A/N: OMG! I'm ssssoooo sorry it took so long to update this story. Damn school has been getting in the way greatly, I've been having some family problems, and illness after illness has been going around... *sigh* but now that this chapter is up, you won't have to beat me for not getting it sooner.... I hope you like it too, cause it focuses around three characters, and they don't happen to be Inuyasha and Kagome..... sorry... but if I didn't have this chappie, the future ones wouldn't make any sense. Sssssoooo, without further ado, KittyBell presents chapter 9 of "Ever After."

Chapter 9: A Visit from the Miko, Madoriko



Kikyo was wandering aimlessly along the gardens of her home. A pleased and satisfied smirk was caressing her pale, almost dead looking lips. A light breeze combed through the maiden's dark tresses, the loose strands around her face brushing against her sickly, white looking flesh. "And so, he will soon pay for the tragic loss given to me all those years ago. It is the least I can do for the suffering that damned hybrid has bestowed upon me."

~Flashback~



"Kikyo, I see that you have finally decided to join my side." The maiden growled angrily, her eyes narrowing on the figure before her. "I would rather suffer in hell than become part of your wretched life. You're a despicable character in my eyes, and I want nothing more but then to relish your sweet demise."



The male's crimson eyes gazed upon her, a contented sigh leaving his lips. "I see that you will be much harder to take.. No worry. I will complete this task easily, no matter what measures I must use." His dark brown locks swayed slightly as he raised his fingers and snapped them. Instantly, a couple of red rings formed around Kikyo's wrists, bounding her to the wall behind her. Her eyes were flickering with sheer anger as he approached her form, holding out a hand. "My dear, it would've been easier if you simply agreed."



"Naraku... you will pay for these treacherous actions of yours!" "Will I? How can you be so certain when you don't even know my appearance?" "What are you rambling about? The vile creature before my eyes is all I need to see." "You really think that this is my form? How could you be so certain that I may be casting a mere illusion? Tell me priestess, do you know deep inside if this is my true form?" The miko shuddered in disgust as Naraku leaned towards her, resting a hand upon her shoulder.



"If I could make the decision, you would be nothing than a piece of trash. But, what I see is how I judge you. I know who you are, what you are, and why you are here. Simply, you are a waste of space in this world." A glare flickered in the demon's eyes as his fingers moved to her mouth, silencing her words instantly. "You will learn when to hold your tongue. You shall only speak if you are given permission.. Otherwise, keep your words at a halt." She simply glared with sheer anger, watching as he stepped back. A sudden pulse came from his body, emanating a cold darkness. Kikyo's eyes watched as he seemed to change, but only briefly.



His hair flashed silver, as his eyes changed to gold. His clothes slowly shaped into that of a kimono similar to hers, only fully red. A pair of dog-like ears formed on his head as his hands flexed, revealing his newly grown claws. "What are you doing? Stop this insane act?!"



"To answer your question simply, this is my true form.. *lie*.. And the one you must hate. This is the person you must despise.. A mongrel as I am.... memorize this face, for whence the time comes, you shall come face to face with I, and the score shall be settled." Although the change was brief, Kikyo memorized down to the darkness of the different shades of amber in his eyes. She growled angrily in her throat as Naraku's change altered, changing him back. Before she could take another breath, the demon had pressed his lips firmly against hers, stealing a kiss that his human side had been longing for.

~End of Flashback~



"The hybrid shall be damned to hell, where his soul will perish. He will suffer for the pain and anguish he has bestowed upon me." Kikyo glared with sheer hatred towards the ground, her fists tightening in anger. She tried to clear her mind of the foul thoughts, but each second only more rage fluttered into the bitter emptiness of her head.



~May I ask you miko, is violence always the best way to resolve the problems that dwell within you?~



The instant the voice came to her mind, her semi-alive body stopped dead in its tracks. Her chocolate tresses swayed behind her as a breeze combed through the air gently. "Who are you? Present yourself or I shall seek you out and end your unwanted trespassing."



~Please. I wish not to cause a brawl with you. My intentions are not foul.~ "Then come forth. Or you be a mere demon? No, I cannot sense demon blood within you." Kikyo's eyes scanned the area surrounding her, searching for the cause of the voice. Suddenly, the faint sight of white glistened behind a tree, and moments later, an angelic form appeared.



"And so, the mysterious guess has finally chosen to present herself. Who are you?" ~Is it that much of a shock? Should you not know who I am? I have been graced with your presence for a couple of years now.~ Kikyo took a step back, lifting her hand slightly. Something was different about this woman. She seemed to be supernatural, like she wasn't part of this world.



