Kagome: A Feudal AU
A Sol-leks Production that isn't a parody!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha franchise or related characters. The 'rearranging' I do in this fic is unofficial, unauthorized, and I am not profiting from it, save in entertaining my readers. I will try to keep characters as in-character as possible. Note, however, that my top priority is not to simply retell the Inuyasha series by changing names here and there, but to create an original (and hopefully entertaining) story. If I'm stepping on any toes, I apologize, but I would advise that you either try to enjoy it or not read. (Here's hoping I haven't just reduced my readership to me and my beta reader…)
Prologue
The smoke rising from the village was still easily visible, even from the clearing where the Goshinboku Tree stood. The young woman paused to watch it spiral into the sky. She grinned, revealing decidedly pointy fangs.
"Not a bad piece of work," she told no one in particular.
She was beautiful in a sort of feral way. A cascade of raven hair flowed back from her head. It would be almost possible (especially if you approached from behind) to miss the cat ears perched atop her head. Almost.
No one would miss the tail, however. Long, thin, flexible, covered in lustrous black fur. A panther's tail.
She wore a simple grey tunic, hem and collar highlighted with a pale green dye, to match her eyes. It was from this that she drew forth her prize—a glittering ruby, cut into a perfect sphere.
"Pretty little thing," she purred. "And so much power, too. The power to make me a full demon."
"I'm afraid I can't allow that," interjected a calm voice behind her. The hanyou whipped around, tail arching straight up.
A white-haired youth stood in front of her, katana held at the ready. His priestly robes would have been pure white, save for the blood that now stained it. Both cheeks were ritualistically scarred, and a crescent moon had been tattooed on his forehead.
"So, come to finish what you started, Sesshoma-yarou?" she snarled.
"You told me once, Kagome, that trust was a commodity only the dead could afford," Sesshomaru replied without missing a beat. "It would appear you were correct."
"Hell hath no fury," was Kagome's enigmatic reply. A simple twitch brought an aquamarine nimbus flowing across her hands. "Let's play."
The first blast caught Sesshomaru in the chest; a small voice in the back of his head wondered how something could freeze and burn at the same time. It was overruled by a far larger part of his mind, which was more concerned with avoiding any more demonic energy. He managed to sidestep the next blast, but this was followed by a wild barrage. As he dodged one flare, he was struck by the next.
His robe was certainly beyond repair now.
Clearly, dodging wasn't going to help. Seconds before yet another blast would have connected, the young priest lashed out with his katana. The demonic energy rebounded, singeing Kagome's left arm.
Sesshomaru dashed forward, katana raised for the strike…and found her claws buried in his chest, just below the shoulder.
He stumbled back and fell to his knees. Kagome grinned.
"Playtime's over," she informed him.
Sesshomaru ignored her. His attention was entirely focused on his katana, imbuing the sword with holy energy he commanded. It sprung from his hands, diving through the belly of his neko foe, and into the tree behind her.
Kagome stared down at the blade in her gut, blinking. She tried to say something, but though her lips moved, nothing came out. Sesshomaru didn't move; he remained on his knees, watching as the life seeped out of her.
After what seemed an eternity, it was done. He stood and took the jewel from her hands.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. Clutching his side, he stumbled back towards the village.
A little girl came running up to meet him, her face wrapped in bandages.
"Big brother! Are you all right?"
"No, Rin," Sesshomaru replied. He showed her the hand he had been clutching to his side; it was stained from the blood still seeping from the wound. Rin gasped.
"We've got to get you back to the village! The healers can…"
"The healers can do nothing for me. I'm beyond all help…save this…" He held up the ruby; the sunlight glinted off it invitingly. "Such a little thing…" he murmured.
He shook his head and lowered the jewel.
"I must die, Rin. Burn my body, and the Jewel along with it. Let the Shikon no Tama trouble the world no more."