Sorry meant to do this last time but I forgot so this will count for both the first and second chapter: I, miimaicellf, do not own any of the Inuyasha characters only the OC's and the plot. Enjoy!
Sota waited until the man before him paused for breath, "Hojo, what are you doing here?" Hojo blinked, "Look at me running my mouth again." He gave him a sheepish smile, "Waka said you needed a tutor for a few hours, so I though I'd help out. Come, we should get studying." Hojo's jaw immediately dropped as they approached the desk. Sota laughed nervously. "I see. This was why Waka was in such an irritable mood." Hojo said after he regained control of his mouth. "Heh heh, um, not really." Suddenly Sota though of something, "Hojo? Does Waka hate you?" he asked looking directly at Hojo's long brown ponytail. Hojo crossed his arms across his chest and cocked his head to one side causing his ponytail to swing. Sota was abruptly overcome by the sudden desire to tug on it. "Not as far as I know." With a cat like grin, Sota circled behind the pensive man and swatted at the light brown hair, but at the last second Hojo tilted his head to the other side making Sota miss, "Hmm… I don't see why he would." Before Sota could take another swing at it, Hojo turned. "Prince Sota? What are you doing?"
Kagome tied her hair in a high ponytail as she walked out of her room. She cautiously walked out of the castle peeking around ever corner as she went. As she neared the exit of the castle's gardens, she gave a sigh of relief. Her happiness was cut short, however, as a voice she recognized all too well said, "Skipping practice again, Kagome?" She turned with a fake smile firmly on her lips, "No, not at all sister Kikyo." Her sister raised an eyebrow clearly not buying it. Without saying a word she turned on her heal and walked back into the gardens, Kagome following dejectedly behind. Once they arrived at their destination Kagome found her bow and a quiver of arrows waiting for her. Sighing she picked them up, At least we're out here this time. She took a good look around and smiled, this was one of her favorite gardens.
A huge tree hung over the side of the hedge on one corner and various plum trees were scattered about along with some peach trees. The grass was soft and was a few inches short of her ankles. Around the corner, water from a simple fountain could be heard gurgling soothingly. Kagome loved all these things and more about this specific garden, however, there was one thing that truly made it special to her. It was here that their father would bring his two precious daughters and his baby boy when he wanted to relax and enjoy life. This had been their father's favorite garden.
Kikyo regarded her sister carefully. She watched as her eyes wandered around the garden. First to the biggest tree, whose branches hung over the hedge, then to all the smaller fruit trees that littered the garden. Kagome even looked back the way they had come from. She closed her eyes and paused in her sweep of the garden to listen to the faint bubble of the fountain near by, her smile widening in delight. Kikyo followed suit. With her eyes closed, she could feel the faint breeze brushing against her skin and making her hair dance gently behind her. She could smell the fresh grass and the sweet scent of ripe fruit. Sensing a change in her sister's mood, Kikyo opened her eyes.
Her sister was looking at the statue that had been erected in honor of their father. It stood near a small pond and was as tall as life. He had his arm around his young wife's waist, her head resting lovingly on his shoulder, and was smiling his trademark smile, guaranteed to brighten anyone's day. At one time, everyone had agreed that both his daughters had inherited his smile. However, Kagome's smile had become sadder with the years and it seemed that Kikyo's smile had disappeared completely. The statue was relatively new compared to everything else in this garden, seeing as their father had died when Kikyo was 9 and Kagome was 6. It was around that time that she and Kagome had started learning to use and control their spiritual powers. Under Grandma Kaede's careful instruction, both had become stronger and this gave the villagers a further sense of protection. Not that their demon neighbors had done anything since the treaty was established to doubt their sincerity, but everyone felt much safer with 2 very able priestesses around. "Let's get to work." Kikyo said wanting to bring her sister out of her sadness.
Just as they were done picking up the papers, a strange sound was heard heading towards the massive library. Both current occupants stopped to listen. Hojo turned to face the door, "I wonder what's going on?" Sota simply shrugged his shoulders ready to duck under the desk at a moment's notice. The noise was steadily getting louder. Sota peeked around Hojo looking at the door as if it would burst open at any second to reveal a bloodthirsty monster ready to devour them. Nothing happened only the sound of footsteps became louder as the source got closer and closer. "S-stampede?" Hojo offered timidly. Once more Sota shrugged his shoulders. At this point, the footsteps were passing by the library and voices could be heard. A particularly close one was that of a woman as she yelled, "Pervert!" this was immediately followed by a loud resounding smack. At this, both Hojo and Sota visibly relaxed and soon the footsteps faded away.
