Hi all! This is heavily revised Prologue. I will be working through the earlier chapters to revise them similarly. Please let me know what you think! Thank you!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
~Prologue~
"Argh!" Inuyasha growled. "I'm so bored!"
"Grow up," his older brother Sesshomaru stated calmly. Inuyasha scowled at him.
Inuyasha's mother, Iyazoi, patted her younger son's shoulder kindly, "I know, dear. But, this is an important meeting for your father, so we must all be on our best behavior."
His mother's soothing voice calmed his impetuous temper. "Yes, I know," he nodded, looking at the ground, "Wouldn't want to make Father look bad." He spat the last two words under his breath.
Iyazoi stroked her son's back-length, soft black hair. She was a full head shorter than both her sons, who each surpassed six feet and towered over their young peers. "Your Father is an important member of the higher nobility—" she began.
Inuyasha interrupted her, "And these important meetings are for the benefit of our family. I know, I know. You've been saying that since we were kids."
"And yet, you still do not understand, little brother," Sesshomaru sneered. "You make me regret my decision to refuse my birthright as heir to our estate."
Inuyasha knew he was just saying this to annoy him, but he could not help himself. "That was your stupid decision, Sesshomaru! And I'm getting tired of hearing you throw it in my face." He took a step towards his brother but was stopped by Iyazoi's hand on his shoulder.
"Please, boys," Iyazoi pleaded. "Sesshomaru, sometimes you remind me a little too much of your Father," she admonished him. "You should be kinder to your little brother."
They were alike in more than just personality. Both Sesshomaru and his father Lord InuTaisho were tall and lean, with sharp facial features made their pale skin and strange silver-white hair take on a cold quality that matched their demeanors. Sesshomaru's ears were also slightly pointed, a birth deformity that turned out to be attractive. His honey-brown eyes were warm but hard as steel.
On the other hand, Inuyasha was a spitting image of his mother with his shiny jet-black hair and delicate nose. His brown eyes, despite being much darker in color than his brother and father's, were strong and gentle. While Sesshomaru had inherited his mother's calm temper, however, Inuyasha's fiery temper much more resembled Lord InuTaisho's.
Izayoi smiled at her headstrong younger son. "Go and explore the castle, then. I know you've been wanting to ever since we arrived. Just, please be back before the banquet begins, or your father will have your head."
"Don't worry," Inuyasha assured her much more cheerfully. He turned and strode out of the hall.
He walked quietly through the silent halls, his footsteps echoing eerily. They were all dimly lit, as the night's entertainment would be confined to the Great Hall. Colorful tapestries depicting scenes of hunting and other outdoor activities covered the walls, warming the cold stone walls. He ignored the doorways to side rooms until he came upon a small side passage that seemed to lead up to one of the towers in the castle. This might be interesting. He glanced around to make sure nobody was coming before ascending the steep staircase. It was narrow and dark, spiraling dizzily, and Inuyasha's neck hairs rose at the chill coming from the stones.
After a few apprehensive minutes, he reached the top of the stairs and stepped into a small dimly lit, bare room. Two of the walls had bookshelves lined with dusty volumes, and a small wooden table stood against the third wall. On it sat the source of light: a pearly white translucent orb with a soft blue-white glow piercing through the glass exterior. Inuyasha curiously walked over and picked it up. Where is this light coming from? It was slightly heavier than he had expected and was about the size of his fist. He held it up to eye-level, then shook it slightly, but nothing happened. Inuyasha set it down and shrugged. He turned to leave when a voice called out, "Hello."
Inuyasha froze, then spun around, but the room was still empty. "Who's there?"
But obviously it was not quite so empty. "On the table."
Inuyasha looked at the table, "Who is there?"
"The orb," the voice answered smugly.
"The orb?" he repeated.
"Yes, I am the orb. Who are you?" It was clearly a woman's voice, slithery like a snake.
"Inuyasha."
If the orb had a bodily form, it would have smiled at that point. "I see. I can hear that you are a young man."
Inuyasha grew defensive. "Yes, why do you care? What do you want?"
