Chapter 8
"The Reincarnation of a Priestess"
The cold wind that blew through the woods seemed to whisper strange messages of danger to Kagome as she dashed down the unfamiliar path. She paid no attention to it, though... other things were on her mind at the time.
She had finally told Inuyasha what was on her mind-- and in her heart. And now there she was, running from him; afraid of what his response would be. She knew it was quite possible for the hanyou to make a nasty remark, like 'Well, keep dreamin', cuz I'll NEVER become human for you...' or something along those lines. There was no way in hell Kagome would be able to stand that kind of a heartbreak... and she didn't care to stick around and see what would happen.
Still, she was rather creeped out by the dark forest, with its cold moaning winds, and the shadows that covered most of the scenery on either side of her. "I have to be brave." She thought to herself, as she pressed on. "I'm certainly NOT going back there to hear that baka hanyou make fun of me and say I'm a chicken. No way in hell!"
Suddenly, a thick fog rolled in from no where, it seemed. Kagome screeched to a halt and waved her hands through the air in a feeble attempt to see through the white mist. To her dismay, it remained there; cold and still, slowly drenching her to the bone from the dense water vapor that made up the fog.
Kagome clutched the edge of her skirt with her fists in an attempt to keep it from blowing up in the chilling wind that had seemed to come out of no where, just as the fog had.
She was scared now-- scared and alone. So she did the only thing she could think of-- Kagome opened her mouth and screamed, long and hard, hoping that Inuyasha would hear her... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile...
Inuyasha bounded through the woods, following Kagome's scent. She couldn't have gotten too far, he knew, and was positive he would round a corner and see the mortal sitting on the side of the road crying, or something dramatic like that...
But there was still a fear as cold as stone that was settled in the pit of the hanyou's stomach. For as dense fog drifted up around him, as it had to Kagome, all hopes of being able to find her easily faded away, along with his sharp hanyou eyesight, and keen sense of smell.
Inuyasha growled and clenched his fists. He knew only one person that could, and would be able to create a thick blanket of fog like that... and he hoped that he would find Kagome before they did! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Shut up, you stupid fool. Inuyasha will not save you this time." Came a voice.
Kagome gasped and searched around nervously. She knew exactly who the voice belonged to... and she really didn't feel like coming face to face with them just then.
"What do you want from me?" she called out. Her voice echoed through the fog and seemed to go on forever.
"I want your life." Was the reply. At that, a tall shadowy figure stepped into view. Kagome gasped. It was Kikyo!
The miko smirked evilly, seeing the frightened look on Kagome's face upon seeing her. "What's wrong, my weak reincarnation?" she asked, drawing an arrow from her quiver. She aimed it right for Kagome. "Inuyasha's not here to save you? What a pity."
With that, she let the arrow fly. It whistled as it whizzed through the air, meeting its mark- in the sleeve of Kagome's school uniform. It pinned her against a tree, and she whimpered as she tried helplessly to tear away from the magic arrow.
Kikyo laughed as she drew another arrow. "Do not fear, mortal..." she hissed. "You'll meet up with that hanyou again... who knows.... maybe the Gods will take pity on you, and reincarnate you... into a slimy little maggot!"
Kagome clenched her fists, and struggled to get away from the tree she was pinned against. "Whatever happens, Kikyo, I'll always make sure I'm with Inuyasha! No matter what! I'll be by his side even if I AM reincarnated into a maggot!"
Kikyo smirked. "Oh, that much I am certain of." She sneered. "And I'LL be there as well... TO STEP ON YOU."
Kagome could feel her anger boiling to the peak. And strangely, she could feel a rather odd sensation building up inside of her body...
The miko aimed her arrow for Kagome. "Now..." she cooed, "Where do you want it? In the head? Or the heart?"
Kagome gulped and bit her lip. She was shaking now, and her little heart was pounding. She was going to die...
Kikyo pulled the arrow back, making the bow creak. "Have fun in hell." She chuckled evilly.
Suddenly, Kagome smiled as well. "I guess I'll meet you there." She said simply.
The miko lowered her weapon so that she could see Kagome's face clearly. "WHAT did you say?" she questioned.
Kagome shrugged innocently. "Oh, nothing really... all I said was that I'll see you in hell... it's true, isn't it? I mean, that's where you're eventually going to go, correct?"
Kikyo narrowed her eyes. "Not necessarily." She pointed out. "I shall stay on earth and walk among the living."