A small jingle was heard as someone approached the library door from the outside. A young man, 19 or so, opened the door and walked in muttering something about a cursed hand. He wore a black and purple monk's robe, had his hair in a short black ponytail and was sporting a nice red handprint on his left cheek. Glancing up, he noticed the young prince and his substitute tutor, "Prince Sota, Hojo, how wonderful to see you both." He finished his greeting with an elegant bow. "Hey Miroku, what'd you do now?" Sota asked as he pointed to the handprint while Hojo scurried over to his forgotten pile of fruit and began to paw through it. Miroku scratched his cheek and smiled, "I merely asked the young lady-" "Here Miroku, this will help reduce the swelling on your cheek," interrupted Hojo as he handed the monk some squishy sort of fruit. Miroku looked at it with a strange expression but took it nonetheless and put it in a fold of his robe as he nodded his thanks.
"Miroku, what are you doing here? You can't be here on a job, or, are you?" Sota said as he made his way towards the door. Miroku followed the young prince as Hojo rushed to his precious pile of fruit and attempted to carry it, along with Sota's books, before they got too far. Sota saw his chance at freedom and slightly increased his pace. A small smile appeared on Miroku's face as he easily kept up with the young prince, "Well, I was in town to stock up on supplies and I thought I'd stop by and say hello." Sota raised his eyebrow clearly doubting the monk, "Really?" Hojo struggled under the pile's weight and having to catch up with the two males who were quickly approaching the library's door. Miroku opened the door allowing Sota to exit first and let the door swing close behind him. "W-wait! You guys? Could some one please open the door?"
Sota felt a bit guilty for leaving the young man behind but was quickly over it as he thought of all the things he was now free to do. Of course, he would have to face an angry Waka and a very worried Masao later. Grandpa will probably give me a huge lecture of how I could've been in danger and no one would've been able to find me and Kagome will probably scold me for worrying Masao again, Sota though with a sigh. All the while, the silent monk watched with increasing curiosity as the young prince beside him went through many rapid emotional changes. My, my, young Sota. Have you got a stressful responsibility placed upon you: immense joy, anxiety, guilt, boredom, sadness…what could be troubling you so? Sota noticed Miroku looking at him with a concerned expression. "What?" Sota bit out annoyed at being regarded in such a way. Miroku simply shook his head and smiled.
Kikyo looked down at her sister lying down on the grass beside her, "Brake's over." Kagome grimaced slightly as she stood up. She stretched as Kikyo walked away, "It's all worth it." She whispered as she walked out the same way her older sister had gone. She smiled to herself and with a nod headed to the west side of the village while Kikyo went to the east side. Immediately, she was asked for help as an elderly man struggled with some groceries. Both sisters spent the day helping out as best they could, their tasks ranging from babysitting all the way to performing exorcisms.
Kagome was in their village's small hospital when Miroku and Sota walked in. She fixed her brother with a small frown, "Are you done studying? 'Cause if you're not you should just march right back to Waka." Miroku decided that he wasn't needed here and went off to pursue a pretty young nurse. "Technically, I was dismissed." Kagome raised an eyebrow, "Is that so?" Before Sota could answer, a loud smack was heard throughout the hospital. Kagome, Sota and even the young injured man Kagome was currently bandaging up shook their heads and sweat dropped. Sota wisely chose this time to go look for Miroku.
"I see, grandfather. However, I think it would be best if you could delay this a bit longer." Kikyo stated from her position kneeling in front of her mother and grandfather. She refused to meet his gaze and instead opted to look at her mother. The older woman turned to her father in-law, "I think so too grandpa," said the elder Higurashi as she gently put her hand on top of the old man's. He snatched his hand back, "I will decide when the time is and I have decided that the time is now!" Kikyo narrowed her eyes as she looked about the room and noticed that there were a lot more guards than normal, something is not right. "And that is the final decision." finished the old man with an angry puff of his chest. Unbeknownst to him the same thought traveled through both of the Higurashis' minds, Stubborn old man.
Walking to one of the demon slayers' training grounds at the far side of the village Kagome suddenly sneezed. "You're not getting sick, are you Lady Kagome?" She blinked and smiled, "Nah just had to sneeze is all." As they approached, a tall figure could be seen sparing with a younger smaller figure. Before they were close enough to make out too many details a female voice full of confrontation drifted towards the three as its owner made its way to the trio, "What is he doing here?" The man being referred to walked to the taller of the two people. "My dearest Sango, how I've longed to see your beautiful face." Miroku raised his hand as if to stoke her face but Sango quickly brought up her giant boomerang as a shield, "Get away from me, you lecherous monk!" Miroku faked offense, "You wound me deeply Sango." The tall woman, being only a head or so taller than Kagome, gave a most unladylike snort, "Puh-lease."
