Disclaimer: I still don't own Inuyasha, nor do I own the characters in this fic!!

Italic: thoughts
-- --: locations
' ': spoken words
~*~*~*~*~: time gap



THE LIFE OF A SONG-MAIDEN

-by Kittymui-

And history repeats...

After that, I did ask her about her powers... Kikyou looked at Kagome, who was approaching the arrow she just shot. But she said her parents never told her anything about it. I have searched through all the scrolls to find out about her powers, after a long search I had finally found one that contained information about the Shikon no Tama. She looked up at the blue sky. Indeed, it said that evil beings aren't able to use the powers of the Shikon no Tama. However, each 2000 years, a maiden will be born to the world who can. And Kagome turned out to be that maiden.
Unfortunately the scroll was too old and the lower part had already rotten away. I'm sure there's more about Kagome than her ability to use the jewel.

'Something wrong? Kikyou onee-sama? What are you thinking about?' Kagome asked and gave Kikyou a puzzled look. Kikyou stopped her thoughts and walked towards Kagome. 'Oh no, nothing. I was just thinking about the past five years.' she smiled.
Noticing the worried look in Kagome's eyes, she put her hand on Kagome's shoulder and reassured. 'Don't worry, you will always be my little sister and I will always protect you, no matter what.'

~*~*~*~ In the evening ~*~*~*~

After dinner, Kikyou and Kagome sat down near the small creek, enjoying Mother nature.
'Tomorrow, I'll visit your family's grave to pray for them, are you sure you want to come along?' Kikyou started. Kagome nodded and slightly smiled. 'I want them to know that I'm doing fine, besides, with onee-sama's help, I've already recovered from my past.
Kikyou looked at her eyes, as she said those words. You can fool anyone in the world, even yourself, but the sadness and fear in you eyes will always betray you. Kikyou thought, then she suddenly noticed Kagome standing in front of her.

'I know I have said this before, but arigatou... onee-sama.' Kagome bowed deeply and continued. 'Not only have you saved my life five years ago, you have also taught me how to fight, to survive and everything that you possess in your knowledge.' Kagome straightened up and look away. 'I thought you would at least have banned me from the shrine because of the scary powers I turned out to possess, yet you continued to care about me and not only that, you've even taught me how to control them.' (AN: Since she had used her powers during a trance last time ^-^. However, Kikyou didn't teach her how to control them as a songmaiden but as a normal miko, coz the scroll was rotten, remember :P)
'I am more than happy to have an older sister like you, arigatou... hontou ni...'

For once Kikyou thought she saw a genuine smile on Kagome's face. Then she stood up, facing Kagome. 'First of all, the powers that you possess aren't scary nor evil, a heart as pure as yours can never possess such powers,' she smiled. 'I'm sure your powers will achieve something tremendous someday. (AN: And she's damn right :P) And second of all,' she put her hands on her shoulders, 'I am also very happy to have a little sister like you, I will never regret saving you on that say, five years ago.'

With this, they both walked side by side back to the house. But they didn't notice that a shadow of a person wearing a baboon pelt was watching them from afar.
'Kukuku...it would be rude of me not to join the visit, don't you agree?' the shadow spoke to himself as it disappeared in the dark.

~*~*~*~ The next day ~*~*~*~

Kagome and Kikyou went as planned to the hill where her family was buried.

Kikyou closed her eyes and prayed as Kagome knelt down in front of the grave. 'Mama, grandpa, Souta, it's me, Kagome. Don't worry about me, onee-sama is taking good care of me.' She clenched her fists. 'I won't let you die in vain, I promise I will definitely become stronger and avenge you someday...'

Suddenly a voice could be heard from above. 'Kukuku... someday wil take too long, don't you agree? Why not make it today?'
Kikyou and Kagome shot up and their gaze followed the origin of the voice. 'Naraku!!!' Kikyou shouted and pointed her arrow at him.
'I'm glad you still remember me, Kikyou.' Naraku landed on the ground next to the grave. 'But if you don't mind , I'm not planning to wait another 2000 years for this chance.' And he started to walk towards Kagome.

'My dear maiden, I have waited 2000 years for this day to come. Now, come to me.' Naraku demanded as he slowly raised his hand to touch Kagome's face. Kagome quickly jumped backwards. 'You!!! You're the one who killed my family, you monster!!' Kagome yelled and pointed her arrow at Naraku. 'Now die!!'

Just when Kikyou expected Kagome to shoot her arrow, she suddenly noticed Kagome lowering her bow and arrow. 'Kagome?' What are you...' She was too shocked to continue when she saw the Shikon no Tama. It was faint but she could clearly see that the pure white jewel was now tainted and becoming gray. How can this be happening? She looked at Kagome's face and saw that she was in a trance again with her eyes half-open. Then she quickly turned to Naraku. 'You bastard, what did you do to her!?'

'Surprised, aren't you? Didn't your scolls tell you about this?' Naraku laughed as he put his arm around Kagome's waist and pulled her near. 'Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt if I told you.' He cleared his throat.
'Every 2000 years, a maiden will be born to the world, who can use the powers hidden within the Shikon no Tama. Well, it's a long prophecy, so I'll keep it short. This maiden can control the powers with her voice. Of course, she can make the world a better place with them,' Naraku continued, with a disgusted face, which quickly turned into a smirk. 'however, she can also use those powers for evil.' Naraku gave Kikyou a confident look. 'And with Kagome by my side, I will rule over the world.' Kikyou shivered at the idea.

'The way she uses her powers depends on whether the jewel is pure or evil, which in turn depends on the mind of the maiden.' He holds the jewel in his hands. 'As you can see, a weak mind like her's is easily overtaken by evil.'

