Disclaimer: Pfft, nope don't own it.
So...I had nothing better to do on a day cooped up inside because of a Snow storm...
Pairing: Levi x Kagome
No Flames, please.
A Step from Freedom: Chapter Three
Head tilted back, Kagome could only stare at her bow and quiver full of arrows in anger. They were on the wall, too high up for her to touch them, and set up as a display. Anger boiled underneath her skin and Kirara bounded away, her ears flattened against her head as she hid behind a curtain. She was filled with so much rage that it was making her powers lash out around her.
How dare he. How dare that King make her his doll, make her his pet, and then have the guts to put her weapons on display right after she asked for them?
It wasn't going to happen.
Spinning around on her heel, she stalked down the hallways, her maid squeaking in surprise and following after the angry Miko.
Slamming the door to his throne room open, Kagome didn't even bother looking around to see if he had any guests before she was figuratively clawing out his throat.
"I have had it!" she snarled, blue eyes narrowing. "I've been treated like a Prized Pet! A pet that is locked away in a cage to wilt and die! I do not bow to your every whim, I am Kagome, a Miko that is meant to help people, not stay locked away like some fairytale princess!"
Her shoulders were heaving and she knew that she was slightly glowing pink, her powers rolling within her in annoyance.
"And to think that you would hang my weapons on the wall right after I asked for them? No, absolutely not!" her voice echoed in the large room, her body shaking as she threw her temper tantrum. "Who do you think you are, to keep me from doing what I want? You are no King! You pigheaded man!"
Gasps filled the room and Kagome could see the man's face turning red, either in embarrassment or anger, she did not know, but Kagome was finally feeling better, telling this man off. She had bided her time, but after finally learning the language, she was ready to leave, to see how this world was doing.
Not stay locked up in a room for the rest of her life.
Sure, she had learned the language pretty fast in her opinion, but she had stayed because she had thought information would slip. It did not. She had wasted her time for no reason whatsoever.
The King sputtered in his rage and embarrassment, but Kagome was already surging on.
"Am I so prized because I was the one to wish these walls into existence?" she snapped, her nose scrunched up and hands on her waist.
"Well…yes…-" the King managed to get out and Kagome felt something well up inside of her. Guilt at what she was about to say, but most of all, satisfaction. She had finally gotten what she had come for and a bit more.
"You do not own me! I am my own person and if you wish for these walls to stay standing, then you'll let me do as I please!" she finally stated, looking satisfied at what she had just said. Kagome was bluffing though, but not like the King would know. If what he said was true, that people knew she was the one that brought the walls into being, then she'd use that to her advantage. Who said anything about her not being able to take them down?
The look of pure terror spilled across the Kings face and Kagome's brows furrowed. Why did he look so frightened by the idea of the walls being taken down.
Her breath caught in her throat, mind feeling numb as her arms hung limp at her side.
'They're still alive, aren't they?' she thought, her lips pressing into a thin line. The only reason the King would be worried about the walls being taken down was because the threat was still outside, waiting with those gigantic grins sitting on their faces. Those grins that looked down at you as they brought you up to their mouth to eat.
Kagome's stomach rolled and her hands clenched at her sides as she thought of her friends that she had come to love. It was because of those beasts that everything was the way it was.
"Please, I beg of you, don't take down those walls! They are all we have to keep us safe! You brought them into existence to save humanity, don't take them away!"
Coward.
Kagome had wished these walls into existence to protect and keep these people safe. That didn't mean they couldn't try and go out and kill them. This was a place to fall back to, a place that they knew would keep them safe as they rested.
Sesshoumaru would have led an army against them every so often just to bring down their numbers. Where was that demon? Where was he when she needed him the most?
Such a coward was leading these people. Safe and untouched, unwilling to get rid of the beasts that sat at their front door and waited for a single mistake that someone makes to get inside.
"Then you will release me." She finally concluded, glaring at the man. She could see the way he hesitated, not wanting to let go of this beauty that he had grown up staring at within the crystal. As Kagome stared at him with piercing blue eyes, he finally caved, looking away from the furious woman.
"You shall have your freedom."
Her heart skipped a beat before it soared. Freedom, freedom to go and see other places and areas within the walls! To help people that were sick or wounded! She was going to be able to continue being the Miko she had once been when she was in Kaede's village.