The younger demon slayer approached the group. He was a bit sweaty and held a chain sickle. The royal siblings decided to remain out of the little spat and turned to the younger demon slayer. He had a few freckles on the bridge of his nose and had short brown hair held in a ponytail. A warm smile spread across his features as he bowed to the siblings in turn, "It is an honor that you grace us with your presence." Sota went right next to the older boy and lightly yanked on his ponytail, "Come on Kohaku, there's no need to be so formal." Kagome immediately frowned. "Sota," she warned. Kohaku put up his hands, "No!" his hands instantly shot up to cover his mouth. "Uh, what I was trying to say…I meant…It didn't…I'm sorry."
Kagome smiled and bent down to eye level, "What's wrong, Kohaku? I'm not going to bite you, you know." A light blush covered his face. Kohaku opened his mouth but before he could say anything, an angry cry of "Hiraikotsu!" was heard behind them. Miroku ducked in time for his head to remain attached to his neck. A seething Sango caught the giant boomerang with ease and walked stiff legged to a small bench under a tree nearby. Miroku and Kagome followed her with Kohaku and Sota trailing behind lost in their own conversation.
"Is something the matter, Sango?" Kagome asked genuinely concerned. Meetings between Sango and Miroku were always bound to be violent, but actually throwing the Hiraikotsu at such close range, something was definitely bothering her. Kagome sat beside Sango and placed a hand gently on her shoulder. Miroku cautiously took his seat on Sango's other side. Sango turned to study her best friend and princess, Kagome. Despite the difference in class, the two became close friends so quickly. That wouldn't have surprised anyone, though, since Kagome was always such a kind child.
Sango had first laid eyes on the smiling young princes when she was 6 and Kagome 5. Her father had taken her with him to talk to the King. Sango being still such a young child did not fully understand what was being discussed but she remembered the two smiling princess and the King overjoyed and showing off his two precious daughters to anyone who would be still long enough for him to do so. Kikyo had taken Kagome's smaller hand in hers and had invited Sango to sneak away with them. At the time, both the princesses' smiles had been warm and friendly and Sango found it impossible to refuse.
With a sigh Sango brought herself back to the present, "Kagome, um, there's something you need to be made aware of." With a puzzling gaze from Kagome she continued, "You see, there are…not all the villages are as lucky as we are." "I don't get what you're trying to say. Do you mean the treaty or maybe that there are 3 priestesses here?" Miroku stood from his spot on the bench and walked the short distance to Kagome. He kneeled in front of Sango in such a way so that he was facing the princess, "I think she means both," his hand sneakily made its way up Sango's leg, "for no other village has had a treaty last as long as the one made between your village and the one across the forest." They all turned in the direction of the forest, the afternoon glow of the sun making it seem more ominous. Nobody noticed the monk's hand come to a rest on the demon slayer's knee as he continued, "This village is also very fortunate to have 3 very talented priestesses. However some villages are not so well off and sometimes, things must be done to insure the safety of those who need help."
Sango was surprised that the monk understood what was going on despite having been gone from the village for 3 years when she had just today been informed of what was to begin. She did not notice that Miroku's hand resumed its journey up her leg as a troubled expression crossed Kagome's face. The princess's stomach dropped as she realized there were only a few ways for her village to help others and all those ways included leaving in some form. She bit her lip as thoughts raced about her head each more flawed then the last. Tears threatened to well up in her eyes. Kagome blinked rapidly, "I -I see. I must go talk with grandpa then. See you guys later." As she stood to leave Sango took hold of her wrist lightly, "If there's anything I can do to help please tell me, ok?" Kagome nodded as she looked at her friend. Sango was confused as Kagome cracked a small smile. Her confusion didn't last long, however, as Kagome pointed. Sango followed the finger and her eyes came to a hand that was suspiciously close to her butt. Without delay Miroku was knocked flat on his back. Kagome gave them one last look as she headed back to the castle a small laugh escaping her lips. Thanks guys.
Kikyo sat on the ground babysitting two young siblings as they ran about the grass. She kept a careful eye on them but her mind was elsewhere. Kagome will not accept her task easily, and by the time she does things will be much worse. By that time it won't matter how many of us there are, even if we all fought together it would still be extremely difficult to do much. If there are any survivors. She might go more willingly if she was given all the information, but still…"Is something the matter priestess Kikyo?" asked the older sibling a small frown on his face. His younger brother clung to his arm with a scared expression, "Momma said there are demons over there." All three looked to the forest that separated the humans of this village from the demons that inhabited the other village. Kikyo nodded as she stood, right away, the two boys held her hands and they proceeded to walk back to their hut. Kikyo explained the treaty that protected their village as best she could with out sounding too vague or precise.
Ok now that most of the introductions are over we can finally get to the real deal. How is Kagome going to weasel out of her responsibility and what does Kikyo mean, it might be too late? Find out in the next chapter when some of the demonic neighbors finally make an appearance. Leave a review and tell me what you think so far. Comments, criticism and even flames are accepted (well, as long as the flames don't burn down my house).