The orb replied soothingly, "Hush, calm down, Inuyasha. I just want to talk to you. It can get very lonely up here by myself."
Inuyasha did not know what to say. "What would we talk about?" he asked warily.
The voice was silent for a moment. "Tell me about yourself." It had a sugary tone that put Inuyasha on guard.
"Not much to tell," he muttered. Why can I not escape? Is this damn glass orb doing this?
The orb sensed his discomfort. "I shall start. I have been in this room for one hundred years now and alone for all of it. So you can understand why I desire company so much."
"I guess," Inuyasha answered, disconcerted. Try as he might to leave, his legs would not carry him away from her voice. The only movement he could make was toward the glass ball. His body stepped closer and closer to the table.
"I used to live in my master's study, advising him on his affairs. When he died, I was inherited by his son, and then his son, and so on until I was packed away in this room, and have been here since. Now, it is your turn!" she said cheerily.
"I'm the son of a nobleman. My father is meeting with Lord Arton, the lord of this castle, to forge an alliance." Inuyasha clamped his mouth shut. Where had those words come from? His tongue felt loose, as if by ale.
"Wonderful!" the voice chirped. "Come a little bit closer," it urged.
Inuyasha could not resist the voice. Why can't I resist it? He took the final steps to the table so that he was hovering over the orb, trying one last time to resist its pull. His arms reached out and picked up the orb.
"Yes!" the voice whispered to itself happily.
As soon as Inuyasha's fingers grasped the orb, a shock went through him, and he felt considerably weaker than before. "What…happened?"
"You just transferred a small portion of your energy to me. Thank you, Inuyasha. Ah, I can see you now. Wonderful. My, you are a handsome one."
"What are you doing? What's going on?" Inuyasha asked, desperately trying to get away.
"Nothing at all. Do not be afraid, Inuyasha," she soothed him.
Inuyasha's eyes dropped slightly. "Ok, only if you promise you won't do anything to me." No! I can't trust this black magic!
The orb's voice was dripping with false promise. "Of course. I would never do anything to you, Inuyasha. You are my new friend."
Inuyasha nodded, in a daze. "You can be my friend, too." Never! I need to escape!
The orb pulsed slowly, and its light grew stronger. "I need you to do something for me, my friend."
"Anything," he answered with a smile. Why am I smiling? I don't want to do anything for you, you wretched orb!
"Wonderful," she said for the third time. "Think of something open, like a field. Concentrate on it."
"Why?" Inuyasha asked.
"You will understand completely in just a moment. I am going to merge myself with your body. Do not worry; you will not feel a thing."
Unfortunately, these words had just the opposite effect. Never! Nobody is taking over my body! Inuyasha's eyes flew open, the spell temporarily broken. He shook his head to clear it and quickly set the orb down on the table before running out of the room. He sighed when he got to the bottom of the spiral staircase. That was enough adventure for one day. He straightened, regained his composure, and made his way back to the Great Hall, where the banquet was nearly ready to begin.
Izayoi rushed over to him. "Inuyasha! There you are!" She tugged on the hem of Inuyasha's white blouse, which had become wrinkled under his forest green button-down vest. Inuyasha smoothed down his green dress breeches and tightened his white satin sash.
She moved on to his brother, who had come to stand next to Inuyasha. Sesshomaru was wearing the same outfit as Inuyasha, but in navy blue. The two brothers were getting tired of their matching clothes, but Izayoi still found it adorable, despite the fact they were eighteen and fifteen years old.
"You never could keep your clothes neat, little brother," Sesshomaru smirked.
Inuyasha made a face at him behind his mother's back.
Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. "Immature."
Izayoi tapped him distractedly, "Be nice to your brother, Sesshomaru."
Sesshomaru almost pulled a face, but managed to hide it. "Yes, Mother."
"Good. Now, both of you behave. Your father is coming." Both fell silent immediately as their father 's imposing figure approached.
