Chapter 16 – Fire Starter, the Awaking
Do you feel it? A voice asked Kameko when she was standing before the plant youkai, Gunjukoujou.
Feel what? She asked the voice.
The burning within you, the fire, its been waiting for a long time to be let out.
I don't know what you're talking about.
You will see. The voice responded.
Kameko was confused when she first heard the voice. Then almost when it was done talking to her, she felt it. It was like her blood was on fire, burning in her veins, dying to get out.
She had to let it out some way. It wasn't hurting her, but her instincts told her to let it go. Set that burning, that fire free from her body.
Next thing she had know her arm was raised, burning Gunjukoujou's growing finger that was going to attack Sango.
She began to feel like she was there, but not really there. Like what was happening before her was a dream. Kameko drew further and further into her mind.
She felt something change though. Her eyes became sharper; she could see things she hadn't before. Her eyes were like that of a hawk's or eagle's, she supposed, and something in her confirmed that. When she had let the fire from her body, she could feel it swirl around her, waiting for her command. It would obey her.
As she quarreled with the plant youkai, she could feel something else stir inside her. As if part of her was just waking up from a long sleep. She didn't even know that part of her was asleep.
Then it woke up, just like that. As if it was waking from a light nap.
So much has changed, said a new voice. It sounded similar to Kameko's own, but it had a more mature tone to it. Images began to flash through Kameko's mind. She didn't recognize them at first, but then she saw one that she knew very well. It was her reoccurring dream of the woman confessing her love to a man before she died.
Ah, yes, that happened. The new voice spoke again. Almost forgot that.
Kameko was beginning to wonder what she looked like when the world became very dark.
Then she was having a new dream.
"I don't want to go", whined a 13-year-old girl.
"And I don't want to stay here forever," replied a mirror image of the girl. "Maybe we can convince them to give you the Shikon no Tama."
"But they chose you. You're the older one," the first protested.
"Only by a handful of seconds, you're much better with the villagers than I am. I am too restless. I would draw more attention to the jewel if I move around. If it stayed here, you can protect it better. It should be your job Kikyo.
Kikyo pondered this for a moment then shook her head. "Why don't we both guard it? Grandmother always said that we were stronger together. We can just tell the taiji-ya that they will have to make both of us protectors of the Shikon no Tama. When you get restless, Kyrae, we can travel-"
"Then who shall take care of little Kaede? She is only seven summers old. We cannot leave her or take her with us." Kyrae sighed and sat down. They were in their hut. It was the day before they would have to be separated. In all their 13 years, they had never been more then a day apart, and that was only when Kyrae had gotten herself lost in the nearby forest when they were five. However, for this, guarding the Shikon no Tama, they were willing to separate. It was going to be on their terms though.
"We're priestesses, descended from a long line of priestesses. It's in our blood," Kyrae said. "When called upon we must fulfill our duties. The duty of the Shikon no Tama has been given to me, but in my heart I know that it's wrong, and not my calling. And I feel that the gods agree. It is not my place to be its guardian."
Kikyo sighed and sat down next to her identical twin. "To bad we just couldn't switch spots without them knowing."
Kyrae smiled. "That's it. We've switched places before when playing tricks."
"But we were always found out, and none of those switches lasted long."
"Trust me, Toshi." Kyrae said, using their nickname for each other. "I have a plan."
Kameko remembered Kagome telling her about this person named Kikyo. She had been good when she was alive. A protector of the Shikon no Tama, like Kagome was. But when she was brought back to life, she had only sought the death of Inuyasha and her whole soul back from Kagome. For Kagome was the reincarnation of Kikyo.
Kagome had never spoken of Kikyo's twin. Kameko didn't even know that she had a twin. She remembered Kaede, the old woman from the village. But neither Kagome nor Kaede spoke of this Kyrae.
Nor would they, said the voice again. So tired. I need rest. Don't forget me though.
I won't, Kameko responded. How strange this all was.
All you need to know is the name Kyrae said the first voice, returning from where she knew not. Kameko repeated it to herself, and then all was black.
"There, there, child," Kaede said when Kameko whimpered, and replaced the damp cloth that had been Kameko's forehead. A new one that had been soaking in herbs replaced it.
Kameko, since getting back to Kaede's village, had not awakened. Kagome has wanted to take her to her era, but Kaede prevented her, saying that it was better for her to stay her and rest some. The elder woman's main concern was that she wasn't sure how Kameko would fair on the journey between realms.
"Let her rest here," Kaede had said. "Wait till she is awake, at least."
To fill the time, for it had been six days since their return, Kagome had gathered more arrows, and Sango was making sure her weapons were in perfect condition. Miroku and Shippou had been given the task of replacing and gathering new supplies. Inuyasha, as usual, was brooding somewhere or another, either above Kaede's hut, around Kagome, or in "his" tree.
"Twin . . . Toshi," Kameko whispered, and moved her head slightly from side to side.
Kaede's one good eye grew large, but quickly recovered when she heard some approach.
It was Kagome and Inuyasha. It looked like today he had decided to brood around Kagome.
"What she mumbling about?" Inuyasha demanded.
"'Tis just her fever speaking." Kaede replied. "Nothing more."
"How is she doing?" Kagome asked.
"Much better. She ate some bread soaked in milk today. Ye should not look so glum." Kaede said to the young girl upon see her face. "T'was not your fault that a youkai chose to posses her. Or maybe it was not a youkai at all, but one of the gods, for it has not been unknown for them to do such."
Kagome nodded, and sat next to Kameko and held her hand. No matter what anyone said, she felt responsible for what happened to her friend, for if she had only . . .
"Do we have to stay here?" the hanyou asked, looking rather irritated.
"I never said you had to stay. Go if you like," Kagome said.
Inuyasha groaned, not sure if she was serious or was one of her silly little women's games. He decided to play it safe, and sat in the corner of the hut.
As the sun began to sit Sango, Kirara, Miroku, and Shippou came back for dinner.
Sango had caught a large wild bird earlier, and with the help of Shippou, had prepared it for that night's meal. It was surprisingly meaty.
They were all in the middle of enjoying the fine food when Kameko sat up and shouted. "Hikariko!" She was panting rather hard, as if she had just ran a long distance.
Sango and Kaede both jumped at this outburst. Miroku and Kagome were at her side to quick to notice, though Inuyasha had watched their reactions with curiosity. Shippou and Kirara stayed where they were sitting.
"Kameko, calm down," Miroku cooed, while he rubbed her back.
The miko poured her some water. "Drink." She said simply.
The American nodded her head, and drank, but her eyes roamed to Kaede. Kagome poured her another cup at a nod of her friend's head.
"Tell me Kaede, tell me about her."
For the first time in his life, Inuyasha watched, as Kaede played dumb. 'She's hiding some,' he told himself, and was interesting in the secret that he did not know.
"What ye talking about, Kameko?" Kaede asked. Inuyasha did his best not to laugh. He turned his head down, so his silvery hair covered the small smile he couldn't hold back.
"Tell me about Kyrae," Kameko said, and she heard Sango take in a sharp breath. The fire cat titled her head at the girl. Kaede's response though was not what she had expected. Her eye began to water.
Author's Notes: Well, I really haven't updated this in a while, have I? Recently felt inspired to write, and this is the product. Be happy. I've probably lost all my regulars, but hopefully I'll gain some new fans!!!