Kagome rolled her eyes. "Well you'll be awfully lonely, Kikyo... because Inuyasha would NEVER go with you! You'll wander the earth until you run out of souls of the dead to take... either that, or you'll be sent to hell- by none other than Inuyasha himself!"
Kikyo growled. "Enough!" she cried, raising her bow once more. "This'll put an end to your interfering..." With that, she let the arrow fly.
SHHHHHIIINNNG!
The arrow was deflected by something hard and metallic. Both Kagome and Kikyo gasped, and turned to see Inuyasha holding his Tetsusaiga; now un- transformed due to the contact with the magic arrow.
Kikyo narrowed her eyes. "Inuyasha." She muttered.
Kagome's reaction was somewhat... different. "INUYASHA!!!" she cried, pulling fiercely on the arrow to get free.
The hanyou started to go to Kagome when another arrow soared through the air... and pinned Inuyasha's arm to the tree as well- and if the tree was not there, he would be standing back to back with Kagome.
"Inuyasha!" she cried. "Why? Why did you come to save me?" she lowered her head sadly. "Now it's all my fault." She muttered.
The hanyou's ears perked up. "What's your fault?" he asked.
Kagome sniffed a little. "Because of ME, you are going to be killed as well."
Inuyasha sighed. "Kagome..." he began, "I would NEVER let you die... atleast not alone, anyway," he added with a small smile.
The mortal gasped quietly at his comment. "Inuyasha..." she whispered in surprise.
Suddenly, an angry voice echoed through the air. "SILENCE!" Both turned their attention to see Kikyo still standing about 20 feet in front of them, ready to shoot. However, the miko lowered her weapon once more. Her face no longer held anger. In fact, it seemed to be rather sorrowful and hurt.
"Inuyasha?" she asked, taking a step closer to him. "Does that girl mean more to you than I do?"
The hanyou tried to turn his head away from the miko, so he could avoid looking into her eyes... but as his golden orbs locked with her deep brown ones, Inuyasha was trapped. The feelings that he had for Kikyo came flooding back to him all at once, and his eyes softened when she reached up and stroked his cheek.
"Inuyasha..." she whispered. "We were meant to be together always... now that you have seeken vengeance on my behalf, and Naraku is dead, we can continue on from where we left off, you and I..."
Inuyasha gulped when she moved in closer. "Unless you are in love with that mortal girl..." With that, Kikyo kissed Inuyasha.
Kagome bared her teeth in anger and hate for Kikyo. She had never been this angry before in her entire life... and as she watched Inuyasha kiss the miko back, she started to cry.
Being that hanyou that he was, Inuyasha smelled Kagome's tears. He opened one eye and felt all his happiness disappear, when he saw how sad the mortal was. There he was, kissing Kikyo in front of Kagome... with almost no shame! What was wrong with him?!
Inuyasha pulled away from Kikyo gently. "Let Kagome go." He said.
The miko frowned. "Is she all you ever think about?"
Inuyasha blushed. "Kikyo, please... just let her go. We are upsetting her. I can't allow her to cry... especially when I'm the cause."
Kikyo smirked. "How kind and compassionate you have become, Inuyasha. You've let this girl tame your heart and ease your restless soul... but tell me- why is it that you act like you care for me, and kiss me like you do? I need to hear you say it." Kikyo glanced at Kagome. When the mortal heard the request, she glared at the miko. "How can you expect him to love you when you're such an evil little b-"
Kikyo grabbed Kagome's throat, cutting her off. "I'm such a little what?" she questioned sarcastically. "I didn't quite catch all of that."
Kagome gasped for breath, and Kikyo tightened her hold on the mortal's neck.
Inuyasha growled. "Kikyo, stop!"
"Then say it."
"Say what?!"
"Say you love me, Inuyasha."
"B-but Kagome... she... I..."
"Let me put it this way- if you wish for me to spare her life, then say it... unless you don't love me..."
Inuyasha looked away from the pained expression on Kagome's face.
The mortal's eyes were brimming with tears as a long silence passed overhead. If Inuyasha was taking so long to answer... was there still hope? Maybe he-"
"I love you, Kikyo."
GAK
Kagome could have sworn her heart stopped beating. She had always hoped to hear those three words from Inuyasha... but directed to her, not Kikyo, off all people!
Kikyo smiled and kissed the hanyou again, releasing Kagome's neck from her grasp. "I thought so." She murmured showing off in front of Kagome, just to rub it in her face.