/ /
Up in the tower, the orb fumed, its light turning a shade redder. "I will not make such a mistake next time. I will acquire the power I need and, then I will find that Inuyasha and take what I deserve from him!" At least she had stolen enough power to be able to see now. She had lost the ability decades ago when her energy started to run dangerously low, and she was forced to give up certain things. Luckily, she had not yet gotten to the point where she would have had to give up her hearing or her voice, the only things that saved her. A plan began to form within her mind. "The fool will tell somebody, I'm sure. Someone else will come up and I will have a second chance, and when I have a body, the first person I will find is Inuyasha." The voice laughed maniacally.
/ /
Izayoi sat between her two sons, both of which towered over her, and joined in the cheerful chatter around her. Sesshomaru, who also sat next to his father, remained quiet, giving the occasional nod, speaking more than listening. Inuyasha brooded over his adventure, distractedly attempting to converse with his fellow nobles. Izayoi noticed his silence and passed him the plate of roasted fish. "Inuyasha, why don't you eat a bit more?"
"Thank you, mother," Inuyasha answered absently, piling a little bit of fish on his plate. He picked up his fork and began to eat hungrily. The food cleared his head, and he was able to pay more attention to the banquet.
/ / / / / /
Kagome Higurashi opened the door to the room she was to spend the night in. She smiled; it was a beautiful red chamber with a king-size four-poster bed with scarlet curtains and a crimson duvet set with gold embroidery. The walls were stone, covered almost completely with red-themed tapestries. A large fireplace filled an entire wall, heating the room further. Finally, a bear skin rug lay on the floor in front of the fire. It was shame she would only be staying in it for a night. Servants had already brought her chest and placed it at the foot of the bed. Kagome shed her traveling cloak and lay it on the wooden chest, warming her feet by the fire. The door opened and Kagome's mother came in. "Kagome, dear, you may want to begin getting ready soon."
Kagome nodded, "Yes, mother." She sat by the fire half an hour longer before standing up to get ready. She pulled the cloak off and opened the chest. She smiled mischievously at the very top gown; it was navy blue silk with silver roses embroidered across it, making it sparkle in the firelight. The cuffs, collar, and hem were made of silvery lace, delicately peeking out. It was exactly the same as the one her mother had been just wearing. Lady Higurashi was not a fan of matching with her daughters at social events. Kagome was not a fan of extravagance usually, but this was an opportunity she could not pass up. She giggled behind her hand; Lady Higurashi would be furious.
Two young handmaidens walked into the room just as Kagome was pulling the dress over her hips. One girl came over and tied the strings on the back of the dress tightly. The other girl brushed through Kagome's long black hair until it gleamed softly, falling gently to the small of her back. "Would you like it curled like your mother's, my lady?" she asked politely.
"No, thank you. You can just leave it down." Lady Higurashi always had tight curls, neatly pinned in cropped style, but both of her daughters preferred their hair free. The handmaiden expertly braided the front parts of her hair and tied them behind her head.
The other girl appeared in front of her holding a series of belts. Lady Higurashi had not been wearing a belt but rather a silver chain around her waist. Kagome, on the other hand chose a silver satin sash. Just as she was fastening a string of pearls about Kagome's neck, there was a knock at the door.
"Kagome!" a voice sang out.
The door creaked open and Kagome turned around to see almost her mirror image in the doorway. They both began to laugh. "I should have known you'd have the same idea, Kikyou!"
The other girl's smile was wide. She looked nearly identical to Kagome, down to her gentle chocolate brown doe-eyes, her delicate slim frame, and her glossy ebony locks. Her voice was deeper than Kagome's, though. "Mother is going to kill us," she giggled conspiratorially.
Kagome headed for the door and took her twin sister's arm. They were nearly indistinguishable, but the untrained eye would notice that Kikyou's eyebrows were more arched and that her style was much more extravagant than Kagome's. Her jewelry was heavier, her silver sash was studded with diamonds, and her hair had been pinned up much like their mother's with a delicate silver flower pin inset with shining pearls. "Let's wait at the foot of the stairs and surprise her." Kikyou nodded eagerly.
Their mother descended the large staircase regally; Lady Higurashi was elegant as always. Her face was serene, but it contorted for a split second as she spotted her daughters. "Girls, you look ridiculous! You can't both…You're too old for these games!"
