better use upon men many a time.
Her raven hair tossed about in the wind, tangled and dulled with dirt, and she hoped that it wouldn't be a hassle to convince them of giving her shelter... not to mention food, and a bow. She found herself hungry, and that was a sensation long forgotten...
As they came to the top of a hill, Kikyou finally saw the town. It was much larger than she'd expected, with fields for crops and houses arranged closely together along the roads. Near the center, she saw a larger estate, with a towering fence rapped around it. It was much more elaborate than she'd expected, and she tensed at the sight. This place was more established than she would have guessed.
~O~
"Fujiwara-sama," the guard called, stepping into his Lord's office and bowing low. "One of the village hunters has come with a miko in tow, and she wishes an audience with you."
"A miko, you say? Where does she hail from?" Seiichi Fujiwara stood from his desk, beckoning his guard to rise, thick brow furrowed with curiosity. He was a tall man, muscular and thick at the waist, with a sturdy look to him. His squared jaw clenched as he waited, a twitch working the muscles as he grit his teeth. He'd been trying to find a solution to the demonic birds that had been seizing his crops and villagers. A miko was exactly what he needed.
"We... don't know, my Lord. We aren't even positive if she does. She looks worse for wear. Her clothes are tattered and stained, and she is unarmed." The guard stood now, facing Seiichi, and he seemed to slump with disappointment. "All we know is her name Kikyou, and it seems she's been through quite the ordeal."
Seiichi exhaled sharply, and brought up a hand to his beard, smoothing the thick hairs that decorated his chin. "So she is either a weak spirit or a fool to lie. Regardless, I will see her. Bring her in. She may at least know something of the pests that plague us."
Waiting with an irritated hesitance as his guard left, Seiichi stood by his desk as he heard the soft sounds of foot steps approach his door. One of the servant girls escorted the miko into his office, and the woman that stood before him was not what he had expected.
Even with her haggard appearance, the beauty of the woman before him was unrivaled. The dirt on her cheek and in her hair could not dull the soft, rounded beauty of her face, and the mahogany eyes that shone in the sunlight that peeked from the windows did not falter beneath his gaze, but yet, seemed to challenge him with the wit that lay behind them.
She bowed low to him, posture perfect, and the voice that rose from her was as maidenly and graceful as she. "I thank you for seeing me, my Lord. I am most humbled."
"You may rise, miko-sama." Hiding the astonished tone of his voice, he watched her closely as she stood. "What brings you here to me, then?"
Sighing, Kikyou cast her gaze over the room before looking back to him. "I am horribly lost," she lamented. "I have no memory of how I got to be here, and your hunter was kind enough to bring me to your door." She was lying, of course, but she saw no current reason to involve him in her business. "He gave word that you were having an issue with youkai. I was hoping I may trade my services for coin and shelter."
Looking her over as if to size her up, he frowned. Beautiful as she may be, it didn't seem that that she was much of a fighter. "And what services might that be, miko-sama? I will give you what your services are worth."
Smile coy and humored, she cocked a hip, almost mischievous with her bristling confidence. "Have you a bow, and a place I may use it? While I have much knowledge to give, I believe you would find my skill to be of the utmost benefit."
Intrigued, Seiichi looked to his guard who had yet stepped in to listen, and quirked a brow. "I believe that can be arranged. Go and fetch our miko a bow, then. Meet us on the outskirts of the forest." Looking back to Kikyou, he beckoned her to follow him. She did gladly, and he noted how she seemed to nearly glide with her steps, rather than walk.
"So, what is your name, miko-sama?" he asked, walking close to her side. As they walked the halls, the servants watched with hope, and he knew they were as eager as he was to see if she could fix their little problem.
"Kikyou, my Lord. And how may I address you?"
"I am Seiichi Fujiwara." Looking down to her, he told one of the servants to inform his wife of Kikyou's arrival, and the young girl had scurried away in a flurry, elated that she be the bearer of the news.
Smiling, Kikyou nodded. "Fujiwara-sama, then. So, tell me of these demons plaguing you so, if you would."
Scratching his chin, he sighed as they made it out of his estate and through the gate, onto the streets. Motioning towards the forest outskirts, he gave an irritated grunt before explaining. "They come from the forest about every week or so... Large, green bird-like things with poison beaks and claws. They seize our crops and the farmers, and they've killed a few as of late, seeing as they're running out of their actual food supply. They have scales along their faces and large, black eyes."
Thinking, Kikyou pushed a bit of her hair away from her face as they approached the forest, and she sighed. "It sounds like they're some lesser vermin. I'm assuming its their numbers that are the issue, and not their strength?"
"Yes, Kikyou-sama." Watching as his guard came jogging up with a bow, Seiichi took it from him, only to hand it to the miko. She accepted it graciously, and studied it a moment. It was a *yumi bow, one used for kyudo, and she smirked. He noted how comfortable she seemed with the thing as she donned the quiver amd held the bow.