Inuyasha sighed and tilted his head onto her shoulder so neither woman would see his expression of remorse. I told Kikyo I loved her... I finally said it, after so many years... he thought to himself. Then why do I feel so horrible?
Kagome looked away from the two completely. She had no desire whatsoever to hear another word from either of them... and her heart broke when she realized the horrible truth-- Inuyasha was gone... and never coming back.
Kikyo smirked at Kagome as Inuyasha lifted his head from the miko's shoulder. He looked her straight in the eyes.
"Now let her go."
Kikyo pursed her lips in annoyance, but nonetheless waved her hand in Kagome's direction.
The mortal let out a cry of surprise when the arrow in her sleeve vanished. She slumped to the ground, holding her sore neck.
Inuyasha looked down at Kagome with sad eyes. He was so ashamed of everything that the poor girl had to see and hear. He wished that there was something he could do to make up for everything. Sadly, though, he knew there was none.
Kikyo kicked Kagome suddenly, making her fall over. "Now get out of here." She sneered. "Before I change my mind and kill you."
Kagome got up and brushed herself off. Then, she turned around and started to walk away. However, she turned back to Inuyasha. "I've lost you, Inuyasha... and you're never coming back, are you?"
With that, she walked away.
Inuyasha looked after her retreating form, and felt his heart start to crumble. Kagome's words had been harsh, but true... and she was leaving.
The hanyou tilted Kikyo's chin upwards to face him. "I need to stay with my friends tonight." He said. "I need one more night with them before I leave with you, Kikyo. It'll be hard for them to learn of. Do you understand?"
The miko frowned, but when she saw the desperate look in her lover's eyes, her heart softened. Barely.
"Fine." She said. "One more night. Stay with them for tonight... but in the morning, I want you to come and meet me here in this exact same spot."
With that, the arrow that bound him to the tree vanished, as Kagome's had.
Inuyasha gave her a quick hug, and started back to his companions, when Kikyo's voice called out to him. "Inuyasha... don't even think of trying anything with that weak mortal of yours."
Inuyasha sighed and kept on walking. "Don't worry." He muttered. "I haven't been able to tell Kagome my feelings for her yet. One night's not going to change that."
The cold wind that blew through the woods seemed to whisper strange messages of danger to Kagome as she dashed down the unfamiliar path. She paid no attention to it, though... other things were on her mind at the time.
She had finally told Inuyasha what was on her mind-- and in her heart. And now there she was, running from him; afraid of what his response would be. She knew it was quite possible for the hanyou to make a nasty remark, like 'Well, keep dreamin', cuz I'll NEVER become human for you...' or something along those lines. There was no way in hell Kagome would be able to stand that kind of a heartbreak... and she didn't care to stick around and see what would happen.
Still, she was rather creeped out by the dark forest, with its cold moaning winds, and the shadows that covered most of the scenery on either side of her. "I have to be brave." She thought to herself, as she pressed on. "I'm certainly NOT going back there to hear that baka hanyou make fun of me and say I'm a chicken. No way in hell!"
Suddenly, a thick fog rolled in from no where, it seemed. Kagome screeched to a halt and waved her hands through the air in a feeble attempt to see through the white mist. To her dismay, it remained there; cold and still, slowly drenching her to the bone from the dense water vapor that made up the fog.
Kagome clutched the edge of her skirt with her fists in an attempt to keep it from blowing up in the chilling wind that had seemed to come out of no where, just as the fog had.
She was scared now-- scared and alone. So she did the only thing she could think of-- Kagome opened her mouth and screamed, long and hard, hoping that Inuyasha would hear her... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile...
Inuyasha bounded through the woods, following Kagome's scent. She couldn't have gotten too far, he knew, and was positive he would round a corner and see the mortal sitting on the side of the road crying, or something dramatic like that...
But there was still a fear as cold as stone that was settled in the pit of the hanyou's stomach. For as dense fog drifted up around him, as it had to Kagome, all hopes of being able to find her easily faded away, along with his sharp hanyou eyesight, and keen sense of smell.
Inuyasha growled and clenched his fists. He knew only one person that could, and would be able to create a thick blanket of fog like that... and he hoped that he would find Kagome before they did! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Shut up, you stupid fool. Inuyasha will not save you this time." Came a voice.
Kagome gasped and searched around nervously. She knew exactly who the voice belonged to... and she really didn't feel like coming face to face with them just then.