"It's too late to change now," Kikyou grinned. "Let's head in."
Lady Higurashi sighed and touched her daughter's collar. "You couldn't at least have worn some nicer jewelry like Kikyou did?"
Kagome sighed back. Kikyou was so much more than she could ever hope to be.
Kikyou's ears picked up the sound and turned to her mother. "Let her be, Mother. Even in simple jewelry like this, Kagome manages to look more beautiful than every other woman here."
Kagome blushed slightly, "Thank you, Kikyou," she said humbly. "Except you. You are the most beautiful one here tonight."
Kikyou smiled and took her sister's hand, "Thank you, but I think together we are the most beautiful, and neither is more beautiful than the other."
"I agree," Kagome nodded. But deep down, she did not. Kikyou was surely the more beautiful one.
Lady Higurashi smiled proudly at her daughters. "I agree too. You are both the most beautiful here."
Kikyou searched the crowd until she spotted their father and gently pulled her sister over. Although they shared the same birthday, Kikyou had always acted as the elder sister, protecting Kagome, and in return, Kagome had always supported Kikyou, secretly admiring her twin; they balanced each other out. Lady Higurashi smiled at her twin daughters. She knew how well they fit together. It made her heart leap to see the two so close. One was the essence of what the other was not. "You two look lovely," she said to herself.
/ /
Later that night, Kikyou and Kagome disappeared into the crowd of dancers. A tall, dark man quickly whirled Kikyou away as men watched jealously. Kagome remained on the side, sipping her mulled wine and watching her sister in admiration. Finally, a young brunette with a boyish face approached her. "May I have this dance?" he asked her shyly.
Kagome smiled kindly at him, "Why, yes, milord." And they, too, were off.
The great mahogany clock at the back of the hall struck one o'clock. Kikyou and Kagome met at the wine table, where a servant waited on them. They parents had clearly retired for the night. Both girls' faces were flushed pink from dancing. Kagome stifled a yawn. "I think it's time to follow our parents."
Kikyou nodded and took her arm. "Let's go."
They headed out of the main hall and down the hallway towards the staircase. It was empty now except for the torches flickering on the walls. They passed multiple side doors and a dark passageway. Kikyou grabbed Kagome's arm, ever the adventurer. "What do you think is down there?"
Kagome shrugged, "Who knows. We can go explore it tomorrow."
"I doubt we will be allowed to. Let's go now, while nobody is here!" Kikyou persuaded.
Kagome stifled another yawn. "You go and tell me what you find tomorrow. I'm going to bed."
Kikyou sighed and let her go. "Suit yourself."
/ /
Kikyou started up the spiral staircase at the end of the passage. It was narrow, but curiosity drove her upward. She was a little out of breath when she reached the top, where a glow was coming from underneath the thick wooden door. After pushing it open with some effort, she found a room bathed in the glow of an illuminating orb on a side table. "So beautiful," she murmured out loud.
"Why, thank you my dear," a slippery voice answered.
Kikyou nearly jumped out of her skin, stopping herself at a visible twitch. "Wh-who's there?"
"Everybody always asks that. Who else would it be?" The orb flickered slightly.
Kikyou approached the table. "The orb?"
"Yes," it said simply.
"How can you speak? What are you?" Fear and curiosity lined her voice.
"Nobody really knows," said the orb. It was unclear which question it was answering. "Come closer. I cannot really see you from here."
Kikyou could not help moving closer. "You can see, too?" she asked in amazement.
The orb chuckled. "Yes, I can see, hear, and speak. Now, pick me up so I can see your face."
She started to back away. Something did not feel right. What kind of dark sorcery produces a talking orb? She had only taken one step backward when her legs seemed to freeze. What's going on? Why can't I move?! She tried more desperately to turn, but, against her will, her legs moved her forward toward the orb. "Stop! What are you doing to me?" she exclaimed. The orb said nothing. "Answer me!" she cried anxiously.
The orb chuckled darkly. "I just want you to pick me up. I am just giving you…a little encouragement, that is all. Do not be afraid; I will not hurt you."