"So, where may I shoot, Fujiwara-sama?"
Seiichi pointed outwards, shrugging. "As you please into the forest, I suppose." Dumbfounded, he hadn't quite understood what she was implying, and by the time he did, it was too late.
She'd nocked an arrow, aimed, and shot faster than most of his ikki* could, and he watched in awe at what happened next. The arrow struck a tree, and within moments, everything within several yards of the arrow was alight with her spiritual power, sending out a pulse so powerful the trees in its wake shook and trembled.
"My, Kikyou-sama, I underestimated-" but he was forced to stop again.
The trees completely shattered, just a moment later, and went up in a shining light, the remains seeming to turn to nothing more than a shimmering dust, and float away. Seiichi simply gaped at the display, looking to Kikyou with wide eyes, before regaining himself. "Well done!" he praised. "I was not expecting such a sight, and you could best most of my men, it would seem."
Noticing that he seemed to chew on that statement with a hint of disdain, Kikyou smiled warmly, trying to give him the bow. "I have had many years of training, my Lord. It is not something that came to me on a simple eve."
"Aye," he acknowledged, but shook his head as she offered the bow. "No, you keep that. It seems you would make better use of it, anyway."
Sighing inwardly, Kikyou was glad to hear it. She'd accomplished one of her needs, and that was to obtain a weapon. Now, all she needed was lodging. "So, when would you have me go and dispose of the demons for you, then?" Looking hopeful, she glanced to him before returning her gaze to the street, and he pondered a moment before replying.
"I suppose, seeing as you are clearly capable, you may stay in one of the guest rooms tonight. We shall feed you and get you a new robe," looking her over, he chuckled, "And a bath. What on Earth happened to you, anyway? I've been meaning to ask."
Worrying her lip, Kikyou's gaze hardened at his question, and he noticed immediately. Grip tightening on her bow, she looked away. "I... I don't know," she lied. "As I said before, all I know is I awoke in the forest, and haven't the faintest idea where I am. I'm worried I was attacked and hit my head... or something hit it for me." Masking her frustration at his curiosity with something more akin to concern, he seemed to accept her little fib, and nodded.
"I see," he hummed, though he still watched her curiously. "Well, perhaps you'll regain your memory soon enough. In the mean time, as long as you're useful, we'll give you a place to stay. Also, you're in Kyoto, by the way." Watching her straighten up at the fact as if to take in her surroundings, he saw her genuine surprise, and found her more believable at that moment. He was aware she lying about something, but he couldn't quite pinpoint what exactly. The priestess clearly had no idea where she was.
As they arrived back at his estate, they crossed the gates and went inside, and he called a servant girl over to them. She was a young girl, no older than 14, with lovely, doll like eyes and sweet demeanor. Timid and unsure, she glanced to Kikyou, before looking back to her Lord. "Yes, my Lord?"
"Kikyou-sama, this is Ami. She'll be attending you this evening. Ami," he said, looking to the girl, "You will see Kikyou to her room, and show her to the bath houses. Then, while she's cleaning up, go and retrieve her a new kimono, and see that she joins us for dinner."
"Dinner?" Kikyou wondered, cutting him a bewildered look.
"Of course. If you are to be helping us, I would have you attended with a few soldiers tomorrow, and that will need to be discussed. Perhaps they will learn a few things from your skills with a bow, anyway. Also, I would have you meet my wife, and son." There was something implied in his voice as he said that, and if it was what Kikyou believed it to be, she would be entirely exasperated by the end of it.
She had always wished to be treated like an ordinary woman, but this was just irritating. After falling in love, the idea of being betrothed to a simpleton she'd never met seemed so... petty. Most things were, though, she supposed, and they were doing her a kindness, so she would suffer through fumbling flirtations and suggestions, if she must. "Very well, Fujiwara-sama. I'll see you at dinner, then."
At that he'd smiled to her and left, Kikyou and Ami bowing to him upon his departure, and Ami looked to her was a puzzled uncertainty. "Your room is this way, Kikyou-sama." Leading the way, Ami seemed uncertain of what to do or say, and Kikyou found her flustered demeanor endearing.
"You must be new," she said, soothing and sweet. Ami bit her lip, nodding.
"Sorry, I must be acting so strange, I'm still learning and I'm just-"
"Hush," Kikyou stopped her, placing a hand on the girls shoulder. "You do not need to treat me formally. Speak freely, and do not concern yourself." She noted that the girl seemed to relax at that, and Kikyou walked patiently at her side as the girl lead her to the guest room. As Ami slid the door open, Kikyou was shocked at the lovely interior. It was not decadent or overly lavish, but simple, decorated in soft hues of blue and green. The paintings upon the wall displayed geishas in their pretty kimonos as they stood in streets before mountain scenes in the spring time, and gave the room a serene mood. There was a vanity with a large mirror rested in a corner, a small table with soft looking pillows neatly stationed on either side for studies, and a vacant, waist high book shelf on the opposite end of the room. Kikyou noted the other door that led into a zen garden that she could faintly see through a window, the paper screen doing little to hide the lush greens that reflected off the small pond.