Without second thought, Kikyou shot an arrow at Naraku, causing him to jump away from Kagome. She quickly ran to Kagome.
'Kagome! Wake up!' Kikyou shook her shoulders with both hands. Then she suddenly felt something coming at them at a very high speed and quickly turned around with her back facing Kagome.

Naraku had fired a tremendous stream of evil force at them. Damn, if I dodge it, Kagome will get hurt. Kikyou looked over her shoulders at Kagome, who was still in trance. I will never let you die. And Kikyou faced the force again, that was almost going to hit them.
She moved her hands in front of her and gathered all her holy powers at them, which were soon surrounded by white light.

Then a huge explosion appeared on the hill.

~*~*~*~

The smoke of the explosion faded and the skies cleared up. Naraku was nowhere to be found and the Shikon no Tama returned to its originale color. Kagome finally regained consciousness from her trance.
I... what happened? What did I just do? She stopped thinking to herself when she noticed Kikyou standing in front of her, with her back still facing Kagome. 'K-kikyou onee-sama?'
Kikyou turned her head and looked over her shoulders at Kagome. Blood was coming from the corner of her mouth and from the wounds on her forehead; dripping off her chin. 'K-Kagome...daijoubu?' she whispered. Tears were rolling down on Kagome's cheeks. 'Gomen, onee-sama...it's all my fault.'
'Kagome...don't cry, be strong...' With that, Kikyou closed her eyes forever and began to collapse to the ground. Kagome quickly caught her and sat on the ground with Kikyou in her arms. 'Onee-sama, please don't die!! Don't leave me... don't...' Kagome grabbed her own throat as no sound came out of it. What the...? Why is my voice...? Kagome realized she had lost her voice due to the shock but ignored it as she carried Kikyou's body back to the shrine, crying.

-- Back at the shrine --

The small streaks of tears turned into streams, when Kagome was cleaning her sister's body and dressing her up as graceful and beautiful as possible. After that, she carried her to the lake near the shrine. It was said that the lake was bottomless, since nothing was ever found back if it was thrown into the lake. Hence, the name: 'Bottomless Lake'.
Onee-sama, may you rest in peace. Kagome layed Kikyou's body on the watersurface and stepped back to watch the body slowly sink into the Bottomless Lake. She turned around and walked back to the house after the body disappeared into the deep darkness.

~*~*~*~

'Well, I guess there isn't anybody left to prevent my from taking over the world, is there?'
Kagome recognized this voice and her expression soon turned into one of hate, when she looked into the eyes of Naraku, who was standing in front of the house.

She opened her mouth to curse him, but realized that she had lost her voice. 'My, the legendary songmaiden has lost her voice. Now that's quite a problem isn't it? Was losing your dear sister THAT unbearable?' he said with a smirk.
Kagome's ears twitched as she heard those cruel words. I will NEVER forgive you!! NEVER!!! She closed her eyes. Onee-sama, if you can hear my pleading, please lend me your powers so that I can avenge your death.

Suddenly, she felt a presence of Kikyou near her. Kagome looked around and saw Kikyou standing right next to her. Kagome, I'm going to lend you my voice, but beware... you cannot defeat Naraku as you are now. (AN: Meaning that she can't defeat Naraku on her own) You know the sacred well near the shrine right? Jump inside when you get the chance... a new destiny is waiting for you inside that well. The figure of Kikyou faded as she spoke the last words.
No!!! Onee-sama!! Don't leave me behind!! Kagome cried. 'Be strong...' were the last words Kikyou spoke before she completely vanished.

'What's the matter songmaiden? Seeing things?' Naraku laughed but stopped when Kagome opened her eyes and put her hands together (AN: Like the first time she had used her powers, only this time, she's aware of it.). Kagome opened her mouth and began to sing a serenade with the voice of Kikyou.
'What the..!!! Impossible!!' Suddenly a barrier of water surrounded Naraku. Naraku tried to break the barrier with his powers but failed. 'Grrr, you won't seal me that easily!' he continued to make his way out of the barrier.

This is my chance. Kagome dashed passed Naraku and stopped as she reached the well. She hesitated. My destiny lies in this well? How did she know that? She climbed on the side of the well. Her hesitation was soon interrupted by the sound of Naraku breaking her barrier.
'You bitch!! You stay right there!!' Naraku yelled as he ran to the well. I guess I don't have any other choice Kagome thought to herself and jumped into the well.
Naraku eyes widened and quickly jumped after her. But when he reached the bottom, there was no sign nor trace of Kagome.

He clenched his fists. I will always find you, Kagome. The next time we meet, I will definitely make you mine.

--
Somewhere on the other side, at the bottom of a well --

At the bottom of the well, lies a human girl, unconscious; about to awake in a strange world and face her destiny...


Next chapter: The other world...

Vocabulary:

onee-sama: people usually say this to refer to their older sisters whom they respect very much.
gomen(nasai): I'm sorry
arigatou: Thank you
hontou ni: Really
daijoubu?: Are you allright?

sk8er gurl3789: Thanks for the encouragement!! I have one vote for inu/kag here, anybody wanna vote more?

Lucrecia Almasy: Hahaha Yeah I thought so too (about the name of Kagome) but a reviewer told me about it, don't really know what it really is anymore. But the name won't be mentioned in this story anymore so I'll just let that pass me by *still pondering about the name...* Oops... nope now I'm definitely over it *cough* ^-^.

To all: I will continue this story, in fact, I already have it done till chapter 6 on paper ^-^, but don't have much time to put in on my computer that's all. Please forgive for letting you wait!!

*Begging on her knees and looks around for more potential reviewers* Please review after reading!!

Greets,
~Kittymui~