Kikyou's voice was suspicious, "Why should I trust you?"
"How can I hurt you? I have no true body with which to move."
Kikyou accepted this excuse and relaxed ever so slightly. Unfortunately, this was all the orb needed. Her arms reached out against her will and held the orb up level with her face.
The orb sighed, "Ah, much better. Now I can see your face. Oh, you are also a pretty one."
Kikyou frowned. The orb's voice was feminine; can orbs have gender? It spoke strangely, as if language didn't come naturally to it. Which makes sense, she thought to herself, orbs don't naturally speak.
"Come, child, tell me a little bit about yourself. It can be so lonely up here. I will let you go if you just tell me your name."
Kikyou relented as the prospect of freedom. "My name is Kikyou Higurashi. I am fifteen." Why did I say so much?
"No husband?" the orb asked. "I should think a pretty girl like you would have one by now."
"Not yet," Kikyou replied. Why can't I stop?
"I see."
Kikyou's eyes glazed over. She was caught in the orb's trance. "Who are you?" she asked in a daze.
"Sadly, I have no name, as I am but an orb. I lived once in my master's office, but when he died I was passed down his line until I was forgotten in here. I used to be my master's most trusted advisor, but I have been abandoned in this room for one hundred years now."
Kikyou's spellbound eyes widened. "One hundred years?" she repeated.
"Yes," the orb said sadly.
"I pity you," Kikyou commented dutifully.
The orb would have smiled at that point if it had a body. This girl was so much easier to capture than that accursed boy Inuyasha. "Kikyou, my dear, will you do me a small favor?" The orb's voice was even more syrupy now.
Kikyou nodded slowly, "Yes. What is it?"
"Close your eyes and think of something wide open, like a field."
Kikyou struggled for a moment then conceded. "But why?" she asked in a tight voice.
"I have not been outside in one hundred years. I would like to experience it vicariously through you. Please, concentrate on that field."
Kikyou's dazed voice became panicked. "What are you going to do to me?" Her words were unnaturally slow now.
"Nothing at all," the orb assured her. "Why don't you describe your field to me, and I will describe to you the last field I was in." The orb put some longing in its voice for good measure.
Kikyou nodded, still tense, but the orb's spell was strong. "It is sunny and green, covered in wildflowers and long grass. And there are woods all around, and my sister is there in the middle."
"Sounds wonderful," the orb commented. "My field is wide, with no forests or wildflowers anywhere to be seen, just long grass. It stretches on forever."
Kikyou smiled in her trance. "I like mine better."
"I like mine better, too," the orb teased. The orb pulsed in Kikyou's hands and let off a bright white light. It levitated into the air, floating just inches above Kikyou's hands, and started to move into Kikyou's chest, merging slowly with her body.
Kikyou's eyes flashed open when she realized the orb was no longer in her hands, and saw the now-white orb slowly ease into her body. The spell was broken, but it was too late. Kikyou screamed. She tried to pull out the orb, but it was nearly halfway merged with her chest. "No! Get off of me!" Kikyou cried out. "Help! Somebody!" But the stone walls only made the lonely sound echo around the room. Kikyou dashed down the stairs, nearly falling twice, and sprinted down the hall. "Help! Somebody help!" The orb finished merging itself with Kikyou's body. "Kagome!" Kikyou called out. Kagome! Where are you? Help me! Then, Kikyou slumped to the floor as her world turned to black.
The orb laughed, the sound issuing from Kikyou's mouth, sounding just like the disembodied voice it truly was. It was now in control of Kikyou's body. Kikyou stood up and straightened, fleeing the castle from the back door, away from the banquet. Kikyou Higurashi was gone.
/ /
Kagome sat up straight in her bed, her body covered in sweat. "It was just a nightmare," she whispered out loud to calm herself. It was such a vivid dream, though. Kagome had left Kikyou to go to bed early, and, just as she turned her back, a shadow leapt out and attacked Kikyou. She heard her sister scream her name and spun around to save her, but she was already dead, her hand reaching out desperately for Kagome.
