"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is
noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; And third by experience,
which is bitterest."
~Confucius
All's Fair in Love and War
Chapter 15: Exile
~Regenbogen Haven (Miroku's POV)~
Kagome stands quietly against the wall. The crowd is eerily silent. Her face is impassive as she walks toward me.
"Miroku. Take twenty men with you and go after Inuyasha. Get them before they cross into enemy territory. Otherwise let them escape. Do not risk our men in the King's land."
She turns and marches back into the castle. I have been dismissed.
~Regenbogen Haven (Kikyo's POV)~
The door slams shut and I am left in the cell. I know Kagome thought it ironic to place me in Inuyasha's cell but I don't feel his presence. It is empty, nothing here is his, the cot has been made, the air is heavy but it smells only of oldness.
I am not afraid. Perhaps if I actually thought Kagome would execute me I would be scared. I've known her long enough that I can see through her shows of apathy and anger. She will not execute her friend so I can forgive myself for betraying Kagome.
In all the stories we hear the heroines are always praised when they sacrifice everything for love. I will be punished and I will have no 'lover' to comfort me when this is all finished.
~Regenbogen Haven (Kagome's POV)~
I am sitting in my chambers at my desk. I am pretending to read the reports in front of me. I can't concentrate on anything. Knowing what is coming tomorrow eats away at me. Can I execute Kikyo? Will I be able to follow thorough with it? I don't know. I have no wish to do this but I am sure it is what must be done.
I am interrupted by a hesitant knock on the door. I call for the person to come in. The door opens and in walks a soldier. He bows the appropriate lowness and hands me a letter I assume had just been delivered. I thank him.
I look at the wax seal and see the wolf seal of the King of La Tour de Loup. What could he possible want to say to me? I am surprised and as a result suspicious. I crack open the seal and unroll the parchment. I read the sharp script in wonderment.
Lady Kagome. I have recently heard of your courageous rebellion. As you know La Tour de Loup has never been a friend of Shi Wase for the reason of its cruel government. If you are in need of aid-supplies or soldiers-we of La Tour de Loup would be glad to be of service. And perhaps, after your victory, we could be united in a more familiar manner. My son, Kouga, had often voiced an interest in the customs and culture of Shi Wase. Please send a messenger with you reply at your convenience. I, the King of La Tour de Loup.
I am not stupid. I know exactly what this letter offers. My freedom-my hand in marriage-in exchange for soldiers and supplies. The King and his son have been watching for a chance to add Shi Wase to their already huge conquered lands.
I may still be able to use this to my advantage. Unless I legally state or sign a contract of engagement they will have no proof that I ever agreed to marry Kouga. A plan is forming in my mind. I need those soldiers if I am to win. I quickly sit down and write out a reply to the King. It is not as courtly as his is but no doubt he will assume I am unschooled and ignorant. I so not mention anything of the marriage he hints at. I will let his ponder if I understood what he alluded to.
When I am finished I seal the letter and walk out into the corridor. I stride purposely down the quiet hallways. The sun is setting so the windows are stained blood red. Finally I come to the windowless hallway of the cells. I stop in front of the door guarded by four soldiers. I smile falsely at them and unlock the door. I close it behind me and lock it before I dare to look up to find Kikyo.
~Regenbogen Haven (Kikyo's POV)~
I keep my head down when I hear the door open and then close again. It is probably only a soldier with my dinner. I am starting to doubt I will get away form this alive.
"Kikyo." I snap my heard up and se Kagome standing against the closed door.
"Why are you here?" I ask suspiciously.
"I need to talk to you."
I remain silent.
"Couldn't things just go back to normal? Couldn't you forget Inuyasha?"
I stare at her for a few minutes. She must know the answer to that.
"No. They were always faceless, I hated them because I didn't think of them as real people. Inuyasha is real to me now, he is exactly like all the soldiers here, and he is even like you."
She remains calm and impassive, I can't see what she is thinking.
"I can't execute you."
"I know."
"Instead you will be sent into exile. You will deliver this message," She pauses to hold up a sealed parchment. "To the King of La Tour de Loup in Aoi Kaze. You will stay there as a special guest. They will treat you as a friend of mine that needs guards for protection."
I stare at her in shock. Isn't she going to get her revenge?
"That is all."
"Yes, you will not return until I send for you."
"Those are my choices? Death or exile."
"No. Exile or an escort over enemy lines."
I have no wish to live at Hikari with Inuyasha. I know he doesn't love me. Exile is better then always having Inuyasha there as a reminder.
"I will take the message."
"Good. I will give orders for you to leave at dawn tomorrow. Here is the message." She hands me the parchment. "If the King of his son broach the subject of marriage in the future tell them the truth that you have heard of no such plans"
I nod. Marriage? Something is going on. I don't understand it but I assume I will hear more once I reach Aoi Kaze.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am so happy! I got past 100 reviews! ^_^ Yah so....I was going to kill Kikyo in this chapter but I thought putting her into exile was a chance to make Kagome seem less evil and also introduce Kouga in this. I know some of you guys where kinda looking forward to that. What do you guys think: Should later chapters follow Kikyo when she gets to Aoi Kaze? Perhaps there could be a match between Kouga and Kikyo? Decisions, decisions. ^_^ Anyways the story should hopefully quicken up a lot in the next couple chapters. Bye bye for now!
THANK YOU: CorruptedAngel, SwtAngl53, vegito044, Jazzy, Mitsuko Maxwell, azndarkdragongurl, Queen of Shadows, Neko, Thesmartasngirl and ShadowSpinner for reviewing last chapter!!!!