"What are you talking about? I have never seen you in my life." ~You may not have seen me, but I've always been there. My home dwells within the jewel.. The jewel you threw into the fire.~ "What?" Her chocolate orbs widened in shock as she lowered her hand, a glare forming over her face. "You are sadly mistaking if you think you can bribe me into believing you are part of the jewel. The malice tinted object was thrown into the fiery pits where it will burn until nothing but a mere shadow is left of its presence."



~I am sorry to inform you, but the jewel did not perish. There is only one possible solution to rid the jewel entirely of this earth, but only one knows this deep inside her heart and that woman is not you. I am simply here to speak of that girl to you.~ The image of the woman grew brighter as she approached Kikyo, her mystic black hair shimmering slightly.



~My name is Madoriko, and I am the creator of the sacred jewel. It was unable to burn for several reasons, mainly because of the four souls involved. You will not fully understand this, for your soul is too darkened right now, and feels only bitter anger and revenge.~ "And how are you aware of this?" Kikyo loosened up, no longer tense towards this woman.



~It's quite simple... since your soul is part of the jewel, I am able to feel what you are experiencing. There are four different souls, and each one belongs to a person living among this planet. It just so happens that these four people know each other in some way. You would be quite surprised if you knew everything about this jewel and the four souls.~ "Then why don't you tell me?" Madoriko smiled softly, her angelic features giving of an aura of such purity.



~I'm afraid I cannot. You are to find that out on your own, just as Lady Kagome is. I only came to tell you of something you must know, for if it is not changed, then your life along with many others will highly be affected.~ "You think I want to listen to the nonsense talk you have about that wench? You are the one highly mistaking."



Madoriko let out a sigh, a frown tainting her heavenly features. She lifted a hand, a faint image appearing of the flashback Kikyo had experience moments ago. ~You see this? If you do not listen, this memory can, and WILL repeat itself, only more however.~



Kikyo glared in sheer anger towards the image. Oh how she despised Naraku, the foul demon. She wanted to so much to ring his neck, but she could. If she stayed with Inuyasha, she could follow through with her plan. Why was she so worried when her problem would be solved? All Madoriko had to say was meaningless to her. "I have no worry."



~Is it really that easy to say that? I fear you are more stubborn then I thought. Obviously, you will not hear out everything I wish to tell you... but hear this: Lady Kagome is stronger than you think. If you believe you can take everything away that easily, you are sadly mistaking. This plan you have with Inuyasha will backfire, and only lead to your demise in the end... not to mention you will suffer with Naraku in hell. Heed my warning Lady Kikyo, the plans you have made will lead to your own grave. You seem to show no interest, so I shall leave it at that. Continue with these actions, and no one will succeed save for Lady Kagome in the end.~ With those words, a bright flash engulfed the land, signaling the departure of the maiden. As her spirit vanished, a few more words could be heard.



~You have yet to see what I am referring to. Now, in the future, your life will suffer the decision you have made.~



"How dare she. Thinking she can make my own choices. Her attempts are feeble, useless. That wench will not run my life and she will not decide what I can or cannot do. My decision is final, I will go out with my original plans. If she thinks she can run my life, she is mistaken." Kikyo's harsh voice bit through the evening, giving off the impression of sheer anger. "Nothing has occurred tonight. Everything heard and spoken in these hours shall be forgotten..."



Kikyo walked on, wanting and longing to forget the talk- though she couldn't. Madoriko's words were imbedded within her soul, and wouldn't leave for anything. Though despite all of this, she was still confident that her plans would work out, and she would succeed. In fact, she knew she would. "I've got this one. Nothing can stop me."



However, just because she seemed so confident that her plans would succeed, it didn't mean they would. In fact, Madoriko knew what was in store, and how Kikyo's plans would turn out. But because the maiden was more than stubborn, unfortunately the dark future that would be bestowed upon her would soon to come. The good side of it, Lady Kagome and Lord Inuyasha would receive what they have desired, and Kikyo and Naraku will be thrown into hell where their souls will remain for eternity. As for Sango, her life will become blessed with more than she bargained, and as Koga. In a sense, the outcome would turn decent for most, so just maybe Kikyo's decision will be for the better.

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A/N: Well, how was it? And please be honest? I know it wasn't the best, but if it wasn't there, you'd all be going.. "Huh? What the hell is she talking about?" ... in the later chapters.. so, it was neccesary. I promise that the next chappie will be a HECK of a lot better.. and, hehe another character comes in... betcha can't guess who it is?

Anyway, the next chapter is called, "And They Think it Could Get Worse?" Sound interesting to you? It'd better!! *Turns to a big anime Kitty face while all of you are little specks* hehehehehe, you'll enjoy it. Well, that's all for now! Still next time, ja ne! Oh.. please don't forget to review!!

~KittyB~