It took her a second before she bowed and took off down the halls, leaving Lords and Ladies whispering to one another at the Kings decision. Would it be alright to let their savior run around?
She should be safe as long as she stays within the walls.
Kagome smiled proudly down at the large bag packed with clothing that she had to dig for. Next to it was her bow and quiver of arrows, which had been restocked. It was the white and red outfit set out before her that had Kagome smiling down at it. Quickly sliding her clothes off, she stepped into her Miko garb, tears welling as she fixed it into place.
"It's been a long time, huh Kirara?" She whispered, smiling at the Neko Youkai before her.
Kirara mewled and scratched at her ear with her back paw.
There was one thing Kagome did learn other than the language and that was the layouts of the walls. She hadn't expected there to be three large walls, but it allowed them to fall back if something happened to any of the others.
Kagome was wary on thanking the jewel though. Her hand drifted towards the pink orb that was resting against her chest. It always brought trouble with it.
'Never trust an object that can grant wishes…' she muttered under her breath, brows furrowed as she finished packing.
She didn't even glance back at the room as she left, glad to be rid of it.
The King and some of his servants were at the Palace door, watching her with worry and Kagome could see the King angered but terrified at what she had threatened to do. He wasn't willing to let his obsession with the girl take away his only safe place.
Turning her head, Kagome could only stare at the doors with her heart in her throat. Was this really happening?
Tugging open the door, Kagome took her first step outside of the Palace in over a hundred years. Heart beating wildly within her chest, she couldn't help but feel free, feel relieved that she was allowed to finally do something other than sit around and become fat from how well fed the King was.
People were milling around, chatting and others selling their wares. It was different, but at the same time, familiar. Children were scampering around the area, but it was the well dressed people that had her scowling.
How were the other districts? The other towns further away from the center? Surely Sesshoumaru would have not allowed them to go poor and starving.
Kagome felt a knot settle in her stomach. With not being able to feel any Youkai auras, she knew that something had to have happened to them. Those giants really did destroy anything humanlike that they crossed.
"Come on Kirara…Let's go find the information we need." And she left, refusing to look back at the King. This was her chance and she wasn't losing it.
If she spent anymore time in that Palace though, there would be a very angered Miko.
Oooo
It had been well over six months of traveling from town to town, healing those that she could and earning money from helping people. She had garnered a lot of attention in each village though, eyes lingering and Kagome had realized that she looked very, very different.
She had Asian roots, she was the only one so far that looked like she did.
Kagome had also left Wall Sina, having found that the further she traveled, the more obvious it was that people were hungry and didn't have the comforts like the inner wall.
"Thank you Priestess, thank you!" the voice of a pregnant woman caused the girl to look up in surprise. She hadn't realized that she had drifted to her thoughts. A smile instantly fell across the Miko's face as she let her hand caress the woman's stomach before pulling back.
"It's what I do best." She managed to get out, happy to help. "The baby is coming along well. I suggest bed rest if you get tired and to not push yourself. You're both healthy and I want it to stay that way." She murmured before pulling out herbs.
"These will help with easing your back pain and these ones will help with sleeping. I'm assuming you aren't getting enough sleep, not with those dark circles under your eyes."
Again, she found the woman thanking her and Kagome felt joy well up in her heart. This was what she missed. This was what she found herself most comfortable doing. Helping people.
Picking up Kirara, she then proceeded to inform the husband of his wife's condition before he handed a small bag to her. It wasn't much, but it was what Kagome had set her prices at. Just enough to buy supplies altogether and possibly stay at an inn if she was near a town. She didn't need any more than that.
Kagome wasn't looking for money, but towards the health of these people. That was all that was important to her.
Cleaning off her hands, she couldn't help but look up when the sound of footsteps faltered before her and came to a stop.
It was an older man, dressed like a Priest if she wasn't mistaken. She had heard of them, but only in brief encounters with people.
The Wall Cult if she wasn't mistaken.
"Yes?" she asked wearily, blue orbs gazing at the man as she took in his wide eyed look. What was that look? Kagome couldn't place a name to it.
Kirara hissed before scampering into the bag that was on her back, next to the quiver of arrows and bow. The girl could only glance back at the Neko before her attention was diverted back towards that man.