~Confucius
All's Fair in Love and War
Chapter 15: Exile
~Regenbogen Haven (Miroku's POV)~
Kagome stands quietly against the wall. The crowd is eerily silent. Her face is impassive as she walks toward me.
"Miroku. Take twenty men with you and go after Inuyasha. Get them before they cross into enemy territory. Otherwise let them escape. Do not risk our men in the King's land."
She turns and marches back into the castle. I have been dismissed.
~Regenbogen Haven (Kikyo's POV)~
The door slams shut and I am left in the cell. I know Kagome thought it ironic to place me in Inuyasha's cell but I don't feel his presence. It is empty, nothing here is his, the cot has been made, the air is heavy but it smells only of oldness.
I am not afraid. Perhaps if I actually thought Kagome would execute me I would be scared. I've known her long enough that I can see through her shows of apathy and anger. She will not execute her friend so I can forgive myself for betraying Kagome.
In all the stories we hear the heroines are always praised when they sacrifice everything for love. I will be punished and I will have no 'lover' to comfort me when this is all finished.
~Regenbogen Haven (Kagome's POV)~
I am sitting in my chambers at my desk. I am pretending to read the reports in front of me. I can't concentrate on anything. Knowing what is coming tomorrow eats away at me. Can I execute Kikyo? Will I be able to follow thorough with it? I don't know. I have no wish to do this but I am sure it is what must be done.
I am interrupted by a hesitant knock on the door. I call for the person to come in. The door opens and in walks a soldier. He bows the appropriate lowness and hands me a letter I assume had just been delivered. I thank him.
I look at the wax seal and see the wolf seal of the King of La Tour de Loup. What could he possible want to say to me? I am surprised and as a result suspicious. I crack open the seal and unroll the parchment. I read the sharp script in wonderment.
Lady Kagome. I have recently heard of your courageous rebellion. As you know La Tour de Loup has never been a friend of Shi Wase for the reason of its cruel government. If you are in need of aid-supplies or soldiers-we of La Tour de Loup would be glad to be of service. And perhaps, after your victory, we could be united in a more familiar manner. My son, Kouga, had often voiced an interest in the customs and culture of Shi Wase. Please send a messenger with you reply at your convenience. I, the King of La Tour de Loup.
I am not stupid. I know exactly what this letter offers. My freedom-my hand in marriage-in exchange for soldiers and supplies. The King and his son have been watching for a chance to add Shi Wase to their already huge conquered lands.
I may still be able to use this to my advantage. Unless I legally state or sign a contract of engagement they will have no proof that I ever agreed to marry Kouga. A plan is forming in my mind. I need those soldiers if I am to win. I quickly sit down and write out a reply to the King. It is not as courtly as his is but no doubt he will assume I am unschooled and ignorant. I so not mention anything of the marriage he hints at. I will let his ponder if I understood what he alluded to.
When I am finished I seal the letter and walk out into the corridor. I stride purposely down the quiet hallways. The sun is setting so the windows are stained blood red. Finally I come to the windowless hallway of the cells. I stop in front of the door guarded by four soldiers. I smile falsely at them and unlock the door. I close it behind me and lock it before I dare to look up to find Kikyo.
~Regenbogen Haven (Kikyo's POV)~
I keep my head down when I hear the door open and then close again. It is probably only a soldier with my dinner. I am starting to doubt I will get away form this alive.
"Kikyo." I snap my heard up and se Kagome standing against the closed door.
"Why are you here?" I ask suspiciously.
"I need to talk to you."
I remain silent.
"Couldn't things just go back to normal? Couldn't you forget Inuyasha?"
I stare at her for a few minutes. She must know the answer to that.
"No. They were always faceless, I hated them because I didn't think of them as real people. Inuyasha is real to me now, he is exactly like all the soldiers here, and he is even like you."
She remains calm and impassive, I can't see what she is thinking.
"I can't execute you."
"I know."
"Instead you will be sent into exile. You will deliver this message," She pauses to hold up a sealed parchment. "To the King of La Tour de Loup in Aoi Kaze. You will stay there as a special guest. They will treat you as a friend of mine that needs guards for protection."
I stare at her in shock. Isn't she going to get her revenge?
"That is all."
"Yes, you will not return until I send for you."
"Those are my choices? Death or exile."
"No. Exile or an escort over enemy lines."
I have no wish to live at Hikari with Inuyasha. I know he doesn't love me. Exile is better then always having Inuyasha there as a reminder.
"I will take the message."
"Good. I will give orders for you to leave at dawn tomorrow. Here is the message." She hands me the parchment. "If the King of his son broach the subject of marriage in the future tell them the truth that you have heard of no such plans"
I nod. Marriage? Something is going on. I don't understand it but I assume I will hear more once I reach Aoi Kaze.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am so happy! I got past 100 reviews! ^_^ Yah so....I was going to kill Kikyo in this chapter but I thought putting her into exile was a chance to make Kagome seem less evil and also introduce Kouga in this. I know some of you guys where kinda looking forward to that. What do you guys think: Should later chapters follow Kikyo when she gets to Aoi Kaze? Perhaps there could be a match between Kouga and Kikyo? Decisions, decisions. ^_^ Anyways the story should hopefully quicken up a lot in the next couple chapters. Bye bye for now!
THANK YOU: CorruptedAngel, SwtAngl53, vegito044, Jazzy, Mitsuko Maxwell, azndarkdragongurl, Queen of Shadows, Neko, Thesmartasngirl and ShadowSpinner for reviewing last chapter!!!!