"This is beautiful," she remarked, looking to Ami. The girl smiled, rosy cheeked, and nodded.
"I thought you would like this one, Kikyou-sama. Its why I picked it for you." Motioning towards the sliding door, she perked up, "And you'll get to enjoy the lovely garden! Its so peaceful. Since you seemed so troubled, I thought you'd like the atmosphere, and you can go visit at your leisure."
Kikyou smiled, nodding, "I appreciate it, my dear. Thank you kindly." Avoiding stepping in, Kikyou motioned over her kimono, and laughed. "I'd greatly appreciate that bath, now, though. I'm filthy, and I wouldn't want to dirty up the room."
Ami smiled at her, taking up a bit of the cloth from the priestess's sleeve into her hand, and knitted a brow. "It is a frightening sight, isn't it? You must have been through something awful, I assume. Its not just dirty, but tattered, as if you'd been tossed around." Meeting Kikyou's gaze, Ami noted the sudden hardened, sad look within her eyes, and she withdrew. "My apologies, I didn't mean to pry..."
Shaking her head, Kikyou sighed, "It is not your fault. Do not concern yourself." Noting Ami's shrinking demeanor, the priestess gave the girl's arm a gentle touch, shaking her head. "You did nothing wrong. I would respond as such if I saw a woman in my condition, too." Forcing a smile, she motioned for Ami to lead. Seeming relieved, Ami nodded, and shut the door to the room before making her way down the hall, pacing Kikyou.
"It's strange to see the headman take in a stranger," Ami mumbled, glancing about as she walked. "He normally never brings in guests. He is very kind, but with all the rivaling kokujin and the Shugo looming over his shoulder, he is wary to even allow someone to stay in the inn, much less his home." Glancing to Kikyou, she wondered at the priestess who seemed to roll this over in her mind, and take the hint. Fujiwara could had ulterior motives, even if she was beneficial. That would explain him abruptly accepting her offer.
"It is likely because I am miko," she diverted, "It is rare one such as me is a threat, and I have proven my powers. He likely knows I intend no harm." Ami bit her lip, shaking her head.
"He assumes nothing, of anyone. I don't think that's it..." Glancing back to Kikyou, she frowned. There was the silent agreement that perhaps they should drop it, and she and Ami walked in silence out and across the grounds. Kikyou sighed with happiness as she finally saw the bath house. Ami pulled open the doors, and the steam rolled forth, dancing across Kikyou's toes as if beckoning her within. Stepping inside, she smiled to Ami.
"Thank you," she breathed, "I'm going to take some time to myself, if I may. Go and fetch the kimono, if you would be so kind."
Ami nodded, bowing low to her, and went off. It seemed the girl understood that Kikyou was no longer in any mood to have company. Locking the door, Kikyou undressed, letting her filthy kimono pool around her feet. Her feet were caked with the dirt and grime from the streets, and before stepping into the hot bath, she fetched a cloth from the shelves, wiping her feet as clean as she could. She noted the way the fabric felt in between her toes, a tickling sensation she'd long forgotten from fibers against skin, and she was once again painfully reminded that this new life- one she had only been stepping within for nearly a few hours now, was not something of death, and hell, and grave yard soil. So accustomed to having accepted her fate of death and misery, she was unsure of how to approach her new life, other than to attend her usual duty, which was the jewel. It was her only driving point, aside from her beloved, and she only hoped she would find him.
Her thoughts drifted back to Kagome, and Kikyou felt her stomach twist. With Kikyou, tossed so elsewhere, what was to become of Kagome? Would the girl still exist in the future or past? Guilt seeped into her. She had always been cold to the girl, truthfully because of her own jealousy and the way Kagome had quieted the bitter beast within InuYasha's heart- what she had always wanted to do- but she had respected her above all else. She had been powerful, and true of heart, and the thought of her own selfishness stealing the girls life away made her ache. While she'd been crass and ungrateful, the girl had saved her more than once, and if not for her sake, Kikyou would never have made it as long as she did.
She'd long wondered if the girl was as benevolent as the kami, or foolish as the child's heart. Kikyou assumed it was both, and somehow, it made the girl all the more endearing.
No matter how bitter she felt, she had no desire to go and end the girl. When she'd first revived, so full of hate, she'd tried, and thankfully failed. Then again, Kikyou reminded herself in her rage, she'd become drunk on vengeance, and was determined to take the entire world down with her if it meant getting her revenge. How foolish she'd been... and how times had changed. Finishing her feet, Kikyou set aside the filthy cloth and stepped into the steaming bath, causing a shiver to chase down her spine as she felt the warmth rush over her legs.