"It can't be…You look exactly like the Legendary Priestess that wished the walls into existence!" he managed to get out in a soft voice, utter wonder suddenly appearing.
"Are…you can't be, but… there is no mistake! I…I have to…to tell the others!" and he turned on his heel, giving the girl another lingering look before hurrying away, ignoring the wide eyed girl as she called out after him.
What was his problem?
How had he figured out who she was so fast? With a heavy sigh, she could only hope that his find wouldn't drag her into a lot of trouble. That was something that always seemed to follow her.
Turning around, she began to walk down the streets, her mind wandering to her thoughts and such.
It was a stall selling strawberries that had her stopping to pay for some, the sweet fruit looking delicious. Biting into one, Kagome was about to continue on her way, only to pause as she heard a conversation that she hadn't expected to hear.
"They sent the refugees to take back Wall Maria at least two months ago…None have returned… To think that they would even attempt it…."
Kagome felt like her world was tunneling. Her thoughts were jumping from one thought to another and she barely registered the people bumping into her as she processed this information.
One of the Walls had been breached?
Since when? Why did it take this long for her to even hear about it?
Then again, she had just left Wall Sina not too long ago. Her stomach rolled and she could feel the nausea beginning to bubble. Had her wish been for naught?
No, something foul was going on. Those walls couldn't have been taken down without someone deliberately doing it. The beasts that she had fought only fumbled about and chased after the humans as they ran away. There was no possible way they would be able to do that without intelligence.
Kagome felt her body tremble at the thought of them being able to think like humans. It would be the end of them!
With her resolve hardening, she quickly approached the group of people talking to one another, her mouth going dry but the need for this news too great.
"Um…excuse me?" Kagome shifted uncomfortably. Eyes turned towards her and she shrunk under their curious gazes before recognition came across their faces.
"You're that traveling Miko! The one that is said to be a miracle worker!" an older female suddenly got out and Kagome flushed, embarrassed. Word seriously traveled fast in this place.
"Ah, no, no I just do it to help people!" she said, waving her hands in front of her.
"Nonsense, you do wonderful work from what we hear!" a jovial male gushed before Kagome fixed her pack on her back with a slight frown.
"What exactly where you guys talking about?"
Surprised looks were sent between the group and they leaned forward, whispers loud enough for her to hear.
"You don't know?" someone questioned and when she shook her head, another person began.
"Wall Maria was breached a little over a year ago, from the South edge, the Shiganshina District… Many refugees fled to our areas, within Wall Rose."
"Humanity is losing ground to the Titans… if this keeps up, we won't survive…"
Kagome's grip tightened around the straps of her bag, her small frame shivering as she listened to their words.
Those walls were hers. She wished for them, they existed because of her. To hear that something she had wished for had fallen to those beasts, those Titans, it disgusted her.
"The King had demanded that the refugees take back Wall Maria. None have come back."
The King had done this? The King had sent people that probably didn't know how to fight, to take back an entire area with maybe hundreds of Titans roaming around?
Images of blood flying from the large, grinning mouths flashed behind her eyes. People being torn in two and eaten. Sango's scream for help before choking on blood as she was squeezed too hard, still pregnant with her twins. Miroku's anguished cry and oh god-
Kagome had to force herself to not think about it, to not remember that day.
'Just don't do it. Don't think about them Kagome.' With a deep breath, she let her anger focus on the King.
How could he do that without feeling even a smidge guilty? How can someone send people to their own deaths?
"Ah…thank you…for the information…" Kagome found herself murmuring, wishing that she had stayed oblivious for just a bit longer.
She could only imagine how many people had been hurt emotionally from what the King had done. Kagome knew how painful it was to lose someone to Titans. She knew that pain and she would never wish it upon anyone else.
Thank you for alerts, favs, reviews and so on! It really does make my day :P
Meeting Levi: oh, well, we shall see lol! She'll cross him eventually! (not too long)
Wall Cult: Yes, I'm adding them in. They worship the walls, they know how it came to be and so on. Kagome is the origin of those walls, it's bound to bring her trouble.
The King: He is obsessed with Kagome, but faced with the option of keeping her or having the walls torn down? He is too much of a coward to let that happen, so he let her go.
Please do leave a review. Suggestions are always welcomed. And stay warm for those of you who are dealing with this Snow as well.