Kagome shuddered. I'll just check on her just in case. Or I won't be able to sleep. She wrapped herself in a wool robe and padded silently down the plush hallway rug to Kikyou's room next door. Knocking softly, she pushed the door open, preparing to heave a sigh of relief at her sister's sleeping form. But, the bed was completely untouched, as she if she had never come home. Kagome gasped. Was that actually a dream? She sprinted down to the hallway where her dream had taken place, but there was no sign of Kikyou. No cold dead body alone on the floor. No Kikyou desperately asking for Kagome's help as she ignored her. Her heart fluttered momentarily with relief. And yet, she was still nowhere to be found. As she turned to go back upstairs, something caught her eye. She turned back and, caught in the groove between two of the flagstones, glinting in the wavering torchlight, was a silver hairpin of a silver-petaled flower with pearls set in the center. This is Kikyou's hairpin.
Kagome rushed back upstairs to her parents' bedchamber and pounded on the door. "Mama! Papa!" she screamed, reverting to her childhood names for them, "Kikyou is missing!"
Lord Higurashi opened the door. His tall frame was imposing even as he rubbed his eyes sleepily. His short-cropped black hair was tousled, devoid of its usual prim neatness. He smoothed down his bushy mustache with two fingers. He looked worriedly down his sharp, proud nose with a pair of intelligent, blue eyes, a trait that neither of his daughters had inherited. "What do you mean, Kagome?" Lady Higurashi appeared behind him.
The words tumbled out of Kagome's mouth. "I had a bad dream that Kikyou was killed by a shadow, and I went to go check on her, and she never came back because her bed was made, and I can't find her anywhere—"
Lady Higurashi reached out and took Kagome's arm soothingly. "Calm down, Kagome, and tell us what happened."
"There's no time! Kikyou never came back to her bedchamber last night, and all I could find of her was her hairpin on the floor!"
Lord Higurashi was already gone from the doorway as Lady Higurashi pulled her daughter into her arms. "I will go inform Lord Arton," he called from inside the room as he found his outdoor cloak and boots.
/ /
Dawn had already broken when Lord Higurashi and Lord Arton returned to the main hall, where Kagome and her mother waited anxiously. Lord Higurashi's face was all the answer they needed. He handed the pin back to Kagome along with a scrap of blue fabric with silver thread. "The dogs have the scent, and there still a search party scouring the estate. We will find her." His wife and daughter burst into tears, and he pulled them into his arms. "Her sleeve must have caught on a branch and tore. She is definitely gone."
Lord Arton approached them solemnly. "Did your daughter even give a sign she wanted to run away?"
Kagome pulled her face out of her father's shoulder angrily, "She did not run away! She wouldn't do that! Besides, that was her favourite hairpin she left behind. It's a sign!" Her parents half-heartedly hushed her.
"It's true," Lady Higurashi agreed, "I know Kikyou did not run away. She has certainly been kidnapped."
/ / / / / /
The orb in Kikyou's body ran across the fields away from the Arton estate, never looking back. It was finally free! It slowed down once it was sure nobody was following it, allowing Kikyou to catch her breath. It kept walking through the rest of the night and into the morning. "Your body is weak," the orb noted disdainfully.
Please. Just let me rest for a while, Kikyou's mind begged. Without a word, the orb settled Kikyou's body against a tree. Kikyou's conscience fell asleep quickly. When she woke up again, she found herself walking again. Where are we going?
"I am paying someone a visit," the orb replied evilly. Kikyou dared not ask whom. "Now that your body has regained some of its strength, let us see what we can do together." The orb lifted Kikyou's hand and aimed the open palm at a small sapling, concentrating for a moment. The tree burned to the ground in seconds, without any sign of a flame, leaving a pile of smoking ash. The orb laughed out loud, "What do you think?"
Kikyou, meanwhile, was horrified. Is that what she is planning to do to this person she is looking for? Where does this power come from?
/ /
By mid-afternoon, Kikyou could make out that they were approaching a town. Hope surged through her. Maybe somebody will recognize me and save me! To her despair, nobody gave Kikyou a second glance. The orb sighed in relief; news of Kikyou's disappearance had not reached this far yet. "Excuse me, sir?" the orb asked a passing man politely.
