The Miko Switch
Chapter XI
Disclaimer: No, Inuyasha doesn't belong to me! I swear!!!!!
Summary: Kagome and Kikyou switch bodies. To switch back, they must meet at the tree where Kikyou pinned Inuyasha 50 years ago after one month. But what if Kikyou does not want to switch back? KIK/SESS KAG/INU
INUYASHA
"It's been two weeks, Inu-yasha," Kagome said pointedly. "Add the one week, it's been three weeks since I've been in Kikyou's body. And Sango and Miroku are still not back!"
"Don't be so impatient," I told her, though I wasn't so sure anymore. Could Kikyou have killed them? I doubted that, very much, but there was a slight possibility.
Kagome rolled her eyes. "Sit."
"OUCH!" I yelled as I hit the ground, sprawled all over. "What was that for, Kagome?" I asked angrily.
"No reason," Kagome replied absently.
I glared at her. "I'm going out."
"Where are you going?" Kagome asked suspiciously.
"What do you think?" I asked sarcastically. "I'm going to find Kikyou's scent and trail it."
"I'm going with you!"
"No! You'd better stay here and keep your strength. You need a lot of it for the Staff of Souls," I insisted.
The past two weeks, Kagome had tried using the Staff of Souls once a day, in the morning, after breakfast. This made her extremely weak, and had to lie down on a small bed with Kaede-baba and Shippou treating her. She was barely able to stand up, and had to be helped around. Kaede had asked me not to leave Kagome in such a poor state, so I stayed put, though I didn't like it. Now, I was aching for some adventure, and all the weeks were spent watching and waiting for Kagome's strength to regain.
"I'm able to control it now," Kagome retorted. "My strength's returned and it's only noon." She stood up, and didn't wobble. "See?"
"It doesn't matter. If a Youkai attacked us, would I be able to fight it properly? What if it attacked you and I couldn't defend you? So many things could happen to you," I argued firmly. "You're not coming."
Kagome's eyes began to well up. "So I'm a burden, that's what you're saying?" she cried out.
"N-no… Kagome!" I said, exasperated. She knew how much I hated it when someone cried! "You're not coming!" I repeated, firmer than ever.
"I can fight too!" She insisted. "I'm not as weak as you think!" Her eyes now had formed tears.
"Kagome-chan!" Shippou called. He and Kaede-baba was walking toward us. They stopped in front of us, and stared at me suspiciously. "You made Kagome cry again!"
"I did not!" I yelled, really annoyed. "I'm going out, and she won't come along!"
"Kaede-san," Kagome said, turning to Kikyou's sister.
Kaede hesitated, then gave her advice. "Kagome, I'm not sure if you can make it. In fact, I suggest you go back to your world and regain your strength, then come back after a few days. Best that Inu-yasha go get Kikyou, then persuade her to switch back, then bring you back here."
"Yeah, Kagome!" Shippou added. "You'll be safe!"
"I don't need to be safe!" Kagome snapped. "Look, it's my fault that Sango and Miroku were captured. I want to help them get back safely!"
"Do you think you'll help them get back by letting some crazy Youkai capture you?" I cried. "If we can't get you back here in seven days, you're stuck in that body forever! And if you do get captured, you won't be helping Sango and Miroku, you'll just be a burden!"
"But… " Kagome started.
"No buts. Either you stay here or go back to your world!" I said firmly. "That's that." Then I turned to Kaede. "Please watch over her, okay?"
"Of course."
Then, I hugged Kagome. "You'll be safer here. You're not a burden, Kagome," I added hastily as Kagome bit her lip and looked as if she was about to cry. "I just want to finish this on my own. This is my fight, Kagome. My half-brother and my former love. It's my fight."
"She's my past life!" Kagome said stubbornly. "I'm part of this fight. You can't stop me!"
I patted her hair. "I'm sorry, but no can do. It's more of my fight than yours."
"Inu-yasha… " Kagome murmured, looking directly at my eyes. "Stay safe, okay?"
"I promise."
SESSHOMARU
I watched our two prisoners as the weeks passed. They seemed less hostile and more gentle and friendly to Kikyou. I was glad of that.
"Where's Kikyou?" Sango asked one day as Rin gave them their food. Kikyou had gone out to get some herbs and I was left to guard the two.
"She went to get some herbs," I replied. Sango nodded, then began eating her food.
"Has she decided to return to her body?" Miroku asked defiantly.
"I don't know," I answered. She said nothing about it to me, yet." I fidgeted at that. Why were these two so curious of Kikyou's movements? Most probably because of the fact they were worried about their friend.
"How is Kagome and Inu-yasha?"
"They're fine. Kagome seems rather tired from the Staff of Souls. It takes plenty of the user's strength, you know," I explained.
"So that's the reason Kikyou doesn't use it?"
"She used it to control the Shinidama-chuu," I answered simply. Then I stared at them suspiciously. "Why are you asking a lot of questions?"
"Well, we're worried that Kagome might stay in that body forever, so we might as well get as much information about it," Sango replied.
"How would you know that Kikyou will release you, anyway?"
"Why would she keep us after a whole month? We are no use to her," Miroku said, rolling his eyes. "Or has the great Sesshomaru not noticed that?"
I smirked. "Of course I did. It just strikes me quite curiously, you know. The past two weeks she had done nothing to you. Then why did she bother kidnapping you? She obviously has some unknown motives that don't require your friends. She must have other uses for you."
"What do you mean by 'other uses'?"
"Well, don't you think that Kikyou might have been studying you for another switch? That's a main possibility. With miko powers, anything is quite possible."
Sango paled. "Do you think she would do that?"
"I don't think so," I replied, shaking my head.
"Well, here's a very personal question," Miroku began, looking quite nervous. "Do you… like Kikyou?"
At that moment I had known I hit something. Preferably Miroku. However, it only hit a part of the shield, that had made them safe from me.
"You don't seem to value your life much," I gasped, looking deadly. "Just because your Kikyou's captives doesn't mean anything. I can annihilate you right now, so mind what you talk about." Then I stalked out of the hut and walked to the deep part of the forest.
"Do I like her?" I asked myself softly, hoping no one would hear. I thought back to the past few weeks. I never really liked her meetings with Inu-yasha, though few as they were, and was genuinely happy for her when she was happy. It was a strange feeling that I never felt. Maybe sometimes for Rin, but it was sort of brotherly love, and I was never really this happy for someone. Satisfaction, I felt. When I defeated strong Youkai, when I gained a strong power. But this feeling? Never.
I was worried. This might affect me. "I must not show it then," I said firmly. I wasn't sure if I did like her, but if Sango and Miroku began to notice, they were bound to tell Kikyou. And even if I didn't, I must be as unreadable as ever. I must not show my feelings.
I decided to walk back to the hut. Then, I spotted something. In a clearing of the forest, there was Kikyou. A basket was in her hand, filled with herbs of many kinds. However, she was with someone.
A familiar half-Youkai someone.
Inu-yasha!
I felt my heartbeat quicken. What was he doing with Kikyou?! I immediately went nearer to the two.
"Inu-yasha…" I heard Kikyou say. "What are you doing here?"
~*~*~*~*~*~
I couldn't help it! The cliffhanger was just waiting! Don't worry, I'll update sometime in May! Hee hee. I'm cruel, aren't I?
R&R