"What do you want from me?" she called out. Her voice echoed through the fog and seemed to go on forever.
"I want your life." Was the reply. At that, a tall shadowy figure stepped into view. Kagome gasped. It was Kikyo!
The miko smirked evilly, seeing the frightened look on Kagome's face upon seeing her. "What's wrong, my weak reincarnation?" she asked, drawing an arrow from her quiver. She aimed it right for Kagome. "Inuyasha's not here to save you? What a pity."
With that, she let the arrow fly. It whistled as it whizzed through the air, meeting its mark- in the sleeve of Kagome's school uniform. It pinned her against a tree, and she whimpered as she tried helplessly to tear away from the magic arrow.
Kikyo laughed as she drew another arrow. "Do not fear, mortal..." she hissed. "You'll meet up with that hanyou again... who knows.... maybe the Gods will take pity on you, and reincarnate you... into a slimy little maggot!"
Kagome clenched her fists, and struggled to get away from the tree she was pinned against. "Whatever happens, Kikyo, I'll always make sure I'm with Inuyasha! No matter what! I'll be by his side even if I AM reincarnated into a maggot!"
Kikyo smirked. "Oh, that much I am certain of." She sneered. "And I'LL be there as well... TO STEP ON YOU."
Kagome could feel her anger boiling to the peak. And strangely, she could feel a rather odd sensation building up inside of her body...
The miko aimed her arrow for Kagome. "Now..." she cooed, "Where do you want it? In the head? Or the heart?"
Kagome gulped and bit her lip. She was shaking now, and her little heart was pounding. She was going to die...
Kikyo pulled the arrow back, making the bow creak. "Have fun in hell." She chuckled evilly.
Suddenly, Kagome smiled as well. "I guess I'll meet you there." She said simply.
The miko lowered her weapon so that she could see Kagome's face clearly. "WHAT did you say?" she questioned.
Kagome shrugged innocently. "Oh, nothing really... all I said was that I'll see you in hell... it's true, isn't it? I mean, that's where you're eventually going to go, correct?"
Kikyo narrowed her eyes. "Not necessarily." She pointed out. "I shall stay on earth and walk among the living."
Kagome rolled her eyes. "Well you'll be awfully lonely, Kikyo... because Inuyasha would NEVER go with you! You'll wander the earth until you run out of souls of the dead to take... either that, or you'll be sent to hell- by none other than Inuyasha himself!"
Kikyo growled. "Enough!" she cried, raising her bow once more. "This'll put an end to your interfering..." With that, she let the arrow fly.
SHHHHHIIINNNG!
The arrow was deflected by something hard and metallic. Both Kagome and Kikyo gasped, and turned to see Inuyasha holding his Tetsusaiga; now un- transformed due to the contact with the magic arrow.
Kikyo narrowed her eyes. "Inuyasha." She muttered.
Kagome's reaction was somewhat... different. "INUYASHA!!!" she cried, pulling fiercely on the arrow to get free.
The hanyou started to go to Kagome when another arrow soared through the air... and pinned Inuyasha's arm to the tree as well- and if the tree was not there, he would be standing back to back with Kagome.
"Inuyasha!" she cried. "Why? Why did you come to save me?" she lowered her head sadly. "Now it's all my fault." She muttered.
The hanyou's ears perked up. "What's your fault?" he asked.
Kagome sniffed a little. "Because of ME, you are going to be killed as well."
Inuyasha sighed. "Kagome..." he began, "I would NEVER let you die... atleast not alone, anyway," he added with a small smile.
The mortal gasped quietly at his comment. "Inuyasha..." she whispered in surprise.
Suddenly, an angry voice echoed through the air. "SILENCE!" Both turned their attention to see Kikyo still standing about 20 feet in front of them, ready to shoot. However, the miko lowered her weapon once more. Her face no longer held anger. In fact, it seemed to be rather sorrowful and hurt.
"Inuyasha?" she asked, taking a step closer to him. "Does that girl mean more to you than I do?"
The hanyou tried to turn his head away from the miko, so he could avoid looking into her eyes... but as his golden orbs locked with her deep brown ones, Inuyasha was trapped. The feelings that he had for Kikyo came flooding back to him all at once, and his eyes softened when she reached up and stroked his cheek.
"Inuyasha..." she whispered. "We were meant to be together always... now that you have seeken vengeance on my behalf, and Naraku is dead, we can continue on from where we left off, you and I..."
