17 ~by: Twilight Zero
TZ's Notes: Wow!!! 13 amazing reviews!!! Minnasan totemo daisuki!!! Thank you for reviewing, and also, a warm "Welcome!" to my first two anonymous reviewers!!! Konnichiwa too, to Fieryfairie!!! Daijoubu, I'll make it a point to update as often as possible, so you guys won't be left hanging!!! Hehehe…I love u peoplez!!!! Yoshi! Minnasan, I hereby present to you the sixth chappy, and this time, we'll hear Kaede's point of view regarding Kikyou and the mysterious things that were happening recently. Oh yeah, just to tell you again, I don't own IY. Don't sue me!!! Just a little introduction…itadakimasu!!! =^____^=
(A/N: The italicized statements are Kaede's thoughts…)
I'm so glad that everything went back to just how it was. It has been a long time since my onee-sama's committed a sin, and it's so glad to see that the village people forgave her for what she did. And now, during these cold winter days, she's been helping out the sick, and I've got to admit that it's such a harsh winter that we're having. Kikyou onee-sama's so kind! That's why I wanted to be like her. I wanted to be a priestess just like her.
My onee-sama's given the duty of protecting the Shikon no Tama not so long ago. In fact, it was just like yesterday. Men who looked like youkai taijiyas came to her one night and gave her the jewel, and said something that she must keep it pure at all costs. That task was way beyond human ability, but my onee-sama's strong miko powers made it possible. Until now, she carries the burden of guarding mankind's only hope on her weary shoulders. *sigh* She has been always serious and sad ever since. There had been hardly a time when I would see her smile. I knew her for so long, and by the way I see it in her eyes, she's been suffering deep inside.
I know it's such a great honor, but since that jewel came into our lives, everything wasn't the same anymore. Youkais attack our little village more often that usual, because they heard that the Shikon was in my sister's hands. We would experience battles everyday, and it's wearing her out. I hate it…there were many people dying and suffering, all because of that stupid jewel!!
And that's when he came along…
*flashback*
"Youkai!!! Youkai attack!!!"
"Quick, call the great miko! It seems that his goal is for the jewel again!" I rushed to find my sister, like one of the men told me. They were busy distracting the attacker, making sure that he won't get any close to the shrine.
"Get out of my way, filthy humans!!!" he snarled, and jumped several meters into the air, landing right behind the villagers. I could hear the clonk of the spears as they slammed against his back, and he brushed them off like some useless sticks. "Hand me the jewel, now!"
"Halt, youkai!" It's my sister! And she's poised at the entrance, with her bow and arrow ready to shoot. "You won't get any closer to the Shikon no Tama, as long as I'm around!" I smiled, knowing that things are going to be alright now that Kikyou onee-sama's here.
"Well, if it isn't the Shikon's miko, Kikyou," he smirked. "Filthy bag of flesh! Stay out of my way!" He dashed towards her, his claws ready to rip her body. I cringed. "Kikyou onee-sama!!!"
ZWING! Her spiritual arrow flew right at him, missing his head by a hair. Angry, he skidded to a stop and growled at her. "Stupid human!" he cried. "I'll be back soon! Remember my face well, miko, for we shall meet again!!!" and to everyone's surprise, he dashed away, leaving a cloud of dust behind. Me and the villagers cheered for my sister; she was truly a great miko.
*end of flashback*
We found out that he was Inu-Yasha, and he was a dog-demon. The feud between him and onee-sama didn't end there. Many battles followed after that day, and it was all over the jewel. She would defeat him each time, and he would give up and dash away. My sister's way too strong for him.
I didn't expected that she would be seeing him secretly…on that fateful day that I tracked her down, and found out that they were seeing each other, and he was the reason why she was mysteriously neglecting her duties. It was because of him that my friends were almost eaten by that awful youkai!!! That's why I hate him, and because of him, Kikyou onee-sama's been hated by the villagers. It was such a relief that they forgave her, and now, she's atoning for her sins. Things felt normal after that, and strangely, there weren't many youkai invasions lately. Hmmm….
It was autumn when a mysterious wounded bandit named Onigumo came into our lives next. He said that he was attacked by youkais or something, that's why he's burned from head to toe. Until now, me and Kikyou onee-sama's nursing him back to health, but I don't like the way that he's staring at my sister. Is it just me, or do I sense soemthing bad is going to happen? Ever since that Onigumo came, I've felt rather uneasy…or maybe it's just my imagination. I mean, what kind of evilness would a burnt ningen do against us?…
"Kaede-chan, it's time that we go see Onigumo in the cave," Kikyou called to her, and she noticed that she was staring at a distance. "Kaede-chan? Kaede-chan?"
"H-huh? Oh, onee-sama! R-right, I'll go get the things that we need…"and she stood up and headed at the back of the house.
I don't know, but I feel that something bad's going to happen. What do I know? Only time will tell…
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Short, isn't it? I'm sure you know what "bad thing that's going to happen" means…next chapter, we'll be taking a trip down memory lane – that's right! The flashbacks of episode 15 (The unfortunate priestess, Kikyou's revival) are next! Things are going to be serious from then on…watch out for it! Ja ne!!!
P.S. Don't forget…please review!!! ^_____________^