The man turned around. "Yes, miss?"
"Do you know of the noble, Lord Inuyasha?"
The man nodded, "Yes, he lives in the castle beyond the hills there. Why do you ask?"
Kikyou feigned a sad smile, "I need to give him an important message. Thank you for your assistance." Kikyou was sickened by the orb's easy lie.
The man flashed her a bright smile. "You are very welcome, miss." He noticed her torn sleeve. "Are you alright, miss? Did something happen to you?" He reached for the sleeve and paused in midair, appearing to remember something. "Black hair, blue gown," he muttered to himself. "Are you Lady Kikyou Higurashi?"
Kikyou's heart leapt. Yes! It's me! I'm being held hostage! She tried to scream, forcing all her will against the orb, but nothing happened.
The orb cocked Kikyou's head slightly. "I do not know of whom you speak, good sir, I'm sorry."
The man looked unconvinced but did not press the matter further. "I'm sorry; there is a young woman who is missing from a nearby castle. Anyway, that path," he pointed to a dirt road running through dense woods, "will take you through the hills to Lord Inuyasha's castle. Good luck on your journey." He bowed and took his leave. The orb and Kikyou watched him leave carefully. After a few steps, he turned back around. "What is your name, my lady?"
The orb narrowed Kikyou's eyes. "Kikuyo."
Kikyou would have rolled her eyes if she could. As if he won't notice Kikyou and Kikuyo are practically the same name! To her horror though, he made no indication that he picked up on the similarity and just bowed again before leaving. No! Come back! Please! The man headed straight for what looked like a group of armed guards. He did figure it out!
The orb, Kikuyo, sneered. "Wrong choice." She headed calmly out of the town. Footsteps start to jog behind them. On the edge of the town, Kikuyo turned around and held up her palm.
Kikyou threw her mind against the orb. No! Don't kill them! STOP!
Kikuyo smirked and the town suddenly burnt to the ground. The four armed guards pursuing them were lumps of charred flesh. Kikyou gagged on the smell.
/ /
That night, Kikyou dreamt of the slaughtered town all night long. Constantly, she woke up as if she were sweating. It was her first taste of death and something told her it would not be her last. She needed to escape this monster and stop her from killing Lord Inuyasha. Why does she want to kill him, anyway? She had never met Inuyasha, but she knew of him as he was a member of the higher nobility. She couldn't think of what he could be involved in to make this orb so angry.
/ /
Two days later, they approached the border of a massive estate with an impressive castle at the center. The castle of Lord Inuyasha. Especially since Kikuyo had obliterated the town they had passed through, Kikyou had been using all her energy to fight against the orb. The orb was too strong, and she had been fast losing energy. She would blackout and wake up hours later, having made no dent on the orb's control over her. She could feel herself getting weaker, and, now, as she looked up at the castle, it was all she could do to stay conscious. I'm too weak now to save Lord Inuyasha.
Kikuyo walked up the gentle slope at the foot of the castle and was greeted by two armed guards level their spears at her. "Good afternoon, gentleman. I am here to request an audience with Lord Inuyasha."
One of the men shook his spear at her. "State your name!"
Kikuyo curtsied, "Kikuyo. I have an old grievance I would like to air with him."
The second guard stepped closer. "An old grievance?"
Kikuyo smiled innocently, "It is about the crops in my father's field. Do not be afraid; a young girl such as I could not do any harm to him."
The guards conferred in mutters then agreed that one would go inform the young lord. He returned a few minutes later and ushered her inside to the master's study. It was grandly furnished, and the walls were lined with portraits of the noble family's ancestors. Kikuyo sat daintily on a cushioned chair and waited patiently for nearly half an hour before Lord Inuyasha walked in. It was nearly time for her revenge.
"Good afternoon, Miss Kikuyo," Inuyasha greeted politely. "What can I help you with?"