Inuyasha gulped when she moved in closer. "Unless you are in love with that mortal girl..." With that, Kikyo kissed Inuyasha.
Kagome bared her teeth in anger and hate for Kikyo. She had never been this angry before in her entire life... and as she watched Inuyasha kiss the miko back, she started to cry.
Being that hanyou that he was, Inuyasha smelled Kagome's tears. He opened one eye and felt all his happiness disappear, when he saw how sad the mortal was. There he was, kissing Kikyo in front of Kagome... with almost no shame! What was wrong with him?!
Inuyasha pulled away from Kikyo gently. "Let Kagome go." He said.
The miko frowned. "Is she all you ever think about?"
Inuyasha blushed. "Kikyo, please... just let her go. We are upsetting her. I can't allow her to cry... especially when I'm the cause."
Kikyo smirked. "How kind and compassionate you have become, Inuyasha. You've let this girl tame your heart and ease your restless soul... but tell me- why is it that you act like you care for me, and kiss me like you do? I need to hear you say it." Kikyo glanced at Kagome. When the mortal heard the request, she glared at the miko. "How can you expect him to love you when you're such an evil little b-"
Kikyo grabbed Kagome's throat, cutting her off. "I'm such a little what?" she questioned sarcastically. "I didn't quite catch all of that."
Kagome gasped for breath, and Kikyo tightened her hold on the mortal's neck.
Inuyasha growled. "Kikyo, stop!"
"Then say it."
"Say what?!"
"Say you love me, Inuyasha."
"B-but Kagome... she... I..."
"Let me put it this way- if you wish for me to spare her life, then say it... unless you don't love me..."
Inuyasha looked away from the pained expression on Kagome's face.
The mortal's eyes were brimming with tears as a long silence passed overhead. If Inuyasha was taking so long to answer... was there still hope? Maybe he-"
"I love you, Kikyo."
GAK
Kagome could have sworn her heart stopped beating. She had always hoped to hear those three words from Inuyasha... but directed to her, not Kikyo, off all people!
Kikyo smiled and kissed the hanyou again, releasing Kagome's neck from her grasp. "I thought so." She murmured showing off in front of Kagome, just to rub it in her face.
Inuyasha sighed and tilted his head onto her shoulder so neither woman would see his expression of remorse. I told Kikyo I loved her... I finally said it, after so many years... he thought to himself. Then why do I feel so horrible?
Kagome looked away from the two completely. She had no desire whatsoever to hear another word from either of them... and her heart broke when she realized the horrible truth-- Inuyasha was gone... and never coming back.
Kikyo smirked at Kagome as Inuyasha lifted his head from the miko's shoulder. He looked her straight in the eyes.
"Now let her go."
Kikyo pursed her lips in annoyance, but nonetheless waved her hand in Kagome's direction.
The mortal let out a cry of surprise when the arrow in her sleeve vanished. She slumped to the ground, holding her sore neck.
Inuyasha looked down at Kagome with sad eyes. He was so ashamed of everything that the poor girl had to see and hear. He wished that there was something he could do to make up for everything. Sadly, though, he knew there was none.
Kikyo kicked Kagome suddenly, making her fall over. "Now get out of here." She sneered. "Before I change my mind and kill you."
Kagome got up and brushed herself off. Then, she turned around and started to walk away. However, she turned back to Inuyasha. "I've lost you, Inuyasha... and you're never coming back, are you?"
With that, she walked away.
Inuyasha looked after her retreating form, and felt his heart start to crumble. Kagome's words had been harsh, but true... and she was leaving.
The hanyou tilted Kikyo's chin upwards to face him. "I need to stay with my friends tonight." He said. "I need one more night with them before I leave with you, Kikyo. It'll be hard for them to learn of. Do you understand?"
The miko frowned, but when she saw the desperate look in her lover's eyes, her heart softened. Barely.
"Fine." She said. "One more night. Stay with them for tonight... but in the morning, I want you to come and meet me here in this exact same spot."
With that, the arrow that bound him to the tree vanished, as Kagome's had.
Inuyasha gave her a quick hug, and started back to his companions, when Kikyo's voice called out to him. "Inuyasha... don't even think of trying anything with that weak mortal of yours."
Inuyasha sighed and kept on walking. "Don't worry." He muttered. "I haven't been able to tell Kagome my feelings for her yet. One night's not going to change that."