It burned a moment, the heat reddening her skin and as she sat lower and gave a quick gasp. She hadn't had to bathe in the past, being made of clay, she could simply wipe the grime away with no worry of sweat or filth sticking to her. Collecting the soaps and oils from the side of the bath, she lathered her hair with the smell of lavender and almond, and found herself rediscovering the sweet sensation of nails scratching one's scalp. It was heavenly, and finding peace in the moment, she took her time scrubbing every inch of her head and hair.
Moving on to her skin, she ignored not an inch, exfoliating and moisturizing every bit she could. Her attempts may have been a bit vigorous at times, and she ignored the fact that in the back of her mind, it was as if she was washing away the filth she felt she had in her heart, the selfishness the jewel had spoken of.
Perhaps if she could wash it away, she could begin anew, and do what was right... not only for herself, this time, but everyone.
~O~O~O~O~
-Ikkō-ikki (一向一揆?, literally "Ikkō-shū Uprising") were mobs of peasant farmers, Buddhist monks, Shinto priests and local nobles, who rose up against samurai rule in 15th and 16th century Japan. They followed the beliefs of the Jōdo Shinshū (True Pure Land) sect of Buddhism which taught that all believers are equally saved by Amida Buddha's grace. They were organized to only a small degree; if any single person could be said to have had any influence over them it was Rennyo, the leader of the Jōdo Shinshū Hongan-ji sect at that time. Rennyo's attitude to the Ikkō-ikki was, however, highly ambivalent and pragmatic. Whilst he may have used the religious fervour of the Ikkō-ikki in the defence of his temple settlements, he was also careful to distance himself from the wider social rebellion of the Ikkō movement as a whole, and from offensive violence in particular.
-The ji-samurai (地侍?), also known as kokujin (国人?), were lords of smaller rural domains in feudal Japan. They often used their relatively small plots of land for intensive and diversified forms of agriculture; the kokujin sought to be as productive and self-sufficient as possible, hoping to gain wealth and power. Independent and strongly attached to their land, many kokujin formed leagues for common defense called ikki, and took part in the agrarian uprisings of the 16th and 17th centuries as well as quite a number of earlier events.
One of the primary causes for the rise in the number of smaller land holders was a decline in the custom of primogeniture. Towards the end of the Kamakura period, inheritance began to be split among a lord's sons, making each heir's holdings, and thus their power, smaller.
Over time, many of these smaller fiefs came to be dominated by the Shugo, Constables who were administrators appointed by the shogunate to oversee the provinces. Resentful and mistrustful of the interference of government officials, they banded together into leagues called ikki. The uprisings that resulted, particularly when the Shugo tried to seize control of entire provinces, were also called ikki; some of the largest and most famous took place in Wakasa province in the 1350s. In addition, the kokujin represented a considerable force during many of Japan's wars. Despite their lowly stature individually, the ji-samurai were a considerable portion of the noble (warrior) class, and their favor could often decide a battle or a war.
Kokujin were sometimes also referred to as dogō, representing their importance in rural life. They might have held lands worth, on average, fifty koku and, though their holdings were small compared to some other lords, they still required extra hands to help tend the fields. Peasant workers, called hikan or nago, often holding small areas of fields themselves, would be hired, and would often live very near the lord's home in the village. Even some of the smallest of these rural villages would be arranged like miniature fortresses, with walls or even moats around the lord's home, and another wall around the main section of the village. This arrangement between peasant workers and kokujin landlords became more complicated after the imposition of a land survey, census, and taxation by Toyotomi Hideyoshi at the end of the 16th century, and many peasants gained greater independence, but the system remained in place for the most part.
-The yumi is exceptionally tall, standing over two meters, and typically surpasses the height of the archer (ite, 射手).[3] They are traditionally made by laminating bamboo, wood and leather, using techniques which have not changed for centuries, although some archers (particularly beginners) may use a synthetic yumi.
The yumi is asymmetric; According to the All Nippon Kyudo Federation, the grip (nigiri) has to be positioned at about two thirds of the distance from the upper tip.
The yumi, the world's largest bow
The upper and lower curves also differ. Several hypotheses have been offered for this asymmetric shape. Some believe it was designed for use on a horse, where the yumi could be moved from one side of the horse to the other with ease, however there is evidence that the asymmetrical shape predates its use on horseback.[4]
Others claim that asymmetry was needed to enable shooting from a kneeling position. Yet another explanation is the characteristics of the wood from a time before laminating techniques. In case the bow is made from a single piece of wood, its modulus of elasticity is different between the part taken from the treetop side and the other side. A lower grip balances it.