Kikuyo stood up and curtsied low. "Good afternoon, milord," she answered respectfully. She looked at the two guards standing by the door, "My lord, it is somewhat of a sensitive matter." She emphasized the word 'sensitive' seductively. Inuyasha raised an eyebrow and indicated the two guard to wait outside the closed door. When they were alone, he repeated his question.
Kikuyo approached him boldly. "My lord, I confess I have watched you as one of your vassals for all my life. I have dreamed of your beautiful face since I was young. I am engaged to be married next week, and I wanted, just once, to hold your hand before then."
Inuyasha looked taken aback and a blush spread across his cheeks. "Miss Kikuyo…"
She clasped her hands together and pled, "Please, my lord. That is all I ask as your humble servant."
He thought about it for a moment before agreeing. What could harm could holding a poor woman's hand do? She was quite beautiful, too. Her gown was beautiful was torn. Maybe it was a hand-me-down from a noble. She must have worn her best dress to see me. It was actually a little sweet. He took her hand. "Your husband will be a lucky man, Miss Kikuyo," he offered kindly with a smile. Kikuyo's face contorted horribly, and he felt his hand grow very warm. When he looked down, there was a familiar white glow between their palms. "Who are you?" he demanded, "What are you doing to me?"
Kikuyo gathered her magic into her hand and pushed it into Inuyasha's body as he struggled to get free. His body began to shift, starting with his hand. His nails grew longer into sharp claws. He tried to free himself, but it was too late. The curse had already been put in motion. "Do you recognize my light, Inuyasha?" she sneered. "The light of the orb you rejected?"
Inuyasha stared at his hands in horror. "What have you done to me?" He felt his teeth lengthen into fangs. He glanced over at the mirror by his desk and found that his wide eyes had turned scarlet, with teal slits for irises, and his hair had become silver. A purple streak cut across each cheek. Strangest of all, his human ears had been replaced with furry white dog ears. "You have turned me into a monster!"
Kikuyo cackled, "I have taken my revenge at last! You will be nothing more than a mindless demon!" She gasped as Inuyasha's claws raked across her body. "What?!" She dropped his hand at once, clutching her body in pain.
Inuyasha roared, "How dare you, witch! I will kill you for this!" Before he could move again, she escaped out of the open window.
The door burst open, and the two guards barreled in. "My lord!" one yelled.
"A demon!" yelled the other.
Inuyasha growled at them. "It was that sorceress." His voice was more gravely than usual and spoke with great effort. The guards hesitated, unsure if they should believe him.
The commotion led Sesshomaru and Iyazoi to run in. "Inuyasha!" Iyazoi moaned, "My son, what has happened to you?"
Sesshomaru started towards Inuyasha, preparing to attack. "Mother, a demon has entered our castle. Stand back." Inuyasha growled at him and flexed his claws.
Iyazoi, however, pushed past him and pulled Inuyasha into her arms against the protests of her elder son and the guards. "Inuyasha, what happened to you?" she asked again.
Inuyasha closed his eyes and breathed out through his nose. When he opened them again, they had turned a beautiful amber color. "Mother."
"Your eyes," she murmured in wonder.
"A sorceress came in and tried to turn me into a demon." He looked over at the mirror again. "It seems she was only halfway successful."
"But why?!" his mother wept. He relayed to them what had happened with the orb. "We need to tell your father immediately." Both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru winced.
/ /
Outside, Kikuyo landed on the soft, moist ground at the base of the castle. She steadied herself against the stones before stumbling away before they sent the dogs after her again. "That damned bastard!" Kikuyo groaned out loud. "Once I recover, I will hunt him down and kill him!"
Kikyou moaned in pain. The slashes across her body made it hard to breathe and therefore hard to run. Her legs burned desperately. You turned him into a demon just because he didn't want to suffer the fate I am? Kikyou thought furiously at the orb. Now you're both monsters. The vision of the burnt village flashed across her mind. We're all three monsters now. She found a small cave and barely made it inside before slumping against the wall, gasping for breath.
"That spell required much more magic than I thought. And the bastard damaged my body." Kikuyo groaned, mustering just enough magic in her hand to put a shield over the entrance of the cave. The edges of her vision started to turn dark.